radio controls BMW 550I TOURING 2008 E61 Owner's Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to use
the index, refer to page270.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
7Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
23Voice command system
Controls
28Opening and closing
45Adjusting
56Transporting children safely
61Driving
78Everything under control
89Technology for comfort, convenience
and safety
107Lamps
113Climate
120Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
134Things to remember when driving
Navigation
142Starting navigation system
144Destination entry
156Destination guidance
165What to do if …
Entertainment
168On/off and tone
172Radio
178Satellite radio
181CD player and CD changer
187AUX-In connection
188USB audio interface
Communications
194Telephoning
209BMW Assist
Mobility
220Refueling
222Wheels and tires
232Under the hood
237Maintenance
239Care
243Replacing components
253Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
260Technical data
265Short commands of voice command
system
270Everything from A to Z

At a glance
11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
7Buttons on steering wheel
8Instrument cluster12
11Ignition lock6112Horn, entire surface
15Releasing hood232 Mobile phone
*194:
>Press: accepting and ending
call, starting dialing
* for
selected phone number and
redialing if no phone number is
selected
>Press and hold: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice com-
mand system
* 23
Changing radio station172
Selecting music track182
Scrolling in phone book and in lists
with stored phone numbers
Individually programmable
*54
Individually programmable
*54
Leaving lane warning
*105
9
Windshield wipers68
Rain sensor68
Sports Wagon: rear window
wiper69
10Starting/stopping engine and
switching ignition on/off 61
13
Steering wheel heater*54
Steering wheel adjustment54
14
Cruise control
*69
Active cruise control71
16Opening luggage compartment lid/
tailgate33, 35
17
Head-Up Display
*101
BMW Night Vision
*103
18Parking lamp107
Daytime running lamps
*108
Low beams107
Welcome lamps107
Automatic headlamp control
*107
Daytime running lamps
*108
Welcome lamps107
Adaptive Head Light
*109
High-beam assistant
*109
19
Instrument lighting111
Fog lamps
*111

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Microphone for hands-free mode
for telephone
*
and for voice command system*23
2Reading lamps112
3SOS: initiating
an emergency request253
4Interior lamps111
5Glass sunroof
*, electric41
Panorama glass sunroof42
6Passenger airbag status lamp100
7Control Display16
Displays for menu navigation
8Hazard warning flashers
9Central locking system32
10Automatic climate control113
11Changing
>radio station172
>track168
12Ejecting
>navigation DVD
*142
>audio CD181
13Programmable memory buttons21
14Drive for navigation DVDs
*14215Drive for audio CDs181
16Switching Entertainment sound output
on/off and adjusting volume168
18Controller16
Turn, press or move horizontally in four
directions
19Opening start menu on Control Display17 Temperature setting,
left/right114
Automatic air distribution and
volume114
Cooling function116
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control116
Recirculated-air mode116
Maximum cooling116
Air volume115
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation115
Rear window defroster115
17
Heated seats*51
Active seat ventilation
*52
Adjusting active backrest
width
*47
Active seat
*52
PDC Park Distance Control
*89
DTC Dynamic Traction Control91
Opening luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
*33,35

At a glance
17Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Menu overview
Communication
>Telephone*
>BMW Assist* or BMW TeleServices*
Navigation or onboard information
>Navigation system*
>Onboard information, e.g. for displaying
the average fuel consumption
Entertainment
>Radio
>CD player and CD changer
*
>AUX-In connection
>USB audio interface
*
Climate
>Vent settings
>Automatic programs
>Seat heater distribution
*
>Parked car operation*
menu
>Switching off Control Display
>Tone and display settings
>Settings for your vehicle, e.g. for the central
locking system
>Display of maintenance intervals and dead-
lines for legally mandated inspections
>Settings for telephone
Operating principle
From radio readiness, refer to page61, the fol-
lowing message is shown on the Control Dis-
play:
To hide the message:
Press the controller.
This displays the start menu.
The message is hidden after approx. 10 sec-
onds.
Start menu
You can call up all the functions of iDrive using
five menu items.
Opening start menu
Press the button.
To open the start menu from the menu:
Press the button twice.

At a glance
21Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Switching assistance window off/on
1.Move the controller to the right to change to
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2.Select "Assist. window off" and press the
controller.
To switch on, change to the assistance window
and press the controller.
Switching Control Display
off/on
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Display off" and press the control-
ler.
To switch on, press the controller.
Programmable memory
buttons
You can save and request certain functions of
iDrive on the programmable memory buttons:
>Destinations of navigation
>Telephone, phone numbers
>Entertainment:
>radio station
>CD
>CD compartment of CD changer
*
>AUX
>USB audio interface
*
The assignment of the programmable buttons
is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Saving function
Destinations of navigation
1.Select navigation destination, e.g. in the
destination list or the address book.
2.Press the ... button longer
than 2 seconds.
Special features:
>With the destination guidance system and
the map view started, the current destina-
tion is stored.
>During destination entry via a map, the
coordinates at the cursor are stored, not the
current destination.
Telephone, phone numbers
1.Enter the phone number or select it in a list
of the stored phone numbers, e.g. of the
A-Z list.
2.Press the ... button longer
than 2 seconds.
If a name is assigned to the phone number, the
name will also be stored.

At a glance
25Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Notes
The mobile phone can also be operated
with voice commands, refer to
page205.<
For voice commands, bear the following in
mind:
>Say the commands and numbers smoothly
and at normal volume, avoiding excessive
emphasis and pauses. This also applies to
spelling when entering the destination.
>Always issue commands in the language of
the voice command system.
>When selecting a radio station, use the
common pronunciation of the station name.
>For entries in the voice-activated phone
book, only use names in the language of the
voice command system and do not use
abbreviations.
>Keep the doors, windows and glass sun-
roof
* or panorama glass sunroof* closed to
prevent interference from ambient noise.
>Avoid making other noise in the vehicle
while speaking.

Opening and closing
28
Opening and closing
Keys/remote control
1Remote control with integrated key
2Spare key
3Adapter for spare key, in glove compart-
ment
Remote control with integrated key
Each remote control contains a battery which is
charged in the ignition lock while driving. Drive a
longer distance with each remote control at
least twice a year to keep the battery charged.
For comfort access
*, the remote control con-
tains a replaceable battery, refer to page40.
Depending on which remote control is detected
by the vehicle during unlocking, different set-
tings are activated and executed in the vehicle,
refer to Personal Profile, page28.
Information on the required for maintenance is
also stored in the remote control, refer to Ser-
vice data in remote control, page237.
Integrated key
Press button1 to unlock the key.The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Glove compartment, refer to page122
>Sports Wagon: floor panel flap in cargo bay,
refer to page128
>Driver's door, refer to page32
>Luggage compartment lid, refer to page33.
New remote controls
To obtain additional or replace lost keys, new
remote controls with an integrated key are
available at your BMW center.
Spare key
Store the spare key in a safe place such as your
wallet. This key is not intended for regular use.
The spare key and integrated key fit the same
locks.
Adapter for spare key
The adapter is required so that the vehicle can
be started with the spare key or radio readiness
can be switched on.
Remove the adapter from the holder in the
glove compartment and slide the spare key into
the adapter before use.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW
individually according to your preferences.

Controls
29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Personal Profile ensures that most of these set-
tings are stored for the remote control currently
in use without you having to do anything. When
the vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding
remote control is detected and the settings
stored for it are called up and carried out.
This means that you will always find your BMW
set to your own personal settings even if
another person with his/her own remote control
and settings has used the vehicle since the last
time you drove it. The individual settings are
stored for a maximum of four remote controls,
for two with comfort access
*.
Personal Profile settings
Details on the settings are provided on the
specified pages.
>Behavior of the central locking system
when unlocking vehicle, refer to page30
>Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to
page32
>Programming buttons
* on steering wheel,
refer to page54
>Displays on Control Display:
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer
to page87
>Measuring units for consumption, route/
distances, temperature, and pressure,
refer to page88
>12h/24h clock format, refer to page87
>Date format, refer to page87
>Language on Control Display, refer to
page88
>Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to
page67
>Welcome lamps, refer to page107
>Pathway lighting, refer to page108
>Daytime running lamps
*, refer to
page108
>High-beam assistant
*, refer to page109>PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page89
>Head-Up Display
*: selection and bright-
ness of display, refer to page101
>BMW Night Vision
*: display settings, refer
to page104
>Automatic climate control: AUTO program
and intensity, cooling function, and auto-
matic recirculated air control/recirculated
air mode, temperature, air distribution, tem-
perature in the upper body region, refer to
text starting on page114
>Navigation system
*: voice instructions for
destination guidance, refer to page159
In addition, the following, most recently
selected settings are recalled during unlocking:
>Programmable memory buttons: selecting
stored functions, refer to page21
>Positions of driver's seat, outside mirrors,
and steering wheel
*, refer to page47
>Audio sources: volume and tone settings,
refer to page169
>Radio:
>Display of stored stations, refer to
page172
>Switching RDS Radio Data System
on/off
*, refer to page175
>Phone: volume setting, refer to
pages200,206
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system functions when the
driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid or tailgate and
rear window
>Fuel filler door

