
Starting navigation system
142
Starting navigation system
Your navigation system can use satellites to 
ascertain the precise position of your vehicle 
and guide you reliably to any destination you 
enter.
Navigation DVD
The navigation system requires a special navi-
gation DVD. The latest version is available at 
your BMW center.
Inserting navigation DVD
1.Insert the navigation DVD with the labeled 
side up. The navigation DVD is retracted.
2.Allow several seconds for the system to 
scan the data from the DVD.
Removing navigation DVD
1.Press  button 1.
The DVD emerges slightly from the drive.
2.Remove the DVD.
If the DVD is not ejected from the drive, it is pos-
sible that it is blocked. In this case a message is 
also shown on the Control Display.
Display in assistance window
You can display the route or the current position 
in the assistance window. This display remains 
visible even if you change to another applica-
tion.
1.Move the controller to the right to enter the 
assistance window.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select the desired route view or "Current 
position".
4.Press the controller.
Displaying arrow view in map view*
If the navigation system suggests a change of 
direction, the arrow view is briefly displayed.
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.
* 

 195
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Mobility
mobile phone from the vehicle if you wish to 
place a call with the mobile phone.
Commissioning
Pairing mobile phone in vehicle
The following prerequisites must be met:
>Suitable mobile phone: the mobile phone is 
supported by the full mobile phone prepara-
tion package. Information on this subject is 
also provided on the Internet at: 
www.bmw.com
>The mobile phone is ready to operate.
>The Bluetooth link on the vehicle, refer to 
page199, and on the mobile phone is 
active.
>Depending on the mobile phone, the mobile 
phone may need presetting: e.g. using the 
following menu items:
>Bluetooth activated
>Connection must be allowed without 
requiring further confirmation
>Reconnect
>Depending on the mobile phone model, the 
setting energy saving mode can, for exam-
ple, result in vehicle failing to detect the 
paired mobile phone.
>For pairing purposes, define any 4-16-digit 
number as a Bluetooth passkey, 
e. g. 25081107. A long and complex num-
ber offers the best protection against unau-
thorized access. This Bluetooth passkey is 
no longer required after pairing is success-
ful.
>The ignition is switched on.
Only pair the mobile phone with the vehi-
cle stopped, otherwise the passengers 
and other road users can be endangered due to 
a lack of attentiveness on the part of the 
driver.<
Switching on ignition
1.Insert the remote control as far as possible 
into the ignition lock.
2.Switch on the ignition by pressing the Start/
Stop button without depressing the brake 
or clutch pedal.
Preparation via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
3.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
4.Press the controller to open the   menu.
5.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
6.Select "Bluetooth" and press the controller. 

Telephoning
200
Adjusting volume
Turn the knob during a call to select the desired 
volume.
This volume for the hands-free system is main-
tained, even if the other audio sources are set to 
minimum volume.
You can also adjust the volume with the buttons 
on the steering wheel, refer to page11.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Operation via iDrive
You can operate the following functions via 
iDrive:
>Accepting/refusing a call
>Dialing phone numbers
>Dialing phone numbers from the phone 
book
>Dialing stored phone numbers, e.g. from the 
list of accepted calls.
>Ending a call
When the ignition is switched off or in radio 
readiness, e.g. after taking the remote control 
out of the ignition lock, you can continue an 
ongoing call via the hands-free system for sev-
eral minutes.
Speech quality
If the person you are talking to cannot under-
stand you well, this may be due to excessively 
loud background noises. The full mobile phone 
preparation package can compensate for these 
noises to a certain degree. To optimize the speech quality during a call, we recommend 
that you:
>Reduce background noises, e.g. by closing 
the windows, reducing the air volume of the 
automatic climate control or pointing the 
opened front vent outlets downward
>Reduce volume of hands-free system
Requirements
>The logon data of the mobile phone are 
stored in the vehicle and the mobile phone 
is ready to operate.
>The engine is running or the ignition is 
switched on.
>The mobile phone is detected by the vehi-
cle.
Opening Communication
Many of the functions described below are con-
trolled using the "Communication" menu.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller forward to open "Com-
munication".
Receiving calls
If you have the phone number of the caller 
stored in the phone book and the phone num-
ber has been transmitted, the name of the entry 
is displayed.
Accepting a call
Press the   button on the steering wheel.
Alternative: 

Telephoning
208 that the mobile phone can engage in the 
snap-in adapter.
2.Push the mobile phone with the buttons 
facing upward toward the electrical connec-
tions and press down until it engages.
The mobile phone's battery is charged from 
radio readiness or with the steering unlocked.
To protect the vehicle's batteries, avoid 
using the phone when the ignition is 
switched off.<
Removing mobile phone
Press button. 

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BMW Assist
BMW Assist provides you with various services. 
For example, the position data of your vehicle 
can be transmitted to the BMW Assist 
Response Center if an emergency request
* has 
been initiated.
Many BMW Assist services depend on the indi-
vidually agreed contract.
After your contract has expired, the BMW 
Assist system will be deactivated by the BMW 
Assist Response Center without you having to 
visit a BMW center. After the BMW Assist sys-
tem has been deactivated, no BMW Assist ser-
vice will be available. The BMW Assist system 
can be reactivated by a BMW center after sign-
ing a new contract.
Requirements
You can use BMW Assist when the following 
requirements are met:
>The installed BMW Assist system is logged 
on to a mobile phone network. This network 
must be capable of transmitting the ser-
vices.
>To transmit position data, the vehicle must 
be able to determine the current position.
>In order to activate and update BMW Assist, 
a GPS signal must be available.
>You have subscribed to BMW Assist with 
your BMW center or with the BMW Assist 
Response Center. Activation must be com-
pleted.
>BMW Assist is activated, refer to page215.
Offered services
The following services are available via 
BMW Assist:
>Emergency request, refer to page253: 
When you press the SOS button, a connec-
tion is established to the BMW Assist 
Response Center. The BMW Assist Response Center contacts you and takes 
further steps to help you.
>Automatic collision notification:
Under certain conditions, a connection is 
established to the BMW Assist Response 
Center immediately after a serious acci-
dent. If possible, the BMW Assist Response 
Center contacts you and takes further steps 
to help you.
>Enhanced roadside assistance: 
You can call Roadside Assistance
* of the 
BMW Group should you require help in the 
event of a breakdown. If possible, the vehi-
cle data and position data are transmitted 
during this time.
>BMW Customer Relations: 
For information related to your vehicle, call 
BMW Customer Relations.
>BMW Assist My Info:
Using the BMW Assist Internet portal, you 
can transmit addresses and text messages 
into the vehicle and have them displayed.
>BMW TeleServices
*: 
The data on the service status of your vehi-
cle or on required inspections are transmit-
ted to your BMW center either automati-
cally prior to the due date or when you 
request a BMW service appointment.
>Remote door unlock: 
Inform the BMW Assist Response Center, 
e.g. if your remote control is not available 
and you want to have the vehicle unlocked.
>Stolen vehicle recovery: 
After your vehicle has been reported to the 
police as stolen, the BMW Assist Response 
Center can locate its position.
In addition, you can be provided with other ser-
vices, e.g. the concierge service or information 
on route planning, traffic conditions, and the 
weather. With Critical Calling, you can make a 
limited number of calls via the BMW Assist 
Response Center, e.g. if you do not have your 
mobile phone with you.
* 

Refueling
220
Refueling
Switch off the engine before refueling, 
otherwise no fuel can be filled into the 
tank and a message is displayed.<
When handling fuel, always observe all 
applicable precautionary measures and 
regulations. Never transport reserve fuel con-
tainers in the vehicle. These could become 
leaky and cause an explosion or a fire in an acci-
dent.<
Fuel filler door
To open and close: press the rear edge of the 
fuel filler door.
Manual release
If an electrical malfunction should occur, you 
can unlock the fuel filler door manually.
Sedan
1.In the cargo bay, raise the floor mat and the 
cover located beneath it.
2.Open the snap fasteners of the right side 
panel and take off the side panel.3.Pull the knob with the gas pump symbol.
Sports Wagon
1.Unhook the retaining strap*, refer to 
page129.
2.Open the right-hand side panel in the cargo 
bay.
3.Pull the knob with the gas pump symbol.
Observe the following when refueling
When handling fuels, follow the safety 
precautions posted at the filling station. 
Otherwise, there is a danger of personal injury 
or property damage.< 

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Place the fuel filler cap in the bracket attached 
to the fuel filler door.
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 US gal/70 liters, including approx. 
2.1 US gal/8 liters reserve capacity.
550i: approx. 2.6 US gal/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 crush the band attached to the 
cap; otherwise, the cap may not properly 
seal and fuel vapors can escape.<
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 
y o u  a r e  u s i n g ,  w e  r e c o m m e n d  t h a t  y o u  r e s p o n d  
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.< 

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Adding engine oil
Do not add 1 US quart/liter of oil until a corre-
sponding message is shown on the Control Dis-
play.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km, 
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Continuous exposure to used oil has 
caused cancer in laboratory testing. 
For this reason, any skin areas that come into 
contact with oil should be thoroughly washed 
with soap and water.
K e e p  o i l ,  g r e a s e  e t c .  o u t  o f  r e a c h  o f  c h i l d r e n  a n d  
observe the warnings on the containers to pre-
vent health risks.<
Oil change
Have oil changed only at your BMW center or 
at a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical 
significance for the operation and service life of 
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-
cific oils after confirming their suitability for use 
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Do not use oil additives, as these may 
result in engine damage.<
Only use approved BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil.
If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is 
unavailable, you can add small quantities of 
other synthetic oils between oil changes. Only 
use oils of the specification API SM or higher.Your BMW center will be happy to answer 
detailed questions on BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic 
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at 
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Viscosity grades
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and 
is specified in SAE grades.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on 
the climatic conditions in the region in which 
you normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the 0W-40, 0W-
30, 5W-40 and 5W-30 SAE grades.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside 
temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system 
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant is composed of equal parts water and a 
coolant additive. Not all commercially available 
additives are suitable for your BMW. Ask your 
BMW center for suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise 
engine damage may result. The additives 
present a health hazard; observe the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Do not open the hood until the engine has 
cooled down.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to 
open.