battery BMW 550I XDRIVE 2013 Owners Manual
Page 7 of 246
Updates made after the editorial
deadline
Any updates made after the editorial deadline for
the Owner's Manuals are located in the appen‐
dix of the printed quick reference for the vehicle.
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 dustshields, 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.Seite 7Notes7
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Opening and closingVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
Remote control/key
Buttons on the remote control1Unlocking2Locking3Trunk lid4Panic mode, headl. courtesy delay feat.
General information
The vehicle is supplied with two remote controls
with keys.
Every remote control contains a replaceable
battery.
The settings called up and implemented when
the vehicle is unlocked depend on which remote
control is used to unlock the vehicle, Personal
Profile, refer to page 31.
In addition, information about service require‐
ments is stored in the remote control, Service
data in the remote control, refer to page 210.
Integrated key
Press the button on the back of the remote con‐
trol, arrow 1, and pull out the key, arrow 2.
The integrated key fits the following locks:
▷Driver's door.▷Storage compartment in the front center
armrest.
The storage compartment contains a switch for
separately securing the trunk lid, refer to
page 39.
Replacing the battery
1.Take the integrated key out of the remote
control.2.Push in the catch with the key, arrow 1.3.Remove the cover of the battery compart‐
ment; see arrow 2.4.Insert a battery of the same type with the
positive side facing upwards.5.Press the cover closed.Seite 30ControlsOpening and closing30
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Take the used battery to a recycling cen‐
ter or to your service center.
New remote controls
You can obtain new remote controls from your
service center.
Loss of the remote controls
Lost remote controls can be blocked by your
service center.
Emergency detection of remote control
It is possible to switch on the ignition or start the
engine in situations such as the following:▷Interference of radio transmission to remote
control by external sources.▷Discharged battery in the remote control.▷Interference of radio transmission by mobile
devices in close proximity to the remote
control.▷Interference of radio transmission by
charger while charging items such as mobile
devices in the vehicle.
A Check Control message is displayed if an at‐
tempt is made to switch on the ignition or start
the engine.
Starting the engine with emergency
detection of the remote control
Automatic transmission: if a corresponding
Check Control message appears, hold the re‐
mote control, as shown, against the marked area
on the steering column and press the Start/Stop
button within 10 seconds while pressing the
brake.
Manual transmission: if a corresponding Check
Control message appears, hold the remote con‐
trol, as shown, against the marked area on the
steering column and press the Start/Stop button
within 10 seconds while pressing the clutch
pedal.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set several of your vehicle's functions
to suit your personal needs and preferences.▷The settings are automatically saved in the
profile currently activated.▷The remote control used is detected when
the vehicle is unlocked and the stored profile
is called up.▷Your personal settings will be recognized
and called up again even if the vehicle has
been used in the meantime by someone else
with another remote control.
The individual settings are stored for three Per‐
sonal Profiles and one guest profile.
Transmitting the settings
Your personal settings can be taken with you to
another vehicle equipped with the Personal Pro‐
file function. For more information, contact your
service center.
Transmission takes place via:
▷The USB interface in the center armrest
onto a USB device.Seite 31Opening and closingControls31
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Activating the setting1."Settings"2."Doors/key"3."Last seat position auto."
Malfunction
If the vehicle can no longer be locked or un‐
locked with the remote control, the battery may
be discharged or there may be interference from
external sources such as mobile phones, metal
objects, overhead power lines, transmission
towers, etc.
If this occurs, unlock or lock the vehicle at the
door lock using the integrated key.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communication
Commission regulations. Operation is governed
by the following:
FCC ID:
▷LX8766S.▷LX8766E.▷LX8CAS.▷LX8CAS2.▷MYTCAS4.
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 interfer‐
ence, and▷this device must accept any interference re‐
ceived, 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.
Using the door lock
General information
Locking from the outside
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if
there are people in it, as the vehicle cannot be
unlocked from inside without special knowl‐
edge.◀
Remove the key before pulling the door
handle
Before pulling the outside door handle, remove
the key to avoid damaging the paintwork and the
key.◀
In some country-specific versions, the alarm
system is triggered if the vehicle is unlocked via
the door lock.
In order to terminate this alarm, unlock vehicle
with the remote control, or switch on the igni‐
tion, if necessary, by emergency detection of the
remote control.
In some vehicle equipment versions, only the
driver's door can be unlocked or locked via the
door lock.
Locking the doors and trunk lid at once
To lock all doors and the trunk lid at once:
1.With the doors closed, lock the vehicle using
the button for the central locking system in
the interior.2.Unlock and open the driver's or front pas‐
senger door.3.Lock the vehicle.Seite 36ControlsOpening and closing36
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Locking
Press the area on the door handle, arrow 2, with
your finger for approx. 1 second.
This corresponds to pressing the
button on
the remote control.
