2004 BMW 525I SEDAN fuel

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Fuel specifications
The engine uses lead-free gasoline only.
Required fuel:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index.
Do not use leaded fuels. The use of
leaded fuels will cause permanent
damage to the system's oxygen sensor and
the catalytic converter.<

Mobility
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approves them. You can find out about
these at specialized dealers or at your
BMW center. Observe any country-specific
regulations, e.g. on making a correspond-
ing entry in the vehicle documents.
The factory-mounted tires have been spe-
cially selected to provide optimized perfor-
mance when installed on your vehicle; if
properly cared for, they will provide a com-
bination of safety and excellent ride com-
fort.
Run-flat tires
If your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires,
refer to Run-flat tires, only use these tires,
as in the event of a breakdown there is no
spare wheel available.
Special characteristics of winter
tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in
cold winter driving conditions. Although all-
season M+S tires provide better winter
traction than summer tires, they generally
fail to provide the same levels of cold-
weather performance as winter tires.
When switching to winter tires, observe the
descriptions at Tire condition and Replac-
ing wheels/tires, refer to pages 173
and 174.
Run-flat tires
If your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires,
refer to Run-flat tires. Your BMW center will
advise you if you wish to replace the tires of
your BMW or wish to switch from summer
to winter tires or vice versa.
If you switch from summer to winter tires,
or vice versa, use run-flat tires, as in the
event of a flat there is no spare wheel avail-
able.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for
which the winter tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to ser-
vice tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents. Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. The technicians at your BMW center will be glad to assist you with
the required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment.<
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as pos-
sible. Always protect tires against all con-
tact with oil, grease and fuels. Do not
exceed the maximum tire inflation pressure
indicated on the side wall of the tire.
Run-flat tires*
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the
side of the tire. Run-flat tires consist of self-
contained tires and special rims. The tire
reinforcement ensures that the tire retains
some residual safety in the event of pres-
sure drop and driving remains possible to a
restricted degree.
If you switch from summer to winter
tires, or vice versa, use run-flat tires,
as in the event of a breakdown there is no
spare wheel available. In this case, BMW
recommends that you consult your BMW
center. Your BMW center is qualified to
handle run-flat tires and equipped with the
necessary special tools.<
Continuing driving with a damaged
tire
Driving on run-flat tires can continue,
depending on the vehicle load and the
severity of the tire damage, at a maximum
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
In the case of complete tire pressure loss,
0 psi/0 kPa, or obvious tire damage, you

Under the hood
178
Engine compartment
1Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Top-
ping up engine oil
2Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath
the microfilter cover, refer to page 180
3Starting-aid terminal, refer to page 192
4Dipstick for engine oil, refer to Check-
ing the oil level. The dipstick is further
toward the rear on the 545i
5Washer fluid reservoir of the headlamp
and windshield cleaning systems, refer
to page 57
6Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page 179
Engine oil
Checking oil level
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface
2.Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating temperature
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick 4 out and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar
material 4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out again
5.The oil should extend to between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As is the case with fuel economy, the rate
at which the engine uses oil is strongly
influenced by driving style and operating
conditions.
The oil quantity between the two marks on
the dipstick is approx. 1.6 US quarts/
1.5 liters. Do not fill beyond the upper mark
on the dipstick. Excess oil can damage the
engine.

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Rules and regulations
California Proposition 65
Warning
California laws require us to issue the fol-
lowing warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of
automobile components and parts,
including components found in the interior
furnishings in a vehicle, contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects and
reproductive harm. In addition, certain flu-
ids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory animals.
Always protect your skin by washing
thoroughly with soap and water.<
OBD connector
The Onboard Diagnostic OBD interface
socket is located on the left of the driver's
side under the instrument panel and under
a cover.
The cover has the letters OBD on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to
ensure proper operation of the emission
control system for the vehicle's lifetime.The system monitors emissions-related
components and systems for deterioration
and malfunction.
An illuminated indicator lamp
informs you of the need for service,
not of the need to stop the vehicle.
However, the systems should be checked
by your BMW center at the earliest possible
opportunity.
Indicator lamp for Canadian mod-
els.
Under certain conditions, the indicator will
blink or flash. This indicates a rather severe
level of engine misfire. When this occurs,
you should reduce speed and consult the
nearest BMW center as soon as possible.
Severe engine misfire over only a short
period of time can seriously damage emis-
sions control components, especially the
catalytic converter.
When the fuel filler cap is not properly
tightened, the OBD system can
detect the vapor leak and the indicator
lamp will light up. If the filler cap is subse-
quently tightened, the indicator lamp
should go out within a few days.<

Technical data
198
Technical data
Engine specifications
525i530i
Displacement
Number of cylinders cu in/cmm152.2/2,494
6181.8/2,979
6
Maximum output
at engine speed hp
rpm 184
6,000225
5,900
Maximum torque
at engine speed lb ft/Nm
rpm 175/237
3,500214/290
3,500
Compression ratio e 10.5 10.2
Stroke
Bore in/mm
in/mm 2.95/75.0
3.31/84.03.53/89.6
3.31/84.0
Fuel-injection system Digital electronic engine-management system
545i
Displacement
Number of cylinders cu in/cmm268.4/4,398
8
Maximum output
at engine speed hp
rpm 325
5,900
Maximum torque
at engine speed lb ft/Nm
rpm 330/448
3,600
Compression ratio e 10.0
Stroke
Bore in/mm
in/mm 3.26/82.7
3.60/92.0
Fuel-injection system Digital electronic engine-management system

