2011 BMW 550I GT check engine

Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The maintenance system directs you to re‐
quired
maintenance measures and thereby sup‐
ports you in maintaining road safety and the op‐
erational reliability of the vehicle.
Condition Based Service CBS
Sensors and special algorithms take into ac‐
count the driving conditions of your vehicle.
Based on this, Condition Based Service deter‐
mines the maintenance requirements.
The system makes it possible to adapt the
amount of maintenance you need to your user
profile.
Details on the service requirements, refer to
page 82, can be displayed on the Control Dis‐
play.
Service data in the remote control
Information on the required maintenance is con‐
tinuously stored in the remote control. Your
service center will read out this data and suggest
the right array of service procedures for your ve‐
hicle.
Therefore, hand your service specialist the re‐
mote control that you used most recently.
Storage periods
Storage periods during which the vehicle bat‐
tery was disconnected are not taken into ac‐
count.
If this occurs, have a service center update the
time-dependent maintenance procedures,
such as checking brake fluid and, if necessary,
changing the engine oil and the microfilter/acti‐
vated-charcoal filter. Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Please
consult your Service and Warranty Infor‐
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models for
additional information on service requirements.
Maintenance and repair should be performed by
your service center. Make sure to have regular
maintenance procedures recorded in the vehi‐
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models, and in the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models. These en‐
tries are proof of regular maintenance.
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnosis There is an OBD socket on the driver's side for
checking

the primary components in the vehicle
emissions.
Emissions
▷The warning lamp lights up:
Emissions are deteriorating. Have
the

vehicle checked as soon as pos‐
sible.
▷ The warning lamp flashes under cer‐
tain circumstances: Seite 256
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Maintenance

This indicates that there is excessive
misfiring in the engine.
Reduce the vehicle speed and have
the system checked immediately;
otherwise, serious engine misfiring
within a brief period can seriously
damage emission control compo‐
nents,
in particular the catalytic con‐
verter.
Fuel cap The indicator lamp lights up.
If the fuel cap is not properly tightened,
the

OBD system may conclude that fuel
vapor is escaping. If the cap is then tightened,
the display should go out in a short time.
Data memory
Your vehicle records data relating to vehicle op‐
eration, faults and user settings. These data are
stored in the remote control and can be read out
with suitable devices, particularly when the ve‐
hicle is serviced. The data obtained in this way
provide valuable information for service proc‐
esses and repair or for optimizing and develop‐
ing vehicle functions further.
In addition, if you signed a service contract for
Assist, certain vehicle data can be sent directly
from the vehicle to facilitate the desired serv‐
ices. Seite 257
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Do not touch the bulbs
Do not touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare hands, as even minute amounts of
contamination will burn into the bulb's surface
and reduce its service life.
Use
a clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or
hold the bulb by its base.◀
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
Light-emitting diodes installed behind a cover
serve as the light source for controls, display el‐
ements and other equipment.
These light-emitting diodes, which are related
to conventional lasers, are officially designated
as Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers
Do not remove the covers, and never stare
into the unfiltered light for several hours; other‐
wise, irritation of the retina could result.◀
Headlamp glass
Condensation can form on the inside of the ex‐
ternal lamps in cool or humid weather. When the
light is switched on, the condensation evapo‐
rates after a short time. The headlamp glasses
do not need to be changed.
If there is a large amount of moisture, e.g., water
droplets form in the lamp, have it checked by
your service center.
Front lamps, bulb replacement
At a glance 1
Adaptive light control
2 Parking lamp, daytime running lights* 3
Low beams/high beams
4 Turn signal
Xenon lamps*
Because
of the long life of these bulbs, the like‐
lihood of failure is very low. Switching the lamps
on and off frequently shortens their life.
If a xenon bulb fails, switch on the front fog lamps
and continue the trip with great care. Comply
with local regulations.
Do not perform work/bulb replacement on
xenon headlamps
Have any work on the xenon lighting system, in‐
cluding bulb replacement, performed only by a
service center.
Due to the high voltage present in the system,
there is the danger of fatal injuries if work is car‐
ried out improperly.◀
For checking and adjusting headlamp aim,
please contact your BMW center.
Turn signals, incl. side indicators
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 258.
These lamps are made using LED technology.
Please contact your service center in the event
of a malfunction.
Adaptive light control
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 258.
The illustration shows the left side of the engine
compartment.
55-watt bulb, H3. Seite 259
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Assist Response Center may still be able to
hear you.
Initiating an Emergency Request
automatically
Under certain conditions, an Emergency Re‐
quest is automatically initiated immediately after
a severe accident. Automatic Collision Notifica‐
tion is not affected by pressing the SOS button.
Warning triangle* The warning triangle is located on the left in the
cargo area.
Release the Velcro® fastener to remove it.
First aid kit*
The first aid kit is located in a storage compart‐
ment on the right side in the cargo area.
To remove it, raise the cover by the corner, see
arrow.
Some of the articles have a limited service life.
Check the expiration dates of the contents reg‐
ularly and replace any items promptly. Roadside Assistance
Service availability
Roadside Assistance can be reached around the
clock in many countries. You can obtain assis‐
tance there in the event of a vehicle breakdown.
Roadside Assistance
The Roadside Assistance, refer to page
233
phone number can be viewed on the iDrive or a
connection to Roadside Assistance* can be es‐
tablished directly.
Jump starting
Notes
If the battery is discharged, an engine can be
started using the battery of another vehicle and
two jumper cables. Only use jumper cables with
fully insulated clamp handles.
To prevent personal injury or damage to both
vehicles, adhere strictly to the following proce‐
dure.
Do not touch live parts
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury,
always avoid all contact with electrical compo‐
nents while the engine is running.◀
Preparation
1. Check whether the battery of the other ve‐
hicle has a voltage of 12 volts. This informa‐
tion can be found on the battery.
2. Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi‐
cle.
3. Switch off any electronic systems/power
consumers in both vehicles.
Bodywork contact between vehicles
Make sure that there is no contact be‐
tween the bodywork of the two vehicles; other‐
wise, there is the danger of short circuits.◀ Seite 265
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Starting aid terminals
Connecting order
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order; otherwise, there is the danger of injury
from sparking.◀ The so-called starting aid terminal in the engine
compartment acts as the battery's positive ter‐
minal.
The body ground or a special nut acts as the
negative terminal.
Connecting the cables
1.
Pull off the cap of the BMW starting aid ter‐
minal.
2. Attach one terminal clamp of the positive
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery,
or to the corresponding starting aid
terminal of the vehicle providing assistance.
3. Attach the other end of the cable to the pos‐
itive terminal of the battery, or to the corre‐
sponding

