2012 BMW 550I XDRIVE GRAN TURISMO maintenance

Saving fuelVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
General information
Your vehicle contains advanced technology for
the reduction of fuel consumption and emis‐
sions.
Fuel consumption depends on a number of dif‐
ferent factors.
The implementation of certain measures, driv‐
ing style and regular maintenance can have an
influence on fuel consumption and on the envi‐
ronmental impact.
Remove unnecessary cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove attached parts
following use
Remove auxiliary mirrors, roof or rear luggage
racks which are no longer required following
use.
Attached parts on the vehicle impair the aero‐
dynamics and increase the fuel consumption.Close the windows and glass
sunroof
Driving with the glass sunroof and windows
open results in increased air resistance and
raises fuel consumption.
Check the tire inflation
pressure regularly
Check and, if necessary, correct the tire inflation
pressure at least twice a month and before start‐
ing on a long trip.
Low tire inflation pressure increases rolling re‐
sistance and thus raises fuel consumption and
tire wear.
Drive away without delay
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds.
This is the fastest way for the cold engine to
reach its operating temperature.
Look well ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.
By maintaining a suitable distance to the vehicle
driving ahead of you.
Driving smoothly and looking ahead reduces
fuel consumption.
Use coasting conditions
When approaching a red light, take your foot off
the accelerator and let the vehicle coast to a halt.
On a downhill gradient, take your foot off the ac‐
celerator and let the vehicle roll.Seite 164Driving tipsSaving fuel164
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The flow of fuel is interrupted while coasting.
Switch off the engine during
longer stops
Switch off the engine during longer stops, e.g.,
at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in traffic
congestion.
Fuel savings are achieved after the vehicle is
switched off for only approx. 4 seconds.
The Automatic Engine Start/Stop Function of
your vehicle automatically switches off the en‐
gine during a stop.
Switch off any functions that
are not currently needed
Functions such as seat heating and the rear win‐
dow defroster require a lot of energy and con‐
sume additional fuel, especially in city and stop-
and-go traffic.
Therefore, switch off these functions if they are
not actually needed.
Have maintenance carried out
Have vehicles maintained regularly to achieve
optimal vehicle economy and operating life.
Have the maintenance carried out by your serv‐
ice center.
Please also note the BMW Maintenance Sys‐
tem, refer to page 276.Seite 165Saving fuelDriving tips165
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Mobility
To ensure that you remain mobile at all times, this chapter supplies you with important information
on the topics of fuels and lubricants, wheels and tires, service, maintenance, and Roadside Assistance.Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 855 - 09 11 490

FuelVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
Fuel quality
Fuels that are marked on the gas pump as con‐
taining metal must not be used.
Refuel only with unleaded gasoline with‐
out metallic additives.
Do not refuel with any leaded gasoline or gaso‐
line with metallic additives, e. g. manganese or
iron, or permanent damage to the catalytic con‐
verter and other components.◀
Do not refuel with ethanol
Do not refuel with E85, i.e., fuel with an
ethanol content of 85 %, or with Flex Fuel, as this
would damage the engine and fuel supply sys‐
tem.◀
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91 or AKI
89
BMW recommends AKI 91 or 89.
Gasoline with lower AKI
The minimum AKI Rating is 89.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat‐
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no effect on the engine life.Minimum fuel grade
Do not use any gasoline below the mini‐
mum specified fuel grade; otherwise, engine
damage may occur.◀
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant differ‐
ences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, ad‐
ditives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale in
the United States and Canada.
Fuels containing up to and including 10 % etha‐
nol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen
by weight, that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol
plus an equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not
void the applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
Minimum fuel grade
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
driveability, starting and stalling problems es‐
pecially under certain environmental conditions
such as high ambient temperature and high al‐
titude.
Should you encounter driveability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in unscheduled maintenance.◀Seite 260MobilityFuel260
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MaintenanceVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
BMW Maintenance System
The maintenance system directs you to re‐
quired maintenance measures and thereby sup‐
ports you in maintaining road safety and the op‐
erational reliability of the vehicle.
Condition Based Service CBS
Sensors and special algorithms take into ac‐
count the driving conditions of your vehicle.
Based on this, Condition Based Service deter‐
mines the maintenance requirements.
The system makes it possible to adapt the
amount of maintenance you need to your user
profile.
Details on the service requirements, refer to
page 83, can be displayed on the Control Dis‐
play.
Service data in the remote control
Information on the required maintenance is con‐
tinuously stored in the remote control. Your
service center will read out this data and suggest
the right array of service procedures for your ve‐
hicle.
Therefore, hand your service specialist the re‐
mote control that you used most recently.Storage periods
Storage periods during which the vehicle bat‐
tery was disconnected are not taken into ac‐
count.
If this occurs, have a service center update the
time-dependent maintenance procedures,
such as checking brake fluid and, if necessary,
changing the engine oil and the microfilter/acti‐
vated-charcoal filter.
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor‐
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models for
additional information on service requirements.
Maintenance and repair should be performed by
your service center. Make sure to have regular
maintenance procedures recorded in the vehi‐
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models, and in the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models. These en‐
tries are proof of regular maintenance.Seite 276MobilityMaintenance276
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Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnosis
There is an OBD socket on the driver's side for
checking the primary components in the vehicle
emissions.
Emissions
▷The warning lamp lights up:
Emissions are deteriorating. Have
the vehicle checked as soon as pos‐
sible.
Canadian model: warning light indi‐
cates the engine symbol.▷The warning lamp flashes under certain cir‐
cumstances:
This indicates that there is excessive misfir‐
ing in the engine.
Reduce the vehicle speed and have the sys‐
tem checked immediately; otherwise, seri‐
ous engine misfiring within a brief period can
seriously damage emission control compo‐
nents, in particular the catalytic converter.
Fuel cap
The indicator lamp lights up.
If the fuel cap is not properly tightened,
the OBD system may conclude that fuel
vapor is escaping. If the cap is then tightened,
the display should go out in a short time.
Data memory
Your vehicle records data relating to vehicle op‐
eration, faults and user settings. These data are
stored in the remote control and can be read out
with suitable devices, particularly when the ve‐
hicle is serviced. The data obtained in this way
provide valuable information for service proc‐
esses and repair or for optimizing and develop‐
ing vehicle functions further.
In addition, if you signed a service contract for
Assist, certain vehicle data can be sent directly
from the vehicle to facilitate the desired serv‐
ices.Seite 277MaintenanceMobility277
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Turn the bulb, pull it out, and replace it.
Changing wheels
Notes
The vehicle equipment does not include a spare
tire.
When using run-flat tires or tire sealants, a tire
does not need to be changed immediately in the
event of pressure loss due to a flat tire.
The tools for changing wheels are available as
accessories from your service center.
Jacking points for the vehicle jack
The jacking points for the vehicle jack are lo‐
cated in the positions shown.
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is maintenance-free, i.e., the elec‐
trolyte will last for the life of the battery.
Your service center will be glad to advise you on
questions regarding the battery.
Battery replacement Use approved vehicle batteries only.
Only use vehicle batteries that have been
approved for your vehicle by the manufacturer;
otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged and
systems or functions may not be fully availa‐
ble.◀
After a battery replacement, have the battery
registered on the vehicle by your service center
to ensure that all comfort functions are fully
available and that any Check Control messages
are no longer displayed.
Charging the battery
In the vehicle, only charge the battery via the
terminals, refer to page 286, in the engine com‐
partment with the engine off.
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, some equipment
needs to be reinitialized.
Individual settings need to be reprogrammed:▷Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory:
store the positions again.▷Time: update.▷Date: update.▷Radio station: save again.▷Navigation system: wait for the operability of
the navigation.
Disposing of old batteries
Have old batteries disposed of by your
service center or bring them to a recy‐
cling center.
Maintain the battery in an upright position for
transport and storage. Secure the battery so
that it does not tip over during transport.
Seite 282MobilityReplacing components282
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Band-Aids, refer to First aidkit 285
Bar for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 287
Basic position, rear seats 55
Bass 186
Battery replacement, remote control, rear entertain‐
ment 218
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 282
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 30
Battery, vehicle 282
Belts, safety belts 56
Beverage holder, cu‐ pholder 152
Blinds, sun protection 46
Bluetooth audio 212
BMW Assist 249
BMW homepage 6
BMW Internet page 6
BMW Maintenance Sys‐ tem 276
BMW Search 251
Bottle holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 152
Brake assistant 106
Brake assistant, adaptive 106
Brake discs, breaking in 158
Brake force display 105
Brake lamps, brake force dis‐ play 105
Brake lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 281
Brake lights, adaptive 105
Brake pads, breaking in 158
Braking, notes 159
Breakdown assis‐ tance 284, 285
Breaking in 158
Brightness of Control Dis‐ play 88
Bulb replacement 278
Bulb replacement, front 279
Bulb replacement, rear 281 Bulbs and lamps 278
Button, RES 116
Button, Start/Stop 67
Bypassing, refer to starting aid 285
C
Calendar 244
California Proposition 65 Warning 7
Camera, backup camera 130
Camera, care 292
Camera, Side View 131
Camera, Top View 127
Can holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 152
Car battery 282
Car care products 290
Care, displays 292
Care, vehicle 290
Cargo 161
Cargo area 146
Cargo area, enlarging 147
Cargo area lid 38
Cargo area, storage compart‐ ments 153
Cargo partition 148
Cargo straps, securing cargo 162
Car key, refer to Remote con‐ trol 30
Carpet, care 291
Car wash 289
Catalytic converter, refer to Hot exhaust system 158
CBS Condition Based Serv‐ ice 276
CD/DVD 196
CD/DVD player, rear 217
CDs, storing 203
Cell phone 226
Center armrest 151
Center console 14
Central locking system 33 Central screen, refer to Control
Display 16
Changes, technical, refer to Safety 6
Changing parts 278
Changing wheels 282
Changing wheels/tires 267
Check Control 79
Checking the oil level 273
Children, seating position 63
Children, transporting safely 63
Child restraint fixing sys‐ tem 63
Child restraint fixing system LATCH 64
Child restraint fixing systems, mounting 63
Child safety locks 66
Child seat, mounting 63
Child seats 63
Chrome parts, care 291
Cigarette lighter 145
Cleaning, displays 292
Climate control 136
Climate control wind‐ shield 159
Clock 82
Closing/opening from in‐ side 37
Closing/opening via door lock 36
Closing/opening with remote control 34
Clothes hooks 153
Collision warning 120
Combination switch, refer to Turn signals 72
Combination switch, refer to Wiper system 73
COMFORT+ program, Driving Experience Switch 112
Comfort Access 41
COMFORT program, Driving Experience Switch 112
Computer 84 Seite 311Everything from A to ZReference311
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