BMW 550I 2007 Manual PDF

Controls
69Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2Selected desired speed appears briefly
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control, you can select a
desired speed which is not only automatically
maintained when driving on open roadways, but
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control is a technological advance
over the familiar cruise control and is a welcome
relief from the constant adjustment of speed
that can accompany driving in traffic on free-
ways or other high-speed thoroughfares. Espe-
cially on longer trips, the system can reduce
fatigue and tension, while increasing your
enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and
responsibly.
In addition to holding a steady cruising speed,
if you encounter slower vehicles ahead, active
cruise control will, within the scope of given
possibilities, adjust your vehicle's speed auto-
matically so that you can flow with the traffic
without having to make constant adjustments.
If, for example, while cruising at the selected
speed, you begin to approach a slower vehicle
ahead of you in the same lane, the system will
reduce your vehicle's speed to the same as that
of the vehicle ahead to maintain your selected
distance setting between your vehicle and the
vehicle ahead. You can vary the distance, which
is additionally speed-dependent. Based on
your selected distance setting, the system
automatically decreases the throttle setting and lightly applies the brakes if necessary. The vehi-
cle brake lamps will automatically illuminate to
signal a following driver to take action. In addi-
tion, it may be necessary for the vehicle or the
driver to downshift, depending on the kind of
transmission your vehicle is equipped with, to
maintain the distance setting selected. If the
vehicle ahead speeds up or when the lane
ahead becomes clear, your vehicle will acceler-
ate to the speed you have selected by increas-
ing the throttle setting and shifting gears auto-
matically or by the driver as needed. Your
selected speed will also be held when driving
downhill, however it can be dropped below
when driving uphill if the engine output is insuf-
ficient.
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or
30 km/h, and the maximum desired speed
110 mph or 180 km/h.
Active cruise control is not and must not
be used as a collision avoidance/warning
system.<
Since this active cruise control system is
a new technology and operates differ-
ently from conventional cruise control systems
which you may be accustomed to, you are
strongly urged to read all of the pages relating
to this system before use. Pay special attention
to the information contained in the Things to
know about active cruise control section begin-
ning on page73.<
Professional* navigation system
If a navigation DVD is in the drive, refer to
page134, the system adjusts the accelerating
and braking behavior of the vehicle to the road
you are driving on.
To ensure that the system is informed of
the current course of the road, always use
the latest navigation DVD if possible.<
When the vehicle position is unknown, e.g.
when you leave the map area, this influence of
the navigation system is not available.

Driving
70
Brake pedal feel
>When the system brakes and you also
depress the brake pedal, a somewhat differ-
ent braking feeling results.
>Any noises produced during automatic
braking are normal.
Manual transmission
You can shift with the cruise control activated.
Shifting information is provided or the system
deactivates itself if you drive at very high or very
low engine speeds for a longer period.
SMG
In the Sequential mode, shifting information is
provided or the system deactivates itself if you
drive at very high engine speeds for a longer
period.
In the Drive mode the SMG acts similarly to an
automatic transmission in the D position.
Operating active cruise control
1Store and increase desired speed
2Store and decrease desired speed
3Deactivate system, refer to page71
4Resume stored desired speed and dis-
tance, refer to page71
5Select distance to vehicle driving ahead,
refer to page71
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press lever, arrow1, or briefly pull lever,
arrow2, at a driving speed of more than approx.
20 mph or 30 km/h.
The speed currently being driven is stored and
maintained. It is indicated on the speedometer
and briefly in the instrument cluster.
Increasing desired speed
Press or briefly press the lever to the resistance
point or beyond, arrow1, until the desired
speed is displayed.
The speed then displayed is stored and
reached on a clear road.
>Each time the lever is briefly pressed up to
the resistance point, the desired speed
increases by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pressed beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed
increases to the next fives place on the mph
speedometer or the next tens place on the
km/h speedometer.
Decreasing desired speed
Pull the lever, arrow 2, until the desired speed is
displayed.
These functions are operated in the same man-
ner as increasing your desired speed.

Controls
71Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Selecting distance
>Downward:
Increase distance.
>Upward:
Decrease distance.
The selected distance is displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and driving rec-
ommendations for a safe following distance.<
Deactivating system
Press the lever up or down. The displays in the
instrument cluster disappear.
You also deactivate the system when you
brake, shift very slowly or into neutral, or
engage selector lever position N. In addition,
the system is deactivated automatically:
>When you activate DTC Dynamic Traction
Control
>When you deactivate DSC Dynamic Stabil-
ity Control
>When the system does not recognize any
objects for a longer time, e. g. on infre-
quently traveled roads without a shoulder or
guard rails, or if the radar sensor is covered
with dirt, refer to page72
>When the speed is reduced to below
20 mph/30 km/h due to a traffic situation
The system deactivates automatically
when the speed is set to below 20 mph/
30 km/h. A signal sounds and a message
appears on the Control Display. The active
intervention of the driver is required, otherwise
accidents can occur.<
Resuming stored desired speed and
distance
Press button 4.
The displays appear in the instrument cluster.
When you switch off the ignition, the stored
desired speed is deleted. Distance 1
Distance 2
Distance 3
This distance is set when the sys-
tem is used for the first time after
starting the engine.
Distance 4

Driving
72
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2Lights up yellow: vehicle driving ahead is
detected
Flashes red, a signal sounds: the system
cannot establish the distance, apply the
brakes yourself
Flashes yellow: driving stability control sys-
tems intervene, the active cruise control is
deactivated
3Selected distance to vehicle driving ahead:
lights up as soon as the system is activated
4Selected desired speed appears briefly
If the display ACC --- mph/km/h briefly
appears in the instrument cluster, it might
be that conditions necessary for operation are
not currently being met. To call up Check Con-
trol messages, refer to page80.<
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 display2 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.

