2006 BMW 550I SEDAN brake sensor

Driving
70 Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and driving rec-
ommendations for a safe following distance.<
Deactivate system
Press the lever up or down. The displays in the
instrument cluster disappear.
You also deactivate the system when you
brake, shift very slowly or into neutral, or
engage the selector lever position N. In addi-
tion, the system is deactivated automatically:
>When you activate DTC Dynamic Traction
Control
>When you deactivate DSC Dynamic Stabil-
ity Control
>When the system does not recognize any
objects for a longer time, e. g. on infre-
quently traveled roads without a shoulder or
guard rails, or if the radar sensor is covered
with dirt, refer to page71
>When the speed is reduced to below
20 mph/30 km/h due to a traffic situation
The system deactivates automatically
when the speed is set to below 20 mph/
30 km/h. A signal sounds and a message
appears on the Control Display. The active intervention of the driver is required, otherwise
accidents can occur.<
Resume stored desired speed and
distance
Press button 4.
The displays appear in the instrument cluster.
When you switch off the ignition, the stored
desired speed is deleted.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2Lights up yellow: vehicle driving ahead is
detected
Flashes red, a signal sounds: the system
cannot establish the distance, apply the
brakes yourself
Flashes yellow: driving stability control sys-
tems intervene, the active cruise control is
deactivated
3Selected distance to vehicle driving ahead:
lights up as soon as the system is activated
4Selected desired speed appears briefly
If the display ACC --- mph/km/h briefly
appears in the instrument cluster, it might
be that conditions necessary for operation are
not currently being met. To call up Check Con-
trol messages, refer to page79.< Distance 3
This distance is set when the sys-
tem is used for the first time after
starting the engine.
Distance 4

Controls
71Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Warning lamps
The display2 flashes red and a sig-
nal sounds.
The system requests that you
intervene by braking or with an
evasive maneuver. The active
cruise control cannot automatically restore the
distance to the vehicle driving ahead.
However, this display cannot relieve the driver
of the responsibility for adjusting the desired
speed and driving style to the traffic conditions.
The display2 flashes yellow.
Automatic intervention by ABS or
DSC. The active cruise control
intervenes by braking until you
take over actively.
Radar sensor
Heavy rain, dirt, snow or ice can restrict the
detection of vehicles driving ahead. If neces-
sary, clean the front radar sensor under the
bumper. Exercise particular care when remov-
ing snow and ice.
If the sensor is not aligned properly, the active
cruise control cannot be activated.
Things to know about active cruise control
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise
controlling the vehicle. The driver should
decide when to use the system on the basis of
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions.
Active cruise control is intended for use on
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow,
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths.
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's speed and distance setting within applicable
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when
the system is actively following a vehicle in front
of you.<
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system does have physical limi-
tations. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead
of you, as for example, at a traffic light or a
parked vehicle. Also, the system does not react
to oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other types
of potential traffic such as a rider on horseback.
It is also possible that the system may not
detect smaller moving objects such as motor-
cycles or bicycles. Be especially alert when
encountering any of these situations as the

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
86 iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "PDC" is selected and press
the controller.
5.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
The PDC screen is activated.
The display appears on the Control Display as
soon as PDC is activated.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can
no longer be detected. This applies especially
in those cases where the system approaches
the physical constraints of ultrasonic measure-
ment, as occurs with tow bars and trailer cou-
plings, and in the vicinity of thin or wedge-
shaped objects. Low objects already displayed,
e.g. a curb, can disappear from the detection
area of the sensors again before a continuous
tone sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g.
ledges, cannot be detected. Loud sources of
sound, inside and outside the vehicle, could
drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array
of systems designed to enhance and maintain
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Braking safely refer to page125.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking
during a lane change, driving stability and steer-
ing response are improved further.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels
when starting off and accelerating. DSC also
identifies unstable driving conditions, such as a
loss of traction at the rear of the vehicle or slid-
ing of the vehicle in its front wheels. In these
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe
course within physical limits by reducing engine
output and through braking actions in the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style always remains the responsibility of the

Mobility
209Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Maintenance
BMW maintenance system
The BMW maintenance system supports the
preservation of the traffic and operating safety
of your BMW. The service schedule also
includes operations related to the vehicle's
comfort and convenience features, such as
replacement of the filters for the inside air.
The ultimate objective is to ensure economical
maintenance by providing the ideal service for
your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell
your BMW, a complete dealer service history
will prove to be an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into
account. Condition Based Service uses this to
determine the current and future service
requirements. By letting you define a service
and maintenance regimen that reflects your
own individual requirements, the system builds
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Control Display to show
remaining distances and times of selected
maintenance intervals and legally mandated
deadlines, refer to page77:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads, front and rear separately
>Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
>Brake fluid
>Spark plugs>Vehicle check
>Legally mandated inspections depending
on local regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required
maintenance continuously in the remote con-
trol during driving. After accessing the data
stored in the remote control, your BMW Service
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. You should therefore hand over the remote
control you last used to drive to the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor when you take your vehicle in for
service.
Make sure the date is always set cor-
rectly, refer to page83, as otherwise the
effectiveness of CBS Condition Based Service
is not ensured.<
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service
and repair operations performed at your
BMW center.
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<

