suspension BMW 550I XDRIVE GT 2011 F07 Owner's Manual

For your own safety
Maintenance and repairs
Advanced technology, e.g., the use of modern
materials
and high-performance electronics, re‐
quires suitable maintenance and repair meth‐
ods.
Therefore, have this work performed only by a
BMW center or a workshop that works accord‐
ing to BMW repair procedures with appropri‐
ately trained personnel.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.
Parts and Accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts and ac‐
cessories approved by BMW. When you pur‐
chase accessories tested and approved by
BMW and Genuine BMW Parts, you simultane‐
ously 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 de‐
fects in material and workmanship. BMW will not
accept any liability for damage resulting from in‐
stallation of parts and accessories 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
vehicle, its operation, or its occupants. Genuine
BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and other prod‐
ucts approved by BMW, together with profes‐
sional 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 trans‐
ceiver equipment, for instance, CBs, walkie-
talkies, ham radios or similar accessories, may
cause extensive damage to the vehicle, com‐
promise its safety, interfere with the vehicle's
electrical system or affect the validity of the
BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW center for additional information. Maintenance, re‐
placement,
or repair of the emission control de‐
vices and systems may be performed by any au‐
tomotive repair establishment or individual
using any certified automotive part.
California Proposition 65 Warning
California laws require us to state the following
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of automobile
components and parts, including components
found in the interior furnishings in a vehicle, con‐
tain or emit chemicals known to the State of Cal‐
ifornia to cause cancer and birth defects and re‐
productive 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 accessories
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.
Service and warranty
We recommend that you read this publication
thoroughly. Your vehicle is covered by the fol‐
lowing warranties:
▷ New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
▷ Rust Perforation Limited Warranty.
▷ Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty.
▷ Federal Emissions Performance Warranty.
▷ California Emission Control System Limited
Warranty.
Detailed information about these warranties is
listed in the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models or in the Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Your vehicle has been specifically adapted and
designed to meet the particular operating con‐
ditions and homologation requirements in your
country

and continental region in order to deliver
the full driving pleasure while the vehicle is op‐
erated under those conditions. If you wish to op‐
Seite 7
7Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 445 - 03 11 490

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

NORMAL
Balanced tuning between the COMFORT and
SPORT programs.
COMFORT
Comfort-oriented
tuning of the shock absorbers
for optimal traveling comfort.
Integral Active Steering*
The concept
Integral Active Steering is a combination of Ac‐
tive Steering and rear axle steering.
Active Steering varies the steering angle of the
wheels in relation to the steering wheel move‐
ment as a function of the speed.
At speeds up to approx. 37 mph/60 km/h, e.g.,
in curves, the steering angle is increased, i.e.,
steering becomes more direct.
The rear axle steering acts to increase maneu‐
verability by turning the rear wheels slightly in a
direction opposite to the front wheels.
At higher speeds, the steering angle is increas‐
ingly reduced.
The rear wheels are turned to the same angle as
the front wheels.
In critical situations, Integral Active Steering can
specifically steer the front and rear wheels to
stabilize the vehicle before the driver intervenes,
e.g., when braking where road conditions differ
on the left and right sides of the vehicle.
Initializing
In rare cases, it may become necessary to initi‐
alize the Integral Active Steering.
The warning lamp lights up. A Check
Control message is displayed.
1. With the engine running, turn the steering
wheel

all the way to the left and right several
times in a uniform manner until the warning
lamp disappears.
2. Have the system checked if the warning
lamp

does not go out after moving the steer‐ ing wheel approx. 6 times or if the steering
wheel is at an angle.
Using snow chains
Ensure
that the rear axle steering is deactivated
when using snow chains, refer to page 250.
Programs
The system offers two different programs.
The programs can be selected via Dynamic Driv‐
ing Control, refer to page 103.
SPORT
Consistently sporty tuning of the Integral Active
Steering for greater driving agility.
NORMAL
Balanced tuning of the Integral Active Steering
for optimal traveling comfort.
Malfunction
In the event of a malfunction, the steering wheel
must be turned further, while the vehicle re‐
sponds more sensitively to steering wheel
movements in the higher speed range.
The stability-enhancing intervention may be de‐
activated.
Proceed cautiously and drive defensively.
Have the system checked.
Self-leveling suspension*
The concept
The self-leveling suspension keeps the vehicle
height and ground clearance constant. The
height of the vehicle at the rear axle is main‐
tained at a predefined level under all load con‐
ditions.
The system ensures consistent comfort by
keeping spring travel constant in all driving sit‐
uations.
Seite 102
102 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 445 - 03 11 490
Driving stability control systems

