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EnglishDriving for your BMW 6 Series 2011-2017
Driving
Controls
Driving
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
Vehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
P when the ignition is switched off
P is engaged automatically when the ig‐
nition is switched off. When in an automatic car
wash, e.g., ensure that the ignition is not
switched off accidentally.◀
The ignition automatically cuts off while the
vehicle is stationary and the engine is stopped:
▷
When locking the vehicle, and when the
low beams are activated.
Start/Stop button
▷
Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started. This function is only available
when the low beams are turned off.
The concept
Pressing the Start/Stop button
switches the ignition on or off
and starts the engine.
▷
▷
When opening or closing the driver door, if
the driver's safety belt is unbuckled and
the low beams are turned off.
Steptronic transmission: The
engine starts if the brakes are
stepped on while pressing the Start/Stop but‐
ton.
While the driver's safety belt is unbuckled
with driver's door open and low beams off.
The low beams switch to parking lights after
approx. 15 minutes of no use.
Ignition on
Steptronic transmission: Press the Start/Stop
button without stepping on the brake.
Radio ready state
Activate radio-ready state:
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
▷
When the engine is running: press the
Start/Stop button.
Most of the indicator and warning lights in the
instrument cluster light up for a varied length
of time.
Some electronic systems/power consumers
remain ready for operation.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
The radio-ready state switches off automati‐
cally:
▷
▷
After approx. 8 minutes.
Ignition off
Steptronic transmission: Press the Start/Stop
button again without stepping on the brake.
When the vehicle is locked using the cen‐
tral locking system.
▷
Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
All indicator lights in the instrument cluster go
out.
69
Controls
Driving
The radio-ready state remains active if, e.g.,
the ignition is automatically switched off for the
following reasons:
Steptronic transmission
Starting the engine
▷
▷
▷
Opening or closing the driver's door.
Unfastening of the driver's safety belt.
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
When automatically switching from low
beams to parking lights.
The ignition is activated automatically for a
certain time and is stopped as soon as the en‐
gine starts.
If the engine is switched off and the ignition is
switched on, the system automatically
switches to the radio-ready state if the lights
are turned off or, if correspondingly equipped,
the daytime running lights are activated.
Engine stop
Hints
Take the remote control with you
Starting the engine
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, e.g., can‐
not start the engine.◀
Hints
Enclosed areas
Apply parking brake and further secure
the vehicle if needed.
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas, since breathing in exhaust fumes may
lead to loss of consciousness and death. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless but highly toxic gas.◀
Set the parking brake firmly when parking; oth‐
erwise, the vehicle could roll. On steep upward
and downward inclines, further secure the ve‐
hicle, e.g., by turning the steering wheel in the
direction of the curb.◀
Unattended vehicle
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running; doing so poses a risk of
danger.
Before driving into a car wash
So that the vehicle can roll into a car wash ob‐
serve instructions for going into an automatic
car wash, refer to page 232.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run‐
ning, set the parking brake and place the trans‐
mission in selector lever position P or N to pre‐
vent the vehicle from moving.◀
Steptronic transmission
Switching off the engine
Repeated starting in quick succession
Avoid trying to start the vehicle repeat‐
edly and in quick succession. Otherwise, the
fuel is not burned or is inadequately burned,
posing a risk of overheating and damage to the
catalytic converter.◀
1. Engage selector lever position P with the
vehicle stopped.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
The engine is switched off.
The radio-ready state is switched on.
3. Set the parking brake.
Do not wait for the engine to warm-up while
the vehicle remains stationary. Start driving at
moderate engine speeds.
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Driving
Controls
Functional limitations
The engine is not switched off automatically in
the following situations:
Auto Start/Stop function
The concept
The Auto Start/Stop function helps save fuel.
The system switches off the engine during a
stop, e.g., in traffic congestion or at traffic
lights. The ignition remains switched on. The
engine starts again automatically for driving
off.
▷
▷
External temperature too low.
The external temperature is high and auto‐
matic climate control is running.
▷
▷
▷
The car's interior has not yet been heated
or cooled to the required level.
The engine is not yet at operating temper‐
ature.
Automatic mode
The wheels are at a sharp angle or the
steering wheel is being turned.
After every start of the engine using the Start/
Stop button, the Auto Start/Stop function is in
the last selected state, refer to page 72.
When the Auto Start/Stop function is active, it
is available when the vehicle is traveling faster
than about 3 mph, approx. 5 km/h.
▷
▷
After driving in reverse.
Fogging of the windows when the auto‐
matic climate control is switched on.
