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0 Steering locked 
1 Steering unlocked
2 Ignition switched on
3 Starting engine
Steering locked The key can be inserted or removed in 
this position only. 
After removing the key, turn the 
steering wheel slightly to the left or right 
until the lock engages. 
An acoustic warning is sounded when 
you fail to remove the ignition key after 
opening the driver's door. 390de010
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion: 
Do not move the selector lever from the 
"Park" position until the engine is 
running (ignition key in position 2). 
To turn the key back to position 0 (for 
instance, prior to removal), start by 
moving the selector lever to position P 
(Interlock).< 
Steering unlocked You will find that it is often easier to turn 
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering 
wheel slightly to help disengage the 
lock.
Individual electrical accessories are 
ready for operation.Starting engine 
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: depress the clutch when 
starting the engine. A lockout prevents 
the engine from starting with the clutch 
engaged.< 
Before starting>Engage the parking brake
>Be sure that the transmission is in 
"Neutral" (or "Park" if the vehicle is 
equipped with an automatic trans-
mission)
>Step on the clutch pedal.
Do not allow the engine to run in 
enclosed spaces. The exhaust 
gases contain carbon monoxide, an 
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic 
gas. Breathing the exhaust gases poses 
an extreme health risk, and can lead to 
unconsciousness and death.
Never leave the vehicle unattended 
with the engine running. An unattended 
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.< 
Steering/Ignition lock Starting the engine 

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Manual transmissionBMW 525i, 530iEvery time you shift gears, always 
depress the clutch pedal all the way, 
pushing the manual gearshift 
lever into the respective end position.
Depress the clutch when starting the 
vehicle, as the lockout will prevent the 
engine from starting if the clutch is not 
depressed.360de044
BMW 540iWhen shifting gears, always depress 
the clutch pedal all the way to the end 
of its travel, then move the shift lever 
until it engages securely in the desired 
gear.
You will also need to depress the clutch 
when starting the engine, as an auto-
matic lockout prevents the starter from 
operating when the clutch is engaged.
When shifting gears in the 
5th/6th-gear plane, be sure to 
press the shift lever to the right in order 
to prevent inadvertent selection of a 
gear in the 3rd/4th-gear plane.< 380de044
ReverseSelect only when the vehicle is 
completely stopped. Press the shift 
lever to the left to overcome the resis-
tance.
When you engage reverse, the backup 
lamps will come on automatically when 
the ignition key is in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on 
slopes by slipping or "riding" the 
clutch. Use the parking brake instead. 
Riding the clutch causes increased 
clutch wear.<  

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cruise controlTo store and maintain speed 
or to acceleratePress button (+) briefly:
The system registers and maintains the 
current vehicle speed. Every time you 
tap the button, the speed increases by 
approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h).
Press and hold button (+):
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. When 
you release the button, the system 
stores and maintains the current speed.
If, on a downhill gradient, the 
engine braking effect is not suffi-
cient, the controlled speed can be 
exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill 
grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.< 
To deceleratePress button (Ð) briefly:
If you are already driving with active 
cruise control, the speed is decreased 
by approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h) every time 
you tap the button.
Press and hold button (Ð):
With the cruise control active, the 
system automatically reduces the 
throttle opening to slow the vehicle. 
When you release the button, the 
system registers and maintains the 
current speed.
To interrupt the cruise control When the system is activated, press the 
button. The indicator lamp stays on. 
You can use the cruise control again 
whenever you want by calling up the 
speed that was stored last.
In addition, cruise control is interrupted 
automatically:
>When the brakes are applied 
>When you depress the clutch pedal
>If you exceed or fall below the 
programmed speed for an extended 
period (by depressing the acceler-
ator, for example). To recall the stored settingPress button:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored. 

130n
Break-in proceduresTo ensure that your vehicle provides 
maximum economy throughout a long 
service life, we request that you 
observe the following suggestions.Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine speeds and 
road speeds, but do not exceed 
4,500 rpm and the following road 
speeds during this initial period:
BMW 525i, 530i: 100 mph (160 km/h)
BMW 540i: 106 mph (170 km/h).
Comply with all official speed limits.
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid 
pressing the accelerator beyond the 
kickdown point.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles 
(2,000 km), engine and vehicle speeds 
can gradually be increased.
You should also comply with these 
break-in procedures if the engine or 
differential is replaced later in the 
course of the vehicle service life.
TiresOwing to technical factors associated 
with their manufacture, tires do not 
achieve their full traction potential until 
an initial break-in period has elapsed. 
For this reason, you should drive with 
extra care during the initial 200 miles 
(300 km).
Comply with all official speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on 
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of 
water may form between the tire and 
the road surface. This phenomenon is 
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or 
complete loss of traction, vehicle 
control and braking effectiveness. 
Reduce your speed on wet roads.< 
Brake systemApprox. 300 miles (500 km) must 
elapse before the brake pads and 
rotors achieve the optimal pad-surface 
and wear patterns required for trouble-
free operation and long service life later 
on.
To break-in the separate parking brake 
drums, apply the parking brake lightly 
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic 
signal, for instance), provided that 
traffic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on 
when the parking brake is applied.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit 
on your BMW is available only when the 
engine is running. When you move the 
vehicle with the engine shut off Ð when 
towing, for instance Ð substantially 
higher levels of pedal force will be 
required to brake the vehicle.< ClutchThe clutch will also begin to function 
optimally after about 300 miles 
(500 km). Engage the gears carefully 
during the break-in period. 

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Brake systemBrake fluid level If the brake fluid level is too low and 
brake pedal travel has become notice-
ably longer, there may be a defect in 
one of the brake system's hydraulic 
circuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW 
center. Higher brake application 
pressure may be necessary under these 
conditions, and the vehicle may exhibit 
a slight tendency to pull to one side 
when the brakes are applied. Braking 
distances may also be longer. Please 
remember to adapt your driving style 
accordingly.<
Disc brakesLimited vehicle use, extended periods 
with the vehicle parked or in storage, 
and operating conditions in which 
braking is restricted to gentle, low-
pressure applications will all increase 
the tendency for corrosion to form on 
the rotors; this is often accompanied by 
a simultaneous accumulation of 
contamination on the brake pads. The 
pads must exert a certain minimal level 
of pressure against the rotors for the 
disc brakes' inherent self-cleaning 
effect to remain effective; the pressure 
available under the above conditions 
may not provide adequate cleansing. 
If the brake rotors are corroded, they 
will tend to respond to braking with a 
pulsating effect that even extended 
brake applications will fail to cure.
When driving in heavy rain and on wet 
roads it is a good idea to apply light 
pressure to the brake pedal every few 
miles. Monitor traffic conditions to 
ensure that this maneuver does not 
pose a hazard to you or to other road 
users. The heat generated in this 
process helps dry the pads and rotors 
to ensure that your brake system will 
respond with undiminished efficiency 
when you need it.When descending steep hills and 
extended grades, downshift to a gear 
that will allow you to continue safely 
with only a minimal amount of braking. 
By minimizing the loads placed on the 
brake system, this strategy helps 
ensure that optimal brake system 
response will remain available at all 
times. 
Do not coast with the clutch 
depressed or with the transmission 
or selector lever in Neutral. Do not coast 
with the engine shut off. The engine 
provides no braking effect when the 
clutch is depressed and there is no 
power-assist for braking or steering 
when the engine is not running. 
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any 
other objects to protrude into the area 
around the accelerator, clutch and brake 
pedals and obstruct their movement.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only 
brake pads that BMW has 
approved for your particular vehicle 
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if 
they are suited for use, and therefore 
cannot ensure the operating safety of 
the vehicle if they are installed.<