2011 BMW 550I 262

Contents
The fastest way to find information on a partic‐
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to
page
294.
Using this Owner's Manual
6 Notes
At a glance
12 Cockpit
16 iDrive
22 Voice activation system
24 Integrated Owner's Manual in the vehicle
Controls
28 Opening and closing
44 Adjusting
54 Transporting children safely
58 Driving
67 Displays
80 Lamps
85 Safety
95 Driving stability control systems
102 Driving comfort
126 Climate control
132 Interior equipment
138 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
241 Fuel
242 Wheels and tires
255 Engine compartment
257 Engine oil
260 Maintenance
262 Replacing components
269 Breakdown assistance
274 Care
Reference
280 Technical data
285 Short commands of the voice activation
system
294 Everything from A to Z
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Replacing components
Tool kit
The tool kit is located in a fold-down cover in the
trunk lid.
Unscrew the wing nut to open.
Wiper blade replacement
Do
not fold down the wipers without wiper
blades
Do not fold down the wipers if wiper blades have
not been installed; this may damage the wind‐
shield.◀
Replacing the wiper blades
1. To change the wiper blades, fold up, refer to
page 64, the wiper arms.
2. Fold up the wipers. 3.
Position the wiper blade in a horizontal po‐
sition.
4. Remove the wiper blade toward one side. Lamp and bulb replacement
General information
Lamps

and bulbs make an essential contribution
to vehicle safety.
The manufacturer of your vehicle recommends
that you entrust corresponding procedures to
your service center if you are unfamiliar with
them or they are not described here.
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at your service center.
Danger of burns
Only change bulbs when they are cool;
otherwise, there is the danger of getting
burned.◀
Working on the lighting system
When working on the lighting system, you
should always switch off the lights affected to
prevent short circuits.
To avoid possible injury or equipment damage
when replacing bulbs, observe any instructions
provided by the bulb manufacturer.◀ Seite 262
262 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490Replacing components

1.
Fold open the cover in the engine compart‐
ment. 2.
Unscrew the cap and remove it. 3.
Unscrew the bulb holder counterclockwise. 4.
Remove the bulb and replace it.
5. Insert the new bulb and attach the cover in
the reverse order.
Front fog lamps
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 262.
35-watt bulb, H8 1.
Carefully pull out the grill toward the front. 2.
Remove the screws. 3.
Pull the lamp out toward the front.
4. Remove the bulb and replace it.
5. Insert the new bulb and attach the cover in
the reverse order.
Tail lamps, bulb replacement
At a glance 1
Turn signal
2 Backup lamp
3 Inside brake lamp*
4 Tail lamp
5 Outside brake lamp
6 Rear reflector*
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Turn signal, outer brake, tail, and
license plate lamps
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page
262.
These lights are made using LED technology.
Contact your service center in the event of a
malfunction.
Lamps in the trunk lid
Access to the lamps
1. Remove the three screws using the screw
driver from the tool kit. 2.
Fold away the cover. Inside brake lamp*
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page
262.
21-watt bulb, H21W The illustration shows the position of the bulb in
the installed bulb holder.
Squeeze the clips together and remove the bulb
holder.
Press the bulb into the bulb holder, turn coun‐
terclockwise and remove.
Backup lamp
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page
262.
16-watt bulb, W16W The illustration shows the position of the bulb in
the installed bulb holder.
