navigation system BMW 550I 2008 Owner's Manual

Controls
55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Steering wheel buttons" and press
the controller.
A list of different functions appears:
>"Navigation voice instructions"
Voice instructions for the navigation
system
*
>"Air recirculation on / off"
Permanently shutting off outside air,
refer to AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control on page117
>"Mute on / off"
Mutes the audio sources
>"Monitor on / off"
Switches the Control Display on/off
>"Telephone list"
*
Display/hide phone book or last list of
stored phone numbers
>"HDC on / off"
Switches HDC Hill Descent Control
* on/
off
>"Next entertainment source"
Changes audio source
>"Night Vision on / off"
Switches BMW Night Vision
* on/off
5.Select the desired function and press the
controller.6.Select the button if necessary and press the
controller.
You can operate the selected function using the
corresponding button.
Operating function
Press the corresponding button on the steering
wheel.
If you have programmed "Navigation voice
instructions" for one of the buttons:
>To switch voice instructions on/off:
Press button longer.
>To repeat the last voice instruction:
Press the button.

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Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and
pull taut against the child restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com-
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fixing system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
Follow the system manufacturer's
instructions on installation and use of
LATCH child restraint systems in order not to
impair their protective function.<
Before attaching the LATCH child's seat, pull
the belt away from the region of the child
restraint fixing system.
Make sure that the LATCH mounts have
properly clicked into place and that the
child restraint system is resting snugly against
the backrest. Otherwise, the protective action
may be impeded.<
Sedan: rear seats
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are
located at the positions indicated by arrows in
the gap between the seat and the backrest.
Sedan: rear seats with through-loading
system*
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are
located behind the indicated protective caps.
Remove the cover caps before mounting the
child's seat.
Sports Wagon: rear seats
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are
located behind the indicated protective caps
and are covered again after the child's seat is
removed.
Child restraint system with tether strap
Only use the tether-strap mounting
points to secure child restraint systems,
otherwise the mounting points could be dam-
aged.<

Controls
61Reference
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Driving
Ignition lock
Inserting remote control into ignition
lock
Insert the remote control as far as possible into
the ignition lock.
Radio readiness switches on.
Some electronic systems/consumers are ready
for operation.
Comfort access*
With comfort access, only insert the remote
control into the ignition lock in exceptional
cases, refer to page38.
Removing remote control from ignition
lock
Do not pull the remote control out of the
ignition lock using force, as otherwise
damage may result.<
Before removing the remote control, first press
it in as far as possible to release the locking
device.
The ignition is switched off if it was still
switched on.
Automatic and sport automatic
transmission
The remote control can only be removed when
transmission position P is selected: interlock.
Start/Stop button
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches the
radio readiness or the ignition on and off.
The engine is started when you press the
Start/Stop button and depress the clutch
if the car has manual transmission or the brake if
the car has automatic transmission.<
Radio readiness
Some electronic systems/consumers are ready
for operation. The time and outside tempera-
ture are displayed in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is switched off:
>when the remote control is removed from
the ignition lock
>with comfort access
* by touching the sur-
face on the door handle, refer to Locking on
page39
Ignition on
All electronic systems/consumers are ready for
operation. The odometer and the trip odometer
are displayed in the instrument cluster, refer to
page78.
Please switch off the ignition and the
electronic systems/consumers which are
not required when the engine is not running to
save the battery.<

Controls
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Activating system
Press the SPORT button.
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT is
displayed in the instrument cluster.
Deactivating system
>Press the SPORT button again
>Engage reverse gear
>Switch off engine
The LED in the button and SPORT in the instru-
ment cluster go out.
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To turn off manually, press the lever to the
resistance point.
Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator
lamp indicates that a turn signal bulb
needs to be replaced.<
Signaling briefly
Press lever to resistance point and hold for as
long as you wish to signal.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever to the resistance point; the turn
signal flashes three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Lighting" is selected and
press the controller.
6.Select "Triple turn signal" and press the
controller.
Triple turn signaling is activated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.

