2011 BMW 550I GT traction control

Last destinations
At a glance
The destinations previously entered are stored
automatically.
The
destinations can be called up and used as a
destination for destination guidance.
Calling up the last destination
1. "Navigation"
2. "Last destinations" Starting destination guidance
1.
"Navigation"
2. "Last destinations"
3. Select the destination.
4. "Start guidance"
Editing the destination
1. "Navigation"
2. "Last destinations"
3. Highlight the destination.
4. Open "Options".
5. "Edit destination"
Deleting the last destinations
1. "Navigation"
2. "Last destinations"
3. Highlight the destination.
4. Open "Options".
5. "Delete entry" or "Delete all last
destinations" Special destinations
Opening the search for special
destinations
To select special destinations, e.g., hotels or
tourist attractions:
1.
"Navigation"
2. "Points of Interest"
3. Select the search function.
Online Search*
1. "Google™ Search"
2. Select a special destination.
3. Select the symbol.
4. "Start guidance"
A-Z search
1. "A-Z search"
2. "Town/City"
Select or enter the town/city.
3. "Category"
4. Select the category.
5. "Category details"
For

some special destinations, multiple cat‐
egory details can be selected. Move the
controller to the left to leave the category
details.
6. "Keyword"
7. Enter the keyword.
A

list of the special destinations is displayed.
8. Select a special destination.
Details are displayed.
If multiple details are stored, you can leaf
through the pages.
If

a phone number is available, a connection
can be established if necessary.
9. Select the symbol.
"Start guidance" or "Add as another
destination"
Add a destination as a further destination,
refer to page 160.
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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".
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Reference Mobility
Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL 2.8 / 41 3.2 / 46
F.: 245/45 R 19 98 Y
R.: 275/40 R 19 101 Y 2.5 / 36
--
2.5 / 36
F.: 245/40 R 20 99 Y
XL
R.:
275/35 R 20 102 Y XL 2.8 / 41
-
-
2.8 / 41
F.:
245/35 R 21 96 Y XL
R.:
275/30 R 21 98 Y XL 3.0 / 44
-
-
3.2 / 46 Tire identification marks
Tire size
255/50 R 19 103 Y
255: nominal width in mm
50: aspect ratio in %
R: radial tire code
19: rim diameter in inches
103: load rating, not for ZR tires
Y: speed rating, before the R on ZR tires
Speed letter
T = up to 118 mph, 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph, 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph, 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph, 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph, 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
DOT code: DOT xxxx xxx 3510
xxxx: manufacturer code for the tire brand
xxx: tire size and tire design 3510: tire age
Tires
with DOT codes meet the guidelines of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
Tire age
DOT … 3510: the tire was manufactured in the
35th week in 2010.
Recommendation
Regardless of wear, replace tires at least every
6 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear 200; Traction AA;
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these
grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov‐
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half, 1 g, times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service practices
and differences in road characteristics and cli‐
mate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
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Wheels and tires

Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on
wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfa‐
ces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration, cornering, hydro‐
planing, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus‐
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades Band A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Temperature grade for this tire
The temperature grade for this tire is es‐
tablished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla‐
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and pos‐
sible tire failure.
If necessary, have the vehicle towed.◀
RSC – Run-flat tires
Run-flat tires, refer to page 249, are labeled with
a circular symbol containing the letters RSC
marked on the sidewall.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires with better cold
weather performance than summer tires. Tire tread
Summer tires
Do not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.12 in/3 mm.
There is an increased danger of hydroplaning if
the tread depth is less than 0.12 in/3 mm.
Winter tires
Do not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.16 in/4 mm.
Below a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm, tires are
less suitable for winter operation.
Minimum tread depth
Wear indicators are distributed around the tire's
circumference and have the legally required
minimum height of 0.063 in/1.6 mm.
They

are marked on the side of the tire with TWI,
Tread Wear Indicator.
Tire damage
General information
Inspect your tires often for damage, foreign ob‐
jects lodged in the tread, and tread wear.
Notes
Indications of tire damage or other vehicle de‐
fects:
▷ Unusual vibrations during driving.
▷ Unusual handling such as a strong tendency
to pull to the left or right.
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Retreaded tires
Possibly substantial variations in the de‐
sign and age of the tire casing structures can
limit service life and have a negative impact on
road safety.◀
Winter tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle recommends
winter tires for winter roads or at temperatures
below +45 ℉/+7 ℃.
Although
so-called all-season M+S tires do pro‐
vide better winter traction than summer tires,
they do not provide the same level of perform‐
ance as winter tires.
Maximum speed of winter tires
If the maximum speed of the vehicle is higher
than the permissible speed for the winter tires,
then display a corresponding sign in the field of
vision. You can obtain this sign from the tire spe‐
cialist or from your service center.
Maximum speed for winter tires
Do not exceed the maximum speed for the
winter tires; otherwise, tire damage and acci‐
dents can occur.◀
Run-flat tires
For your own safety, only use run-flat tires. No
spare tire is available in the case of a flat tire. Your
service center will be glad to advise you.
Rotating wheels between axles
The manufacturer of your vehicle advises
against swapping wheels between the front and
rear axles.
This can impair the handling characteristics.
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres‐
sure indicated on the side wall of the tire. Run-flat tires*
Label
RSC label on the tire sidewall.
The wheels are composed of special rims and
tires that are self-supporting, to a limited de‐
gree.
The