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Before entering the car
wash 274
Belts, safety belts 48
Beverage holder, cu‐ pholder 140
Blinds, sun protection 41
Bluetooth audio 196
BMW Apps 236
BMW Apps, video play‐ back 195
BMW Assist 232
BMW EfficientDynamics, refer to Saving fuel 150
BMW homepage 6
BMW Internet page 6
BMW Maintenance Sys‐ tem 260
BMW Online 234
Bottle holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 140
Brake assistant 95
Brake assistant, adaptive 95
Brake discs, breaking in 146
Brake force display 94
Brake lamps, brake force dis‐ play 94
Brake lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 266
Brake lights, adaptive 94
Brake pads, breaking in 146
Braking, notes 147
Breakdown assis‐ tance 269, 270
Breaking in 146
Brightness of Control Dis‐ play 79
Bulb replacement 262
Bulb replacement, front 263
Bulb replacement, rear 265
Bulbs and lamps 262
Button, RES 104
Button, Start/Stop 58
Bypassing, refer to starting aid 270
C
Calendar 226 California Proposition 65
Warning 7
Camera, backup camera 116
Camera, care 276
Camera, Side View 118
Camera, Top View 117
Can holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 140
Car battery 267
Car care products 275
Care, displays 276
Care, vehicle 275
Cargo 148
Cargo area, enlarging 136
Cargo area lid 35
Cargo area, storage compart‐ ments 141
Cargo straps, securing cargo 149
Car key, refer to Remote con‐ trol 28
Carpet, care 276
Car wash 274
Catalytic converter, refer to Hot exhaust system 146
CBS Condition Based Serv‐ ice 260
CD/DVD 181
CD/DVD player, rear 201
CDs, storing 188
Cell phone 210
Center armrest 139
Center console 14
Central locking system 31
Central
screen, refer to Control
Display 16
Changes, technical, refer to Safety 7
Changing parts 262
Changing wheels/tires 251
Check Control 70
Children, seating position 54
Children, transporting safely 54
Child restraint fixing sys‐ tem 54
Child restraint fixing system LATCH 55 Child restraint fixing systems,
mounting 54
Child-safety locks 57
Child seat, mounting 54
Child seats 54
Chrome parts, care 275
Cigarette lighter 134
Cleaning, displays 276
Climate control 126
Climate control wind‐ shield 147
Clock 73
Closing/opening from in‐ side 35
Closing/opening via door lock 34
Closing/opening with remote control 32
Clothes hooks 141
Collision warning 108
Combination switch, refer to Turn signals 62
Combination switch, refer to Wiper system 62
Comfort Access 37
COMFORT
program, Dynamic
Driving Control 100
Computer 75
Concierge service 233
Condensation on win‐ dows 127
Condensation under the vehi‐ cle 148
Condition Based Service CBS 260
Confirmation signal 33
Contacts 221, 230
Control Display 16
Control Display, settings 78
Controller 16
Control systems, driving sta‐ bility 95
Convenient opening 32
Coolant 258
Coolant temperature 72
Cooling function 128
Cooling, maximum 127
Cooling system 258
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Information on the navigation
data 168
Initialization, Integral Active Steering 98
Initializing,
Tire Pressure Mon‐
itor TPM 89
Instrument cluster 0
Instrument cluster, electronic displays 69
Instrument cluster, over‐ view 67
Instrument cluster with en‐ hanced features 0
Instrument lighting 83
Integral Active Steering 98
Integrated key 28
Integrated universal remote control 132
Intensity, AUTO program 127
Interactive map 158
Interior equipment 132
Interior lamps 83
Interior lamps via remote con‐ trol 32
Interior motion sensor 40
Interior rearview mirror 52
Interior rearview mirror, auto‐ matic dimming feature 53
Intermediate destinations 160
Internet page 6
Intersection, entering for navi‐ gation 155
Interval display, service re‐ quirements 74
iPod/iPhone 193
J
Jacking points for the vehicle jack 267
Jack, refer to Vehicle jack 267