The indicator lamp lights up: TRACTION
is activated.
SPORT+
Sporty driving with optimized chassis and sus‐
pension during limited driving stabilization.
Dynamic Traction Control is switched on.
The driver handles several of the stabilization
tasks.
Activating SPORT+ Press the button repeatedly until
SPORT+ appears in the tachometer
and the DSC indicator lamp lights up in the in‐
strument cluster.
Indicator/warning lamps
SPORT+ is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DTC Dy‐
namic Traction Control is activated.
SPORT
Consistently
sporty tuning of the suspension for
greater driving agility with maximum driving sta‐
bilization.
The program can be configured to individual
specifications.
The configuration is stored for the remote con‐
trol currently in use.
Activating SPORT
Press the button repeatedly until
SPORT appears in the tachometer.
Configuring SPORT
When the display is activated on the Control
Display, refer to page 105, the sport program
can be set to individual specifications.
After the sport program is activated, select
"Configure SPORT mode" on the displayed
panel and configure the program.
Optionally, the sport program can be configured
before it is activated: 1.
"Settings"
2. "SPORT mode" 3.
Configure the program.
This configuration is retrieved when the sport
program is activated.
NORMAL
For

a balanced tuning with maximum driving sta‐
bilization.
Activating NORMAL
Press the button repeatedly until the
program display in the tachometer
goes out.
In certain situations, the system automatically
changes to the NORMAL program, automatic
program change, refer to page 103.
COMFORT*
Comfort-oriented tuning of the shock absorbers
for optimal traveling comfort with maximum
driving stabilization.
Activating COMFORT Press the button repeatedly until COM‐
FORT appears in the tachometer.
Displays in the instrument cluster
Selected program The selected program is dis‐
played in the tachometer. Seite 104
104 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 445 - 03 11 490
Driving stability control systems

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
Seite 292
292 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 445 - 03 11 490
Everything from A to Z

Self-leveling suspension, mal‐
function 103
Sensors, care 271
Service and warranty 7
Service requirements, CBS Condition Based Serv‐
ice 256
Service requirements, dis‐ play 82
Service, Roadside Assis‐ tance 265
Settings on Control Dis‐ play 81
Settings, storing for seat, mir‐ rors, steering wheel 58
Shifting, automatic transmis‐ sion 73
Short commands 277
Shoulder support 51
Side airbags 89
Side View 121
Signaling, horn 12
Signals when unlocking 37
Sitting safely 49
Size 274
Ski and snowboard bag 138
Slide/tilt glass roof 47
Smallest turning circle 275
Smoker's package 135
Snap-in adapter, mobile phone 219
Snow chains 249
Socket 135
Socket, OBD Onboard Diag‐ nostics 256
Software applications, iPhone 236
Software update 199
Spare fuse 263
Special destinations, naviga‐ tion 157
Specified engine oil types 254
Speed, average 79
Speed limit, setting 80
Speedometer 14
Split screen 23
Split
screen map settings 165 Spoken instructions, naviga‐
tion 163
SPORT+ program, Dynamic Driving Control 104
SPORT program, Dynamic Driving Control 104
Sport program, transmis‐ sion 75
Stability control systems 99
Start/Stop button 66
Start function during malfunc‐ tion 33
Starting aid 265
Starting the engine 66
State/province, selecting for navigation 154
Stations, stored 180
Station, storing 174
Status display, tires 92
Status information, iDrive 22
Status of Owner's Manual 6
Steering, Integral Active Steering 102
Steering wheel, adjusting 61
Steering wheel heating 61
Steering wheel memory 58
Steptronic, automatic trans‐ mission 73
Stopping the engine 67
Storage compartment in the center console 141
Storage compartments 139
Storage compartments, loca‐ tions 139
Storage, tires 249
Storing the vehicle 271
Street, entering for naviga‐ tion 155
Summer tires, tread 247
Supplementary text mes‐ sage 84
Surround View 117
Suspension settings 103
Switch for Dynamic Driving Control 103
Switch-on times, parked-car ventilation 132
Switch, refer to Cockpit 12 Symbols 6
T
Tachometer 77
Tail and brake lamps
261
Tailgate 39
Tailgate, automatic 40
Tailgate, emergency unlock‐ ing 42
Tailgate, hotel function 42
Tailgate
via remote control 36
Tail lamps 260
Tail lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 261
Tasks 227
Technical changes, refer to Safety 7
Technical data 274
TeleService 232
Temperature, automatic cli‐ mate control 128
Temperature display, external temperature 77
Temperature, engine oil 77
Tempomat, refer to Active Cruise Control 106
Terminal, starting aid 266
Text messages 224
Text message, supplemen‐ tary 84
Theft alarm system, refer to Alarm system 44
Theft protection, lug bolts 262
Theft protection, refer to Cen‐ tral locking system 35
Thermal camera, refer to Night Vision 122
Thigh support 49
Through-loading system 136
Tilt alarm sensor 45
Tilt, seats 49
Time of arrival 80
Tire damage 247
Tire identification marks 246
Tire inflation pressure 243
Seite 293
293Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 445 - 03 11 490

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance