navigation system BMW 550I XDRIVE 2011 Owners Manual

Contents
The fastest way to find information on a partic‐
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to
page
294.
Using this Owner's Manual
6 Notes
At a glance
12 Cockpit
16 iDrive
22 Voice activation system
24 Integrated Owner's Manual in the vehicle
Controls
28 Opening and closing
44 Adjusting
54 Transporting children safely
58 Driving
67 Displays
80 Lamps
85 Safety
95 Driving stability control systems
102 Driving comfort
126 Climate control
132 Interior equipment
138 Storage compartments
Driving tips
146 Things to remember when driving
Navigation
154 Navigation
Entertainment
172 Tone
174 Radio
181 CD/multimedia
201 Rear entertainment Communication
210
Telephone
221 Office
230 Contacts
232 BMW ConnectedDrive
Mobility
240 Refueling
241 Fuel
242 Wheels and tires
255 Engine compartment
257 Engine oil
260 Maintenance
262 Replacing components
269 Breakdown assistance
274 Care
Reference
280 Technical data
285 Short commands of the voice activation
system
294 Everything from A to Z
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For your own safety
Maintenance and repairs
Advanced technology, e.g., the use of modern
materials
and high-performance electronics, re‐
quires suitable maintenance and repair meth‐
ods.
Therefore, have this work performed only by a
BMW center or a workshop that works accord‐
ing to BMW repair procedures with appropri‐
ately trained personnel.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.
Parts and Accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts and ac‐
cessories approved by BMW. When you pur‐
chase accessories tested and approved by
BMW and Genuine BMW Parts, you simultane‐
ously acquire the assurance that they have been
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure optimum
performance when installed on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free from de‐
fects in material and workmanship. BMW will not
accept any liability for damage resulting from in‐
stallation of parts and accessories not approved
by BMW. BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to verify if it can be used
on a BMW safely and without risk to either the
vehicle, its operation, or its occupants. Genuine
BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and other prod‐
ucts approved by BMW, together with profes‐
sional advice on using these items, are available
from all BMW centers. Installation and operation
of non-BMW approved accessories such as
alarms, radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake dust
shields, telephones, including operation of any
mobile phone from within the vehicle without
using an externally mounted antenna, or trans‐
ceiver equipment, for instance, CBs, walkie-
talkies, ham radios or similar accessories, may
cause extensive damage to the vehicle, com‐
promise its safety, interfere with the vehicle's
electrical system or affect the validity of the
BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW center for additional information. Maintenance, re‐
placement,
or repair of the emission control de‐
vices and systems may be performed by any au‐
tomotive repair establishment or individual
using any certified automotive part.
California Proposition 65 Warning
California laws require us to state the following
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of automobile
components and parts, including components
found in the interior furnishings in a vehicle, con‐
tain or emit chemicals known to the State of Cal‐
ifornia to cause cancer and birth defects and re‐
productive harm. In addition, certain fluids
contained in vehicles and certain products of
component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash your
hands after handling. Used engine oil contains
chemicals that have caused cancer in laboratory
animals. Always protect your skin by washing
thoroughly with soap and water.
Service and warranty
We recommend that you read this publication
thoroughly. Your vehicle is covered by the fol‐
lowing warranties:
▷ New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
▷ Rust Perforation Limited Warranty.
▷ Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty.
▷ Federal Emissions Performance Warranty.
▷ California Emission Control System Limited
Warranty.
Detailed information about these warranties is
listed in the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models or in the Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Your vehicle has been specifically adapted and
designed to meet the particular operating con‐
ditions and homologation requirements in your
country

and continental region in order to deliver
the full driving pleasure while the vehicle is op‐
erated under those conditions. If you wish to op‐
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Example: playing back a CD
1.
Switch on the Entertainment sound output
if necessary.
2. Press the button on the steering
wheel.
3. ›C D and multimedia‹
The medium last played is played back.
4. Press the button on the steering
wheel.
5. ›C D track ...‹ e.g., CD track 4.
Setting the voice dialog
You can set whether the system should use the
standard dialog or a shorter version.
In the shorter variant of the voice dialog, the an‐
nouncements from the system are issued in an
abbreviated form.
On the Control Display:
1. "Settings"
2. "Language/Units"
3. "Speech mode:"
4. Select the setting. Adjusting the volume
Turn

