2001 BMW 525I SPORT WAGON air filter

112n
Air conditionerMicrofilter The microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming air. Your BMW cen-
ter will replace it during routine mainte-
nance. A substantial reduction in airflow
indicates that the filter needs to be re-
placed early.
Cooling1 You can specify an interior tempera-
ture comfortable for you, e.g. 707
(226) by turning the rotary tempera-
ture dial.
2 Switch on the air conditioner.
3 Set the air distribution rotary dial
to .
4 Set the blower/air supply rotary dial
to the middle zone.
5 Open the air outlets for the upper
body.
6 Select a temperature that is
comfortable for you with rotary dial 3.
Refer to "Draft-free ventilation" on
page 111.390us707
Rapid ventilation1 You can specify an interior tempera-
ture comfortable for you, e.g. 707
(226), by turning the rotary temper-
ature dial.
2 Switch on the air conditioner and
recirculated air mode.
3 Set the air distribution rotary dial
to .
4 Turn the blower/air supply rotary dial
completely to the right.
5 Open the air outlets for the upper
body.
6 Set rotary dial 3 to cold (blue).
Refer to page 111.390us708

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
119n
Automatic climate control
*
Seat heating
*
Rear passenger area ventilationRotary dial 1 opens the outlets in an in-
finitely-variable range. You can vary the
temperature of the air as it flows out us-
ing rotary dial 3 in the same manner as
for the front rotary dial.
You can change the direction of the air-
flow with levers 2.390de354
Microfilter, activated-charcoal
filterThe microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming air. The activated-
charcoal filter provides additional
protection by filtering gaseous pollut-
ants from the outside air. Your BMW
center replaces this combined filter as a
standard part of your scheduled main-
tenance. A substantial reduction in air-
flow indicates that the filter must be
replaced before scheduled mainte-
nance.
The seat cushion and backrest can
be heated with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2.
You can call up different heating modes
by repeatedly pressing the keys.
The highest heating mode is on when
the three indicator lamps are lit; one
lamp is lit for lowest heating. Tempera-
ture regulation in each mode is with a
thermostat.
You can also switch the higher heating
modes off directly:
Press the key and hold it slightly longer.
390us717

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
161n
1 Auxiliary terminal for jump starting 200
2 Reservoir for brake fluid (under the housing of the microfilter) 168
3 Engine oil dipstick 165
4 Coolant expansion tank 167
5 Engine oil filler neck 165
6 Reservoir for intensive-cleaning system
*164
7 Reservoir for windshield and headlamp washer system
*164
Engine compartment – BMW 525i, 530i

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
163nEngine compartment – BMW 540i
1 Reservoir for brake fluid (under the
housing of the microfilter) 168
2 Auxiliary terminal for jump starting 200
3 Engine oil dipstick 165
4 Engine oil filler neck 165
5 Coolant expansion tank 167
6 Reservoir for intensive-cleaning system
*164
7 Reservoir for headlamp washer
* and
windshield washer system 164

168nCoolant Brake fluid
Adding coolant
Wait until the engine cools before
removing the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant temper-
ature gauge in the instrument cluster
must be located in the blue zone; other-
wise, there is a danger of scalding.
1 Start by turning the cap counter-
clockwise. Pause to allow any
accumulated pressure to escape,
then open.
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant until the correct level is
reached – do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the pre-
scribed all-season 50:50 mixture ratio
for year-round protection against inter-
nal corrosion. No other additives are re-
quired.
Replace the coolant every four years.
If the indicator lamp for the
brake hydraulic system comes
on or if the "CHECK BRAKE
FLUID" warning appears in the
Check Control
*: the brake fluid
level is too low in the reservoir.
The brake fluid reservoir is located
under the microfilter housing on the
driver's side of the car. Should you de-
termine that the brake fluid is low, refer
the problem to your BMW center, who
can trace and rectify any sources of
leakage when refilling the reservoir.
Your BMW center is familiar with the
specifications for approved brake
fluids (DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss results in extended
pedal travel. For this situation, refer to
the notes on page 146.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and
reliability of the brake system, have
the brake fluid changed every two years
by an BMW center. Refer also to the
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or to the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion which is out of reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the "MAX"
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns. <
Comply with the applicable
environmental laws regulating the
disposal of brake fluid. <

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
177n
Any BMW center will be glad to inform
you of the advisability, legal require-
ments and factory recommendations
with regard to technical modifications
on the car. For this purpose, the center
requires the Vehicle Identification Num-
ber and, in some cases, also the engine
number.
Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
Light-emitting diodes installed behind
translucent lenses serve as the light
source for many of the controls and dis-
plays in your vehicle. The concept be-
hind their operation is related to that
employed for lasers, and they are offi-
cially designated as Class 1 light-emit-
ting diodes. Do not remove the protective lens
and avoid staring directly at the
unfiltered beam for extended periods
(several hours), as inflammation of the
iris could result. <
California laws require us to state the
following warning:
Engine exhaust, some of its con-
stituents, and certain vehicle com-
ponents contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. <
Technical modifications California Proposition 65 Warning

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
223nCapacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 18.5 (approx. 70)
approx. 2.0 (approx. 8) – BMW 525i,
530i
approx. 2.5 (approx. 10) – BMW 540i Fuel specification: page
29
Windshield washer system
with headlamp washer system
Intensive cleaning system quarts (liters)
quarts (liters)
quarts (liters)approx. 3.7 (approx. 3.5)
approx. 6.3 (approx 6.0)
approx. 1.1 (approx 1.0) For details: page
164
Cooling system including heater
circuit quarts (liters) 11.1 (10.5) – BMW 525i, 530i
12.7 (12.0) – BMW 540i For details: page
167
Engine with oil filter change quarts (liters) 6.9 (6.5) – BMW 525i, 530i 7.9 (7.5) – BMW 540i"BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil."
For details: page
167
Manual transmission, automatic
transmission and differential – – Lifetime fluid, no fluid
change required

Everything from A to Z

A
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)23, 143
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal
filter119
Active seat55, 210
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)72, 207
Add
antifreeze168

t

brake fluid168

t

engine coolant168

t

engine oil165

t

washer fluids164

t

Adjust washer
nozzles164

t

Adjusting
backrest angle53
backrest, forward/
backward52
seats52
steering wheel56
temperature110, 116
thigh support55
Air conditioner108
Air distribution110, 116
Air outlets108, 114
Air pressure29

t

, 150

t

Air supply110, 117
Air vent108, 114Airbags23, 62, 176, 206
Alarm system47
Antennas149
Antifreeze167

t

radiator146
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)23, 143
Anti-theft alarm system47
Anti-theft protection39
Approved axle weight221
Approved gross vehicle
weight221
Approved roof load
capacity221
Aquaplaning141, 150
Arrival time97
ASC+T/DSC (Automatic
Stability Control plus
Traction/Dynamic Stability
Control)24, 102, 208
Ashtray126
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)72, 207
Attach vacuum cleaner127
AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control)117
Automatic car washes171
Automatic climate
control114
remove condensation from
windows117Automatic cruise control81
Automatic curb monitor59
Automatic dimming
interior rearview mirror57
Automatic rear window
cleaning80
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)117
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction/Dynamic
Stability Control (ASC+T/
DSC)24, 102, 208
Automatic transmission72
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic75
Average fuel
consumption89
Average speed89, 98
Avoid false alarms48

t

Axle loads221

B
Backrest, adjusting52, 55
Backup lamps71
bulb replacement186

t

Battery193

t

, 224
capacity224
charge condition194

t

charging194
discharged200

t

removing and
installing195

t

Belts61
Beverage holder125
Blower110, 117
BMW active seat55, 210
BMW comfort seat54
BMW sports seat55
BMW Universal
Transmitter121
Body-cavity protectant172
Brake faults146

t

Brake hydraulic
system22, 146
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement186

t

Brake system140
brake faults146
brake fluid168
brake lamps, bulb
replacement186
brake pads23
disc brakes144
parking brake23, 70
Brake-in procedure140
Break-resistant security
glass174
care174

t

Bulb replacement183

t

C
California Proposition
65 Warning177
Capacity223