2008 BMW 550I SEDAN brake sensor

Controls
73Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The selected distance is displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance, given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and State driving
recommendations for safe following distance.
Otherwise, a violation of the law or risk of an
accident could result.<
Interrupting cruise control
Press the lever upward or downward, and with
the vehicle stopped also depress the brake
pedal. The marking in the speedometer
changes color and the distance indicator goes
out.
In addition, the system is automatically inter-
rupted:
>when you apply the vehicle brakes
>when you shift the transmission>when DTC is activated or DSC is deacti-
vated
>when DSC comes on
>when you apply the handbrake
>when you release the safety belt and open
the driver's door with the vehicle stopped
>when the system does not recognize any
objects for an extended period of time, e. g.
on infrequently traveled roads without a
shoulder or guard rails, or if the radar sensor
is covered with dirt, refer to page74
If the system is interrupted, then it is nec-
essary for the driver to actively intervene
by braking and steering. Otherwise, there is a
risk of an accident.<
Resuming stored desired speed and
distance
While driving
Press button4.
The displays appear in the instrument cluster.
While stopped
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine
running, engage position P of the auto-
matic transmission and apply the handbrake.
Otherwise the vehicle can roll.<
If a detected vehicle in front of you brakes to a
complete stop and your vehicle has also been
braked to a complete stop by the system:
>If the vehicle in front of you drives off while
the marking1 for the desired speed in the
speedometer is green, your vehicle will
accelerate without you having to do any-
thing.
>If the vehicle in front of you drives off while
the marking1 is orange, you briefly depress
the accelerator pedal or press button4.
Rolling bars in the distance indicator3
mean that the vehicle in front of you has
driven off.
If you are stopped behind a vehicle with the
brake pedal depressed and the system is inter-
rupted or deactivated: Distance 1, closest
Distance 2
Distance 3
Distance 4, furthest
This distance is always set when
you activate the system.

Driving
74 1.Press button4 to activate a stored desired
speed or select a desired speed with the
lever, arrow1 or arrow2.
2.Release the brake pedal.
3.If the vehicle in front of you drives off, briefly
depress the accelerator pedal or press
button4.
Deactivating system
>Press the lever upward or downward twice
while driving.
>When stopped, do the same with the brake
pedal depressed.
>Switch off the ignition.
The displays turn off, and the stored desired
speed and distance are deleted.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
>Green: the system is active.
>Orange: the system is interrupted.
2Lights up yellow: vehicle detected ahead
Display also used for warnings, please read
all information on warnings
3Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up as soon as the sys-
tem is activated
The bars roll: the vehicle in front of you has
driven off
4Brief display of stored desired speed
If the display --- mph/--- km/h appears
briefly, the conditions necessary for oper-
ation may currently not be met.<
Warning lamps
The indicator2 continuously
flashes yellow.
The prerequisites for operating the
system are no longer met, e.g. as a
result of ABS or DSC interven-
tions. The system brakes until you actively take
over.
The indicator2 flashes red; a sig-
nal sounds.
The system indicates that you
must brake and/or maneuver the
vehicle yourself. The system can-
not 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.
Radar sensors
1Long-range sensor
2Location of the short-range sensors behind
the bumper
3Location of the short-range sensors behind
the bumper with the M sports package
*
Heavy rain and also dirt, snow or ice can limit
the detection of vehicles ahead. If needed,
clean the radar sensor under the front bumper
as well as the bumper area covering the short
range sensors. When doing so, be particularly
careful in removing layers of snow and ice.
Do not apply adhesive labels etc. in the area of
the short-range sensors.
If the sensor is not aligned properly, e. g. due to
damage, the active cruise control cannot be
activated.

Controls
91Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is
selected and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller until "Vehicle / Tires" is
selected and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "PDC" is selected and press
the controller.
6.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. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those
encountered with tow bars and trailer cou-
plings, or thin and wedge-shaped objects etc. Low objects already displayed, e. g. curbs, can
also disappear from the detection area of the
sensors again before or after a continuous tone
already sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g.
ledges, cannot be detected. For this reason,
drive with care; otherwise, there is a danger of
personal injury or property damage.
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 page136.
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.
Brake assistant
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.

Mobility
235Reference
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 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 page81:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads, front and rear separately
>Brake fluid
>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 set correctly, refer
to page87, 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
264
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
System91
– indicator lamp94
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control70
Accepted calls202
Accessories6
Accident, refer to Emergency
request247
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control83
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control118
"Activation time" for parked-
car ventilation119
Active cruise control70
– indicator lamp74
– radar sensors74
– selecting distance72
– warning lamps74
Active front head restraints49
Active seat52
Active seat ventilation52
Active steering99
– warning lamp100
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake assistant92
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display100
Adaptive Head Light110
"Add digits" for mobile
phone202Additives
– coolant233
– engine oil, refer to Approved
engine oils233
"Address book" for navigation
system151
Address for navigation
– deleting153
– entering144,147
– selecting152
– storing151
– storing current position152
"Add to address book"151
"Add to destination
list"147,148
Adjusting active backrest
width47
Adjusting interior
temperature115
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control169
Adjusting thigh support46
"After door opened"48
"After unlocking"48
Airbags100
– indicator/warning lamp102
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags101
– sitting safely45
Air distribution
– automatic115
– manual116
Airing, refer to Ventilation118
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control117
– recirculated-air mode117
"Air recirculation on / off"55
Air supply, automatic climate
control114
Air volume116AKI, refer to Fuel quality219
Alarm system37
– avoiding unintentional
alarms38
– interior motion sensor38
– switching off alarm37
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor38
– tilt alarm sensor38
"All channels"180
"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires228
"All stations", calling up with
radio172,176
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive93
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Altering stretch of road160
"AM", reception
range169,172
Antenna, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Antenna for mobile phone194
Antifreeze
– coolant233
– washer fluid69
Antilock Brake System
ABS91
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system37
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights257
Approved engine oils233
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights257
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear127

