maintenance BMW 550I SEDAN 2010 E60 User Guide

Driving tips
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Mobility
Thinking ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.
To do so, maintain the appropriate distance
from the vehicle in front of you. An anticipatory
and smooth driving style reduces fuel con-
sumption.
Avoiding high engine speeds
Use 1st gear only for starting off. Accelerate
rapidly in 2nd gear and above. Avoid high
engine speeds in doing so and shift into the
next gear early.
When you have reached the desired speed,
shift into the highest possible gear and drive
with the lowest possible engine speed while
maintaining a constant vehicle speed.
In general: driving at a low engine speed
reduces fuel consumption and minimizes wear.
Taking advantage of coasting
When approaching a red light, let off the gas
and allow the vehicle to coast to a stop in the
highest possible gear.
On steep roadways, let off the gas and allow the
vehicle to roll in the appropriate gear.
The flow of fuel is interrupted when coasting.
Switching off the engine during longer
stops
Switch off the engine at longer stops such as
traffic signals, railroad crossings, or in traffic
jams. Even having the engine switched off for
approx. 4 seconds results in fuel savings.
Switching off functions currently not
required
Functions such as the cooling function of the
automatic climate control, seat heating or rear
window defroster draw large amounts of power
and consume additional fuel. Their influence is
p a r t i c u l a r l y p r o n o u n c e d i n c i t y t r a f f i c a n d s t o p &
go operation. For this reason, it is a good idea to
switch these functions off when they are not
really needed.
Having maintenance carried out
Have the vehicle serviced regularly in order to
achieve the optimum economy and service life
of your vehicle. BMW recommends having the
maintenance performed by a BMW center. Also
please pay attention to the BMW maintenance
system, refer to page215.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate is com-
pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could
enter the interior of the vehicle.<
If it is absolutely necessary to drive with the lug-
gage compartment lid open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof or
panorama glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic cli-
mate control to a high level, refer to
page107.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to
them. When driving, standing at idle and while
parking take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it
the risk of serious property damage as well as
personal injury. Do not touch hot exhaust tail
pipes. Otherwise there is a risk of burns.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between the tires and

Mobility
This section helps you maintain your car's
mobility by supplying important information
on vital topics, including fuels and lubricants,
wheels and tires, service, maintenance and
breakdown assistance.
Mobility

Mobility
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Place the fuel filler cap in the bracket attached
to the fuel filler flap.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid raising the filler
nozzle during refueling; otherwise this leads to
>premature pump shutoff
>a reduced efficiency of the fuel-vapor
recovery system.
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks
off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 18.5 US gal/70 liters, including the
reserve capacity of approx. 2.1 US gal/8 liters.
550i: approx. 2.6 US gal/10 liters reserve
capacity.
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.<
Fuel filler cap
Closing
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you clearly
hear a click.
Do not crush the band attached to the
cap; otherwise, the cap may not properly
seal and fuel vapors can escape.<
A message
* is displayed if the cap is loose or
missing.
Fuel specifications
Do not use leaded gasoline, otherwise
permanent damage to the catalytic con-verter will result.
Do not use E85, i.e., fuel that consists of 85%
ethanol, or Flex Fuel. Otherwise permanent
damage to the engine and the fuel supply sys-
tem will result.<
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no affect on the engine life.
Do not use gasoline below the specified
minimum quality, otherwise engine dam-
age can result.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight,
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co solvent, will not void
the applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
drivability, starting and stalling problems
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter drivability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.<

Wheels and tires
202
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
The condition of the tires and the maintenance
of the specified tire pressure are crucial not only
to the tire's service life, but also to driving com-
fort and most importantly, driving safety.
Checking pressure
Only check tire inflation pressure when the tires
are cold. This means after a maximum of
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has
been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are
warm, the tire inflation pressure increases.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
and correct it as needed, even on the
compact tire
*: at least twice a month and before
starting long trips. Otherwise driving instability
or tire damage, and therefore accidents, can
result from incorrect tire inflation pressures.
Do not drive with depressurized, i.e., flat tires,
except run-flat tires. A flat tire will seriously
impair your vehicle's handling and braking
response. Attempts to drive on a flat tire can
lead to a loss of control over the vehicle.<
After correcting the tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page89, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page90.<
Pressure specifications
The tables below provide all the correct inflation
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient
temperature.
The inflation pressures apply to the tire
sizes and tire brands respectively
approved and recommended by BMW; a list of
these is available from your BMW center.<
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressure for your tires, observe the follow-
ing:
>Tire sizes of your vehicle>Load conditions
>Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for speeds
up to 100 mph/160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph/160 km/h,
adjust pressures to the respective tire inflation
pressures listed on the following pages in the
column Traveling speeds up to max. 100 mph/
160 km/h to achieve optimum driving comfort.
These pressure specifications can be found on
the door post when you open the driver's door.
The permissible top speed for these tire
inflation pressures is 100 mph/160 km/h.
Do not exceed this speed, otherwise tire dam-
age and accidents may result.<
Tire inflation pressures for speeds
above 100 mph/160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in
excess of 100 mph/160 km/h, please
observe, and, if necessary, adjust tire pressures
for speeds exceeding 100 mph/160 km/h from
the relevant table on the following pages. Oth-
erwise tire damage and accidents could
occur.<
Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits, otherwise violations of the law could
occur.

