2004 BMW 525I SEDAN hood open

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility

Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to
use the index, refer to page 202.

Using this Owner's Manual

4Notes
7Reporting safety defects

At a glance

10Cockpit
16Control Center
20Voice command system

Controls

26Opening and closing
36Adjustments
45Transporting children safely
49Driving
65Everything under control
76Technology for comfort, convenience
and safety
87Lamps
90A congenial climate
96Practical interior accessories

Driving tips

106Things to remember when driving

Navigation

114Starting navigation system
116Destination entry
123Destination guidance
127What to do if É

Entertainment

130On/off, tone
134Radio
141CD Compact Disc
144CD changer

Communications

150Telephoning
161TeleService, BMW Assist



Mobility

168Refueling
170Wheels and tires
177Under the hood
181Maintenance
183Rules and regulations
184Replacing components
190Giving and receiving assistance

Reference

198Technical data
202Everything from A to Z

At a glance

11

Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility

6

Buttons on steering wheel
Portable phone

*
:

>

Accepting a call

>

Start calling

>

Ending call.
Volume
Voice command system.
Fast forward/reverse:

>

Radio
Press briefly: change station
Press longer: manual tuning or auto-
matic search scan

>

CD
Press briefly: select track
Press longer: fast forward/reverse.
Individually programmable, refer to
page 44.

>

Individually programmable, refer to
page 44

>

Voice instructions for navigation.

7

Instrument cluster12

9

Ignition lock49

10

Horn: the entire surface

13

Opening the hood177

14

Opening the luggage compartment
lid31

16

Parking lamps and low beams87

8

Windshield wipers57
Rain sensor57

11

Steering wheel heater44
Steering wheel adjustment43

12

Cruise control58
Active cruise control59

15

Head-Up Display85

17

Instrument lighting88
Front fog lamps89

Opening and closing
32
Emergency release
This lever releases the luggage compart-
ment lid from inside the luggage compart-
ment.
Closing
The handle recesses on the interior trim of
the luggage compartment lid make it easier
to pull down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the luggage compart-
ment lid is clear when it is closed, as with
all closing procedures.<
Operate the vehicle only when the
luggage compartment lid is com-
pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes
could penetrate the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances should make it
absolutely necessary to operate the vehicle
with the compartment open:
1.Close all windows and the glass roof
2.Adjust the automatic climate control to
supply a high air volume, refer to
page 91.
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the luggage
compartment lid is opened
>To movement in the vehicle interior:
interior motion sensor
>To changing the vehicle's tilt if someone
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the
vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized vehi-
cle entry and attempted theft by simulta-
neously activating:
>An acoustic alarm, which lasts for a
period of approx. 30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers for approx.
5 minutes
>The high beams, which flash on and off
in the same rhythm.
Arming and disarming the alarm
system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either
with the remote control or at the door lock,
the alarm system is armed or disarmed at
the same time.
The system indicates that it has been cor-
rectly armed by switching on the hazard
warning flashers for a single cycle and by
emitting an acoustic signal.
You can also open the luggage compart-
ment lid with the system armed using the
button on the remote control, refer to
page 28. When you close the lid, it is
secured again.
Switching off the alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote
control, refer to page 27
>Or turn the ignition key to position 1.

Controls
33Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp beneath the interior
mirror flashes continuously: the system
is armed
>If the indicator lamp flashes during arm-
ing: doors, engine hood or luggage
compartment lid are not properly
closed. Even if you do not close the
alerted area, the system begins to mon-
itor the remaining areas, and the indica-
tor lamp flashes continuously after
approx. 10 seconds. However, the inte-
rior motion sensor is not activated
>If the indicator lamp goes out on dis-
arming: no manipulation or attempted
intrusions have been detected in the
period since the system was armed
>If the indicator lamp flashes on disarm-
ing until the key is inserted in the igni-
tion lock, but for approx. 5 minutes at
the most: your vehicle has been manip-
ulated in the meantime.
Following triggering of an alarm, the indica-
tor lamp will flash continuously.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor may be switched off at the same
time. You can do this to prevent a false
alarm from being triggered in garages with
elevator ramps, for instance, or when the
vehicle is transported by trailer or train:
Lock, i.e. arm twice. Press the but-
ton on the remote control twice in succes-
sion, refer to page 27, or lock twice with
the key, refer to page 30.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor are switched off as long as the system is
armed.
Interior motion sensor
In
order for the interior motion sensor to
function properly, the windows and glass
roof must be completely closed.
However, switch the interior motion sensor
off, refer to Avoiding unintentional alarms, if
>children or animals are to remain in the
vehicle
>the windows or glass roof are to remain
open.
Windows
Opening and closing windows
As of ignition key position 1:
>Press the switch up to the resistance
point:
The window continues to move down-
ward as long as you continue to hold
the switch
>Briefly press the switch beyond the
resistance point:
The window moves downward auto-
matically. Press the switch again to
stop the opening movement.
You can close the windows in the same
manner by pulling the switch.
After switching off the ignition
You can still operate the windows:
>In the radio position for a longer time
>For approx. 1 minute in position 0 or
with the ignition key removed.

