tow BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO 2011 Owner's Guide

Tow truck
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body
and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Tow-starting
Note
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.
Towing other vehicles
General information
Light towing vehicle
Your vehicle must not be lighter than the
vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will not be
possible to control vehicle response.◀
Attaching the tow bar/tow rope correctly
Attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow
fitting; connecting it to other vehicle parts may
cause damage.◀
▷ Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.
▷ If the electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed by placing
a sign or a warning triangle in the rear win‐
dow. Towing methods when towing other
vehicles
Tow bar
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles.
Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting
the tow bar at an offset angle, please observe
the following:
▷
Maneuvering capability is limited during cor‐
nering.
▷ The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is secured with an offset.
Tow rope
When
starting to tow the vehicle, make sure that
the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is se‐
cured on other parts of the vehicle.◀
Tow fitting The screw-in tow fitting should always be car‐
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the
front

or rear of the BMW. It is located in the tool
kit under the cargo area floor.
Tow fitting, information on use
▷Use only the tow fitting provided with
the vehicle and screw it all the way in. Seite 267
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

▷
Use the tow fitting for towing on paved roads
only.
▷ Use the tow fitting screwed in at the front for
maneuvering the vehicle only.
▷ Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g.,
do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting.
Otherwise, damage to the tow fitting and the ve‐
hicle can occur.◀
Screw thread Push out the cover by pressing on the top edge.
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Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐
tem 99
ACC, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go 106
Activated-charcoal filter 130
Active Blind Spot Detec‐ tion 96
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, ACC 106
Active seat, front 52
Active seat ventilation, front 52
Active seat ventilation, rear 55
Active Steering, integral 102
Adaptive brake assistant 99
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 98
Adaptive drive 101
Adaptive light control 86
Adaptive
light control, bulb re‐
placement 259
Additional telephone 210
Additives, oil 254
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 49
Airbags 89
Airbags, indicator/warning light 90
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 128
Air distribution, manual 127
Air drying, refer to Cooling function 129
Air pressure, tires 243
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 130
Air volume, automatic climate control 128
Alarm system 44
Alarm, unintentional 45 All around the center con‐
sole 17
All around the headliner 18
All around the steering wheel 12
ALL program, automatic cli‐ mate control 129
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 249
All-wheel-drive 100
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 134
Alternative oil types 254
AM/FM station 174
Announcement, navigation, refer to Spoken instruc‐
tions 163
Antifreeze, washer fluid 73
Antilock Brake System, ABS 99
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 99
Appointments 226
Approved engine oils 254
Apps 236
Armrest, refer to Center arm‐ rest 140
Arrival time 80
Ashtray 135
Assist 232
Assistance, Roadside Assis‐ tance 265
Assistance when driving off 99
Audio playback 181
Audio playback, Blue‐ tooth 196
AUTO intensity 128
Automatic car wash 269
Automatic climate con‐ trol 127
Automatic Cruise Control with Stop & Go 106 Automatic Curb Monitor
60
Automatic deactivation, front passenger airbags 90