▷
▷
▷
▷
▷
▷
▷
Vehicle battery is heavily discharged.
At higher elevations.
Engine stop
The engine is switched off automatically dur‐
ing a stop under the following conditions:
The engine compartment lid is unlocked.
HDC Hill Descent Control is activated.
The parking assistant is activated.
Stop-and-go traffic.
Steptronic transmission:
▷
The selector lever is in selector lever posi‐
tion D.
The selector lever is in position N, M/S or
R.
▷
The brake pedal remains pressed while the
vehicle is stationary or the vehicle is held
by Automatic Hold.
▷
Use of fuel with high ethanol content.
▷
The driver's safety belt is buckled or the
driver's door is closed.
Starting the engine
The engine starts automatically under the fol‐
lowing conditions:
The air flow from the air conditioner is reduced
when the engine is switched off.
▷
Steptronic transmission:
By releasing the brake pedal.
Displays in the instrument cluster
When Automatic Hold is activated: press
the accelerator pedal.
The display indicates that the
Auto Start/Stop function is
ready for an Automatic engine
start.
After the engine starts, accelerate as usual.
Safety mode
After the engine switches off automatically, it
will not start again automatically if any one of
the following conditions are met.
The display indicates that the
conditions for an automatic en‐
gine stop have not been met.
▷
The driver's safety belt is unbuckled and
the driver's door is open.
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Controls
Driving
▷
The hood was unlocked.
The engine can only be stopped or started
via the Start/Stop button.
Some indicator lights light up for a varied
length of time.
▷
LED goes out: Auto Start/Stop function is
activated.
The engine can only be started via the Start/
Stop button.
Switching off the vehicle during an
automatic engine stop
Functional limitations
During an automatic engine stop, the vehicle
can be switched off permanently, e. g., when
leaving it.
Even if driving off was not intended, the deacti‐
vated engine starts up automatically in the fol‐
lowing situations:
▷
Excessive warming of the car's interior
when the cooling function is switched on.
1. Press the Start/Stop button. The ignition is
switched off. The Auto Start/Stop function
is deactivated.
▷
▷
The steering wheel is turned.
Selector lever position P is engaged auto‐
matically.
Steptronic transmission: change from se‐
lector lever position D to R, N or M/S.
2. Set the parking brake.
▷
▷
Steptronic transmission: change from se‐
lector lever position P to N, D, R or M/S.
Engine start as usual via Start/Stop button.
Fogging of the windows when the auto‐
matic climate control is switched on.
Automatic deactivation
In certain situations, Auto Start/Stop function
is deactivated automatically for safety reasons
as if the driver were absent.
▷
▷
Vehicle battery is heavily discharged.
Excessive cooling of the car's interior when
the heating is switched on.
Malfunction
The Auto Start/Stop function no longer
switches off the engine automatically. A Check
Control message is displayed. It is possible to
continue driving. Have the system checked.
Activating/deactivating the system
manually
Using the button
Parking brake
The concept
The parking brake is used to prevent the vehi‐
cle from rolling when it is parked.
Press button.
▷
LED comes on: Auto Start/Stop function is
deactivated.
The engine is started during an automatic
engine stop.
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Driving
Controls
If the vehicle is slowed down down to a speed
of approx. 2 mph/3 km/h the parking brake is
set.
Overview
Releasing
With the ignition switched on:
Steptronic transmission: Press the
switch while the brake is pressed or se‐
lector lever position P is set.
The LED and indicator lamp go out.
Parking brake
The parking brake is released.
Automatic release in cars with
Steptronic transmission
Setting
Apply parking brake and further secure
the vehicle if needed.
Inadvertent operation of the accelerator
pedal
Set the parking brake firmly when parking; oth‐
erwise, the vehicle could roll. On steep upward
and downward inclines, further secure the ve‐
hicle, e.g., by turning the steering wheel in the
direction of the curb.◀
Make sure that the accelerator pedal is not op‐
erated unintentionally; otherwise, the vehicle is
set in motion and there is a risk of an acci‐
dent.◀
For automatic release, step on the accelerator
pedal.
Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, e.g., can‐
not release the parking brake.◀
The LED and indicator lamp go out.
The parking brake is automatically released
when you step on the accelerator:
Pull the reel.
▷
▷
▷
Engine on.
The LED lights up.
Drive mode engaged.
Driver buckled in and doors closed.
The indicator lamp lights up red. The
parking brake is set.
Automatic Hold
The concept
This system assists the driver by automatically
setting and releasing the brake, such as when
moving in stop-and-go traffic.
While driving
Use as emergency brake while driving:
Pull the reel and hold it. The vehicle brakes
hard while the reel is being pulled.
