page 85 BMW 550I 2013 Repair Manual

xxxx: manufacturer code for the tire brand
xxx: tire size and tire design
3510: tire age
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
Tire age
DOT … 3510: the tire was manufactured in the
35th week in 2010.
Recommendation
Regardless of wear, replace tires at least every
6 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear 200; Traction AA;
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these
grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov‐
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half, 1 g, times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service practices
and differences in road characteristics and cli‐
mate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfa‐
ces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration, cornering, hydro‐
planing, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus‐
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades Band A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Temperature grade for this tire
The temperature grade for this tire is es‐
tablished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla‐
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and pos‐
sible tire failure.
If necessary, have the vehicle towed.◀
RSC – Run-flat tires
Run-flat tires, refer to page 202, are labeled with
a circular symbol containing the letters RSC
marked on the sidewall.Seite 199Wheels and tiresMobility199
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 917 522 - II/13

Maximum speed of winter tires
If the maximum speed of the vehicle is higher
than the permissible speed for the winter tires,
then display a corresponding sign in the field of
vision. You can obtain this sign from the tire spe‐
cialist or from your service center.
Maximum speed for winter tires
Do not exceed the maximum speed for the
winter tires; otherwise, tire damage and acci‐
dents can occur.◀
Run-flat tires
If you are already using run-flat tires, for your
own safety you should replace them only with
the same kind. No spare tire is available in the
case of a flat tire. Your service center will be glad
to advise you.
Rotating wheels between axles
The manufacturer of your vehicle advises
against swapping wheels between the front and
rear axles.
This can impair the handling characteristics.
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres‐
sure indicated on the side wall of the tire.Run-flat tires
Label
RSC label on the tire sidewall.
The wheels are composed of special rims and
tires that are self-supporting, to a limited de‐
gree.
The support of the sidewall allows the tire to re‐
main drivable to a restricted degree in the event
of a pressure loss.
Continued driving with a damaged tire, refer to
page 107.
Continued driving with a damaged tire, refer to
page 104.
Changing run-flat tires
For your own safety, only use run-flat tires. No
spare tire is available in the case of a flat tire. Your
service center will be glad to advise you.
Snow chains
Fine-link snow chains
Only certain types of fine-link snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your vehicle,
classified as road-safe and recommended.
Consult your service center for more informa‐
tion.
Use
Use only in pairs on the rear wheels, equipped
with the tires of the following size:
Seite 202MobilityWheels and tires202
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 917 522 - II/13

MaintenanceVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
BMW Maintenance System
The maintenance system directs you to re‐
quired maintenance measures and thereby sup‐
ports you in maintaining road safety and the op‐
erational reliability of the vehicle.
Condition Based Service CBS
Sensors and special algorithms take into ac‐
count the driving conditions of your vehicle.
Based on this, Condition Based Service deter‐
mines the maintenance requirements.
The system makes it possible to adapt the
amount of maintenance you need to your user
profile.
Details on the service requirements, refer to
page 85, can be displayed on the Control Dis‐
play.
Service data in the remote control
Information on the required maintenance is con‐
tinuously stored in the remote control. Your
service center will read out this data and suggest
the right array of service procedures for your ve‐
hicle.
Therefore, hand your service specialist the re‐
mote control that you used most recently.Storage periods
Storage periods during which the vehicle bat‐
tery was disconnected are not taken into ac‐
count.
If this occurs, have a service center update the
time-dependent maintenance procedures,
such as checking brake fluid and, if necessary,
changing the engine oil and the microfilter/acti‐
vated-charcoal filter.
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor‐
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models for
additional information on service requirements.
Maintenance and repair should be performed by
your service center. Make sure to have regular
maintenance procedures recorded in the vehi‐
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models, and in the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models. These en‐
tries are proof of regular maintenance.Seite 210MobilityMaintenance210
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 917 522 - II/13

Replacing componentsVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
Onboard vehicle tool kit
The onboard vehicle tool kit is located in a fold-
down cover in the trunk lid.
Unscrew the wing nut to open.
Wiper blade replacement
General information Do not fold down the wipers without wiper
blades
Do not fold down the wipers if wiper blades have
not been installed; this may damage the wind‐
shield.◀
Replacing the wiper blades1.To change the wiper blades, fold up, refer to
page 71, the wiper arms.2.Fold up the wipers.3.Position the wiper blade in a horizontal po‐
sition.4.Remove the wiper blade toward one side.5.Insert the new wiper blade in reverse order
of removal until it locks in place.6.Fold down the wipers.
Lamp and bulb replacement
Notes
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribution
to vehicle safety.
The manufacturer of the vehicle recommends
that you entrust corresponding procedures to
Seite 212MobilityReplacing components212
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 917 522 - II/13