the volume button while giving an instruc‐
tion until the desired volume is set.
▷ The volume remains constant even if the
volume of other audio sources is changed. ▷
The volume is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Notes on Emergency
Requests
Do
not use the voice activation system to initiate
an Emergency Request. In stressful situations,
the voice and vocal pitch can change. This can
unnecessarily delay the establishment of a tel‐
ephone connection.
Instead, use the SOS button*, refer to
page 269, in the vicinity of the interior mirror.
Environmental conditions
▷ Say the commands, numbers, and letters
smoothly and with normal volume, empha‐
sis, and speed.
▷ Always say commands in the language of
the voice activation system.
▷ When selecting a radio station, use the com‐
mon pronunciation of the station name.
▷ Keep the doors, windows, and glass sun‐
roof* closed to prevent noise interference.
▷ Avoid making other noise in the vehicle
while speaking.
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At a glance

Display profile list during start
The profile list can be displayed during each
start for selecting the desired profile.
1.
"Settings"
2. "Profiles"
3. Open "Options".
4. "Display user list at startup"
Personal Profile settings
The following functions and settings can be
stored in a profile.
More information on the settings can be found
under:
▷ Active Cruise Control: collision warning, re‐
fer to page 108.
▷ Exterior mirror position, refer to page 51.
▷ CD/Multimedia, refer to page 181: audio
source listened to last.
▷ Dynamic Driving Control: sport program, re‐
fer to page 99.
▷ Driver's seat position, refer to page 33: au‐
tomatic retrieval after unlocking.
▷ Programmable memory buttons, refer to
page 20: assignment.
▷ Head-up Display, refer to page 124: selec‐
tion, brightness and position of the display.
▷ Headlamp courtesy delay feature, refer to
page 80: time setting.
▷ Tone, refer to page 172: tone settings.
▷ Automatic climate control, refer to
page 126: settings.
▷ Steering wheel position, refer to page 53
▷ Navigation, refer to page 154: map views,
route criteria, voice output on/off.
▷ Night Vision with pedestrian detection, refer
to
page 122: selection of functions and type
of display.
▷ Daytime running lights*, refer to page 81:
current setting.
▷ Park Distance Control PDC, refer to
page 173:

adjusting the signal tone volume. ▷
Radio, refer to page 174: stored stations,
station listened to last, special settings.
▷ Backup camera, refer to page 113: selec‐
tion of functions and type of display.
▷ Side View, refer to page 117: selection of
the display type.
▷ Language on the Control Display, refer to
page 79.
▷ Lane departure warning, refer to page 91:
last setting, on/off.
▷ Active Blind Spot Detection, refer to
page 92: last setting, on/off.
▷ Triple turn signal activation, refer to
page 62.
▷ Locking the vehicle, refer to page 35: after
a brief period or after starting to drive.
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system becomes active
when the driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and re‐
leases the locks on the following:
▷ Doors.
▷ Trunk lid.
▷ Fuel filler flap.
Operating from the outside
▷ Via the remote control.
▷ Via the driver's door lock*.
▷ Via the door handles*.
▷ Via the button in the trunk lid*.
The following takes place simultaneously when
locking/unlocking the vehicle via the remote
control:
▷ Anti-theft protection is switched on/off.
Doors cannot be unlocked using the lock
buttons or the door opener.
▷ The welcome lamps, interior lamps and
courtesy lamps* are switched on and off.
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Opening and closing: from the
inside
Unlocking and opening*
▷
Either unlock the doors together using the
button for the central locking system and
then
pull the door handle above the armrest
or
▷ Pull the door opener twice individually on
each door: the first time unlocks the door,
the second time opens it.
Locking and unlocking Press the button in the vehicle.
The doors and the trunk lid are locked
or

unlocked when the front doors are closed, but
they are not secured against theft.
The fuel filler flap remains unlocked.
Automatic locking
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
1. "Settings"
2. "Door locks"
3. Select the desired function:
▷"Lock if no door is opened"
The vehicle locks automatically after a
short period of time if a door is not
opened.
▷ "Lock after start. to drive" The vehicle locks automatically after
you drive away.
Doors
Automatic Soft Closing*
To close the doors, push lightly.
It is closed automatically.
Danger of pinching
Make sure that the closing path of the
doors is clear; otherwise, injuries may result.◀
Trunk lid
Opening
During

opening, the trunk lid pivots back and up.
Ensure that adequate clearance is available be‐
fore opening.
Opening from the outside ▷
Press the button on the trunk lid.
▷ Press the button on the remote
control

for approx. 1 second and re‐
lease. Seite 35
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With Comfort Access:
▷
Press the button, arrow 1, on the inside of
the trunk lid.
The trunk lid closes automatically.
Pressing again stops the motion.
▷ Press the button, arrow 2.
The trunk lid closes automatically and the
vehicle is locked. ▷
Press the button on the exterior of the trunk
lid.
Pressing again stops the motion.
The closing operation is interrupted:
▷ When starting the engine.
▷ The vehicle starts off with jerks.
Danger of pinching
Make sure that the closing path of the
trunk
lid is clear; otherwise, injuries may result.◀ Do not place the remote control in the
cargo area
Take the remote control with you and do not
leave it in the cargo area; otherwise, the remote
control may be locked inside the vehicle when
the trunk lid is closed.◀ Manual operation
In the event of an electrical fault, manually op‐
erate the unlocked trunk lid slowly and
smoothly.
Locking separately
The

trunk lid can be locked separately using the
switch in the front center armrest.
▷Trunk lid secured, arrow 1.
▷ Trunk lid not secured, ar‐
row 2.
Slide the switch into the arrow 1 position. This
secures
the trunk lid and disconnects it from the
central locking system.
When the center armrest is locked, the tailgate
cannot be accessed. This is beneficial when the
vehicle is parked using valet service. The infra‐
red remote control can be handed out without
the key.
Emergency unlocking* Pull the handle inside the cargo area.
The trunk lid unlocks.
Comfort Access*
The concept
The vehicle can be accessed without activating
the remote control.
All you need to do is to have the remote control
with you, e.g., in your jacket pocket. Seite 37
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If this occurs, open or close the vehicle using the
buttons
on the remote control or use a key in the
door lock.
To subsequently start the engine, hold the re‐
mote control against the marked area on the
steering column, refer to page 29.
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds to:
▷ Opening of a door, the hood or the trunk lid.
▷ Movements in the vehicle: interior motion
sensor, refer to page 40.
▷ Changes in the vehicle tilt, e.g., during at‐
tempts to steal a wheel or when towing the
car.
▷ Interruptions in battery voltage.
The alarm system briefly indicates tampering:
▷ By sounding an acoustic alarm.
▷ By switching on the hazard warning system.
▷ By flashing the high beams.
Arming and disarming the alarm
system
General information
When

you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with
the remote control or at the door lock*, the alarm
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
Door lock and armed alarm system
Unlocking via the door lock will trigger the alarm
on some country-specific versions.
Trunk lid and armed alarm system
The trunk lid can be opened using the remote
control, even if the alarm system is armed.
Press the button on the remote control
for approx. 1 second and release.
After the trunk lid is closed, it is locked and
monitored again by the alarm system. The haz‐
ard warning system flashes once. In some vehicle equipment variants, the trunk lid
can only be opened using the remote control if
the vehicle was unlocked first.
Panic mode*
Press

the button on the remote control
for at least 3 seconds.
Switching off the alarm
▷ Unlock the vehicle using the remote control.
▷ With Comfort Access: If you are carrying the
remote control with you, pull on the door
handle.
Indicator lamp on the interior rearview
mirror ▷
The indicator lamp flashes briefly every
2 seconds:
The system is armed.
▷ The indicator lamp flashes after locking:
The doors, hood or trunk lid is not closed
properly, but the rest of the vehicle is se‐
cured.
After

10 seconds, the indicator lamp flashes
continuously. The interior motion sensor is
not active.
▷ The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking:
The vehicle has not been tampered with.
▷ The indicator lamp flashes after unlocking
until

the engine is started, but no longer than
approx. 5 minutes:
An alarm has been triggered.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. Seite 39
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Closing without the pinch protection
system
Danger of pinching
Monitor the closing process and make
sure
that the closing path of the window is clear;
otherwise, injuries may result.◀
For example, if there is an external danger or if
ice on the windows prevents a window from
closing normally, proceed as follows:
1. Pull the switch past the resistance point and
hold it there.
Pinch protection is limited and the window
reopens

slightly if the closing force exceeds
a certain value.
2. Pull the switch past the resistance point
again within approx. 4 seconds and hold it
there.
The window closes without pinch protec‐
tion.
Safety switch
The safety switch in the driver's door can be
used to prevent children, for example, from
opening

and closing the rear windows using the
switches in the rear.
Switching on and off
Press the button.
The LED lights up if the safety function
is switched on.
Safety switch for rear operation
Press the safety switch when transporting
children in the rear; otherwise, injury may result
if the windows are closed without supervision.◀
Roller sunblinds*
General information
If you are no longer able to move the roller sun‐
blind for the rear window after having activated
it a number of times in a row, the system is blocked for a limited time to prevent overheat‐
ing. Let the system cool.
The roller sunblind for the rear window cannot
be moved at low interior temperatures.
Driver's door controls
Roller blind for rear window
Press the button.
Roller sunblinds for rear side windows
Pull out the roller sunblind at the loop and hook
it onto the bracket. Do not open the window while the roller
sunblind is raised.
Do

not open the window while the roller sunblind
is raised; otherwise, there is a risk of damage at
high speeds that may result in personal injury.◀
Glass sunroof, powered*
General information
The glass sunroof and the sliding visor can be
operated together or separately, using the same
switch.
The glass sunroof is operational when the igni‐
tion is switched on.
Danger of pinching
Monitor the closing process and make
sure that the closing path of the glass sunroof is
clear; otherwise, injuries may result.◀ Seite 41
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Initializing after a power failure
After
a power failure during the opening or clos‐
ing process, the roof can only be operated to a
limited extent.
Initializing the system
The system can be initialized when the vehicle
is stationary and the engine is running.
Danger of pinching
Monitor the closing process and make
sure that the closing path of the glass sunroof is
clear; otherwise, injuries may result.◀
Press the switch up and hold it
until the initialization is complete:
▷Initialization begins within
15

seconds and is completed
when the sunroof and sliding
visor are completely closed.
▷ The roof closes without pinch protection. Seite 43
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Backrest width*
Before
installing a child restraint fixing system in
the front passenger seat, open the backrest
width completely. Do not change the backrest
width again and do not call up a memory posi‐
tion.
Backrest width for the child seat
Before installing a child restraint fixing
system in the front passenger seat, the backrest
width must be opened completely. Do not
change the adjustment after this; otherwise, the
stability of the child seat will be reduced.◀
Child seat security The rear safety belts and the front passenger
safety belt can be locked against pulling out for
mounting the child restraint fixing systems.
Locking the safety belt
1.
Pull out the belt webbing completely.
2. Secure the child restraint fixing system with
the belt.
3. Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and
pull it taut against the child restraint fixing
system. The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking the safety belt
1. Unbuckle the belt buckle.
2. Remove the child restraint fixing system.
3. Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com‐
pletely. LATCH child restraint fixing
system
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tether for CHil‐
dren.
Note
Manufacturer's information for LATCH
child restraint fixing systems
To
mount and use the LATCH child restraint fix‐
ing systems, observe the operating and safety
information from the system manufacturer; oth‐
erwise, the level of protection may be reduced.◀
Mounts for the lower LATCH anchors
Correctly engage the lower LATCH an‐
chors
Make sure that the lower LATCH anchors have
properly engaged and that the child restraint fix‐
ing system is resting snugly against the back‐
rest; otherwise, the degree of protection offered
may be reduced.◀
Before mounting the LATCH child restraint fix‐
ing system, pull the belt away from the child re‐
straint fixing system.
Without a through-loading system:
Position Mounts for the lower LATCH anchors are lo‐
cated

in the gap between the seat and backrest. Seite 55
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