
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 

Reference
This chapter contains the technical data,
the short commands of the voice command
system, and the index that will direct you as
quickly as possible to the information sought.
Reference 

Technical data
196
Technical data 
Engine data 
525i530i
Displacement
Number of cylinders cu in/cmµ152.2/2,494
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
545i
Displacement
Number of cylinders cu in/cmµ268.4/4,398
8
Maximum output
at engine speed hp
rpm 325
5,900
Maximum torque
at engine speed lb ft/Nm 
rpm 330/450
3,600 

Technical data
198
Weights
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or the gross vehicle weight. 
Capacities 
525i530i
Curb weight 
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission/SMG 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 transmission/SMG lbs./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 transmission/SMG lbs./kg 
3,803/1,725
3,814/1,730
Approved gross weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission/SMG lbs./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
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal/liters
gal/litersapprox. 18.5/70
approx. 2.1/8Fuel grade: page169
Window and headlamp 
washer system  quarts/liters approx. 3.2/3For more details: page58
Engine with oil filter renewal 
525i, 530i 
545iquarts/liters
6.9/6.5
8.5/8.0BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
Oil grades: page178 

Everything from A to Z
204 Braking
– CBC Cornering Brake 
Control77
– DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control77
– electronic brake-force 
distribution77
– refer to Braking safely107
Breakdown assistance163
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance190
Breaking-in the clutch106
Breaking-in the 
differential106
Break-in period106
"Brightness"73
Brightness of Control 
Display73
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
Warning6
"Call"155
Call
– accepting154
– displaying accepted156
– ending155
– in absence156
– starting154
Calling
– from phone book155
– from Top 8 list156
– redialing156
– refer to telephone Owner's 
Manual
"Calling sender"158
Can holder, refer to Cup 
holders99
Capacities198
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery187
Car care, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure"Car data"70
Care181
– refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cargo, securing102,109
Cargo loading108
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
– jacking points186
Car keys, refer to Key set28
Car phone153
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest98
– refer to Portable phone152
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio138
Car vacuum cleaner 
connection, refer to 
Sockets100
Car wash108
– also refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system106
"Categories"143
CBC Cornering Brake 
Control77
CBS Condition Based 
Service180
"CD"133,145CD changer145
– controls132
– fast forward/reverse147
– installation location147
– playing a track147
– random order147
– repeating a track146
– selecting a CD146
– selecting a track146
– switching on/off132
– tone control133
– volume133
CD player145
– controls132
– fast forward/reverse147
– playing a track147
– random order147
– repeating a track146
– selecting a track146
– switching on/off132
– tone control133
– volume133
Center armrest
– front98
– rear100
Center brake lamp184
Center console14
"Central locking"29
Central locking system29
– from inside vehicle31
Changes, technical
– refer to For your own 
safety6
– refer to Parts and 
accessories6
Changing gear
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic55
Changing settings
– on Control Display73
Changing the language on the 
Control Display74
Changing the measurement 
units on the Control 
Display73
Changing wheels174,185
CHECK button69
Check Control67 

Reference 205
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communica-
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Check Control 
messages"69
Check Gas Cap168
Checking the air pressure, 
refer to Tire inflation 
pressure170
Child-restraint fixing system 
LATCH49
Child restraints47
Child restraint systems47
Child-safety lock50
Child seats47
Chime, refer to Check 
Control67
Chock185
Chrome parts, care, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cigarette lighter99
Cleaning, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Cleaning the windshield, refer 
to Wiper system57
"Climate"44
Clock65
– 12h/24h mode74
– time setting74
Closing
– from inside31
– from outside29
Clothes hooks99
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting 
engine51
"Comfort", active backrest 
width adjustment40
Comfort area, refer to All 
about the center console14
Comfort seat39
"Communication"154
"Communication 
settings"161
Compact Disc
– refer to CD changer145
– refer to CD player145
Compact wheel
– changing wheels186
– inflation pressure171Computer69
– clock, 12h/24h mode74
– displays on Control 
Display70
– hour signal74
"Concert hall"135
Condition Based Service 
CBS180
"Confirmation"30
Confirmation signals for 
locking and unlocking30
Consumption, refer to 
Average consumption70
Consumption indicator
– Energy Control66
"Continue guidance to 
destination?"125
Control Center16
– adjusting brightness73
– assistance window20
– automatic climate control92
– changing settings19,73
– changing the menu page19
– confirming selection or 
entry19
– controller16
– displays, menus16
– language selection74
– lists19
– menu item selection19
– menu navigation17
– operating elements16
– selecting units of 
measurement and display 
format73
– setting time and date74
– start menu17
– status information20
– symbols17
Control Display, refer to 
Control Center16
Controller, refer to Control 
Center16
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenience operation
– glass sunroof30
– windows30
Convenience start, refer to 
Starting engine51Coolant178
– level178
Cooling, maximum91
Cornering Brake Control 
CBC77
Country of destination for 
navigation116
Courtesy lamps89
Cradle for telephone or 
portable phone98
Cruise control58,59
– active cruise control59
Cruising range70
Cup holders99
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights198
Current fuel consumption66
"Current position"125
Current position
– displaying125
– entering120
– storing120
"Customer Relations"164
Cylinders, refer to Engine 
data196
D
Dashboard, refer to 
Cockpit10
Data196
– capacities198
– dimensions197
– engine196
– technical data196
– weights198
"Date"74
Date65
– display format75
– retrieval65
– setting74
"Date format"75
Daytime driving lamps87
DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control77
– warning lamp79
"Deactivated"41
Deactivating front passenger 
airbags47,83 

Reference 215
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communica-
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Status"66
Status of this Owner's Manual 
at time of printing5
Steering wheel
– adjustment45
– buttons on steering 
wheel11
– easy entry/exit45
– heating46
– memory40
– programmable buttons46
"Steering wheel buttons"46
Steering with variable ratio, 
refer to Active steering81
Steptronic, refer to Automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic55
"Stop" for stopwatch73
"Stopwatch"72
Stopwatch72
Storage compartments99
"Store current 
destination"122
"Store current position"122
"Store in address book" for 
navigation120
"Store" on the radio140,143
Storing current position120
Storing sitting position, refer 
to Seat, mirror and steering 
wheel memory40
Storing tires175
Straps, refer to Loading109
"Street" for destination 
entry117
Summer tires, refer to Wheels 
and tires170
Sun blinds97
SW, waveband138
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching navigation voice 
instructions on/off125
Switching off engine52
Switching off the tilt alarm 
sensor34Switching on
– audio132
– CD changer132
– CD player132
– radio132
Switching on hour signal74
Switching the cooling function 
on and off91
Swiveling headlamps, refer to 
Adaptive Head Light88
Symbols4
– Control Display20
T
Tachometer65
Tail lamps184
– replacing bulbs184
Tank contents, refer to 
Capacities198
Target cursor for 
navigation118
Technical data196
Telematik, refer to 
TeleService, BMW 
Assist161
Telephone, refer to Portable 
phone152
"Telephone list"46
TeleService161
– enabling161
– services offered162
Temperature display
– ice warning65
– outside temperature65
– setting the units73
Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control58
"Terminate services"164
"Text language"74
"Theater"135
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center brake lamp184
Tightening torque of the lug 
bolts, refer to After 
mounting186
Tilt function, passenger-side 
mirror41"Time"74
"Time 1" for independent 
ventilation94
"Time 2" for independent 
ventilation94
"Time format"74
Timer, refer to Preselecting 
activation time94
Tire inflation pressures170
Tire pressure, loss80
Tire pressure monitoring, 
refer to Flat Tire Monitor79
Tire Quality Grading173
Tire replacement
– new wheels and tires174
Tires
– age172
– air loss80
– breaking-in106
– changing174
– condition173
– damage174
– flat tire, refer to Changing 
wheels185
– inflation pressure170
– new wheels and tires174
– pressure monitoring79
– replacing185
– retreaded tires174
– run-flat tires174
– size172
– tread173
– wear indicators173
– wheel/tire combination174
– winter tires175
"Tone"134
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting133
– middle setting135
Tone on locking/unlocking30
Tools, refer to Onboard tool 
kit182
"Top 8" for portable 
phone156
Torque
– engine196
– lug bolts, refer to After 
mounting186