The vehicle is automatically held in place when
it is stationary.
The indicator lamp lights up red, a sig‐
nal sounds and the brake lights light
up.
On inclines, the system prevents the vehicle
from rolling backward when driving off.
A Check Control message is displayed.
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Controls
Driving
The indicator lamp lights up.
Automatic Hold is activated.
Overview
Deactivating
Press button again.
The LED and the letters AUTO H go
out.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold,
press on the brake pedal to deactivate it.
Automatic Hold
When the parking brake is set manually, Auto‐
matic Hold is deactivated automatically.
Safety information
Secure the vehicle against rolling
Driving
Before leaving the vehicle with the en‐
gine running, engage position P of the Step‐
tronic transmission and ensure that the park‐
ing brake is set. Otherwise, the vehicle may
begin to move.◀
Automatic Hold is activated: the vehicle is au‐
tomatically secured against rolling after brak‐
ing to a standstill.
The indicator lamp lights up green.
Step on the accelerator pedal to drive
off.
Under the following conditions, Automatic
Hold is automatically deactivated and the park‐
ing brake is set:
The brake is released automatically.
The indicator lamp goes out.
▷
▷
The engine is switched off.
A door is opened and driver's safety belt is
unbuckled while the vehicle is stationary.
Before driving into a car wash
Before driving into the car wash, deacti‐
vate Automatic Hold; otherwise, the parking
brake will be set when the vehicle is stationary
and the vehicle will no longer be able to roll.◀
▷
The moving vehicle is brought to a stand‐
still using the parking brake.
The indicator lamp switches from
green to red and the letters AUTO H go
out.
Parking
The parking brake is automatically set if the
engine is switched off while the vehicle is be‐
ing held by Automatic Hold.
Activating
This function can be activated when the driv‐
er's door is closed, the safety belt is fastened
and the engine is running.
The indicator lamp changes from green
to red.
Press button.
The parking brake is not set if the en‐
gine is switched off while the vehicle is coast‐
ing to a halt. Automatic Hold is deactivated.
The LED and the letters AUTO H light
up.
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Driving
Controls
Automatic Hold remains activated during the
engine stop brought about by the Auto Start/
Stop function.
Using turn signals
Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, e.g., can‐
not release the parking brake.◀
Malfunction
In the event of a failure or malfunction of the
parking brake, secure the vehicle against roll‐
ing using a wheel chock, e.g., when leaving it.
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To switch off manually, press the lever to the
resistance point.
After a power failure
Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator lamp
indicates that a turn signal bulb has failed.
Putting the parking brake into
operation
1. Switch on the ignition.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever to the resistance point.
The turn signal flashes three times.
The function can be activated or deactivated.
On the Control Display:
2.
Press the reel while stepping on the
brake pedal or selector lever position P is
set.
It may take several seconds for the brake to be
put into operation. Any sounds associated with
this are normal.
1. "Settings"
2. "Lighting"
3. "Triple turn signal"
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out as soon as the parking
brake is ready for operation.
Settings are stored for the profile currently in
use.
Signaling briefly
Press the lever to the resistance point and hold
it there for as long as you want the turn signal
to flash.
Turn signal, high beams,
headlight flasher
Turn signal
Hints
Do not adjust the exterior mirrors
Do not adjust the exterior mirror while
driving and when turn signals/hazard warning
flashers are on, or else the additional turn sig‐
nal lights in the exterior mirror are out of posi‐
tion and can't be seen.◀
75
Controls
Driving
The lever automatically returns to its initial po‐
sition when released.
High beams, headlight flasher
▷
Normal wiper speed: push up once.
The wipers switch to intermittent operation
when the vehicle is stationary.
▷
Fast wiper speed: press up twice or press
once beyond the resistance point.
Wipers change to normal speed when ve‐
hicle comes to standstill.
▷
▷
High beams, arrow 1.
Switch off and brief wipe
Headlight flasher, arrow 2.
Washer/wiper system
Switching the wipers on/off and brief
wipe
Hints
Push wiper lever down.
Do not activate wipers if frozen to wind‐
shield
The lever automatically returns to its initial po‐
sition when released.
Do not switch on the wipers if they are frozen
to the windshield; otherwise, the wiper blades
and the wiper motor may be damaged.◀
▷
▷
Single wipe: press down once.
To switch off normal wipe: press down
once.
Do not activate wipers on dry windshield
▷
To switch off fast wipe: press down twice.
