BMW 550I 2006 Owner's Guide

Opening and closing
30
Operation from outside
>via the remote control
>via the door lock
>with comfort access
* via the door handles
At the same time, the anti-theft system is also
operated. It prevents the doors from being
unlocked using the lock buttons or door han-
dles. The alarm system
is armed/disarmed at
the same time. The interior lamps and the cour-
tesy lamps
* are also switched on and off with
the remote control.
You can find more detailed information on the
alarm system
on page36.
Operating from inside
Via the button for central locking, refer to
page32. The fuel filler door is not locked.
In an accident of sufficient severity, the central
locking system automatically unlocks the vehi-
cle. In addition, the hazard warning flashers and
interior lamps come on.
Opening and closing: from
outside
Using remote control
Persons or animals left unattended in a
parked vehicle could lock the doors from
the inside. you should always keep the remote
control with you; this precaution ensures that
you will remain able to unlock the vehicle from
the outside at all times.<
Unlocking
Use the button to unlock the vehicle accord-
ing to current settings.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.4.Select "Door locks" and press the control-
ler.
5.Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
6.Select "Unlock button" and press the con-
troller.
7.Select a menu item:
>"All doors"
Press the button once to unlock the
entire vehicle.
>"Driver's door only"
Press the button once to unlock only
the driver's door and the fuel filler door.
Press the button twice to unlock the
entire vehicle.
8.Press the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Convenience opening
Press the button longer. The windows and
the glass sunroof
* open.
Locking
Press the button.

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Switching on interior lamps
If the vehicle is locked, press the button.
You can also use this function to locate your
vehicle in parking garages etc.
Panic mode*
You can also trigger the alarm system in case of
danger:
Press the button for at least three seconds.
Switch off alarm: press any button.
Sedan: opening luggage compartment
lid
Press the button for approx. 1 second.
The luggage compartment lid opens, regard-
less of whether it was previously locked or
unlocked.
During opening, the luggage compart-
ment lid pivots back and up. Ensure that
adequate clearance is available before opening.
To prevent accidentally locking yourself out,
never lay the remote control in the luggage
compartment. A previously locked luggage
compartment lid is also locked again after clos-
ing.<
Sports Wagon: unlocking tailgate
Press the button for approx. 1 second.
The tailgate will open slightly, regardless of
whether it was previously locked or unlocked.
During opening, the tailgate pivots back
and up. Ensure that adequate clearance is
available before opening.
To prevent accidentally locking yourself out,
never lay the remote control in the luggage
compartment. A previously locked tailgate is
also locked again after closing.
When opening the tailgate, the cargo area cover
is raised. Before closing the tailgate, press
down the cover until it engages.<
If pointed or sharp-edged objects could
strike the rear window while driving, be
sure to provide protection around all edges.
Failure to do so could result in damage to the
heating conductors of the rear window.<
Setting confirmation signals
You can vary or also deactivate the confirmation
signals for locking or unlocking.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "Door locks" and press the control-
ler.
5.Select "Confirmation" and press the con-
troller.
6.Select desired signal.
7.Press controller.
The signals are switched on.
Malfunctions
The remote control may malfunction due to
local radio waves.
Should the remote control fail to operate owing
to interference of this kind, unlock and lock the
vehicle via the door lock using the key.
If it is no longer possible to lock the vehicle
using the remote control, then the battery is
discharged. Use this remote control during an
extended drive; this will recharge the battery,
refer to page28.
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:
LX8766S
LX8766E

Opening and closing
32 LX8CAS
LX8CAS2
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
>This device must 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.<
Using door lock
When unlocking
1.Turning the key once unlocks the driver's
door and the fuel filler door.
2.Turning the key a second time unlocks the
remaining doors and the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate.
Convenience operation
You also have the option of operating the win-
dows and the glass sunroof
* from the driver's
door lock.
>Opening:
With the door closed, turn the key to the
unlock position and hold it there.
>Closing:
With the door closed, turn the key to the
lock position and hold it there.
Watch during the closing process to be
sure that no one is injured. Releasing the
key stops the operation.<
Manual operation
If an electrical malfunction occurs, you can
unlock or lock the driver's door with the key in
the end positions of the door lock.
Opening and closing: from
inside
This button serves to unlock or lock doors and
the luggage compartment lid/tailgate with the
front doors closed, but does not activate the
anti-theft system. The fuel filler door remains
unlocked.
You can also make the following settings:
>The central locking system automatically
locks the vehicle after a short time when no
door has been opened.
>The central locking system automatically
locks the vehicle as soon as you drive off.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "Door locks" and press the control-
ler.

