2005 BMW 530I maintenance

525i
530i
545iOwner's Manual for Vehicle
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 therefore
have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize
yourself with the information that we have compiled 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 fea-
tures. The manual also contains information on maintenance
designed to enhance operating safety and contribute to main-
taining 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 Infor-
mation Booklet for US models or a Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to use
the index on page202.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
Reporting safety defects 7
At a glance
10Cockpit
16Control Center
22Voice command system
Controls
28Opening and closing
38Adjustments
47Transporting children safely
51Driving
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
115Destination entry
124Destination guidance
128What to do if …
Entertainment
132On/off and tone
138Radio
145CD player and CD changer
Communications
152Telephoning
161TeleService, BMW Assist
Mobility
168Refueling
170Wheels and tires
176Under the hood
180Maintenance
182Replacing components
189Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
196Technical data
199Short commands of voice command
system
202Everything from A to Z

Notes
6
For your own safety
Maintenance and repair
Advanced technology, e. g. the use of
modern materials and high-performance
electronics, requires specially adapted mainte-
nance and repair methods. Therefore, have cor-
responding work on your BMW carried out only
by a BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If work is car-
ried out improperly there is a danger of conse-
quential damage and the related safety risks.<
California Proposition 65 Warning
California law requires us to issue the following
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of
automobile components and parts,
including components found in the interior fur-
nishings 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 fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products 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 accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Batter-
ies also contain other chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer. Wash your
hands after handling. Used engine oil contains
chemicals that have caused cancer in labora-
tory animals. Always protect your skin by wash-
ing thoroughly with soap and water.<
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested and
approved by BMW and Genuine BMW Parts,
you simultaneously acquire the assurance that
they have been thoroughly tested by BMW to
ensure optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free from
defects in material and workmanship.
BMW will not accept any liability for damage
resulting from installation of parts and accesso-
ries not approved by BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made by other
manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a
BMW safely and without risk to either the vehi-
cle, its operation, or its occupants.
Genuine BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and
other products approved by BMW, together
with professional advice on using these items,
are available from all BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms, radios,
amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension
components, brake dust shields, telephones,
including operation of any portable phone from
within the vehicle without using an externally
mounted antenna, or transceiver equipment, for
instance, CBs, walkie-talkies, ham radios or
similar accessories, may cause extensive dam-
age to the vehicle, compromise its safety, inter-
fere with the vehicle's electrical system or affect
the validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. Refer
to your BMW center for additional informa-
tion.<
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performed by any automotive
repair establishment or individual using any cer-
tified automotive part.<

Everything under control
66
Energy Control
Displays the current fuel consumption. This
allows you to see whether your current driving
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
Fuel gage
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 18.5 gallons/
70 liters, including the reserve capacity of
approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters. You can find infor-
mation on refueling on page168.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
After the reserve quantity has been reached, a
message appears for a short time on the Con-
trol Display; the remaining range is shown in the
computer. With a range below approx. 30 miles/
50 km, the message remains on the Control
Display.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, as otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Service requirements
The remaining travel distance and the date for
the next maintenance are displayed briefly
when the ignition key is in position 2.
Your BMW Service Advisor can deter-
mine your vehicle's current service
requirements by reading out the data stored in
the master key.<
Additional information
You can view additional information on service
and maintenance procedures on the Control
Display.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open the menu.
2.Select "Service" and press the controller.
3.Select "Service requirements" and press
the controller.
4.Select "Status" and press the controller
The display shows a list of selected service and
maintenance procedures, as well as legally
mandated inspections.

Controls
79Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Malfunction in vehicle stability-control
systems
The brake system warning lamp lights
up in red, appearing together with the
indicator lamps for ABS and DSC. A
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. The driving stability control sys-
tems are deactivated. Conventional
braking efficiency remains available
without limitations. While you may con-
tinue, you should remember to proceed cau-
tiously and drive defensively while avoiding full
brake applications. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
The indicator lamp for DSC lights up; a
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. DSC and DTC are deactivated.
The stability maintenance functions are no
longer available. The vehicle remains in running
order. Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
The warning lamp for the brake system
lights up in yellow; a message appears
on the Control Display. DBC has failed.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
Active roll stabilization*
The concept
Active roll stabilization minimizes body roll and
optimizes vehicle stability during cornering and
evasive maneuvers.
Dynamic stabilizers at the front and rear axles
form the basis for active roll stabilization. Sus-
pension compliance adapts to suit driving con-
ditions, varying from performance-oriented during cornering to smooth and comfort-ori-
ented when the vehicle is proceeding in a
straight line. During vehicle operation, the sys-
tem continuously runs through closed-loop
control cycles lasting only fractions of a second.
The system assumes operational status each
time you start the engine.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up and a mes-
sage appears on the Control Display.
There is a malfunction in the system.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
If there is a malfunction in the system,
please remember to adapt your speed
accordingly, especially in curves. The suspen-
s i o n w il l b e n o t i c ea b ly s o f t e r a n d t h e v e h i cl e w il l
display a greater tendency to tilt during corner-
ing and in crosswinds. If a message stating that
you should stop appears on the Control Display,
stop and switch off the engine as soon as pos-
sible. In this case the oil level in the reservoir
may have dropped below the minimum, possi-
bly owing to a leak in the hydraulic system. Do
not continue driving. Contact your BMW cen-
ter.<
Flat Tire Monitor
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the four mounted tires as you
drive. The system provides an alert whenever
the inflation pressure drops significantly in rela-
tion to the pressure in another tire.
In the event of a pressure loss, the rolling radius
and therefore the rotation speed of the wheels
change. This change is detected and is
reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.
Perform the initialization immediately
after correcting the inflation pressure,

A congenial climate
94
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
The microfilter removes dust and pollen from
the incoming air. The activated-charcoal filter
provides additional protection by filtering gas-
eous pollutants from the outside air. Your BMW
center replaces this combined filter as a stan-
dard part of your scheduled maintenance.
You can select a display of more detailed infor-
mation on the Control Display, refer to page66.
Independent ventilation*
The independent ventilation blows air into the
passenger compartment to lower interior tem-
peratures.
The independent ventilation is controlled using
the Control Center. You can set two different
times for the system to start.
The independent ventilation remains on for
30 minutes. It can also be switched on and off
directly. Since the system uses a substantial
amount of electrical current, you should refrain
from activating it twice in succession without
allowing the battery to be recharged in normal
operation between use.
The independent ventilation is ready for use at
any outside temperature, up to ignition key
position 1.
The air emerges through the upper body region
vent outlets in the instrument panel. These vent
outlets must be open for the system to operate.
Switching on and off directly
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open "Climate".
2.Select "Parked car operation" and press the
controller.
3.Select "Automatic ventilation" and press
the controller.4.Select "Parked car ventilation" and press
the controller.
Independent ventilation is switched on and the
LED flashes.
Preselecting activation times
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open "Climate".
2.Select "Parked car operation" and press the
controller.
3.Select "Activation time" and press the con-
troller.
If you select two activation times that are
in sequence, they must differ by at least
31 minutes.<
4.Move the controller to the left or right to
select "Time 1" or "Time 2".
5.Select the time and press the controller.
The first time setting is highlighted.
6.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
7.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The next setting is highlighted.
8.Make the remaining adjustments. After the
last adjustment, the time is stored.

161
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communication
Navigation
Mobility
TeleService , BMW Assist
TeleService
TeleService supports you when communicat-
ing with a BMW center. The built-in car phone
can be used to transmit data regarding the ser-
vice status of your vehicle or regarding legally
mandated inspections directly to your BMW
center. This is the same data that is also stored
for CBS Condition Based Service in the master
key. Your BMW center can then contact you,
and you can make an appointment that suits
you while you are still on the road. Your advan-
tage here is that your BMW center can prepare
in advance for the required maintenance work.
The functions of TeleService are country-spe-
cific and depend on your contract: the data
regarding the service status of your vehicle or
regarding legally mandated inspections is
transmitted on a country-specific basis either
automatically before they fall due or during your
calls to the BMW center. Your BMW center will
be glad to provide more detailed information.
BMW Assist
BMW Assist provides you with other services in
addition to TeleService. For example, the posi-
tion data of your vehicle can be transferred to
the BMW Assist response center if an emer-
gency call
* has been initiated.
Many functions of BMW Assist depend on the
individually agreed contract. Data transmission,
e. g. of the CBS Condition Based Service, dif-
fers from country to country.
The subscriber agreement must be completed
successfully before using the BMW Assist ser-
vices.
Requirements
The installed car phone is logged on to a porta-
ble telephone network. This network must be
capable of transmitting the services.
To transmit position data, the vehicle must be
able to determine the current position. This is
displayed on the Control Display. In order to
enable and update TeleService or BMW Assist,
a GPS signal must be present.
Enabling TeleService or BMW Assist
For you to be able to use the services of
TeleService or BMW Assist, these must be
enabled.
To do this, leave the ignition key in position 1
during the entire process.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Press button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Communication settings" and
press the controller.
**

Mobility
This section helps you maintain your
mobility by supplying important information
on vital topics including fuels and lubricants,
wheels and tires, service, maintenance and
breakdown assistance.
Mobility