Do not use the wipers if the windshield is
dry, as this may damage the wiper blades or
cause them to become worn more quickly.◀
Interval mode or rain sensor
The concept
The rain sensor automatically controls the time
between wipes depending on the intensity of
the rainfall. The sensor is located on the wind‐
shield, directly behind the interior rearview mir‐
ror.
Switching on
Push wiper lever up.
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Driving
Controls
Activating/deactivating
Clean the windshield, headlights
Press button on the wiper lever.
Pull the wiper lever towards you.
Wiping is started. If the vehicle is equipped
with a rain sensor: LED in wiper lever lights up.
The system sprays washer fluid on the wind‐
shield and activates the wipers briefly.
When wipers are frozen to windshield, wiper
operation is deactivated.
In addition, the headlights are cleaned at regu‐
lar intervals when the vehicle's lights are acti‐
vated.
During trip interruption with the rain sensor
switched on: if the trip is resumed within ap‐
prox. 15 minutes, the rain sensor is automati‐
cally activated again.
Do not use the washer system at freezing
temperatures
Do not use the washers if fluid could freeze
onto the windshield which might impede your
viewing field. Therefore use antifreeze fluid.
Deactivate the rain sensor in car washes
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing
through an automatic car wash; otherwise, un‐
intentional wiping can cause damages.◀
Avoid using the washer when the reservoir is
empty; operation might damage pump.◀
Setting the frequency or sensitivity of
the rain sensor
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are automati‐
cally heated while the ignition is switched on.
Fold-out position of the wipers
Fold wipers back when you want to change the
blades or with pending low temperatures.
1. Switch the ignition on and off again.
2. With icy conditions make sure that blades
are not frozen to the windshield.
3. Press the wiper lever up beyond the point
of resistance and hold it for approx. 3 sec‐
onds, until the wiper remains in a nearly
vertical position.
Turn the thumbwheel.
After the wipers are folded back down, the
wiper system must be reactivated.
77
Controls
Driving
Folding wipers back down
Washer fluid reservoir
Before switching the ignition on, fold the
wipers back down to the windshield; other‐
wise, the wipers may become damaged when
they are activated.◀
1. Switch on the ignition.
2. Push wiper lever down. Wipers move to
their resting position and are ready again
for operation.
All washer nozzles are supplied from one res‐
ervoir.
Washer fluid
Fill with a mixture of windshield washer con‐
centrate and tap water and – if required – with a
washer antifreeze, according to the manufac‐
turer's recommendations.
Hints
Antifreeze for washer fluid
Antifreeze is flammable and can cause
injury if it is used incorrectly.
Mix the washer fluid before adding to find the
right mixture.
Therefore, keep it away from possible sources
of ignition.
Do not add windshield washer concentrate and
antifreeze undiluted and do not fill with pure
water; this could damage the wiper system.
Only keep it in the closed original container
and inaccessible to children.
Do not mix window washer concentrates of dif‐
ferent manufacturers because they can clog
the windshield washer nozzles.
Follow the notes and instructions on the con‐
tainer.
United States: The washer fluid mixture ratio is
regulated by the U.S. EPA and many individual
states; do not exceed the allowable washer
fluid dilution ratios limits that apply. Follow the
usage instructions on the washer fluid con‐
tainer. Use BMW’s Windshield Washer Con‐
centrate or the equivalent.◀
Recommended minimum fill quantity:
0.2 US gal/1 liter.
Steptronic transmission
Selector lever positions
D Drive
Selector lever position for normal vehicle oper‐
ation. All gears for forward travel are activated
automatically.
Adding washer fluid
Only add washer fluid when the engine is
cool, and then close the cover completely to
avoid contact between the washer fluid and
hot engine parts.
Otherwise, there is a danger of fire and a risk to
personal safety if the fluid is spilled.◀
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral:
The vehicle may roll. Use in automatic car
washes, e.g.
78
Driving
Controls
When the ignition is switched off, refer to
page 69, selector lever position P is engaged
automatically.
Engaging D, R and N
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
drive wheels are blocked.
P is engaged automatically:
▷
After the engine is switched off when the
vehicle is in radio-ready state, refer to
page 69, or when the ignition is switched
off, refer to page 69, and when selector
lever position R or D is set.
Briefly push the selector lever in the desired di‐
rection, beyond a resistance point if needed.
After releasing the selector lever, it returns to
its center position.
▷
▷
With the ignition off, if selector lever posi‐
tion N is set.
If the driver's safety belt is released, the
driver's door is opened, and the brake
pedal is not pressed while the vehicle is
stationary and selector lever position D or
R is set.
Before exiting the vehicle, make sure that se‐
lector lever position P is set. Otherwise, the ve‐
hicle may begin to move.
