2006 BMW 550I SEDAN wipers

At a glance
11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
6Buttons on steering wheel
7Instrument cluster12
10Ignition lock5811Horn: entire surface
14Releasing hood204
15Opening luggage compartment lid/
tailgate35,33 Mobile phone
*174:
>Press: accepting and ending
call, starting dialing
* for
selected phone number and
redialing if no phone number is
selected
>Press longer: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice
command system
* 22
Changing radio station
Selecting music track
Scrolling in phone book and in lists
with stored phone numbers
Individually programmable
*53
Individually programmable53
8
Windshield wipers65
Rain sensor65
Sports Wagon: rear window
wiper66
9Starting/stopping engine and
switching ignition on/off 58
12
Steering wheel heater*52
Steering wheel adjustment52
13
Cruise control
*66
Active cruise control
*67
16
Head-Up Display
*96
BMW Night Vision
*98
17
Parking lamps101
Low beams101
Automatic headlamp control
*101
Adaptive Head Light
*102
High-beam assistant
*103
18
Instrument lighting104
Fog lamps
*104

Controls
65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever to the resistance point; the turn
signal flashes three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
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.Select "Lighting" and press the controller.
5.Select "Triple turn signal activation" and
press the controller.
Triple turn signaling is activated.
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield, headlamps and
BMW Night Vision camera
*
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Switching on wipers
Pull the lever upward, arrow1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance
point.
The system reverts to normal speed when the
vehicle is stationary.
Rain sensor
The wiper operation is controlled automatically
as a function of the rain intensity. The rain sen-
sor is located on the windshield, directly in front
of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating rain sensor
Press the button, arrow3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Turn the knurled wheel5.
Deactivating rain sensor
Press the button again, arrow3. The LED goes
out.
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing
through an automatic car wash. Failure to
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper activation.<

Driving
66
Cleaning windshield, headlamps* and
BMW Night Vision camera*
Pull the lever, arrow4.
The system sprays washer fluid against the
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief
period.
With the vehicle lighting switched on, the head-
lamps and the BMW Night Vision camera are
also cleaned simultaneously at suitable inter-
vals.
Do not use the washers if there is any
danger that the fluid will freeze on the
windshield. If you do so, your vision could be
obscured. To avoid freezing, use a washer fluid
antifreeze, refer to Washer fluid. Do not use
washing mechanisms when the washer fluid
reservoir is empty, otherwise you will damage
the washer pump.<
Windshield washer nozzles
Both windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated with the engine running or the igni-
tion switched on.
Sports Wagon:
Rear window wiper
1Intermittent mode. When reverse gear is
engaged, continuous operation is switched
on automatically
2Cleaning the rear window
Do not use washing mechanisms when
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, other-
wise you will damage the washer pump.<
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable.
Always keep it well away from sparks and
open flames, and store it in tightly closed con-
tainers well out of the reach of children. Always
observe the instructions for use provided on the
containers.<
Washer fluid reservoir
All washer jets are supplied from one reservoir.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix
the washer fluid before filling.<
Capacity
Sedan:
approx. 3.2 US quarts/3 liters, with headlamp
washer system
* approx. 5.3USquarts/5liters.
Sports Wagon: approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
The cruise control is available for use at speeds
of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h and higher. The
vehicle stores and maintains the speed that you
set using the lever mounted on the steering col-
umn.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g. when driving on winding
roads , in heavy traffic or in poor roa d co nditions
such as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface.

Giving and receiving assistance
222 Sedan:
It is located in the toolkit in the luggage com-
partment lid, refer to page211.
Sports Wagon:
It is located in the toolkit behind the left side
panel in the cargo area, refer to page211.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing only on roads. Avoid lateral
loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehi-
cle by the tow fitting. Otherwise damage to the
tow fitting and the vehicle can occur.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper: press on
the arrow symbol on the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page58, otherwise the low
beams, tail lamps, turn signals and windshield
wipers would not be available. If the vehicle
electrical system fails, do not tow-start or tow
the vehicle. The electric steering-wheel lock
cannot be unlocked and the vehicle cannot be
steered. For information on jump starting, refer to page220. There is no power assistance with
the engine stopped. This then requires
increased effort for braking and steering. Active
steering is deactivated and larger steering
wheel movements are required.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever position, refer to
Deactivating selector lever interlock page64.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph/
70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km, otherwise the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
SMG Sequential Manual Transmission
Engage selector lever position N with the igni-
tion switched on.
Towing methods
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or body
and chassis parts, otherwise damage may
result.<
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes in public traffic is not permitted. Familiar-
ize yourself with the regulations on towing in the
respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle may not be lighter
than the vehicle to be towed, otherwise it
will not be possible to reliably control vehicle
response.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an offset
angle, please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.

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 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