automatic transmission BMW 550I XDRIVE SEDAN 2016 User Guide
Page 124 of 277
Acute warnings can also be triggered without
previous prewarning.
Braking intervention The warning prompts the driver himself/herself
to react. During a warning, the maximum brak‐
ing force is used. Premise for the brake boos‐
ter is sufficiently quick and hard stepping on
the brake pedal. The system can assist with
some braking intervention if there is risk of a
collision. At low speeds vehicles may thus
come to a complete stop.
Manual transmission: During a braking inter‐
vention up to a complete stop, the engine may
be shut down.
The braking intervention is executed only if
DSC Dynamic Stability Control is switched on
and Dynamic Traction Control DTC is acti‐
vated.
The braking intervention can be interrupted by
stepping on the accelerator pedal or by ac‐
tively moving the steering wheel.
Object detection can be restricted. Limitations
of the detection range and functional restric‐
tions are to be considered.
System limits
Detection range
The system's detection potential is limited.
Thus a warning might not be issued or be is‐
sued late.
E. g. the following situations may not be de‐
tected:▷Slow moving vehicles when you approach
them at high speed.▷Vehicles that suddenly swerve in front of
you, or sharply decelerating vehicles.▷Vehicles with an unusual rear appearance.▷Two-wheeled vehicles ahead of you.Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:▷In heavy fog, rain, sprayed water or snow‐
fall.▷In tight curves.▷If the driving stability control systems are
limited or deactivated, e.g., DSC OFF.▷If, depending on the vehicle equipment
version, the field of view of the camera in
the mirror or the radar sensor is dirty or ob‐
scured.▷Up to 10 seconds after the start of the en‐
gine, via the Start/Stop knob.▷During calibration of the camera immedi‐
ately after vehicle shipment.▷If there is constant blinding effects be‐
cause of oncoming light, e. g., from the sun
low in the sky.
Warning sensitivity
The more sensitive the warning settings are,
e.g. the warning time, the more warnings are
displayed. However, there may also be an ex‐
cess of false warnings.
Front-end collision warning
with braking function
The concept The ystem can help prevent accidents. If an
accident cannot be prevented, the system will help reduce the collision speed.
The system sounds a warning before an immi‐
nent collision and actuates brakes independ‐
ently if needed.
The automatic braking intervention may be
executed with maximum braking force and for
a brief period only as necessary.
If the vehicle is equipped with Active Cruise
Control with Stop & Go, the front-end collision
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a collision. The intervention can bring the vehi‐
cle to a complete stop.
Manual transmission: During a braking inter‐
vention up to a complete stop, the engine may
be shut down.
The braking intervention is executed only if
DSC Dynamic Stability Control is switched on
and Dynamic Traction Control DTC is acti‐
vated.
Above approx. 130 mph/210 km/h the braking
intervention occurs as a brief braking pressure.
No automatic delay occurs.
The braking intervention can be interrupted by
stepping on the accelerator pedal or by ac‐
tively moving the steering wheel.
Object detection can be restricted. Limitations
of the detection range and functional restric‐
tions are to be considered.
System limits
Detection range
The system's detection potential is limited.
Thus a warning might not be issued or be is‐
sued late.
E. g. the following situations may not be de‐
tected:▷Slow moving vehicles when you approach
them at high speed.▷Vehicles that suddenly swerve in front of
you, or sharply decelerating vehicles.▷Vehicles with an unusual rear appearance.▷Two-wheeled vehicles ahead of you.
Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷In heavy fog, rain, sprayed water or snow‐
fall.▷In tight curves.▷If the driving stability control systems are
limited or deactivated, e.g., DSC OFF.▷If, depending on the vehicle equipment
version, the field of view of the camera in
the mirror or the radar sensor is dirty or ob‐
scured.▷Up to 10 seconds after the start of the en‐
gine, via the Start/Stop knob.▷During calibration of the camera immedi‐
ately after vehicle shipment.▷If there is constant blinding effects be‐
cause of oncoming light, e. g., from the sun
low in the sky.
Warning sensitivity
The more sensitive the warning settings are,
e.g. the warning time, the more warnings are
displayed. However, there may also be an ex‐
cess of false warnings.
Pedestrian warning
Depending on how the vehicle is equipped, the
function warns of an imminent collision with
pedestrians during daytime or nighttime.
The function is subdivided into the following
systems:
▷During daytime: Pedestrian warning with
city braking function, refer to page 123▷At night: Night vision, refer to page 126
Pedestrian warning with city
braking function
The concept The ystem can help prevent accidents with pe‐
destrians.
The system issues a warning in the city driving
speed area if there is imminent danger of a col‐
lision with pedestrians and includes a braking
function.
The camera in the area of the rearview mirror
controls the system.
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Camera
The camera is found near the interior rearview
mirror.
