Care, Car washes – BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo 2010 User Manual

Page 251

Care

Car washes

Notes

Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure

washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of 140 ℉/
60 ℃.
Holding them too close or using excessively
high pressures or temperatures can cause dam‐
age or preliminary damage that may then lead to
long-term damage.
Follow the operating instructions for the high-
pressure washer.◀

Cleaning sensors/cameras with high-
pressure washers

When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the exterior sensors and cameras, e.g.,
Park Distance Control*, for extended periods of
time and only from a distance of at least 12 in/
30 cm.◀
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in win‐
ter.
Intense soiling and road salt can damage the ve‐
hicle.

Washing in automatic car washes

Your vehicle can be washed in automatic car
washes right from the start.
Give preference to cloth car washes or those
that use soft brushes in order to avoid paint
damage.

Notes

Note the following:

▷

Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.

▷

Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may be damaged, depending on the width of
the vehicle.

▷

Deactivate the

rain sensor, refer to

page 71,

to avoid unintentional wiper acti‐

vation.

Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher

than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged.◀

Before driving into a car wash

The vehicle is able to roll when the following
steps are taken:

Press on the brake pedal.

Engage transmission position N.

Release the

parking brake, refer to

page 67,

or deactivate

Automatic Hold, refer

to page 69

Switch the engine off.

Transmission position P with the igni‐
tion off

When the ignition is switched off, position P
is engaged automatically. When in an auto‐
matic car wash, for example, ensure that the
ignition is not switched off accidentally.◀

The vehicle cannot be locked from the outside
when in transmission position N.
A signal is sounded when an attempt is made to
lock the vehicle.

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.