steering BMW 550I XDRIVE SEDAN 2014 Service Manual

COMFORT/ECO PROBalanced tuning.
COMFORT+ Comfort-oriented tuning of the shock absorb‐
ers 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 inter‐
venes, e.g., when braking where road condi‐
tions differ on the left and right sides of the ve‐
hicle.
InitializingIn 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 sev‐
eral 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
steering wheel approx. 6 times or if the
steering wheel is at an angle.
Using snow chains
Note When snow chains are in use, refer to
page 225, rear wheel steering is deactivated.
Programs The system offers several different programs.
Select the programs via the Driving Dynamics
Control, refer to page 139.
SPORT
Consistently sporty tuning of the Integral Ac‐
tive Steering for greater driving agility.
Malfunction In the event of a malfunction, the steering
wheel must be turned further, while the vehicle
responds more sensitively to steering wheel
movements in the higher speed range.
The stability-enhancing intervention may be
deactivated.
Proceed cautiously and drive defensively.
Have the system checked.
Driving Dynamics Control
The concept The Driving Dynamics Control can be used to
adjust the driving dynamics of the vehicle. For
this purpose various programs are available for
selection that are activated via the two buttons
of the Driving Dynamics Control and the DSC
OFF-button.
Seite 139Driving stability control systemsControls139
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 956 218 - X/14

At a glance
Button in the vehicle
Operating the programs
Press buttonProgramDSC OFF
TRACTIONSPORT+
SPORT
COMFORT
COMFORT+
ECO PRO
Automatic program change
The system may automatically reel to COM‐
FORT in the following situations:
▷Failure of Integral Active Steering.▷Failure of Dynamic Damping Control.▷Failure of DSC Dynamic Stability Control.▷The vehicle has a flat tire.▷When activating cruise control in TRAC‐
TION or DSC OFF mode.
DSC OFF
When DSC OFF, refer to page 136, is active,
driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in curves.
TRACTION
When TRACTION is active, the vehicle has
maximum traction on loose road surfaces. DTC
Dynamic Traction Control, refer to page 137, is
activated. Driving stability is limited during ac‐
celeration and when driving in curves.
SPORT+
Sporty driving with optimized suspension and
adapted engine control with limited driving sta‐
bilization.
Dynamic Traction Control is switched on.
The driver handles several of the stabilization
tasks.
Activating SPORT+ Press button repeatedly until SPORT+
appears in the instrument cluster and
the DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up.
Automatic program change When switching on the adjustable speed limit
or activating cruise control, the program auto‐
matically switches to SPORT mode.
Indicator/warning lights
SPORT+ is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up:
Dynamic Traction Control is activated.
SPORT
Consistently sporty tuning of the suspension
and engine control for greater driving agility
with maximum driving stabilization.
The program can be configured to individual
specifications.
The configuration is stored for the profile cur‐ rently in use.Seite 140ControlsDriving stability control systems140
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 956 218 - X/14

Driving comfortVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems.
Active Cruise Control withStop & Go function, ACC
The concept Use this system to select a desired speed that
the vehicle will maintain automatically on clear
roads.
To the extent possible, the system automati‐
cally adjusts the speed to a slower vehicle
ahead of you.
The distance that the vehicle maintains to the
vehicle ahead of you can be varied.
For safety reasons, it depends on the speed.
To maintain a certain distance, the system au‐ tomatically reduces the speed, applies the
brakes lightly, or accelerates again if the vehi‐
cle ahead begins moving faster.
If the vehicle ahead of you brakes to a halt, and
then proceeds to drive again within a brief pe‐
riod, the system is able to detect this within the
given system limits. Your own vehicle will
brake automatically and then accelerate again.
If the vehicle ahead of you drives away again
after a prolonged period, briefly press the ac‐
celerator pedal or press the appropriate button
to reactivate the system. The vehicle will auto‐
matically accelerate.
As soon as the road is clear, the vehicle accel‐
erates to the desired speed.The speed is also maintained downhill, but
may not be maintained uphill if engine power is
insufficient.
General information Depending on the driving settings, the features
of the cruise control can change in certain
areas.
Hints Personal responsibility
Even an active system holds the driver
responsible for his or her driving, particularly
for staying in your lane, adjusting your speed,
keeping your distance and for your driving
style all in relation to traffic.
Technically the system has its limits, it cannot
independently react to all traffic situations.
Monitor your driving, be on the alert, observe
the vehicle surroundings and other traffic and react when needed, e.g. through braking,
steering or make evasive maneuvers - risk of
accident.◀
Unfavorable weather conditions
In the event of unfavorable weather and
light conditions, e. g. if there is rain, snowfall,
slush, fog or glare, this may result in poorer
recognition of vehicles as well as short-term
interruptions for vehicles that are already de‐
tected. Drive attentively, and react to the cur‐
rent traffic situation. Intervene actively when
necessary, e.g., by braking, steering or making
an evasive maneuver, otherwise, there is the
risk of an accident.◀
Before leaving the vehicle, secure it
against moving on its own.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run‐
ning: set the parking brake and ensure that theSeite 143Driving comfortControls143
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 956 218 - X/14

Steptronic transmission is in position P. Other‐
wise, the vehicle may begin to move.◀
At a glance
Buttons on the steering wheelPress but‐
tonFunctionCruise control on/off, interrupt,
refer to page 144Store/maintain speed, refer to
page 145Resume speed, refer to
page 146Reduce distance, refer to
page 146Increase distance, refer to
page 146Rocker reel:
Maintain, store, change speed,
refer to page 145
Buttons are arranged according to vehicle's
series, optional features and country specifica‐
tions.
Radar sensor
A radar sensor is located in the front bumper for detecting vehicles on the road ahead of the
vehicle.
A dirty or covered sensor may prevent the de‐
tection of vehicles.
▷If necessary, clean the radar sensor. Re‐
move layers of snow and ice carefully.▷Do not cover the view field of the radar
sensor.
Camera
The camera is found near the interior rearview
mirror.
Keep the windshield in the area behind the in‐
terior rearview mirror clean and clear.
A dirty or covered area in front of the interior
mirror may hinder the detection of vehicles.
If necessary, clean the area in front of the inte‐
rior mirror, e.g., carefully remove salt residue in
the winter.
Switching on/off and interrupting
cruise control
Switching on Press button on the steering wheel.
Seite 144ControlsDriving comfort144
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 956 218 - X/14

The indicator lights in the instrument cluster
light up and the mark in the speedometer is set
to the current speed.
Cruise control can be used.
Switch off Deactivated or interrupted system
With deactivated or interrupted system
use your brakes, steering and moves as usual
to avoid the chance of an accident.◀
To switch off the system while standing, step
on brake pedal at the same time.
Press button on the steering wheel.▷If active: press twice.▷If interrupted: press once.
The displays go out. The stored desired speed
and distance are deleted.
Interrupting Press button on the steering wheel.
If interrupting the system while stationary,
press on the brake pedal at the same time.
The system is automatically interrupted in the
following situations:
▷When the brakes are applied.▷When the clutch pedal is depressed.▷When selector lever position D is disen‐
gaged.▷When DTC Dynamic Traction Control is
activated or DSC is deactivated.▷When DSC is actively controlling stability.▷When SPORT+ is activated with Driving
Dynamics Control.▷If the safety belt and the driver's door are
opened while the vehicle is standing still.▷If the system has not detected objects for
an extended period, e.g., on a road withvery little traffic without curb or shoulder
markings.▷If the detection range of the radar is dis‐
rupted, e.g., by dirt or heavy fog.
Maintaining, storing, and changing the
speed
Hints Adjusting the desired speedModify desired speed to road conditions
and be ready to brake at all times; otherwise,
there is the risk of an accident.◀
Differences in speed
Large differences in speed relative to
other vehicles cannot be compensated by the
system such as in the following situations:
▷When fast approaching a slowly moving
vehicle.▷When another vehicle suddenly swerves
into the wrong lane.▷When stationary objects are approached at
high speed.◀
Maintaining/storing the speed
Press button.
Or:
Press the rocker reel while the system is inter‐
rupted.
When the system is switched on, the current
speed is maintained and stored as the desired
speed.
Seite 145Driving comfortControls145
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 956 218 - X/14