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

Everything from A to Z
244 Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness58
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on58
Ignition lock58
– starting engine with comfort
access40
Independent ventilation, refer
to Parked car ventilation109
Indicator/warning lamps
– active steering94
– airbags96
– brake fluid207
– brake pads208
– DSC13,87
– DTC13,87
– Flat Tire Monitor90
– fog lamps13
– safety belt warning49
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor92
Indicator and warning
lamps13
Individual air distribution107
Individually programmable
buttons on steering
wheel53
Individual settings, refer to
Personal Profile29
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure196
Inflation pressure monitoring
– refer to Flat Tire Monitor89
– refer to TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor91
Information
– on another location138
– on current position138
– on destination location138
"Information" for navigation
system138
"Information on
destination"140
"Initializing..."90Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor90
– radio, refer to Storing
stations158
– refer to Power failure218
– refer to Setting time and
date82
– seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory47
"Input map"138
Installation location
– CD changer169
– mobile phone113
– navigation drive132
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions147
Instrument cluster12
Instrument illumination, refer
to Instrument lighting104
Instrument lighting104
Instrument panel
– refer to Cockpit10
– refer to Instrument
cluster12
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote
control111
Interesting destination for
navigation138
"Interim time"82
Interior lamps104
– switching on with remote
control31
Interior motion sensor38
– switching off38
Interior rearview mirror52
– automatic dimming
feature125
Interlock on automatic
transmission63
Intermittent mode of the
wipers65
J
Jacking points216
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting220
Jump starting220
K
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort
access38
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Comfort access38
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile29
"Keypad"182
Keys28
– key-related settings, refer to
Personal Profile29
Kick-down
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic64
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission62
Knock control195
L
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams101
Lamps and bulbs212
"Languages"84
– for navigation system147
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo128
Last destinations, refer to
Destination list139
"Last seat pos."48
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system56
Length, refer to
Dimensions227
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs215
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs212

Reference 251
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Starting off on slopes, refer to
Starting assistant125
Start menu, iDrive17
"Start route guidance"138
"Start service"189
"State / Province" for desti-
nation entry134
"State inspection"78
Station, refer to Radio156
"Stations", presets163
"Status"78
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steering wheel
– adjustment52
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– easy entry/exit52
– heating52
– lock58
– locking58
– memory47
– programmable buttons53
"Steering wheel buttons"53
Steering-wheel shift buttons,
refer to Shift paddles62
Steering with variable ratio,
refer to Active steering93
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic63
"Stop" for stopwatch82
"Stopwatch"82
Stopwatch81
Storage area package119
Storage compartments114
"Store in address book" for
navigation system140
"Store" on the radio158,163
Storing current position140
Storing radio stations158
Storing sitting position, refer
to Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory47
Storing tires202
Straps, refer to Loading128
"Street" for destination
entry135Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires196
Sun blinds112
"Surround Settings", refer to
Tone control154
SW, waveband156
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching between high
beams and low beams,
automatic, refer to High-
beam assistant103
Switching cooling function on
and off107
Switching off engine60
Switching off tilt alarm
sensor38
Switching on
– audio152
– CD changer152
– CD player152
– radio152
Switching on hour signal83
Swiveling headlamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light102
Symbols4
– indicator/warning lamps13
T
Tachometer74
"Tailgate"36
Tailgate33,35
– automatic operation36
– locking and unlocking from
inside32
– opening from inside, Sports
Wagon35
Tail lamps213
– replacing bulbs213
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities230
Target cursor for
navigation138
Technical alterations, refer to
For your own safety5
Technical data226
Telematic, refer to
TeleService,
BMW Assist187Telephone, refer to Mobile
phone174
"Telephone list"53
TeleService187
– enabling187
– services offered188
Temperature
– adjusting in upper body
region106
– adjusting with automatic
climate control106
– of coolant, refer to Coolant
temperature74
Temperature display
– outside temperature74
– setting units84
– temperature warning74
Temperature warning74
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control66
"Terminate services"190
"Text language"84
"Theater", refer to Tone
control154
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp214
Through-loading system116
Tightening torque of the lug
bolts, refer to After
mounting217
Tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror52
"Time"83
"Time format"83
Timer, refer to Preselecting
activation time109
"Timer 1" for parked car
ventilation110
"Timer 2" for parked car
ventilation110
Tire inflation pressures196
Tire pressure loss90,91
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor89
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM91
Tire Quality Grading200