2003 BMW M5 SEDAN belt

51n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags Transporting childrenThis is the right way a larger child
should sit wearing the safety belt when
rear side airbags (arrow) are provided.380de638
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp indicates the
operational status of the airbag
system from ignition key posi-
tion 1.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
then goes out.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
before going out and then lighting up
again.
Please respond to any malfunctions
in the system by immediately having it
inspected at your BMW center; other-
wise the airbag could fail to respond
to an accident in which both the angle
and the severity of the impact would
normally trigger airbag deployment.
Commercially-available child-restraint
systems are designed to be secured
with a lap belt or with the lap belt por-
tion of a combination lap/shoulder belt.
Improperly or inadequately installed
restraint systems can increase the risk
of injury to children. Always read and
follow the instructions that come with
the system.

53n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Transporting children safelyThis important precaution is intended to
maximize the distance between the
airbag and the child. Older children
should be tightly secured with a safety
belt, after they have outgrown a booster
seat that is appropriate for their age,
height and weight.
Younger children should be secured in
an appropriate forward-facing child-
restraint system that has first been
properly secured with a safety belt.
Never install a rearward-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger
seat. We strongly urge you to carefully
read and comply with the instructions
for installation and use provided by the
child restraint's manufacturer when-
ever you use such a device.
Be sure that all occupants (of all ages)
remain properly and securely restrained
at all times.<
All rear seating positions in your vehicle
meet the recommendations of SAE
J1819, an industry-recommended prac-
tice for securing child-restraint systems
in motor vehicles.
Child-restraint installationAll of the rear belt retractors and the
front passenger's safety belt can be
locked for mounting and securing child-
restraint systems. A label with the
appropriate instructions is located in
the immediate vicinity of the buckle
latch of each safety belt.Lock the safety beltExtract the entire length of the belt from
the belt retractor. Allow the reel to
retract the belt somewhat and engage
the buckle, then tighten the belt against
the child-restraint system. The retrac-
tion mechanism is now locked.Unlock the safety beltRelease the buckle, remove the child-
restraint device and allow the belt
retractor to reel the belt completely in.365us146
LATCH child-restraint anchorage
points
*
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for
CHildren.
Snap the rear center lap belt into the
buckle with the word CENTER and then
pull the belt away from the area where
the child restraint will be mounted.
Vehicles with through-loading
system
*: use the small lock mech-
anism to connect the two sections of
the center belt, refer to page 99.<
390de786

67n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds
with the ignition key in position 2. The
warning symbols remain after the mes-
sage disappears. The messages can be
recalled again with CHECK button 3.
>"TRUNKLID OPEN"
This message appears only when you
initially begin a trip
>"DOOR OPEN"
This message appears after a defined
road speed has been exceeded
>"FASTEN SEAT BELTS"
*
In addition to this message, an indi-
cator lamp with the safety belt icon
appears and an acoustic signal is
sounded
>"WASHER FLUID LOW"
Too low; top up fluid at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 115
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
The oil level is at the absolute min-
imum, so add engine oil as soon as
possible. Refer to page 115. Until
then, do not drive more than approx.
30 miles (50 km)>"TIRE PRESSURE SET"
The Flat Tire Monitor has adopted the
tires' current inflation pressures as its
reference levels. Refer to page 82
>"TIRECONTROL INACTIVE"

Transient malfunctions and system
errors in the Flat Tire Monitor. Refer
to page 83
>"CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS"
A lamp has failed or the electrical cir-
cuit has a fault. Refer to pages 126
and 132 or consult a BMW center
>"CHECK LOWBEAM LIGHTS"
"CHECK SIDE LIGHTS"
"CHECK REAR LIGHTS"
"CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS"
"CHECK LICPLATE LIGHT"
"CHECK HIGHBEAM LIGHT"
"CHECK BACK UP LIGHTS"
Defective bulb or circuit. Refer to
page 124 and following and
page 132 or consult a BMW center>"CHECK BRAKE LININGS"
Have the brake pads checked at your
BMW center. Refer to page 108
>"CHECK COOLANT LEVEL"
The coolant level is too low; top off
at the next opportunity. Refer to
page 118
>"CHECK FILLER CAP"
Check to see whether the fuel filler
cap has been properly closed. Refer
to page 21
>"ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG"
Indicates a malfunction in the elec-
tronic engine-management system,
which then reverts to an emergency
default program allowing continued
operation at reduced power and
lower engine speeds.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW center
>
"OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE 24 7
(Ð 5.0 6)"This temperature display is only an
example. The current temperature is
displayed at outside temperatures of
37.5 7 (+3 6) and below. Refer also
to page 63.

99n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Fold the rear backrests downReach into the recess and pull forward
(arrow 1).
When you close the backrest, be sure
that the catch engages securely.
The red slide (arrow 2) must retract
completely.394de745
The central belt has an additional small
buckle.
>If you connect the two belt sections,
you can use the central belt as any
normal 3-point belt
>It is easier to fold the rear-seat back-
rest up and down if you disconnect
the belt (arrow).394de746
With a master key you can lock each
backrest in the rear seat.
This also prevents access to the lug-
gage compartment from the interior of
the vehicle if you turn over only your
door and ignition key 3 (refer to
page 26). This is convenient for valet
parking, for instance.394de747
Through-loading system
*

102n
Ski bag
*
Cargo loading
With through-loading system1. Fold the center armrest outward.
Loosen the trim from the upper
Velcro¨ fastener and place it on the
armrest
2. Press button 1 downward and swing
the cover forward
3. Press knob 2: the cover in the lug-
gage compartment is unlocked. 394de751
Stowing cargo When transporting cargo in your BMW:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible Ð directly behind the back-
rests or the luggage compartment
partition Ð and as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
>If you are transporting very heavy
loads when the rear seat is not occu-
pied, secure the outer safety belts in
the opposite buckles.39mde036
Securing the load >Secure smaller, light pieces with the
luggage net or use retaining straps
*
(refer to page 34)
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing
devices
*. The lashing eyes provided
at the corners of the luggage com-
partment serve for mounting these
load-securing devices
>Comply with the information
enclosed with the load-securing
devices.
39mde037

111n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire replacement Wheel and tire combinations
Do not use retreaded tires, since
driving safety may be impaired.
This is due to the possible variations in
casing structures and, in some cases,
to their extreme age, which can lead to
a decrease in their durability.<
Tire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT ... 3401 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 34 of the year
2001.
Although tires may have a theoretical
service life of up to 10 years, BMW
strongly recommends that you replace
all tires after an absolute maximum of
6 years.
The right choice
Never mount wheels and tires that
have not been specifically
approved by BMW for use on your par-
ticular model. Although other wheels
and tires may theoretically have the
same dimensions, variations in factors
such as manufacturing tolerances can
result in contact between tire and body-
work, ultimately leading to serious acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires
are used, BMW cannot evaluate their
suitability, and therefore cannot be held
liable for driving safety.<
BMW has tested certain tires for each
tire size, rated them according to road
safety and approved them. Your BMW
center can inform you which tires have
been tested in this way. Observe pos-
sible national guidelines, e.g. regarding
entry into vehicle documents.
Because various systems on your
vehicle, such as ABS, DSC and
the Flat Tire Monitor, rely on the correct
combination of tires and wheels for
optimal operation, their operation may
be adversely affected if other tires and/
or wheels are mounted .
You should therefore ensure that tires
from a single manufacturer with the
same tread pattern are mounted at all
four wheels. After installing a spare tire
in response to a flat tire you should
always ensure that a tire of the original
specifications is remounted as soon as
possible.<
The use of rims and wheel bolts
that do not meet the specifica-
tions of the original factory-installed
equipment will affect the safe operation
of your vehicle and may cause an acci-
dent and personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding and can lead to loss of vehicle control. tecting them against light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel.

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)17, 107
Activated-charcoal filter91
Active seat43
Adding
brake fluid118t
engine coolant118t
engine oil116t
washer fluid115t
Adjusting
backrest41
head restraints43
mirrors48
seats40
steering wheel47
temperature89
Air conditioning90
Air distribution89
Air pressure, tires22, 109
Air supply89
Airbags17, 49
Alarm system35
Anchorage points
child-restraint system with
tether strap52
Antifreeze118
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)17, 107
Aquaplaning107, 109 Ashtray
front97
rear98
Attach vacuum cleaner98
AUC (Automatic recircu-
lated-air control)90
Automatic climate
control87
removing condensation
from the windows89
Automatic cruise control61
Automatic curb monitor46
Automatic dimming
exterior mirror48
interior rearview mirror48
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)90
Automatic steering wheel
adjustment47
Automatic windshield
washer60
Average fuel
consumption75
Average speed76
Avoiding unintentional
alarms36
Axle loads142
B
Backrest, adjusting41
Backup lamps59
bulb replacement126t
Battery131
care131
charging131
discharged133t
Belts44
Beverage holder97
Blower89
BMW active seat43
BMW comfort seat42
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil117
BMW M sport seat41
BMW Maintenance
System119
BMW Universal
Transmitter93
Bottle holder, refer to
Beverage holder97
Brake fluid118
disposal118
Brake hydraulic system,
brake pads16
Brake system108
brake fluid level108
brake linings108
malfunctions108t
Break-in procedures106 Bulbs and lamps124
C
California Proposition
65 Warning120
Capacities143
Car telephone97
Cargo loading102
Cellular phone97
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual97
Center (high mount) brake
lamp127
Central locking system26
key31
Charging the battery132t
CHECK button66
Check Control66
Check engine oil
level115t
Check tire inflation
pressure22t, 109
Child seats51
Child-restraint
installation53
Child-restraint system with
tether strap52
Cigarette lighter98
Clock70
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"

Everything from A to ZReleasing the fuel filler door
after an electrical
malfunction20t
Reminder signal (Memo)71
Remote control28, 77
Remote control key26
Removing condensation
from windows89t
Repairing flat tire128
Replacement key26t
Replacement of lamps and
bulbs124t
Replacement of windshield
wiper blades124t
Reporting safety defects10
Reservoir, washer
system115t
Residual heating mode90
Roller sun blinds92
Roof load capacity142
Roof-mounted luggage
rack103 S
Safety belts44
Safety buttons31
Safety defects, reporting10
Safety switch for power
windows37
Seat heating46 Seats40
adjusting40
heating46
position adjustment
memory45
Securing cargo34, 102
Service and Warranty10
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US
models)119
Service Interval
Display65, 119
Setting alarm in an
emergency77
Side airbags49
Side Impact Head Protection
System49
Side-marker lamps84
Sitting safely40
with airbags40
with safety belt40
Ski bag100
Sliding/tilt sunroof38
closing after an electrical
malfunction39t
convenience operation27
power loss or
malfunction39t
Snow chains112 Socket for attaching power
supplies98
Spare key26
Speakers97
Special characteristics of
winter tires112
Special oils117
Specified engine oils117
Speed76
average76
Speed limit73
Speedometer15
Sport seat41
Standing lamps14, 85
Starting the engine56
assistance133t
problems57, 133t
Starting, vehicle56
Steering wheel47
automatic adjustment47
lock56
position adjustment
memory45
Steering wheel with multi-
function buttons19
Stopwatch71
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Storage compartments96 Summer tires111
Switching off the engine57
Symbols8
T
Tachometer64
Tail lamps126
bulb replacement126t
Tank capacity143
Technical
modifications120
Telephone preparation97
Temperature display
engine coolant65
engine oil64
outside temperature63
Temperature gauge
coolant65
engine oil64
Temperature layering91
Tether strap52
child-restraint system52
Thigh support
adjustment41
Third brake light127
Through-loading system99
Tilt alarm sensor36
deactivate29
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror46