Page 5 of 186

 
5n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)96
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC)97
Level control system99
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)99
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams101
Instrument lighting102
High beams/Standing 
lamps102
Fog lamps102
Interior lamps103
Reading lamps103
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning104
Automatic climate control107
Roller sun blind112
Parked-car ventilation 
system112
 
Cabin convenience:
 
BMW Universal Transmitter113
Glove compartment116
Storage compartments116
Cellular phone117
Beverage holder117
Ashtray, front117
Cigarette lighter118
Ashtray, rear118
 
Loading and transporting 
cargo:
 
Through-loading system119
Ski bag120
sport wagon:
Luggage compartment123
Roll-up cover123
Partition net123
Storage areas in the luggage 
compartment124
Cargo loading126
Roof-mounted luggage rack127
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures130
Driving notes131
Antilock Brake System131
Brake system132
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure133
Tire condition133
Tire replacement134
Wheel and tire 
combinations135
Special characteristics of winter 
tires136
Snow chains136 
     
        
        Page 127 of 186

127n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cargo loading Roof-mounted luggage rack
Always position and secure the 
load correctly. If you do not, it can 
endanger the passengers during 
braking or evasive maneuvers. 
Do not exceed the approved gross 
vehicle weight or the permissible axle 
weights (refer to page 171). If you do, 
the operating safety of the vehicle is no 
longer ensured and you are in violation 
of the law. 
Do not carry hard or heavy objects 
unsecured in the passenger compart-
ment. If you do so, they may be 
projected through the air during braking 
and evasive maneuvers, thus endan-
gering vehicle occupants.< 
A special roof-rack system is available 
as an optional extra for your BMW. 
Please observe the precautions 
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the anchorages:
To fold up the cover (arrow), please use 
the tool provided with the roof-rack 
system.Loading and driving notesRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the 
center of gravity of the vehicle when 
they are loaded. For this reason, they 
exercise a major effect on the vehicle's 
handling and steering response.394de757
You should therefore always remember 
not to exceed the approved roof 
weight, the approved gross vehicle 
weight or the axle weights when 
loading the rack. You will find the spec-
ifications under "Technical data" on 
page 171.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky, 
and attempt to distribute it evenly. 
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on 
the bottom). Ensure that adequate room 
remains for the tilt sunroof to extend 
upward and that no objects protrude 
into the tailgate's travel range on the 
sport wagon.
Always ensure that roof-mounted 
loads are tightly secured, as loose 
loads can shift or even fly off the roof, 
posing a serious hazard for following 
traffic.<
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden 
acceleration and braking. Do not corner 
at high speeds.  
     
        
        Page 170 of 186
170n
Dimensions Ð sport wagon
392us724
All dimensions are given in inches (mm). Height with roof-mouted luggage rack
*: 57.4 (1,459)
Min. turning circle dia.: BMW 525i: 37.1 ft (11.3 m); BMW 540i: 37.4 ft (11.4 m) 
     
        
        Page 181 of 186

Everything from A to Z
181n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Reminder signal (Memo)89 
Remote control34 
computer95 
Removable rear-seat 
backrest119 
Remove condensation from 
windows106, 109 
Replacing 
fuses160t 
lamps and bulbs151t 
wiper blades150t 
Reporting safety defects11 
Reservoir, washer 
system139t 
Residual heat111 
Rims135 
Roller sun blind112 
Roll-up cover123 
Roof load capacity171 
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack127 S 
Safety belts53 
Safety defects, reporting11 
Safety lock buttons37 
Seat belts53 
Seats electric power50 
manually-adjusted50 
memory setting54 
Secure the load126 
Securing cargo42, 126 
Selector lever, automatic 
transmission70, 73 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet (US 
models)144 
Service Interval 
Display82, 144 
Shiftlock70, 73 
Shoulder support51 
Side airbags58 
Side Impact Head Protection 
System58 
Side lamps 
bulb replacement152t 
Side turn signal 
bulb replacement153t 
Ski bag120 
Ski bag in the sport 
wagon122 
Sliding/tilt sunroof46 
manual operation47 
with glass moonroof47 
Snow chains136 Socket for attaching 
electrical appliances118 
Spare tire157t 
Speaker117 
Special characteristics of 
winter tires136 
Special oil141t 
Speed94 
Speed limit91 
Speed, average86, 94 
Speedometer15, 16, 17 
sport wagon 
anchorages126 
compartments in the 
luggage 
compartment124 
cover in the luggage 
compartment124 
folding down the rear 
backrest123 
LATCH child-restraint 
system64 
load-securing 
devices126 
luggage 
compartment123 
opening the rear 
window40 
partition net123 rear window wiper, blade 
replacement150t 
releasing the tailgate after 
an electrical 
malfunction39 
roll-up cover123 
securing a load126 
ski bag122 
tail lamp assembly, bulb 
replacement154t 
transporting children 
safely64 
Standing lamps102 
Starting assistance162t 
Starting problems67t 
Starting the engine67 
Steering wheel 
heating56 
lock66 
memory setting54 
Steering wheel with 
multifunction buttons22 
Steptronic73 
Stopwatch89 
for additional information 
refer to the "Owner's 
Manual for Onboard 
Computer" 
Storage compartments116 
in the cargo area124  
     
        
        Page 182 of 186

Everything from A to ZSummer tires135 
Sun blind cover112 
Sunroof46 
Switching off the engine68 
Switch-on times for parked-
car ventilation90 
Symbols8 T 
Tachometer81 
Tail lamps154 
bulb replacement154t 
Tailgate 
manual operation39 
manual release39 
opening from the 
inside40 
opening from the 
outside39 
Technical 
modifications10, 145 
Telephone hookup117 
Temperature display80, 86 
Temperature gauge82 
Temperature 
layering106, 111 
Third brake lamp155 Through-loading 
system119 
Tilt alarm sensor42, 43 
avoiding unintentional 
alarms44 
deactivate35 
Tilt function, passenger-side 
mirror55 
Time 
calling up88 
changing88 
of arrival, estimated93 
Timer88 
for additional information 
refer to the "Owner's 
Manual for Onboard 
Computer" 
Tire 
change157t 
damage133t 
inflation pressure26, 133 
pressure 
monitoring99, 133 
renewal134 
tread133 
Tire inflation pressure26 
Tire Pressure Monitor 
(RDC)99 
Tire Quality Grading135 
Tools150t Torque168 
Tow fittings163t 
Towing the vehicle163t 
Track169 
Traction control system, 
refer to ASC+T/DSC 
Transmission69, 70, 73 
Transmitter key32 
Transporting children 
safely61 
Tread depth, tires133 
Trip odometer80 
Trunk lid 
refer to luggage 
compartment lid38 
Trunk, refer to luggage 
compartment42 
Turn signal 
bulb replacement152t 
Turn signal indicator76 
Turning circle169 
U 
Uniform Tire Quality Grading 
(UTQR)135 
Universal Transmitter113 
Use antifreeze, 
radiator142t 
Used batteries, 
disposal160t Used oils, disposal141t 
V 
Vacuum cleaner, attach118 
Valve caps159 
Vehicle Memory64 
Ventilation104, 106, 111 
draft-free106, 111 
in the rear106 
Ventilation while 
parked112 
for more information on 
ventilation with vehicle 
stationary, refer to the 
"Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer" 
Viscosity ratings, oils141 W
 
Warm feet Ð cool 
head106, 111 
Warning and indicator 
lamps19 
Warning lamps19t 
Warning messages83t 
Warning triangle23