2004 BMW 525I SEDAN technical data

525i
530i
545i

Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with
enhanced control and security when you drive it. We there-
fore have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and
familiarize yourself with the information that we have com-
piled for you before starting off in your new vehicle.
It contains important data and instructions intended to
assist you in gaining maximum use and satisfaction from
your BMW's unique range of technical features. The man-
ual also contains information on maintenance designed to
enhance operating safety and contribute to maintaining the
value of your BMW throughout an extended service life.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent
part of this vehicle. It should stay with the vehicle when
sold to provide the next owner with important operating,
safety and maintenance information.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or a Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

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

Driving tips
109Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward and as
low as possible, placing it directly
behind the bulkhead behind the rear
seats
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat
is not occupied, secure each safety belt
in the opposite buckle.
Securing the load
>Use the luggage net* or securing straps
to hold down small and lightweight lug-
gage and cargo
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing
larger and heavier objects are available
at your BMW center. Lashing eyes
mounted in the corners of the luggage
compartment are used to secure this
load securing equipment, refer to illus-
tration
>Please observe the special instructions
supplied with the heavy-duty cargo
straps.
Always position and secure the load
correctly. If you do not, it can even
endanger the passengers during braking or
evasive maneuvers.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle weight or either of the approved
axle loads, refer to page 200, as excessive
loads can pose a safety hazard, and may
also place you in violation of freeway safety
laws.
You should never transport heavy or hard
objects unsecured in the passenger com-
partment, as they could fly around and
even pose a safety hazard to the vehicle's
occupants during abrupt braking or evasive
maneuvers.<
Roof-mounted luggage
rack*
Anchorage points
The anchorage points are located within
the door openings.
A special rack system is available as an
option for your BMW. Please comply with
the precautions included with the installa-
tion instructions.
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's cen-
ter of gravity when loaded, they have a
major effect on its handling and steering
response.
You should therefore always remember not
to exceed the approved roof weight, the
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle
loads when loading the rack.
You can find the specified weights in the
Technical data section on page 200.
Make sure that the load is not too heavy,
and that it does not extend outward to
beyond the limits of the loading surface.
Always load the heaviest pieces first Ð at
the bottom. Be sure that adequate clear-
ance is maintained for raising the glass

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

Technical data
200
Weights
Never exceed either the approved axle
loads or the gross vehicle weight.
525i530i
Curb weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission lbs./kg
3,428/1,555
3,450/1,5653,472/1,575
3,494/1,585
Approved gross weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs./kg
4,530/2,055
4,552/2,0654,575/2,075
4,597/2,085
Load lbs./kg 1,102/500 1,102/500
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,161/980 2,227/1,010
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,601/1,180 2,601/1,180
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 220/100 220/100
Luggage compartment volume cu ft/l 18.4/520 18.4/520
545i
Curb weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs./kg
3,803/1,725
3,814/1,730
Approved gross weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs./kg
4,905/2,225
4,916/2,230
Load lbs./kg 1,103/500
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,403/1,090
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,679/1,215
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 220/100
Luggage compartment volume cu ft/l 18.4/520

Everything from A to Z
204 Cargo, securing 109
Cargo area
Ð locking separately 31
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for light-alloy
wheels, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Car jack
Ð jacking points 188
Car keys, refer to Central
keys with remote
control 26
Car phone 151
Ð installation location, refer
to Center armrest 98
Ð refer to Portable
phone 150
Ð refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to
Radio 134
Car wash 106
Ð refer also to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
High temperatures 106
"Categories" 138
CBC Cornering Brake
Control 78
CBS Condition Based
Service 181
"CD" 130CD changer 144
Ð adjusting the tone 131
Ð controls 130
Ð fast forward/reverse 146
Ð installation location 144
Ð listening to a CD 144
Ð playing a track 145
Ð random order 146
Ð repeating a track 145
Ð selecting track 145
Ð switching on/off 130
Ð volume 131
CD for navigation 114
CD player 141
Ð adjusting the tone 131
Ð controls 130
Ð fast forward/reverse 142
Ð playing a track 142
Ð random order 142
Ð repeating a track 142
Ð selecting tracks 141
Ð switching on/off 130
Ð volume 131
Center armrest 98
Center console, refer to
Comfort area 14
Central keys with remote
control 26
"Central locking" 38
Central locking system 27
Ð from inside vehicle 30
Ð from outside vehicle 27
Changes, technical, refer to
Parts and accessories 6
Changing a wheel 187
Changing selector-lever
positions 55
Changing the direction
display for navigation 124
Changing the language on
the Control Display 74
Changing the
measurement units on the
Control Display 74
Changing wheels 174
CHECK button 69
Check Control 68
"Check Control
messages" 69
Check Gas Cap 168Checking the air pressure,
refer to Tire inflation
pressure 170
Child's seat 45
Child-restraint fixing
LATCH 47
Child restraints 45
Child-restraint system 45
Child-safety lock 48
Chock 187
Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter 100
Circulation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 91
"City" for destination
entry 117
Cleaning, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Cleaning headlamps
Ð washer fluid 57
Cleaning windshield 57
"Climate" 41
Clock 65
Ð 12/24 hour mode 74
Ð setting the time and
date 74
Closing
Ð from inside 30
Ð from outside 27
Cockpit 10
Comfort area 14
Comfort seat 37
"Communication" 152
"Communication
interface" 161
Compact Disc
Ð refer to CD changer 144
Ð refer to CD player 141
Compact wheel
Ð inflation pressure 171
Ð wheel change 187
Compression ratio, refer to
Engine data 198
Computer 70
Ð clock, 12/24 hour
mode 74
Ð displays on the Control
Display 70

Reference 213
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Shortest route" for
navigation 121
Shortest route for
navigation 121
Shoulder support 37
"Show current
position" 118
"Show destination
position" 118
Side airbags 83
Side marker lamps,
replacing the bulbs 186
Side turn signal indicators,
replacing the bulbs 186
Side window blind, refer to
Roller sun blinds 97
Sitting safely
Ð with airbags 36
Ð with safety belts 36
Ski bag 101
Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to
Glass roof, electric 34
SMG Sequential manual
transmission 51
"SMS" 156
Snow chains 176
Socket
Ð for Onboard Diagnosis
interface 183
Ð in front passenger
footwell 100
Ð in luggage
compartment 100
Ð refer to Lighter
socket 100
SOS, refer to Starting an
emergency call 190
Sound control, refer to
Tone control 131
Spare fuses 189
Spare key 26
Spare wheel, refer to
Compact wheel 187
Special oils, refer to
Specified engine oils 179
Specified engine oils 179
Speed
Ð winter tires 175
Ð with compact wheel 188
Speed-dependent
volume 132Speedometer 12
"Speed volume", audio
systems 132
Sport program
Ð Dynamic Driving
Control 54
Sports seat 37
Stability control,
refer to Driving stability
control 77
Standard default settings,
audio systems 133
Standing lamps 88
"Start" for stopwatch 73
"Start guidance" 118
Starting, refer to Starting
the engine 49
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump-starting 192
Starting destination
guidance 123
Starting difficulties
Ð at very low
temperatures 49
Starting the engine 49
Start menu on the Control
Display 17
"Start service" 163
Start-up difficulties
Ð jump-starting 192
Station, refer to Radio 134
"Status" 66
Status 67
Status of this Owner's
Manual at time of
printing 5
Steering wheel 11
Ð adjustment 43
Ð buttons on the steering
wheel 11
Ð heating 44
Ð individual button
assignment options 44
Ð memory 38
"Steering wheel
buttons" 44
Steering with variable ratio,
refer to Active steering 82
Steptronic, refer to
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 54"Stop" for stopwatch 73
"Stopwatch" 73
Stopwatch 73
Storage compartments 99
"Store address" for
navigation 120
"Store" on the radio 136
Storing sitting position,
refer to Seat, mirror and
steering wheel
memory 38
Storing tires 175
Straps, refer to
Loading 109
"Street" for destination
entry 117
Stroke, refer to Engine
data 198
Summer tires, refer to
Wheels and tires 170
Sun blinds 97
SW, waveband 134
Switches, refer to
Cockpit 10
Switching off engine 50
Switching off the tilt alarm
sensor 28
Switching on/off
Ð audio 130
Ð CD changer 130
Ð CD player 130
Ð cooling function 91
Ð navigation voice
instructions 124
Ð portable phone 151
Ð radio 130
Swiveling headlamps, refer
to Adaptive Head Light 88
Symbols 4
T
Tachometer 65
Tail lamps
Ð replacing the bulbs 186
Target cursor for
navigation 118
Technical data 198
Telematic 161
Telephone, refer to
Portable phone 150