2011 BMW 550I XDRIVE brake light

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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266 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490Replacing components

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
272 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490
Breakdown assistance

Transmission position
Transmission position P is engaged automati‐
cally:
▷
When the ignition is switched off.
▷ After approx. 15 minutes.
Headlamps
▷ Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
caustic cleansers.
▷ Soak areas that have been soiled e.g. due to
insects, with shampoo and wash off with
water.
▷ Thaw ice with de-icing spray; do not use an
ice scraper.
After washing the vehicle
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly
to dry them; otherwise, braking action can
be reduced and corrosion of the brake discs can
occur.
Vehicle care
Car care products
BMW recommends using cleaning and care
products from BMW, since these have been
tested and approved.
Car care and cleaning products
Follow the instructions on the container.
When cleaning the interior, open the doors or
windows.
Only use products intended for cleaning vehi‐
cles.
Cleansers can contain substances that are dan‐
gerous and harmful to your health.◀
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to driving safety and
value retention.
Environmental influences can act on the vehicle
paint. Tailor the frequency and extent of your car
care to these influences. Leather care
Remove dust from the leather often, using a
cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Otherwise, particles of dust and road grime
chafe in pores and folds, and lead to increased
wear and premature degradation of the leather
surface.
To guard against discoloration, such as from
clothing,

provide leather care roughly every two
months.
Clean light-colored leather more frequently as
dust and dirt are more noticeable.
Use leather care products; otherwise, dirt and
grease will gradually break down the protective
layer of the leather surface.
Suitable care products are available from the
service center.
Upholstery material care
Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner.
If they are very dirty, e.g., beverage stains, use a
soft sponge or microfiber cloth with a suitable
interior cleaner.
Clean the upholstery down to the seams using
large sweeping motions. Avoid rubbing the ma‐
terial vigorously.
Damage from Velcro® fasteners
Open Velcro® fasteners on pants or other
articles of clothing can damage the seat covers.
Ensure that any Velcro® fasteners are closed.◀
Caring for special components
Light-alloy wheels
Use wheel cleaner, particularly during the winter
months. Do not use aggressive, acidic, strongly
alkaline or abrasive cleaners, or steam jets
above 140 ℉/60 ℃; follow the manufacturer's
instructions.
Chrome surfaces*
Carefully clean components such as the radiator
grille or door handles with an ample supply of Seite 275
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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

Corrosion on brake discs 148
Cruise control 109
Cruise control, active with Stop & Go 102
Cruising range 73
Cupholder 140
Current fuel consumption 74
Current location, storing 156
Customer Relations 235
D
Damage, tires 251
Damping control, dynamic 98
Data, technical 280
Date 73
Daytime running lights 81
Defrosting, refer to Windows, defrosting 127
Destination distance 76
Destination guidance 161
Destination guidance with in‐ termediate destinations 160
Destination input, naviga‐ tion 154
Digital clock 73
Digital radio 175
Dimensions 280
Dimmable interior rearview mirror 53
Direction indicator, refer to Turn signals 62
Displacement, engine 281
Display,
electronic, instrument
cluster 69
Display in front wind‐ shield 124
Display lighting, refer to Instru‐ ment lighting 83
Displays, cleaning 276
Disposal, coolant 259
Disposal, vehicle battery 268
Distance control, refer to PDC 111
Distance, selecting for ACC 103
Distance to destination 76 Divided screen view, split
screen 20
Door lock, refer to Remote control 28
Doors, Automatic Soft Clos‐ ing 35
Downhill control 96
Drive-off assistant 95
Drive-off assistant, refer to DSC 95
Driving instructions, breaking in 146
Driving notes, general 146
Driving stability control sys‐ tems 95
Driving tips 146
DSC Dynamic Stability Con‐ trol 95
DTC Dynamic Traction Con‐ trol 96
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 Control 98
Dynamic destination guid‐ ance 167
Dynamic Drive 98
Dynamic Driving Control 99
Dynamic Stability Control DSC 95
Dynamic Traction Control DTC 96
E
EfficientDynamics, refer to Saving fuel 150
Electronic engine oil level check 257
Electronic Stability Program ESP, refer to DSC 95
Emergency detection, remote control 29 Emergency release, door
lock 34
Emergency release, fuel filler flap 240
Emergency Request 269
Emergency service, refer to Roadside Assistance 270
Emergency start function, en‐ gine start 29
Emergency unlocking, trunk lid 37
Energy Control 74
Energy recovery 74
Engine compartment 255
Engine compartment, working in 255
Engine coolant 258
Engine oil 257
Engine oil, adding 257
Engine oil additives 258
Engine oil filler neck 257
Engine oil temperature 72
Engine oil types, alterna‐ tive 258
Engine oil types, ap‐ proved 258
Engine specifications 281
Engine start during malfunc‐ tion 29
Engine start, refer to Starting the engine 59
Engine start, Starting aid 270
Engine stop 59
Engine temperature 72
Equalizer 172
Equipment, interior 132
ESP Electronic Stability Pro‐ gram, refer to DSC 95
Exchanging wheels/tires 251
Exhaust system 146
Exterior
mirror, automatic dim‐
ming feature, dimmable exte‐
rior mirrors 52
Exterior mirrors 51
External devices 192
External start 270
External temperature dis‐ play 73
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Everything from A to Z

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