2011 BMW 550I SEDAN tow

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

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
Automatic transmission

*: 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 271
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Tow truck
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body
and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Use the tow fitting screwed in at the front for
maneuvering the vehicle only.
Manual transmission
Observe before towing your vehicle
The parking brake is blocked
The parking brake cannot be released
manually.
When the parking brake is blocked, do not tow
with the front axle lifted or the vehicle can be
damaged.
Contact your service center.◀
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Towing
Follow the towing instructions
Follow all towing instructions; otherwise,
vehicle damage or accidents may occur.◀
▷ Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lamps, turn
signals, and windshield wipers may be un‐
available.
▷ Do not tow the vehicle with the rear axle
tilted, as the front wheels could turn.
▷ When the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. Consequently, more force
needs

to be applied when braking and steer‐
ing. ▷
Larger steering wheel movements are re‐
quired.
Tow truck Have your vehicle transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body

and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Towing other vehicles
General information
Light towing vehicle
Your vehicle must not be lighter than the
vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will not be
possible to control vehicle response.◀
Attaching the tow bar/tow rope correctly
Attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow
fitting; connecting it to other vehicle parts may
cause damage.◀
▷ Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.
▷ If the electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed by placing
a sign or a warning triangle in the rear win‐
dow.
Tow bar
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles.
Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting
the tow bar at an offset angle, please observe
the following: Seite 272
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Breakdown assistance

▷
Maneuvering capability is limited during cor‐
nering.
▷ The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is secured with an offset.
Tow rope
When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure that
the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is se‐
cured on other parts of the vehicle.◀
Tow fitting The screw-in tow fitting should always be car‐
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the
front

or rear of the BMW. It is located in the con‐
tainer on the inside of the trunk lid.
Tow fitting, information on use
▷Use only the tow fitting provided with
the vehicle and screw it all the way in.
▷ Use the tow fitting for towing on paved roads
only.
▷ Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g.,
do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting.
Otherwise, damage to the tow fitting and the ve‐
hicle can occur.◀ Screw thread
Push out the cover by pressing on the top edge.
Tow-starting
Automatic transmission

*
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Due to the automatic transmission, the engine
cannot be started by tow-starting.
Have the cause of the starting difficulties rem‐
edied.
Manual transmission
If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but start
the engine by jump-starting, refer to page 270.
If the vehicle is equipped with a catalytic con‐
verter, only tow-start while the engine is cold.
1. Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.
2. Ignition, refer to page 58, on.
3. Engage third gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
pressed

and slowly release the clutch. After
the engine starts, immediately press on the
clutch again.
5. Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard warn‐
ing system.
6. Have the vehicle checked.
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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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External temperature warn‐
ing 73
Eyes for securing cargo 149
F
Fader 172
Failure message, refer to Check Control 70
False alarm, refer to Uninten‐ tional alarm 40
Fan, refer to Air volume 127
Fault displays, refer to Check Control 70
Filler neck for engine oil 257
Fine wood, care 276
First aid kit 270
Fitting
for towing, refer to Tow
fitting 273
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 88
Flat tire, warning lamp 89
Flat tire, wheel change 267
Flooding 147
Floor carpet, care 276
Floor mats, care 276
FM/AM station 174
Fold-out position, windshield wipers 64
Foot brake 147
Front airbags 85
Front fog lamps 83
Front fog lamps, front, bulb re‐ placement 265
Front lamps 263
Front passenger airbags, au‐ tomatic deactivation 86
Front passenger airbags, indi‐ cator lamp 87
Front seats, adjusting 44
Fuel cap 240
Fuel consumption, current 74
Fuel consumption, refer to Average fuel consump‐
tion 76
Fuel filler flap 240
Fuel gauge 72
Fuel quality 241 Fuel, tank capacity
284
Fuse 268
G
Garage door opener, refer to Integrated universal remote
control 132
Gas station recommenda‐ tion 163
Gear
change, automatic trans‐
mission 65
Gear shift indicator 75
General driving notes 146
Glass sunroof, powered 41
Glove compartment 138
GPS navigation, refer to Navi‐ gation system 154
Gross vehicle weight, ap‐ proved 283
Gross weight, permissible for trailer towing 283
H
Hand brake, refer to Parking brake 60
Hand-held transmitter, alter‐ nating code 133
Hazard warning flashers 269
HDC Hill Descent Control 96
HD Radio 175
Head airbags 85
Headlamp control, auto‐ matic 81
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture 80
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture via remote control 33
Headlamp flasher 62
Headlamp glass 263
Headlamps 263
Headlamps, care 275
Headlamp washer system 62
Headliner 15
Headphones, rear entertain‐ ment 205
Head restraints 44 Head restraints, front 49
Head restraints, rear 50
Head-up Display
124
Head-up Display, care 276
Heavy cargo, stowing 149
Height, seats 44
Height, vehicle 280
High-beam Assistant 82
High beams 62
High beams/low beams, refer to High-beam Assistant 82
Hill Descent Control HDC 96
Hills 148
Hill start assistant, refer to Drive-off assistant 95
Hints 6
Holder for beverages 140
Homepage 6
Hood 255
Horn 12
Hotel function, trunk lid 37
Hot exhaust system 146
House number, entering for navigation 155
Hydroplaning 147
I
Ice warning, refer to External temperature warning 73
Icy roads, refer to External temperature warning 73
Identification marks, tires 249
Identification number, refer to Engine compartment 255
iDrive 16
Ignition key, refer to Remote control 28
Ignition off 58
Ignition on 58
Indication of a flat tire 89
Individual air distribution 126
Individual settings, refer to Personal Profile 29
Inflation pressure, tires 242
Info display, refer to Com‐ puter 75
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Manual transmission 64
Map, destination entry
158
Map in split screen 165
Map view 163
Marking on approved tires 252
Marking, run-flat tires 252
Massage seat, front 46
Master key, refer to Remote control 28
Maximum cooling 127
Maximum speed, winter tires 252
Measure, units of 79
Medical kit 270
Memory for seat, mirrors, steering wheel 51
Menu
in instrument cluster 75
Menus, operating, iDrive 16
Menus, refer to iDrive operat‐ ing concept 17
Message list, traffic bulle‐ tins 165
Messages 224
Messages, refer to Check Control 70
Microfilter 129
Minimum tread, tires 251
Mirror 51
Mirror memory 51
Mobile communication devi‐ ces in the vehicle 147
Mobile phone 210
Modifications, technical, refer to Safety 7
Moisture in headlamp 263
Monitor, refer to Control Dis‐ play 16
Mounting of child restraint fix‐ ing systems 54
MP3 player 192
Multifunction steering wheel, buttons 12
Multimedia 181
Music collection 188
Music search 189
Music, storing 188 N
Navigation
154
Navigation data 168
Neck restraints, front, refer to Head restraints 49
Neck restraints, rear, refer to Head restraints 50
New wheels and tires 251
Night Vision with pedestrian detection 122
NORMAL program, Dynamic Driving Control 100
Notes 227
Number of cylinders, en‐ gine 281
Nylon rope for tow-starting/ towing 273
O
OBD Onboard Diagnos‐ tics 260
Obstacle marking, backup camera 115
Odometer 73
Office 221
Oil 257
Oil, adding 257
Oil additives 258
Oil
change interval, service re‐
quirements 74
Oil filler neck 257
Oil level check 257
Oil types, alternative 258
Oil types, approved 258
Old batteries, disposal 268
Onboard Diagnostics OBD 260
Onboard monitor, refer to Control Display 16
Online, refer to BMW On‐ line 234
Opening/closing from in‐ side 35
Opening/closing via door lock 34 Opening/closing with remote
control 32
Operating concept, iDrive 16
Outside air, refer to Automatic recirculated-air control 127
Overheating
of engine, refer to
Coolant temperature 72
P
Paint, vehicle 275
Panic mode 32
Parallel parking assistant 118
Park Distance Control PDC 111
Parked-car ventilation 131
Parked vehicle, condensa‐ tion 148
Parking aid, refer to PDC 111
Parking assistant 118
Parking brake 60
Parking lamps 80
Parking with Auto Hold 60
Passenger side mirror, tilting downward 52
Pathway lines, backup cam‐ era 114
PDC Park Distance Con‐ trol 111
Pedestrian detection, refer to Night Vision 122
People detection, refer to Night Vision 122
Permissible axle load 283
Personal information 221
Personal Profile 29
Phone 210
Pinch protection system, glass sunroof 42
Pinch protection system, win‐ dows 40
Plastic, care 276
PlugIn 237
Position, storing 156
Postal code, entering in navi‐ gation 154
Power failure 268
Power output, engine 281
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

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