2008 BMW 550I SEDAN profile

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
29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW
individually according to your preferences.
Personal Profile ensures that most of these set-
tings are stored for the remote control currently
in use without you having to do anything. When
the vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding
remote control is detected and the settings
stored for it are called up and carried out.
This means that you will always find your BMW
set to your own personal settings even if
another person with his/her own remote control
and settings has used the vehicle since the last
time you drove it. The individual settings are
stored for a maximum of four remote controls.
Personal Profile settings
Details on the settings are provided on the
specified pages.
>Behavior of the central locking system
when unlocking vehicle, refer to page30
>Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to
page32
>Programming buttons
* on steering wheel,
refer to page54
>Displays on Control Display:
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer
to page88
>Measuring units for consumption, route/
distances, temperature, and pressure,
refer to page88
>12h/24h clock format, refer to page87
>Date format, refer to page87
>Language on Control Display, refer to
page88
>Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to
page67
>Welcome lamps, refer to page108
>Pathway lighting, refer to page109
>Daytime running lamps
*, refer to
page109>High-beam assistant
*, refer to page110
>PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page90
>Head-Up Display
*: selection and bright-
ness of display, refer to page102
>BMW Night Vision
*: display settings, refer
to page105
>Automatic climate control: AUTO program
and intensity, cooling function, and auto-
matic recirculated air control/recirculated
air mode, temperature, air distribution, tem-
perature in the upper body region, refer to
text starting on page115
>Navigation system
*: voice instructions for
destination guidance, refer to page142
In addition, the following, most recently
selected settings are recalled during unlocking:
>Programmable memory/direct selection
buttons: selecting stored functions, refer to
page21
>Positions of driver's seat, outside mirrors,
and steering wheel
*, refer to page47
>Audio sources: volume and tone settings,
refer to page169
>Radio:
>Display of stored stations, refer to
page172
>Switching RDS Radio Data System on/
off
*, refer to page175
>Phone: volume setting, refer to
pages200,206
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system is ready for opera-
tion whenever the driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid or tailgate and
rear window
>Fuel filler door

Controls
115Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
16Air grill for interior temperature sensor –
please keep clear and unobstructed
The current setting for air distribution is dis-
played on the Control Display.
A congenial climate
The AUTO program offers the optimum air dis-
tribution and air volume for virtually all condi-
tions, refer to AUTO program below. Now you
only need to select an interior temperature
pleasant to you.
The following sections contain more detailed
information on the available setting options.
Most settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use, also refer to Personal Profile
settings on page29.
AUTO program
The AUTO program handles the
adjustment of air volume and air
distribution to the windshield and
side windows, in the direction of
the upper body and in the footwell.
It also adapts your instructions for the tempera-
ture to outside influences throughout the year.
The cooling is switched on automatically with
the AUTO program. At the same time, a con-
densation sensor controls the program in such
a way that window condensation is prevented
as much as possible.
Intensity of AUTO program
You can adjust the intensity of the AUTO pro-
gram by repeatedly pressing the AUTO button.
The respective current setting is briefly dis-
played on the Control Display when the button
is pressed.
You can also adjust the intensity of the AUTO
program via iDrive.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".3.Select "Automatic programs" and press the
controller.
4.Select the desired intensity and press the
controller.
The marked intensity of the automatic
program is switched on.
Temperature
Set the desired temperature indi-
vidually on the driver's and front
passenger side.
The automatic climate control
adjusts this temperature as quickly as possible
at any time of year, if necessary with the maxi-
mum cooling or heating capacity, and then
keeps it constant.
When changing between different tem-
perature settings in rapid succession, the
automatic climate control does not have suffi-
cient time to adjust the set temperature.<
In the highest setting you activate the maximum
heating output, regardless of the outside tem-
perature.
Adjusting temperature in upper body
region
1.Press the button to display the current set-
ting on the Control Display.

215
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
4.Turn the controller until "BMW Service set-
tings" is selected and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Enabled services" is
selected and press the controller.
6.Select "Enable services" and press the con-
troller.
BMW Assist is enabled and the data
exchange with the BMW Assist Response
Center begins.
Activation takes a few minutes. The status is
displayed on the Control Display. If you open
another menu, the activation process continues
to run in the background.Displaying vehicle data
When BMW Assist is activated, the license
plate and the vehicle identification number of
your vehicle may be displayed.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "BMW Service settings" and press
the controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Profile" is selected and
press the controller.

Mobility
227Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. For the sake of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, refer
to arrow, are distributed over the tire's circum-
ference and are marked on the side of the tire
with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread
has been driven down to the wear indicators, a
tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been
reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazards and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong
tendency to pull to the left or right.In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the
nearest BMW center or tire shop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary,
have the vehicle towed there. Otherwise, tire
damage can be extremely dangerous to vehicle
occupants and other road users.<
Run-flat tires*
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of partially self-contained
tires and special rims. The sidewall reinforce-
ment ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of
a flat tire, page96
>With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure,
page98
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW center or tire shop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel. If this
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
hazards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<

Reference 273
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview13
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure220
Inflation pressure monitoring
– refer to Flat Tire Monitor95
– refer to TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor97
Info menu17
Information
– on another location149
– on current position149
– on destination location149
"Information" for navigation
system149
Information menu, refer to
imenu17
"Information on
destination"151
"Info sources"81
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor95
– radio, refer to Storing
stations174
– refer to Power failure245
– refer to Setting time and
date86
– seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory47
"Input map"149
Installation location
– CD changer186
– drive for navigation DVD142
– mobile phone123
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions159
Instrument cluster12
Instrument illumination, refer
to Instrument lighting112
Instrument lighting112
Instrument panel
– refer to Cockpit10
– refer to Instrument
cluster12
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote
control121Interesting destination for
navigation149
"Interim time"86
Interior lamps112
– switching on with remote
control31
Interior motion sensor38
– switching off38
Interior rearview mirror53
– automatic dimming
feature54
Intermittent mode of the
wipers68
J
Jacking points244
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting248
Jump starting248
K
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort
access38
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Comfort access38
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile29
"Keypad"204
Keys28
– key-related settings, refer to
Personal Profile29
– spare key28
Kick-down, Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic64
Knock control219
L
Lamps
– refer to High-beam
assistant110
– refer to Parking lamps/low
beams108
Lamps and bulbs238Lane limit lines, refer to
Leaving lane warning106
"Language / Units"88
– for navigation
system143,159
"Languages"88
– for navigation
system143,159
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo138
Last destinations, refer to
Destination list150
"Last seat pos."48
LATCH child restraint fixing
system57
Leaving lane warning106
LEDs light-emitting
diodes238
Length, refer to
Dimensions255
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs242
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs238
Lighter125
"Lighting"67
Lighting
– instruments112
– lamps and bulbs238
– of the vehicle, refer to
Lamps108
Light switch108
"Limit"85
Loading
– securing cargo138
– stowing cargo138
– vehicle137
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo138
"Lock after driving"33
Lock buttons in the doors,
refer to Locking33
Locking30
– confirmation signals31
– from inside33
– from outside30
– without key, refer to Comfort
access38

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
278 Run-flat tires227
– continuing driving with a
damaged tire96,98
– flat tire96,98
– Flat Tire Monitor95
– new wheels and tires227
– tire inflation
pressure96,98,220
– Tire Pressure Monitor97
– tire replacement227,228
– winter tires228
S
Safety5
Safety belts50
– damage51
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– sitting safely45
– warning lamp50
Safety belt tensioners
– refer to Airbags100
– refer to Safety belts50
Safety systems
– ABS Antilock Brake
System91
– airbags100
– driving stability control
systems91
– safety belts50
Safety tires, refer to Run-flat
tires227
Satellite radio179
– enabling channel179
– selecting channel180
– storing channel180
"SAT" with radio169,179
"Save current
destination"153
"Scan"
– music tracks on CD184
– stations with radio173
Scan
– CD changer184
– CD player184
– radio173"Scan all" in audio mode184
"Scan directory" in audio
mode184
Screen, refer to iDrive16
Screw thread for tow
fitting250
SDARS, refer to Satellite
radio179
"Seat heater distribution"51
Seats46
– active backrest width
adjustment47
– adjusting the seats46
– comfort seat46
– easy entry/exit47
– heating51
– lumbar support47
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory47
– shoulder support46
– sitting safely45
– storing the setting47
– thigh support46
– ventilation, refer to Active
seat ventilation52
Securing load
– refer to Securing cargo138
– with ski bag, refer to
Securing cargo131
"Select as
destination"150,213
"Select current speed"85
Selecting audio sources, refer
to Operation via iDrive168
Selecting distance with active
cruise control72
Selecting frequency
manually173
Selecting menu items19
Selecting route154
Selection options with
navigation system154
Selector lever, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic64Selector lever lock, refer to
Selecting transmission
positions64
Self-leveling suspension95
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance248
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for
US models235
"Service Info"81,211,232
Service Interval Display
– refer to CBS Condition
Based Service235
– refer to Service
requirements81
"Service Request"204,211
"Service
requirements"82,211,232
Service requirements81
– refer to CBS Condition
Based Service235
"Set"
– in audio mode169
– on trip computer81
"Set date"87
"Set service date"82
"Set time"87
Setting button, refer to
Controls, controller16
"Settings"215
– for BMW Assist213
– for unlocking30
Settings
– BMW Night Vision105
– changing on Control
Display86
– clock, 12h/24h mode87
– configuring, refer to
Personal Profile29
– date87
– language88
– units of measure88
Settings menu, refer to
imenu17
Setting time, refer to
Preselecting activation
times119