2004 BMW 525I SEDAN tow

Wheels and tires
174 even when only small amounts of water are
present on the road surface.
As winter tires display a noticeable loss in
their ability to cope with cold-weather driv-
ing conditions once the tread wears to
below 0.16 in/4 mm, to ensure continued
safety you should always have such tires
replaced.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base,
refer to arrow, are distributed over the tire's
circumference and are marked on the side
of the tire with TWI Ð Tread Wear Indicator.
These indicators signal at a tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm that the legal wear limit
has been reached.
Tire damage
Unusual vibrations encountered dur-
ing normal vehicle operation can indi-
cate tire failure or some other vehicle
defect. This can, for example, be caused by
driving over curbs. These kinds of prob-
lems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a
strong tendency to pull to the left or right.
Should this occur, respond by immediately
reducing your speed. Carefully proceed Ð
or have your vehicle towed Ð to the nearest
BMW center or tire dealer to have the
wheels or tires inspected. Tire damage,
extending to sudden and complete loss of
pressure in extreme cases, can pose a
potentially lethal safety hazard for the vehi-
cle's occupants and other road users
alike.<
Replacing wheels/tires
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents. Have this work performed by
skilled professionals only. The technicians
at your BMW center will be glad to assist
you with the required professional knowl-
edge and specialized equipment.<
The correct combination of wheels and
tires is another vital factor in ensuring reli-
able operation of various vehicle systems
such as ABS and DSC.
Have the wheel and tire assemblies bal-
anced every time either a wheel or a tire is
replaced.
BMW does not recommend the use of
retreaded tires, as otherwise driving
safety may be reduced. Possible variations
in the design and the age Ð which could be
substantial Ð of the carcasses can lead to
unusually rapid wear.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that
BMW has tested and approved for your
particular vehicle. Variations in factors such
as manufacturing tolerances mean that
even wheels and tires with identical official
size ratings could actually have different
dimensions than the approved units Ð these
differences could lead to body contact, and
with it the risk of severe accidents. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used, BMW
cannot evaluate their suitability, and there-
fore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufacturer.
After a flat tire, always remember to have
the specified wheel and tire combination
remounted on the vehicle as soon as pos-
sible.
Recommended tire brands
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire
size, classifies them as road-safe and

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.

Mobility
193Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
5.Attach the second end of the cable to
the negative terminal of the battery or to
the engine or body ground of the vehi-
cle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine on the support vehicle
and allow it to run for several minutes at
a fast idle
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in
the usual way.
If the first start attempt is not success-
ful, wait a few minutes before another
attempt in order to allow the discharged
battery to recharge
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by
reversing the connection sequence.
If required, have the battery inspected and
recharged at your BMW center.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Towing
Always observe all applicable towing
laws and regulations.<
Towing with a commercial tow truck
>Use a wheel lift or flatbed carrier
>Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Never allow passengers to ride on a
towed vehicle for any reason.<
Towing with raised front axle
Vehicles with automatic
transmission:
1.Towing speed:
Maximum 45 mph/70 km/h
2.Towing distance:
Maximum of 90 miles/150 km.
Vehicles with Sequential manual
transmission SMG
With the ignition switched on, engage the
selector lever position N, then switch off
the ignition again.
Tow fitting
The threaded tow fitting is stored in the tool
kit mounted on the inside of the luggage
compartment lid, refer to page 184, and
should always remain in the vehicle. It can
be screwed to the front or rear of the vehi-
cle.

Giving and receiving assistance
194
Access to tow sockets
Front
Rear
Press the arrow symbol to push out the
cover.
Only use the tow fitting carried in the
vehicle and screw it in firmly as far as
it will go. Only use the tow fitting for towing
on roads. Follow these instructions; other-
wise the tow fitting can come loose and
lead to damage to the vehicle.
Never attempt to tow or tie down the vehi-
cle using suspension components, as this
could lead to damage that might ultimately
result in an accident.<

Reference 203
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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