Keep the windshield in the area behind the in‐
terior rearview mirror clean and clear.
Switching on/off
Switching on automatically The system is automatically active after every
driving-off.
Switch off Press button: the systems are turned
off. The LED goes out.
Press button: the systems are turned on. The
LED lights up.
Warning with braking function
Display
If a collision with a person detected in this way
is imminent, a warning symbol appears on the
instrument cluster and in the Head-up Display.
The red symbol is displayed and a sig‐
nal sounds.
With instrument display: The red sym‐
bol is displayed and a signal sounds.
Intervene immediately by braking or make an
evasive maneuver.
Braking intervention
The warning prompts the driver himself/herself
to react. During a warning, the maximum brak‐
ing force is used. Premise for the brake boos‐
ter is sufficiently quick and hard stepping on
the brake pedal. The system can assist with
some braking intervention if there is risk of a
collision. At low speeds vehicles may thus
come to a complete stop.
Manual transmission: During a braking inter‐
vention up to a complete stop, the engine may
be shut down.
The braking intervention is executed only if
DSC Dynamic Stability Control is switched on
and Dynamic Traction Control DTC is acti‐
vated.
The braking intervention can be interrupted by
stepping on the accelerator pedal or by ac‐
tively moving the steering wheel.
Object detection can be restricted. Limitations
of the detection range and functional restric‐
tions are to be considered.
System limits
Detection range
The detection potential of the camera is lim‐
ited.
Thus a warning might not be issued or be is‐
sued late.
E. g. the following situations may not be de‐
tected:▷Partially covered pedestrians.▷Pedestrians that are not detected as such
because of the viewing angle or contour.▷Pedestrians outside of the detection range.▷Pedestrians having a body size less than
32 in/80 cm.
Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional or may
not be available in the following situations:
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Automatic deactivation during forward
travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if needed.
With front PDC: switching on/off
manually
Press button.▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
The rearview camera image is displayed when
the reverse gear is engaged by pressing the
button.
Display
Signal tones When approaching an object, an intermittent
sound indicates the position of the object. E. g.
if an object is detected to the left rear of the
vehicle, a signal tone sounds from the left rear
speaker.
The shorter the distance to the object, 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 about 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, when selector
lever position P is engaged on vehicles with
Steptronic transmission.
Volume
The volume of the PDC signal tone can be ad‐
justed similar to the sound and volume set‐
tings of the radio.
Settings are stored for the profile 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 already displayed on the
Control Display before a signal sounds.
A display appears as soon as Park Distance
Control (PDC) is activated.
The range of the sensors is represented in the
colors green, yellow and red.
When the image of the rearview camera is dis‐
played, the reel can be made to PDC:
"Rear view camera"
System limits
Limits of ultrasonic measurement
Ultrasonic measuring might not function under
the following circumstances:
▷For small children and animals.▷For persons with certain clothing, e.g.
coats.▷With external interference of the ultra‐
sound, 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 couplings of other
vehicles.▷With thin or wedge-shaped objects.▷With moving objects.Seite 153Driving comfortControls153
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▷Press button.
Interrupting automaticallyThe system is interrupted automatically in the
following situations:
▷If the driver grasps the steering wheel or if
he takes over steering.▷If a gear is selected that does not match
the instruction on the Control Display.▷If the vehicle speed exceeds approx.
6 mph/10 km/h.▷Possible on snow-covered or slippery road
surfaces.▷When there are obstacles that are hard to
overcome, such as curbs.▷When there are obstacles that suddenly
arise.▷If the Park Distance Control PDC displays
clearances that are too small.▷If a maximum number of parking attempts
or the time taken for parking is exceeded.▷If a turn signal has been actuated contrary
to the desired side for parking.▷When switching to another function on the
Control Display.
Steptronic transmission:
▷When the button is released.▷If the trunk lid is open.▷If doors are open.▷When setting the parking brake.▷During acceleration.▷When braking.▷When unfastening the driver's safety belt.
A Check Control message is displayed.
Resume An interrupted parking procedure can be con‐
tinued if needed.
Follow the instructions on the Control Display
to do this.
System limits
No parking assistance
The parking assistant does not offer assis‐
tance in the following situations:▷In tight curves.
Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷On bumpy road surfaces such as gravel
roads.▷On slippery ground.▷On steep uphill or downhill grades.▷With accumulations of leaves/snow in the
parking space.
Limits of ultrasonic measurement
Ultrasonic measuring might not function under
the following circumstances:
▷For small children and animals.▷For persons with certain clothing, e.g.
coats.▷With external interference of the ultra‐
sound, 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 couplings 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.Seite 163Driving comfortControls163
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Avoid high engine speeds
As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Use 1st gear to get the vehicle moving. Start‐
ing with the 2nd gear, accelerate rapidly. When
accelerating, shift up before reaching high en‐
gine speeds.
When you reach the desired speed, shift into
the highest applicable gear and drive with the
engine speed as low as possible and at a con‐
stant speed.
If necessary, observe the gear shift indicator of
the vehicle, refer to page 95.
Use coasting
When approaching a red light, take your foot
off the accelerator and let the vehicle coast to
a halt.
For going downhill take your foot off the accel‐
erator and let the vehicle roll.
The flow of fuel is interrupted while coasting.
Switch off the engine during longer stops
Switch off the engine during longer stops, e.g.,
at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in traffic
congestion.
Auto Start/Stop function The Auto Start/Stop function of your vehicle
automatically switches off the engine during a
stop.
If the engine is switched off and then restarted
rather than leaving the engine running con‐
stantly, fuel consumption and emissions are
reduced. Savings can begin within a few sec‐
onds of switching off the engine.
In addition, fuel consumption is also deter‐
mined by other factors, such as driving style,road conditions, maintenance or environmental
factors.
Switch off any functions that
are not currently needed
Functions such as seat heating and the rear
window defroster require a lot of energy and
reduce the range, especially in city and stop-
and-go traffic.
Reel off these functions if they are not needed. The ECO PRO driving program supports the
energy conserving use of comfort features.
These functions are automatically deactivated
partially or completely.
Have maintenance carriedout
Have vehicles maintained regularly to achieve
optimal vehicle efficiency and operating life.
The maintenance should be carried out by
your service center.
Also note the BMW Maintenance System, refer
to page 236.
ECO PRO
The concept ECO PRO supports a driving style that saves
on fuel consumption. For this purpose, the en‐
gine control and comfort features, e. g. the cli‐
mate control output, are adjusted.
Under certain conditions the engine is auto‐
matically decoupled from the transmission in
the D selector lever position. The vehicle con‐
tinues traveling with the engine idling to re‐
duce fuel consumption. Selector lever position
D remains engaged.
In addition, context-sensitive instructions are
displayed to assist with an optimized fuel con‐
sumption driving style.Seite 196Driving tipsSaving fuel196
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The bonus range is shown in the range display.
The bonus range is automatically reset every
time the vehicle is refueled.
Efficiency displayDisplay in the instrument clusterDisplay in the instrument display
A mark in the efficiency display informs about
the current driving style.
Mark in the area of arrow 1: display of the en‐
ergy recovered by coasting or when braking.
Mark in the area of arrow 2: display when ac‐
celerating.
Your driving style's efficiency is shown by the
bar's color:
▷Blue display: efficient driving style as long
as the mark moves within the blue range.▷Gray display: adjust driving style, e. g. by
backing off the accelerator pedal.
The display switches to blue as soon as all
conditions for fuel-efficiency-optimized driving
are met.
ECO PRO tip, driving tip
The arrow indicates that the driving
style can be adjusted to be more fuel
efficient by backing off the accelerator
for instance.
Note The efficiency display and ECO PRO tips in the
instrument cluster appear when the ECO PRO
display is activated.
Activating driving style and ECO PRO tips:1."Settings"2."Instrument cluster"3."ECO PRO Info"
In the instrument display:
1."Settings"2."Instrument cluster"3."Driving mode view"
ECO PRO tip, symbols
An additional symbol and text instructions are
displayed.
SymbolMeasureFor efficient driving back off the ac‐
celerator or delay accelerating to al‐
low time to assess road conditions.Reduce speed to the selected ECO
PRO speed.Steptronic transmission: shift from
M/S to D.Steptronic transmission/manual
transmission: follow shifting instruc‐
tions.Manual transmission: engage neu‐
tral for engine stop.Seite 198Driving tipsSaving fuel198
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CareVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Car washes General information
Regularly remove foreign objects such as
leaves in the area below the windshield when
the hood is raised.
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in
winter. Intense soiling and road salt can dam‐
age the vehicle.
Hints Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of
140 ℉/60 ℃.
If the vehicle has a glass sunroof, ensure that a
distance of at least 31.5 inches/80 cm is main‐
tained. Holding them too close or using exces‐
sively high pressures or temperatures can
cause damage or preliminary damage that may
then lead to long-term damage.
Follow the user's manual for the high-pressure
washer.◀Cleaning sensors/camera lenses with
high-pressure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the sensors and camera lenses on the
outside of the vehicle for long periods and
maintain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.◀
Automatic car washes
Hints
Note the following:▷Give preference to cloth car washes or
those that use soft brushes in order to
avoid paint damage.▷Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.▷Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may be damaged, depending on the width
of the vehicle.▷Deactivate the rain sensor, refer to
page 77, to avoid unintentional wiper acti‐
vation.▷In some cases, an unintentional alarm can
be triggered by the interior motion sensor
of the alarm system. Follow the instruc‐
tions on avoiding an unintentional alarm,
refer to page 48.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged.◀
Before driving into a car wash In order to ensure that the vehicle can roll in a
car wash, take the following steps:
Manual transmission:
1.Drive into the car wash.2.Shift to neutral.Seite 251CareMobility251
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3.Switch the engine off.4.Switch on the ignition.
