
Mobility
 207Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid raising the filler 
nozzle during refueling, otherwise this leads to
>premature pump shutoff
>a reduced efficiency of the fuel-vapor 
recovery system.
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks 
off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 18.5 gallons/70 liters, including the 
reserve capacity of approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters.
550i: approx. 2.6 gallons/10 liters reserve 
capacity.
Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur.<
Fuel filler cap
Closing
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you clearly 
hear a click.
Do not jam the strap attached to the fuel 
filler cap between the fuel filler cap and 
the vehicle. A message
* is displayed if the cap 
is loose or missing.<
Fuel specifications
Do not use leaded gasoline, otherwise 
permanent damage to the catalytic con-
verter will result.
Do not use E85, i.e. fuel that consists of 85% 
ethanol, or Flex Fuel. Otherwise permanent 
damage to the engine and the fuel supply sys-
tem will result.<
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less 
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds 
when starting at high outside temperatures. 
This has no affect on the engine life.
Do not use gasoline below the specified 
minimum quality, otherwise engine dam-
age can result.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, 
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale 
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other 
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight, 
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an 
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void 
the applicable warranties with respect to 
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in 
drivability, starting and stalling problems 
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and 
high altitude.
Should you encounter drivability problems 
which you suspect could be related to the fuel 
you are using, we recommend that you respond 
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand 
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier 
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations 
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.< 

Everything from A to Z
248
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 
System87
– indicator/warning lamp90
ACC, refer to Active cruise 
control69
Acceleration assistant for 
SMG Sequential Manual 
Transmission64
Accepted calls188
Accessories6
Accident, refer to Emergency 
call231
Acoustic signal, refer to Check 
Control80
Activated-charcoal filter for 
automatic climate 
control111
"Activation time" for parked 
car ventilation111
Active cruise control69
– indicator lamp72
– radar sensor72
– selecting distance71
– warning lamps72
Active head restraints, 
front49
Active seat51
Active seat ventilation51
Active steering95
– warning lamp96
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to 
Brake force display96
Adaptive Head Light104"Add digits" for mobile 
phone189
Additives
– coolant219
– engine oil, refer to Approved 
engine oils218
"Address book" for 
navigation142
Address for navigation
– deleting144
– entering135,138
– selecting143
– storing142
– storing current position143
"Add to address book"142
"Add to destination 
list"138,140
Adjusting active backrest 
width47
Adjusting interior 
temperature108
Adjusting the tone during 
audio operation, refer to 
Tone control161
Adjusting thigh support46
Adjustment in audio mode
– front/rear balance162
– right/left balance162
"After door opened"48
"After unlocking"48
Airbags96
– indicator/warning lamp98
– indicator lamp for front 
passenger airbags97
– sitting safely45
Air distribution
– automatic108
– manual109
Airing, refer to Ventilation110
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic 
recirculated-air control110
– recirculated-air mode110Air recirculation, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode110
"Air recirculation on / off"54
Air supply, automatic climate 
control107
Air volume109
AKI, refer to Fuel quality207
Alarm system37
– avoiding unintentional 
alarms38
– interior motion sensor38
– switching off alarm38
– switching off tilt alarm 
sensor and interior motion 
sensor38
– tilt alarm sensor38
"All channels"170
"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires214
"All stations" calling up with 
radio164,167
All-wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive89
Alterations, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Altering stretch of road151
Alternate route, refer to 
Bypassing traffic 
congestion154
"AM", reception 
range161,164
Antenna, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Antenna for mobile phone182
Antifreeze
– coolant219
– washer fluid67
Antilock Brake System 
ABS87
– indicator/warning lamp90
Anti-theft alarm system, refer 
to Alarm system37 

Everything from A to Z
254 Driving stability control 
systems87
Driving through water127
Driving tips, refer to General 
driving notes126
Dry air, refer to Cooling 
function109
Drying the air, refer to Cooling 
function109
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control88
– indicator lamp13,88
– malfunction90
DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control88
– activating88
– indicator lamp13,88
DVD for navigation134
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC87
Dynamic Drive90
Dynamic Driving Control63
"Dynamic route" for 
navigation145
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC88
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC88
E
Easy entry/exit53
– backrest width47
Eject button, refer to Buttons 
on CD player160
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door206
– glass sunroof, electric43
– luggage compartment lid34
– panorama glass sunroof44
– tailgate36
Electric steering wheel 
adjustment53
Electronic brake-force 
distribution87
Electronic oil level check217
Emergency call231Emergency operation, refer to 
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door206
– luggage compartment lid34
– selector lever interlock, 
automatic transmission65
– tailgate36
Emergency operation, refer to 
Moving manually
– glass sunroof43
– panorama glass roof44
Emergency release for 
luggage compartment lid in 
cargo bay35
Emergency services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance232
"Enable services"202
"End call"188
Energy-conscious driving, 
refer to Energy Control76
Energy Control76
Engine
– breaking-in126
– data238
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature75
– speed238
– starting60
– starting, with comfort 
access38
– starting difficulties60
– switching off61
Engine compartment217
Engine coolant219
Engine oil
– adding218
– additives, refer to Approved 
engine oils218
– approved engine oil218
– checking oil level
217
– electronic oil level check217
– interval between changes, 
refer to Service 
requirements78
– oil change218
– oil grades, refer to Approved 
engine oils218"Engine oil level"218
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data238
Engine overheating, refer to 
Coolant temperature75
Engine speed, refer to Engine 
data238
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting engine60
"Enter address"136,142
Entering destination via town/
city name136
Entering intersection, 
navigation137
Entering the 
address135,138
Entering town/city for 
navigation136
Entering zip code for 
navigation137
"Entertainment"160
Entertainment sound output 
on/off161
Entry map for destination140
Environmentally friendly 
driving, refer to Energy 
Control76
"Equalizer", refer to Tone 
control163
Equalizer, refer to Tone 
control163
"ESN"170
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control88
Event Data Recorders221
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system126
Exterior mirrors52
– adjusting52
– automatic dimming 
feature53
– automatic heating52
– folding in and out52
– tilting down passenger-side 
exterior mirror52