winter tires BMW 550I TOURING 2006 E61 Owner's Manual

Wheels and tires
200
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT... 0806 indicates that the
tire was manufactured in week 8 of 2006.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 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:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear 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 (1γ) 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, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
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 sur-
faces 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, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
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.
Sustained 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 Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page201.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.

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.<

Wheels and tires
202
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend that you use
retreaded tires, as driving safety may be
impaired. The causes for this include the possi-
bly different tire casing structures and the often
wide variations in their age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC or xDrive.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. Following
tire damage, have the original wheel and tire
combination remounted on the vehicle as soon
as possible.
Wheels with electronics for
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or converting from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics, as otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor cannot detect a flat tire,
refer to page91. Your BMW center will be
happy to advise you on this subject.
Recommended tire brands
Certain tire makes are recommended by BMW
depending on the tire size. You can recognize
these from the clearly visible BMW marking on
the tire sidewall.
When used properly, these tires comply with
the most demanding standards for safety and
vehicle response.
Run-flat tires
When mounting new tires, or changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, use run-flat
tires for your own safety. In addition, no spare
tire is available in case of a flat tire. Your BMW
center will be glad to advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
that you do not have damaged run-flat
tires repaired; they should be replaced.<
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always observe the maximum permissi-
ble speed for the winter tires, otherwise
t i re d a m a g e m a y o c cu r , w h ic h c a n re s u l t i n a c c i-
dents.<
Storage
Always 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,

Mobility
217Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
face of the jack base rests on the ground
perpendicularly beneath the jacking point.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not attempt
to raise another vehicle model with it or to
raise any load of any kind. To do so could
cause accidents and personal injury.<
2.Guide the jack head into the rectangular
recess of the jacking point when cranking
up, refer to illustration detail.
3.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised from the ground.
Mounting a wheel
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel.
2.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub. Also clean the lug bolts.
3.Position the new wheel or compact wheel.
Secure the wheel by screwing at least two
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes.
When you mount wheels other than Genu-
ine BMW light-alloy wheels, different lug
bolts may also be required.
4.Screw in the remaining lug bolts. Tighten all
the bolts securely in a diagonal pattern.
5.Lower the vehicle and remove the jack from
beneath the vehicle.
After mounting
1.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
To ensure safety, always have the
lug bolts checked with a calibrated
torque wrench as soon as possible to
ensure that they are tightened to the specified torque. The tightening torque is
88.5 lb ft/120 Nm.<
2.When stowing the wheel and tools in the
vehicle, execute these steps in the reverse
order.
3.Check and correct the tire inflation pressure
at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems and 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
page90, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page92.
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. You should re-equip with
wheels and tires of the original size as quickly as
possible.<
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 off. Connections, refer to Jump starting
on page220.

Everything from A to Z
236
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions, and
indicates where to find them
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System86
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control67
Acceleration assistant for
SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission63
Accessories6
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control79
Activated-charcoal filter109
"Activation time" for parked-
car ventilation109
Active cruise control67
– indicator lamp70
– radar sensor71
– selecting distance69
– warning lamps71
Active head restraints,
front49
Active seat51
Active seat ventilation51
Active steering93
– warning lamp94
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display94
Adaptive Head Light102
"Add digits" for mobile
phone180
"Address book" for navigation
system140Address for navigation
– deleting141
– entering133,136
– selecting141
– storing140
– storing current position140
"Add to address book"140
"Add to destination list"136
Adjusting active backrest
width47
Adjusting confirmation signals
for locking and unlocking31
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control153
Adjusting thigh support46
Adjustment in audio mode
– front-to-rear154
– right/left balance154
"After door opened"48
"After unlocking"48
Airbags94
– sitting safely45
– warning lamp96
Air circulation, refer to Air
recirculation108
Air distribution
– automatic106
– manual107
Airing, refer to Ventilation108
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control108
– recirculated-air mode108
"Air recirculation on / off"53
Air vent outlets of automatic
climate control105
Air vents105
– refer to Ventilation108
Air volume107
AKI, refer to Fuel quality195Alarm system37
– avoiding unintentional
alarms38
– interior motion sensor38
– switching off alarm38
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor38
– tilt alarm sensor38
"All channels"163
"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires202
"All stations", calling up with
radio156,159
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive87
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Altering stretch of road148
"AM", reception
range152,156
Antenna for mobile phone174
Antifreeze
– coolant207
– washer fluid66
Antilock Brake System
ABS86
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system37
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights229
Approved engine oils206
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights229
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear116
Around the center console14
Around the steering wheel10

Reference 245
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Lighter115
Lighter socket115
"Lighting"65,102
Lighting
– instruments104
– of the vehicle, refer to
Lamps101
– refer to High-beam
assistant103
Light switch101
"Limit"81
Loading
– securing cargo128
– stowing cargo127
– vehicle126
"Lock after driving"33
Lock buttons in the doors,
refer to Locking33
Locking
– from inside33
– from outside31
– setting confirmation
signals31
– without key, refer to Comfort
access38
Locking and unlocking doors
– from inside32
– from outside30
– setting confirmation
signals31
Locking out, refer to
Unlocking39
Locking without key, refer to
Comfort access38
Low beams101
– automatic101
– replacing bulbs212
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support46
Lug bolts216
– tightening torque, refer to
After mounting217
– wrench215Luggage compartment
– capacity229
– emergency release34
– locking separately34
– opening/closing, refer to
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate33
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside34
– opening with remote
control31
Luggage compartment cover,
refer to Roll-up cover117
Luggage compartment lid33
– emergency operation, refer
to Manual operation34
– emergency release34
– locking separately34
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside34
– unlocking and locking from
inside32
– unlocking manually34
Luggage net, refer to
Separation net118
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack128
Lumbar support46
LW, waveband156
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires202
Maintenance
– refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models209
– refer to Service
requirements77
– refer to Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models209
Maintenance system209
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control79
Manual air distribution107Manually controlled recircu-
lated air108
Manual mode
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic64
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission62
"Manual" on the radio157
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door194
– glass sunroof42
– luggage compartment lid34
– panorama glass sunroof44
– selector lever interlock,
automatic transmission64
Manual transmission60
"Map direction of travel"146
Map display146
Map display facing north146
"Map facing north"146
Map for navigation
– changing scale146
– destination entry137
Master key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Maximum cooling107
Maximum speed
– for winter tires202
– with compact wheel217
Memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory47
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Microfilter109
Microphone
– for mobile phone14
– for voice command
system14
Mirror dimming feature125
Mirrors51
– automatic curb monitor52
– folding in and out51
– heating51
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory47

