2006 BMW 550I SEDAN dimensions

Wheels and tires
202
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend that you use
retreaded tires, as driving safety may be
impaired. The causes for this include the possi-
bly different tire casing structures and the often
wide variations in their age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC or xDrive.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. Following
tire damage, have the original wheel and tire
combination remounted on the vehicle as soon
as possible.
Wheels with electronics for
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or converting from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics, as otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor cannot detect a flat tire,
refer to page91. Your BMW center will be
happy to advise you on this subject.
Recommended tire brands
Certain tire makes are recommended by BMW
depending on the tire size. You can recognize
these from the clearly visible BMW marking on
the tire sidewall.
When used properly, these tires comply with
the most demanding standards for safety and
vehicle response.
Run-flat tires
When mounting new tires, or changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, use run-flat
tires for your own safety. In addition, no spare
tire is available in case of a flat tire. Your BMW
center will be glad to advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
that you do not have damaged run-flat
tires repaired; they should be replaced.<
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always observe the maximum permissi-
ble speed for the winter tires, otherwise
t i re d a m a g e m a y o c cu r , w h ic h c a n re s u l t i n a c c i-
dents.<
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,

Reference 227
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Dimensions
All dimensions are given in inches/mm.
Vehicle height with xDrive: 58.3 in/1,482 mm
Smallest turning circle diam.: 37.5 ft/11.4 m, with xDrive 39 ft/11.9 m

Technical data
228
All dimensions given in inches/mm. Smallest turning circle diam.: 39 ft/11.9 m

Everything from A to Z
240 Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– setting brightness83
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenience operation
– glass sunroof31
– windows31
Convenience start, refer to
Starting engine59
Coolant207
– checking level207
– temperature74
Cooling, maximum107
Cornering Brake Control
CBC86
Country of destination for
navigation134
Courtesy lamps104
Cover, roll-up cover,
Sports Wagon117
Cradle for telephone or mobile
phone113
Cruise control66,67
– active cruise control67
Cruising range75
Cup holders114
Curb weight, refer to
Weights229
Current fuel consumption75
"Current position"148
Current position
– displaying148
– entering140
– storing140
"Curve mode" with
BMW Night Vision100
"Customer
Relations"182,190
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data226
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Data226
– capacities230
– dimensions227
– engine226
– technical data226
– weights229
"Date"83
Date74
– display format83
– retrieval74
– setting83
"Date format"83
Daytime running lamps102
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control86
"Deactivated"48
Deactivating selector lever
interlock64
Decommissioning the vehicle,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Defect
– fuel filler door194
– glass sunroof42
– luggage compartment lid34
– tailgate36
Defrosting windows107
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation107
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows107
"Delete address book" for
navigation system142
"Delete all numbers" for
mobile phone181
"Delete data" for navigation
system142
"Delete" for mobile
phone181
Destination address
– deleting141
– entering133,136Destination for navigation
– destination list139
– entering via voice136
– entry133
– selecting from address
book141
– selecting using
information138
– storing140
Destination guidance144
– bypassing route
sections148
– canceling voice
instructions53
– changing specified
route142
– displaying routes
145
– distance and arrival144
– interrupting144
– starting144
– terminating/continuing144
– voice instructions147
– volume of voice
instructions147
Destination list for
navigation139
Destinations recently driven
to139
"Details" in audio mode167
"Dial" for mobile phone179
"Dial number"179
"Diamond button"53
Diamond button53
Digital clock74
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio160
Dimensions227
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals64
Direction announcements,
refer to Voice
instructions147
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions147
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book140
Displacement, refer to Engine
data226

