
Contents
The fastest way to find information on a partic‐
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to
page 
286.
Using this Owner's Manual
6 Notes
At a glance
12 Cockpit
19 iDrive
25 Voice activation system
27 Integrated Owner's Manual in the vehicle
Controls
32 Opening and closing
49 Adjusting
62 Transporting children safely
66 Driving
76 Displays
85 Lamps
89 Safety
99 Driving stability control systems
106 Driving comfort
127 Climate control
133 Interior equipment
139 Storage compartments
Driving tips
146 Things to remember when driving
Navigation
154 Navigation
Entertainment
172 Tone
174 Radio
181 CD/multimedia
201 Rear entertainment Communication
210
Telephone
221 Office
230 Contacts
232 BMW ConnectedDrive
Mobility
240 Refueling
242 Fuel
243 Wheels and tires
251 Engine compartment
253 Engine oil
256 Maintenance
258 Replacing components
264 Breakdown assistance
269 Care
Reference
274 Technical data
277 Short commands of the voice activation
system
286 Everything from A to Z
Seite 5
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 445 - 03 11 490 Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance   

▷
Use only BMW approved software applica‐
tions; otherwise, it may result in malfunc‐
tions.
Information about suitable cell phones, available
software applications and their installation can
be found at www.bmw.com/connectivity or at
the service center.
Create the entries.
Make entries only when traffic and road
conditions allow. Otherwise, the vehicle occu‐
pants 
and other road users may be put in danger
because of the distraction from driving.
For reasons of safety, some software applica‐
tions are usable only while the vehicle is station‐
ary.◀
Operate Apps
1. Connect the cell phone via the snap-in
adapter or via the USB audio interface.
2. "ConnectedDrive"
3. Select the desired software application.
Displaying status
Information about the currently available soft‐
ware applications can be displayed.
1. "ConnectedDrive"
2. "BMW apps"
PlugIn*
Selected functions of the cell phone are dis‐
played on the Control Display. They can be op‐
erated via iDrive.
1. Connect cell phone via the snap-in adapter.
2. "ConnectedDrive"
3. "PlugIn"
4. "Activate PlugIn"
5. Navigate to the displayed functions via the
controller 
and select, for example, a desired
category or track.
Press button to switch within the cell
phone functions to a higher level or back. Press button twice to switch back to the
main menu.
Notes
▷ The ranges of Apps that can be displayed on
the Control Display depend on the range of
installed software applications on the cell
phone.
▷ The data transmission of the software ap‐
plications 
from the cell phone to the vehicle
can last some time. Some software applica‐
tions depend on the speed of the available
Internet connection of the cell phone.
▷ Some cell phones cannot simultaneously
use 
Apps and the Bluetooth hands-free sys‐
tem.
If necessary, restart the software application
on the cell phone after a phone conversa‐
tion.
TeleService Report*
Transmits 
 technical data that is evaluated for the
ongoing development of BMW products from
your vehicle to BMW in regular intervals if nec‐
essary.
TeleService Report is activated in vehicles that
meet certain technical requirements and have a
valid Assist contract; this feature is free of
charge.
Neither personal data nor position data is trans‐
mitted.
Indicate when the last Teleservice Report was
transmitted:
1. "Vehicle Info"
2. "Vehicle status"
3. Open "Options".
4. "Last Teleservice Info" Seite 237
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Reference Mobility
Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance   