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

Everything from A to Z
252 Tire replacement, new wheels
and tires201
Tires
– age200
– air loss90,92
– breaking-in124
– changing201
– condition201
– damage201
– flat tire, refer to Changing
wheels215
– inflation pressure196
– new wheels and tires201
– pressure monitoring89
– pressure monitoring, refer to
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor91
– replacing215
– retreaded tires202
– run-flat tires201
– size199
– tread201
– wear indicators201
– wheel/tire combination201
– winter tires202
"Tone"153
Tone dialing method182
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting153
– middle setting155
Tone on locking/unlocking31
Tools, refer to Onboard
toolkit211
"Top 8" for mobile phone180
Torque
– engine226
– lug bolts, refer to After
mounting217
Touch tone dialing, refer to
Tone dialing method182
Tow fitting221
Towing221
– tow fitting221
"Town / City" for destination
entry134
Tow-starting221,223
"TPM"92TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor91
– resetting system92
– system limits91
– warning light92
Tracks
– random play sequence168
– sample scan167
Track width, refer to
Dimensions227
Traction-assist feature, refer
to DSC Dynamic Stability
Control86
Traction control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control86
Traffic congestion, refer to
Bypassing route
sections148
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– deactivating selector lever
interlock on automatic
transmission with
Steptronic64
– manual transmission60
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission61
– starting assistant125
Transporting children
safely54
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing cargo128
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread201
Treble, refer to Tone
control153
"Treble", tone control154
"Trip computer"77
Trip computer76
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer74
"Triple turn signal
activation"65
Trip odometer74
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions227Turn signals64
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs213
U
Underbody protection, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR200
"Units"84
Units
– average fuel
consumption84
– temperature84
Universal garage-door
opener, refer to Integrated
universal remote
control111
Universal remote control111
"Unlock button"30
Unlocking
– from inside33
– from outside30
– without key, refer to Comfort
access38
Unlocking without key, refer to
Comfort access38
"Update services"190
"Use current location as
address"140,142
Used batteries
– refer to Disposal218
– refer to Replacing battery40

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
V
Valve screw caps, refer to
After mounting217
Vehicle
– battery217
– breaking-in124
– care210
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– dimensions227
– loading126
– parking60
– washing, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– weights229
Vehicle jack215
– jacking points216
Vehicle position, refer to
Displaying current
position148
"Vehicle settings" for
unlocking30
Ventilation108
– draft-free108
– in the rear109
– while stationary109
Venting, refer to
Ventilation108
Vent outlets of the automatic
climate control105
Vents, refer to Ventilation108
"Vent settings"107
Voice, refer to Destination
guidance with voice
instructions147
Voice command system22
– short commands231
Voice instructions for
navigation system147
– muting53
– repeating53,147
– switching on/off53,147
– volume147
Voice phone book184Volume152
– audio sources152
– mobile phone178
– setting speed-
dependent154
– voice instructions147
W
Warning lamps, refer to
Indicator and warning
lamps13
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control79
Warning triangle219
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models209
Washer fluid66
– capacity of the reservoir66
Washer fluid reservoir66
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water125
Waveband for radio156
"WB"152,160
Wear indicators in tires, refer
to Minimum tread depth201
Weather news flashes159
Website4
Weights229
Wheel/tire combination, refer
to New wheels and tires201
Wheel/tire damage201
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions227
Wheels and tires196
Width, refer to
Dimensions227
Windows40
– auto-remote operation from
outside32
– comfort operation with
comfort access39
– convenience operation31
– rear window, Sports
Wagon34
– safety switch41Windshield
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system66
– defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows107
– displays, refer to Head-Up
Display96
Windshield washer system
– refer to Wiper system65
– windshield washer
nozzles66
Windshield wipers, refer to
Washer system65
– wiper blade
replacement211
Winter tires202
– setting speed limit81
– storage202
Wiper blade replacement211
Wiper system65
– rain sensor65
– washer fluid66
– windshield washer
nozzles66
"With highways" for
navigation system143
Word matching principle for
navigation143
Working in the engine
compartment204
Wrenches/screwdrivers, refer
to Onboard toolkit211
X
xDrive87
Xenon lamps213
– replacing bulbs213
Z
"Zoom" with BMW Night
Vision100

Refueling
So that you will have important specifications
available when you stop to refuel, we recom-
mend that you supplement the following tables
with data which apply to your vehicle. Consult
the index for individual specifications.Fuel
Engine oil
Tire inflation pressure
Designation
Please enter your preferred fuel here.
Quality
Summer tires
FrontRearWinter tires
FrontRear
Up to 4 persons
5 persons or 4 plus luggage