Everything from A to Z
206 Directory for navigation,
refer to Address
book 120
Disc brakes 107
Displacement, refer to
Engine data 198
Display lighting 88
Displays
Ð refer to Cockpit 10
Ð refer to Control Display 17
Ð refer to Instrument
cluster 12
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-Up
Display 85
Disposal
Ð brake fluid 180
Ð coolant 179
Ð engine oil 179
Ð vehicle battery 189
Distance, refer to
Computer 71
Distance cruise control,
refer to Active cruise
control 59
"Distance to destin.Ò 71
Distance to destination,
refer to Computer 71
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control 76
Divided rear seat back,
refer to Fold down rear
seat 101
Door entry lighting 89
Door keys 26
Door lock 29
"Door locks" 28
Doors
Ð manual operation 29
Ð remote control 28
DOT Quality Grades 173
Draft-free ventilation 94
"Driver" 42
"Driver's door only" 28
Driving light, refer to
Parking lamps/low
beams 87
Driving notes 106
Driving stability control 78
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes 106Dry air, refer to Cooling
function 91
Drying the air, refer to
Cooling function 91
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 78
Ð indicator lamp 78
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control 79
Ð indicator lamp 79
DVD for navigation 114
Dynamic Brake Control 79
Ð indicator lamp 79
Dynamic Driving Control 54
"Dynamic route" for
navigation 121
Dynamic Stability
Control 78
Ð indicator lamp 78
Dynamic Traction
Control 79
Ð indicator lamp 79
E
EBV Electronic Brake Force
Distribution 78
"Edit" on the portable
phone 154
Electrical malfunction
Ð door lock 29
Ð fuel filler door 168
Ð glass roof 35
Ð luggage compartment
lid 31
Electrical power windows,
refer to Windows 33
Electronic Brake
Force Distribution EBV 78
Electronic Stability
Program ESP, refer to
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 78
Emergency assistance,
refer to Roadside
Assistance 191
Emergency call 190
Emergency operation, refer
to Manual operationEmergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartmentÕs interior 32
Emergency services, refer
to Roadside
Assistance 191
"Emission inspect." 67, 67
"Enable services" 162
"End call" 154
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control 66
Energy Control 66
Engine
Ð breaking-in
procedure 106
Ð data 198
Ð speed 198
Ð starting 49
Engine compartment 178
Engine coolant 179
Engine hood 177
Engine oil
Ð adding 179
Ð checking the oil level 178
Ð prescribed oils 179
Engine output, refer to
Engine data 198
Engine speed 198
"Enter address" 116
Entering destination 117
Entering house number or
intersection 117
Entering switch-on times of
independent ventilation/
heating 95
Entering the address 116
Entering the
intersection 117
Entering the town/city for
navigation 117
Entering zip code for
navigation 117
"Entertainment" 130
"Entertainment
settings" 131
"Equalizer" 133
"Equalizer", audio
systems 131

Reference 207
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control 78
Exhaust system, refer to
High temperatures 106
Exterior mirrors 42
Ð automatic dimming
feature 43
F
"Fader", audio systems 132
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control 68
False alarms, refer to
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 33
False alarms with the Flat
Tire Monitor 80
Fastening safety belts, refer
to Safety belt
Ð indicator lamp 40
"Fastest route" for
navigation 121
Fastest route for
navigation 121
First aid, refer to First aid
kit 191
First aid kit 191
Fitting for towing 193
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable
flashlight 98
Flash when locking/
unlocking 28
Flat tire
Ð compact wheel 187
Ð Flat Tire Monitor 81
Ð refer also to Changing a
wheel 187
Ð refer also to Tire
condition 173
Ð run-flat tires 81, 175
Flat Tire Monitor 80
Ð false alarms 80
Ð indicator lamp 81
Ð initializing the system 81
Ð malfunctions 82
Floods, refer to Water on
the road 107"FM", waveband 130, 134
FM, waveband 134
Fog lamps 89
Ð indicator lamp 89
Fold down rear seat 101
Folding rear seat back 101
Footwell lamps 89
Forward, fast
Ð CD changer 146
Ð CD player 142
For your own safety 6
Front airbags 83
Front armrest 98
Front head restraints 40
Front seat adjustment 36
Front-to-rear adjustment in
Audio mode 132
"FTM" 81
Fuel 169
Ð display 66
Ð quality 169
Ð tank volume 66
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge 66
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge 66
Fuel filler door 168
Ð releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction 168
Fuel specifications 169
Fuses 189
G
Garage door opener, refer
to Integrated universal
remote control 96
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality 169
Gasoline display, refer to
Fuel gauge 66
Gear changes, refer to
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 55
Gear display 54
Gearshift lever
Ð automatic transmission
with Steptronic 55
Ð manual transmission 51
Ð Sequential manual
transmission SMG 51General car care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
General driving notes 106
Glass roof, electrical 34
Ð closing in the event of an
electrical defect 35
Ð convenience operation 29
Ð remote control 28
Glove compartment 98
Ð lighting 98
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system 114
Grilles of the automatic
climate control 90
Gross vehicle weight, refer
to Weights 200
H
Halogen lamps 185
Handbrake 50
Ð indicator lamp 50
Hands-free unit 151
Hazard warning flashers 14
Head airbags 83
Headlamp control,
automatic 87
Headlamp flasher 56
Headlamps 87
Ð care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Ð replacing the bulbs 185
Headlamp washers 57
Head Light, refer to
Adaptive Head Light 88
Head restraints 39
Ð front 39
Ð front, active 40
Ð rear 40
"Head-Up Display" 44
Head-Up Display 85
Heated mirrors 43
Heated rear window 91
Heated seats 41
Heated steering wheel 44
"Heated steering wheel on /
off" 44
Heater, rear window 91

Everything from A to Z
208 Heating 90
Ð mirrors 43
Ð steering wheel 44
Heating while stopped 92
Heavy cargo, refer to
Stowing cargo 109
Height, refer to
Dimensions 199
Height adjustment
Ð head restraints 39
Ð seats 37
Ð steering wheel 43
High beams 88
Ð headlight flasher 88
Ð indicator lamp 13
Ð replacing the bulbs 185
Hills 107
Holder for beverages 99
"Horn" 44
Horn 10
"Hour memo" 75
"House number" for
destination entry 117
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC 79
Hydroplaning 106, 174
I
Ice warning 65
iDrive, refer to Control
Center 16
Ignition key 26
Ignition key positions, refer
to Ignition lock 49
Ignition lock 49
Independent ventilation
Ð switching on and off
directly 94
Independent ventilation/
heating
Ð entering switch-on
times 95
Ð preselecting switch-on
times 95Indicator/warning lamp
Ð active steering 82
Ð airbags 84
Ð Flat Tire Monitor 81
Ð front fog lamps 11
Ð overview 13
Ð safety belt warning 40
Individual air distribution 93
Individual button
assignment options on
steering wheel 44
Individual settings, refer to
Key Memory 26
Inflation pressure, refer to
Tire inflation
pressure 170
"Information" for
navigation 118
Information for navigation
Ð on a different city 118
Ð on city of destination 118
Ð on current position 118
"Information on
destination" 119
"Input map" 118
Installation location
Ð CD changer 144
Ð navigation computer 114
Ð portable phone 151
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions 124
Instrument cluster 12
Instrument combination,
refer to Instrument
cluster 12
Instrument lighting 88
Instrument panel, refer to
Instrument cluster 10
Integrated universal remote
control 96
Interesting destination 118
"Interim time" 73
Interior lamps 89
Ð remote control 28
Interior mirror, refer to
Interior rearview mirror 43
Interior motion sensor 33
Ð switching off 28Interior rearview mirror 43
Ð automatic dimming
feature 43
Interlock, refer to Steering
locked 49
Intermittent mode of the
wipers 57
J
Jacking points 188
Joystick, refer to Control
Center 16
Jump-starting 192
K
Key Memory 26
"Keypad" 156
Keys 26
Key set, refer Central keys
with remote control 26
Kickdown 55
Knock control 169
L
Lamps and bulbs 184
"Languages" 74
"Languages" for
navigation 124
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing the load 109
"Last seat position" 38
LATCH child-restraint
fixing 47
LEDs light-emitting
diodes 89
Length, refer to
Dimensions 199
Letter symbol on portable
phone 156
License plate light
Ð replacing the bulbs 186
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs 89
Lighter 100
Ð socket 100
"Lighting" 56, 87