ESP BMW 550I 2006 Owners Manual

5Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The individual vehicle
When purchasing your BMW, you have decided
in favor of a model with individualized equip-
ment and features. This Owner's Manual
describes the entire array of options and equip-
ment available with a specific BMW model.
Please bear in mind that the manual may con-
tain information on accessories and equipment
that you have not specified for your own vehicle.
Sections describing options and special equip-
ment are marked by asterisks
* to assist you in
identifying possible differences between the
descriptions in this manual and your own vehi-
cle's equipment.
If equipment in your BMW is not described in
this Owner's Manual, please refer to the accom-
panying Supplementary Owner's Manuals.
Editorial notice
BMW pursues a policy of continuous, ongoing
development that is conceived to ensure that
our vehicles continue to embody the highest
quality and safety standards combined with
advanced, state-of-the-art technology. For this
r e a s o n , i t i s p o s s i b l e t h a t t h e f e a t u r e s d e s c r i b e d
in this Owner's Manual could differ from those
on your vehicle.
For your own safety
Maintenance and repairs
Advanced technology, e.g. the use of
modern materials and high-performance
electronics, requires specially adapted mainte-
nance and repair methods. Therefore, have cor-
responding work on your BMW performed only
by your BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If this work is
not carried out properly, there is a danger of
subsequent damage and related safety haz-
ards.<
California Proposition 65 Warning
California law requires us to issue the following
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of
automobile components and parts,
including components found in the interior fur-
nishings in a vehicle, contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects and reproductive 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 accesso-
ries 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.<

At a glance
13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up both in
the display area1 and in the display2 in various
combinations and colors.
Some lights are tested for proper function by
briefly lighting up during starting of the engine
or when the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text message at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the dis-
played indicator and warning lamps.
Additional information, e.g. on the cause of a
malfunction and on the corresponding need to
take action can be displayed via the Check Con-
trol, refer to page77.In the case of corresponding urgency, this infor-
mation is displayed immediately when the
related lamp lights up.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps in the display
area1 indicate that the associated functions
are activated:
Handbrake engaged58
Handbrake engaged for Canadian
models
Fog lamps
*97
DTC Dynamic Traction Control85
High beams/headlamp flasher95
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC controls the drive and
braking forces for maintaining vehicle
stability85

iDrive
18
Opening menu items of start menu
With the start menu you can open the menu
items Communication, Navigation, Entertain-
ment and Climate by moving the controllers to
the left, right, front or rear. Depending on your
selection, the last menu opened will be dis-
played in each case.
You can open the menu by pressing the con-
troller.
Comfort opening of menu items
Comfort opening offers you:
>Opening of a menu item of the start menu in
the last display shown
>Direct switching between Communication,
Navigation, Entertainment and Climate
without pressing the button
For this purpose, move the controller in the cor-
responding direction and hold it for longer than
approx. 2 seconds.
Displays in menu
1Each menu is divided into fields. The
respective active field is highlighted.
2A symbol indicates the last selected menu
item of the start menu:
1Menu items are usually grouped in horizon-
tal or vertical lists.
2In these lists, arrows indicate the possibility
of accessing other menu items that are not
currently visible.
3Settings are displayed graphically or
numerically.
Communication
Navigation or onboard information
Entertainment
Climate
menu

Voice command system
22
Voice command system
The concept
The voice command system allows you to con-
trol operation of various vehicle systems with-
out ever removing your hands from the steering
wheel.
Individual menu items on the Control Display
can be spoken as commands. This frees you of
having to use the controller.
The voice command system transforms your
oral commands into control signals for the
selected systems and provides support in the
form of instructions or questions.
The voice command system uses a special
microphone located in the area of the interior
rearview mirror, refer to page14.
Precondition
Via iDrive, set the language that applies for the
voice command system in order to enable iden-
tification of the spoken commands. To set the
language of iDrive, refer to page82.
Symbol in Owner's Manual
Voice commands
Activating voice command system
1.Press the button on the steering wheel
or in the center console.
This symbol on the Control Display and
an acoustic signal tell you that the voice
command system can respond to com-
mands.
2.Say the command.
The command is displayed on the Control
Display.
This symbol appears on the Control Display
when you can input additional commands.
*
{...} Say the specified commands word for
word.
{{...}} Indicates responses of the voice
command system.