support of the sidewall allows the tire to re‐
main drivable to a restricted degree in the event
of a pressure loss.
Continued driving with a damaged tire., refer to
page 94
Changing run-flat tires
For your own safety, only use run-flat tires. No
spare tire is available in the case of a flat tire. Your
service center will be glad to advise you.
Snow chains
Fine-link snow chains
Only certain types of fine-link snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your vehicle,
classified as road-safe and recommended.
Consult your service center for more informa‐
tion.
Use
Use only in pairs on the rear wheels, equipped
with the tires of the following size:
▷ 245/50 R 18.
▷ 245/45 R 19.
Follow the chain manufacturer's instructions.
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Make sure that the snow chains are always suf‐
ficiently
tight. Retighten as needed according to
the chain manufacturer's instructions.
Do not initialize the Tire Pressure Monitor after
mounting snow chains, as doing so may result
in incorrect readings.
When driving with snow chains, briefly activate
Dynamic Traction Control if necessary.
Maximum speed with snow chains
Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph/50 km/h when
using snow chains.
Snow chain detection*
The concept
When using snow chains, you should set
whether you are driving with or without snow
chains via the iDrive.
The snow chain detection system supports you
by automatically showing the detected state on
the Control Display.
When snow chains are in use, the rear axle steer‐
ing of the Integral Active Steering* is deacti‐
vated automatically.
At speeds above the maximum allowable speed
with snow chains of 30 mph/50 km/h, the rear
axle steering is activated again automatically.
Activating the status
1. "Settings"
2. "Tire chains"
3. "Tire chains installed"
Automatic detection
If functioning properly:
▷ Snow chains are mounted. The setting is not
activated .
After you drive a short distance, a Check
Control message is shown and the state is
activated automatically.
Confirm the automatic activation.
▷ Snow chains are not mounted. The setting
is activated . At speeds above 30 mph/50 km/h, a Check
Control message is displayed. Deactivate
the status manually.
If not functioning properly:
▷ Snow chains are mounted. The setting is not
activated .
A Check Control message is not displayed.
The

automatic detection system is malfunc‐
tioning. Activate the status manually.
Activating/deactivating rear axle
steering
If the status indicating that snow chains are in
use

is activated, the rear axle steering is deacti‐
vated automatically.
At speeds above 30 mph/50 km/h, the rear axle
steering is activated again, even though snow
chains are in use.
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Wheels and tires

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

Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM 92
Tires, changing 248
Tires, everything on wheels and tires 243
Tires, run-flat tires 249
Tire tread 247
Toll roads, route 162
Tone 172
Tool kit 258
Tools 258
Top View 117
Total vehicle weight 275
Tow fitting 267
Towing 266
Town/city, navigation 154
Tow-starting 266
TPM Tire Pressure Moni‐ tor 92
Traction control 100
TRACTION
program, Dynamic
Driving Control 103
Traffic bulletins, naviga‐ tion 165
Traffic situation/gray card 166
Transmission, automatic 73
Transporting children safely 62
Tread, tires 247
Treble, tone 172
Trip computer 80
Triple turn signal activa‐ tion 71
Trip odometer 78
Trunk cover 136
Trunk lid 39
Trunk lid, automatic 40
Trunk lid, emergency unlock‐ ing 42
Trunk lid, hotel function 42
Trunk lid via remote con‐ trol 36
Turning circle 275
Turning circle lines, backup camera 120
Turn signals, front, bulb re‐ placement 259
Turn signals, operation 71 Turn signals, rear, bulb re‐
placement 261
U
Unintentional alarm 45
Units of measure 82
Universal remote control 133
Unlock button, automatic transmission 74
Unlocking/locking from in‐ side 38
Unlocking/locking via door lock 38
Unlocking/locking
with remote
control 36
Updates made after the edito‐ rial deadline 6
Updating software 199
Upholstery care 270
USB audio interface 193
USB interface 139
V
Variable steering, Integral Ac‐ tive Steering 102
Vehicle battery 262
Vehicle battery, replacing 262
Vehicle, breaking in 146
Vehicle care 270
Vehicle identification number, refer to Identification number
in the engine compart‐
ment 251
Vehicle jack 262
Vehicle paint 270
Vehicle storage 271
Vehicle wash 269
Ventilation 130
Ventilation, refer to Parked-car ventilation 132
Version of the navigation data 168
Video playback 183
Video playback, iPhone 195
Video playback, snap-in adapter 195 Voice activation, mobile
phone 217
Voice activation, short com‐ mands 277
Voice activation system 25
Volume, setting 172
W
Warning lamps 14
Warning messages, refer to Check Control 83
Warning triangle 265
Washer fluid 73
Washer fluid reservoir, ca‐ pacity 276
Washer nozzles, wind‐ shield 73
Washer system 71
Washing, vehicle 269
Water on roads 147
Weather Band 176
Weights 275
Welcome lamps 85
Wheel base, vehicle 275
Wheel change 261
Wheels, changing 248
Wheels, everything on wheels and tires 243
Wheels,
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM 92
Width with mirrors, vehi‐ cle 274
Width without mirrors, vehi‐ cle 274
Window defroster, rear 129
Windows, powered 45
Windshield, climate con‐ trol 147
Windshield washer fluid 73
Windshield washer noz‐ zles 73
Windshield washer system 71
Windshield wiper 71
Windshield wipers, fold-out position 73
Winter storage, care 271
Winter tires, suitable tires 249
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Everything from A to Z