2006 BMW 550I SEDAN Owner's Manual

At a glance
23Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
If no other commands are possible, then oper-
ate the equipment using iDrive.
Terminating or canceling voice
command system
Press the button on the steering wheel or in
the center console
or
Commands
Having possible commands read aloud
You can have the system read aloud the possi-
ble commands related to the selected menu
item on the Control Display.
To have the system list the possible com-
mands:
For example, if you have selected "CD", the
system will read aloud the possible commands
for operating the CD player and the CD
changer
*.
Opening help
Using alternative commands
There are often a number of commands to run a
function, e.g.:
Running functions directly with short
commands
With short commands you can carry out certain
functions directly, regardless of which menu
item is selected, refer to page231.
Opening start menuExample: selecting a track
1.Switch on Entertainment sound output if
necessary.
2.Press the button on the steering wheel
or in the center console.
5.Press the button on the steering wheel
or in the center console. {Cancel}
{Options}
{Help}
{Radio on} or {Turn radio on}
{Main menu}
3.{Entertainment}
The system says:
{{Entertainment}}
4.{CD}
The system says:
{{CD drive switched on}}
6.Select track, e.g.:
{Track 1}
The system says:
{{Track 1}}

Voice command system
24
Notes
The mobile phone can also be operated
with voice commands, refer to
page183.<
For voice commands, bear the following in
mind:
>Say the commands and numbers smoothly
and at normal volume, avoiding excessive
emphasis and pauses. This also applies to
spelling when entering the destination.
>Always issue commands in the language of
the voice command system.
>When selecting a radio station, use the
common pronunciation of the station name.
>For entries in the voice-activated phone
book, only use names in the language of the
voice command system and no abbrevia-
tions.
>Keep the doors, windows and glass sun-
roof
* or panorama glass sunroof* closed to
avoid interfering outside noise.
>Avoid making other noise in the vehicle
while speaking.

At a glance
25Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility

Controls
This chapter is intended to provide you with
information for complete control of your vehicle.
Its extensive array of features and accessories,
both for driving and for your own safety,
comfort and convenience, are described here.
Controls

Opening and closing
28
Opening and closing
Keys/remote control
1Remote control with integrated key
2Spare key
3Adapter for spare key, in glove compart-
ment
Remote control with integrated key
Each remote control contains a battery which is
automatically charged in the ignition lock while
driving. Drive a longer distance with each
remote control at least twice a year to keep the
battery charged. For comfort access
*, the
remote control contains a replaceable battery,
refer to page40.
Depending on which remote control is detected
by the vehicle during unlocking, different set-
tings are called up and carried out in the vehicle,
refer to Personal Profile, page29.
Information on the required maintenance is also
stored in the remote control, refer to Service
data in remote control, page209.
Integrated key
Press the button1 to unlock the key.
The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Glove compartment, refer to page113
>Sports Wagon: floor panel flap in cargo area,
refer to page118
>Driver's door, refer to page32
>Luggage compartment lid, refer to page33.
New remote controls
To obtain additional or replace lost keys, new
remote controls with an integrated key are
available at your BMW center.
Spare key
Store the spare key in a safe place such as your
wallet. This key is not intended for regular use.
The spare key and integrated key fit the same
locks.
Adapter for spare key
The adapter is required so that the vehicle can
be started with the spare key or radio readiness
can be switched on.

Controls
29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Remove the adapter from the holder in the
glove compartment and slide the spare key into
the adapter before use.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW
individually according to your preferences. Per-
sonal Profile ensures that most of these set-
tings are stored for the remote control currently
in use without you having to do anything. When
the vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding
remote control is detected and the settings
stored for it are called up and carried out.
This means that you will always find your BMW
set to your own personal settings even if
another person with his/her own remote control
and settings has used the vehicle since the last
time you drove it. The individual settings are
stored for a maximum of four remote controls.
Personal Profile settings
Details on the settings are provided on the
specified pages.
>When unlocking with the remote control,
either unlock only the driver's door or the
entire vehicle, refer to page30
>Locking the vehicle after a short time or
after starting off, refer to page32
>Assigning the programmable buttons
* on
the steering wheel, refer to page53>Settings for the display on the Control Dis-
play:
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer
to page83
>Measuring units for consumption, route/
distances, temperature, and pressure,
refer to page84
>Language on Control Display, refer to
page84
>12h/24h mode of the clock, refer to
page83
>Date format, refer to page83
>Showing optical warning for PDC Park Dis-
tance Control
*, refer to page85
>Selection and brightness of display in
Head-Up Display
*, refer to page97
>Display settings of BMW Night Vision
*,
refer to page99
>Air distribution, temperature in the upper
body area and intensity of the automatic air
conditioning system, refer to page106
>Setting voice instructions for destination
guidance in the navigation system
*, refer to
page147
In addition, the following, most recently
selected settings are recalled during unlocking:
>Positions of driver's seat, outside mirrors,
and steering wheel
*, refer to page47
>Audio sources, volume and tone settings,
refer to page153
>Radio, displaying stored stations, refer to
page156
>Telephone, setting volume, refer to
pages178,184
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system is ready for opera-
tion whenever the driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors

Opening and closing
30 >Luggage compartment lid or tailgate and
rear window
>Fuel filler door
Operating from outside
>via the remote control
>via the door lock
>with comfort access
* via the door handles
At the same time, the anti-theft system is also
operated. It prevents the doors from being
unlocked using the lock buttons or door han-
dles. The interior lamps and the courtesy
lamps
* are also switched on and off with the
remote control. The alarm system
is armed/
disarmed at the same time.
You can find more detailed information on the
alarm system
on page37.
Operating from inside
Via the button for central locking, refer to
page32. The fuel filler door is not locked.
In an accident of sufficient severity, the central
locking system automatically unlocks the vehi-
cle. In addition, the hazard warning flashers and
interior lamps come on.
Opening and closing: from
outside
Sports Wagon with xDrive: the vehicle is
raised somewhat at the rear after locking.
This is normal and is linked to minor noises.<
Using remote control
Because any persons or animals left unat-
tended in a parked vehicle could lock the
doors from the inside, you should always keep
the remote control with you; this precaution
ensures that you will remain able to unlock the
vehicle from the outside at all times.<
Unlocking
Press the button.
This unlocks the vehicle.You can set how the vehicle is unlocked. The
setting is stored for the remote control currently
in use.
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 "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "Door locks" and press the control-
ler.
5.Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
6.Select "Unlock button" and press the con-
troller.
7.Select a menu item:
>"All doors"
Press the button once to unlock the
entire vehicle.
>"Driver's door only"
Press the button once to unlock only
the driver's door and the fuel filler door.
Press the button twice to unlock the
entire vehicle.
8.Press the controller.