2006 BMW 550I SEDAN headlamp

Lamps
102 4.Select "Lighting" and press the controller.
5.Select "Pathway lighting" and press the
controller.
6.Turn the controller to select the desired
duration.
7.Press the controller to apply the setting.
Daytime running lamps*
If desired, the light switch can remain in posi-
tion0, 1 or 3.
In position0 and 3 the exterior lighting is auto-
matically switched off after the vehicle is
switched off. In position1 the parking lamps
light up after the ignition is switched off.
Switch on the parking lamps if required as
described under Parking lamps.
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp
control system that enables better illumination
of the road surface. Depending on the steering
angle and other parameters, the light from the
headlamp follows the course of the road.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
In switch position3, the Adaptive Head Light is
active and the automatic headlamp control
is
switched on, refer to page101.
To avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, the Adap-
tive Head Light is not active when driving in
reverse and points toward the passenger side
when the vehicle is stopped.
Malfunction
The LED next to the symbol for automatic head-
lamp control flashes. Adaptive Head Light is
malfunctioning or has failed. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one
side of your vehicle when parking. When using
this function, comply with national regulations:
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever in the
desired direction3, past the resistance point.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave them switched on for
long periods of time, as otherwise it may no
longer be possible to start the engine.<
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direc-
tion 3 up to the resistance point.

Controls
103Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
High-beam assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high
beams on and off again. A sensor on the front of
the inside rearview mirror controls the process.
The assistant ensures that the high beams are
switched on whenever the traffic situation
allows. This reduces the strain on you while at
the same time providing you with the best pos-
sible visibility. Of course, you can intervene at
any time and switch the high beams on and off
in the accustomed manner.
Activating high-beam assistant
1.Turn the light switch to switch position3,
refer to page101.
2.Press the turn signal lever in the high beam
direction with the low beams switched on.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the high-beam
assistant is activated. The assistant
automatically switches between high and low
beams, whereby the system reacts to oncom-
ing traffic and traffic ahead, as well as to suffi-
cient lighting, e.g. towns/cities.
Manually switching between high and
low beams
You can intervene at any time if you wish or the
situation requires.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on
the high beams, however you nevertheless
want to use the low beams, simply switch to
the low beams with the turn signal lever.
The high-beam assistant is deactivated in
the process. To reactivate the system, briefly press the
turn signal lever in the high beam direction
again.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on
the low beams, however you nevertheless
want to use the high beams, switch to the
high beams in the accustomed manner. The
system is deactivated in the process and
you must switch to the low beams manually.
To reactivate the system, briefly press the
turn signal lever in the high beam direction
again.
>You use the headlamp flasher as usual with
low beams.
System limits
The high-beam assistant cannot replace
personal decisions on the benefits of
using the high beams. In situations which
require this, you should therefore switch to the
low beams manually to avoid a safety risk.<
In the following example situations, the system
does not operate or only with limitations and a
personal reaction may be required:
>Under extremely unfavorable weather con-
ditions, such as fog or heavy precipitation
>For perceiving road users with poor lighting
of their own, e.g. pedestrians, cyclists, peo-
ple on horseback, horse-drawn vehicles,
with train or ship traffic close to the road and
wild animals crossing the road
>In tight curves, on steep crowns or depres-
sions, with cross traffic or partially con-
cealed oncoming traffic on the freeway
>In poorly lit places and with highly reflective
signs
>In the low speed range
>When the windshield is fogged up, dirty or
covered with stickers, vignettes etc. in the
area of the inside rearview mirror
>When the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor
on the front side of the inside rearview mir-
ror with a cloth moistened with a small
amount of glass cleaner

Lamps
104
Fog lamps*
The parking lamps or low beams must be
switched on for the fog lamps to operate. The
green indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up whenever the fog lamps are on.
The fog lamps are switched off whenever the
high beams are switched on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Instrument lighting
You can control the lighting intensity by using
the knurled wheel.
Interior lamps
The interior lamps, footwell lamps, door entry
lighting
and courtesy lamps* are controlled
automatically.
With the courtesy lamps, LED lights are located
in the door handles to illuminate the exterior
area before the doors.
To protect the battery, all lamps in the
vehicle are switched off approx. 15 min-
utes after radio readiness is switched off, refer
to Start/Stop button on page58.<
Switching interior lamps on and off
manually
Press the button.
If you want the interior lamps to remain off con-
tinuously, maintain pressure on the button for
approx. 3 seconds.
Reading lamps
Reading lamps are located in the front and rear
adjacent to the interior lamps. Press the button
briefly to switch the lamps on and off.

