Features overview
BlueBus transforms your classic BMW into a modern connected vehicle. This page provides a comprehensive overview of all features and capabilities.Bluetooth connectivity
Audio streaming
BlueBus supports high-quality wireless audio streaming from your smartphone or any Bluetooth-enabled device. Key capabilities:- A2DP profile for stereo audio streaming
- AAC codec support for high-quality audio
- Metadata display showing artist, title, and album information
- Playback control via vehicle buttons and steering wheel controls
- Play/pause toggle
- Next/previous track
- Fast forward (hold next)
- Rewind (hold previous)
- Track seeking
BlueBus uses the AAC codec when available, providing better audio quality than standard SBC encoding.
Device pairing
Multi-device support:- Pair up to 8 Bluetooth devices
- Automatic reconnection to last connected device
- Device management through vehicle display
- Clear all pairings option for selling vehicle
- Automatic connection when entering vehicle
- Manual device selection through menus
- Seamless switching between paired devices
Hands-free telephony
Make and receive calls using your vehicle’s factory microphone and audio system.Phone call features
HFP (Hands-Free Profile) support:- Answer/end calls via vehicle controls
- Reject incoming calls
- Voice dial support
- Last number redial
- Call waiting
- Show caller name and number on vehicle screen
- Call duration timer
- On-call indicator
- Handsfree mode indicator
- Activate Siri (iOS) or Google Assistant (Android)
- Long-press voice button on steering wheel
- Full voice control for calls, messages, and navigation
BlueBus emulates the factory BMW telephone system, providing native integration with your vehicle’s controls and display.
Telephone LED control
On vehicles equipped with a telephone button LED:- Red LED = Bluetooth device disconnected
- Green LED = Bluetooth device connected
- Flashing patterns indicate call status
Audio modes
BlueBus supports multiple telephone audio modes:| Mode | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Default | Standard telephone audio routing | Most vehicles |
| TCU | Emulates BMW Assist module | Vehicles with TCU wiring |
| No Mute | Prevents radio muting during calls | Custom audio setups |
| Analog | Routes telephone audio to analog output | Specific DSP configurations |
Vehicle integration
On-Board Computer data
Display vehicle information on your screen during playback: Available data:- Coolant temperature - Engine coolant temp in °C or °F
- Ambient temperature - Outside air temperature
- Oil temperature - Engine oil temperature
- Vehicle range - Remaining fuel range
- Choose which temperature to display
- Toggle between Celsius and Fahrenheit
- Enable/disable OBC dashboard integration
OBC data is read directly from your vehicle’s I-Bus and displayed on compatible screens during Bluetooth playback.
GPS time synchronization
On vehicles equipped with factory navigation: Automatic time updates:- GPS time sync from navigation system
- Bluetooth time sync from connected phone
- Automatic daylight saving time adjustment
- Configurable timezone offset
- Updates vehicle clock automatically
- Enable/disable GPS sync
- Enable/disable phone sync
- Set timezone manually
- DST automatic adjustment
Park Distance Control (PDC)
Integration with factory parking sensors: Visual PDC display:- Show PDC sensor readings on BMBT screen
- Real-time distance visualization
- Front and rear sensor support
- Instrument cluster
- Radio display
- Both simultaneously
Comfort features
BlueBus can control various comfort and convenience functions in your vehicle.Auto-lock functionality
Speed-based automatic locking:- Lock doors at 10 km/h threshold
- Lock doors at 20 km/h threshold
- Disable auto-lock
- Unlock on ignition position 0 (key removed)
- Unlock on ignition position 1 (accessory)
- Disable auto-unlock
Auto-lock and unlock features use the I-Bus to send commands to your vehicle’s body module (GM), just like the factory systems.
Comfort turn signals
Tap-to-signal functionality:- Configurable blink count (3, 5, or 7 blinks)
- Light tap on turn signal stalk
- Automatic cancellation after set blinks
- Compatible with most E-series BMWs
Lighting control
Parking lamp control:- Enable/disable parking lamps via BlueBus
- Integration with factory lighting module
- Automatic control based on conditions
- Configurable welcome lighting
- Home lighting timer
- Integrated with factory LCM (Light Control Module)
Audio features
High-quality DAC
BlueBus features a premium PCM5122 DAC: Specifications:- 2.1V RMS line-level output
- 113 dB SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio)
- Low distortion and high dynamic range
- Adjustable output volume
- Range: -24 dB to 0 dB
- Independent from vehicle volume
DSP integration
Input source selection:- S/PDIF digital output - Direct digital connection to factory DSP
- Analog output - For non-DSP vehicles or analog DSP inputs
- Select input source via settings menu
- Automatic DSP mode detection
- Compatible with all factory DSP systems
The S/PDIF output provides bit-perfect digital audio to your factory amplifier, maintaining the highest possible audio quality.
Autoplay
Automatic playback:- Start playing when entering vehicle
- Resume from last position
- Configurable on/off
- Lower volume when shifting to reverse
- Helps hear PDC sensors
- Restore volume when exiting reverse
System features
Firmware updates
USB-based upgrades:- Update firmware without opening module
- FT231XS USB to UART interface
- Bootloader supports safe updates
- No special tools required
- Connect USB cable to BlueBus
- Put module in bootloader mode
- Upload new firmware file
- Automatic verification and installation
Multi-language support
BlueBus supports 9 languages for menus and messages:- Dutch
- English
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Norwegian
- Russian
- Spanish
- Swedish
- Auto-detect from vehicle settings
- Manual language selection
- All menus and text localized
Settings management
All settings stored in EEPROM and configurable through vehicle display: Setting categories:- Audio - DAC gain, DSP input, volume offsets, autoplay
- Telephony - HFP mode, microphone gain, telephone volume, audio mode
- Comfort - Auto-lock speed, blinker count, lighting options
- UI - Language, temperature units, display preferences, metadata display
- Navigation - Auto-zoom, map display mode, GPS time sync
- System - Logging, auto power-off, ignition behavior
Settings persist across power cycles and are retained even when the vehicle battery is disconnected.
Diagnostic features
Logging
BlueBus includes comprehensive logging for troubleshooting: Log categories:- Bluetooth events and commands
- I-Bus traffic and messages
- System events and errors
- UI interactions
- Via USB serial connection
- Real-time streaming
- Configurable log levels per category
About screen
View system information on your display:- Serial number
- Firmware version
- Build date (week/year)
- Hardware configuration
Display-specific features
BMBT graphical menus
Full menu system:- Main menu with icons
- Settings submenus
- Device management interface
- About and information screens
- OBC data overlay on main screen
- Temperature display
- Metadata with album art placeholders
Single-line display optimization
For MID, CD53, and MIR:- Scrolling text for long metadata
- Abbreviated menu names
- Efficient navigation with limited space
- Context-aware display switching
BlueBus automatically detects your display type and optimizes the interface for the best possible experience.