2008 BMW 550I TOURING rear view mirror

Controls
103Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Only clean the cover of the Head-Up Dis-
play with a soft, nonabrasive cloth or with
a display cleaning cloth; otherwise, you may
damage it.<
BMW Night Vision*
The concept
BMW Night Vision is a driver assistance system
that is designed to provide enhanced vision for
certain objects at night. This can be especially
helpful for detecting people and larger animals.
When objects are detected, the driver may be
able to take appropriate action sooner. For
example, the driver may identify and detect the
presence of persons or animals in the road
ahead or off to the sides and can be more alert,
slow down or stop, blow the horn etc. The driver
can decide which actions are appropriate and
then react accordingly.
A certain area in front of the vehicle is viewed by
an infrared camera and a generated image is
shown on the Control Display. The resulting
thermal image shows the relative heat radiation
of the objects present in the camera's field of
view. Warmer objects appear brighter and
cooler objects appear darker. Contrast is
dependent on the temperature difference
between the objects and the background and
on the amount of heat radiation of the object
itself. As a result, it is quite possible that a per-
son is not continually recognizable as a person
in shape, since the thermal radiation can be
affected by different clothing which blocks heat
loss. Objects with little temperature difference
to the surrounding area, or little heat radiation
are less noticeable, for example in cold weather.Any improvement in detection depends on
many factors such as the object size and tem-
perature compared to the surroundings, or
other nearby objects, the visual recognition
skills of the driver, weather conditions, and
other factors.
Driving hints
With the system active, periodically but briefly,
glance at the thermal image on the Control Dis-
play to notice objects that could be people or
larger animals. The glance should be similar to
glancing at the rear view mirror. Do not stare at
the image for long periods while driving, as this
will remove attention from the road. If you notice
an object of interest ahead, be prepared to slow
down or stop, blow the horn, or take other
appropriate action.
System limits
The system is designed to supplement but not
replace forward vision through the windshield.
The driver is responsible for safe driving at
night. BMW Night Vision is not designed to be
used as a continuous viewing window for driv-
ing at night.
No system, no matter how sophisticated, can
operate without limitations. BMW Night Vision
operation is subject to physical and environ-
mental limitations that will reduce the ability of
the system to detect and display a clear thermal
image. Some of the situations in which these
limitations can occur are:
>on steep hilltops or depressions and in tight
curves
>in tunnels, as the contrast is inherently low
>when the camera lens is dirty

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
106 stating that the system is not active until this
speed is reached.
A warning will be canceled:
>after approx. 3 seconds
>if you return to your lane
>if you brake heavily
>if you signal
System limits
The leaving lane warning cannot serve as
a substitute for your personal judgment in
determining the course of the road.
If the system issues a warning, do not move the
steering wheel with unnecessary severity, as
otherwise you could loose control of the vehi-
cle.<
The function of the system may be limited in the
following example situations:
>in heavy fog, rain or snowfall
>with worn-away, poorly visible limit lines, or
lines that run together or apart or are
unclear, e.g. in road construction areas
>when limit lines are covered by snow, ice,
dirt or a great deal of water
>in tight curves or on narrow roads
>when limit lines are not white
>when limit lines are covered by objects
>when driving up close behind a vehicle driv-
ing ahead
>with bright counter light
>when the windshield is fogged up, dirty or
covered with stickers, vignettes etc. in the
area of the inside rearview mirror

Controls
109Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp
control system that enables better illumination
of the road surface. Depending on the steering
angle and other parameters, the light from the
headlamp follows the course of the road.
In tight curves at speeds up to approx. 45 mph/
70 km/h, e.g. on mountainous roads or when
negotiating curves, turning lamps are switched
on that light up the inside area of the curve.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
With the ignition switched on, turn the light
switch into position 3, refer to page107.
The turning lamps are automatically switched
on depending on the steering angle or the use
of turn signals.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive
Head Light directs light towards the front pas-
senger side when the vehicle is at a standstill.
When driving in reverse, only the turning lamps
are active and illuminate the outer area of
curves.
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one
side of your vehicle when parking.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or
down beyond the resistance point, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave them switched on for
long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer
be possible to start the engine.<
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction
up to the resistance point, arrow3.
High-beam assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high
beams on and off. A sensor on the front side of
the inside rearview mirror controls the process.
The assistant makes sure that the high beams
are switched on whenever traffic conditions
permit. This relieves you of the burden of con-
stantly switching back and forth and simulta-
neously provides you with the best possible vis-
ibility. Naturally, you can intervene at any time to
switch the high beams on and off as usual.
Activating system
1.Turn the light switch to position3, refer to
page107.
2.With the low beams switched on, briefly
press the turn signal lever in the high-beam
direction.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the high-beam
assistant is activated. The system
automatically switches between high beams

Lamps
110 and low beams, reacting to oncoming traffic,
vehicles ahead of you, and sufficiently lit areas,
e.g. in built-up zones.
Manually switching between high
beams and low beams
If you wish or the situation requires, you can
intervene at any time.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on
the high beams, but you wish to use the low
beams, just switch on the low beams with
the turn signal lever. This deactivates the
high-beam assistant.
In order to reactivate the system, briefly
press the turn signal lever in the high-beam
direction.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on
the low beams, but you wish to use the high
beams, simply switch on the high beams as
usual. This deactivates the system and it is
up to you to switch back to low beams.
In order to reactivate the system, briefly
press the turn signal lever in the high-beam
direction.
>When the low beams are on, use the head-
lamp flasher as usual.
System limits
The high-beam assistant is designed to
maximize the amount of time that high
beams can be safely used and to quickly switch
back to low beams when traffic approaches.
The system cannot completely replace driver
intervention when unusual conditions are
encountered. For this reason, switch to low
beams when circumstances so dictate. Failure
to do so can pose a safety risk.<
Below are a few examples of situations in which
the system may not react or may only function
to a limited degree, requiring personal interven-
tion:
>in extremely unfavorable weather condi-
tions such as fog or heavy precipitation
>in sensing road users with poor inherent
illumination such as pedestrians, cyclists,
equestrians, horsedrawn vehicles, railroad or shipping traffic close to the road, and at
deer crossings
>in tight curves, on steep crests or dips, with
cross-traffic, or with partially hidden
oncoming traffic on divided highways
>in poorly illuminated areas and in the pres-
ence of highly reflective signs
>in the low speed range
>when the windshield is fogged up, dirty or
covered with stickers, decals etc. in the area
of the inside rearview mirror
>when the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor
on the front side of the inside rearview mir-
ror with a cloth slightly moistened with glass
cleaner
Moreover, no system can operate without limi-
tations. High-beam assistant operation is sub-
ject to conditions that may reduce the system's
ability to recognize the difference between
actual vehicle head lamps or tail lamps and, for
example, highly reflective signs, markers, and
streetlights. To be on the safe side, the system
may periodically interpret these situations as
conditions that require low beams. Below are
some of the situations in which premature
switching to low beams can occur:
>approaching large and/or highly reflective
signs
>approaching certain lights, such as drive-
way lighting and porch lights
>approaching certain traffic signals
>approaching large reflective markers
In these situations, the system may interpret
the above conditions as a vehicle ahead requir-
ing a switch to low beams. When the conditions
return to normal, the system will reactivate the
high beams.
The high-beam assistant cannot replace the
driver's responsibility for complying with state
laws on high-beam switching or for adapting to
visibility and traffic conditions.
Switching off via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.

Controls
111Reference
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.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Lighting" is selected and
press the controller.
6.Select "High-beam assistant" and press
the controller.
High-beam assistant is switched off.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Fog lamps*
The parking lamps or low beams must be
switched on for the fog lamps to operate. The
green indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up whenever the fog lamps are on.
The fog lamps are switched off whenever the
high beams are switched on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on when
you switch on the fog lamps.<
Instrument lighting
You can control the lighting intensity by using
the knurled wheel.
Interior lamps
Control of the interior lamps, footwell lamps,
door entry lighting, courtesy lamps
* and the
cargo bay lamps
* is automatic.
With the courtesy lamps,
LED lights are pro-
vided in the outside rearview mirrors to illumi-
nate the exterior area around the doors.
To protect the battery, all lamps in the
vehicle are switched off approx. 15 min-
utes after radio readiness is switched off, refer
to Start/Stop button on page61.<
Switching interior lamps on and off
manually
Press the button.
If the interior lamps, footwell lamps, door entry
lighting and courtesy lamps are to remain
switched off continually, press the button for
approx. 3 seconds.

Mobility
239Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Care
Car-care products
Regular cleaning and care make a significant
contribution to retaining your BMW's value.
For the cleaning and care of your vehicle, BMW
recommends using only products that BMW
has approved for this purpose.
Your BMW Service will be glad to advise you
about products and services for the cleaning
and care of your BMW.
Original BMW Care Products are materi-
als tested, laboratory tested, and tested in
actual use. They offer optimum care and pro-
tection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol
or solvents; they can damage your vehi-
cle.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances
that are dangerous or pose health risks.
You should therefore heed the warnings and
hazard indications on the packaging. Open the
doors or windows on your vehicle whenever
cleaning the interior. Make sure there is suffi-
cient ventilation in enclosed spaces. Use only
products that are formulated for vehicle clean-
ing.<
Care exterior
Washing your vehicle
In the winter months, it is especially
important to ensure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Otherwise, signifi-
cant soiling and road salt can cause damage to
the vehicle.<
Failure to do so may lead to a reduction in
braking efficiency and also to corrosion of
the brake rotors.<
Car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes.
Before driving into the car wash, make sure that
it is suitable for your BMW. Pay attention to the
following points:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to
page261.
>If necessary, fold in the outside rearview
mirrors, refer to page53.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Deactivate rain sensor to prevent unwanted
wiper activation.
>Deactivate rear window wiper
* and protect
it from damage. Take appropriate protec-
tive measures; inquiring with the car wash
operator as needed.
>Remove additional add-on parts, e.g. spoil-
ers or phone antennas, if they could be
damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into the car wash, make sure the
vehicle is able to roll by making sure to:
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition
lock, even with comfort access.
2.Shift into transmission position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Steam cleaners/high-pressure
cleaning jets
When using steam cleaners or high-pres-
sure cleaning jets, make sure to maintain
a sufficient distance and stay below a maximum
temperature of 1407/60°C.
Insufficient distance or excessive pressure or
temperature can damage parts of the vehicle or
can result in water penetration. Follow the oper-

