suspension BMW 550I TOURING 2006 E61 Owner's Manual

Notes
6
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested and
approved by BMW and Genuine BMW Parts,
you simultaneously acquire the assurance that
they have been thoroughly tested by BMW to
ensure optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free from
defects in material and workmanship.
BMW will not accept any liability for damage
resulting from installation of parts and accesso-
ries not approved by BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made by other
manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a
BMW safely and without risk to either the vehi-
cle, its operation or its occupants.
Genuine BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and
other products approved by BMW, together
with professional advice on using these items,
are available from all BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms, radios,
amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension
components, brake dust shields, telephones,
including operation of any mobile phone from
within the vehicle without using an externally
mounted antenna, or transceiver equipment, for
instance, CBs, walkie-talkies, ham radios or
similar accessories, may cause extensive dam-
age to the vehicle, compromise its safety, inter-
fere with the vehicle's electrical system or affect
the validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. See
your BMW center for additional information.<
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performed by any automotive
repair establishment or individual using any cer-
tified automotive part.<
California Proposition 65 Warning
California law requires us to issue the following
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of
automobile components and parts,
including components found in the interior fur-
nishings in a vehicle, contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects and reproductive harm. In
addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or
emit chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Wash
your hands after handling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have
caused cancer in laboratory animals. Always
protect your skin by washing thoroughly with
soap and water.<

Controls
89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Malfunction
If the HDC display goes out in the HDC mode or
is not shown:
HDC is temporarily not available, as the brake
temperature is too high.
Dynamic Drive*
The concept
Dynamic Drive minimizes body roll and opti-
mizes vehicle stability during cornering and
evasive maneuvers.
Dynamic Drive is based on active stabilizers on
the front and rear axles. Suspension compli-
ance adapts to suit driving conditions, varying
from performance-oriented during cornering to
smooth and comfort-oriented when the vehicle
is proceeding in a straight line. During vehicle
operation, the system continuously runs
through closed-loop control cycles lasting only
fractions of a second.
The system assumes operational status each
time you start the engine.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow and
a message is shown on the Control Dis-
play. There is a malfunction in the sys-
tem. Have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible.
If a malfunction occurs, please remember
to adapt your speed accordingly, espe-
cially in curves.
The suspension will be noticeably softer and
the vehicle will display a greater tendency to tilt
during cornering and in crosswinds.
If a message stating that you should stop is
shown on the Control Display, stop at a suitable
location and switch off the engine as soon as
possible. In this case the oil level in the reservoir
may have dropped below the minimum, possi-
bly owing to a leak in the hydraulic system.
Do not continue driving, but instead contact
your BMW center.<
Sports Wagon:
Self-leveling suspension
xDrive: the vehicle is raised somewhat at
the rear after locking. This is normal and is
linked to minor noises.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp for self-leveling sus-
pension lights up yellow and a message
is shown on the Control Display. A mal-
function has occurred in the self-leveling sus-
pension. Stop and check the vehicle. If it is con-
siderably lower at the rear than at the front, and
possibly also on one side – rear left compared to
rear right –, go to the nearest BMW center or a
workshop that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. Drive with appropriate caution in the
meantime. The vehicle has reduced ground
clearance and driving comfort may be notice-
ably reduced. Even if the position of the vehicle
is normal, go to the nearest BMW center or a
workshop that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the tires as you drive. The sys-
tem provides an alert whenever the inflation
pressure drops significantly in relation to the
pressure in another tire.
In the event of a pressure loss, the rolling radius
and therefore the rotation speed of the wheels
change. This change is detected and is
reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.

Mobility
201Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. For the sake of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, refer
to arrow, are distributed over the tire's circum-
ference and are marked on the side of the tire
with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread
has been driven down to the wear indicators, a
tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been
reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazards and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong
tendency to pull to the left or right.In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the
nearest BMW center or tire shop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary,
have the vehicle towed there. Tire damage can
be extremely dangerous for vehicle occupants
and other road users.<
Run-flat tires*
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of partially self-contained
tires and special rims. The sidewall reinforce-
ment ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of
a flat tire page90
>With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure page92
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW center or tire shop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel. If this
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
hazards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<

Reference 249
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Route142
– bypassing sections148
– changing142,148
– displaying145
– displaying arrow display145
– displaying map146
– displaying town146
– list146
– selecting142
– selecting criteria142
Route map, refer to Map
display146
"Route preference",
changing142
Route selection142
RSC, refer to Run-flat
tires201
Run-flat tires201
– continuing driving with a
damaged tire90,93
– flat tire90,93
– new wheels and tires201
– tire inflation
pressure90,93,196
– tire replacement201,202
S
Safety5
Safety belts49
– damage50
– sitting safely45
– warning lamp49
Safety belt tensioners
– refer to Airbags94
– refer to Safety belts49
Safety systems
– ABS Antilock Brake
System86
– airbags94
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control86
– safety belts49
Satellite radio161
– enabling channel162
– selecting channel162
– storing channel162"SAT" with radio152,162
"Save current
destination"142
"Scan"
– sampling stations157
– sampling tracks167
Scan
– CD changer167
– CD player167
– radio157
"Scan all" in audio mode167
"Scan directory" in audio
mode167
Screen, refer to iDrive16
Screw thread for tow
fitting222
SDARS, refer to Satellite
radio161
"Seat heater distribution"50
Seats46
– active backrest width
adjustment47
– adjusting the seats46
– comfort seat46
– easy entry/exit47
– heating50
– lumbar support46
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory47
– sitting safely45
– storing the setting47
– thigh support46
– ventilation, refer to Active
seat ventilation51
Securing load
– refer to Securing cargo128
– with ski bag, refer to
Securing cargo120
"Select as destination"139
"Select current speed"81
Selecting audio sources, refer
to Operation via iDrive152
Selecting distance for active
cruise control69
Selecting frequency
manually157
Selecting menu items19Selecting new scale for
navigation146
Selecting route142
Selection options with
navigation system142
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission61
Selector lever interlock, refer
to Shiftlock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission61
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission61
Self-leveling suspension89
Separation net118
Sequential Manual Trans-
mission SMG61
"Service"77,188,205
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance220
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models209
Service interval indicator, refer
to Service requirements77
"Service notification"189
"Service Request"182,190
"Service
requirements"78,188,206
Service requirements77
– also refer to CBS Condition
Based Service209
"Service Status"188
"Set"
– in audio mode152
– on trip computer77
"Set date"83
"Set service date"78
"Set time"83

Everything from A to Z
250 Settings
– BMW Night Vision99
– changing on Control
Display82
– clock, 12h/24h mode83
– configuring, refer to
Personal Profile29
Setting speed limit81
Setting time, refer to Prese-
lecting activation time109
"Set tire pressure"90
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic64
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission62
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission61
Shift paddles62
Short commands of voice
command system231
"Short route" for
navigation143
Short route in navigation, refer
to Selecting route142
Shoulder support46
"Show current position"138
"Show destination
position"138
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer168
– CD player168
Side airbags94
Side marker lamps, replacing
bulbs213
Side turn signals, replacing
bulbs213
Side window blinds, refer to
Sun blinds112
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely45
– with airbags45
– with head restraint45
– with safety belts45
Ski bag120Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof,
electric41
– refer to Panorama glass
sunroof43
Slope assistant, refer to
Starting assistant125
SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission61
– acceleration assistant63
– breaking-in124
– Dynamic Driving Control62
– gear display61
– kick-down62
– shiftlock61
– towing222
– tow-starting223
Snow chains203
Socket for Onboard
Diagnostics interface210
Socket for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock58
Sockets, refer to Connecting
electrical devices115
Soft closure aid, refer to
Automatic soft closing33
Song search with CD, refer to
Playing a track167
SOS, refer to Initiating an
emergency call219
Spare fuses218
Spare key28
– adapter28
Spare remote control28
Spare wheel
– refer to Changing
wheels215
– refer to Compact wheel216
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils206
Specified oil grades, refer to
Approved engine oils206
Speed
– with compact wheel217
– with winter tires202
Speed-dependent
volume154
Speed limit warning, refer to
Speed limit81Speedometer12
"Speed volume", refer to Tone
control154
"Sport", active backrest width
adjustment47
Sport program, refer to
Dynamic Driving Control62
Sports Wagon
– automatic roll-up cover117
– automatic tailgate
operation36
– compartments in cargo
area118
– increasing cargo area117
– opening rear window34
– opening tailgate35
– panorama glass sunroof43
– rear window wiper66
– rear window wiper, changing
wiper blade211
– releasing fuel filler door in
event of electrical
malfunction194
– roll-up cover117
– roll-up cover for cargo
area117
– self-leveling suspension89
– separation net118
– socket in cargo area116
– storage area package119
– tail lamps, replacing
bulbs214
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems86
"Star button"53
Star button53
Start/Stop button58
"Start" for stopwatch82
"Start guidance"136,144
Starting, refer to Starting
engine59
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting220
Starting assistant125
Starting difficulties
– jump starting220
– refer to Special starting
conditions59