Cruise controlThe concept The system maintains a preset speed via the
buttons on the steering wheel. The system
brakes on downhill gradients if engine braking
is insufficient.
General information
Depending on the driving settings, the features
of the cruise control can change in certain
areas.
Hints Unfavorable conditions
Do not use the system if unfavorable
conditions make it impossible to drive at a con‐
stant speed, e.g.:▷On winding roads.▷In heavy traffic.▷On slippery roads, in fog, snow or rain, or
on a loose road surface.
Otherwise, you could lose control of the vehi‐
cle and cause an accident.◀
Controls
At a glance
Press but‐
tonFunctionCruise control on/off, interrupt,
refer to page 150Store/maintain speed, refer to
page 151Resume speed, refer to
page 151Rocker reel:
Maintain, store, change speed,
refer to page 151Buttons are arranged according to vehicle's
series, optional features and country specifica‐
tions.
Switching on Press button on the steering wheel.
The marking in the speedometer is set to the
current speed.
The cruise control can be used.
Switch off Deactivated or interrupted system
With deactivated or interrupted system
use your brakes, steering and moves as usual
to avoid the chance of an accident.◀
Press button on the steering wheel.▷If active: press twice.▷If interrupted: press once.
The displays go out. The stored desired speed
is deleted.
Interrupting When active, press the button.
The system is automatically interrupted if:
▷The brakes are applied.▷The clutch pedal is depressed for a few
seconds or released while a gear is not en‐
gaged.▷Selector lever position D is disengaged.▷DTC Dynamic Traction Control is activated
or DSC is deactivated.▷DSC is actively controlling stability.▷HDC is activated.▷When SPORT+ is activated with Driving
Dynamics Control.Seite 150ControlsDriving comfort150
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 956 218 - X/14

Pathway lines▷Pathway lines can be superimposed on the
image of the rearview camera.▷They help you to estimate how much
space is needed when parking and maneu‐
vering on level pavement.▷They are dependent on the current steer‐
ing angle and are continuously adjusted to
the steering wheel movements.
Turning circle lines
▷Turning circle lines can only be superim‐
posed on the rearview camera image to‐
gether with pathway lines.▷They show the course of the smallest pos‐
sible turning radius on a level road.▷Only one turning radius line is displayed af‐
ter the steering wheel is turned past a cer‐
tain angle.Obstacle marking
Obstacle markings can be faded into the image
of the rearview camera.
Their colored margins match the markings of
the PDC. This simplifies estimation of the dis‐
tance to the object shown.
Parking using pathway and turning
radius lines
1.Position the vehicle so that the turning ra‐
dius lines lead to within the limits of the
parking space.2.Turn the steering wheel to the point where
the pathway line covers the corresponding
turning radius line.Seite 156ControlsDriving comfort156
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 956 218 - X/14

Cameras
The lenses of the Top View camera are located
at the bottom in the mirror housings. The im‐
age quality may be impaired by dirt.
Clean the lens, refer to page 251.
Switching on/off
Switching on automatically With the engine running, engage lever in posi‐
tion P R.
The rearview camera image is displayed. To
switch to the Top View:
"Rear view camera"
Automatic deactivation during forward
travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if needed.
Switching on/off manually Press button.
▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
Top View is displayed.
The rearview camera image is displayed when
the reverse gear is engaged by pressing the
button.
Display
Visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object can
be shown on the Control Display.
When the distance to an object is small, a red
bar is shown in front of the vehicle, as it is in
the PDC display.
The display appears as soon as Top View is
activated.
When the image of the rearview camera is dis‐
played, it is possible to reel to top view:
"Rear view camera"
Brightness
With Top View switched on:
1. Select the symbol.2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached, and press the controller.
Contrast
With Top View switched on:
1. Select the symbol.2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached, and press the controller.
Displaying the turning radius and
pathway lines
▷The static, red turning radius line shows
the space needed to the side of the vehicle
when the steering wheel is turned all the
way.Seite 159Driving comfortControls159
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 956 218 - X/14