Mobility
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Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System supports the
preservation of the traffic and operating safety
of your BMW. The ultimate objective is to
ensure economical maintenance by providing
the ideal service for your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell
your BMW, a complete center service history
will prove to be an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into
account. Condition Based Service uses this to
determine the current and future service
requirements. By letting you define a service
and maintenance regimen that reflects your
own individual requirements, the system builds
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Control Display to show
remaining distances and times of selected
maintenance intervals and legally mandated
deadlines, refer to page77:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads, front and rear separately
>Brake fluid
>Vehicle check
>Legally mandated inspections depending
on local regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required
maintenance continuously in the remote con-
trol during driving. After accessing the data
stored in the remote control, your BMW Service
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. You should therefore hand over the remote
control you last used to drive to the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor when you take your vehicle in for
service.
Make sure the date is set correctly, refer
to page79, otherwise the effectiveness
of CBS Condition Based Service is not
ensured.<
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 require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service
and repair operations performed at your
BMW center.
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<

Maintenance
216
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnostics interface
Components which are decisive for the
exhaust-gas composition can be checked via
the OBD socket with a device.
T h i s s o c k e t i s l o c a t e d o n t h e d r i v e r ' s s i d e o n t h e
left under a cover.
Exhaust-gas values
The warning lamp lights up:
The vehicle emissions are raised. The
trip can be continued. Have the vehicle
checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction in Canadian models.
The lamp flashes under certain condi-
tions. This is a sign of excessive misfiring of the
engine. In this case you should reduce speed
and drive to the nearest BMW center as soon as
possible. Heavy engine misfiring causes seri-
ous damage to the emission-relevant compo-
nents, especially the catalytic converter, within
a short time.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system will assume that
fuel vapor escapes. Then a display lights up. If
the cap is then tightened, the display will go out
within a few days.<
Data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with
a device for recording or transmitting certain
vehicle data or information. If you have also sub-
scribed to BMW Assist, certain vehicle data can be transmitted or recorded to enable corre-
sponding services.

Mobility
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3.Check and correct the tire inflation pressure
at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems with valve stem
seal caps against dirt and contamina-
tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source
of gradual air loss.<
4.Initialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page89, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page90.
5.Replace the damaged tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
The driving characteristics change, for example
reduced track stability on braking, extended
braking distance, and altered self-steering
characteristics in the limit range. In conjunction
with winter tires, these characteristics are more
pronounced.
Only one compact wheel may be
mounted. Restore the wheels and tires to
their original size as quickly as possible. Failure
to do so is a safety risk.<
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW center will be glad to advise in
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine switched off. Connections, refer to
Jump starting on page232.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your
BMW center or bring them to a recycling
center. Maintain the battery in an upright posi-tion for transport and storage. Always restrain
the battery to prevent it from tipping over during
transport.<
Power failure
Following a temporary power failure, e.g., due to
a discharged battery, the use of some equip-
ment will be restricted, requiring its reinitializa-
tion. In the same way, individual settings are lost
and must be updated again:
>Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page46.
>Time and date
Must be updated again, refer to page78.
>Radio
In some cases, radio stations may have to
be stored again, refer to page156.
>Navigation system
You must wait until the system becomes
functional again, refer to page132.
>Glass roof, electric
It may only be possible to raise the glass
roof. The system must be initialized, refer to
page40.
>Panorama glass roof
It may only be possible to raise the glass
roof. The system must be reinitialized, refer
to page41.
>Active steering
The system automatically initializes itself
briefly during a trip. The system is deacti-
vated during this time, refer to page92.
>xDrive
The system automatically initializes itself
during a trip. Indicator lamps light up during
this time. If the lamps do not disappear dur-
ing the current trip, have the system
checked.
>Power windows
The pinch prevention system for the power
windows must be reinitialized, refer to
page38.
Talk to your BMW center before placing
the stored vehicle back in service.<