Controls
73Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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
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.<

Driving
74 Active cruise control may brake when you
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.In approaching a curve, it is possible that active
cruise control would react briefly to a vehicle in
the adjacent lane. In addition, the system can
sense if your vehicle is in a curve and may not
accelerate. If your vehicle decelerates in either
case, you can choose to overcome the deceler-
ation by briefly pressing the accelerator pedal.
Driver interventions
Anytime the driver presses down on the
accelerator pedal, any automatic braking
action by the system is interrupted until the
pedal is fully released. After doing this, release
the accelerator and the system again controls
your cruising speed and distance setting. While
driving with the system activated, resting your
foot on the accelerator pedal will cause the sys-
tem not to brake even if necessary. Be certain
that floor mats or other objects on the vehicle
floor do not interfere with movement of the
accelerator pedal.<
While active cruise control is capable of
braking your vehicle automatically when
you approach a slower vehicle ahead, it is
important to be aware that the ability of the sys-
tem to apply the brakes is also limited, e. g.
when you reduce your desired speed sharply.
The system cannot stop your vehicle. It uses
only a portion of braking system capacity and
does not utilize the full capacity of the vehicle
braking system. Therefore, the system cannot
decrease your speed due to large differences in
speed between your vehicle and the vehicle
ahead. Example: when you approach a vehicle
traveling at a much lower speed than your own
speed, such as approaching a toll booth or
when a much slower vehicle cuts in front of you
at close range.<

Controls
75Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Everything under control
Odometer, outside
temperature display, clock
1Time, outside temperature and date
2Odometer and trip odometer
3Press button:
>with ignition switched on, trip odometer
is reset
>with the ignition switched off, time, out-
side temperature and odometer are
briefly displayed
From radio readiness the outside temperature
and the time are displayed.
Date retrieval:
Press CHECK button on turn signal lever, refer
to page81.
Time and date setting, refer to page83.
You can set the unit of measure 7 or 6 on the
Control Display, refer to Units of measure on
page85.
Outside temperature warning
If the display drops to +377/+36, a signal
sounds and a warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. 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 field
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 page219.

Everything under control
76
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, including the reserve capacity of
approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters.
550i: approx. 2.6 gallons/10 liters reserve
capacity.
You will find information on refueling on
page206.
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 briefly appears on the Control Display;
the remaining range is shown in the 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
on the turn signal lever.
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.

Controls
77Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for
the time during which the engine is running.
To reset average fuel consumption: press BC
button on turn signal lever for approx. 2 sec-
onds.
For different routes
You can display the average speed and average
consumption for two different routes on the
Control Display, refer to the following and to
Trip computer
*.
Displays on Control Display
You can also call up the computer via iDrive.
For explanation of principle, refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the right to open
"Navigation".
Without navigation system
*:
Open "Car Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4.Select "Onboard info" and press the con-
troller.>Estimated time of arrival at destination and
remaining distance:
>Entering a distance manually in the com-
puter, see below.
>Entering a destination in the navigation
system
*, refer to page134.
>Cruising range
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
Resetting values
You can reset the values for the average speed
and average fuel consumption:
1.Select the respective menu item and press
the controller.
2.To confirm your selection, press the con-
troller again.
Entering a distance manually
1.Select "Distance to dest." and press the
controller.
2.Turn the controller to select the distance to
your destination. If needed, hold it against a
slight resistance to enter a larger differ-
ence.
3.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The distance is automatically preset during the
destination guidance of the navigation sys-
tem
*.
Trip computer*
The trip computer is suitable, for example, for a
vacation trip.

Everything under control
78 1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*:
Open "Car Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4.Select "Trip computer" and press the con-
troller.
>Departure time
>Driving time
>Distance traveled
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
Starting or stopping the trip computer, or reset-
ting all values:
1.Select "Set" and press the controller.
2.Select the desired menu item.
3.Press the controller.
Display options
You can display the computer or the trip com-
puter in the assistance window.
1.Move the controller to the right to change to
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2.Select "Onboard info" or "Trip computer".3.Press the controller.
Service requirements
The remaining driving distance and the date for
the next maintenance are displayed briefly with
the ignition switched on.
Your BMW Service Advisor can deter-
mine your vehicle's current service
requirements by reading out the data stored in
the remote control.<
Additional information
You can select a display of more detailed infor-
mation on the maintenance scope on the Con-
trol Display. For explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Info sources" and press the control-
ler.
4.Select "Service" and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Service requirements" is
selected and press the controller.