Press unlock button, in order to:
Kickdown
▷
▷
Engage R.
Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Step on the accelerator pedal
beyond the resistance point at the full throttle
position.
Shift out of P.
Engaging P
Engaging selector lever positions
Press on the brake pedal until you start
driving
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you
select a gear, maintain pressure on the brake
pedal until you are ready to start.◀
▷
It is not possible to shift out of selector
lever position P until the engine is running
and the brake is applied.
Press button P.
▷
With the vehicle is stationary, press on the
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N;
otherwise, the shift command will not be
executed: shift lock.
79
Controls
Driving
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the currently se‐
lected gear.
Sport program and manual mode
Activating the sport program
Steptronic Sport transmission:
prevent automatic upshifting in M/S
manual mode
The Steptronic Sport transmission does not
automatically upshift in M/S manual mode
once the maximum speed is reached, if one of
the following conditions is met:
▷
▷
▷
DSC deactivated.
Press the selector lever to the left out of selec‐
tor lever position D.
TRACTION activated.
SPORT+ activated.
The engaged gear is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster, e.g., S1.
In addition, the kickdown is deactivated.
The sport program of the transmission is acti‐
vated.
Ending the sport program/manual
mode
Push the selector lever to the right.
Activating the M/S manual mode
D is displayed in the instrument cluster.
1. Press the selector lever to the left out of
selector lever position D.
Shift paddles
2. Push the selector lever forward or pull it
backward.
Manual mode becomes active and the gear is
changed.
The engaged gear is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster, e.g., M1.
Once maximum engine speed is attained, or if
the engine is getting too hot, M/S manual
mode is automatically upshifted as needed.
The shift paddles on the steering wheel allow
you to shift gears quickly while keeping both
hands on the steering wheel.
Switching to manual mode
▷
To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.
▷
▷
Shift up: briefly pull right shift paddle.
Shift down: briefly pull left shift paddle.
▷
To shift up: pull the selector lever rear‐
wards.
Gears will only be shifted at appropriate engine
and road speeds, for example downshifting is
not possible if the engine speed is too high.
Gears will only be shifted at appropriate engine
and road speeds and when necessary due to
the temperature of the drivetrain, e.g., down‐
shifting is not possible if the engine speed is
too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.
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Driving
Controls
If the shift paddles on the steering wheel are
used to shift gears in automatic mode, the
transmission temporarily switches to manual
mode.
Steptronic Sport transmission:
Launch Control
The concept
In the manual mode, after conservative driving
for a certain amount of time or if there has
been no acceleration or shifting of the shift
paddles within a certain amount of time, the
transmission switches back to automatic
mode.
Launch Control enables optimum acceleration
on surfaces with good traction.
Hints
Component wear
Do not use Launch Control too often;
otherwise, this may result in premature wear of
components due to the high stress placed on
the vehicle.◀
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selector lever position is dis‐
played, e.g.: P.
Do not use Launch Control during the break-in,
refer to page 180, period.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.
Electronic unlocking of the
transmission lock
An experienced driver may be able to achieve
better acceleration values in DSC OFF mode.
General information
Electronically unlock the transmission lock to
maneuver vehicle from the danger area.
Requirements
Launch Control is available when the engine is
warmed up, that is, after uninterrupted driving
of at least 6 miles/10 km.
Unlocking is possible, if the started can spin
the engine.
To start with Launch Control do not steer the
steering wheel.
Engaging selector lever position N
1. Depress the brake pedal.
Start with launch control
While the engine is running:
2. Press the Start/Stop button. The starter
must audibly start.
3. Press and hold the selector lever into posi‐
tion N.
1.
Press button or select Sport+ with
the Driving Dynamics Control.
A corresponding Check Control message
is displayed.
TRACTION is displayed in the instrument
cluster and the indicator lamp for DSC OFF
lights up.
4. Press the selector lever again into posi‐
tion N within approx. 6 seconds.
2. Engage selector lever position S.
Position N is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
3. With the left foot, forcefully press down on
the brake.
5. Release brake, as soon as the starter
stops.
4. Press and hold down the accelerator pedal
beyond the resistance point at the full
throttle position.
6. Maneuver the vehicle from the danger area
and secure it against moving on its own.
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Controls
Driving
A flag symbol is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster.
5. The starting engine speed adjusts. Within
3 seconds, release the brake.
Before using Launch Control, allow the trans‐
mission to cool down for approx. 5 minutes.
Launch Control adjusts to the surrounding
conditions, e.g., wet pavement, when used
again.
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