starting aid terminal of the vehicle
to be started.
4. Attach one terminal clamp of the negative
jumper

cable to the negative terminal of the
battery, or to the corresponding engine or body ground of the vehicle providing assis‐
tance.
5. Attach the other end of the cable to the neg‐
ative

terminal of the battery, or to the corre‐
sponding engine or body ground of the ve‐
hicle to be started.
Starting the engine
Never use spray fluids to start the engine.
1. Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and
let

it run for several minutes at an increased
idle speed.
If the vehicle being started has a diesel en‐
gine: let the engine of the assisting vehicle
run for approx. 10 minutes.
2. Start the engine of the vehicle being started
in the usual way.
If

the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before making another
attempt in order to allow the discharged bat‐
tery to recharge.
3. Let both engines run for several minutes.
4. Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Tow-starting and towing
Transporting your vehicle
Note
Your vehicle is not permitted to be towed.
Therefore,

contact a service center in the event
of a breakdown.
Do not have the vehicle towed
Have your vehicle transported on a loading
platform only; otherwise, damage may occur.◀ Seite 266
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Breakdown assistance

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

Engine start, refer to Starting
the engine 66
Engine start, Starting aid 265
Engine stop 67
Engine temperature 77
Equalizer 172
Equipment, interior 133
ESP Electronic Stability Pro‐ gram, refer to DSC 99
Exchanging wheels/tires 248
Exhaust system 146
Exterior
mirror, automatic dim‐
ming feature, dimmable exte‐
rior mirrors 60
Exterior mirrors 59
External devices 192
External start 265
External temperature dis‐ play 77
External temperature warn‐ ing 77
Eyes for securing cargo 149
F
Fader 172
Failure message, refer to Check Control 83
False alarm, refer to Uninten‐ tional alarm 45
Fan, refer to Air volume 128
Fault displays, refer to Check Control 83
Filler neck for engine oil 253
Fine wood, care 271
First aid kit 265
Fitting for towing, refer to Tow fitting 267
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 92
Flat tire, warning lamp 93
Flat tire, wheel change 261
Flooding 147
Floor carpet, care 271
Floor mats, care 271
FM/AM station 174
Fold-out position, windshield wipers 73 Foot brake
147
Front airbags 89
Front fog lamps 88
Front
fog lamps, front, bulb re‐
placement 260
Front lamps 259
Front passenger airbags, au‐ tomatic deactivation 90
Front passenger airbags, indi‐ cator lamp 91
Front seats, adjusting 49
Fuel cap 240
Fuel consumption, current 77
Fuel consumption, refer to Average fuel consump‐
tion 79
Fuel filler flap 240
Fuel gauge 76
Fuel quality 242
Fuel, tank capacity 276
Fuse 263
G
Garage door opener, refer to Integrated universal remote
control 133
Gas station recommenda‐ tion 163
Gear change, automatic trans‐ mission 74
General driving notes 146
Glass sunroof, refer to Panor‐ amic glass sunroof 47
Glove compartment 139
GPS navigation, refer to Navi‐ gation system 154
Gross vehicle weight, ap‐ proved 275
Gross weight, permissible for trailer towing 275
H
Hand brake, refer to Parking brake 67
Hand-held transmitter, alter‐ nating code 134 Hazard warning flashers 264
HDC
Hill Descent Control 100
HD Radio 175
Head airbags 89
Headlamp control, auto‐ matic 86
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture 85
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture via remote control 36