Telephoning
150
Telephoning
Safety notice
For your own safety
A car phone makes life more convenient in
many ways, and can even save lives in an
emergency. While you should consult your
portable phone's separate Owner's Manual
for a detailed description of safety precau-
tions and information, we request that you
direct your particular attention to the fol-
lowing:
Adjustments
To avoid posing a danger to yourself
and other road users, never adjust the
system settings unless your vehicle is com-
pletely stationary.<
Using the phone in your vehicle
Using a portable phone to make and
receive calls while driving is now ille-
gal in virtually every country in the world.
Always use your hands-free unit, or stop
your vehicle in an area where you will not
pose a safety hazard to other road users.<
Vehicles and portable phones
Do not use your phone from within a
garage, or near an open hood. The air
in these areas could contain fuel vapors,
and the portable phone might generate
sparks that could result in burns.
This same precaution applies to open lug-
gage compartment lids on vehicles
equipped for operation using natural gas or
hydrogen, and to all vehicles with luggage
compartment-mounted batteries.<
Antenna
When using the phone, ensure that all
persons in the area are at least 20 in/
50 cm from the antenna. Never use your
BMW portable phone if the antenna is dam-
aged. Contact between your skin and a
damaged antenna can result in minor burns.
If the antenna is damaged, have it replaced
immediately.<
Special environmental conditions
Always switch off your BMW portable
phone in areas where blasting work is
being conducted with explosives. The
phone signals could potentially act as a
high-frequency transmitter and set off
explosions.
Always switch off your BMW portable
phone in areas where an increased explo-
sion danger is present. This category
includes filling stations along with fuel and
chemical storage depots, etc., and all
areas in which the air can contain fuel,
chemicals or metal particles. Under these
conditions, your BMW portable phone
could conceivably generate sparks that
could lead to a fire or explosion. Always
observe all legal regulations governing the
use of portable phones in the vicinity of fill-
ing stations, chemical factories and other
areas where an explosion potential exists.
Never use the BMW portable phone in air-
craft; do not use this portable phone in hos-
pitals, care centers or at other locations
where medical equipment may be in oper-
ation, such as accident sites, etc.
Your service provider can furnish you with
more detailed information on legal regula-
tions governing the use of your phone.<
Medical equipment
Portable phones can generate inter-
ference capable of preventing hearing
aids and cardiac pacemakers from operat-
ing correctly. If you or any occupant of the
vehicle will be using such equipment, con-
sult a physician or the manufacturer of the
equipment to determine whether it is ade-
quately shielded against high-frequency
energy.<

Mobility
177Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Under the hood
Hood
Unlocking
Pull the lever located under the left side of
the instrument panel.
Never attempt to perform any service
or repair operations on your vehicle
without the required, professional technical
training. When you are unfamiliar with the
service procedures and precautions,
always have any required work carried out
at your BMW center. Unprofessional
attempts at service and repair, and the
incorrect handling of parts and materials
that can occur during such attempts, con-
stitute a potential safety hazard, both for
the vehicle's occupants and for other road
users.<
Opening
Press the release handle and open the
engine hood.
Closing
Close the hood from a height of approx.
16 in/40 cm with momentum. It must be
clearly heard to engage.
Observe the same precautions that
apply to all closing operations by
ensuring that the hood's travel range is
clear and unobstructed before allowing the
hood to fall into position.
If you see any signs that the hood is not
completely closed while driving your vehi-
cle, you should stop at once and close it
securely.<

Under the hood
180
Checking coolant level
Correct coolant level with the engine cold,
approx. +687/206:
1.Turn the cap of the expansion tank
counterclockwise to allow any accumu-
lated pressure to escape, then continue
turning to open
2.The coolant level is correct when the
coolant extends to between the MIN
and MAX marks on the filler neck, refer
to the diagram adjacent to the filler
neck
3.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
up to the specified level Ð do not overfill.
Brake fluid
The symbol lights up and a mes-
sage appears on the Control Dis-
play: the brake-fluid level in the
container is too low.
The brake fluid reservoir is located under
the microfilter housing trim panel on the
driver's side of the vehicle. To have brake
fluid added to the system, or to have the
source of any brake fluid loss traced and
rectified, please contact your BMW center,
which can also supply the factory-
approved Ð DOT 4 Ð brake fluids.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic: it absorbs
moisture from the atmosphere over
the course of time.
To ensure that the brake system continues
to provide safe and reliable performance,
remember to have the brake fluid changed
every 2 years at the latest, refer to page 66
and to the Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet for US models or the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models.
Brake fluid is toxic and also damages vehi-
cle paintwork. Always store these agents in
tightly-closed original containers kept well
away from the reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not refill the
brake fluid reservoir to beyond the MAX
mark. Should it come into contact with hot
engine components, the brake fluid could
ignite and cause personal injury in the form
of burns.<
Always observe all applicable rules
and regulations for environmental
protection when disposing of used brake
fluid.<
Warning lamp for Canadian models.
Brake hydraulic systems
A low brake-fluid level combined with
longer-than-usual pedal travel could be a
sign that one of the brake system's hydrau-
lic circuits has failed.
Proceed to the nearest BMW center.
Remember that pedal travel may be
increased, and there may also be a sub-
stantial increase in the amount of pedal
pressure required to brake the vehicle.
Please adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.<

Everything from A to Z
214 TeleService 161
Ð enabling 161
Ð services offered 162
Temperature display
Ð ice warning 65
Ð outside temperature 65
Ð setting the units 74
"Terminate services" 165
"Text language" 74
The BMW Maintenance
System 181
Tightening torque, refer to
Tightening lug bolts 188
Tilt function, passenger-
side mirror 39
"Time" 74
"Time 1" for independent
ventilation 95
"Time 2" for independent
ventilation 95
Timer, refer to Preselecting
switch-on time 95
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire
Monitor 80
Tire Quality Grading 173
Tires
Ð age 172
Ð changing 174
Ð condition 173
Ð damage 174
Ð flat 187
Ð inflation pressure 170
Ð pressure monitoring 80
Ð replacing 187
Ð run-flat 175
Ð size 172
Ð tread 173
Ð wear indicators 174
Tone control 131
Tone on locking/
unlocking 28
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit 184
"Top 8" for portable
phone 155
Torque 198
Ð lug bolts 188
Touch tone dialing 156
Tow fitting 193Towing
Ð with automatic
transmission 193
Ð with sequential manual
transmission SMG 193
Towing eye 193
Tow sockets for tow
fitting 194
Tracks
Ð random play
sequence 142, 146
Ð sample scan 142, 145
Track width, refer to
Dimensions 199
Traction Control System,
refer to DSC 78
Transmission
Ð automatic transmission
with Steptronic 54
Ð manual transmission 51
Ð Sequential manual
transmission SMG 51
Transporting children
safely 45
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing the
load 109
Tread depth, refer to Tire
tread 173
"Treble", audio
systems 132
"Trip computer" 72
Trip computer 71
Trip-distance counter, refer
to Trip odometer 65
"Triple turn signal
activation" 56
Trip odometer 65
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid 31
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions 199
Turn signal indicators 56
Ð replacing the bulbs 185
U
Underbody protection,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochureUniform Tire Quality
Grading 173
"Units" 74
Units
Ð average fuel
consumption 74
Ð temperature 74
Universal garage-door
opener, refer to
Integrated universal
remote control 96
Universal remote
control 96
Unlock code 152
Unlocking
Ð engine hood 177
Ð from inside 30
Ð from outside 27
"Update services" 165
V
Valve stem seal caps 188
Vehicle
Ð battery 188
Ð care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Ð dimensions 199
Ð loading 108
Ð parking 50
Ð washing, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Ð weights 200
Vehicle jack 187
Vehicle position 115
"Vehicle settings" 38
Ventilation 94
Ð draft-free 94
Ð front 94
Ð rear 94
Ventilation while parked 94
"Vent settings" 92
Vents of the automatic
climate control 90
Voice command system 20
Voice instructions for
navigation system 124
Ð muting 125
Ð repeating 125
Ð switching on/off 124
Ð volume 125