Steptronic transmission:
1.Drive into the car wash.2.Engage selector lever position N.3.Deactivating Automatic Hold, refer to
page 75.4.Release the parking brake.5.Switch the engine off.
In this way, the ignition remains switched
on, and a Check-Control message is dis‐
played.
Do not turn off the ignition in the car
wash
Do not turn off the ignition in the car wash;
otherwise, selector lever position P is en‐
gaged and damages can result.◀
The vehicle cannot be locked from the outside
when in selector lever position N. A signal
sounds when an attempt is made to lock the
vehicle.
To start the engine with manual transmission:
1.Press on the clutch pedal.2.Press the Start/Stop button.
To start the engine with Steptronic transmis‐
sion:
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Press the Start/Stop button.
Pressing the Start/Stop button without step‐
ping on the brake turns the ignition off.
Selector lever positionSelector lever position P is engaged automati‐
cally:
▷When the ignition is switched off.▷After approx. 15 minutes.Headlights▷Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
acidic cleansers.▷Soak areas that have been dirtied e. g.,
from insects, with shampoo and wash off
with water.▷Thaw ice with de-icing spray; do not use an
ice scraper.
After washing the vehicle
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly to dry them; otherwise, braking action
can be reduced and corrosion of the brake
discs can occur.
Completely remove all residues on the win‐
dows, to minimize loss of visibility due to
smearing and to reduce wiper noises and
wiper blade wear.
Vehicle care
Car care products BMW recommends using care and cleaning
products from BMW, since these have been
tested and approved.
Car care and cleaning products
Follow the instructions on the container.
When cleaning the interior, open the doors or
windows.
Only use products intended for cleaning vehi‐
cles.
Cleansers can contain substances that are
dangerous and harmful to your health.◀
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to driving safety and
value retention. Environmental influences in
areas with elevated air pollution or natural con‐
taminants, such as tree resin or pollen can af‐
fect the vehicle's paintwork. Tailor the fre‐
quency and extent of your car care to these
influences.
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Everything from A to Z
IndexA ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐ tem 135
ACC, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go 143
Acceleration Assistant, refer to Launch Control 82
Accessories and parts 7
Activated-charcoal filter 168
Active Blind Spot Detec‐ tion 131
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, ACC 143
Active Protection 132
Active seat, front 56
Active seat ventilation, front 57
Active Steering, integral 139
Adaptive brake assistant 135
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 132
Adaptive drive 138
Adaptive Light Control 104
Additives, oil 233
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 53
After washing vehicle 252
Airbags 108
Airbags, indicator/warning light 109
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 167
Air, dehumidifying, refer to Cooling function 167
Air distribution, manual 166
Air flow, automatic climate control 166
Air outlets, see ventila‐ tion 168
Air pressure, tires 211 Alarm system 47
Alarm, unintentional 48
All around the center con‐ sole 16
All around the roofliner 17
All around the steering wheel 14
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 224
All-wheel-drive 137
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 173
Alternative oil types 233
Ambient light 107
Animal detection, see Night Vision 126
Antifreeze, washer fluid 78
Antilock Brake System, ABS 135
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 135
Approved axle load 259
Approved engine oils, see Suitable engine oil
types 233
Armrest, refer to Center arm‐ rest 182
Arrival time 98
Ashtray 174
Ashtray, front 174, 175
Ashtray, rear 175
Assistance when driving off 135
Attentiveness assistant 133
AUTO H button 74
AUTO H button, refer to Au‐ tomatic Hold 74
AUTO intensity 166
Automatic car wash 251
Automatic climate con‐ trol 165 Automatic Cruise Control
with Stop & Go 143
Automatic Curb Monitor 62
Automatic deactivation, front- seat passenger airbags 110
Automatic headlight con‐ trol 104
Automatic Hold 74
Automatic locking 46
Automatic recirculated-air control 167
Automatic Soft Closing, doors 40
Automatic transmission, see Steptronic transmission 79
Automatic trunk lid 41
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 166
AUTO program, intensity 166
Auto Start/Stop function 71
Average fuel consumption 98
Average speed 98
Axle loads, weights 259
B Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 55
Backrest, width 55
Band-aids, refer to First aid kit 246
Bar for tow-starting/ towing 249
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 243
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 35
Battery, vehicle 243
Belts, safety belts 57
Beverage holder, cu‐ pholder 183 Seite 262ReferenceEverything from A to Z262
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