2011 BMW 550I GT navigation

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
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For your own safety
Maintenance and repairs
Advanced technology, e.g., the use of modern
materials
and high-performance electronics, re‐
quires suitable maintenance and repair meth‐
ods.
Therefore, have this work performed only by a
BMW center or a workshop that works accord‐
ing to BMW repair procedures with appropri‐
ately trained personnel.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.
Parts and Accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts and ac‐
cessories approved by BMW. When you pur‐
chase accessories tested and approved by
BMW and Genuine BMW Parts, you simultane‐
ously acquire the assurance that they have been
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure optimum
performance when installed on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free from de‐
fects in material and workmanship. BMW will not
accept any liability for damage resulting from in‐
stallation of parts and accessories not approved
by BMW. BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to verify if it can be used
on a BMW safely and without risk to either the
vehicle, its operation, or its occupants. Genuine
BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and other prod‐
ucts approved by BMW, together with profes‐
sional advice on using these items, are available
from all BMW centers. Installation and operation
of non-BMW approved accessories such as
alarms, radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake dust
shields, telephones, including operation of any
mobile phone from within the vehicle without
using an externally mounted antenna, or trans‐
ceiver equipment, for instance, CBs, walkie-
talkies, ham radios or similar accessories, may
cause extensive damage to the vehicle, com‐
promise its safety, interfere with the vehicle's
electrical system or affect the validity of the
BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW center for additional information. Maintenance, re‐
placement,
or repair of the emission control de‐
vices and systems may be performed by any au‐
tomotive repair establishment or individual
using any certified automotive part.
California Proposition 65 Warning
California laws require us to state the following
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of automobile
components and parts, including components
found in the interior furnishings in a vehicle, con‐
tain or emit chemicals known to the State of Cal‐
ifornia to cause cancer and birth defects and re‐
productive harm. In addition, certain fluids
contained in vehicles and certain products of
component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash your
hands after handling. Used engine oil contains
chemicals that have caused cancer in laboratory
animals. Always protect your skin by washing
thoroughly with soap and water.
Service and warranty
We recommend that you read this publication
thoroughly. Your vehicle is covered by the fol‐
lowing warranties:
▷ New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
▷ Rust Perforation Limited Warranty.
▷ Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty.
▷ Federal Emissions Performance Warranty.
▷ California Emission Control System Limited
Warranty.
Detailed information about these warranties is
listed in the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models or in the Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Your vehicle has been specifically adapted and
designed to meet the particular operating con‐
ditions and homologation requirements in your
country

and continental region in order to deliver
the full driving pleasure while the vehicle is op‐
erated under those conditions. If you wish to op‐
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8
Steering column stalk, left Turn signal  71
High beams, head‐
lamp flasher  71
High-beam Assistant*  87
Roadside parking lamps  86
Computer  78
9 Steering wheel buttons, left Store speed  114,  107
Resume speed  115,  108
Cruise control on/off, inter‐
rupt  114,  106
Increase distance*  108
Decrease distance*  108
10 Instrument cluster   14
11 Steering wheel buttons, right Entertainment source
Volume Voice activation*  25
Telephone*  210
12 Steering column stalk, right Windshield wipers  71
Rain sensor*  
72 Clean the windshields and head‐
lamps*  71
13 Start/stop the engine and switch
the ignition on/off  66
14 Horn
15 Steering wheel heating*  61
16 Adjust the steering wheel  
61
17 Open the tailgate*  40
18 Unlocking the hood
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Symbol Function or system
High beams
High-beam Assistant*
Parking lamps, headlamp control
Active Cruise Control*
Vehicle detection, Active Cruise
Control*
Cruise control*
Lane departure warning*
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC Dynamic Stability Control or
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
Tire Pressure Monitor*
Safety belts
Airbag system Symbol Function or system
Steering system
Emissions
Brake system
Brake system in Canadian models
Antilock Brake System ABS
Antilock Brake System ABS in Cana‐
dian models
Text messages
Text
messages in combination with a symbol in
the instrument cluster explain a Check Control
message and the meaning of the indicator and
warning lamps.
Supplementary text messages
Additional information on the Control Display,
e.g., on the cause of a malfunction or the re‐
quired action, can be called up via Check Con‐
trol, refer to page 83.
The text of urgent messages is displayed auto‐
matically.
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Instrument cluster, electronic displays
1
Symbols and messages, e.g., warnings   14
2 Range  76
3 Computer*  78
4 Navigation display*  154
Service display  82 5
Selection list, for instance radio  78
6 Transmission displays  75
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All around the center console
1
Headliner  18
2 Control Display   19
3 Glove compartment  139
4 Air vent  130
5 Hazard warning system  264
Central locking system  38
6 Radio  174
CD/Multimedia   181
7 Automatic climate control   127
8 Controller with buttons  19
9 Parking brake  
67 Auto Hold  
69 10 PDC Park Distance Con‐
trol*  115
Top View*  117
Backup camera*  119
Side View*  121
11 Dynamic Driving Control  103
DSC Dynamic Stability Con‐
trol  103
12 Transmission selector lever
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iDrive
The concept
The
iDrive combines the functions of a multitude
of switches. Thus, these functions can be oper‐
ated from a central location.
Using the iDrive during a trip
To avoid becoming distracted and posing
an unnecessary hazard to your vehicle's occu‐
pants and to other road users, never attempt to
use the controls or enter information unless traf‐
fic and road conditions allow this.◀
Controls at a glance
Controls 1
Control Display
2 Controller with buttons
The

buttons can be used to open the menus
directly. The controller can be used to select
menu items and create the settings.
Control Display
Notes
▷ To clean the Control Display, follow the care
instructions.
▷ Do not place objects close to the Control
Display; otherwise, the Control Display can
be damaged. Switching off
1.
Press the button.
2. "Switch off control display" Switching on
Press the controller again to switch the screen
back on.
Controller
Select menu items and create settings.
1.
Turn. 2.
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