Joystick, automatic transmis‐ sion 65
K
Key/remote control 28 Keyless Go, refer to Comfort
Access 37
Key
Memory, refer to Personal
Profile 29
Kickdown, automatic trans‐ mission 65
Knee airbag 85
L
Lamp replacement 262
Lamp replacement, front 263
Lamp replacement, rear 265
Lamps 80
Lamps and bulbs 262
Lane departure warning 91
Lane margin, warning 91
Language on Control Dis‐ play 79
Lashing eyes, securing cargo 149
LATCH child restraint fixing system 55
Leather, care 275
LEDs, light-emitting di‐ odes 263
Length, vehicle 281
Letters and numbers, enter‐ ing 21
License plate lamp, bulb re‐ placement 266
Light-alloy wheels, care 275
Light control 81
Light-emitting diodes, LEDs 263
Lighter, front 134
Lighter, rear 135
Lighting 80
Lighting via remote control 32
Light switch 80
Load 149
Loading 148
Lock, door 34
Locking/unlocking from in‐ side 35
Locking/unlocking via door lock 34 Locking/unlocking with re‐
mote control 32
Locking, automatic 35
Locking, central 31
Locking via trunk lid 36
Lock, power window 41
Locks, doors, and win‐ dows 57
Low beams 80
Low
beams, automatic, refer to
High-beam Assistant 82
Lower back support 46
Lug bolt lock 267
Luggage rack, refer to Roof- mounted luggage rack 150
Lumbar support 46
M
Maintenance 260
Maintenance require‐ ments 260
Maintenance, service require‐ ments 74
Maintenance System, BMW 260
Malfunction displays, refer to Check Control 70
Manual air distribution 126
Manual air volume 127
Manual brake, refer to Parking brake 60
Manual mode, transmis‐ sion 66
Manual operation, backup camera 114
Manual operation, door lock 34
Manual operation, exterior mir‐ rors 52
Manual operation, fuel filler flap 240
Manual operation, Park Dis‐ tance Control PDC 112
Manual operation, Side View 118
Manual operation, Top View 116
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Everything from A to Z

Power sunroof, glass 41
Power windows
40
Pressure, tire air pres‐ sure 242
Profile, refer to Personal Pro‐ file 29
Programmable memory but‐ tons, iDrive 20
Protective
function, glass sun‐
roof 42
Protective function, win‐ dows 40
Push-and-turn switch, refer to Controller 16
R
Radiator fluid 258
Radio 174
Radio-operated key, refer to Remote control 28
Radio ready state 58
Rain sensor 63
Random 182
Random playback 182
RDS 175
Reading out loud 228
Rear automatic climate con‐ trol 130
Rear axle steering 98
Rear entertainment 201
Rear lamps 265
Rear socket 136
Rear source, selecting for rear entertainment 204
Rearview mirror 51
Rear window defroster 128
Recirculated-air mode 127
Recommended tire brands 252
Refueling 240
Remaining range 73
Reminders 227
Remote control/key 28
Remote control, malfunc‐ tion 33
Remote control, rear enter‐ tainment 202 Remote control, universal
132
Replacement fuse 268
Replacing parts 262
Replacing wheels/tires 251
Reporting safety defects 8
RES button 104
Reserve warning, refer to Range 73
Resetting,
Tire Pressure Mon‐
itor TPM 89
Residual heat, automatic cli‐ mate control 128
Retaining straps, securing cargo 149
Retreaded tires 252
Roadside Assistance 233
Roadside parking lamps 81
Roller sunblinds 41
Roll stabilization, refer to Adaptive Drive 97
Roll stabilization, refer to Dy‐ namic Drive 98
Roof load capacity 283
Roof-mounted luggage rack 150
Rope for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 273
Route 162
Route criteria, route 161
Route, displaying 162
Routes, avoiding 162
Route section, bypassing 163
RPM, engine 281
RSC Runflat System Compo‐ nent, refer to Run-flat
tires 252
Rubber components, care 276
Run-flat tires 252
S
Safe braking 147
Safety 7
Safety belt reminder 48
Safety belts 48
Safety belts, care 276
Safety switch, windows 41 Safety systems, airbags
85
Satellite radio 176
Saving fuel 150
Scale, changing during navi‐ gation 164
Screen, refer to Control Dis‐ play 16