To save battery power, ensure that the ignition
and all electronic systems and/or power con‐
sumers are switched off before locking the ve‐
hicle.
Convenient closing
Press the area on the door handle, arrow 2, with
the finger and hold it down.
In addition to locking, the windows and the glass
sunroof are closed.
Monitor the closing process
Monitor the closing process to ensure that
no one becomes trapped.◀
Unlocking the trunk lid separately
Press the button on the exterior of the trunk lid,
refer to page 37.
This corresponds to pressing the
button
on the remote control.
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 is locked inside the vehicle when the
trunk lid is closed.◀
Open trunk lid with no-touch activation
With Comfort Access, the trunk lid can be
opened with no-touch activation using the re‐
mote control you are carrying.
A sensor detects a directed foot motion in the
center of the area at the rear of the car and the
trunk lid opens.
During opening, the trunk lid pivots back and up.
Ensure that adequate clearance is available be‐
fore opening.
Do not touch vehicle
With the foot motion, make sure there is
steady stance and do not touch the vehicle; oth‐
erwise, there is a danger of injury, e. g. from hot
exhaust system parts.◀1.Position in the center behind the vehicle.2.Move foot in the direction of travel under‐
neath the bumper and immediately back.
The trunk lid opens, regardless of whether it was
previously locked or unlocked.
Preventing inadvertent opening
In situations where the trunk lid should is
not to be opened with no-touch activation, en‐
sure that the remote control is located beyond
the range of the sensor, at least 5 ft/1.50 m from
the rear of the car.
Otherwise, the trunk lid may be opened inad‐
vertently, for example by an unintentional or
misinterpreted movement of the foot.◀
Malfunction
Comfort Access may not function properly if it
experiences interference from external sources
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such as mobile phones, metal objects, overhead
power lines, transmission towers, etc.
In this case, open or close the vehicle using the
buttons on the remote control or use the
integrated key in the door lock.
If there is a malfunction, open the trunk lid with
the remote control button or with the button on
the trunk lid.
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds to:▷Opening of a door, the hood or the trunk lid.▷Movements in the vehicle.▷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, Comfort Access 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.
In order to terminate this alarm, unlock vehicle
with the remote control or switch on the ignition,
if necessary, by emergency detection of the re‐
mote control.
Trunk lid and armed alarm system
The trunk lid can be opened even when the
alarm system is armed.
Press the button on the remote control
for approx. 1 second.
With Comfort Access the trunk lid opens with
no-touch activation, refer to page 41.
After the trunk lid is closed, it is locked and
monitored again if the doors are locked. The
hazard 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
You can trigger the alarm system if you find
yourself in a dangerous situation.
Press the button on the remote control
for at least 3 seconds.
To switch off the alarm: press any button.
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 driver
side or front passenger side door handle.
Indicator lamp on the interior rear view
mirror
▷The indicator lamp flashes briefly every
2 seconds:
The system is armed.Seite 42ControlsOpening and closing42
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Calling up settingsDo not retrieve the memory while driving
Do not retrieve the memory setting while
driving, as an unexpected movement of the seat
or steering wheel could result in an accident.◀
Comfort function1.Open the driver's door.2.Switch off the ignition.3.Briefly press the desired button 1 or 2.
The corresponding seat position is performed
automatically.
The procedure stops when a switch for adjust‐
ing the seat or one of the buttons is pressed.
Safety mode
1.Close the driver's door or switch on the ig‐
nition.2.Press and hold the desired button 1 or 2 until
the adjustment procedure is completed.
Calling up of a seat position
deactivated
After a brief period, the calling up of stored seat
positions is deactivated to save battery power.
To reactivate calling up of a seat position:
▷Open or close the door or trunk lid.▷Press a button on the remote control.▷Press the Start/Stop button.Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
At a glance1Adjusting2Left/right, Automatic Curb Monitor3Fold in and out
General information
The mirror on the passenger side is more curved
than the driver's side mirror.
Estimating distances correctly
Objects reflected in the mirror are closer
than they appear. Do not estimate the distance
to the traffic behind you based on what you see
in the mirror, as this will increase your risk of an
accident.◀
Depending on how the vehicle is equipped, the
mirror setting is stored for the remote control in
use. When the vehicle is unlocked via the remote
control, the position is automatically retrieved if
the setting for this function is active.
Selecting a mirror To change over to the other mirror:
Slide the mirror changeover switch.
Adjusting electrically The setting corresponds to the direction
in which the button is pressed.
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DrivingVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
Start/Stop button
The concept Pressing the Start/Stop button
switches the ignition on or off and
starts the engine.
Automatic transmission: The en‐
gine starts if the brake is de‐
pressed while pressing the Start/Stop button.
Manual transmission: the engine starts if the
clutch pedal is depressed when the Start/Stop
button is pressed.
Ignition on
Automatic transmission: Press the Start/Stop
button but do not depress the brake.
Manual-shift transmission: press the Start/Stop
button, and do not press on the clutch pedal at
the same time.
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Most of the indicator and warning lamps in the
instrument cluster light up for varying lengths of
time.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
The ignition switches off automatically:▷When the vehicle is locked, if the low beams
are switched on.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
Note
If the engine is switched off and the ignition is
switched on, the system automatically switches
to the radio ready state when the door is opened
if the lights are switched off or the daytime run‐
ning lights are switched on.
Ignition off
Automatic transmission: Press the Start/Stop
button again, but do not depress the brake.
Manual-shift transmission: press the Start/Stop
button again, and do not press on the clutch
pedal at the same time.
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster go
out.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
Transmission position P with the ignition
off
When the ignition is switched off, position P is
engaged automatically. When in an automatic
car wash, for example, ensure that the ignition is
not switched off accidentally.◀
Ignition automatically cuts off while the vehicle
is stationary and the engine is stopped:
▷During locking, also with the low beams ac‐
tivated.▷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 switched off.▷When opening and closing the driver door, if
the driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the
low beams are switched off.Seite 62ControlsDriving62
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▷While the driver's seat belt is unbuckled, if
the driver's door is open and the low beams
are switched off.
When the ignition is switched off, by opening or
closing the driver's door or unbuckling the driv‐
er's seat belt, the radio ready state remains ac‐
tive.
Radio ready state
Activate radio ready state:
▷When the ignition is switched off: press ON/
OFF button on the radio.▷When the engine is running: press the Start/
Stop button.
Some electronic systems/power consumers re‐
main ready for operation.
Radio ready state switches off automatically:
▷After approx. 8 minutes.▷When the vehicle is locked using the central
locking system.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
Starting the engine
General information Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas; otherwise, breathing of exhaust fumes
may lead to loss of consciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless but highly toxic gas.◀
Unattended vehicle
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running; doing so poses a risk of dan‐
ger.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run‐
ning, set the parking brake and place the trans‐
mission in position P or neutral to prevent the
vehicle from moving.◀
Repeated starting in quick succession
Avoid repeated unsuccessful attempts to
start the vehicle or starting the vehicle several
times in quick succession. Otherwise, the fuel is
not burned or is inadequately burned, posing a
risk of overheating and damage to the catalytic
converter.◀
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving at mod‐
erate engine speeds.
Manual transmission
Starting the engine1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Press on the clutch pedal and shift to neu‐
tral.3.Press the Start/Stop button.
The ignition is activated automatically for a cer‐
tain time and is stopped as soon as the engine
starts.
Automatic transmission
Starting the engine
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Press the Start/Stop button.
The ignition is activated automatically for a cer‐
tain time and is stopped as soon as the engine
starts.
Engine stop
General information Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for example,
cannot start the engine.◀
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▷The external temperature is high and auto‐
matic climate control is running.▷The passenger compartment has not yet
been heated or cooled to the required level.▷The engine is not yet at operating tempera‐
ture.▷The wheels are at a sharp angle or the steer‐
ing wheel is being turned.▷After driving in reverse.▷Fogging of the windows when the automatic
climate control is switched on.▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.▷The engine compartment lid is unlocked.▷HDC is activated.▷The parking assistant is activated.▷Stop-and-go traffic.▷The transmission selector lever is in position
N or M/S.
Starting the engine
The engine starts automatically under the fol‐
lowing conditions:
▷Manual transmission:
The clutch pedal is pressed.▷Automatic transmission:
By releasing the brake pedal.
When Automatic Hold is activated: press the
accelerator.
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 driver's safety belt is unbuckled and the
driver's door is open.▷The hood was unlocked.
Some indicator lamps light up for varying
lengths of time.
The engine can only be started via the Start/
Stop button.
Note
Even if driving away was not intended, the de‐
activated engine starts up automatically in the
following situations:▷Excessive warming of the passenger com‐
partment when the cooling function is
switched on.▷The steering wheel is turned.▷Automatic transmission: the transmission
position is changed from D to N, R, or M/S.▷Automatic transmission: the transmission
position is changed from P to N, D, R, or M/
S.▷The vehicle begins rolling.▷Fogging of the windows when the automatic
climate control is switched on.▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.▷Excessive cooling of the passenger com‐
partment when the heating is switched on.▷Low brake vacuum pressure; this can occur,
for example, if the brake pedal is depressed
a number of times in succession.
Preventing an automatic engine stop
with automatic transmission
The concept
To make it possible to drive away very quickly,
such as at an intersection, the automatic engine
stop can be actively prevented.
Preventing an engine stop using the
brake pedal
The engine stop can be actively prevented
within one second after the vehicle comes to a
standstill.
▷Immediately after the vehicle comes to a
standstill, briefly press the brake pedal
forcefully.Seite 65DrivingControls65
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