2006 BMW 525I warning light

Under the hood
200
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up in spite of
the handbrake being released; a mes-
sage appears on the Control Display.
The brake pads have reached their minimum
pad thickness. Have brake pads replaced
immediately.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
For your own safety: use only brake pads
that BMW has approved for the corre-
sponding vehicle model. As BMW cannot
assess the suitability of other brake pads for
use on your vehicle, we are unable to assume
continued responsibility for the vehicle's oper-
ating safety if non-approved pads are
installed.<

Maintenance
202
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnostics interface
Components which are decisive for the
exhaust-gas composition can be checked via
the OBD socket with a device.
This socket is located to the left on the driver's
side, on the underside of the instrument panel
under a cover.
Exhaust-gas values
The warning lamp lights up. The
exhaust-gas values worsen. Have the
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction in Canadian models.
The lamp flashes under certain conditions. This
is a sign of excessive misfiring of the engine. In
this case you should reduce speed and drive to
the nearest BMW center as soon as possible.
Heavy engine misfiring led to serious damage
to the emission-relevant components, espe-
cially the catalytic converter, within a short time.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system can close when
fuel vapor escapes. Then a display light up. If
the cap is then tightened, the display will go out
within a few days.<
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with
a device for recording or transmitting certain
vehicle data or information. If you have also
signed a contract of participation for BMW
Assist, certain vehicle data can be transmitted
or recorded to enable corresponding services.
Care
Important information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure.

Mobility
211Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Giving and receiving assistance
Emergency call
Conditions for an emergency call:
>Full mobile phone preparation package
>BMW Assist is activated.
Activating BMW Assist, refer to page179.
>Radio readiness is activated.
>The car phone is logged on to a cellular
telephone network.
>The emergency call system is operable.
When the contact of participation with
BMW Assist expires, the car phone can be
deactivated by a BMW center without having to
visit a workshop. Following deactivation of the
car phone, no emergency calls can be made.
The car phone can be reactivated after signing a
new contract with a BMW center.
Initiating an emergency call
1.Briefly press protective cover to open.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the
arrangement of the switches and indicator
lamps may differ somewhat.
2.Press the button for at least 2 seconds.
The LED in the button lights up. As soon as
the voice connection to the BMW Assist
emergency call center has been estab-
lished, the LED flashes.
If conditions allow, remain in the vehicle until
the connection has been established. You will
then be able to provide a detailed description of
the situation.If the current location of your vehicle can be
determined, it will be forwarded to the
BMW Assist emergency call center.
If the LED flashes, but you are unable to hear
the BMW Assist emergency call center through
the hands-free system, this could indicate, for
instance, that the hands-free system is no
longer operational. However, you may then still
be audible for the emergency call center.
Under certain conditions, an emergency call is
automatically initiated immediately after a
severe accident. The automatic emergency call
is not affected by the button being pressed.
For technical reasons, the emergency call
cannot be guaranteed under unfavorable
conditions.<
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is located in the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate.
Sedan
Loosen the wing nut to open.

Giving and receiving assistance
214 Sedan:
It is located in the toolkit in the luggage com-
partment lid, refer to page203.
Sports Wagon:
It is located in the toolkit behind the left side
panel in the cargo area, refer to page203.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing only on roads. Avoid lateral
loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehi-
cle by the tow fitting. Otherwise damage to the
tow fitting and the vehicle can occur.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper: press on
the arrow symbol on the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page56, otherwise the low
beams, tail lamps, turn signals and windshield
wipers would not be available. If the vehicle
electrical system fails, do not tow-start or tow
the vehicle. The electric steering-wheel lock
cannot be unlocked and the vehicle cannot be
steered. For information on jump starting, refer to page212. There is no power assistance with
the engine stopped. This then requires
increased effort for braking and steering. Active
steering is deactivated and larger steering
wheel movements are required.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Do not exceed a towing speed of
45 mph/70 km/h and a towing distance
of 90 miles/150 km, otherwise the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox
Engage selector lever position N with the igni-
tion switched on.
Towing methods
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or body
and chassis parts, otherwise damage may
result.<
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes in public traffic is not permitted. Familiar-
ize yourself with the regulations on towing in the
respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle may not be lighter
than the vehicle to be towed, otherwise it
will not be possible to reliably control vehicle
response.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an offset
angle, please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.

227Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions, and
indicates where to find them
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System84
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control65
Acceleration assistant for
SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox61
Accessories6
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control77
Activated-charcoal filter102
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation102
Active cruise control65
– indicator lamp68
– radar sensor69
– selecting distance67
– warning lamps69
Active head restraints,
front47
Active seat49
Active seat ventilation49
Active steering89
– warning lamp89
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display89
Adaptive Head Light95
"Add digits" for mobile
phone172
"Address book" for
navigation132Address for navigation
– deleting133
– entering125,128
– selecting133
– storing132
– storing current position133
"Add to address book"132
"Add to destination
list"128,129
Adjusting active backrest
width45
Adjusting confirmation signals
for locking and unlocking31
Adjusting the thigh support44
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control145
Adjustment in audio mode
– front-to-rear146
– right/left balance146
"After door opened"46
"After unlocking"46
Airbags90
– sitting safely43
– warning lamp91
Air circulation, refer to Air
recirculation101
Air distribution
– automatic99
– manual100
Airing, refer to Ventilation101
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control101
– recirculated-air mode101
"Air recirculation on / off"51
Air vent outlets of automatic
climate control98
Air vents98
– refer to Ventilation101
Air volume100
AKI, refer to Fuel quality187Alarm system36
– avoiding unintentional
alarms37
– interior motion sensor37
– switching off the alarm37
– switching off the tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor37
– tilt alarm sensor37
All around the center
console14
All around the steering
wheel10
"All channels"154
"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires195
"All stations" calling up with
radio148,151
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive85
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Altering stretch of road140
"AM", reception
range144,148
Antenna for mobile phone166
Antifreeze
– coolant199
– washer fluid64
Antilock Brake System
ABS84
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system36
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system29
Anti-trapping mechanism
– glass sunroof, electric41
– panorama glass sunroof42
– power windows39
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights221
Approved engine oils
198

Reference 229
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"BMW Service"181
"BMW Service settings"180
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders107
Brake Assistant, refer to DBC
Dynamic Brake Control84
Brake fluid199
– warning lamp199
Brake force display89
Brake lamps
– brake force display89
– replacing bulbs205
Brake pads200
– breaking-in116
Brake rotors118
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System84
– brake fluid199
– brake force display89
– brake pads200
– breaking-in116
– handbrake58
– warning lamps13
Brake system116,199
– brake fluid level199
– brake pads116,200
– breaking-in116
– disc brakes118
– warning lamp199
Braking
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control84
– DBC Dynamic Brake
Control84
– electronic brake-force
distribution84
– refer to Braking safely117
Braking safely117
Breakdown assistance181
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance212
Breaking-in the clutch116
Breaking-in the
differential116
Break-in period116
"Brightness"81Brightness of Control
Display81
Button for starting engine56
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California laws
– Event Data Recorders202
California Proposition 65
Warning5
"Call"172
Call
– accepting171
– displaying accepted173
– ending171
– in absence173
– starting171
Calling
– from phone book172
– from Top 8 list173
– redialing173
– refer to telephone owner's
manual
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders107
Capacities222
Capacity
– of cargo area221
– of luggage
compartment221
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery209
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car data"74
Care202
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo
– refer to Loading118
– securing120
– securing with ski bag110Cargo area
– capacity221
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually35
– increasing111
– opening/closing, refer to
Tailgate35
– opening from inside35
– opening from outside35
– opening with remote
control31
Cargo area cover, Sports
Wagon111
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 key, refer to Keys/remote
control
28
Car phone166
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest106
– refer to Mobile phone166
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio148
Car wash118
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– with comfort access39
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system116
"Categories"154
CBC Cornering Brake
Control84

Reference 231
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Cornering Brake Control
CBC84
Country of destination for
navigation126
Courtesy lamps97
Cradle for telephone or mobile
phone106
Cruise control64,65
– active cruise control65
Cruising range73
Cup holders107
Curb weight, refer to
Weights221
Current fuel consumption73
"Current position"140
Current position
– displaying140
– entering133
– storing133
"Customer
Relations"181,183
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data218
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Data218
– capacities222
– dimensions219
– engine218
– technical data218
– weights221
"Date"81
Date72
– display format81
– retrieval72
– setting81
"Date format"81
Daytime driving lamps94
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control84
"Deactivated"46
Deactivating selector lever
interlock62
Decommissioning the vehicle,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochureDefect
– fuel filler door186
– glass sunroof41
– luggage compartment lid34
– tailgate35
Defrosting windows100
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation100
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows100
"Delete address book" for
navigation134
"Delete all numbers" on the
mobile phone173
"Delete data" for
navigation134
"Delete" for mobile
phone173
Destination address
– deleting133
– entering125,128
Destination for navigation
– destination list131
– entry125
– selecting from address
book133
– selecting using
information130
– storing132
Destination guidance136
– bypassing route
sections140
– canceling voice
instructions51
– changing specified
route134
– displaying routes
137
– distance and arrival136
– interrupting136
– starting136
– terminating/continuing136
– voice instructions139
– volume of voice
instructions140
Destination list for
navigation131
Destinations recently driven
to131"Details" in audio mode159
"Dial" for mobile phone171
"Dial number"171
"Diamond button"51
Diamond button51
Digital clock72
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio152
Dimensions219
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals62
Direction announcements,
refer to Voice
instructions139
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions139
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book132
Displacement, refer to Engine
data218
"Display"81
Display, refer to iDrive16
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting97
"Display off"21
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
"Display settings"80
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-Up Display92
Disposal
– battery of remote control
with comfort access39
– vehicle battery209
Distance, refer to
Computer74
Distance cruise control, refer
to Active cruise control65
"Distance to dest."74
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer74
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control83
Divided rear seat back, refer to
Through-loading
system109
Door entry lighting97

Reference 233
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control84
Event Data Recorders202
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system116
Exterior mirrors49
– automatic dimming
feature117
– automatic heating49
– folding in and out49
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror50
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting213
F
"Fader", refer to Tone
control146
Fader, refer to Tone
control146
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control77
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms37
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts47
– warning lamp47
Fastest route for
navigation134
"Fast route" for
navigation135
"Favorites" calling up with
radio151
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit212
First-aid kit212
Flashing during locking/
unlocking, refer to Setting
confirmation signals31
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight106Flat tire
– changing wheels207
– compact wheel208
– Flat Tire Monitor87,88
– run-flat tires88,194
Flat Tire Monitor87
– false alarms88
– initializing system88
– limits of system88
– show chains195
– warning lamp88
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition193
"FM", reception
range144,148
FM, waveband148
Fog lamps97
– indicator lamp13,97
Folding rear seat
back109,111
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely117
Footwell lamps97
For specified oil grades, refer
to Approved engine oils198
Forward, fast
– CD changer161
– CD player161
For your own safety5
4-wheel drive system, refer to
xDrive85
Freeway, refer to Route
criteria135
Front airbags90
Front armrest, refer to Center
armrest, front106
Front passenger airbags,
deactivating90
Front seat adjustment44
"FTM"88
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor87
Fuel187
– capacity222
– display73
– high-quality brands187
– quality187
– specifications187Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge73
Fuel consumption display,
computer, average fuel
consumption73
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge73
Fuel filler door186
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction186
Fuses210
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control104
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel187
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge73
Gear changes
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox60
Gear display
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox59
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission58
Gearshift lever positions,
manual transmission58
General driving notes116
Glass sunroof, electric40
– auto-remote operation from
outside32
– comfort operation with
comfort access38
– moving manually41
– remote control30
Glove compartment105
– lighting105
– rechargeable flashlight106
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system124