Reference 251
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic
– air distribution106
– air volume106
– cruise control66
– garage door opener110
– headlamp control100
– recirculated-air control
AUC107
– steering wheel
adjustment45
– tailgate operation34
Automatic climate control105
– automatic air
distribution106
– parked car ventilation109
– settings via iDrive108
– switching on and off108
– ventilation in rear108
Automatic closing of doors,
refer to Automatic soft
closing31
Automatic curb monitor51
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp
control100
– refer to Daytime running
lamps101
– refer to Interior lamps104
– refer to Pathway lighting101
– refer to Welcome lamps100
Automatic lights
– refer to High-beam
Assistant102
Automatic low beams, refer to
High-beam Assistant102
Automatic luggage
compartment roller cover,
Sports Wagon117
Automatic Service
Request196
Automatic soft closing31
Automatic speed reduction for
descents, refer to HDC Hill
Descent Control86Automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
– interlock60
– kick down60
– manually unlocking and
locking transmission lock61
– shiftlock60
– towing234
– tow-starting235
– with Comfort Access37
AUTO program for automatic
climate control106
AUX-IN port172
Available services196
Average fuel consumption75
– setting units76
Average speed, refer to
Computer75
Avoiding freeways for
navigation142
Avoiding unintentional
alarms36
Axle loads, refer to
Weights241
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support45
Backrests, refer to Seats44
Backrest width adjustment44
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
Backup lamps, replacing
bulbs224
Band-aids, refer to First aid
kit232
Bass, refer to Tone
control152
Battery, refer to Vehicle
battery229
– jump starting232
Battery replacement
– remote control for Comfort
Access38
BC button, refer to
Computer75
Being towed234
Belts, refer to Safety belts48Beverage holder, refer to
Cupholders114
Blower, refer to Air
volume107
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating180
BMW
– Car Shampoo219
BMW Assist,
activating194,196
BMW Assist192
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance
system215
BMW Night Vision96
– activating98
– cleaning camera98
– cleaning camera, refer to
Wiper system64
– deactivating98
– making settings98
BMW Search194
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to
Cupholders114
Bracket for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter188
Brake assistant85
– adaptive85
Brake force display93
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs224
– two-stage93
Brake rotors
– breaking-in124
– refer to Braking safely126

Reference 259
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
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Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Luggage compartment roller
cover, Sports Wagon117
Luggage net, refer to Partition
net118
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack128
Lumbar support45
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires209
Maintenance215
– refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models215
– refer to Service
requirements77
– refer to Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models215
Maintenance system215
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control79
Managing music170
Manual air distribution107
Manual operation
– door lock30
– driver's door30
– fuel filler flap200
– glass sunroof40
– luggage compartment lid32
– panorama glass sunroof41
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission61
Manual transmission59
Map for navigation
– changing scale145
– destination entry138
Map view144
Map view facing north144
Master key, refer to Keys/
remote control26
Maximum cooling107
Maximum speed
– with compact wheel229
Maximum speed with winter
tires209Measurements, refer to
Dimensions239
Memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory45
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Messages184
Messages from the Concierge
service185
Microfilter108
Microphone
– for telephone14
– for voice activation
system14
Mirror dimming feature52
Mirrors50
– automatic curb monitor51
– folding in and out51
– heating51
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory45
Mobile phone
– adjusting volume181
– connecting, refer to Mobile
phone, pairing
178
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest112
– operation via iDrive181
– pairing178
– refer to separate operating
instructions
Mobile phone, refer to
Telephone178
Mobile phone battery189
Monitor, refer to iDrive16
Monitoring pressure of tires,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor88
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to AUX-IN port172
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to USB audio interface172
Multi-channel playback153
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher63
– refer to Wiper system63
Music, playing168Music collection167
– backup171
– deleting171
– random sequence170
– restoring171
Music player, connecting,
refer to AUX-IN port172
Music player, connecting,
refer to USB audio
interface172
Music search168
MW, waveband155
My Info185
N
Navigation
– starting destination
guidance after entering a
destination135
– storing current position135
– voice activation139
Navigation data132
Navigation destination
– entering manually133
– home address136
Navigation instructions, refer
to Switching voice
instructions on/off143