156nApproved wheel and tire specifications – sedan
Pay attention to the specifications for
tires and wheels in the vehicle's docu-
ments. If sizes not approved by the
manufacturer are mounted, an entry in
the vehicle's documents may be neces-
sary. Comply with local legislation.
Tire specifications Steel rim
(wheel rim)Light-alloy wheel
BMW 525i
All season tires
225/60 R 15 96 H M+S – 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 H M+S – 7Jx16
Summer tires
225/60 R 15 96 W – 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 W – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y – 8Jx17
Front: 235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W/Y –
–8Jx17
9Jx17
Winter tires (M+S)
205/65 R 15 94 Q 6.5Jx15 7Jx156.5Jx15
7Jx15
225/60 R 15 96 Q 7Jx15 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 Q – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 Q – 8Jx16
The use of rims and wheel bolts
that do not meet the specifica-
tions of the original factory-installed
equipment will affect the safe operation
of your vehicle and may cause an acci-
dent and personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle con-
trol. <
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
157nApproved wheel and tire specifications – sedan
Pay attention to the specifications for
tires and wheels in the vehicle's docu-
ments. If sizes not approved by the
manufacturer are mounted, an entry in
the vehicle's documents may be neces-
sary. Comply with local legislation.
Snow chains*
For tires on 17-inch wheels, it is not
possible to mount snow chains.
Tire specifications Steel rim
(wheel rim)Light-alloy wheel
BMW 530i, 540i:
All season tires (BMW 530i, 540iA only)
225/55 R 16 95 H M+S – 7Jx16
Summer tires
225/55 R 16 95 W – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y – 8Jx17
Front: 235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W/Y –
–8Jx17
9Jx17
Winter tires (M+S)
225/55 R 16 95 Q/T/H – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 Q/T/H – 8Jx17
The use of rims and wheel bolts
that do not meet the specifica-
tions of the original factory-installed
equipment will affect the safe operation
of your vehicle and may cause an acci-
dent and personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle con-
trol. <
158nApproved wheel and tire specifications – sport wagon
Tire specifications Steel rim
(wheel rim)Light-alloy wheel
BMW 525i
All season tires
225/60 R 15 96 H M+S – 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 H M+S – 7Jx16
Summer tires
225/60 R 15 96 W – 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 W – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y – 8Jx17
Winter tires (M+S)
225/60 R 15 96 Q 7Jx15 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 Q – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 Q – 8Jx17
BMW 540i
All season tires
225/55 R 16 95 H M+S – 7Jx16
Summer tires
225/55 R 16 95 W – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y – 8Jx17
Winter tires (M+S)
225/55 R 16 95 Q – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 Q – 8Jx17Pay attention to the specifications for
tires and wheels in the vehicle's docu-
ments. If sizes not approved by the
manufacturer are mounted, an entry in
the vehicle's documents may be neces-
sary. Comply with local legislation.
Snow chains*
For tires on 17-inch wheels, it is not
possible to mount snow chains. The use of rims and wheel bolts
that do not meet the specifica-
tions of the original factory-installed
equipment will affect the safe operation
of your vehicle and may cause an acci-
dent and personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle con-
trol. <
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
191nChanging a wheel
>Spare tire and adapter* for removing
the lug bolt cover
* (refer to the next
column)
Both are next to the jack. Remove the
adapter or the plastic cover. Unscrew
the wing nut (arrow) by hand and re-
move the wheel
> Lug wrench and screwdriver
In the onboard tool kit under the lug-
gage compartment lid (refer to
page 182).
sport wagon: the lug wrench is next
to the spare tire.
394de091
Procedure
1 Read carefully and comply with the safety precautions on the previous
page.
2 Secure the vehicle against rolling: Place the wedge against the rear
surface of the front tire on the side
opposite the side being raised. If
the vehicle is parked on a down-
ward slope, place the wedge se-
curely in front of the tire. If the
wheel must be changed on a sur-
face with a more severe slope, take
additional precautions to secure the
vehicle from rolling.
3 Wheels with full wheel covers
*:
Reach into the ventilation openings
and pull the cover off. 4 Wheels with adapter
*: position the
lug bolt adapter on the lug bolt
cover. Then apply the lug wrench
and turn it to the left (refer to the
illustration).
5 Wheels with hub cover
*: pry the
hub cover off with the screwdriver
in the slot.
6 Loosen the lug bolts g-turn.
380de092
192nChanging a wheel
7 Position the jack at the jacking point
closest to the flat tire so that the
jack base is vertically below the
jacking point and the entire surface
of the head of the jack will move
into the square recess of the jacking
point (refer to the illustration detail)
when the jack is cranked.
8 Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are changing is raised off the
ground.
9 Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the wheel.
