BMW 550I XDRIVE GT 2011 F07 Workshop Manual

3.
Seat tilt. 4.
Backrest tilt. 5.
Thigh support*. Lumbar support*
The curvature of the seat backrest can be ad‐
justed in such a way that it supports the lumbar
region of the spine. The lower back and the
spine are supported for upright posture. ▷
Press the front/rear section of the switch.
The curvature is increased/decreased.
▷ Press the upper/lower section of the switch.
The curvature is shifted up/down.
Backrest width* Change the width of the backrest using the side
wings to adjust the lateral support.
To make it easier to enter and exit the vehicle,
the backrest width temporarily opens fully.
Shoulder support*
Also supports the back in the shoulder area:
▷
Results in a relaxed seating position.
▷ Reduces strain on the shoulder muscles.
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Active seat*
Active adjustment of the seat cushion's con‐
tours reduces muscular tension and fatigue to
help prevent lower back pain.
Press the button. The LED lights up.
Front seat heating *Switching on
Press
the button once for each temper‐
ature level.
The maximum temperature is reached when
three LEDs are lit.
Switching off
Press the button longer.
The LEDs go out.
The temperature may be reduced or seat heat‐
ing may be switched off entirely to save battery
power.
Temperature distribution*
The heating action in the seat cushion and back‐
rest can be distributed in different ways. 1.
"Climate"
2. "Seat heating distribution"
3. Select the required seat. 4.
Turn the controller to set the temperature
distribution.
Front active seat ventilation*
The seat cushion and backrest surfaces are
cooled by means of integrated fans.
The

ventilation rapidly cools the seat, e.g., if the
vehicle interior is overheated or for continuous
cooling at high temperatures. Switching on
Press
the button once for each ventila‐
tion level.
The highest level is active when three LEDs are
lit.
After a short time, the system automatically
moves down one level in order to prevent ex‐
cessive cooling.
Switching off
Press the button longer.
The LEDs go out. Seite 52
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Adjusting

Rear seats
Adjusting
Overview: manual seats
1
Forward/backward
2 Backrest
Settings in detail: manual seats Do not adjust the seat while driving
Never attempt to adjust the seat while
driving. Otherwise, the restraining effect of the
seat can be limited in an accident.
◀Forward/back:
Pull the lever and slide the seat in the desired
direction.
After releasing the level, move the seat forward
or back slightly until it engages. Backrest tilt:
Pull

the lever and apply your weight to the back‐
rest or lift it off.
Overview: Power* seats 1
Forward/backward
2 Shoulder support
3 Backrest, head restraint
The seats cannot be adjusted if the safety
switch for the power windows has been
pressed.
Settings in detail:

Power* seats
1. Forward/back. Seite 53
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2.
Backrest tilt. 3.
Head restraint. Shoulder support*
Also supports the back in the shoulder area:
▷
Results in a relaxed seating position.
▷ Reduces strain on the shoulder muscles. Reset* to standard position Maintain pressure on the button until the system
completes the adjustment.
Rear seat heating
* Switching on
Press
the button once for each temper‐
ature level.
The maximum temperature is reached when
three LEDs are lit.
Switching off
Press the button longer.
The LEDs go out.
Temperature distribution*
The heating action in the seat cushion and back‐
rest can be distributed in different ways.
1. "Climate"
2. "Seat heating rear" Seite 54
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Adjusting

3.
Select the required seat. 4.
Turn the controller to set the temperature
distribution.
Active seat ventilation* Switching on
Press the button once for each ventila‐
tion level.
The highest level is active when three LEDs are
lit.
Switching off
Press the button longer.
The LEDs go out.
Safety belts
Seats with safety belt
The vehicle has four* or five* seating positions,
each of which is equipped with a safety belt.
Notes
Always make sure that safety belts are being
worn by all occupants before driving away. Although airbags enhance safety by providing
added protection, they are not a substitute for
safety belts.
▷
The shoulder strap's anchorage point will be
correct for adult seat occupants of every
build if the seat is correctly adjusted.
▷ The two outer safety belt buckles,
integrated

into the rear seat, are for passen‐
gers sitting on the left and right.
▷ The center rear seat belt buckle marked with
the letters CENTER* is solely intended for
the center passenger.
One person per safety belt
Never
allow more than one person to wear
a single safety belt. Never allow infants or small
children to ride on a passenger's lap.◀
Putting on the belt
Lay the belt, without twisting, snugly
across the lap and shoulders, as close to the
body as possible. Make sure that the belt lies low
around the hips in the lap area and does not
press on the abdomen. Otherwise, the belt can
slip over the hips in the lap area in a frontal im‐
pact and injure the abdomen.
The safety belt must not lie across the neck, rub
on sharp edges, be routed over solid or breaka‐
ble objects, or be pinched.◀
Reduction of restraining effect
Avoid wearing clothing that prevents the
belt from fitting properly, and pull the shoulder
belt periodically to readjust the tension across
your lap; otherwise, the retention effect of the
safety belt may be reduced.◀ Seite 55
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Buckling the belt
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in the
belt buckle.
Unbuckling the belt
1.
Hold the belt firmly.
2. Press the red button in the belt buckle.
3. Guide the belt back into its reel.
Safety belt reminder for the driver's and
front passenger seat The indicator lamp flashes or lights up
and a signal sounds. Make sure that the
safety belts are positioned correctly.
The safety belt reminder is active at speeds
above approx. 5 mph/8 km/h. It can also be ac‐
tivated if objects are placed on the front pas‐
senger seat.
Damage to safety belts
In the case of strain caused by accidents or
damage:
Have the safety belts, including the safety belt
tensioners, replaced and have the belt anchors
checked.
Checking and replacing safety belts
Have the work performed only by your
service center; otherwise, it cannot be ensured
that this safety feature will function properly.◀ Front head restraints
Correctly adjusted head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk
of injury to cervical vertebrae in the event of
an accident.
Adjusting the head restraint
Correctly adjust the head restraints of all
occupied seats; otherwise, there is an increased
risk of injury in an accident.◀
Height
Adjust the head restraint so that its center is ap‐
proximately at ear level.
Distance
Adjust the distance so that the head restraint is
as close as possible to the back of the head.
Active head restraint
In the event of a rear-end collision with a certain
severity, the active head restraint automatically
reduces the distance from the head.
Reduced protective function
▷Do not use seat or head restraint cov‐
ers.
▷ Do not hang objects, e.g., clothes hangers,
on the head restraints.
▷ Only attach accessories approved by BMW
to the seat or head restraint.
Otherwise, the protective function of the active
head
restraint will be impaired and the personal
safety of the occupants will be endangered.◀ Seite 56
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Adjusting