Headlamp flasher 71
Headlamp glass 259
Headlamps 259
Headlamps, care 270
Headlamp washer system 71
Headliner 18
Headphones, rear entertain‐ ment 205
Head restraints 49
Head restraints, front 56
Head restraints, rear 57
Head-up Display 125
Head-up Display, care 271
Heavy cargo, stowing 149
Height, seats 49
Height with roof-mounted aer‐ ial, vehicle 274
High-beam Assistant 87
High beams 71
High beams/low beams, refer to High-beam Assistant 87
Hill Descent Control HDC 100
Hills 148
Hill start assistant, refer to Drive-off assistant 99
Hints 6
Holder for beverages 141
Homepage 6
Hood 251
Horn 12
Hotel function, tailgate 42
Hot exhaust system 146
House number, entering for navigation 155
Hydroplaning 147
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

I
Ice warning, refer to External
temperature warning 77
Icy roads, refer to External temperature warning 77
Identification marks, tires 246
Identification number, refer to Engine compartment 251
iDrive 19
Ignition key, refer to Remote control 32
Ignition off 66
Ignition on 66
Indication of a flat tire 93
Indicator and warning mes‐ sages 14
Indicator lamps 14
Individual air distribution 127
Individual settings, refer to Personal Profile 33
Inflation pressure, tires 243
Info display, refer to Com‐ puter 78
Information on the navigation data 168
Initialization, Integral Active Steering 102
Initializing,
Tire Pressure Mon‐
itor TPM 93
Instrument cluster 14, 76
Instrument cluster, electronic displays 16
Instrument lighting 88
Integral Active Steering 102
Integrated key 32
Integrated universal remote control 133
Intensity, AUTO program 128
Interactive map 158
Interior equipment 133
Interior lamps 88
Interior lamps via remote con‐ trol 36
Interior motion sensor 45
Interior rearview mirror 60
Interior rearview mirror, auto‐ matic dimming feature 61 Intermediate destinations
160
Internet page 6
Intersection, entering for navi‐ gation 155
Interval display, service re‐ quirements 82
iPod/iPhone 193
J
Jacking points for the vehicle jack 262
Jack,
refer to Vehicle jack 262
Joystick, automatic transmis‐ sion 74
K
Key/remote control 32
Keyless Go, refer to Comfort Access 42
Key Memory, refer to Personal Profile 33
Kickdown, automatic trans‐ mission 74
Knee airbag 89
L
Lamp replacement 258
Lamp replacement, front 259
Lamp replacement, rear 260
Lamps 85
Lamps and bulbs 258
Lane departure warning 95
Lane margin, warning 95
Language on Control Dis‐ play 82
Lashing eyes, securing cargo 149
LATCH child restraint fixing system 63
Leather, care 270
LEDs, light-emitting di‐ odes 259
Length, vehicle 275
Letters and numbers, enter‐ ing 24 License plate lamp, bulb re‐
placement 261
Light-alloy wheels, care 270
Light control 86
Light-emitting diodes, LEDs 259
Lighter, front 135
Lighting 85
Lighting
via remote control 36
Light switch 85
Load 149
Loading 148
Loading position 138
Lock, door 38
Locking/unlocking from in‐ side 38
Locking/unlocking via door lock 38
Locking/unlocking with re‐ mote control 36
Locking, automatic 39
Locking, central 35
Locking via tailgate 40
Lock, power window 46
Locks, doors, and win‐ dows 65
Low beams 85
Low beams, automatic, refer to High-beam Assistant 87
Lower back support 51
Lug bolt lock 262
Luggage rack, refer to Roof- mounted luggage rack 149
Lumbar support 51
M
Maintenance 256
Maintenance require‐ ments 256
Maintenance, service require‐ ments 82
Maintenance System, BMW 256
Malfunction displays, refer to Check Control 83
Malfunction, self-leveling sus‐ pension 103
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Everything from A to Z