Page 138 of 186
138n
1 Reservoir for brake fluid (under the 
housing of the microfilter)143
2 Auxiliary terminal for 
jump-starting1623 Engine oil dipstick140
4 Engine oil filler neck140
5 Coolant expansion tank1426 Reservoir for intensive-cleaning 
system
*
139
7 Reservoir for windshield and 
headlamp washer system
*
139
Engine compartment essentials
390de791 
     
        
        Page 173 of 186
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 
     
        
        Page 176 of 186

Everything from A to ZA 
ABS (Antilock Brake 
System)20, 131 
Accessories10 
Activated-charcoal 
filter112 
Active seat52 
Adaptive Transmission 
Control (ATC)70, 73 
Add 
antifreeze142t 
brake fluid143t 
engine coolant142t 
engine oil140t 
washer fluid139t 
Adjusting 
backrest50 
head restraints52 
mirrors57 
seats48 
steering wheel56 
temperature105, 109 
thigh support50 
Air conditioning104 
Air distribution105, 109 
Air outlets104, 107 
Air pressure26t, 133 
Air supply105, 109 
Air vent104, 107 Airbags20, 58 
Alarm system42 
Anchorages to secure the 
load126 
Antifreeze, disposal142t 
Antifreeze, radiator142 
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)20, 131 
Anti-theft alarm system42 
Anti-theft protection34 
Approved axle weight171 
Approved gross vehicle 
weight171 
Aquaplaning131, 133 
ASC+T (Automatic Stability 
Control plus Traction)21 
ASC+T/DSC (Automatic 
Stability Control plus 
Traction/Dynamic Stability 
Control)97 
Ashtray, front117 
Ashtray, rear118 
ATC (Adaptive Transmission 
Control)70, 73 
Attach vacuum cleaner118 
AUC (Automatic 
recirculated-air 
control)110 Automatic climate 
control107 
removing condensation 
from windows109 
Automatic cruise control78 
Automatic curb monitor55 
Automatic rear window 
cleaning77 
Automatic recirculated-air 
control (AUC)110 
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction (ASC+T)21 
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction/Dynamic 
Stability Control (ASC+T/
DSC)97 
Automatic 
transmission20, 70 
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic20, 73 
Average fuel 
consumption86 
Average speed86, 94 
Avoid false alarms43t 
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms44 
B 
Backrest, adjusting50 
Backup lamps 
bulb replacement154t 
Battery160 
care160t 
charging160t 
discharged162t 
disposal160t 
Belts53 
Beverage holder117 
Blower105, 109 
BMW active seat52 
BMW comfort seat51 
BMW Maintenance 
System144t 
BMW Universal 
Transmitter113 
Bottle holder, refer to 
beverage holder117 
Brake fluid143 
adding143 
Brake hydraulic system19 
Brake lamps, bulb 
replacement154t 
Brake malfunctions132 
       
     
        
        Page 180 of 186

Everything from A to Zfor seat, mirror and 
steering wheel54 
related to individuals ("Key 
Memory")64 
related to the vehicle 
("Vehicle Memory")64 
Microfilter106, 112 
MID (Multi-Information 
Display)87 
Mirrors57 
adjusting57 
defrosting57 
memory setting54 
Modifications, 
technical10, 145 
Monitoring inflation 
pressure, tires99 
Moonroof47 
Multifunction buttons, 
steering wheel22 
Multi-Information Display 
(MID)87 N 
Non-smoker's 
equipment118 O 
OBD interface socket146 
Odometer16, 80 
Oil additives140 Oil change interval, refer to 
the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet (US 
models) or to the Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet 
(Canadian models) 
Oil consumption140 
Oil dipstick140t 
Oil level, indicator lamp20 
Oil pressure, indicator 
lamp19 
Oil specifications141t 
Oil viscosity141 
Oils, disposal141t 
OILSERVICE82 
Old batteries160 
Onboard computer, refer to 
the "Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer" 
Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) 
system146 
Onboard tool kit150t 
Opening and closing 
from the inside37 
from the outside33 
using the key33 
using the remote 
control33 
Opening the rear 
window40 Operating range86 
Outlets, 
ventilation104, 107 
Outside temperature 
display80, 86 
P 
Park Distance Control 
(PDC)96 
Parked-car ventilation 
system112 
for additional information 
refer to the "Owner's 
Manual for Onboard 
Computer" 
Parking aid96 
Parking brake20, 68 
Parking lamps101 
bulb replacement152t 
Partition net123 
Passenger-side mirror tilt 
function55 
PDC (Park Distance 
Control)96 
Pocket light116 Pollen filter106, 112 
Power windows45 
safety switch45 
Power-slip control, refer to 
ASC+T/DSC97 
Q 
Quality Grades, tires134 R 
Rain sensor76 
RDC (Tire Pressure 
Monitor)99 
Reading lamps103 
Rear ashtray118 
Rear window40 
defroster105, 110 
sun blinds112 
wiper77 
Rear window cleaning77 
Rear-seat backrest 
folding119 
remove119 
Rearview mirror57 
Recirculated-air mode105 
Reclining seat48 
Refueling24 
Releasing hood137