▷The variable, green pathway line assists
you in assessing the amount of space ac‐
tually needed to the side of the vehicle.
The lane line depends on the engaged
gear and the current steering angle. The
track line is continuously adjusted for the
steering wheel movement.
"Parking aid lines"
Turning circle and pathway lines are displayed.
System limits
Top View cannot be used in the following sit‐
uations:
▷With a door open.▷With the trunk lid open.▷With an exterior mirror folded in.▷In poor light.
A Check Control message is displayed in some
of these situations.
Parking assistant The concept
This system assists the driver in parking paral‐
lel to the road.
Ultrasound sensors measure parking spaces
on both sides of the vehicle.
Manual transmission:
The parking assistant calculates the best pos‐
sible parking line and takes control of steering
during the parking procedure.
Steptronic transmission:
The parking assistant calculates the best pos‐
sible parking line and during the parking proce‐
dure takes control of steering, the acceleration
and braking and if needed changes the gears.
Hold down the parking assistant button for the
duration of the parking procedure. At the end
of the parking procedure, the P selector lever
position is set.
When parking, also take note of the visual and
acoustic information and instructions issued
by the PDC, the parking assistant and the rear‐
view camera and react accordingly.
A component of the parking assistant is the
PDC Park Distance Control, refer to page 152.
Hints Personal responsibility
Even an active system does not relieve
the driver from personal responsibility while
driving.
Technically the system has its limits, it cannot
independently react to all traffic situations.
Monitor your driving, be on the alert, observe
the vehicle surroundings and other traffic and
react when needed - risk of accident.◀
Changes to the parking space
Changes to the parking space after it was
measured are not taken into account by the
system.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, there is the risk of an acci‐
dent.◀
Transporting cargo
Cargo that extends beyond the perimeter
of the vehicle is not taken into account by the
system during the parking procedure.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, there is the risk of an acci‐
dent.◀Seite 160ControlsDriving comfort160
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 956 218 - X/14

Parking assistant is activated automatically.
Switching on with the reverse gear
Shift into reverse.
The current status of the parking space search
is indicated on the Control Display.
To activate:
"Parking Assistant"
Switch off
The system can be deactivated as follows:
▷Press button.▷Switch off the ignition.
Display on the Control Display
System activated/deactivated
SymbolMeaning Gray: the system is not available.
White: the system is available but
not activated. The system is activated.
System status
▷Colored symbols, see arrows, on the side
of the vehicle illustrated. Parking assistant
is activated and search for parking space
active.▷Control Display shows suitable parking
spaces at the edge of the road next to the
vehicle symbol. When the parking assistantis active, suitable parking spaces are high‐
lighted.▷The parking procedure is ac‐
tive. Steering control has
been taken over by system.▷Parking space search is always active
whenever the vehicle is moving forward
slow and straight, even if the system is de‐
activated. When the system is deactivated,
the displays on the Control Display are
shown in gray.
Parking using the parking assistant
Check the traffic situation as well
Louds noises outside and inside the ve‐
hicle can drown out the parking assistant's and
PDC's signals.
Check the traffic situation around the vehicle
with your own eyes; otherwise, there is a dan‐
ger of an accident.◀
1.Switch on the parking assistant and acti‐
vate it if needed.
The status of the parking space search is
indicated on the Control Display.2.Follow the instructions on the Control Dis‐
play.
The best possible parking position will
come after gear change on the stationary
vehicle - wait for the automatic steering
wheel move.
The end of the parking procedure is indi‐
cated on the Control Display.3.Adjust the parking position yourself if
needed.
Interrupting manually
The parking assistant can be interrupted at any
time:
▷ "Parking Assistant" Select the symbol
on the Control Display.Seite 162ControlsDriving comfort162
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 956 218 - X/14