BMW 550I SEDAN 2014 Owners Manual

The vehicle symbol flashes orange:
The conditions are not adequate for
operating the system.
The system was deactivated but applies the
brakes until you actively resume control by
pressing on the brake pedal or accelerator
pedal.
The vehicle symbol flashes red and an
acoustic signal sounds:
You are requested to intervene by
braking or making an evasive maneuver.
Displays in the Head-up Display The information from Active Cruise Control
can also be displayed in the Head-up Display.
System limits
Speed range Best results are achieved when using the sys‐
tem on well-developed roads and highways.
The system is functional at speeds beginning
at approx. 20 mph/30 km/h.
The maximum speed that can be set depends
on the vehicle.
The system can also be activated when sta‐
tionary.
Comply with the legal speed limit in every sit‐
uation when using the system.
Detection range
The detection capacity of the system and the
automatic braking capacity are limited.
Two-wheeled vehicles for instance might not
be detected.
Limited detection capacity
Because of the limits to the detection ca‐
pacity, you should be alert at all times so that
you can intervene if necessary; otherwise,
there is the danger of an accident occurring.◀
Deceleration
The system does not decelerate for:▷Pedestrians or similar slow-moving road
users.▷Red traffic lights.▷Cross traffic.▷Oncoming traffic.
Swerving vehicles
A vehicle driving in front of you is not detected
until it is completely within the same lane as
your vehicle.
Swerving vehicles
If a vehicle driving ahead of you suddenly
swerves into your lane, the system may not be
able to automatically restore the selected dis‐
tance. This also applies to major speed differ‐
ences to vehicles driving ahead of you, e.g.,
when rapidly approaching a truck. When a ve‐
hicle driving ahead of you is reliably detected,
the system requests that the driver intervene
by braking and carrying out evasive maneu‐
vers, if necessary. You must react yourself;
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otherwise, there is the danger of an accident
occurring.◀
Cornering
If the desired speed is too high for a curve, the
speed is reduced slightly in the curve, although
curves cannot be anticipated in advance.
Therefore, drive into a curve at an appropriate
speed.
In tight curves, situations may result due to the
restricted detection range of the system in
which a vehicle driving ahead of you may not
be detected at all, or not until after a consider‐
able delay.
When approaching a curve, the system may
react briefly to the vehicles in the next lane due
to the bend of the curve. Any deceleration of
the vehicle by the system can be compensated
for by briefly accelerating. After the accelerator
pedal is released, the system becomes active
again and independently controls the speed.
Driving away
In some situations, the vehicle cannot drive
away automatically, e.g., on steep inclines or
behind bumps in the road.
Radar sensor
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communication
Commission regulations. Operation is gov‐
erned by the following:
FCC ID:▷OAYARS3-A
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
▷This device may not cause harmful inter‐
ference, and▷this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or changes to
these devices could void the user's authority to
operate this equipment.
Malfunction
The system cannot be activated if the radar sensor is not aligned correctly. This may be
caused by damage incurred during parking, for
example.
A Check Control message is displayed if the
system fails.
The function for detecting and responding
when approaching stationary vehicles may be limited in the following situations:
▷During calibration of the camera immedi‐
ately after vehicle shipment.▷If the camera is malfunctioning or dirty. A
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Traffic Jam AssistThe concept
In congestion situations, the system controls
the speed, steers independently as required
and keeps the vehicle close to the center of
the lane.
To the extent possible, the system automati‐
cally adjusts the speed to a slower vehicle
ahead of you. The distance that the vehicle
maintains to the vehicle ahead of you can be
varied. For safety reasons, it depends on the
speed. To maintain a certain distance, the sys‐
tem automatically reduces the speed, applies
the brakes lightly, or accelerates again if the
vehicle ahead begins moving faster.
When lane markings are detected, the system
keeps the vehicle in the center of the lane. For
this purpose, the system steers independently
as needed, for example, during cornering.
General information
The congestion assistant determines speed
and distance from the vehicle in front and the
position of the lane markings via a radar sensor
and a camera.
Sensors on the steering wheel detect whether
the steering wheel is being touched.
The system is deactivated as soon as the
steering wheel is no longer being touched.
In order to be able to use the Congestion As‐
sistant, place your hands around the steering
wheel.
When driving with gloves or with protective
covers, contact with the steering wheel cannot
be detected by the sensors. The system in this
case cannot be used.
Hints Personal responsibility
Even an active system does not release
the driver from personal responsibility for the
driving process, especially for lane tracking,adaptation of speed, distance and driving style
to the traffic conditions.
Because of technical system limits, the system
cannot independently react appropriately in all
traffic situations.
Monitor the driving process, the surrounding
area and what is occurring in traffic continu‐
ously and attentively and actively intervene as
required, e.g., by braking, steering or making
an evasive maneuver.◀
Unfavorable weather conditions
In the event of unfavorable weather and
light conditions, e. g. if there is rain, snowfall,
slush, fog or glare, this may result in poorer
recognition of vehicles as well as short-term
interruptions for vehicles and lane markings
that are already detected. Drive attentively, and
react to the current traffic events. Intervene ac‐
tively when necessary, e.g., by braking, steer‐
ing or making an evasive maneuver, otherwise,
there is danger of an accident.◀
Functional requirements▷Drive on approved road type. The data on
this are stored in the navigation system.
Approved road types are highways.▷Sufficient lane width.▷Lane marking on both sides is detected.▷Vehicle driving ahead is detected.▷Speed below 25 mph/40 km/h.▷Both hands on the steering wheel rim.▷Sufficient curvature.▷Drive in the center of the lane.Seite 143Driving comfortControls143
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At a glance
Buttons on the steering wheelPress the
buttonFunctionCongestion Assistant ON/OFF,
Pause, refer to page 144.Rocker switch:
Store, change/maintain speed,
refer to page 138.Maintain, store speed, refer to
page 138.Resume speed, refer to
page 139.Adjust distance, refer to
page 139.
Radar sensor
A radar sensor is located in the front bumper
for detecting vehicles on the road ahead of the
vehicle.
A dirty or covered sensor may hinder the de‐
tection of vehicles.
▷If necessary, clean the radar sensor. Re‐
move layers of snow and ice carefully.▷Do not cover the view field of the radar
sensor.Camera
The camera is located near the base of the
mirror.
Keep the windshield in the area behind the in‐
terior rearview mirror clean and clear.
A dirty or covered area in front of the interior
mirror may hinder the detection of vehicles.
▷If necessary, clean the area in front of the
interior mirror, e.g., carefully remove salt
residue in the winter.
Switching on/off and pausing
Switching on Press the button.
▷Prepare system: press once.▷Activate system:
If the ACC is not activated: press rocker.
With ACC activated: system is ready.
Drive in the center of the lane.
The system is automatically activated be‐
low 25 mph/40 km/h.
If ACC is not activated: indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on.
If ACC is not activated: indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on.
Congestion Assistant can be used.
With Congestion Assistant switched on, the
Pedestrian Warning system is active. The set‐
ting in the Control Display is unchanged.
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Switching offDeactivated or interrupted system
If the system is deactivated or inter‐
rupted, actively intervene by braking, steering
and, if necessary, with evasive maneuvers; oth‐
erwise, there is the danger of an accident oc‐
curring.◀
Press the button.
The indicator goes out. Stored desired speed
and distance are still kept by the ACC.
The system does not carry out a steering
movement.
Interrupting When active, press the button.
The system is automatically interrupted in the
following situations:▷At a speed above 25 mph/40 km/h.▷With only one detected lane marking.▷When you leave the limited access high‐
way.▷When the steering wheel is released.▷When you intervene in the steering.▷When you leave your own lane.▷When there is no vehicle ahead.▷When the turn signal is on.▷When the lane is too narrow.
Rolling bars:
Congestion assistant is no longer ac‐
celerating. To accelerate further, acti‐
vate ACC by briefly pressing the accelerator,
pressing the RES button or rocker switch.
Red flashing and signal tone:
Congestion Assistant is interrupted.
The system does not carry out a steer‐
ing movement. ACC exercises control.
If the system conditions are met, the system
reactivates automatically.
When you leave the approved road type, the
system is first interrupted and then shuts
down.
Distance Selecting a distance
Adjust the distance according to the traf‐
fic and weather conditions; otherwise, there is
the danger of an accident occurring. Maintain
the prescribed safety distance.◀
Adjust distance Press the button repeatedly until the
desired distance is set.
Distance to vehicle ahead of you
The selected distance to the vehicle driving
ahead of you is shown.Distance displayDistance 1Distance 2Distance 3Distance 4
This value is set after the system is
switched on.
Selecting a distance
Adjust the distance according to the traf‐
fic and weather conditions; otherwise, there is
the danger of an accident occurring. Maintain
the prescribed safety distance.◀
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Displays in the instrument clusterSymbolDescriptionCongestion Assistant and Distance
Control on standby.Congestion Assistant on standby.
Distance control controls within the
set distance.Congestion Assistant activated.