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5.Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
6.Select "Relock door if not opened"
or "Lock after driving".
7.Press controller.
The setting is selected.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Unlocking and opening doors
>Either unlock the doors together with the
button for the central locking system and
then pull the door handle above the armrest
or
>pull on the door handle of each door twice:
The first time unlocks the door, the second
time opens it.
Locking
>Use the central locking button to lock all of
the doors simultaneously, or
>press down the lock button of the desired
door. To prevent you from being locked out,
the open driver's door cannot be locked
using the lock button.
Because any persons or animals left unat-
tended in a parked vehicle could lock the
doors from the inside, You should therefore
always keep the remote control with you so that
the vehicle can be unlocked from outside.<
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
During opening, the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate pivots back and up.
Ensure that adequate clearance is available
before opening.<
Sedan
Opening from inside
Press the button: the luggage compartment lid
opens unless it has been locked.
Opening from outside
Press the button on the luggage compartment
lid or the button on the remote control for
approx. 1 second: the luggage compartment lid
opens.

Opening and closing
34 All keys, refer to page28, fit the luggage-com-
partment lid lock.
Locking separately
Turn a key in the lock of the luggage compart-
ment lid past to the right a pressure point and
remove it in the horizontal position.
This locks the luggage compartment lid and
disconnects it from the central locking system.
If you then hand over the remote control without
the integrated key, refer to page28, no access
is possible via the luggage compartment lid.
This is an advantage when using valet parking,
for example.
Unlocking again and opening manually
Turn the key toward the left up to the stop: the
luggage compartment lid opens.
If you use the lock to unlock the luggage
compartment lid while the alarm system
is armed, the alarm will be triggered. You should
therefore unlock the vehicle ahead of time. If the
alarm is inadvertently triggered: switch off the
alarm, refer to page37.<
Emergency release
Pull lever in luggage compartment. The lug-
gage compartment lid is unlocked.
Closing
Make sure that the closing path of the
luggage compartment lid is clear, other-
wise injuries may result. luggage compartment lid make it easier to pull
down.
Sports Wagon: opening and closing
rear window
Small items can be loaded and unloaded
quickly when the rear window is opened sepa-
rately.
When opening the rear window, the cargo
area cover is raised. Before closing the
rear window, press down the cover until it
engages.<
Press the button: the rear window opens some-
what. It can be swung upward.
Press the window closed to close.
If pointed or sharp-edged objects could
strike the rear window while driving, be
sure to provide protection around all edges.
Failure to do so could result in damage to the
heating conductors of the rear window.<

Controls
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Sports Wagon: tailgate
Opening from inside
Press the button: the tailgate opens unless it
has been locked.
Opening from outside
Press the button on the tailgate or the but-
ton on the remote control for approx. 1 second:
the tailgate opens somewhat. It can be swung
upward.
When opening the tailgate, the cargo area
cover is raised. Before closing the tail-
gate, press down the cover until it engages.<
Opening manually
In case of an electrical defect:
1.From the cargo area, press out the cover1
on the tailgate with a screwdriver.2.Press the locking bar2 in the direction of
the arrow.
3.Open the tailgate and press in the cover
again.
The tailgate is locked again as soon as it is
closed.
Closing
Make sure that the closing path of the tail-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may
result.<
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the
tailgate make it easier to pull down.
To close the tailgate, merely press it down gen-
tly. The closing process will then be carried out
automatically.
Sports Wagon: automatic tailgate
operation*
Adjusting opening height
You can adjust how far the tailgate is to open.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "Door locks" and press the control-
ler.

Opening and closing
36 5.Select "Tailgate" and press the controller.
6.Turn the controller. The adjustment is
applied; the field can be changed.
Opening tailgate
The tailgate opens automatically when you:
>press the button on the outside of the tail-
gate when the vehicle is unlocked.
>press the button in the driver's foot-
well.
>press the button on the remote control
for approx. 1 second.
During opening, the tailgate pivots back
and up. Ensure that adequate clearance is
available before opening. >Press the button on the outside of the tail-
gate.
>Press and hold the button on the
remote control.
>Press the button on the inside of the tail-
gate.
When opening the tailgate, the cargo area
cover is raised. Before closing the tail-
gate, press down the cover until it engages.<
Closing tailgate
Make sure that the closing path of the tail-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may
result.<
The tailgate closes automatically when the but-
ton on the inside of the tailgate is pressed.
To interrupt closing:
>Press the button on the inside of the tail-
gate.
>Press the button on the outside of the tail-
gate.
Closing is not canceled when you put the
vehicle into motion.<
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the luggage com-
partment lid/tailgate or rear window
* is
opened
>To movements in the vehicle: interior
motion sensor, see below