Mobility
205Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Engine compartment
1Filler neck for engine oil, refer to
Adding engine oil
2Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath the
microfilter cover
3Starting-aid terminal, refer to page2204Washer fluid reservoir of the headlamp
and windshield cleaning systems, refer to
page66
5Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page207
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking engine oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil
level check.
The condition for the most accurate indication
of the oil level possible is measurement with the
engine at operating temperature, i.e. following
an uninterrupted drive of at least 6 miles/10 km.
You can display the oil level on the Control Dis-
play while driving or when stopped on a level
surface with the engine running.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Service" and press the controller.

Replacing components
212
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. You must be duly diligent
in replacing them. BMW recommends having
your BMW center perform any work that you do
not feel competent to perform yourself or that is
not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a
clean cloth, napkin, etc., or hold the bulb by its
metal socket.<
A selection of replacement bulbs is available at
your BMW center.
Whenever you perform any work on the
electrical system, turn off the consumers
involved to prevent short circuits from occur-
ring. To avoid possible injury or equipment
damage when replacing bulbs, observe any
instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
For care and maintenance of the headlamps,
please follow the instructions in the separate
Caring for your vehicle brochure.
For bulbs for which changing is not
described, and for checking and adjusting
headlamp aim, please contact your BMW cen-
ter.<
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a
concept similar to that applied in conventional
lasers, are officially designated as Class 1 light-
emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers, and never
stare into the unfiltered light for several
hours, as irritation of the retina could result.<
Halogen headlamps
The illustration shows the left-hand side of the
engine compartment.1Cover cap for low beams
2Cover cap for high beams
Turn the cover cap to the left and remove.
Always wear gloves and eye protection –
the atmosphere within the H7 bulb is
pressurized. Otherwise there is a danger of inju-
ries if the bulb is accidentally damaged during
replacement.<
Low beams
H7 bulb, 55 watts
1.Turn the bulb holder to the left and remove.
2.Remove and replace the bulb.
High beams
H7 bulb, 55 watts
1.Turn the bulb holder to the left and remove.

Technical data
230 Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Capacities
Sports Wagon530xi
Curb weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 3,858/1,750
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 3,891/1,765
Approved gross vehicle weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 5,049/2,290
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 5,082/2,305
Load lbs./kg 1,190/540
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,381/1,080
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,866/1,300
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 220/100
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft/l 17.7-58.3/500-1,650
Notes
Fuel tank gal/liters approx. 18.5/70 Fuel grade: page195
of that reserve gal/liters approx. 2.1/8
Window cleaning system For more details: page66
>Sedan US quarts/liters approx. 3.2/3
>incl. headlamp washer system US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5
>Sports Wagon US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5
Engine with oil filter change BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
Oil grades: page206 >525i/xi, 530i/xi US quarts/liters 6.9/6.5
>550i US quarts/liters 8.5/8.0

Reference 237
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Arrival time
– refer to Computer76
– refer to Starting destination
guidance144
"Arrow display" for navigation
system145
Ashtray
– front115
– rear115
Assist, refer to
BMW Assist187
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems86
Assistance window20
"Assist. window off"21
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control108
Audio152
– controls152
– switching on/off152
– tone control153
– volume153
"Audio", refer to Tone
control153
"Audio Aux"152,171
– on external audio device171
Audio device, external114
Automatic
– air distribution106
– air volume106
– garage door opener111
– headlamp control101
– service notification188
– steering wheel adjustment,
refer to Easy entry/exit52
– storing stations157
– tailgate operation36
Automatically switching
between high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant103
Automatic car washes126
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Automatic climate control105
– automatic air
distribution106
– switching off108Automatic closing of doors,
refer to Automatic soft
closing33
Automatic curb monitor52
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp
control101
– refer to Daytime running
lamps102
– refer to High-beam
assistant103
– refer to Interior lamps104
– refer to Pathway lighting101
Automatic low-beam function,
refer to High-beam
assistant103
"Automatic programs"106
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC108
Automatic roll-up cover,
Sports Wagon117
Automatic soft closing33
Automatic station search157
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– deactivating selector lever
interlock64
– interlock63
– kick-down64
– selector lever interlock63
– shiftlock63
– sport program64
– tow-starting222,223
– with comfort access40
"Automatic ventilation"109
AUTO program for automatic
climate control106
"Autostore" on the
radio156,158
AUX-In
– connection114
– refer to External audio
device171
Average fuel consumption75
– setting the units84
Average speed, refer to
Computer75
"Avoid ferries" for navigation
system143"Avoid highways" for
navigation system143
Avoiding freeways for
navigation142
Avoiding unintentional
alarms38
"Avoid tollroads" for
navigation system143
Axle loads, refer to
Weights229
"A - Z"180
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support46
Backrests, refer to Seats46
Backrest width adjustment46
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
Backup lamps, refer to
Reverse gear61
– replacing bulbs213
"Balance", refer to Tone
control154
Balance, refer to Tone
control154
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
kit220
Bass, refer to Tone
control153
"Bass", tone control154
Battery, refer to Vehicle
battery217
– jump starting220
Battery disposal
– remote control with comfort
access40
– vehicle battery218
Battery replacement, remote
control with comfort
access40
Being towed222
Belts, refer to Safety belts49
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders114
Blower, refer to Air
volume107
"BMW Assist"189

Reference 243
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Gear changes
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission62
Gear display
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission61
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission60
Gearshift lever positions,
manual transmission60
General driving notes124
Glass sunroof, electric41
– auto-remote operation from
outside32
– comfort operation with
comfort access39
– moving manually42
– remote control31
Glove compartment113
– lighting113
– rechargeable flashlight113
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system132
Grills, refer to Ventilation108
Grills of the automatic climate
control105
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights229
H
Halogen lamps212
Handbrake60
– indicator lamp13,60
Hand lamp, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight113
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone14
Hazard warning flashers15
HD, refer to High Definition
Radio160
"HDC"88
HDC Hill Descent Control88
"HDC on"88
"HDC on / off"53Head airbags94
Headlamp control,
automatic101
Headlamp flasher64
Headlamps101
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system66
– replacing bulbs212
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light102
Head restraints48
– front head restraints,
active49
– sitting safely45
"Head-Up Display"97
Head-Up Display96
Heated
– mirrors51
– rear window107
– seats50
– steering wheel52
Heating105
– exterior mirrors51
– interior105
– rear window107
– residual heat108
– seats50
– steering wheel52
Heating with engine switched
off, refer to Residual
heat108
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing
cargo128
Height, refer to
Dimensions227
Height adjustment
– seats46
– steering wheel52
High-beam assistant103
High beams102
– headlamp flasher102
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs212
High Definition Radio160
High water, refer to Driving
through water125
Hill Descent Control HDC88Hills126
Holder for cups114
"Home address" for
navigation system142
Homepage4
Hood204
Horn10
Hot exhaust system124
"Hour memo"83
"House number" for desti-
nation entry136
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC Dynamic Brake
Control86
Hydroplaning125
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio160
Ice, refer to Outside temper-
ature warning74
ID3 tag, refer to Information on
track167
iDrive16
– assistance window20
– automatic climate control
with expanded scope106
– changing date and time82
– changing language84
– changing menu page19
– changing settings82
– changing units of measure
and display type84
– confirming selection or
entry19
– controller16
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– selecting menu item19
– setting brightness83
– start menu17
– status information20
– symbols18
Ignition58
– switched off58
– switched on58
Ignition key, refer to Keys/
remote control28