
104n
1 Airflow directed toward the 
windshield and side windows
2 Airflow for the upper body 
area106
3 Footwell ventilation 
4 Rear footwell ventilation 5 Airflow for the upper body area 
in the rear seat106
6 Temperature105
7 Air distribution  1058 Air supply105
9 Rear window defroster105
10 Cooling105
11 Recirculated-air mode105
Air conditioning 
390us742 

105n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Air conditioningTemperature
The numbers in the display 
panel are reference figures for 
general orientation. We 
recommend a setting of 70 7 
(22 6) for a congenial in-car climate. 
When you start the vehicle, this system 
adjusts the air to the selected tempera-
ture as quickly as possible, and then 
maintains that temperature constantly.
Air distribution 
You can direct the emerging 
air toward the windows  , 
toward your upper body   or 
into the footwell  . All inter-
mediate settings are also available. In 
the   setting, there is a low flow of air 
onto the windows to keep them free of 
condensation.
Air supply
You can control the emerging 
air's flow rate through an infi-
nitely-variable range. The 
heating and ventilation 
become more and more effective as the 
air supply settings are increased. In the 
"0" setting, the blower and climate 
control are switched off and the outside 
air supply is blocked. 
Rear window defroster 
The indicator lamp comes 
on to indicate that the rear 
window defroster is in operation. The 
rear window defroster switches off 
automatically.
Cooling
The air conditioning cools 
and dehumidifies the 
incoming air before reheating it to the 
selected temperature. Depending on 
the weather, the windshield may fog 
over briefly when the engine is started. 
You can reduce condensation forming 
on the windows by switching on the air 
conditioning.
Condensation forms in the air 
conditioning system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle. 
Traces of condensed water of this kind 
are thus normal.<
Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to 
unpleasant odors in the 
surrounding environment by using this 
mode to temporarily suspend the flow 
of outside air into the vehicle's interior. 
The system then recirculates the air 
currently within the vehicle.
If your vehicle is equipped with a multi-
function steering wheel
 featuring a 
recirculated-air button then you can 
also select the recirculated-air mode 
from this location (refer to page 22).
If the windows should fog over in 
the recirculated-air mode, switch 
the recirculated-air mode off and 
increase the air supply as required.< 

108n
Automatic climate control
*
10 Temperature control Ð 
right-hand side109
11 To defrost windshield and 
windows10912 Air conditioning110
13 Automatic recirculated-air control 
(AUC)110
14 Rear window defroster11015 Air supply109
16 Maximum cooling110
Residual heating mode111
17 Air grill for interior temperature 
sensor Ð please keep clear and 
unobstructed
390us743 

110n
Automatic climate control
*
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and 
dehumidified and Ð 
depending on the temperature setting Ð 
warmed again when the air conditioning 
is switched on. Depending on the 
weather, the windshield may fog over 
briefly when the engine is started. You 
can reduce condensation forming on 
the windows by switching on the air 
conditioning.
Condensation forms in the air 
conditioning system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle. 
Traces of condensed water of this kind 
are thus normal.< 
Maximum cooling
With the engine running 
this program provides 
maximum cooling at outside tempera-
tures above approximately 41 7 (5 6).
60 7 (16 6) appears in the tempera-
ture display 9, and the system reverts to 
the recirculated-air mode while simulta-
neously providing maximum airflow 
through the vent outlets only. That is 
why you need to keep these open if you 
select this program.
Automatic recirculated-air 
control (AUC)
You can respond to 
unpleasant external odors 
by temporarily stopping the flow of 
outside air. The system then recircu-
lates the air currently within the vehicle. 
Press the button repeatedly to run 
through the following control sequence:
>Indicator lamps off: outside airflow 
operational
>Left-hand indicator lamp on Ð AUC 
mode: the system recognizes pollut-
ants in the outside air and blocks the 
flow of air when necessary. The 
system then recirculates the air 
currently within the vehicle.
Depending on the air quality, the 
automatic system then switches back 
and forth between outside air supply 
and recirculation of the air within the 
vehicle
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the 
flow of external air into the vehicle is 
permanently blocked. The system 
then recirculates the air currently 
within the vehicle.
If you have a multifunction steering 
wheel with the recirculated-air button 
(refer to page 22), you can also use it to 
switch between "Off" and the recircu-
lated-air mode or AUC and the recircu-
lated-air mode.
If the windows should fog over in 
the recirculated-air mode, switch 
the recirculated-air mode off and 
increase the air supply as required.< Rear window defroster
When the rear window 
defroster is activated, the 
indicator lamp comes on. The rear 
window defroster switches off automat-
ically. 

142n
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling 
system when the engine is hot. If 
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant 
can cause burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later 
on, never use anything other than 
factory-approved, nitrite and amino-
free extended-duty antifreeze with 
corrosion inhibitor. Your BMW center is 
familiar with the factory specifications.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents 
are hazardous to health. You should 
always store it in its original container 
and in a location which is out of reach 
of children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor contains the flammable 
substance ethyleneÐglycol. For this 
reason, do not spill antifreeze with 
corrosion inhibitor on hot engine parts. 
It could catch fire and cause burns.< 
Checking coolant level and 
adding coolantCorrect coolant level when the engine 
is cold (approx. 687/206):
Unscrew the cap from the expansion 
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the 
upper end of the red float is at least 
even with the upper edge of the filler 
neck (refer to the arrow in the illustra-
tion), but no more than 0.8 in (2 cm) 
above it Ð that is, up to the second mark 
on the float (refer also to the schematic 
diagram next to the filler neck).380de081
1. Start by turning the cap counter-
clockwise. Pause to allow any accu-
mulated pressure to escape, then 
open
2. If the coolant is low, slowly add 
coolant until the correct level is 
reached Ñ do not overfill.
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the 
disposal of extended-duty antifreeze 
with corrosion inhibitor.<  

173n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Capacities
 
Notes
Fuel tank
Reservegal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 18.5 (approx. 70) 
approx. 2.0 (approx. 8) Ð BMW 525i, 530i
approx. 2.5 (approx. 10) Ð BMW 540iFuel specification: page 25
Windshield washer system
with headlamp washer system
Intensive cleaning systemquarts (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 139
Cooling system including 
heater circuitquarts (liters) 11.1 (10.5) Ð BMW 525i, 530i
12.7 (12.0) Ð BMW 540iFor details: page 142
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) 6.9 (6.5) Ð BMW 525i, 530i
7.9 (7.5) Ð BMW 540i"BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil." 
For details: page 141
Manual transmission, automatic 
transmission and differentialÐ Ð Lifetime fluid, no fluid 
change required 

Everything from A to Z
179n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
I 
Ice warning80 
Identification, tires135 
Ignition lock66 
Immoblizer function94 
activating code94 
deactivating code94 
selecting code94 
Important in the engine 
compartment138 
Imprint4 
Independent ventilation 
system112 
Indicator and warning 
lamps19 
Inflation pressure26t 
monitoring99 
Inflation pressure, 
tires26, 133 
INSPECTION82 
Instrument 
cluster15, 16, 17 
Instrument displays15 
Instrument lighting102 
Instrument panel16, 17 
Instrument panel switch76 
Instruments15 
Intensive cleaning139 Interior lamps103 
Interior mirror58 
Interior motion sensor42 
avoiding unintentional 
alarms44 
deactivate35 
Interior rearview mirror57 
automatic dimmer58 
Interlock66 
J 
Jack157 
Jump-starting162t K 
Key Memory64 
Key with remote control32 
Keys32 
Kickdown71, 74 L 
Lamps and bulbs151t 
LATCH child-restraint 
system63 
LATCH child-restraint 
system, sport wagon64 Leather care, refer to the 
"Caring for your vehicle" 
manual 
Length of vehicle169 
Level control system21, 99 
inactive99t 
License plate lamps 
bulb replacement156t 
Liftgate, refer to tailgate40 
Light switch101 
Lighter118 
LIGHTS ON warning101 
LIMIT91 
Load-securing devices126 
Louvers104, 107 
Low beams101 
bulb replacement151t 
Low-fuel warning lamp81 
Lug bolts158 
Lug wrench157t 
Luggage 
compartment38, 42, 123 
capacity171 
manual operation38t 
Luggage compartment 
lid38 
electrical malfunction38 
emergency release from 
luggage compartment's 
interior41 opening from the 
outside39 
opening separately38 
remote control35 
secure separately38 
Luggage compartment's 
interior, emergency 
release41 
Luggage net42 
Luggage straps42 
Lumbar support50 
M 
M+S tires136 
Maintenance82, 144t 
Malfunction displays83t 
Manual operation 
doors33 
fuel filler door24 
luggage compartment 
lid38 
sliding/tilt sunroof47 
tailgate39 
Manual transmission69 
Manually controlled 
recirculated-air110 
Manually-adjusted seat50 
Master key32 
Maximum cooling110 
Memory settings