Automatic headlamp con‐ trol 86
Automatic Hold 69
Automatic locking 39
Automatic recirculated-air control 128
Automatic Soft Closing, doors 39
Automatic Soft Closing, tail‐ gate 40
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 73
Automatic trunk lid 40
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 128
AUTO program, intensity 128
AUX-IN port 192
Average fuel consumption 79
Average speed 79
Axle loads, weights 275
B
Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 51
Backrest, seats 49
Backrest, width 51
Back seats, adjusting 53
Backup camera 119
Backup lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 261
Balance 172
Band-Aids, refer to First aid kit 265
Bar for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 267
Basic position, rear seats 54
Bass 172
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Everything from A to Z

Engine start, refer to Starting
the engine 66
Engine start, Starting aid 265
Engine stop 67
Engine temperature 77
Equalizer 172
Equipment, interior 133
ESP Electronic Stability Pro‐ gram, refer to DSC 99
Exchanging wheels/tires 248
Exhaust system 146
Exterior
mirror, automatic dim‐
ming feature, dimmable exte‐
rior mirrors 60
Exterior mirrors 59
External devices 192
External start 265
External temperature dis‐ play 77
External temperature warn‐ ing 77
Eyes for securing cargo 149
F
Fader 172
Failure message, refer to Check Control 83
False alarm, refer to Uninten‐ tional alarm 45
Fan, refer to Air volume 128
Fault displays, refer to Check Control 83
Filler neck for engine oil 253
Fine wood, care 271
First aid kit 265
Fitting for towing, refer to Tow fitting 267
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 92
Flat tire, warning lamp 93
Flat tire, wheel change 261
Flooding 147
Floor carpet, care 271
Floor mats, care 271
FM/AM station 174
Fold-out position, windshield wipers 73 Foot brake
147
Front airbags 89
Front fog lamps 88
Front
fog lamps, front, bulb re‐
placement 260
Front lamps 259
Front passenger airbags, au‐ tomatic deactivation 90
Front passenger airbags, indi‐ cator lamp 91
Front seats, adjusting 49
Fuel cap 240
Fuel consumption, current 77
Fuel consumption, refer to Average fuel consump‐
tion 79
Fuel filler flap 240
Fuel gauge 76
Fuel quality 242
Fuel, tank capacity 276
Fuse 263
G
Garage door opener, refer to Integrated universal remote
control 133
Gas station recommenda‐ tion 163
Gear change, automatic trans‐ mission 74
General driving notes 146
Glass sunroof, refer to Panor‐ amic glass sunroof 47
Glove compartment 139
GPS navigation, refer to Navi‐ gation system 154
Gross vehicle weight, ap‐ proved 275
Gross weight, permissible for trailer towing 275
H
Hand brake, refer to Parking brake 67
Hand-held transmitter, alter‐ nating code 134 Hazard warning flashers 264
HDC
Hill Descent Control 100
HD Radio 175
Head airbags 89
Headlamp control, auto‐ matic 86
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture 85
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture via remote control 36
Headlamp flasher 71
Headlamp glass 259
Headlamps 259
Headlamps, care 270
Headlamp washer system 71
Headliner 18
Headphones, rear entertain‐ ment 205
Head restraints 49
Head restraints, front 56
Head restraints, rear 57
Head-up Display 125
Head-up Display, care 271
Heavy cargo, stowing 149
Height, seats 49
Height with roof-mounted aer‐ ial, vehicle 274
High-beam Assistant 87
High beams 71
High beams/low beams, refer to High-beam Assistant 87
Hill Descent Control HDC 100
Hills 148
Hill start assistant, refer to Drive-off assistant 99
Hints 6
Holder for beverages 141
Homepage 6
Hood 251
Horn 12
Hotel function, tailgate 42
Hot exhaust system 146
House number, entering for navigation 155
Hydroplaning 147
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Manual air distribution
127
Manual air volume 128
Manual brake, refer to Parking brake 67
Manual mode, transmis‐ sion 75
Manual operation, backup camera 119
Manual operation, door lock 38
Manual
operation, exterior mir‐
rors 60
Manual operation, fuel filler flap 240