Everything from A to Z
276
P
Panic mode31
Panorama glass sunroof43
– moving manually44
Park Distance Control PDC90
"Parked car operation"119
"Parked car ventilation"119
Parked car ventilation118
– activating activation
time119
– LED114
– preselecting activation
times119
– switching on and off
directly119
Parking, vehicle62
Parking aid, refer to PDC Park
Distance Control90
Parking assistant, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control90
Parking brake, refer to
Handbrake63
Parking lamps108
– replacing bulbs239
Partition net, Sports
Wagon129
Parts and accessories6
Passenger-side exterior
mirror, tilting down53
"Pathway lighting"109
Pathway lighting109
"PDC"91
"PDC display on"91
PDC Park Distance Control90
Personal Profile29
"Perspective"158
"Phone"196,198,201
Phone book200
– changing entry202
– creating and editing voice
phone book206
– deleting all entries203
– deleting entry203
– dialing phone number202Phone numbers
– deleting from phone
book203
– dialing201
– most recent numbers203
– selecting in phone book203
– Top 8203
Pinch protection system
– glass sunroof, electric42
– panorama glass sunroof43
– power windows41
Plasters, refer to First-aid
kit248
"Play" on the radio180
Plug-in unit for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock61
Pollen, refer to Microfilter/
activated charcoal filter118
Position
– refer to Displaying current
position163
– refer to Storing current
position152
Power failure245
Power windows, refer to
Windows40
Preselecting activation times
of the parked car
ventilation119
"Presets" on the
radio172,180
Pressure, tires220
Pressure monitoring of tires,
refer to TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor97
"Profile"215
Programmable buttons on
steering wheel54
Programmable memory
buttons21
Protective function, refer to
Pinch protection system
– glass sunroof, electric42
– panorama glass sunroof43
– windows41
R
Radio
– autostore174
– controls168
– High Definition Radio176
– sampling stations173
– satellite radio179
– selecting frequency
manually173
– selecting
waveband168,172
– station search173
– station selection172
– station with the best
reception174
– storing stations174
– switching on/off168
– tone control169
– volume169
– Weather Band, refer to
Weather news flashes176
Radio key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Radio readiness61
– switched off62
– switched on61
– with comfort access39
Radio stations, storing174
Rain sensor68
"Random", random play
sequence185
"Random all" in audio
mode186
"Random directory" in audio
mode186
"RDS"175
Reading lamps113
Rear armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear127
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps240
– replacing bulbs240
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints50
– folding over backrest127
– heating52
– removing head restraints50

Everything from A to Z
280 "Start Service" for
BMW Assist212
"State / Province" for
destination entry145
"State inspection"82
Station, refer to Radio172
"Status"82
Status information on Control
Display20
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steering wheel
– adjustment54
– automatic adjustment, refer
to Steering wheel
memory47
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– easy entry/exit54
– heating54
– lock, refer to Ignition lock61
– memory47
– programmable buttons54
– shift paddles66
Steering-wheel shift buttons,
refer to Shift paddles66
Steering with variable ratio,
refer to Active steering99
Steptronic
– refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic63
– refer to Sport automatic
transmission66
– refer to Sport program and
manual mode64
"Stop" for stopwatch86
"Stopwatch"86
Stopwatch86
Storage area package, Sports
Wagon130
Storage compartments124
"Store in address book" for
navigation system152
"Store" on the radio175,181
Storing current position152
Storing radio stations174Storing sitting position, refer
to Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory47
Storing tires229
"Street" for destination
entry146
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires220
Sun blinds122
"Surround Settings", refer to
Tone control170,171
SW, waveband172
Swinging up floor panel,
Sports Wagon
129
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching automatically
between high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant110
Switching off engine62
Switching on
– audio168
– CD changer168
– CD player168
– radio168
Switching on hour signal87
Swiveling headlamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light110
Symbols4
– indicator/warning lamps13
– navigation system162
– status information20
– traffic information with
navigation system160
T
Tachometer78
"Tailgate"36
Tailgate33
– automatic operation36
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually35
– locking and unlocking from
inside32
– opening from inside35
Tail lamps240
– replacing bulbs240Tank contents, refer to
Capacities258
Target cursor for
navigation149
Technical alterations, refer to
For your own safety5
Technical data254
– capacities258
– dimensions255
Telematics, refer to
BMW Assist209
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest123
– refer to Mobile phone194
"Telephone list"55
TeleService211
Temperature
– adjusting in upper body
region115
– adjusting with automatic
climate control115
– changing units of
measure88
– refer to Coolant
temperature78
Temperature display
– changing units of
measure88
– outside temperature78
– outside temperature
warning78
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control69
"Terminate services"214
"Text language"88
"Theater", refer to Tone
control171
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp241
Through-loading system127
Tightening torque of the lug
bolts, refer to After
mounting244
Tilt alarm sensor38
– switching off38