10 Remove accumulations of mud or
dirt from the mounting surfaces of
the wheel and hub. Clean the lug
bolts.
390de350
11 Position the spare wheel. Secure the wheel by turning at least two lug
bolts into opposite bolt holes.
12 Screw in the remaining lug bolts. Tighten all the bolts securely.
13 Lower the jack and remove it from beneath the vehicle.
14 Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
15 Wheels with full wheel covers: Place the wheel cover with the valve
opening over the valve (arrow). Use
both hands to press the cover se-
curely onto the rim.
For this light-weight wheel, use
only the full wheel cover installed
by the factory. Other wheel covers may
not fit securely. <
390de360
16 Wheels with hub covers:
Position the hub cover and press it
on tightly.
17 If equipped with lug bolt covers: Align the arrow on the cover with
the line in the wheel and press the
cover into place.
18 Check and correct the air pressure at the earliest opportunity.
For vehicles with Tire Pressure
Control (RDC)
*:
After mounting the spare tire or cor-
recting the inflation pressure, reacti-
vate the system. Refer to page 103.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing tires only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
lug bolts checked with a calibrated
torque wrench [torque specification
72 lb-ft (100 Nm)] at the earliest
opportunity. <
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
193nChanging a wheel Battery
When storing the wheel, take care to
ensure that you do not damage the
retaining pin in the spare tire recess.
If light-alloy wheels other than original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
Size 255/40 R17 94 W
* tires on
the rear axle:
In the event of a puncture or other tire
failure, it may be necessary to mount
the spare tire of different size at the
rear. This tire is of full capacity in all
load and speed ranges. Nevertheless,
mount a tire of the correct size as soon
as possible. <
Battery posts, terminals, and re-
lated accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling. <
Installation location
The battery is located behind the right-
hand side trim panel in the luggage
compartment.
Fold the trim panel down with the
handle at the top. On the sport wagon,
press the button.
If a subwoofer
* is installed on the sport
wagon, loosen the T-screw and swing
the subwoofer to the side.
390de610
Maintenance
The battery is absolutely maintenance-
free, that is, the original electrolyte will
normally last for the service life of the
battery under moderate climatic condi-
tions.
Symbols
You will find the following symbols on
your vehicle battery. To avoid injury,
please comply with the corresponding
precautions whenever you work with or
near the battery.
Please read the following infor-
mation before working with the
battery.
Wear eye protection. Do not al-
low particles containing battery
acid or lead to come into con-
tact with your eyes, your skin, or your
clothing.
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and
protective gloves. Do not tip the
battery. Battery acid can leak from the
ventilation openings.
Be sure that children keep well
away from batteries and battery
acid.
Everything from A to Z
231n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Height219
Height adjustment
seats52
steering wheel56
Help with jump
starting200
t
HiFi system211
High beams24
bulb replacement183
t
High Performance Synthetic
Oils166
High-mount brake lamp187
Hood release159
t
Horn25
Hydraulic Brake Assistant,
refer to DBC23, 100, 145
I
Ice warning83
Identification number of the
vehicle169
Identification, tires153
Ignition key36
Ignition lock68
Imprint4
Independent
ventilation94, 120
Independent ventilation,
refer also to the onboard
monitor Owner's Manual
Indicator lamps22
t
Inflation
pressure29
t
, 30, 150
monitoring103, 213
INSPECTION85
Instrument cluster18, 20
Instrument lighting105
Instrument panel20
Instrument panel switch78
Instruments18
Integrated rear
suspension214
Intensive
cleaning78, 79, 164
Interaxle tire rotation152
Interference indicators86
Interference with
car phones149
Interior lamps106
bulb replacement188
t
remote control40
Interior mirror57
with automatic dimming
feature211
Interior motion sensor48
deactivation48
Interior rearview mirror
with automatic dimming
feature57
Interlock68
Intermittent mode78
J
Jack190
t
Jump starting200
t
KKey Memory60
Key, transmitter36
Keys36
Keys with remote control36
Kickdown73, 76LLashing eye136
Leather care175
Length219
Level control
system23, 214
inactive148t
License plate lamps, bulb
replacement188t
Light switch105
Light-alloy wheels156
Lighter126
Lights-on warning105
LIMIT95
Load-securing devices136
Locking and unlocking the
doors38
Louvers108, 114
Low beams105
bulb replacement183tLow-fuel warning lamp84
Lug bolts191
Lug wrench191t
Luggage compartment46
capacity221
hanger46
lamps106
Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement189t
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate43
emergency actuation43
opening separately43
remote control41
secure separately43
unlock in case of electrical
fault43t
Luggage space46
Luggage straps46
Lumbar support54
MM+S tires154
Magic Eye194
Maintenance85t, 170t
Malfunction displays86t