Breakdown assistance
Hazard warning flashers
The button is located in the center console.
Emergency Request
*
Requirements
▷ Equipment version with full preparation
package mobile phone.
An Emergency Request can be made, even
if no mobile phones are paired with the ve‐
hicle.
▷ BMW Assist is activated.
▷ The radio ready state is switched on.
▷ The BMW Assist system is logged in to a
wireless communications network sup‐
ported by BMW Assist.
▷ The Assist system is functional.
Only press the SOS button in an emergency.
Emergency Request not guaranteed
For 
technical reasons, the Emergency Re‐
quest cannot be guaranteed under unfavorable
conditions.◀
Service contract
▷ After your contract with BMW Assist has ex‐
pired, 
the BMW Assist system can be deac‐
tivated by the service center without you
having to visit a workshop.
After deactivation, an Emergency Request
is no longer possible. ▷
Under certain circumstances, the system
can be reactivated by a service center after
you sign a new contract.
Initiating an Emergency Request 1.
Press the cover briefly to open it.
2. Press the SOS button until the LED in the
button lights up.
▷ The LED lights up: an Emergency Request
was initiated.
If the situation allows, wait in your vehicle
until the voice connection has been estab‐
lished.
▷ The LED flashes if the connection to the
BMW 
Assist Response Center has been es‐
tablished.
After the Emergency Request arrives at the
BMW Assist Response Center, the BMW
Assist Response Center contacts you and
takes further steps to help you.
Even if you are unable to respond, the BMW
Assist Response Center can take further
steps to help you under certain circumstan‐
ces.
For this purpose, data that are used to de‐
termine the necessary rescue measures,
such as the current position of the vehicle if
it can be established, are transmitted to the
BMW Assist Response Center.
▷ If the LED is flashing but the BMW Assist
Response Center cannot be heard on the
hands-free system, the hands-free system
may be malfunctioning. However, the BMW
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Breakdown assistance 

Reference
This chapter contains technical data, short
commands 
for the voice activation system, and an
index that will quickly take you to the information you need.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 445 - 03 11 490 

Technical data
Dimensions
Width with mirrors, height with roof-mounted aerial
Width without mirrors Seite 274
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550i
Approved rear axle load
lbs/kg3,306/1,500
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg165/75
Cargo area capacity cu ft/l15.5-60/440-1,700 
535i xDrive
Approved gross vehicle weight lbs/kg
5,897/2,675
Load lbs/kg1,014/460
Approved front axle load lbs/kg2,777/1,260
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg3,306/1,500
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg165/75
Cargo area capacity cu ft/l15.5-60/440-1,700 
550i xDrive
Approved gross vehicle weight lbs/kg
6,095/2,765
Load lbs/kg970/440
Approved front axle load lbs/kg2,976/1,350
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg3,306/1,500
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg165/75
Cargo area capacity cu ft/l15.5-60/440-1,700Capacities
 
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters approx. 18.5/70 Fuel quality, refer
to page 242
Windshield and headlamp
washer system US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5.0 Seite 276
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Confirmation signal 
37 
Contacts 221, 230 
Control Display  19 
Control Display, settings  81 
Controller 19 
Control systems, driving sta‐ bility  99 
Convenient opening 36 
Coolant 254 
Coolant temperature  77 
Cooling function 129 
Cooling, maximum  128 
Cooling system  254 
Corrosion on brake discs 148 
Cruise control 113 
Cruise control, active with Stop & Go  106 
Cruising range 76 
Cupholder 141 
Curb weight 275 
Current fuel consumption 77 
Current location, storing 156 
Customer Relations 235 
D
Damage, tires  247 
Damping control, dy‐ namic 101 
Data, technical  274 
Date 78 
Daytime running lights  86 
Defrosting, refer to Windows, defrosting 128 
Destination distance  79 
Destination guidance  161 
Destination guidance with in‐ termediate destinations  160 
Destination input, naviga‐ tion 154 
Digital clock  78 
Digital radio  175 
Dimensions 274 
Dimmable interior rearview mirror 61 
Direction indicator, refer to Turn signals 71  Display in front wind‐
shield 125 
Display, 
instrument cluster  76 
Display lighting, refer to Instru‐ ment lighting  88 
Displays 14 
Displays, cleaning  271 
Disposal, coolant  255 
Disposal, vehicle battery  263 
Distance control, refer to PDC 115 
Distance, selecting for ACC  107 
Distance to destination  79 
Divided screen view, split screen 23 
Door lock, refer to Remote control 32 
Doors, Automatic Soft Clos‐ ing 39 
Downhill control 100 
Drive-off assistant 99 
Drive-off assistant, refer to DSC 99 
Driving instructions, breaking in 146 
Driving notes, general  146 
Driving stability control sys‐ tems 99 
Driving tips  146 
DSC Dynamic Stability Con‐ trol 99 
DTC Dynamic Traction Con‐ trol 100 
DVD/CD  181 
DVD/CD notes  187 
DVD/CD player, rear  201 
DVD changer 185 
DVD settings  184 
DVDs, storing  188 
DVD, video  183 
Dynamic Damping Con‐ trol 101 
Dynamic destination guid‐ ance 167 
Dynamic Drive 101 
Dynamic Driving Control  103 Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 99 
Dynamic Traction Control DTC 100 
E
EfficientDynamics, refer to Saving fuel 150 
Electronic displays, instru‐ ment cluster 16 
Electronic engine oil level check 253 
Electronic Stability Program ESP, refer to DSC 99 
Emergency detection, remote control 33 
Emergency release, door lock 38 
Emergency release, fuel filler flap  240 
Emergency release, parking brake 68 
Emergency Request 264 
Emergency service, refer to Roadside Assistance 265 
Emergency start function, en‐ gine start  33 
Emergency unlocking, tail‐ gate  42 
Energy Control 77 
Energy recovery 78 
Engine compartment  251 
Engine compartment, working in 251 
Engine coolant  254 
Engine oil  253 
Engine oil, adding  253 
Engine oil additives  254 
Engine oil filler neck  253 
Engine oil temperature  77 
Engine oil types, alterna‐ tive 254 
Engine oil types, ap‐ proved 254 
Engine start during malfunc‐ tion 33 
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Everything from A to Z 