Controls
31Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Locking
Press the button.
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if
persons are inside, as unlocking from the
inside is not possible without special knowl-
edge.<
Switching on interior lamps
With vehicle locked:
Press the button.
You can also use this function to locate your
vehicle in parking garages etc.
Panic mode*
You can trigger the alarm system in case of dan-
ger:
Press the button for at least 3 seconds.
Switching off alarm: press any button.
Sedan: opening luggage
compartment lid
Press the button for approx. 1 second.
The luggage compartment lid opens, regard-
less of whether it was previously locked or
unlocked.
During opening, the luggage compart-
ment lid pivots back and up. Make sure
that adequate clearance is available before
opening.
To prevent accidentally locking yourself out,
never lay the remote control in the cargo bay. A
previously locked luggage compartment lid is
also locked again after closing.<
Sports Wagon: unlocking tailgate
Press the button for approx. 1 second.
The tailgate will open slightly, regardless of
whether it was previously locked or unlocked.
During opening, the tailgate pivots back
and up. Make sure that adequate clear-
ance is available before opening.
To prevent accidentally locking yourself out,
never lay the remote control in the cargo bay. A
previously locked tailgate is also locked again
after closing. When opening the tailgate, the roll-up cover is
raised.<
If pointed or sharp-edged objects could
strike the rear window while driving, be
sure to provide protection around all edges.
Failure to do so could result in damage to the
heating conductors of the rear window.<
Confirmation signals
You can activate or deactivate the confirmation
signals.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Door locks" is selected and
press the controller.
6.Select "Confirmation" and press the con-
troller.
7.Select the desired signal.
8.Press the controller.
The signal is activated.
Malfunction
The remote control may malfunction due to
local radio waves. Should the remote control fail
to operate due to interference of this kind,
unlock and lock the vehicle via the door lock
using a key.
If it is no longer possible to lock the vehicle
using the remote control, then the battery is
discharged. Use this remote control during an
extended drive; this will recharge the battery,
refer to page28.

Controls
39Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Unlocking
Grasp a door handle fully, refer to arrow1, but
do not touch the surfaces, arrow2 or 3 when
doing so. This corresponds to pressing the
button.
Locking
>On the driver's door, touch the highlighted
surface, arrow2, with a finger for approx.
1 second, but do not grasp the door handle.
>On the remaining doors, touch the high-
lighted surface, arrow3, with the back of
your hand for approx. 1 second, but do not
grasp the door handle.
This corresponds to pressing the but-
ton.
Please make sure that the ignition and all
electronic systems/consumers are
switched off before locking to save the bat-
tery.<
Comfort closing
Hold a finger or the back of your hand against
the surface, arrow2 or 3, but do not grasp the
door handle while doing so.
The windows and the glass sunroof
* are
closed.
Watch during the closing process to be
sure that no one is injured. Removing the
hand from the door handle stops the closing
process immediately.<
Opening luggage compartment lid/
tailgate separately
Press the button on the luggage compartment
lid/tailgate. This corresponds to pressing the
button.If a remote control accidentally left in the
cargo bay is detected in the locked vehi-
cle after closing the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate or the rear window, the lid or rear win-
dow opens again. The hazard warning flashers
flash and a signal
* sounds.<
Sports Wagon: opening rear window
separately
Press the button on the rear window, refer to
page34.
Switching on radio readiness
By pressing the Start/Stop button, you switch
on the radio readiness, refer to page61.
When doing so, do not depress the brake
or clutch pedal, otherwise the engine will
start immediately.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion if a remote control is located in the interior
of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in the igni-
tion lock, refer to page61.
If you take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle with the engine running, a
warning lamp lights up. In addition, a message
appears on the Control Display. As long as no
remote control is detected, it is only possible to
restart the engine within approx. 10 seconds
after it is switched off.
Switching off engine with automatic
and sport automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off in trans-
mission position P, refer to page62.
To switch off the engine in transmission posi-
tion N, the remote control must be inserted in
the ignition lock.
Before driving into a car wash with
automatic and sport automatic
transmission
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2.Depress brake pedal.
3.Engage transmission position N.