checking oil BMW 550I 2006 Owners Manual

Mobility
197Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Engine compartment
1Filler neck for engine oil, refer to
Adding engine oil
2Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath the
microfilter cover
3Starting-aid terminal, refer to page2124Washer fluid reservoir of the headlamp and
windshield cleaning systems, refer to
page64
5Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page199
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking engine oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil
level check.
The condition for the most accurate indication
of the oil level possible is measurement with the
engine at operating temperature, i.e. following
an uninterrupted drive of at least 6 miles/10 km.
You can display the oil level on the Control Dis-
play while driving or when stopped on a level
surface with the engine running.
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 "Service" and press the controller.

Mobility
199Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Your BMW center will be happy to answer
detailed questions on BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Viscosity grades
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and
is specified in SAE grades.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on
the climatic conditions in the region in which
you normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the SAE grades
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside
temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant
can cause burns.<
Coolant is comprised of water and coolant addi-
tive. Not all commercially available additives are
suitable for your BMW. Ask your BMW center
for suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise
engine damage may result. The additives
present a health hazard; observe the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to
open.3.The coolant level is correct when the cool-
ant level is between the MIN and MAX
marks, refer to the diagram adjacent to the
filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level – do not overfill.
5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunctions
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up in spite of
the handbrake being released; a mes-
sage appears on the Control Display:
stop immediately.
The brake fluid in the reservoir has fallen to
below the minimum level. At the same time, a
considerably longer brake pedal travel may be
noticeable. Have the system thoroughly
checked.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
When you continue driving, an increased
brake pedal path can be necessary, and
significantly longer braking distances might be
required. Please adapt your driving style
accordingly.<

Everything from A to Z
232 Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Door lock32
Door locking, acknowl-
edgment signals31
"Door locks"30
Doors
– manual operation32
– remote control30
DOT Quality Grades192
Draft-free ventilation101
Drinks holder, refer to Cup
holders107
Drive mode60
"Driver's door only"30
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams94
Driving notes116
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route137
Driving stability control
systems84
Driving through water117
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes116
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function100
Drying the air, refer to Cooling
function100
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control84
– indicator lamp13,85
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control85
– activating85
– indicator lamp13,85
DVD for navigation124
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC84
Dynamic Drive87
Dynamic Driving Control60
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC84
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC85
E
Easy entry/exit50
– backrest width45
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on CD player144
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door186
– glass sunroof, electric41
– luggage compartment lid34
– panorama glass sunroof42
– tailgate35
Electric steering wheel
adjustment50
Electronic brake-force
distribution84
Electronic oil level check197
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control84
Emergency call211
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door186
– glass sunroof41
– luggage compartment lid34
– panorama glass sunroof42
– selector lever interlock,
automatic transmission62
– tailgate35
Emergency release for
luggage compartment lid in
luggage compartment34
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance212
"Emission inspect."76
"Enable services"180
"End call"171
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control73
Energy Control73Engine
– breaking-in116
– data218
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature72
– speed218
– starting57
– starting, comfort access37
– starting difficulties57
– switching off57
Engine compartment197
Engine coolant199
Engine oil
– adding198
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils198
– approved engine oil198
– checking oil level197
– electronic oil level check197
"Engine oil level"198
Engine output, refer to Engine
data218
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature72
Engine speed218
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine57
"Enter address"125,132
Entering destination via town/
city name126
Entering the
address125,128
Entering the intersection127
Entering town/city for
navigation126
Entering zip code for
navigation127
"Entertainment"144
"Entertainment
settings"145,152
Entertainment sound output
on/off145
Entry map for destination129
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control147
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control147
"ESN"154

Reference 237
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Mobile phone
– accepted calls173
– adjusting volume170
– calling171
– ending call171
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest106
– missed calls173
– operation via iDrive170
– redialing173
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
– Top 8173
– touch tone dialing173
Mobile phones, use in the
interior, refer to Mobile
communications
devices117
Monitor, refer to iDrive16
Monitoring pressure of tires,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor87
"Monitor on / off"51
Most recent mobile phone
numbers173
MP3, refer to Compressed
audio files157
Multi-function steering wheel,
refer to Buttons on steering
wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher62
– refer to Wiper/washer
system63
Music track, finding159
"Mute on / off"51
MW, waveband148
N
"Navigation"74,125
Navigation destination
– home address134
– manual entry125,128
– selecting via map129
Navigation drive, installation
location124Navigation DVD124
Navigation instructions, refer
to Switching voice instruc-
tions on/off139
Navigation system124
– address book132
– bypassing route
sections140
– destination entry125
– destination guidance in
assistance window124
– destination list131
– displaying current
position140
– entering a destination
manually125,128
– last destinations131
– opening125
– route display137
– route list138
– searching for a special
destination130
– selecting destination using
information130
– selecting destination via
map129
– selecting route criteria134
– starting destination
guidance136
– switching off, refer to Termi-
nating/continuing desti-
nation guidance136
– terminating/continuing
destination guidance136
– voice instructions139
– volume adjustment140
"Navigation voice
instructions"51
"Navigation voice instructions
on"139
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints46
"New address" for
navigation132
"New destination"125,129
New remote control28
"New route"140New wheels and tires194
"Next entertainment
source"
51
"Normal", active backrest
width adjustment45
Nozzles, refer to Windshield
washer nozzles64
Nylon rope, refer to Tow-
starting and towing213
O
OBD socket202
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications187
Odometer72
Oil
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils198
– approved engine oils198
– capacity222
– consumption, refer to
Checking engine oil
level197
– level197
– refilling, refer to Adding
engine oil198
Oil change intervals, refer to
Service requirements75
"On a new destination" for
navigation131
Onboard computer, refer to
iDrive16
"Onboard information"74
Onboard toolkit203
"On destination"131
"On location"131
Opening and closing
– comfort access37
– from inside32
– from outside30
– panorama glass sunroof41
– using remote control30
– using the door lock32