Manual air distribution 
127 
Manual air volume  128 
Manual brake, refer to Parking brake 67 
Manual mode, transmis‐ sion 75 
Manual operation, backup camera 119 
Manual operation, door lock 38 
Manual 
operation, exterior mir‐
rors 60 
Manual operation, fuel filler flap  240 
Manual operation, Park Dis‐ tance Control PDC  116 
Manual operation, parking brake 68 
Manual operation, Side View 122 
Manual operation, Top View 118 
Map, destination entry  158 
Map in split screen  165 
Map view  163 
Marking on approved tires 248 
Marking, run-flat tires  249 
Massage seat, front  52 
Master key, refer to Remote control 32 
Maximum cooling  128 
Maximum speed, winter tires 249 
Measure, units of 82 
Medical kit  265 
Memory for seat, mirrors, steering wheel 58 
Menu in instrument cluster  78 
Menus, operating, iDrive  19 
Menus, refer to iDrive operat‐ ing concept 20 
Message list, traffic bulle‐ tins 165 
Messages 224 
Messages, refer to Check Control 83 
Microfilter 130  Minimum tread, tires 
247 
Mirror 59 
Mirror memory 58 
Mobile communication devi‐ ces in the vehicle 147 
Mobile phone  210 
Modifications, technical, refer to Safety 7 
Moisture in headlamp  259 
Monitor, refer to Control Dis‐ play  19 
Mounting of child restraint fix‐ ing systems 62 
MP3 player  192 
Multi-function hook 142 
Multifunction steering wheel, buttons 12 
Multimedia  181 
Music collection 188 
Music search 189 
Music, storing 188 
N
Navigation  154 
Navigation data  168 
Neck restraints, front, refer to Head restraints 56 
Neck restraints, rear, refer to Head restraints 57 
New wheels and tires 248 
Night Vision with pedestrian detection 122 
NORMAL program, Dynamic Driving Control 104 
Notes 227 
Nylon rope for tow-starting/ towing 267 
O
OBD Onboard Diagnos‐ tics 256 
Obstacle marking, backup camera 120 
Odometer  78 
Office 221 
Oil  253  Oil, adding 
253 
Oil additives  254 
Oil 
change interval, service re‐
quirements 82 
Oil filler neck  253 
Oil level check 253 
Oil types, alternative  254 
Oil types, approved  254 
Old batteries, disposal  263 
Onboard Diagnostics OBD 256 
Onboard monitor, refer to Control Display  19 
Online, refer to BMW On‐ line 234 
Opening/closing from in‐ side 38 
Opening/closing via door lock 38 
Opening/closing with remote control 36 
Operating concept, iDrive  19 
Outside air, refer to Automatic recirculated-air control 128 
Overheating of engine, refer to Coolant temperature  77 
P
Paint, vehicle 270 
Panic mode 36 
Panoramic glass sunroof 47 
Park Distance Control PDC 115 
Parked-car ventilation 132 
Parked vehicle, condensa‐ tion 148 
Parking aid, refer to PDC  115 
Parking brake  67 
Parking lamps  85 
Parking lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 260 
Parking with Auto Hold  69 
Passenger side mirror, tilting downward 60 
Pathway lines, backup cam‐ era 120 
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance