2014 BMW 550I XDRIVE light

At a glance
Button in the vehicle
Active Blind Spot Detection
Radar sensors
The radar sensors are located under the rear
bumper.
Switching on/off Press the button.
▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
The system can issue warnings at speeds
above approx. 30 mph/50 km/h.
The setting is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Display
Information stage
The dimmed lamp in the mirror housing indi‐
cates when there are vehicles in the blind spot
or approaching from behind.
Warning
If the turn signal is set while a vehicle is in the
critical zone, the steering wheel vibrates briefly
and the lamp in the mirror housing flashes
brightly.
The warning stops when the turn signal is
switched off, or the other vehicle leaves the
critical zone.
System limits
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷When a vehicle is approaching at a speed
much faster than your own.▷In heavy fog, rain or snowfall.▷In tight curves or on narrow lanes.▷If the bumper is dirty or iced up, or covered
with stickers.
A Check Control message is displayed when
the system is not fully functional.
For US owners only The transmitter and receiver units comply with
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communication
Commission regulations. Operation is gov‐
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
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▷NBG009014A.
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
▷This device may not cause harmful inter‐
ference, and▷this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or changes to
these devices could void the user's authority to
operate this equipment.
Brake force display
The concept
▷During normal brake application, the outer
brake lamps light up.▷During heavy brake application, the inner
brake lamps light up in addition.
Active Protection
General information
The Active Protection safety package consists
of systems that are independent of each other:
▷Attentiveness assistant.▷PreCrash▷PostCrashAttentiveness assistant
The concept The system can detect increasing lack of alert‐
ness or fatigue of the driver during long, mo‐
notonous journeys, for example, on highways.
In this situation, it is recommended that the
driver take a break.
Note Personal responsibility
The system cannot act as a substitute for
the personal assessment of one's physical
state and may not detect an increasing lack of
alertness or fatigue or may not detect it cor‐
rectly. Therefore, make sure that the driver is
rested and alert; otherwise, risks may be de‐
tected too late and an accident be caused as a
result.◀
Function
The system is activated each time the engine
is started and cannot be switched off.
After travel has begun, the system is trained
about the driver, so that increasing lack of
alertness or fatigue can be detected.
This procedure takes the following criteria into
account:▷Personal driving style, for example, steer‐
ing behavior.▷Driving conditions, for example, length of
trip.
Starting at approximately 43 mph/70 km/h, the
system is active and can display a recommen‐
dation to take a break.
Break recommendation
If the driver becomes increasingly less alert or
fatigued, a message is displayed in the Control
Display with the recommendation to take a
break.
A recommendation to take a break is displayed
only once during an uninterrupted trip.
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Driving stability control systemsVehicle equipmentAll standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equip‐
ment is also described that is not available in a
vehicle, e. g., because of the selected optional
equipment or country variant. This also applies
for safety-related functions and systems.
Antilock Brake System ABS ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking.
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. This then reduces braking dis‐ tance to a minimum 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.
When equipped with Driving Assistant Plus or
with Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go
function, ACC is supported by the braking in‐
tervention if there is a possible risk of collision.
To do this, the braking force is automatically increased if the braking pressure is insufficient
when the brakes are applied.Adaptive brake assistant
In combination with the Active Cruise Control,
this system ensures that the brakes respond
even more rapidly when braking in critical sit‐
uations.
Drive-off assistant
This system supports driving away on gradi‐
ents. The parking brake is not required.1.Hold the vehicle in place with the foot
brake.2.Release the foot brake and drive away
without 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 driv‐
ing without delay, since the drive-off assistant
will not hold the vehicle in place for more than
approx. 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. Sub‐
ject to physical limits, DSC helps to keep the
vehicle on a steady course by reducing engine
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speed and by applying brakes to the 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.◀
Indicator/warning lamps The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con‐
trols the drive forces and brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has
failed.
Deactivating DSC: DSC OFF
When DSC is deactivated, driving stability is
reduced during acceleration and when driving in bends.
Stabilizing interventions by the Integral Active
Steering system are only performed by the rear axle steering.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.
Deactivating DSC Press and hold the button, but not lon‐
ger than approx. 10 seconds, until the
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and DSC OFF is displayed.
The DSC system is switched off.
Steering and, depending on the equipment,
the chassis are adjusted for sporty driving.
Activating DSC Press the button.
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.Indicator/warning lamps
When DSC is deactivated, DSC OFF is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC is
deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control
The concept The DTC system is a version of the DSC in
which forward momentum is optimized.
The system ensures maximum forward mo‐
mentum on special road conditions, e.g., unp‐
lowed snowy roads, but driving stability is lim‐
ited.
It is therefore necessary to drive with appropri‐
ate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:▷When driving in slush or on uncleared,
snow-covered roads.▷When rocking the vehicle or driving off in
deep snow or on loose surfaces.▷When driving with snow chains.
Deactivating/activating DTC Dynamic
Traction Control
Activating the Dynamic Traction Control DTC
provides maximum traction on loose ground.
Driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in bends.
Activating DTC Press the button.
TRACTION is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster and the indicator lamp for DSC
OFF lights up.
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Deactivating DTCPress the button again.
TRACTION and the DSC OFF indica‐
tor lamp go out.
Indicator/warning lamps When DTC is activated, TRACTION is dis‐
played in the tachometer.
The indicator lamp lights up: DTC Dy‐
namic Traction Control is activated.
xDrive
xDrive is the all-wheel-drive system of your ve‐
hicle. Concerted action by the xDrive and DSC
further optimize traction and driving dynamics.
The xDrive all-wheel-drive system variably dis‐
tributes the drive forces to the front and rear
axles as demanded by the driving situation and
road surface.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept HDC is a downhill driving assistant that auto‐
matically controls vehicle speed on steep
downhill gradients. Without applying the
brakes, the vehicle moves at slightly more than
walking speed.
Hill Descent Control can be activated at
speeds below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When
driving downhill, the vehicle reduces its speed
to approx. walking speed and then keeps its
speed constant.
As long as there is active braking, the system
is on standby. The system does not brake the
vehicle during this time.
Only use HDC in low gears or in selector lever
position D or R.Increasing or decreasing vehicle
speed
Specify desired speed in the range from ap‐
prox. 4 mph/6 km/h to approx. 15 mph/25 km/h
using the rocker switch of the cruise control on
the steering wheel. Vehicle speed can be
changed by lightly accelerating.▷Press up the rocker switch to the point of
resistance: the speed increases gradually.▷Press up the rocker switch past the point
of resistance: the speed increases while
the rocker switch is pressed.▷Press down the rocker switch to the point
of resistance: the speed decreases gradu‐
ally.▷Press down the rocker switch past the
point of resistance: when driving forward,
the speed decreases to approx.
6 mph/10 km/h; when reversing, the speed
decreases to approx. 4 mph/6 km/h.
Activating HDC
Press the button; the LED above the but‐
ton lights up.
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Integral Active SteeringThe concept
Integral Active Steering is a combination of Ac‐
tive Steering and rear axle steering.
Active Steering varies the steering angle of the
wheels in relation to the steering wheel move‐
ment as a function of the speed.
At speeds up to approx. 37 mph/60 km/h, e.g.,
in curves, the steering angle is increased, i.e.,
steering becomes more direct.
The rear axle steering acts to increase maneu‐
verability by turning the rear wheels slightly in
a direction opposite to the front wheels.
At higher speeds, the steering angle is increas‐
ingly reduced.
The rear wheels are turned to the same angle
as the front wheels.
In critical situations, Integral Active Steering
can specifically steer the front and rear wheels
to stabilize the vehicle before the driver inter‐
venes, e.g., when braking where road condi‐
tions differ on the left and right sides of the ve‐
hicle.
InitializingIn rare cases, it may become necessary to initi‐
alize the Integral Active Steering.
The warning lamp lights up. A Check
Control message is displayed.1.With the engine running, turn the steering
wheel all the way to the left and right sev‐
eral times in a uniform manner until the
warning lamp disappears.2.Have the system checked if the warning
lamp does not go out after moving the
steering wheel approx. 6 times or if the
steering wheel is at an angle.Using snow chains
Note When snow chains are in use, refer to
page 223, rear wheel steering is deactivated.
Programs The system offers several different programs.
The programs can be selected via the Driving
Dynamics Control, refer to page 133.
SPORT
Consistently sporty tuning of the Integral Ac‐
tive Steering for greater driving agility.
COMFORT Balanced tuning of the Integral Active Steering
for optimal traveling comfort.
Malfunction
In the event of a malfunction, the steering
wheel must be turned further, while the vehicle
responds more sensitively to steering wheel
movements in the higher speed range.
The stability-enhancing intervention may be
deactivated.
Proceed cautiously and drive defensively.
Have the system checked.
Driving Dynamics Control The conceptThe Driving Dynamics Control can be used to
adjust the driving dynamics of the vehicle. For
this purpose various programs are available for
selection that are activated via the two buttons
of the Driving Dynamics Control and the DSC
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Operating the programsPress the buttonProgramDSC OFF
TRACTIONSPORT+
SPORT
COMFORT
COMFORT+
ECO PRO
Automatic program change
The system may automatically switch to COM‐
FORT in the following situations:
▷Failure of Integral Active Steering.▷Failure of Dynamic Damping Control.▷The vehicle has a flat tire.
DSC OFF
When DSC OFF, refer to page 130, is active,
driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in bends.
TRACTION When TRACTION is active, the vehicle has
maximum traction on loose road surfaces. DTC
Dynamic Traction Control, refer to page 130, is
activated. Driving stability is limited during ac‐
celeration and when driving in bends.
SPORT+
Sporty driving with optimized chassis and
adapted engine control with limited driving sta‐
bilization.
Dynamic Traction Control is switched on.
The driver handles several of the stabilization
tasks.
Activating SPORT+
Press the button repeatedly until
SPORT+ appears in the tachometer
and the DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
Automatic program change
When switching on the adjustable speed limit
or activating cruise control, the program auto‐
matically switches to SPORT mode.
Indicator/warning lamps
SPORT+ is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up:
Dynamic Traction Control is activated.
SPORT Consistently sporty tuning of the suspension
and engine control for greater driving agility
with maximum driving stabilization.
The program can be configured to individual
specifications.
The configuration is stored for the remote con‐
trol currently in use.
Activating SPORT Press the button repeatedly untilSPORT appears in the tachometer.
Configuring SPORT When the display is activated on the ControlDisplay, refer to page 135, the SPORT driving
mode can be set.
After the SPORT driving mode is activated, se‐
lect "Configure SPORT" on the displayed
panel and configure the program.
SPORT can also be configured before it is acti‐
vated:1."Settings"2."SPORT mode" or: "Driving mode"Seite 134ControlsDriving stability control systems134
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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, equip‐
ment is also described that is not available in a
vehicle, e. g., because of the selected optional
equipment or country variant. This also applies
for safety-related functions and systems.
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, ACC
The conceptThis 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 automati‐
cally 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 reduces the speed, applies the
brakes lightly, or accelerates again if the vehi‐
cle 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
ahead of you drives away again, your own vehi‐
cle can still be accelerated 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.
General information
Depending on the set driving program, the
characteristics of the cruise control can
change in certain areas.
Hints Personal responsibility
Even an active system does not release
the driver from personal responsibility for the
driving process, especially for lane tracking,
adaptation of speed, distance and driving style
to the traffic conditions.
Because of technical system limits, the system
cannot independently react appropriately in all
traffic situations.
Monitor the driving process, the surrounding
area and what is occurring in traffic continu‐
ously and attentively and actively intervene as
required, e.g., by braking, steering or making an evasive maneuver.◀
Unfavorable weather conditions
In the event of unfavorable weather and
light conditions, e. g. if there is rain, snowfall,
slush, fog or glare, this may result in poorer
recognition of vehicles as well as short-term
interruptions for vehicles that are already de‐
tected. Drive attentively, and react to the cur‐
rent traffic events. Intervene actively when
necessary, e.g., by braking, steering or making
an evasive maneuver, otherwise, there is dan‐
ger of an accident.◀Seite 136ControlsDriving comfort136
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