Xenon headlamps1Corner-illuminating lamps2Parking lamp, daytime running lights3Low beams/high beams4Turn signal
Halogen headlamps
Parking lamps and roadside parking lamps,
lateral turn signal lamp
Follow the general instructions on Lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 212.
These lights feature LED technology.
Contact your service center in the event of a
malfunction.
Accessing the bulbs
Remove the screws and fold down the cap.
Low beams
Follow the general instructions on Lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 212.
The illustration shows the left side of the engine
compartment.
55-watt bulb, H7
Unscrew the cap, remove it, and change the
bulb.
Turn signal
Follow the general instructions on Lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 212.
The illustration shows the left side of the engine
compartment.
24-watt bulb, PY
Unscrew the cap, remove it, and change the
bulb.
High beams
Follow the general instructions on Lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 212.
The illustration shows the left side of the engine
compartment.
Seite 214MobilityReplacing components214
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 917 522 - II/13

55-watt bulb, H71.Fold open the cover in the engine compart‐
ment.2.Unscrew the cap and remove it.3.Unscrew the bulb holder counterclockwise.4.Remove the bulb and replace it.5.Insert the new bulb and attach the cover in
the reverse order.
Xenon headlamps
Hints
Because of the long life of these bulbs, the like‐
lihood of failure is very low. Switching the lamps
on and off frequently shortens their life.
If a xenon bulb fails, switch on the front fog lamps
and continue the trip with great care. Comply
with local regulations.
Do not perform work/bulb replacement on
xenon headlamps
Have any work on the xenon lighting system, in‐
cluding bulb replacement, performed only by a
service center. Due to the high voltage present
in the system, there is the danger of fatal injuries
if work is carried out improperly.◀
For checking and adjusting headlamp aim,
please contact your BMW center.
Parking lamps and roadside parking lamps,
turn signal lamp
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 212.
These lights feature LED technology.
Contact your service center in the event of a
malfunction.
Corner-illuminating lamps
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 212.
The illustration shows the left side of the engine
compartment.Seite 215Replacing componentsMobility215
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 917 522 - II/13

55-watt bulb, H71.Fold open the cover in the engine compart‐
ment.2.Unscrew the cap and remove it.3.Unscrew the bulb holder counterclockwise.4.Remove the bulb and replace it.5.Insert the new bulb and attach the cover in
the reverse order.
Front fog lamps
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 212.
35-watt bulb, H81.Carefully pull out the grill toward the front.2.Remove the screws.3.Pull the lamp out toward the front.4.Remove the bulb and replace it.5.Insert the new bulb and attach the cover in
the reverse order.
Tail lamps, bulb replacement
At a glance
1Turn signal2Reversing lamp3Inside brake lamp4Tail lampSeite 216MobilityReplacing components216
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 917 522 - II/13

5Outside brake lamp6Rear reflector
Turn signal, outer brake, tail, and
license plate lamps
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 212.
These lights feature LED technology.
Contact your service center in the event of a
malfunction.
Lamps in the trunk lid
Access to the lamps
1.Remove the three screws using the screw
driver from the onboard vehicle tool kit.2.Fold away the cover.
Inside brake lamp
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 212.
21-watt bulb, H21W
The illustration shows the position of the bulb in
the installed bulb holder.
Squeeze the clips together and remove the bulb
holder.
Press the bulb into the bulb holder, turn coun‐
terclockwise and remove.
Reversing lamp
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 212.
16-watt bulb, W16W
The illustration shows the position of the bulb in
the installed bulb holder.
Seite 217Replacing componentsMobility217
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 917 522 - II/13

Starting aid terminals
In the vehicle, only charge the battery via the
starting aid terminals, refer to page 222, in the
engine compartment with the engine off.
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, some equipment
needs to be reinitialized.
Individual settings need to be reprogrammed:▷Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory:
store the positions again.▷Time: update.▷Date: update.▷Radio station: save again.▷Navigation system: wait for the operability of
the navigation.
Disposing of old batteries
Have old batteries disposed of by your
service center or bring them to a recy‐
cling center.
Maintain the battery in an upright position for
transport and storage. Secure the battery so
that it does not tip over during transport.
Fuses
Notes Replacing fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a substitute
of another color or amperage rating; this could
lead to a circuit overload, ultimately resulting in
a fire in the vehicle.◀
Plastic tweezers and information on the fuse
types and locations are stored in the fuse box in
the cargo area.
In the glove compartment
Push the handle up, arrow 1, and open the lid,
arrow 2.
In the cargo area
Open the cover on the right side trim.
Information on the fuse types and locations is
found on a separate sheet.
Seite 219Replacing componentsMobility219
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 917 522 - II/13

Tow-starting
Automatic transmission
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Due to the automatic transmission, the engine
cannot be started by tow-starting.
Have the cause of the starting difficulties rem‐
edied.
Manual transmission
If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but start
the engine by jump-starting, refer to page 221.
If the vehicle is equipped with a catalytic con‐
verter, only tow-start while the engine is cold.1.Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.2.Ignition, refer to page 62, on.3.Engage third gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
pedal pressed and slowly release the pedal.
After the engine starts, immediately press
on the clutch pedal again.5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard warn‐
ing system.6.Have the vehicle checked.Seite 225Breakdown assistanceMobility225
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 917 522 - II/13