
49n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags1 Front airbags on the driver and
passenger sides
2 Head protection airbags on driver
and passenger side (front and rear
*)
3 Side airbags on driver and passenger
side (front and rear
*)
Protective effectThe front airbags help to protect the
driver and passenger in the event of a
head-on collision where the protection
provided by the safety belt alone would
not be adequate. The head protection
airbags and side airbags help provide
protection in the event of a collision
from the side. Each of the side airbags
is designed to help support the occu-
pant's upper body.39mde084
The side airbags in the rear pas-
senger area
* of your vehicle may
already have been deactivated, either
at the time of manufacture or by a BMW
center. You may have them activated if
you desire to do so. Please contact
your BMW center for additional infor-
mation.<
For information on the correct seating
position, refer to page 40.
The airbags will not be triggered in
the event of a minor accident, a
vehicle rollover or a collision from the
rear.<
Never apply stickers or adhesive-
backed objects of any kind to the
airbag covers. Never attempt to reup-
holster the covers or modify them in any
way. If the airbags deploy in response
to an accident, if you note any signs of
system malfunction, or if you wish to
have any parts of the airbag passenger-
restraint system deactivated, always
contact your BMW center, to whom we
strongly urge you to entrust all testing,
repair and dismantling operations.
Never attempt to modify or tamper with
either the system's electrical wiring or
any of its individual components.
System components include the uphol-
stered surfaces on the steering wheel,
instrument panel, the trim panels on the
front and rear doors and the roof braces
as well as the sides of the headliner
above the doors.
Never attempt to remove or dismantle
the steering wheel.
To ensure compliance with official
safety regulations, always entrust dis-
posal of airbag generators to your BMW
center. Attempts to carry out service
procedures undertaken by anyone
other than specially-trained profes-
sionals can result in system failure or
undesired airbag deployment, both of
which can lead to personal injury. If the
airbags deploy in response to an acci-
dent, always remember to avoid all
contact with system components, as
they are hot and can cause burns in the
period immediately following deploy-
ment.<
All vehicle occupants should
always sit upright and be properly
restrained (infants and small children in
appropriate child-restraint systems;
larger children and adults using the
safety belts). Never let an occupant's
head rest near or on a side airbag: the
inflating airbag could cause a serious or

103n
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.
Never exceed either the approved
gross vehicle weight or the approved
loads for either of the axles (refer to
page 142), as overloading the vehicle
beyond the legally approved levels can
severely compromise its operating
safety.
Do not carry hard or heavy objects
unsecured in the passenger compart-
ment. If you do so, they may be pro-
jected 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
have a major effect on the vehicle's
handling and steering response.394de757
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof load
capacity, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the axle weights when
loading the rack. These weights are
listed under "Technical Data" ,
page 142.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on
the bottom). Be sure that adequate
clearance is maintained for raising the
sliding/tilt sunroof.
Secure the roof luggage correctly
and securely to prevent it from
shifting or being lost during driving
(danger to following traffic).<
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration and braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.

119n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and oper-
ating safety Ð and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining its resale
value. 380us008
Service Interval DisplayConventional systems rely solely on
distance traveled to determine when
service is due. The BMW Maintenance
System, on the other hand, began many
years ago to take the actual conditions
under which the vehicle is driven into
consideration. After all, different drivers
can accumulate mileage in very dif-
ferent ways.
From a maintenance point of view,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) of short-dis-
tance driving cannot be compared with
62,000 miles (100,000 km) of long-dis-
tance highway travel.
In response to this fact, the BMW Main-
tenance System monitors operating
conditions as the basis for determining
the optimum service intervals for your
individual vehicle. The BMW Mainte-
nance System includes the Engine Oil
Service and Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. However, even those who
drive only short distances Ð significantly
less than 6,000 miles (10,000 km) annu-
ally Ð should have the engine oil
changed at least every 2 years since oil
deteriorates over time, regardless of
use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)For additional information on mainte-
nance intervals and procedures, please
refer to the Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US models) or the War-
ranty and Service Guide Booklet (Cana-
dian models).
As a precaution against corrosion, it is
advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
Have your vehicle's maintenance
and repairs performed at your
BMW center.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models). These entries are
your proof that the vehicle has received
regular maintenance. They are also a
requirement for warranty claims.<
The BMW Maintenance System