Adjusting the height: manual head
restraints
▷
To raise: pull.
▷ To lower: press the button, arrow 1, and
push the head restraint down.
Adjusting the height: Electrical* head
restraints Adjusting electrically.
Distance to back of head: manual head
restraints
▷
Forward: pull.
▷ Back: press the button and push the head
restraint toward the rear. Distance to the back of the head:
power* head restraints
The
head restraint is automatically repositioned
when the shoulder support is adjusted.
Adjusting the side extensions* Fold forward for increased lateral support in the
resting position.
Removing
The head restraints cannot be removed.
Rear head restraints
Correctly adjusted head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk

of injury to cervical vertebrae in the event of
an accident.
Adjusting the head restraint
Correctly adjust the head restraints of all
occupied seats; otherwise, there is an increased
risk of injury in an accident.◀
Height
Adjust the head restraint so that its center is ap‐
proximately at ear level.
Distance
Adjust the distance so that the head restraint is
as close as possible to the back of the head. Seite 57
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Adjusting the height: manual head
restraints
▷
To raise: pull.
▷ To lower: press the button, arrow 1, and
push the head restraint down.
Adjusting the height: Electrical* head
restraints Move the switch in the desired direction.
Adjusting the side extensions
*Fold the side extensions on the head restraint
forward

for increased lateral support in the rest‐
ing position.
Removing: manual head restraints
Only remove the head restraint if no one will be
sitting in the seat in question. 1.
Pull the head restraint upward as far as pos‐
sible.
2. Press the button, arrow 1, and pull the head
restraint out completely.
Before transporting passengers
Reinstall the head restraint before trans‐
porting anyone in the seat; otherwise, the pro‐
tective function of the head restraint is unavail‐
able.◀
Removing: power* head restraints
For

technical reasons, the head restraint cannot
be removed.
Seat, mirror, and steering
wheel memory*
General information
Front Two different driver's seat, exterior mirror, and
steering wheel positions can be stored and re‐
trieved

for each remote control. The adjustment
of the lumbar support is not stored. Seite 58
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Adjusting

Rear
Two different seat positions can be stored and
retrieved.
Storing
1.
Switch on the ignition.
2. Set the desired position.
3. Press the button. The LED in the
button lights up.
4. Press the desired button 1 or 2. The LED
goes out.
If the M button is pressed accidentally: Press the button again.
The LED goes out.
Calling up settings Do 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 function
1. 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 tailgate.
▷ Press a button on the remote control.
▷ Press the Start/Stop button.
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
At a glance 1
Adjusting
2 Left/right, Automatic Curb Monitor*
3 Fold 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.◀
The mirror setting is stored for the remote con‐
trol currently in use. When the vehicle is un‐
locked via the remote control, the position is au‐ Seite 59
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Controls At a glance

tomatically 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.
Storing positions*
Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory, refer
to page 58.
Adjusting manually
If an electrical malfunction occurs, for example,
press the edges of the mirror glass.
Automatic Curb Monitor*
When the reverse gear is engaged, the mirror
glass tilts downward slightly on the front pas‐
senger side. This improves your view of the curb
and other low-lying obstacles when parking, for
example.
Activating
1. Slide the mirror changeover switch
to the driver's side mirror position.
2. Engage transmission position R.
Deactivating
Slide the mirror changeover switch to the pas‐
senger's side mirror position.
Fold in and out* Press the button.
Possible up to approx. 15 mph/20 km/h.
For example, this is advantageous
▷ In car washes.
▷ In narrow streets. ▷
For folding back mirrors that were folded
away manually.
Mirrors that were folded in are folded out auto‐
matically
at a speed of approx. 25 mph/40 km/h.
Fold in the mirror in a car wash
Before entering an automatic car wash,
fold in the exterior mirrors by hand or with the
button; otherwise, they could be damaged, de‐
pending on the width of the vehicle.◀
Automatic heating
Both exterior mirrors are automatically heated
whenever the engine is running.
Automatic dimming feature
Both exterior mirrors are automatically dimmed.
Photocells are used for control in the Interior rear
view mirror, refer to page 61.
Interior rearview mirror
Reducing the blinding effect From behind when driving at night: turn the
knob. Seite 60
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Adjusting