Screwdriver 262
Screw thread for tow fit‐ ting 273
Seat belts, refer to Safety belts 48
Seat heating, front 47
Seat heating, rear 47
Seating position for chil‐ dren 54
Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory 51
Seats 44
Seat ventilation, front 47
Selection list in instrument cluster 75
Selector lever, automatic transmission 65
Sensors, care 276
Service and warranty 7
Service requirements, CBS Condition Based Serv‐
ice 260
Service requirements, dis‐ play 74
Service, Roadside Assis‐ tance 270
Settings on Control Dis‐ play 78
Settings, storing for seat, mir‐ rors, steering wheel 51
Shifting, automatic transmis‐ sion 65
Shifting, manual transmis‐ sion 64
Shift paddles on steering wheel 66
Short commands 285
Shoulder support 46
Side airbags 85
Side View 117
Signaling, horn 12
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Everything from A to Z

Signals when unlocking 33
Sitting safely
44
Size 280
Ski bag 137
Slide/tilt glass roof 41
Smallest turning circle 281
Smoker's package 134
Snap-in adapter, mobile phone 219
Snow chains 253
Socket 135
Socket, OBD Onboard Diag‐ nostics 260
Software applications, iPhone 236
Software update 199
Spare fuse 268
Special destinations, naviga‐ tion 157
Specified engine oil types 258
Speed, average 76
Speed limit, setting 77
Split screen 20
Split
screen map settings 165
Spoken instructions, naviga‐ tion 163
SPORT+ program, Dynamic Driving Control 99
Sport automatic transmis‐ sion 66
SPORT program, Dynamic Driving Control 100
Sport program, transmis‐ sion 66
Stability control systems 95
Start/Stop button 58
Start function during malfunc‐ tion 29
Starting aid 270
Starting the engine 59
State/province, selecting for navigation 154
Stations, stored 180
Station, storing 174
Status display, tires 88
Status information, iDrive 19
Status of Owner's Manual 6 Steering, Integral Active
Steering 98
Steering wheel, adjusting 53
Steering wheel heating 53
Steering wheel memory 51
Steptronic, automatic trans‐ mission 65
Stopping the engine 59
Storage
compartment, remote
control 141
Storage compartments 138
Storage compartments, loca‐ tions 138
Storage, tires 252
Storing the vehicle 276
Street, entering for naviga‐ tion 155
Summer tires, tread 250
Supplementary text mes‐ sage 71
Surround View 113
Suspension settings 99
Switch for Dynamic Driving Control 99
Switch-on times, parked-car ventilation 131
Switch, refer to Cockpit 12
Symbols 6
T
Tachometer 72
Tail and brake lamps 266
Tailgate 35
Tailgate, automatic 36
Tailgate via remote control 33
Tail lamps 265
Tail lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 266
Tasks 227
Technical changes, refer to Safety 7
Technical data 280
TeleService 232
Temperature, automatic cli‐ mate control 127
Temperature display, external temperature 73 Temperature, engine oil
72
Tempomat, refer to Active Cruise Control 102
Terminal, starting aid 271
Text messages 224
Text message, supplemen‐ tary 71
Theft alarm system, refer to Alarm system 39
Theft protection, lug bolts 267
Theft protection, refer to Cen‐ tral locking system 31
Thermal
camera, refer to Night
Vision 122
Thigh support 44
Through-loading system 136
Tilt alarm sensor 39
Tilt, seats 44
Time of arrival 77
Tire damage 251
Tire identification marks 249
Tire inflation pressure 242
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 88
Tires, changing 251
Tires, everything on wheels and tires 242
Tires, run-flat tires 252
Tire tread 250
Toll roads, route 162
Tone 172
Tool kit 262
Tools 262
Top View 116
Torque, engine 281
Total vehicle weight 283
Tow fitting 273
Towing 271
Town/city, navigation 154
Tow-starting 271
Tow truck 272
TPM Tire Pressure Moni‐ tor 88
Traction control 96
TRACTION program, Dynamic Driving Control 96
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance