
 
Contents
 
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
 
Under the hood:
 
Hood137
Engine compartment 
essentials138
Washer fluids139
Engine oil140
Coolant142
Brake fluid143
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System144
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications145
California Proposition 
65 Warning145
OBD interface socket146
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit150
Windshield wiper blades150
Lamps and bulbs151
Changing a wheel156
Battery160
Fuses160
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting162
Towing the vehicle163Engine specifications168
Dimensions169
Weights171
Capacities173 

 
10n
 
For your own safety
 
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels 
containing up to and including 
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with 
up to 2.8  % oxygen by weight (i.e. 15  % 
MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an equiva-
lent amount of co-solvent) will not void 
the applicable warranties covering 
defects in materials or workmanship. 
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (volatility, 
composition, additives, etc.) among 
gasolines offered for sale in the United 
States and Canada. The use of poor-
quality fuels may result in driveability, 
starting and stalling problems, espe-
cially under certain environmental 
conditions, such as high ambient 
temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related 
to the fuel you are using, we recom-
mend that you respond by switching to 
a recognized high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled 
maintenance.
Follow all applicable safety rules when 
you are handling gasoline.
 <
  
 
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts 
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested 
and approved by BMW and Original 
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire 
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure 
optimum performance when installed 
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free 
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for 
damage resulting from installation of 
parts and accessories not approved by 
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product from 
other manufacturers to confirm that it 
can be used on a BMW safely and 
without risk to either the vehicle, its 
operation, or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories 
and other products approved by BMW, 
together with professional advice on 
using these items, are available from all 
BMW centers.
 
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, 
wheels, suspension components, brake 
dust shields, telephones (including 
operation of any portable cellular phone 
from within the vehicle without using an 
externally-mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (for instance, CBs, 
walkie-talkie, ham radio or similar 
accessories) may cause extensive 
damage to the vehicle, compromise its 
safety, interfere with the vehicle's elec-
trical system, or affect the validity of the 
BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW 
center for additional information.
 
<
 
 
Maintenance, replacement, or 
repair of the emission control 
devices and systems may be performed 
by any automotive repair establishment 
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
 
<
 
 
 
Symbol on vehicle parts
 
Indicates that you should consult 
the relevant section of this 
Owner's Manual for information on a 
particular part or assembly.
 
For your own safety 

49n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Manually-adjusted seatSeat adjustment1 Backward/Forward adjustment
Pull the lever and slide the seat to the 
desired position.
After you release the lever, move the 
seat forward or backward slightly to 
engage the detent
2 Cushion height
Pull the lever and apply weight to 
or remove weight from the seat as 
required390us731
3 Backrest angle
Pull the lever and apply weight to or 
remove weight from the backrest as 
required.
Comply with the adjustment 
instructions on page 48. Failure to 
do so could result in diminished 
personal safety.< 390us732 

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.  

158n
Changing a wheel4. 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 1/2-turn
390de773
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 from 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 
bolts390de707
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 in a 
diagonal pattern
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 securely 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 

171n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Weights Ð sedan
BMW 525i BMW 530i BMW 540i
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)3,450 (1,565)
3,505 (1,590)3,494 (1,585)
3,549 (1,610)3,748 (1,700)
3,803 (1,725)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)4,464 (2,025)
4,520 (2,050)4,509 (2,045)
4,563 (2,070)4,762 (2,160)
4,817 (2,185)
Approved front axle weight lbs. (kg)
2,138 (970)2,138 (970) 2,381 (1,080)
Approved rear axle weight lbs. (kg) 2,579 (1,170) 2,579 (1,170) 2,635 (1,195)
Approved roof load capacity lbs. (kg) 220 (100) 220 (100) 220 (100)
Never exceed either the approved axle weights or the gross vehicle weight.
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (l) 16.2 (460) 16.2 (460) 16.2 (460) 

172n
Weights Ð sport wagon
BMW 525i BMW 540i
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)3,682 (1,670)
3,715 (1,695)Ð
4,056 (1,840)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)4,773 (2,165)
4,828 (2,190)Ð
5,093 (2,310)
Approved front axle weight lbs. (kg)
2,116 (960)2,381 (1,080)
Approved rear axle weight lbs. (kg) 2,844 (1,290) 2,910 (1,320)
Approved roof load capacity lbs. (kg) 220 (100) 220 (100)
Never exceed either the approved axle weights or the gross vehicle weight.
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (l) 14.5 Ð 53.9 (410 Ð 1,525) 14.5 Ð 53.9 (410 Ð 1,525) 

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