ABS BMW 550I 2006 Owners Manual

Controls
69Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
be that conditions necessary for operation are
not currently being met. To call up Check Con-
trol messages, refer to page77.<
Warning lamps
The display2 flashes red and a sig-
nal sounds.
The system requests that you
intervene by braking or with an
evasive maneuver. The active
cruise control cannot automatically restore the
distance to the vehicle driving ahead.
However, this display cannot relieve the driver
of the responsibility for adjusting the desired
speed and driving style to the traffic conditions.
The display 2 flashes yellow.
Automatic intervention by ABS or
DSC. The active cruise control
intervenes by braking until you
take over actively.
Radar sensor
Heavy rain, dirt, snow or ice can restrict the
detection of vehicles driving ahead. If neces-
sary, clean the front radar sensor under the
bumper. Exercise particular care when remov-
ing snow and ice.
If the sensor is not aligned properly, the active
cruise control cannot be activated.
Things to know about active cruise control
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise
controlling the vehicle. The driver should
decide when to use the system on the basis of
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions.
Active cruise control is intended for use on
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow, strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths.
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's
speed and distance setting within applicable
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when
the system is actively following a vehicle in front
of you.<
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system does have physical limi-
tations. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead
of you, as for example, at a traffic light or a
parked vehicle. Also, the system does not react

Driving
70 to oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other types
of potential traffic such as a rider on horseback.
It is also possible that the system may not
detect smaller moving objects such as motor-
cycles or bicycles. Be especially alert when
encountering any of these situations as the sys-
tem will neither automatically brake, nor provide
a warning to you. Also, be aware that every
decrease in the distance setting allows your
vehicle to come closer to a vehicle in front of
you and requires a heightened amount of alert-
ness.<
If while your vehicle is actively following a vehi-
cle in front of you and the vehicle ahead speeds
up or the lane ahead becomes clear, then your
vehicle will accelerate to the speed you have
selected. Be aware that changing to a clear,
unobstructed lane will also result in your vehicle
accelerating.
Be certain to deactivate the system when
you pull into an exit lane for a highway off-
ramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's
reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause
the system to react to a vehicle actually in the
lane next to you. Always be ready to take action
or apply the brakes if necessary.
Active cruise control can only decelerate the
vehicle to approx. 20 mph/30 km/h. If the sys-
tem reduces vehicle speed below 20 mph/
30 km/h or if DSC/ABS is engaged while driving,
the system will automatically deactivate.
Remember, the system cannot stop your
vehicle. In addition, the system is deacti-
vated whenever the driver applies the vehicle
brakes, shifts the transmission to neutral/N, or
deactivates DSC. After any deactivation, the
system will no longer automatically activate the
vehicle brakes, which means the driver must
intervene and resume manual braking. You
should then reactivate the system only when
you are fully aware of the prior speed and dis-
tance settings. reduce the stored desired speed; however, the
driver must constantly monitor traffic and inter-
vene if necessary.
When you switch off the engine or ignition,
active cruise control is fully switched off, too,
and any settings you have selected are can-
celed.
Swerving vehicles
When a vehicle moves from an adjacent lane
into your lane, active cruise control will not rec-
ognize this vehicle until it is fully in your lane
ahead of your vehicle.
Behavior in curves
Because of the limited range of the system, it is
possible that in curves or on the peaks and val-
leys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead may be rec-
ognized late, or not at all. Therefore, it is up to
the driver to select a speed that is prudent in
view of the curves and terrain of the roadway.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
84 iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "PDC" and press the controller.
5.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
The PDC screen is activated.
The display appears on the Control Display as
soon as PDC is activated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can
no longer be detected. This applies especially
in those cases where the system approaches
the physical constraints of ultrasonic measure-
ment, as occurs with tow bars and trailer cou-
plings, and in the vicinity of thin or wedge-
shaped objects. Low objects already displayed,
e.g. a curb, can disappear from the detection
area of the sensors again before a continuous
tone sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g.
cornices, cannot be detected. Loud sources of
sound, inside and outside the vehicle, could
drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array
of systems designed to enhance and maintain
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Braking safely refer to page117.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking
during a lane change, driving stability and steer-
ing response are improved further.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the braking. DBC is switched
off when the brake pedal is released.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels
when starting off and accelerating. DSC also
identifies unstable driving conditions, such as a
loss of traction at the rear of the vehicle or slid-
ing of the vehicle in its front wheels. In these
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe
course within physical limits by reducing engine
output and through braking actions in the indi-
vidual wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start the
engine.