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>To changes in the vehicle's tilt if someone
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the
vehicle
>To interruptions in battery voltage
Unauthorized operations are briefly signaled by
the alarm system:
>with an acoustic alarm
>by switching on
the hazard warning flashers
>by flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming alarm system
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.
The luggage compartment lid/tailgate can also
be opened with the system armed with the
button on the remote control, refer to page33.
When the luggage compartment lid/tailgate is
closed, it is locked and monitored again.
Switching off alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote control,
refer to page30, or
>insert the remote control as far as possible
into the ignition lock, refer to page56.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp under the inside rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking:
doors, luggage compartment lid/tailgate or
rear window
* is/are not closed. Even if you
do not close the alerted area, the system
begins to monitor the remaining areas, and
the indicator lamp flashes continuously after approx. 10 seconds. However, the
interior motion sensor is not activated.
>The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking:
your vehicle has not been disturbed while
you were away.
>The indicator lamp flashes after unlocking
until the remote control is inserted into the
ignition lock, however for a maximum of
approx. 5 minutes: your vehicle has been
disturbed while you were away.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm
system reacts, e.g. in case of an attempted
wheel theft or towing.
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass sunroof
*
must be completely closed.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following
situations:
>In stacking garages
>When transporting on car-carrying trains
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor
Press the button on the remote control
once again directly after locking.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and
the interior motion sensor are switched off until
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Comfort access*
Comfort access enables you to access your
vehicle without having to hold the remote con-
trol in your hand. It is sufficient to carry the

Opening and closing
38 remote control with you, e.g. in your jacket
pocket. The vehicle automatically detects the
related remote control in the immediate vicinity
or in the interior.
Comfort access supports the following func-
tions:
>Unlocking/locking vehicle
>Starting engine
>Comfort locking
Functional requirement
>The vehicle can only be unlocked if the
vehicle detects that the remote control car-
ried is located outside the vehicle.
>The next unlocking and locking cycle is not
possible until after approx. 2 seconds.
>The engine can only be started if the vehicle
detects that the remote control carried is
located in the vehicle.
Special features in contrast to ordinary
remote control
It is basically irrelevant whether you operate the
functions mentioned previously with the com-
fort access feature or by pressing the buttons
on the remote control. Therefore, please famil-
iarize yourself with the information on opening
and closing beginning on page28 beforehand.
The special features when using comfort
access are described in the following.
Releasing
Completely grasp a door handle, arrow1.
This corresponds to pressing the button.If a remote control is detected in the interior
after unlocking, the electric steering-wheel lock
unlocks, refer to page56.
Locking
Touch the surface, arrow2 on the driver's door
or3 on the other doors with a finger for approx.
1 second. This corresponds to pressing the
button.
For comfort closing, hold a finger on the sur-
face, arrow2 or 3.
If a remote control accidentally left in the
luggage compartment/cargo area is
detected in the locked vehicle after closing the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate, the lid/tail-
gate opens again. The hazard warning flashers
flash and an acoustic signal
* sounds.<
Switching on radio readiness
By briefly pressing the Start/Stop button, you
switch on the radio readiness, refer to page56.
When doing so, do not depress the brake
pedal, otherwise the engine will start
immediately.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine or switch on the switch
on ignition if a remote control is located in the
interior of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in
the ignition lock, refer to page56.
If you take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle with the engine running, a
warning lamp lights up. In addition, a message
appears on the Control Display. As long as no
remote control is detected in the vehicle, it is
only possible to restart the engine within
approx. 10 seconds after it is switched off.
Switching off engine with automatic
transmission
The engine can only be switched off in the
selector lever position P, refer to page58.
To switch off the engine in the selector lever
position N, the remote control must be inserted
in the ignition lock.

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Before driving into a car wash with
automatic transmission
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition
lock.
2.Depress brake pedal.
3.Place selector lever in position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction
The comfort access function may malfunction
due to local radio waves. Then open or close the
vehicle with the buttons on the remote control
or with a key. To start the engine following this,
insert the remote control in the ignition lock.
Replacing battery
The remote control for comfort access contains
a battery which must be replaced if necessary.
1.Remove integrated key from remote con-
trol, refer to page28.
2.Remove cover.
3.Lay in new battery with positive side facing
upward.
4.Press cover closed.
Return used battery to a recycling collec-
tion point or to your BMW center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, exercise care when
closing the windows and keep them in
your field of vision until they are shut.
Always take along the remote control when you
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for example, operate the windows and injure them-
selves.<
Opening, closing
>Press switch to resistance point:
The window continues to open as long as
you keep the switch pressed.
>Press switch beyond resistance point:
The window opens automatically. Pressing
the switch again stops the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner
by pulling the switch.
For information on using the convenience oper-
ation at the door lock or with the remote control,
refer to page30 or32.
For information on comfort closing with comfort
access, refer to Locking on page38.
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the windows with the
remote control removed or the ignition
switched off for approx. 1 minute, as long as
neither of the front doors has been opened.
Anti-trapping mechanism
If the closing force rises beyond a predefined
threshold during closing, the system will imme-
diately stop moving the window prior to lower-
ing it slightly.
Despite the anti-trapping mechanism,
inspect the window's travel path prior to
closing it, as the safety system might fail to
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as
thin objects, and the window would continue
closing.
Pulling the switch beyond the resistance point