Contents
Overview
Controls and features
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps22
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)25
Hazard warning flashers27
Warning triangle 27
First-aid kit 27
Refueling28
Fuel specifications29
Tire inflation pressure29
Locks and security systems:
Keys34
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer35
Central locking system36
Opening and closing Ð from the
outside36
With the key 36
Opening and closing Ð from the
inside40
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate41
Luggage compartment44
Alarm system45
Electric power windows47
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 48
Adjustments:
Seats 50
Steering wheel 54
Mirrors54
Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory56
Car Memory, Key Memory58
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts59
Airbags60
Child restraints 64
Child seat security66
Child-safety locks66
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock67
Starting the engine68
Switching off the engine69
Parking brake69
Manual transmission70
Automatic transmission 71
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 74
Indicator/Headlamp flasher77
Wiper/Washer system77
Rear window defroster79
Cruise control80
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature
display82
Tachometer83
Energy control83
Fuel gauge83
Temperature gauge84
Service Interval Display84
Check Control85
Onboard computer88
Technology for safety and
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC) 90
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 91
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) 92
11n
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams94
Instrument lighting94
High beams/Parking lamps95
Fog lamps95
Interior lamps96
Reading lamps96
Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control98
Seat heating 103
Steering wheel heating 103
Roller sun blind 104
Independent ventilation
system 104
Cabin convenience:
BMW Universal Transmitter 105
Glove compartment108
Storage facilities108
Cellular phone 109
Beverage holder 109
Ashtray, front110
Cigarette lighter 110
Ashtray, rear111
Loading and transporting cargo:
Through-loading system 112
Ski bag 113
sport wagon:
Luggage compartment 116
Roll-up cover 116
Separation net 116
Storage areas in the luggage
compartment 118
Cargo loading120
Roof-mounted luggage rack121
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedure124
Driving notes125
Catalytic converter126
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)127
Disc brakes128
Brake system130
Winter operation130
Power steering132
Level control system 132
Cellular phone 133
Radio reception133
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure134
Tire condition134
Tire replacement135
Tire rotation136
Wheel and tire
combinations137
Winter tires138
Snow chains 139
Approved wheel and tire
specifications 140
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
15n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps22
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL) 25
Hazard warning flashersHazard
warning flashers27
Warning triangle 27
First-aid kit 27
Refueling28
Fuel specifications29
Tire inflation pressure29
24n
Indicator and warning lamps
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)
* l
Fault in the DBC system. Con-
ventional braking efficiency is available
without limitations.
For additional information: Refer to
page 129.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
Check the tire inflation pressure.
Refer to pages 29, 92.
Level control system
* l
The level control system is
inactive. Please consult the
nearest authorized BMW center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 132.
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Sta-
bility Control (DSC)
* l
The ASC+T/DSC has been switched off
or has been deactivated because of a
malfunction. In the event of a malfunc-
tion, have the system checked by your
authorized BMW center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 91.
Electronic Engine Power Control
(EML)
*
Malfunction in the EML. When
braking, higher brake application pres-
sure may be necessary and brake pedal
travel may be significantly longer.
Please have the system inspected by
your authorized BMW center.
CHECK ENGINE lamp l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: Refer to
page 162.
CHECK ENGINE warning lamp
for Canadian models.
Green: For your information
Turn signal
Flashes when the turn signals
are in operation. Rapid flashing
indicates a system malfunction.
For additional information: Refer to
page 77.
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Available for
operation via the multifunction steering
wheel.
For additional information: Refer to
page 80.
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the fog lamps.
For additional information: Refer to
page 95.
Blue: For your information
High beam
Lights up when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information: Refer to
page 77.
29n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressureUse unleaded gasoline only.
Recommended octane rating: 91 AKI.
BMW engines are equipped with knock
sensors and will adapt automatically
to different octane ratings, provided
that the minimum octane requirement
(87 AKI) is met.
Fuels with higher octane ratings will
provide enhanced performance and
lower fuel consumption, while the use
of fuels with low octane ratings will
have an opposite effect.
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
AKI = Anti Knock Index
The inflation pressures are indicated on
a sticker attached to the B-pillar behind
the driver's door (visible with door
open).Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are indicated
in psi (kilopascal) for tires at ambient
temperature (refer also to the next
pages).
For vehicles with Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)
*:
After a correction of the tire inflation
pressure, reactivate the system. Refer
to page 92.
390de351
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly Ð at least every two weeks
and before beginning a longer trip.
Incorrect tire pressure can lead to tire
damage and accidents.
Check the inflation pressure of the
spare tire also. Inflate the spare tire to
the highest inflation of any tire on your
vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to tires from BMW approved
manufacturers. Your BMW center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
from other manufacturers. You will find
a list of approved tires beginning on
page 140.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW approved
tires.
30n
Tire inflation pressuresedan Tires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi
(kilopascal) with cold tires
(cold = ambient temperature)
528i225/60 R 15 96 H M+S
225/60 R 15 96 W US/CDN:
225/55 R 16 95 W 33 (230) 41 (280) 33 (230) 41 (280)
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W/Y outside US/CDN:
205/65 R 15 94 Q M+S 29 (200) 33 (230) 33 (230) 41 (280)
225/60 R 15 96 Q M+S
225/55 R 16 95 Q M+S
235/45 R 17 94 Q M+S
540i235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
225/55 R 16 95 W35 (240) 39 (270) 41 (280) 48 (330)
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W/Y Ð 39 (270) Ð 48 (330)
225/55 R 16 95 Q,T,H M+S
30 (210) 35 (240) 36 (250) 44 (300)
235/45 R 17 94 Q,T,H M+S
540iA225/55 R 16 95 H M+S
225/55 R 16 95 W
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
225/55 R 16 95 Q M+S
235/45 R 17 94 Q M+S30 (210) 35 (240) 36 (250) 44 (300)
Rear: 225/40 R 17 94 W/Y 35 (240) 44 (340)
31n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Tire inflation pressuresport
wagonTires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi
(kilopascal) with cold tires
(cold = ambient temperature)
528i225/60 R 15 96 H M+S
30 (210) 35 (240) 36 (250) 44 (300) 225/60 R 15 96 W
225/55 R 16 95 W
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
225/60 R 15 96 Q M+S
33 (230) 38 (260) 39 (270) 46 (320)
225/55 R 16 95 Q M+S
235/45 R 17 94 Q M+S
540i225/55 R 16 95 H M+S
30 (210) 35 (240) 36 (250) 44 (300)
225/55 R 16 95 W
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
225/55 R 16 95 Q M+S
33 (230) 38 (260) 39 (270) 46 (320)
235/45 R 17 94 Q M+S
86n
Check Control>RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE
>COOLANT TEMPERATURE
The coolant is overheated. Stop the
vehicle and switch off the engine im-
mediately. Refer to pages 84
and 15 1.
>STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the
vehicle and switch off the engine im-
mediately. Refer to page 22.
>CHECK BRAKE FLUID
Indicates that brake fluid is down to
roughly minimum level. Top up the
brake fluid at the next opportunity.
Refer to page 152. Have the source
of the brake fluid loss diagnosed and
corrected by your BMW center.
>FLAT TIRE
*
Reduce vehicle speed immediately
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
Refer to page 93.
>LOAD LEVEL INACTIVE
Please consult the nearest authorized
BMW center. Refer to page 132.
>SPEED LIMIT
*
Display if the programmed speed
limit has been exceeded.Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds
when the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 2. The warning symbols remain
after the message disappears. You can
display the messages again by pressing
the CHECK button (3):
>TRUNKLID OPEN
Message appears only when the
vehicle is initially set in motion.
>DOOR OPEN
This message appears after a minimal
defined road speed has been ex-
ceeded.
>FASTEN SEAT BELTS
*
In addition to this message, a
warning lamp with the safety belt icon
appears and an acoustical signal
sounds.
>WASHER FLUID LOW
Too low; top up fluid at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 148.
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
Add engine oil as soon as possible.
Refer to page 149.
>OUTSIDE TEMP. +207 (Ð56)
This display is only an example. The
current temperature is displayed at
outside temperatures of +37.57
(+36) and below. Refer also to
page 82.>TIRE PRESSURE SET
*
The RDC has imported the current in-
flation pressure in the tires as the tar-
get values which the system will
monitor.
Refer to page 92.
>CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
*
Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure to specifications at the earli-
est opportunity (next stop for fuel).
Refer to page 92.
>TIRE CHECK INACTIVE
*
A temporary interference of the RDC
or a system fault. Refer to page 93.
>CHECK BRAKE LAMPS
A lamp has failed or the electrical cir-
cuit has a fault. Refer to pages 169
and 170 or consult an authorized
BMW center.
>CHECK LOWBEAM LAMPS
CHECK SIDE LAMPS
CHECK REAR LAMPS
CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS
CHECK LICPLATE LAMP
CHECK HIGHBEAM LAMP
CHECK BACK UP LAMPS
Defective bulb or circuit. Refer to
page 167 or consult an authorized
BMW center.