The system controls the speed and
assists with maintaining the lane.Rolling bars: speed is no longer in‐
creased by the congestion assistant
at 25 mph/40 km/h. When the
speed is increased by the driver, the
system does not perform any more
steering movements.Red flashing and signal tone: con‐
gestion Assistant is interrupted.
The system does not carry out a
steering movement. ACC exercises
control.
System limits
When driving within narrow driving lanes, e.g.,
in construction zones or rescue lanes, the sys‐
tem cannot be activated or meaningfully used.
Limited detection capacity
Because of the limits to the detection ca‐
pacity, you should be alert at all times so that
you can intervene if necessary; otherwise,
there is the danger of an accident occurring.◀
Complying with country-specific laws
When the Congestion Assistant is used,
observe specific national laws.◀
Cruise control
The concept The system is functional at speeds beginning
at approx. 20 mph/30 km/h.
It maintains the speed that was set using the
control elements on the steering wheel.
The system brakes on downhill gradients if en‐
gine braking action is insufficient.
Unfavorable conditions
Do not use the system if unfavorable
conditions make it impossible to drive at a con‐
stant speed, for instance:▷On curvy roads.▷In heavy traffic.▷On slippery roads, in fog, snow or rain, or
on a loose road surface.
Otherwise, you could lose control of the vehi‐
cle and cause an accident.◀
General information
Depending on the set driving program, the
characteristics of the cruise control can
change in certain areas.
Controls
At a glance
Press the
buttonFunctionCruise control on/off, interrupt‐
ing, refer to page 147Store/maintain speed, refer to
page 147Resume speed, refer to
page 148Rocker switch:
Change/maintain speed, refer
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The arrangement of the buttons varies accord‐
ing to the how the vehicle is equipped or coun‐
try-specific variants.
Switching on Press the button on the steering
wheel.
The marking in the speedometer is set to the
current speed.
The cruise control can be used.
Switching off Deactivated or interrupted system
If the system is deactivated or inter‐
rupted, actively intervene by braking and, if
necessary, with evasive maneuvers; otherwise,
there is the danger of an accident occurring.◀
Press the button on the steering
wheel.▷If active: press twice.▷If interrupted: press once.
The displays go out. The stored desired speed
is deleted.
Interrupting When active, press the button.
The system is automatically interrupted if:
▷The brakes are applied.▷The clutch pedal is depressed for a few
seconds or released while a gear is not en‐
gaged.▷The transmission position D is disengaged.▷DTC Dynamic Traction Control is activated
or DSC is deactivated.▷DSC is actively controlling stability.▷HDC is activated.▷When SPORT+ is activated with Driving
Dynamics Control.Maintaining/storing the current speed
Press the button.
Or:
Press the rocker switch while the system is in‐
terrupted.
When the system is switched on, the current
speed is maintained and stored as the desired
speed.
This is displayed, refer to page 148, in the
speedometer and briefly in the instrument
cluster.
When cruise control is maintained or stored,
DSC Dynamic Stability Control is switched on,
if necessary.
Changing/maintaining speed The rocker switch can be pressed while the
system is interrupted in order to maintain and
store the current speed.
Adapting the desired speed
Adapt the desired speed to the road con‐
ditions and be ready to brake at all times; oth‐
erwise, there is the danger of an accident oc‐
curring.◀
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Press the rocker switch up or down repeatedly
until the desired speed is set.
If active, the displayed speed is stored and the
vehicle reaches the stored speed if the road is
clear.▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed to
the point of resistance, the desired speed
increases or decreases by approx.
1 mph/1 km/h.▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed
past the point of resistance, the desired
speed increases or decreases by a maxi‐
mum of 5 mph/10 km/h.
The maximum speed that can be set de‐
pends on the vehicle.▷Pressing the rocker switch to the resist‐
ance point and holding it accelerates or de‐
celerates the vehicle without requiring
pressure on the accelerator pedal. After
the rocker switch is released, the vehicle
maintains its final speed. Pressing the
switch beyond the resistance point causes
the vehicle to accelerate more rapidly.
Resuming the desired speed
Press the button.
The stored speed is reached and maintained. Displays in the instrument cluster
Indicator lamp Depending on how the vehicle is equip‐
ped, the indicator lamp in the instru‐
ment cluster indicates whether the sys‐
tem is switched on.
Desired speed
▷The marking lights up green:
the system is active.▷The marking lights up orange: the system
has been interrupted.▷The marking does not light up: the system
is switched off.
With instrument display: the symbol is
displayed in the speedometer similarly
to the mark for the desired speed.
Brief status display Selected desired speed.
If --- appears briefly on the display for Check
Control messages, it is possible that the sys‐
tem requirements for operation are currently
not met.
PDC Park Distance Control
The concept PDC support when parking. Slowly approach‐
ing an object behind or, with the appropriate
PDC equipment, also in front of your vehicle is
signaled by:
▷Signal tones.▷Visual display.
General information
Measurements are made by ultrasound sen‐
sors in the bumpers.
The range, depending on the obstacle and en‐
vironmental conditions, is approx. 6 ft/2 m.
An acoustic warning is first given:
▷By the front sensors and the two rear cor‐
ner sensors at approx. 24 in/60 cm.▷By the rear middle sensors at approx.
5 ft/1.50 m.
To ensure full operability:
▷Do not cover sensors, e.g., by stickers, bi‐
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▷Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.▷When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the sensors for long periods and
maintain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.
Hints
Personal responsibility
Even an active system does not relieve
the driver from personal responsibility for the
driving process.
Because of technical system limits, the system
cannot independently react appropriately in all
traffic situations.
Continuously and attentively monitor the driv‐
ing process, the area surrounding the vehicle
and the traffic situation, and actively intervene
when required, otherwise, there is a risk of an
accident.◀
Avoid driving quickly with PDC
Avoid approaching an object quickly.
Avoid driving away quickly while PDC is not yet
active.
For technical reasons, the system may other‐
wise be too late in issuing a warning.◀
At a glance
With front PDC: button in vehicle
PDC Park Distance Control
Switching on/off
Switching on automatically With the engine running, engage selector lever
position R.
Automatic deactivation during forward
travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if necessary.
With front PDC: switching on/off
manually
Press the button.▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
Display
Signal tones When approaching an object, an intermittent
tone is sounded that indicates the position of
the object. For example, if an object is de‐
tected to the left rear of the vehicle, a signal
tone sounds from the left rear speaker.
The shorter the distance to the object be‐
comes, the shorter the intervals.
If the distance to a detected object is less than
approx. 10 in/25 cm, a continuous tone is
sounded.
With front PDC: if objects are located both in
front of and behind the vehicle, an alternating
continuous signal is sounded.
An interval tone is interrupted with the appro‐
priate equipment after approx. 3 seconds:
▷If the vehicle stops in front of an object that
is detected by only one of the corner sen‐
sors.▷If moving parallel to a wall.
The signal tone is switched off:
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▷When the vehicle moves away from an ob‐
ject by more than approx. 4 in/10 cm.▷When selector lever position P is engaged
on vehicles with automatic transmission.
Volume
The volume of the PDC signal tone can be ad‐
justed similar to the tone and volume settings
of the radio.
The setting is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object can
be shown on the Control Display. Objects that
are farther away are displayed on the Control
Display before a signal tone sounds.
A display appears as soon as Park Distance
Control (PDC) is activated.
The range of the sensors is represented in the
colors red, green and yellow.
When the image of the rearview camera is dis‐
played, the switch can be made to PDC:
"Rear view camera"
System limits
Limits of ultrasonic measurement The detection of objects can reach the physi‐
cal limits of ultrasonic measurement, e.g., in
the following circumstances:
▷For small children and animals.▷For persons with certain clothing, e.g.
coats.▷If there is an external disturbance of the ul‐
trasound, e.g. from passing vehicles or
loud machines.▷When sensors are dirty, iced over, dam‐
aged or out of position.▷Under certain weather conditions, such as
high relative humidity, rain, snowfall ex‐
treme heat or strong wind.▷With tow bars and trailer hitches of other
vehicles.▷With thin or wedge-shaped objects.▷With moving objects.▷With elevated, protruding objects such as
ledges or cargo.▷With objects with corners and sharp edges.▷With objects with a fine surface structure,
such as fences.▷For objects with porous surfaces.
Low objects already displayed, e.g., curbs, can
move into the blind area of the sensors before
or after a continuous tone sounds.
False warnings
PDC may issue a warning under the following conditions even though there is no obstacle
within the detection range:
▷In heavy rain.▷When sensors are very dirty or covered in
ice.▷When sensors are covered in snow.▷On rough road surfaces.▷On uneven surfaces, such as speed
bumps.▷In large buildings with right angles and
smooth walls, e.g., in underground ga‐
rages.▷In heavy exhaust.▷Due to other ultrasound sources, e.g.,
sweeping machines, high pressure steam
cleaners or neon lights.
Malfunction
A Check Control message is displayed.
The range of the sensors is shown as a shaded
area on the Control Display.
PDC has failed. Have the system checked.
To ensure full operability:
▷Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.Seite 150ControlsDriving comfort150
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