132n
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.<
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 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