Controls
29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Remove the adapter from the holder in the
glove compartment and slide the spare key into
the adapter.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW
individually according to your preferences.
Personal Profile ensures that most of these set-
tings are stored for the remote control currently
in use without you having to do anything. When
the vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding
remote control is detected and the settings
stored for it are called up and carried out.
This means you will also find your personal set-
tings when your BMW has meanwhile been
drive by another person with his/her own
remote control and settings. The individual set-
tings are stored for a maximum of four remote
controls.
Personal Profile settings
>When unlocking with the remote control,
either unlock only the driver's door or the
entire vehicle, refer to page30
>Locking the vehicle after a short time or
after starting off, refer to page32
>Assigning the programmable buttons
* on
the steering wheel, refer to page51>Settings for the display on the Control Dis-
play:
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer
to page81
>Measuring units for consumption, route/
distances, temperature, and pressure,
refer to page81
>Language on Control Display, refer to
page82
>12h/24h mode of the clock, refer to
page81
>Date format, refer to page81
>Showing optical warning for PDC Park Dis-
tance Control
*, refer to page83
>Selection and brightness of display in
Head-Up Display
*, refer to page92
>Air distribution, temperature in the upper
body area and intensity of the automatic air
conditioning system, refer to page99
>Setting voice instructions for destination
guidance in the navigation system
*, refer to
page139
In addition, the following, most recently
selected settings are recalled during unlocking:
>Positions of driver's seat, outside mirrors,
and steering wheel
*, refer to page45
>Audio sources, setting volume and tone,
refer to page145
>Radio, displaying memorized stations, refer
to page148
>Telephone, setting volume, refer to
pages170,176
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system is ready for opera-
tion whenever the driver's door is closed. The
system simultaneously engages and releases
the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid/tailgate
>Fuel filler door

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

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.

Controls
39Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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

Opening and closing
40 and holding it limits the response of the anti-
trapping mechanism. In this case, if the closing
force exceeds a defined threshold, the window
will only open a little.
If the switch is pulled past the resistance point
again within approx. 4 seconds, the anti-trap-
ping mechanism will be deactivated.<
Safety switch
With the safety switch, you can prevent the rear
windows from being opened or closed via the
switches in the rear passenger area, by chil-
dren, for example. The LED lights up when this
safety feature is activated.
Always press the safety switch when
children ride in the rear, otherwise
unchecked closing of the windows could lead
to injuries.<
Accessories in window area
After installing any accessory – such as a
clamp-on antenna for a mobile phone – within
the window's travel range, you will need to have
the system reinitialized for use under the new
conditions. BMW recommends having this
work done by your BMW center.
Glass sunroof, electric*
The glass sunroof is ready for operation with
the ignition switched on, refer to page56.
To prevent injuries, exercise care when
closing the glass sunroof and keep it in
your field of vision until it is closed.
Always take along the remote control when you
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for
example, operate the roof and injure them-
selves.<
Raising
Press switch.
>When the glass sunroof is closed, it is raised
slightly and the sliding visor opens slightly.
>When the glass sunroof is open, it automat-
ically travels into the raised position. The
sliding visor remains completely open.
Do not use force to close the headliner
insert with the glass sunroof in its raised
position, otherwise the mechanism will be dam-
aged.<
Opening, closing
>Press switch back to the resistance point.
The glass sunroof and the sliding visor open
together for as long as you hold the switch
in position.
>Press switch back past the resistance point.
The glass sunroof and the sliding visor open
automatically. Briefly press the switch again
to stop the opening movement.
In a similar manner, the glass sunroof closes
when you slide the switch forward. The sliding
visor remains open and can be closed by hand.
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.
Automatic opening and closing
Press the switch past the resistance point.
The following movements are also automatic:
>When the sunroof is open, press the switch
in the lifting direction: the sunroof is raised
all the way.

Controls
41Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>When the sunroof is raised, press the
switch in the opening direction: the sunroof
is opened all the way.
Pressing the switch again stops the motion.
Anti-trapping mechanism
If the glass sunroof encounters resistance when
closing from roughly the center of the roof
opening or when closing from the raised posi-
tion, the closing action is interrupted and the
glass sunroof reopens a short way.
Despite the anti-trapping mechanism
inspect the sunroof's travel path prior to
closing it, as the safety system might fail to
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as
very thin objects, and the sunroof would con-
tinue closing.
Pressing the switch beyond the resistance
point and holding it there deactivates the anti-
trapping mechanism.<
Following interruptions in electrical
power supply
After a power loss, the sunroof may only
respond to the lift command. The system must
be initialized. BMW recommends having this
work done by your BMW center.
Moving manually
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can
move the glass sunroof manually:
1.Fold the cover panel down, if necessary
using a screwdriver from the onboard tool
kit, refer to page203.
2.Insert the Allen wrench supplied with the
onboard tool kit, refer to page203, into the
opening provided. Move the glass sunroof in the desired direction. The arrow below
indicates the rotation direction for closing.
Sports Wagon:
Panorama glass sunroof
The panorama glass sunroof is ready for opera-
tion with the ignition switched on, refer to
page56.
To prevent injuries, exercise care when
closing the panorama glass sunroof and
keep it in your field of vision until it is closed.
Always take along the remote control when you
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for
example, operate the roof and injure them-
selves.<
Raising, opening, closing
Press the switch or slide it in the desired direc-
tion up to the resistance point.
The sliding visor is opened:
>together with the sunroof
>slightly when the sunroof is tilted
With the sunroof closed or tilted, the sliding
visor can be opened and closed independently.