2013 BMW 550I XDRIVE ESP

Driving stability control systemsVehicle 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.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during brak‐
ing.
The vehicle remains steerable even during full
brake applications, thus increasing active
safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the en‐
gine.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost. It thus helps to achieve the shortest
possible braking distance during full braking.
This system utilizes all of the benefits provided
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the full braking.
Adaptive brake assistant
In combination with the Active Cruise Control,
this system ensures that the brakes respond
even more rapidly when braking in critical situa‐
tions. Refer also to Collision warning, refer to
page 107.Drive-off assistant
This system supports driving away on gradients.
The parking brake is not required.1.Hold the vehicle in place with the foot brake.2.Release the foot brake and drive away with‐
out delay.
After the foot brake is released, the vehicle is
held in place for approx. 2 seconds.
Depending on the vehicle load or when a trailer
is being used, the vehicle may roll back slightly.
Driving off without delay
After releasing the foot brake, start driving
without delay, since the drive-off assistant will
not hold the vehicle in place for more than ap‐
prox. 2 seconds and the vehicle will begin rolling
back.◀
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
The concept
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels
when driving away and accelerating.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi‐
tions, such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Subject
to physical limits, DSC helps to keep the vehicle
on a steady course by reducing engine speed
and by applying brakes at individual wheels.
Adjust your driving style to the situation
An appropriate driving style is always the
responsibility of the driver.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even
with DSC.
Therefore, do not reduce the additional safety
margin by driving in a risky manner.◀
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Driving comfortVehicle 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.
Active Cruise Control with
Stop & Go function, ACC
The concept
This system can be used to select a desired
speed that the vehicle will maintain automati‐
cally on clear roads.
To the extent possible, the system automatically
adjusts the speed to a slower vehicle ahead of
you.
The distance that the vehicle maintains to the
vehicle ahead of you can be varied.
For safety reasons, it depends on the speed.
To maintain a certain distance, the system au‐
tomatically decelerates, applies the brakes
lightly, or accelerates again if the vehicle ahead
begins moving faster.
If the vehicle ahead of you brakes to a halt, the
system is able to detect this within the given
system limits. If the vehicle ahead of your drives
away again from a halt, your vehicle is able to
accelerate if operated accordingly.
Even if some time passes before the vehicle
drives away again, the BMW can still be accel‐
erated automatically and simply.
As soon as the road is clear, it accelerates to the
desired speed.
The speed is also maintained on downhill gra‐
dients, but may not be maintained on uphill
slopes if engine power is insufficient.Notes
Personal responsibility
The system does not relieve the driver of
the responsibility to adapt his or her speed, dis‐
tance and driving style to the traffic conditions.
You should drive attentively and intervene ac‐
tively when necessary, e.g. by braking or making
an evasive maneuver, otherwise, there is danger
of an accident.◀
At a glance
Buttons on the steering wheel1System on/off, interrupt2Resume speed3Store speed4Reduce distance5Store, maintain/change speed6Increase distance
Radar sensor
A radar sensor is located in the front bumper for
detecting vehicles on the road ahead of the ve‐
hicle.
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Indicator/warning lampsPersonal responsibility
The indicator and warning lamps do not
relieve the driver of the responsibility to adapt
his or her desired driving speed and style to the
traffic conditions.◀
The vehicle symbol lights up orange:
A vehicle has been detected ahead of
you.
The vehicle symbol flashes orange:
The conditions are not adequate for op‐
erating the system.
The system was deactivated but applies the
brakes until you actively assume control by
pressing on the brake pedal or accelerator.
The vehicle symbol flashes red and an
acoustic signal sounds:
You are requested to intervene by brak‐
ing or making an evasive maneuver.
Displays in the Head-up Display
The information from Active Cruise Control can
also be displayed in the Head-up Display.
Adjusting the Head-up Display, refer to
page 146.
System limits
Speed range
Best results are achieved when using the sys‐
tem on well-developed roads and highways.
The desired speed can be selected between
20 mph/30 km/h to 110 mph/180 km/h.
The system can also be activated when station‐
ary.
Comply with the legal speed limit in every situa‐
tion when using the system.Detection range
The detection capacity of the system and the
automatic braking capacity are limited.
Two-wheeled vehicles driving ahead of you
for instance might not be detected.
Limited detection capacity
Because of the limits to the detection ca‐
pacity, you should be alert at all times so that you
can intervene actively, if necessary; otherwise,
there is the danger of an accident occurring.◀
Deceleration
The system does not decelerate when a sta‐
tionary obstacle is located in the same lane, e.g.,
a vehicle at a red traffic light or at the end of traffic
congestion.
The system also does not respond to:
▷Pedestrians or similar slow-moving road
users.▷Red traffic lights.▷Stationary objects.▷Cross traffic.▷Oncoming traffic.
No warnings
A warning may not be issued when ap‐
proaching a stationary or very slow-moving ob‐
stacle. You must react yourself; otherwise, there
is the danger of an accident occurring.◀
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Pathway lines▷Can be shown in the backup camera image
when in transmission position R.▷Help you to estimate the space required
when parking and maneuvering on level
roads.▷Are dependent on the current steering angle
and are continuously adjusted to the steer‐
ing wheel movements.
Turning circle lines
▷Can be shown in the backup camera image.▷Show the course of the smallest possible
turning circle on a level road.▷Only one turning circle line is displayed
when the steering wheel is turned.Obstacle marking▷Spatially-shaped markings can be shown in
the backup camera image.
Their colored steps match the markings of the
PDC. This simplifies estimation of the distance
to the object shown.
Parking using pathway and turning
circle lines
1.Position the vehicle so that the turning circle
lines lead to within the limits of the parking
space.2.Turn the steering wheel to the point where
the pathway line covers the corresponding
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Switch the system back on if necessary.
Display
The traffic area to the left and right is displayed
on the Control Display.
Guidelines at the bottom of the image show the
position of the front of the vehicle.
Brightness
With the Side View switched on:
1. "Brightness"2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.
Contrast
With the Side View switched on:
1. "Contrast"2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.
System limits
The cameras capture a maximum range of
330 ft/100 m.
Parking assistant
The concept
This system assists the driver in parking parallel
to the road.
Ultrasound sensors measure parking spaces on
both sides of the vehicle.
The parking assistant calculates the best pos‐
sible parking line and takes control of steering
during the parking procedure.
When parking, also take note of the visual and
acoustic information issued by the PDC and the
parking assistant and accelerate or brake ac‐
cordingly.
A component of the parking assistant is the PDC
Park Distance Control, refer to page 134.
Notes Personal responsibility
The parking assistant does not relieve the
driver of responsibility for the vehicle during the
parking procedure.
Watch the parking space and parking procedure
closely and intervene if necessary; otherwise,
there is the danger of an accident.◀
Changes to the parking space
Changes to the parking space after it was
measured are not taken into account by the sys‐
tem.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, there is the danger of an acci‐
dent occurring.◀
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Transporting loads
Loads that extend beyond the perimeter
of the vehicle are not taken into account by the
system during the parking procedure.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, there is the danger of an acci‐
dent occurring.◀
Curbs
The parking assistant may steer the vehi‐
cle over or onto curbs.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, the wheels, tires, or the vehicle
may become damaged.◀
An engine that has been switched off by the
Auto Start Stop function is restarted automati‐
cally when the parking assistant is activated.
Requirements
For measuring parking spaces▷Maximum speed while driving forward ap‐
prox. 22 mph/35 km/h.▷Maximum distance to row of parked vehi‐
cles: 5 ft/1.5 m.▷When parking in parking spaces on the driv‐
er's side, the corresponding turn signal must
be set.
Suitable parking space
▷Gap between two objects with a minimum
length of approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.▷Minimum length of the gap: own vehicle's
length plus approx 4 ft/1.2 m.▷Minimum depth: approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.
For parking procedure
Closed doors.
At a glance
Button in the vehicle
Parking assistant
Ultrasound sensors
The ultrasounds sensors used to measure park‐
ing spaces are located in the side turn signals.
To ensure full operability:
▷Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.▷When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the sensors for long periods and main‐
tain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.
Switching on/off
Switching on with the button Press the button.
The LED lights up.
The current status of the parking space search
is indicated on the Control Display.
Parking assistant is activated automatically.
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Air flows out of the vents for the upper body re‐
gion. The vents need to be open for this.
Air is cooled as quickly as possible:▷At an external temperature of approx.
32 ℉/0 ℃.▷When the engine is running.
The air flow can be adjusted when the program
is active.
Automatic recirculated-air control/
recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant odors or pollu‐
tants in the immediate environment by tempo‐
rarily suspending the supply of outside air. The
system then recirculates the air currently within
the vehicle.
Press the button repeatedly to select
an operating mode:
▷LEDs off: outside air flows in continuously.▷Left LED on, automatic recirculated-air con‐
trol: a sensor detects pollutants in the out‐
side air and controls the shutoff automati‐
cally.▷Right LED on, recirculated-air mode: the
supply of outside air into the vehicle is per‐
manently blocked.
If the windows are fogged over, switch off the
recirculated-air mode and press the AUTO but‐
ton on the driver's side to utilize the condensa‐
tion sensor. Make sure that air can flow onto the
windshield.
Continuous recirculated-air mode
The recirculated-air mode should not be
used for an extended period of time, as the air
quality inside the vehicle deteriorates steadily. ◀
Cooling function
The passenger compartment can only be
cooled with the engine running.
Press the button.
The air is cooled and dehumidified and, depend‐
ing on the temperature setting, warmed again.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may
fog up briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is switched on automati‐
cally with the AUTO program.
When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water, refer to page 174, develops
that exits underneath the vehicle.
Rear window defroster Press the button.
The rear window defroster switches off
automatically after a certain period of time.
ALL program The current settings on the driver's side
for temperature, air flow, air distribu‐
tion, and AUTO program are transferred to the
front passenger side and to the left and right
rear.
The program is switched off if the settings on
the front passenger side or in the rear are
changed.
Residual heat
The heat stored in the engine is used to heat the
interior.
Functional requirement▷Up to 20 minutes after the engine has been
switched off.▷Warm engine.▷The battery is sufficiently charged.▷External temperature below 77 ℉/25 ℃.
Switching on
1.Switch off the ignition.2. Press the right side of the button on
the driver's side.
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middle section is folded down. Otherwise, injury
or damage may result.◀
Lock the rear seat backrests in position
Before mounting child restraint fixing sys‐
tems, place the seat backrest as far as possible
at an angle at which the child seat is resting
firmly against the backrest and all backrests can
be locked securely in place. Otherwise, the child
seat will not be as stable as it should be, and
there is increased danger of injury due to unex‐
pected movement of the seat backrest.◀
Opening Move the front seats to an upright position
Before folding down the rear backrests,
ensure that the front seats are moved forward
slightly and are in an upright position. Other‐
wise, the head restraint and screen could be
damaged.◀1.Unlock the belt lock of the center safety belt
in the rear using the latch plate of another
safety belt.2.Insert the latch plate at the end of the belt
into the specially designated fixture on the
rear window shelf.3.Push the corresponding head restraint
down as far as it will go.4.Pull the corresponding lever in the cargo
area to release the rear seat backrest.5.The unlocked rear seat backrest moves for‐
ward slightly.6.Fold backrest forward.
Closing
1.Return the rear seat backrest to the upright
seating position and engage it.
Ensure that the lock is securely en‐
gaged
Make sure that the lock engages properly
when folding back, otherwise transported
cargo could enter the passenger compart‐
ment during braking or evasive maneuvers
and endanger the vehicle occupants.◀2.Release the belt tongue from the fixture on
the rear window shelf.3.Insert the belt tongue in the belt lock of the
center safety belt. Make sure you hear the
latch plate engage.
To secure cargo, refer to page 176, with nets or
draw straps, the cargo area is fitted with lashing
eyes.
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