Reference 279
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor94
– radio, refer to Storing
stations174
– refer to Power failure251
– refer to Setting time and
date86
– seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory47
"Input map"149
Installation location
– CD changer185
– drive for navigation DVD142
– mobile phone122
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions159
Instrument cluster12
Instrument illumination, refer
to Instrument lighting111
Instrument lighting111
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Instrument panel, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote
control120
Interesting destination for
navigation149
"Interim time"86
Interior lamps111
– switching on with remote
control31
Interior motion sensor38
– switching off38
Interior rearview mirror53
– automatic dimming
feature54
Intermittent mode of the
wipers68
J
Jacking points250
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting254
Jump starting254
K
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort
access38
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Comfort access38
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile28
"Keypad"204
Keys28
– key-related settings, refer to
Personal Profile28
– spare key28
Kick-down, Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic64
Knock control221
L
Lamps
– refer to High-beam
assistant109
– refer to Parking lamps/low
beams107
Lamps and bulbs244
Lane limit lines, refer to
Leaving lane warning105
"Language / Units"88
– in navigation143,159
"Languages"88
– in navigation143,159
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo138
Last destinations, refer to
Destination list150
"Last seat pos."48
LATCH child restraint fixing
system57
Leather care241
Leaving lane warning105
LEDs light-emitting
diodes244
Length, refer to
Dimensions261
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs248
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs244Lighter124
"Lighting"67
Lighting
– instruments111
– lamps and bulbs244
– of the vehicle, refer to
Lamps107
Light switch107
"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
Locking31
– confirmation signals31
– from inside33
– from outside31
– without key, refer to Comfort
access38
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals31
– from inside32
– from outside30
Low beams
107
– automatic107
– replacing bulbs245
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support47
Lug bolts250
– tightening torque, refer to
After mounting250
– wrench249
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo bay
Luggage compartment lid33
– emergency operation, refer
to Manual operation34
– emergency release34
– locking separately34
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside34
– unlocking and locking from
inside32
– unlocking manually34

Everything from A to Z
282 "Pathway lighting"108
Pathway lighting108
"PDC"90
"PDC display on"90
PDC Park Distance Control89
Personal Profile28
"Perspective"158
"Phone"196,198,201
Phone book200
– changing entry202
– creating and editing voice
phone book206
– deleting all entries203
– deleting entry203
– dialing phone number202
Phone 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 windows40
Plasters, refer to First-aid
kit254
Plug-in unit for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock61
Polish241
Pollen, refer to Microfilter/
activated charcoal filter117
Position
– refer to Displaying current
position163
– refer to Storing current
position152
Power failure251
Power windows, refer to
Windows40
Preselecting activation times
of the parked car
ventilation118
"Presets" in radio
mode172,179
Pressure, tires222Pressure monitoring of tires,
refer to TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor96
"Profile"216
Programmable buttons on
steering wheel54
Programmable memory
buttons21
Protective function, refer to
Pinch protection system
– glass sunroof, electric42
– panorama glass sunroof
43
– windows40
R
Radio
– autostore174
– controls168
– High Definition Radio176
– sampling stations173
– satellite radio178
– 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 flashes175
Radio key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Radio position, refer to Radio
readiness61
Radio readiness61
– switched off62
– switched on61
– with comfort access39
Radio stations, storing174
Rain sensor68
"Random", random play
sequence184"Random all" in audio
mode184
"Random directory" in audio
mode184
"RDS"175
Reading lamps112
Rear armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear126
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps246
– replacing bulbs246
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints50
– folding over backrest126
– heating52
– removing head restraints50
Rear socket126
Rear ventilation117
Rearview mirror53
Rear window
– changing wiper blade243
– heating115
– opening and closing on
Sports Wagon34
– roller sun blind, refer to Sun
blinds121
– wiper on Sports
Wagon69,137
Rear window safety switch41
"Received calls"202
Reception
– quality175
– radio stations175
– regional station174
Reception level of mobile
phone, refer to Status
information20
Recirculated-air mode116
– air recirculation116
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control116
Reclining seat, refer to
Seats46
Recording times, refer to
Stopwatch85
Redialing with mobile
phone207