2008 BMW 550I SEDAN ECU

528i
535i
550i
528xi
535xiOwner's Manual for Vehicle
Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with
enhanced control and security when you drive it. We therefore
have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize
yourself with the information that we have compiled for you
before starting off in your new vehicle. It contains important data
and instructions intended to assist you in gaining maximum use
and satisfaction from your BMW's unique range of technical fea-
tures. The manual also contains information on maintenance
designed to enhance operating safety and contribute to main-
taining the value of your BMW throughout an extended service
life.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet for US models or a Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

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
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 con-
tains a replaceable battery, refer to page40.
Depending on which remote control is detected
by the vehicle during unlocking, different set-
tings are activated and executed in the vehicle,
refer to Personal Profile, page29.
Information on the required for maintenance is
also stored in the remote control, refer to Ser-
vice data in remote control, page235.
Integrated key
Press button1 to unlock the key.The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Glove compartment, refer to page123
>Sports Wagon: floor panel flap in cargo bay,
refer to page129
>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.
Remove the adapter from the holder in the
glove compartment and slide the spare key into
the adapter before use.

Controls
43Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Sports Wagon:
Panorama glass sunroof
The panorama glass sunroof is ready for opera-
tion with the ignition switched on, refer to
page61.
To prevent injuries, exercise care when
closing the panorama glass sunroof and
keep it in your field of vision until it is closed.
Always take along the remote control when you
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for
example, operate the roof and injure them-
selves.<
Raising
Press the switch.
The closed sunroof is raised and the sliding
visor opens slightly.
Do not use force to close the sliding visor
with the glass sunroof in its raised posi-
tion, otherwise the mechanism will be dam-
aged.<
Opening, closing
Sliding visor
You can move the sliding visor independently
with the sunroof closed or raised.
>Slide the switch back to the resistance
point.
The sliding visor opens as long as you keep
the switch in this position.
>Briefly press the switch back beyond the
resistance point.
The sliding visor will open automatically.
Briefly pressing the switch stops the
motion.You can close the sliding visor in a similar man-
ner by sliding the switch forwards.
Panorama glass sunroof
With the sliding visor open, proceed as
described under Sliding visor.
For information on using the convenient opera-
tion at the door lock or with the remote control,
refer to page30 or32.
For information on comfort closing with comfort
access, refer to page39.
Opening and closing sunroof and
sliding visor together
Briefly press the switch beyond the resistance
point twice consecutively.
Briefly pressing the switch stops the motion.
Comfort modes
>Press the switch twice with the sunroof
open:
The sunroof is raised.
>When the sunroof is raised, briefly press the
switch twice in the opening direction:
The sunroof is opened all the way.
Comfort position
The sunroof is not completely open in the com-
fort position. This reduces the wind noises in
the interior.
Each time the panorama glass sunroof is com-
pletely opened or closed, it stops in the comfort
position. If desired, continue the motion follow-
ing this with the switch.
Pinch protection system
If the panorama glass sunroof or sliding visor
encounter resistance when closing from
roughly one third of the sunroof opening or
when closing from the raised position, the clos-
ing action is interrupted and the panorama
glass sunroof and sliding visor reopen a little.
Despite the pinch protection system,
inspect the sunroof's travel path prior to
closing it, as the safety system might fail to
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as

Transporting children safely
56
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children is on the rear seat.
Children younger than 13 years of age or
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and
height of the child. Otherwise there is an
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint
system can no longer be used due to their age,
size and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it ever be necessary to use a child
restraint system on the front passenger
seat, the front and side airbags on the passen-
ger side must first be deactivated. Otherwise,
there is an increased risk of injury for the child if
the airbags are triggered, even with a child
restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags, refer to
page101.
Installing child restraint
systems
Observe the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions for selection,
installation and use of the child restraint sys-
tems. Otherwise the degree of protection may
be reduced.<
Backrest width* on front passenger
seat
Open the backrest width setting of the
front passenger seat all the way. After
mounting the child's seat, deactivate the active
backrest width adjustment and do not call up
any memory position. Otherwise this limits the
stability of the child's seat on the front passen-
ger seat.<
1.After unlocking the vehicle, sit on the front
passenger seat and close the door to call up
the memory position.
2.Completely open the backrest width adjust-
ment, refer to page46.
3.Deactivate active backrest width adjust-
ment, refer to page47.
4.Install child's seat.
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the
front passenger can be locked against pulling
out to secure child restraint systems.

Controls
57Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and
pull taut against the child restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com-
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fixing system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
Follow the system manufacturer's
instructions on installation and use of
LATCH child restraint systems in order not to
impair their protective function.<
Before attaching the LATCH child's seat, pull
the belt away from the region of the child
restraint fixing system.
Make sure that the LATCH mounts have
properly clicked into place and that the
child restraint system is resting snugly against
the backrest. Otherwise, the protective action
may be impeded.<
Sedan: rear seats
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are
located at the positions indicated by arrows in
the gap between the seat and the backrest.
Sedan: rear seats with through-loading
system*
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are
located behind the indicated protective caps.
Remove the cover caps before mounting the
child's seat.
Sports Wagon: rear seats
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are
located behind the indicated protective caps
and are covered again after the child's seat is
removed.
Child restraint system with tether strap
Only use the tether-strap mounting
points to secure child restraint systems,
otherwise the mounting points could be dam-
aged.<

Transporting children safely
58
Sedan
There are three additional mounting points for
child restraint systems with a tether strap, refer
to arrows. Fold the corresponding mounting
point upward before using.
Sports Wagon
Three additional mounting points for child
restraint systems with a tether strap are pro-
vided under covers in the cargo bay floor, refer
to arrows. Remove the corresponding covers
before use.
Placement of tether strap
Make sure that the upper retaining strap
is not routed over sharp edges and does
not twist on its way to the upper mounting point;
otherwise, the belt may not properly secure the
child restraint system in the event of an acci-
dent.<
Outer rear seat, Sedan
Outer rear seats, Sports Wagon
1Direction of travel
2Head restraints
3Hook of upper retaining strap
4Mounting point
5Rear window shelf/luggage compartment
floor
6Backrest
7Upper retaining strap of child restraint sys-
tem

Driving
64
Engaging transmission position
>Do not leave the transmission position P
until the engine is running: interlock.
>With the vehicle stationary, depress the
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N;
otherwise the shift command will not be
executed: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping
after you select a driving position,
maintain pressure on the brake pedal until
you are ready to start.<
Engaging N, D, R
Briefly press the selector lever in the desired
direction, beyond a resistance point if neces-
sary. Press button1 simultaneously out of P or
into R.
The engaged transmission position is also dis-
played on the selector lever.
The selector lever immediately returns to the
center position when released.
Engaging P
Press buttonP.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
The rear wheels are locked.
P is engaged automatically as soon as
you switch off the engine unless N is
engaged and with comfort access the remote
control is inserted in the ignition lock, refer to
Before driving into a car wash, page62.<
N Neutral
Can, for example, be engaged in automatic car
washes. The vehicle can roll.
N remains engaged even after the engine
is switched off whenever you leave the
remote control in the ignition lock. This function
is useful, for example, in automatic car washes,
refer to page62<
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are available.
Kick-down
Kick-down enables you to achieve maximum
performance.
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the
increased resistance at full throttle.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Press selector lever toward the left from trans-
mission position D:
The sport program is activated, and DS is dis-
played in the instrument cluster; with the sport
automatic transmission
* also S1 to S6. This
position is recommended for a performance-
oriented driving style.

Controls
85Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indication of malfunction urgency
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the
stored Check Control messages are also dis-
played with the following symbols:
No malfunctions are present in the moni-
tored systems.
Malfunctions are present in the moni-
tored systems. Depending on the mal-
function, supplementary information is
shown on the Control Display.
The symbols also indicate the status of the ser-
vice requirements display, refer to page81.
Displays after completion of trip
Malfunction reports generated during the trip
are shown consecutively when you switch off
the ignition.
Before the display disappears, you can display
the messages once again. Press the CHECK
button for approx. 2 seconds. If several mes-
sages are present, you can continue to press
the CHECK button to view them in succession.
The display goes out
>automatically after a brief period
>when you press the CHECK button again
for approx. 2 seconds
Speed limit
You can enter a speed and a Check Control
message indicates when you have reached this
speed. This enables you, for example, to
receive warnings if you exceed a speed limit in
an urban area.
You are only warned of reaching this speed a
second time if your vehicle speed falls below it
again by at least 3 mph/5 km/h.
Displaying, setting or changing limit
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*:
Open "Car Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4.Select "Limit" and press the controller.
5.Select the speed value and press the con-
troller.
6.Turn the controller to set the limit. If
needed, hold it against a slight resistance
to enter a larger difference.
7.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The limit is automatically activated.
Applying your current speed as limit
Select "Select current speed" and press the
controller. The system adopts your current
speed as the limit.
Activating limit
Select "On" and press the controller.
Limit is automatically activated.