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Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal/liters
gal/litersapprox. 18.5/70
approx. 2.1/8Fuel quality: page 169
Window and headlamp
washer system quarts/liters approx. 3.2/3 For details: page 57
Engine with oil filter
renewal
525i/530i
545iquarts/liters
quarts/liters6.9/6.5
8.5/8.0BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
Oil grades: page 179
Manual, automatic
transmission and
differential Ð Lifetime fluid, no fluid change
required

Everything from A to Z
202
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System 77
Ð indicator lamp 77
Acceleration assistant 54
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle 5
"Activation time" for
independent
ventilation 95
Active cruise control 59
Ð malfunctions 64
Active head restraints,
front 40
Active roll stabilization 80
Active seat 42
Active seat ventilation 42
Active steering 82
Adaptive Head Light 88
"Address book" for
navigation 120
Address for navigation
Ð deleting 120
Ð entering 116
Ð selecting 120
"Add to address book" for
navigation 120
"Add to destination
list" 118
Adjusting temperature for
upper body 93
Adjusting the thigh
support 37
"After door is opened" 39
"After unlocking" 39
Airbags 83
Ð indicator lamp 84
Ð sitting safely 36
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated air 91
Air distribution
Ð automatic 91
Ð individual 93Air flow, refer to Air
volume 91
Airing, refer to
Ventilation 94
"Air recirculation on /
off" 44
Air vent outlets of
automatic climate
control 90
Air volume 91
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications 169
Alarm system 32
Ð avoiding unintentional
alarms 33
All around the steering
wheel 10
"All channels" 138
"All doors" 28
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 175
"AM", wave-
band 130, 134
Antenna for portable
phone 150
Antifreeze
Ð coolant 179
Ð washer fluid 57
Anti-theft system 27
Anti-trapping mechanism
Ð glass roof 35
Ð windows 34
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 200
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to
Weights 200
Arrival time, refer to
Computer 71
Ashtray
Ð front 99
Ð rear 100
Assistance window 18Assisting systems, refer to
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 78
AUC Automatic
recirculated-air
control 91
"Audio" 131
Audio 130
Ð adjusting the tone 131
Ð controls 130
Ð switching on/off 130
Ð volume 131
Audio systems, refer to
Tone control 131
Automatic
Ð air distribution 91
Ð air volume 91
Ð cruise control 58, 59
Ð storing stations 135
Automatic car wash, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate
control 90
Ð automatic air
distribution 91
Ð settings using the Control
Center 92
Ð switching off 92
Automatic curb monitor 39
Automatic headlamp
control 87
"Automatic programs" 93
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC 91
Automatic steering wheel
Ð adjustment 43

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Mobility
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 54
Ð indicator lamp 56
Ð interlock 49
Ð selector lever interlock 55
Ð shiftlock 55
Ð sport program 55
Ð starting the engine 50
Ð towing 193
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution
and volume 91
"Autostore" on the
radio 136
"AUTO" with automatic
climate control 93
Average fuel
consumption 70
Ð setting the units 74
Average speed 70
"Avoid ferries" for
navigation 121
"Avoid freeways / tolls" for
navigation 121
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 33
"Avoid tollroads" for
navigation 121
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 200
"A - Z" 154
B
Backrests, refer to
Seats 36
Backrest width
adjustment 37
Backup lamps, refer to
Reverse gear 51
Ð replacing the bulbs 186
"Balance", audio
system 132
Balance, refer to Tone
control 131
"Bass", audio system 132
Bass, refer to Tone
control 131
Battery 188
Ð in the remote control 26
Ð jump-starting 192Belts, refer to Safety
belts 36, 40
Beverage holders 99
Black ice, refer to Ice
warning 65
Blocking sections of a route
for navigation 125
Blower, refer to Air
volume 91
BMW Assist 161
Ð enabling 161
Ð services offered 162
"BMW Info" 163
BMW Maintenance
System 181
"BMW Service
settings" 161
Bore, refer to Engine
data 198
Bottle holder, refer to
Beverage holders 99
Brake Assistant, refer to
DBC Dynamic Braking
Control 79
Brake fluid 180
Ð indicator lamp 180
Ð level 180
Ð replacing 180
Brake force display 82
Brake hydraulic
systems 180
Brake lamps, replacing the
bulbs 186
Brake pads 107
Ð breaking-in
procedure 106
Brake pedal, refer to
Brakes 107
Brake rotors 107
Brakes 107
Ð ABS 77
Ð brake fluid 180
Ð breaking-in
procedure 106
Ð handbrake 50Brake system 106
Ð brake-fluid level 180
Ð brake pads 107
Ð breaking-in
procedure 106
Ð disc brakes 107
Ð indicator lamp 13, 107
Breakdown services, refer
to Roadside
Assistance 191
Break-in procedures 106
Ð brakes 106
Ð clutch 106
Ð differential 106
Ð engine 106
Brightness on the Control
Display 73
Bulbs and lamps
Ð replacing the bulbs 184
Buttons on steering
wheel 11
C
California Proposition
65 Warning 183
"Call" 154
Call
Ð accepting 153
Ð display accepted 154
Ð ending 154
Ð in absence 154
Ð starting 153
Calling
Ð from phone book 154
Ð from the Top 8 list 154
Ð redialing 154
Calling up traffic
information 126
"Call sender" 156
"Call Sirius" 138
Can holder, refer to
Beverage holders 99
Capacities 201
Car battery, refer to
Battery 188
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure