fuel BMW 550I 2006 Owners Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to use
the index, refer to page227.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
Reporting safety defects 7
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
22Voice command system
Controls
28Opening and closing
43Adjustments
52Transporting children safely
56Driving
72Everything under control
83Technology for comfort, convenience
and safety
94Lamps
98Climate
104Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
116Things to remember when driving
Navigation
124Starting navigation system
125Destination entry
136Destination guidance
141What to do if …
Entertainment
144On/off and tone
148Radio
157CD player and CD changer
Communications
166Telephoning
179TeleService, BMW Assist
Mobility
186Refueling
188Wheels and tires
196Under the hood
201Maintenance
203Replacing components
211Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
218Technical data
223Short commands of voice command
system
227Everything from A to Z

Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Indicator lamps for turn signals
2Speedometer
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Display for active cruise control
*68
5Tachometer72
6Energy Control73
7Display for
>Clock/date72
>Outside temperature72
>Indicator and warning lamps77
>Speed of cruise control
*64
>Desired speed for active cruise
control
*658Display for
>Odometer and trip odometer72
>Computer73
>Date and remaining travel distance
for service requirements75
>Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
*61
>SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox
*59
>HDC Hill Descent Control
*86
>High-beam assistant
*96
> Check Control message present77
9Fuel gauge73
10Resetting trip odometer72

At a glance
17Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Menu overview
Communication
>Telephone*
>BMW Assist* or TeleService*
Navigation or onboard information
>Navigation system*
>Onboard information, e.g. for displaying
the average fuel consumption
Entertainment
>Radio
>CD player and CD changer
*
Climate
>Air distribution
>Seat air conditioning
*
>Automatic program
>Parked car ventilation
*
menu
>Switching off Control Display
>Tone and display settings
>Settings for your vehicle, e.g. for the central
locking system
>Display of service requirements and dates
for statutory emission and vehicle inspec-
tions
>Settings for telephone
Operating principle
From radio readiness, refer to page56, the fol-
lowing message appears on the Control Dis-
play:
To confirm the message:
Press the controller.
This opens the start menu.
Start menu
You can call up all the functions of iDrive using
five menu items.
Opening start menu
Press the button.
To open the start menu from the menu:
Press the button twice.

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
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.

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.

Controls
57Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms,
otherwise the inhaling of toxic exhaust
gases can cause unconsciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a
potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, set the selector lever to the idling or the
P position and set the handbrake, otherwise the
vehicle can begin to roll.<
When starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it
running while the vehicle remains stationary.
Instead, begin to drive immediately at a moder-
ate engine speed.
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Depress the clutch pedal and select the
idling position.
3.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a certain period and automat-
ically disengaging it as soon as the engine
starts.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Briefly press the Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a certain period and automat-ically disengaging it as soon as the engine
starts.
SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox*
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Engage the selector lever position N and
make sure that this position is also indi-
cated in the instrument cluster.
3.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a certain period and automat-
ically disengaging it as soon as the engine
starts.
If the engine fails to start, depress the
brake pedal and press the selector lever
to the right then engage the position N. Watch
the display in the instrument cluster while doing
so.<
Special starting conditions
Depress the accelerator pedal half way when
starting the engine in the following situations:
>The engine fails to start on the first attempt,
e.g. if it is very hot or cold.
>The engine is started at very low tempera-
tures, below approx. + 57/– 156, at high
altitudes, over approx. 3,300 ft/1,000 m.
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is
not burned or inadequately burned and there is
a danger of overheating and damaging the cat-
alytic converter.<
Switching off engine
Do not remove the remote control from
the ignition lock while the vehicle is roll-
ing, otherwise the steering wheel lock would
engage while steering.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
remote control with you. When parking on a
downhill slope, apply the handbrake, otherwise
the vehicle could roll.<

Controls
61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Acceleration assistant
The acceleration assistant enables optimized
vehicle acceleration at racing car level on road
surfaces with good adhesion when starting off.
Do not use the acceleration assistant too
often, otherwise components will wear
prematurely.<
1.Activate the Dynamic Traction Control.
2.Deactivate DSC, refer to page85.
3.Quickly press accelerator pedal all the way
down: kick-down. The ideal starting-off
engine speed is set.
To maintain the vehicle stability, reacti-
vate DSC afterward.<
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to
page62.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in instrument cluster
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The selector lever position is indicated, and in
the manual mode the gear currently engaged.
Changing selector lever positions
>Only move the selector lever from posi-
tion P when the engine is running: interlock.>With the vehicle stopped, press the brake
before shifting out of P or N, otherwise the
selector lever is blocked: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping
after you select a driving position,
maintain pressure on the brake pedal until
you are ready to start.
A lock prevents accidentally shifting into the
selector lever positions R and P. To cancel the
lock, press the button on the front of the selec-
tor lever, refer to arrow.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
The rear wheels are locked.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
Can, for example, be engaged in automatic car
washes. The vehicle can roll.
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, the fuel
consumption is lowest when driving in posi-
tion D.
Kick-down
The kick-down mode provides maximum accel-
eration: press the accelerator pedal beyond the
full-throttle resistance point.

Everything under control
72
Everything under control
Odometer, outside
temperature display, clock
1Time, outside temperature and data
2Odometer and trip odometer
3Press button:
>with ignition switched on, trip odometer
is reset
>briefly display the time, outside temper-
ature and odometer with the ignition
switched off
From radio readiness the outside temperature
and the time are displayed.
Date retrieval:
Press CHECK button on turn signal lever, refer
to page78.
Time and date setting, refer to page80.
You can set the unit of measure 7 or 6 on the
Control Display, refer to Units of measure on
page81.
Outside temperature warning
If the display drops to +377/+36, a signal
sounds and a warning lamp lights up. There is
an increased danger of ice.
Even at temperatures above +377/
+36 ice can form. Therefore, drive care-
fully, e.g. on bridges and sections of road in the
shade, otherwise there is an increased accident
risk.<
Tachometer
The white-striped advance warning field,
arrow1, changes depending on the engine
temperature. With increasing engine tempera-
ture the advance warning field becomes corre-
spondingly smaller. Avoid allowing the engine
speed to rise as far as the orange warning sec-
tor whenever possible.
Be sure to avoid engine speeds in the red warn-
ing field, arrow2. In this range, the fuel supply is
interrupted to protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
Should the coolant, and with it the engine
become too hot, a warning lamp lights up. In
addition, a message appears on the Control
Display.
Checking coolant level, refer to page199.

Controls
73Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Energy Control
Displays the current fuel consumption. This
allows you to see whether your current driving
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 18.5 gallons/
70 liters. You will find information on refueling
on page186.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
After the reserve quantity has been reached, a
message appears for a short time on the Con-
trol Display; the remaining range is shown in the
onboard computer. Below a range of approx.
30 miles/50 km, the message remains on the
Control Display.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Computer
Displays in instrument cluster
To display the information, press the BC button
in the turn signal lever from radio readiness.
The following information is displayed in the
specified order:
>Cruising range
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available
with the remaining fuel. The range is projected
based on the driving style over the last 20 miles/
30 km.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Average speed
Periods with the vehicle parked and the engine
switched off are not included in the calculations
of average speed.
To reset average speed: press BC button on
turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for
the time during which the engine is running.
You can use the Control Display to view your
fuel consumption rate over two different dis-
tances, refer to Displays on Control Display or
Trip computer*.