Things to remember when driving
116
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. To ensure that your vehicle contin-
ues to provide optimized economy of operation
throughout an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing section.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and driving speeds,
however do not exceed 4,500 rpm or 100 mph/
160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kick-down mode during these
initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.
SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox
Do not use the acceleration assistant during the
break-in period, refer to page61.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during
this break-in period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch is only at its opti-
mized level after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if com-
ponents mentioned above must be replaced
after subsequent driving operation.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate is com-
pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could
enter the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances should make it abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof or
panorama glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic
climate control to a high level, refer to
page100.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on exhaust system.
Do not remove the heat shields installed adja-
cent to it, and never apply undercoating to
them. When driving, standing at idle and while
parking take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it
the risk of serious property damage as well as
personal injury.<

Driving tips
117Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Mobile communications devices in
vehicle
BMW discourages the use of mobile
communications devices, e. g. mobile
phones, inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the
vehicle electronics and mobile communication
device can influence one another. In addition,
there is no assurance that the radiation which
results from transmission will be dissipated
from the vehicle interior.<
Interior and exterior mirrors,
automatic dimming feature*
This feature is controlled by two photocells in
the inside rearview mirror. One is integrated into
the glass of the mirror, while the other is located
at an offset position on the rear of the mirror
housing.
For trouble-free operation, keep the photocells
clean and do not cover the area between the
interior rearview mirror and the windshield. Do
not attach stickers of any kind to the windshield
in front of the mirror, either.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between the tires and
the road surface, ultimately undermining your
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread
depth of the tires decreases, refer also to Mini-
mum tire tread on page193.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Using handbrake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise
greater clutch wear will result.<
SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold
the vehicle on a hill by pressing the accel-
erator, but apply the handbrake instead. Other-
wise overheating can occur in the transmission
region.<
Starting assistant
The starting assistant enables you to start off
conveniently on slopes. The parking brake is
not required for this purpose.
1.Hold the vehicle with the footbrake.
2.Release the footbrake and immediately
drive off quickly.
The starting assistant holds the vehicle
for approx. 2 seconds after releasing the
footbrake. Depending on the load, the vehicle
may also roll back slightly during this time.
After releasing the footbrake, immediately start
quickly, otherwise the starting assistant no
longer holds the vehicle after approx. 2 seconds
and it begins to roll back.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.

Wheels and tires
194
Run-flat tires*
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of partially self-contained
tires and special rims. The sidewall reinforce-
ment ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire, refer to
Indication of a flat tire, page88.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW center or tire shop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel. If this
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
h a z a r d s . M a k e s u re t h a t t h e n e w w h ee l s a r e b a l-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend that you use
retreaded tires, since driving safety may
be impaired. The causes for this include the
possibly different tire casing structures and the
often wide variations in their age, which can
result in a limited service life.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC or xDrive.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. Following
tire damage, have the original wheel and tire
combination remounted on the vehicle as soon
as possible.
Recommended tire brands
Certain tire makes are recommended by BMW
depending on the tire size. You can recognize
these from the clearly visible BMW marking on
the tire sidewall.
When used properly, these tires comply with
the most demanding standards for safety and
vehicle response.
Run-flat tires
When mounting new tires, or changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, use run-flat
tires for your own safety. In addition, no spare
tire is available in case of a flat tire. Your BMW
center will be glad to advise you.

Mobility
203Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Replacing components
Onboard toolkit
Sedan
The onboard toolkit is located in the luggage
compartment lid.
Loosen the wing nut to open.
Sports Wagon
The onboard toolkit is located in the left side
panel of the cargo area.
Wiper blade replacement
Front
1.Fold the wiper arm out and grasp firmly.
2.Press the safety tabs together while sliding
the wiper blade toward the front to disen-
gage it.
3.Mount the new wiper blade and slide in until
it is heard to engage.
Rear*
1.Lift off the wiper arm completely and pull off
the wiper blade, refer to arrow.
2.Mount the new wiper blade and press on
until it is heard to engage.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. You must be duly diligent
in replacing them. BMW recommends having
your BMW center perform any work that you do
not feel competent to perform yourself or that is
not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a
clean cloth, napkin, etc., or hold the bulb by its
metal socket.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at your BMW center.
Whenever you perform any work on the
electrical system, turn off the consumers
involved to prevent short circuits from occur-
ring. To avoid possible injury or equipment

227Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions, and
indicates where to find them
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System84
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control65
Acceleration assistant for
SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox61
Accessories6
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control77
Activated-charcoal filter102
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation102
Active cruise control65
– indicator lamp68
– radar sensor69
– selecting distance67
– warning lamps69
Active head restraints,
front47
Active seat49
Active seat ventilation49
Active steering89
– warning lamp89
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display89
Adaptive Head Light95
"Add digits" for mobile
phone172
"Address book" for
navigation132Address for navigation
– deleting133
– entering125,128
– selecting133
– storing132
– storing current position133
"Add to address book"132
"Add to destination
list"128,129
Adjusting active backrest
width45
Adjusting confirmation signals
for locking and unlocking31
Adjusting the thigh support44
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control145
Adjustment in audio mode
– front-to-rear146
– right/left balance146
"After door opened"46
"After unlocking"46
Airbags90
– sitting safely43
– warning lamp91
Air circulation, refer to Air
recirculation101
Air distribution
– automatic99
– manual100
Airing, refer to Ventilation101
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control101
– recirculated-air mode101
"Air recirculation on / off"51
Air vent outlets of automatic
climate control98
Air vents98
– refer to Ventilation101
Air volume100
AKI, refer to Fuel quality187Alarm system36
– avoiding unintentional
alarms37
– interior motion sensor37
– switching off the alarm37
– switching off the tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor37
– tilt alarm sensor37
All around the center
console14
All around the steering
wheel10
"All channels"154
"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires195
"All stations" calling up with
radio148,151
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive85
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Altering stretch of road140
"AM", reception
range144,148
Antenna for mobile phone166
Antifreeze
– coolant199
– washer fluid64
Antilock Brake System
ABS84
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system36
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system29
Anti-trapping mechanism
– glass sunroof, electric41
– panorama glass sunroof42
– power windows39
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights221
Approved engine oils
198

Reference 229
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"BMW Service"181
"BMW Service settings"180
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders107
Brake Assistant, refer to DBC
Dynamic Brake Control84
Brake fluid199
– warning lamp199
Brake force display89
Brake lamps
– brake force display89
– replacing bulbs205
Brake pads200
– breaking-in116
Brake rotors118
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System84
– brake fluid199
– brake force display89
– brake pads200
– breaking-in116
– handbrake58
– warning lamps13
Brake system116,199
– brake fluid level199
– brake pads116,200
– breaking-in116
– disc brakes118
– warning lamp199
Braking
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control84
– DBC Dynamic Brake
Control84
– electronic brake-force
distribution84
– refer to Braking safely117
Braking safely117
Breakdown assistance181
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance212
Breaking-in the clutch116
Breaking-in the
differential116
Break-in period116
"Brightness"81Brightness of Control
Display81
Button for starting engine56
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California laws
– Event Data Recorders202
California Proposition 65
Warning5
"Call"172
Call
– accepting171
– displaying accepted173
– ending171
– in absence173
– starting171
Calling
– from phone book172
– from Top 8 list173
– redialing173
– refer to telephone owner's
manual
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders107
Capacities222
Capacity
– of cargo area221
– of luggage
compartment221
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery209
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car data"74
Care202
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo
– refer to Loading118
– securing120
– securing with ski bag110Cargo area
– capacity221
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually35
– increasing111
– opening/closing, refer to
Tailgate35
– opening from inside35
– opening from outside35
– opening with remote
control31
Cargo area cover, Sports
Wagon111
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
control
28
Car phone166
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest106
– refer to Mobile phone166
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio148
Car wash118
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– with comfort access39
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system116
"Categories"154
CBC Cornering Brake
Control84

Everything from A to Z
240
S
Safety5
Safety belts47
– damage48
– sitting safely43
– warning lamp47
Safety belt tensioners
– refer to Airbags90
– refer to Safety belts47
Safety systems
– ABS Antilock Brake
System84
– airbags90
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control84
– safety belts47
Satellite radio153
– enabling channel153
– selecting channel154
– storing channel154
"SAT" for radio144,154
"Save current
destination"134
"Scan"
– playing a music track159
– playing stations149
Scan
– CD changer159
– CD player159
– radio149
"Scan all" in audio mode159
"Scan directory" in audio
mode159
Screen, refer to iDrive16
Screw thread for tow
fitting214
SDARS, refer to Satellite
radio153
"Seat heater distribution"48Seats44
– active backrest width
adjustment45
– adjusting the seats44
– comfort seat44
– easy entry/exit45
– heating48
– lumbar support44
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory45
– sitting safely43
– storing the setting45
– thigh support44
– ventilation, refer to Active
seat ventilation49
Securing load
– refer to Securing cargo120
– with ski bag, refer to
Securing cargo110
"Select as destination"131
"Select current speed"79
Selecting audio sources, refer
to Operation via iDrive144
Selecting distance for active
cruise control67
Selecting frequency
manually149
Selecting menu items19
Selecting new scale for
navigation138
Selecting route134
Selection options with
navigation system134
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox59
Selector lever interlock, refer
to Shiftlock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox59Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox59
Self-leveling suspension87
Separation net111
Sequential Manual Gearbox
SMG59
"Service"75,180,197
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance212
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models201
Service interval indicator, refer
to Service requirements75
"Service notification"180
"Service Request"181,183
"Service
requirements"76,180,198
Service requirements75
– also refer to CBS Condition
Based Service201
"Service Status"180
"Set date"81
"Set" in audio mode144
"Set" on trip computer75
"Set service date"76
"Set time"80
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h mode81
– configuring, refer to
Personal Profile29
Setting speed limit
79
Setting the time, refer to
Preselecting activation
times102
"Set tire pressure"88
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
– SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox60