Page 28 of 238

28n
RefuelingFuel filler door
Before refueling, shut the engine
off. If the engine is running, fuel
cannot be filled into the tank and the
Service Engine Soon lamp may come
on.<
To open the filler door, press on the
front edge.
To unlock the filler door if the central
locking system fails, refer to page 198.
When handling fuels, comply with
all of the applicable safety precau-
tions and regulations pertaining to
fuels.
Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full,
these containers can leak, cause an ex-
plosion, or lead to fire in the event of a
collision.< 394de011
Simple and friendly to the environment
Open the filler cap carefully to
prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.
Do not top off. Topping off may cause
fuel spillage.<
Keep the filler cap in the bracket
attached to the fuel filler door.390de603
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refuel-
ing
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effect of the vapor
recovery system on the pump.
As long as the filler nozzle is used prop-
erly, the fuel tank is full whenever the
nozzle shuts off the first time.
Tank capacity: refer to page 223.
Close the filler cap carefully after
refueling until a "click" is heard.
While closing, be sure not to squeeze
the strap which is fastened to the cap.
A loose or missing cap will activate the
message "CHECK FILLER CAP" in the
Check Control
* or the Service Engine
Soon lamp.<
Page 84 of 238

84n
Tachometer Energy control Fuel gaugeNever allow the engine to operate with
the needle in the red overspeed zone of
the gauge.
To protect the engine, the engine-man-
agement system automatically inter-
rupts the fuel supply in this range; the
resulting effect resembles that associ-
ated with a sudden loss of power.390us004
Indicates current fuel consumption in
mpg (in liters per 100 km on Canadian
vehicles). This instrument shows
whether your current driving style is
conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the dis-
play goes to "Maximum" (zero on Cana-
dian models).390us005
When you switch on the ignition, the in-
dicator lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
If the indicator lamp stays on, there are
approx. >2.0
gal (8 liters) –
BMW 525i, BMW 530i
>2.5 gal (10 liters) – BMW 540i
remaining in the tank.
Tank capacity: refer to page 223.
Certain operating conditions (such
as those encountered in mountainous
areas) may cause the needle to fluctu-
ate slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.< 390us006
Page 221 of 238
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
221nWeights – sedan
BMW 525i BMW 530i BMW 540i
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, o\
ptions not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission lbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)3,450 (1,565)
3,505 (1,590)3,494 (1,585)
3,549 (1,610) 3,748 (1,700)
3,803 (1,725)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission lbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)4,464 (2,025)
4,520 (2,050)4,509 (2,045)
4,563 (2,070) 4,762 (2,160)
4,817 (2,185)
Approved front axle weight lbs. (kg) 2,116 (960)2,138 (970) 2,381 (1,080)
Approved rear axle weight lbs. (kg) 2,579 (1,170) 2,579 (1,170) 2,635 (1,195)
Approved roof load capacity lbs. (kg) 220 (100) 220 (100) 220 (100)
Approved axle loads and approved gross vehicle weight may not be exceede\
d.
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (l) 16.2 (460) 16.2 (460) 16.2 (460)
Page 222 of 238
222nWeights – sport wagon
BMW 525i BMW 540i
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, o\
ptions not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission lbs (kg)
lbs (kg)3,682 (1,670)
3,736 (1,695) –
4,056 (1,840)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission lbs (kg)
lbs (kg)4,773 (2,165)
4,828 (2,190) –
5,093 (2,310)
Approved front axle weight lbs (kg) 2,116 (960)2,381 (1,080)
Approved rear axle weight lbs (kg) 2,844 (1,290) 2,910 (1,320)
Approved roof load capacity lbs (kg) 220 (100) 220 (100)
Approved axle loads and approved gross vehicle weight may not be exceede\
d.
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (l) 14.5 – 53.9 (410 – 1,525) 14.5 – 53.9 (410 – 1,525)
Page 230 of 238

Everything from A to Z
Door locks, care146
Doors
emergency release38
manual operation38
t
remote control40
unlocking and locking38
DOT Quality Grades151
Drive belts224
Driving in winter146
Driving notes141
Driving through water141
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)24, 102, 208
DSP sound system211
refer also to the Radio
Owner's Manual
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)23, 100, 145
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)24, 102, 208
E
Electric power seat52
Electric power windows49
Electrical defect
fuel filler door198
t
sliding/tilt sunroof198
t
tailgate199
Electrical heating, exterior
mirror57
Electrical steering wheel,
adjusting56Electrical system224
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer37
Elements of operation16
Emergency operation
doors38
t
fuel filler door198
t
luggage compartment lid/
tailgate43, 199
t
sliding/tilt sunroof198
t
Energy control84
Engine
compartment160
coolant167
Engine oil
consumption165
grades166
level23
pressure22
specifications166
t
Engine specifications218
Error indicators86
Estimated time of arrival97
Exterior finish172
Exterior mirror56
electrical heating57
Exterior mirror with
automatic dimming
feature211
F
Failure messages86
t
Failure of an electrical
accessory196
t
Failure warnings86
t
Filler cap cover28
Filling capacities223
Filling the washer
reservoir164
t
First-aid kit27
t
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing201
t
Flashlight124
Flat tire150, 190
t
Fog lamp, bulb
replacement185
t
Footbrake144
Footwell lamps107
bulb replacement189
t
Forward/backward
adjustment, seats52, 55
Front fog lamps106
Front seat adjustment52
Frost protection,
radiator167
Fuel29
gauge84
quality29
tank capacity223
Fuel consumption97
average97
indicator84Fuel filler door, release after
electrical fault198
t
Fuses196
t
, 197
G
Gasoline29
gauge84
quality29
Glove compartment124
bulb replacement189
t
Gross vehicle weight221
H
Handbrake23, 70
Hands-free system125
Hazard warning
flashers27
t
Hazard warning
triangle27
t
Head restraints53
Headlamp covers,
care171
t
, 183
t
Headlamp flasher78
Headlamp washer
system164
Heated seats119
Heated steering wheel120
Heating and
ventilation108, 114
Heating while stopped118
Heating, rapid113
Heavy loads136