Manual operation, Park Dis‐ tance Control PDC 116
Manual operation, parking brake 68
Manual operation, Side View 122
Manual operation, Top View 118
Map, destination entry 158
Map in split screen 165
Map view 163
Marking on approved tires 248
Marking, run-flat tires 249
Massage seat, front 52
Master key, refer to Remote control 32
Maximum cooling 128
Maximum speed, winter tires 249
Measure, units of 82
Medical kit 265
Memory for seat, mirrors, steering wheel 58
Menu in instrument cluster 78
Menus, operating, iDrive 19
Menus, refer to iDrive operat‐ ing concept 20
Message list, traffic bulle‐ tins 165
Messages 224
Messages, refer to Check Control 83
Microfilter 130 Minimum tread, tires
247
Mirror 59
Mirror memory 58
Mobile communication devi‐ ces in the vehicle 147
Mobile phone 210
Modifications, technical, refer to Safety 7
Moisture in headlamp 259
Monitor, refer to Control Dis‐ play 19
Mounting of child restraint fix‐ ing systems 62
MP3 player 192
Multi-function hook 142
Multifunction steering wheel, buttons 12
Multimedia 181
Music collection 188
Music search 189
Music, storing 188
N
Navigation 154
Navigation data 168
Neck restraints, front, refer to Head restraints 56
Neck restraints, rear, refer to Head restraints 57
New wheels and tires 248
Night Vision with pedestrian detection 122
NORMAL program, Dynamic Driving Control 104
Notes 227
Nylon rope for tow-starting/ towing 267
O
OBD Onboard Diagnos‐ tics 256
Obstacle marking, backup camera 120
Odometer 78
Office 221
Oil 253 Oil, adding
253
Oil additives 254
Oil
change interval, service re‐
quirements 82
Oil filler neck 253
Oil level check 253
Oil types, alternative 254
Oil types, approved 254
Old batteries, disposal 263
Onboard Diagnostics OBD 256
Onboard monitor, refer to Control Display 19
Online, refer to BMW On‐ line 234
Opening/closing from in‐ side 38
Opening/closing via door lock 38
Opening/closing with remote control 36
Operating concept, iDrive 19
Outside air, refer to Automatic recirculated-air control 128
Overheating of engine, refer to Coolant temperature 77
P
Paint, vehicle 270
Panic mode 36
Panoramic glass sunroof 47
Park Distance Control PDC 115
Parked-car ventilation 132
Parked vehicle, condensa‐ tion 148
Parking aid, refer to PDC 115
Parking brake 67
Parking lamps 85
Parking lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 260
Parking with Auto Hold 69
Passenger side mirror, tilting downward 60
Pathway lines, backup cam‐ era 120
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

PDC Park Distance Con‐
trol 115
Pedestrian detection, refer to Night Vision 122
People detection, refer to Night Vision 122
Permissible axle load 275
Personal information 221
Personal Profile 33
Phone 210
Pinch
protection system, glass
sunroof 48
Pinch protection system, win‐ dows 45
Plastic, care 271
PlugIn 237
Position, storing 156
Postal code, entering in navi‐ gation 154
Power failure 262
Power windows 45
Pressure, tire air pres‐ sure 243
Profile, refer to Personal Pro‐ file 33
Programmable memory but‐ tons, iDrive 23
Protective function, glass sun‐ roof 48
Protective function, win‐ dows 45
Push-and-turn switch, refer to Controller 19
R
Radiator fluid 254
Radio 174
Radio-operated key, refer to Remote control 32
Radio ready state 66
Rain sensor 72
Random 182
Random playback 182
RDS 175
Reading out loud 228
Rear automatic climate con‐ trol 131 Rear axle steering 102
Rear entertainment 201
Rear lamps 260
Rear seats, adjusting
53
Rear seats, basic position 54
Rear sockets 136
Rear source, selecting for rear entertainment 204
Rearview mirror 59
Rear window defroster 129
Recirculated-air mode 128
Recommended tire brands 248
Refueling 240
Remaining range 76
Reminders 227
Remote control/key 32
Remote control, malfunc‐ tion 37
Remote control, rear enter‐ tainment 202
Remote
control, universal 133
Replacement fuse 263
Replacing parts 258
Replacing wheels/tires 248
Reporting safety defects 8
RES button 108
Reserve warning, refer to Range 76
Resetting, Tire Pressure Mon‐ itor TPM 93
Residual heat, automatic cli‐ mate control 129
Retaining straps, securing cargo 149
Retreaded tires 248
Roadside Assistance 233
Roadside parking lamps 86
Roller sunblinds 46
Roll stabilization, refer to Adaptive Drive 101
Roll stabilization, refer to Dy‐ namic Drive 101
Roof load capacity 275
Roof-mounted luggage rack 149
Rope for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 267 Route 162
Route criteria, route 161
Route, displaying
162
Routes, avoiding 162
Route
section, bypassing 163
RSC Runflat System Compo‐ nent, refer to Run-flat
tires 249
Rubber components, care 270
Run-flat tires 249
S
Safe braking 147
Safety 7
Safety belt reminder 56
Safety belts 55
Safety belts, care 271
Safety switch, windows 46
Safety systems, airbags 89
Satellite radio 176
Saving fuel 150
Scale, changing during navi‐ gation 164
Screen, refer to Control Dis‐ play 19
Screwdriver 258
Screw thread for tow fit‐ ting 268
Seat belts, refer to Safety belts 55
Seat heating, front 52
Seat heating, rear 54
Seating position for chil‐ dren 62
Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory 58
Seats 49
Seats, rear, adjusting 53
Seat ventilation, front 52
Seat ventilation, rear 55
Selection list in instrument cluster 78
Selector lever, automatic transmission 74
Self-leveling suspension, air suspension 102
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Everything from A to Z

Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM 92
Tires, changing 248
Tires, everything on wheels and tires 243
Tires, run-flat tires 249
Tire tread 247
Toll roads, route 162
Tone 172
Tool kit 258
Tools 258
Top View 117
Total vehicle weight 275
Tow fitting 267
Towing 266
Town/city, navigation 154
Tow-starting 266
TPM Tire Pressure Moni‐ tor 92
Traction control 100
TRACTION
program, Dynamic
Driving Control 103
Traffic bulletins, naviga‐ tion 165
Traffic situation/gray card 166
Transmission, automatic 73
Transporting children safely 62
Tread, tires 247
Treble, tone 172
Trip computer 80
Triple turn signal activa‐ tion 71
Trip odometer 78
Trunk cover 136
Trunk lid 39
Trunk lid, automatic 40
Trunk lid, emergency unlock‐ ing 42
Trunk lid, hotel function 42
Trunk lid via remote con‐ trol 36
Turning circle 275
Turning circle lines, backup camera 120
Turn signals, front, bulb re‐ placement 259
Turn signals, operation 71 Turn signals, rear, bulb re‐
placement 261
U
Unintentional alarm 45
Units of measure 82
Universal remote control 133
Unlock button, automatic transmission 74
Unlocking/locking from in‐ side 38
Unlocking/locking via door lock 38
Unlocking/locking
with remote
control 36
Updates made after the edito‐ rial deadline 6
Updating software 199
Upholstery care 270
USB audio interface 193
USB interface 139
V
Variable steering, Integral Ac‐ tive Steering 102
Vehicle battery 262
Vehicle battery, replacing 262
Vehicle, breaking in 146
Vehicle care 270
Vehicle identification number, refer to Identification number
in the engine compart‐
ment 251
Vehicle jack 262
Vehicle paint 270
Vehicle storage 271
Vehicle wash 269
Ventilation 130
Ventilation, refer to Parked-car ventilation 132
Version of the navigation data 168
Video playback 183
Video playback, iPhone 195
Video playback, snap-in adapter 195 Voice activation, mobile
phone 217
Voice activation, short com‐ mands 277
Voice activation system 25
Volume, setting 172
W
Warning lamps 14
Warning messages, refer to Check Control 83
Warning triangle 265
Washer fluid 73
Washer fluid reservoir, ca‐ pacity 276
Washer nozzles, wind‐ shield 73
Washer system 71
Washing, vehicle 269
Water on roads 147
Weather Band 176
Weights 275
Welcome lamps 85
Wheel base, vehicle 275
Wheel change 261
Wheels, changing 248
Wheels, everything on wheels and tires 243
Wheels,
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM 92
Width with mirrors, vehi‐ cle 274
Width without mirrors, vehi‐ cle 274
Window defroster, rear 129
Windows, powered 45
Windshield, climate con‐ trol 147
Windshield washer fluid 73
Windshield washer noz‐ zles 73
Windshield washer system 71
Windshield wiper 71
Windshield wipers, fold-out position 73
Winter storage, care 271
Winter tires, suitable tires 249
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Everything from A to Z