142n
Weights
BMW M5
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
lbs. (kg) 4,024 (1,825)
Approved gross vehicle weight lbs. (kg) 5,049 (2,290)
Approved front axle load lbs. (kg)
2,426 (1,100)
Approved rear axle load lbs. (kg) 2,701 (1,225)
Approved roof load capacity
Approved axle loads and approved gross vehicle
weight may not be exceeded.lbs. (kg) 220 (100)
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (liters) 16.2 (460)

Everything from A to Z
147n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cockpit14
Code76
activating76
deactivating76
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
selecting76
Comfort seat42
Compartments96
Computer73
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
remote control77
Configuring individual
settings55
Consumption75
Convenience operation of
windows and sliding/tilt
sunroof27
Coolant117
disposal118
Coolant temperature
gauge65
Cooling, maximum90
Copyright4
Cover, roller sun blinds92
Cruise control61
Cruising range75 Cup holder, refer to
Beverage holder97
Curb weight142
D
Date
calling up70
changing70
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Daytime driving lamps84
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)17, 80
Deactivating
interior motion sensor36
tilt alarm sensor36
Deep water107
Defrosting position89
Defrosting the
windows89t
Digital clock70
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Dimensions141
Disconnecting the
battery133t
Displacement140
Display lighting85 Displays, instrument
cluster15
Disposal
brake fluid118
coolant118
engine oil116
Distance from
destination74
Divided rear backrest99
Door key26
Doors
manual operation27
remote control28
unlocking and locking27
DOT Quality Grades110
Driving notes107
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)17, 80
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)17, 80
Dynamic Driving Control81
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)17, 80
E
Electric power windows36
Electrical heating, exterior
mirror48 Electrical malfunction
doors27t
fuel filler door20t
luggage compartment
lid32t
sliding/tilt sunroof39t
Elements of operation14
Emergency release of
luggage compartment
lid from luggage
compartment's interior34
Engine compartment114
Engine coolant118
temperature gauge65
Engine data140
Engine oil
checking level115
consumption115
dipstick115
disposal116
grades117
level16
pressure16
temperature gauge64
Engine performance140
Estimated time of arrival75
Exterior mirrors48
automatic dimming48
electrical heating48

Everything from A to Z
149n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Luggage compartment
lid32
emergency release from
luggage compartment's
interior34
opening from the
inside33
opening from the
outside33
remote control29
securing separately32
unlocking in case of
electrical
malfunction32t
Luggage net34
Luggage straps34
Lumbar support41 M
M Dynamic Driving
Control81
M Mobility system128
M+S tires112
Maintenance65, 119t
Malfunction displays66
Manual operation
doors27t
fuel filler door20t
luggage compartment
lid32t
sliding/tilt sunroof39t Manual transmission58
Maximum cooling90
Memory, adjustment of seat,
mirror, steering wheel45
Microfilter91
MID (Multi-Information
Display)69
Mirrors48
adjusting48
heating48
position adjustment
memory45
self-defrosting48
Modifications,
technical120
Multifunction buttons,
steering wheel19
Multifunction switch59
Multi-Information Display
(MID)69
O
OBD interface socket121
Odometer63
Oil
additives116
checking level115
consumption115
grades117 Oil change interval, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp16
Oil specification117
OILSERVICE65
Onboard tool kit124t
Opening and closing
from inside31
from outside27
with the key27
Outside temperature
display63
P
Park Distance Control
(PDC)78
Parked-car ventilation
system92
activating72
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Parking brake17, 58
Parking lamps14, 84 Passenger-side mirror tilt
function46
PDC Park Distance
Control78
Performance Recognition for
M Dynamic Driving
Control81
Pocket flashlight96
Pollen filter91
Power seat41
Power windows36
safety switch37
Pressure monitor, tires82
Pressure, tires22t, 109
Q
Quality grades, tires110 R
Rain sensor60
Reading lamps86
Rear backrest, folding99
Rear window defroster90
Rearseat backrest,
folding99
Rearview mirrors48
Recirculated-air mode90
Refueling20

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