Controls
69Reference
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Windshield washer nozzles
Both windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated with the engine running or the igni-
tion switched on.
Sports Wagon:
Rear window wiper
1Intermittent mode. When reverse gear is
engaged, continuous operation is switched
on automatically
2Cleaning the rear window
Do not use washing mechanisms when
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, other-
wise you will damage the washer pump.<
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable.
For this reason, keep it away from ignition
sources and store only in the closed original
container out of reach of children. Otherwise,
there is the danger of bodily injury. Always
observe the instructions for use provided on the
containers.<
Filler neck for washer fluid
Only add washer fluid with the engine
cooled down to exclude contact with hot
engine components. Otherwise there is a dan-
ger of fire and to personal safety if the fluid is
spilled. voir.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix
the washer fluid before filling.<
Capacity
Sedan:
Approx. 3.2 US quarts/3 liters, with headlamp
washer system
* approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters.
Sports Wagon: approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
The cruise control is available for use at speeds
of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h and higher. The
vehicle stores and maintains the speed that you
set using the lever mounted on the steering col-
umn. To maintain the specified speed, the sys-
tem brakes if the engine braking effect is not
sufficient on a downhill grade. Speed can drop
on uphill grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g. when driving on winding
roads, in heavy traffic or in poor road conditions
such as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface.
Otherwise you could loose control of the vehi-
cle and cause an accident.<

Controls
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In addition to holding a steady cruising speed, if
you encounter slower vehicles ahead, active
cruise control will, within limits, adjust your
vehicle's speed automatically so that you can
flow with the traffic without having to make con-
stant adjustments. If, for example, while cruis-
ing 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. You
can vary the following distance, which will vary
with speed. Based on your selected distance
setting, the system automatically decreases the
throttle setting and lightly applies the brakes if
necessary. In addition, if the vehicle ahead of
you slows to a complete stop, the system can
follow this action within the given scope and
can also accelerate from a complete stop if the
vehicle ahead of you drives off again shortly
thereafter. During braking, your vehicle brake
lamps will automatically illuminate to alert a fol-
lowing driver to take action. In addition, it may
be necessary for your vehicle to downshift the
automatic transmission to maintain the dis-
tance setting selected. As soon as the road in
front of you has no moving vehicles, the system
will accelerate to your desired speed. This set
speed is also maintained on downhill grades,
however the vehicle speed can drop below the
set speed when driving uphill if the engine out-
put is not sufficient.
Active cruise control cannot detect stop
signs, red lights, or any object that is
stopped or is blocking the road.
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 differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems which you may
be accustomed to, it is necessary that you read
all of the pages relating to this system before
use. Carefully read and observe the information
on the system limitations beginning on page75
to obtain a good command of the system and its
range of applications. When the system brakes and you also depress
the brake pedal, a somewhat different braking
feel results.
Professional* navigation system
If a navigation DVD is in the drive, refer to
page142, within limits 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.
Applications
Please try the system first during sparse traffic
and clear road conditions so that you can get
used to the system. After you have experience
and understand the system, only then use it
during normal traffic.
As with conventional cruise control systems,
active cruise control in no way reduces or sub-
stitutes for the driver's own personal experi-
ence, responsibility, alertness and awareness in
adjusting speed, braking or otherwise control-
ling 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 as well as in slow-moving traffic. Do
not use the system in city driving; in complex
driving situations; heavy traffic such as during
rush hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery
roads or roads with sharp curves such as high-
way off-ramps; during inclement weather such
as snow, strong rain or fog; or when entering
interchanges, 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, espe-
cially when the system is actively following a
vehicle in front of you. Otherwise, driving condi-

Controls
73Reference
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Mobility
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 State driving
recommendations for safe following distance.
Otherwise, a violation of the law or risk of an
accident could result.<
Interrupting cruise control
Press the lever upward or downward, and with
the vehicle stopped also depress the brake
pedal. The marking in the speedometer
changes color and the distance indicator goes
out.
In addition, the system is automatically inter-
rupted:
>when you apply the vehicle brakes
>when you shift the transmission>when DTC is activated or DSC is deacti-
vated
>when DSC comes on
>when you apply the handbrake
>when you release the safety belt and open
the driver's door with the vehicle stopped
>when the system does not recognize any
objects for an extended period of time, e. g.
on infrequently traveled roads without a
shoulder or guard rails, or if the radar sensor
is covered with dirt, refer to page74
If the system is interrupted, then it is nec-
essary for the driver to actively intervene
by braking and steering. Otherwise, there is a
risk of an accident.<
Resuming stored desired speed and
distance
While driving
Press button4.
The displays appear in the instrument cluster.
While stopped
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine
running, engage position P of the auto-
matic transmission and apply the handbrake.
Otherwise the vehicle can roll.<
If a detected vehicle in front of you brakes to a
complete stop and your vehicle has also been
braked to a complete stop by the system:
>If the vehicle in front of you drives off while
the marking1 for the desired speed in the
speedometer is green, your vehicle will
accelerate without you having to do any-
thing.
>If the vehicle in front of you drives off while
the marking1 is orange, you briefly depress
the accelerator pedal or press button4.
Rolling bars in the distance indicator3
mean that the vehicle in front of you has
driven off.
If you are stopped behind a vehicle with the
brake pedal depressed and the system is inter-
rupted or deactivated: Distance 1, closest
Distance 2
Distance 3
Distance 4, furthest
This distance is always set when
you activate the system.

Controls
75Reference
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Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
System limitations
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; in complex driving situations; 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 interchanges, ser-
vice/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 sys-
tem is actively following a vehicle in front of
you.<
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system do have physical limita-
tions. For example, the system may not detect
vehicles driving ahead if they suddenly brake
heavily in stop-and-go traffic during accelera-
tion. The system will not apply the brakes or
slow your vehicle when a very slow-moving
vehicle, stopped vehicle or stationary object is
in the lane ahead of you, for example when
approaching a traffic light or parked vehicle or
when a vehicle is stalled in your lane. Also, the
system does not react to oncoming traffic,
pedestrians or other types of potential traffic
such as a rider on a horseback. It is also possible that the system may not detect smaller moving
objects such as motorcycles or bicycles. Be
especially alert when encountering any of these
situations as the system will neither automati-
cally 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 alertness.<
The system cannot allow the vehicle to drive off
automatically in situations that make driving off
considerably more difficult, e.g. on steep uphill
grades, with a heavy trailer or before raised
areas in the road.
Near radio astronomy stations, the system
radar is deactivated at speeds under 20 mph/
30 km/h due to legal regulations.
Be certain to interrupt the system when
you pull into an exit lane for a highway
offramp.<
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 that is actually in
the lane next to yours. Always be ready to take
action or apply the brakes if necessary.
In addition, the system is interrupted
whenever the driver applies the vehicle
brakes, shifts the transmission from drive/D to
neutral/N, or deactivates DSC. After any inter-
ruption, the system will no longer automatically
activate the vehicle brakes, which means the
driver must intervene and resume manual brak-
ing. You should then reactivate the system only
when you are fully aware of the prior speed and
distance settings.<

Controls
77Reference
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Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
Driver interventions and your
responsibility
Anytime the driver presses down on the
accelerator pedal, any automatic braking
action by the system is interrupted and the dis-
tance indicator turns off until the pedal is fully
released. As soon as you fully release the accel-
erator, the system will once again control your
cruising speed and distance setting. While driv-
ing with the system activated, resting your foot
on the accelerator pedal will cause the system
not to brake even if necessary. Be certain that
floormats or other objects on the vehicle floor
do not interfere with movement of the accelera-
tor 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. It
uses only a portion of braking system capacity
and does not utilize the full capacity of the vehi-
cle braking system. Therefore, the system can-
not decrease your speed due to large differ-
ences 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.<

Everything under control
80
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 operating 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 page142.
>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.