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

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

Everything from A to Z
252 Tire replacement, new wheels
and tires201
Tires
– age200
– air loss90,92
– breaking-in124
– changing201
– condition201
– damage201
– flat tire, refer to Changing
wheels215
– inflation pressure196
– new wheels and tires201
– pressure monitoring89
– pressure monitoring, refer to
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor91
– replacing215
– retreaded tires202
– run-flat tires201
– size199
– tread201
– wear indicators201
– wheel/tire combination201
– winter tires202
"Tone"153
Tone dialing method182
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting153
– middle setting155
Tone on locking/unlocking31
Tools, refer to Onboard
toolkit211
"Top 8" for mobile phone180
Torque
– engine226
– lug bolts, refer to After
mounting217
Touch tone dialing, refer to
Tone dialing method182
Tow fitting221
Towing221
– tow fitting221
"Town / City" for destination
entry134
Tow-starting221,223
"TPM"92TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor91
– resetting system92
– system limits91
– warning light92
Tracks
– random play sequence168
– sample scan167
Track width, refer to
Dimensions227
Traction-assist feature, refer
to DSC Dynamic Stability
Control86
Traction control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control86
Traffic congestion, refer to
Bypassing route
sections148
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– deactivating selector lever
interlock on automatic
transmission with
Steptronic64
– manual transmission60
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission61
– starting assistant125
Transporting children
safely54
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing cargo128
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread201
Treble, refer to Tone
control153
"Treble", tone control154
"Trip computer"77
Trip computer76
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer74
"Triple turn signal
activation"65
Trip odometer74
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions227Turn signals64
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs213
U
Underbody protection, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR200
"Units"84
Units
– average fuel
consumption84
– temperature84
Universal garage-door
opener, refer to Integrated
universal remote
control111
Universal remote control111
"Unlock button"30
Unlocking
– from inside33
– from outside30
– without key, refer to Comfort
access38
Unlocking without key, refer to
Comfort access38
"Update services"190
"Use current location as
address"140,142
Used batteries
– refer to Disposal218
– refer to Replacing battery40

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
V
Valve screw caps, refer to
After mounting217
Vehicle
– battery217
– breaking-in124
– care210
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– dimensions227
– loading126
– parking60
– washing, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– weights229
Vehicle jack215
– jacking points216
Vehicle position, refer to
Displaying current
position148
"Vehicle settings" for
unlocking30
Ventilation108
– draft-free108
– in the rear109
– while stationary109
Venting, refer to
Ventilation108
Vent outlets of the automatic
climate control105
Vents, refer to Ventilation108
"Vent settings"107
Voice, refer to Destination
guidance with voice
instructions147
Voice command system22
– short commands231
Voice instructions for
navigation system147
– muting53
– repeating53,147
– switching on/off53,147
– volume147
Voice phone book184Volume152
– audio sources152
– mobile phone178
– setting speed-
dependent154
– voice instructions147
W
Warning lamps, refer to
Indicator and warning
lamps13
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control79
Warning triangle219
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models209
Washer fluid66
– capacity of the reservoir66
Washer fluid reservoir66
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water125
Waveband for radio156
"WB"152,160
Wear indicators in tires, refer
to Minimum tread depth201
Weather news flashes159
Website4
Weights229
Wheel/tire combination, refer
to New wheels and tires201
Wheel/tire damage201
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions227
Wheels and tires196
Width, refer to
Dimensions227
Windows40
– auto-remote operation from
outside32
– comfort operation with
comfort access39
– convenience operation31
– rear window, Sports
Wagon34
– safety switch41Windshield
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system66
– defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows107
– displays, refer to Head-Up
Display96
Windshield washer system
– refer to Wiper system65
– windshield washer
nozzles66
Windshield wipers, refer to
Washer system65
– wiper blade
replacement211
Winter tires202
– setting speed limit81
– storage202
Wiper blade replacement211
Wiper system65
– rain sensor65
– washer fluid66
– windshield washer
nozzles66
"With highways" for
navigation system143
Word matching principle for
navigation143
Working in the engine
compartment204
Wrenches/screwdrivers, refer
to Onboard toolkit211
X
xDrive87
Xenon lamps213
– replacing bulbs213
Z
"Zoom" with BMW Night
Vision100