2011 BMW 550I lamp replacement

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
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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
Halogen headlamps
Parking lamps and roadside parking lamps,
turn signal lamp
These lights are made using LED technology.
Contact your service center in the event of a
malfunction. Accessing the bulbs
Remove the screws and fold down the cap.
Low beams
The

illustration shows the left side of the engine
compartment.
55-watt bulb, H7 Unscrew the cap, remove it, and change the
bulb.
Turn signal
The

illustration shows the left side of the engine
compartment.
24-watt bulb, PY Unscrew the cap, remove it, and change the
bulb.
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

High beams
The
illustration shows the left side of the engine
compartment.
55-watt bulb, H7
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.
Xenon headlamps*
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.
Parking lamps and roadside parking lamps,
turn signal lamp
These lights are made using LED technology.
Contact your service center in the event of a
malfunction.
Corner-illuminating lamps
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs.
The illustration shows the left side of the engine
compartment.
55-watt bulb, H7 Seite 264
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Replacing 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

Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐
tem 95
ACC, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go 102
Activated-charcoal filter 129
Active Blind Spot Detec‐ tion 92
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, ACC 102
Active seat, front 46
Active seat ventilation, front 47
Active Steering, integral 98
Adaptive brake assistant 95
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 94
Adaptive drive 97
Adaptive light control 81
Additional telephone 210
Additives, oil 258
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 44
Airbags 85
Airbags, indicator/warning light 86
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 127
Air distribution, manual 126
Air drying, refer to Cooling function 128
Air pressure, tires 242
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 129
Air volume, automatic climate control 127
Alarm system 39
Alarm, unintentional 40
All around the center con‐ sole 14
All around the headliner 15 All around the steering
wheel 12
ALL program, automatic cli‐ mate control 128
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 252
All-wheel-drive 96
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 133
Alternative oil types 258
AM/FM station 174
Announcement, navigation, refer to Spoken instruc‐
tions 163
Antifreeze, washer fluid 64
Antilock Brake System, ABS 95
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 95
Appointments 226
Approved engine oils 258
Apps 236
Armrest, refer to Center arm‐ rest 139
Arrival time 77
Ashtray 134
Ashtray, front 134
Ashtray, rear 135
Assist 232
Assistance, Roadside Assis‐ tance 270
Assistance when driving off 95
Audio playback 181
Audio playback, Blue‐ tooth 196
AUTO intensity 127
Automatic car wash 274
Automatic climate con‐ trol 126
Automatic Cruise Control with Stop & Go 102
Automatic Curb Monitor 52 Automatic deactivation, front
passenger airbags 86
Automatic headlamp con‐ trol 81
Automatic Hold 60
Automatic locking 35
Automatic recirculated-air control 127
Automatic Soft Closing, doors 35
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 65
Automatic trunk lid 36
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 127
AUTO program, intensity 127
AUX-IN port 192
Average fuel consumption 76
Average speed 76
Axle loads, weights 283
B
Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 46
Backrest, seats 44
Backup camera 113
Backup lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 266
Balance 172
Band-Aids, refer to First aid kit 270
Bar for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 272
Bass 172
Battery replacement, remote control, rear entertain‐
ment 202
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 267
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 28
Battery, vehicle 267
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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