2006 BMW 525I SEDAN sport

Giving and receiving assistance
222 Sedan:
It is located in the toolkit in the luggage com-
partment lid, refer to page211.
Sports Wagon:
It is located in the toolkit behind the left side
panel in the cargo area, refer to page211.
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 page58, 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 page220. 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.
Changing selector lever position, refer to
Deactivating selector lever interlock page64.
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 Transmission
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.

Mobility
223Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
>When mounted at an angle, the tow bar will
exert lateral forces, tending to push the
vehicle sideways.
Only attach the tow bar to the tow fittings,
as attachment to other vehicle parts can
lead to damage.<
With tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Only attach tow ropes to the tow fittings, as
attachment to other vehicle parts can lead to
damage.<
With tow truck
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
With tow truck for 525xi, 530xi
Do not tow the BMW with xDrive with the
front or rear axle raised individually, other-
wise the wheels may block and the transfer
case may be damaged.<
The BMW may only be transported on a flat
bed.
Tow-starting
Do not tow-start the vehicle if possible, but
instead start the engine by means of jump start-
ing, refer to page220. With a catalytic con-
verter, tow-starting should only be carried out
with the engine cold, and with automatic trans-
missions, the engine cannot be started by tow-
starting.
If the electrical system fails, do not tow-
start or tow the vehicle, as otherwise the
electric steering-wheel lock cannot be
unlocked and the vehicle cannot be steered.<
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with country-specific regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page58.
3.Shift into 3rd gear. For information on SMG,
see below.
4.Tow-start with the clutch completely
depressed and slowly release the clutch.
After the engine starts, immediately
depress the clutch again completely.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
SMG Sequential Manual Transmission
1.Tow-start in selector lever position N.
2.Select the Sequential mode. The correct
gear will be selected and engaged automat-
ically.
Do not activate the HDC Hill Descent
Control of the 525xi, 530 xi during tow-
starting, refer to page88.<

Technical data
230 Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Capacities
Sports Wagon530xi
Curb weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 3,858/1,750
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 3,891/1,765
Approved gross vehicle weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 5,049/2,290
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 5,082/2,305
Load lbs./kg 1,190/540
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,381/1,080
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,866/1,300
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 220/100
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft/l 17.7-58.3/500-1,650
Notes
Fuel tank gal/liters approx. 18.5/70 Fuel grade: page195
of that reserve gal/liters approx. 2.1/8
Window cleaning system For more details: page66
>Sedan US quarts/liters approx. 3.2/3
>incl. headlamp washer system US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5
>Sports Wagon US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5
Engine with oil filter change BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
Oil grades: page206 >525i/xi, 530i/xi US quarts/liters 6.9/6.5
>550i US quarts/liters 8.5/8.0

Reference 237
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Arrival time
– refer to Computer76
– refer to Starting destination
guidance144
"Arrow display" for navigation
system145
Ashtray
– front115
– rear115
Assist, refer to
BMW Assist187
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems86
Assistance window20
"Assist. window off"21
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control108
Audio152
– controls152
– switching on/off152
– tone control153
– volume153
"Audio", refer to Tone
control153
"Audio Aux"152,171
– on external audio device171
Audio device, external114
Automatic
– air distribution106
– air volume106
– garage door opener111
– headlamp control101
– service notification188
– steering wheel adjustment,
refer to Easy entry/exit52
– storing stations157
– tailgate operation36
Automatically switching
between high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant103
Automatic car washes126
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Automatic climate control105
– automatic air
distribution106
– switching off108Automatic closing of doors,
refer to Automatic soft
closing33
Automatic curb monitor52
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp
control101
– refer to Daytime running
lamps102
– refer to High-beam
assistant103
– refer to Interior lamps104
– refer to Pathway lighting101
Automatic low-beam function,
refer to High-beam
assistant103
"Automatic programs"106
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC108
Automatic roll-up cover,
Sports Wagon117
Automatic soft closing33
Automatic station search157
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– deactivating selector lever
interlock64
– interlock63
– kick-down64
– selector lever interlock63
– shiftlock63
– sport program64
– tow-starting222,223
– with comfort access40
"Automatic ventilation"109
AUTO program for automatic
climate control106
"Autostore" on the
radio156,158
AUX-In
– connection114
– refer to External audio
device171
Average fuel consumption75
– setting the units84
Average speed, refer to
Computer75
"Avoid ferries" for navigation
system143"Avoid highways" for
navigation system143
Avoiding freeways for
navigation142
Avoiding unintentional
alarms38
"Avoid tollroads" for
navigation system143
Axle loads, refer to
Weights229
"A - Z"180
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support46
Backrests, refer to Seats46
Backrest width adjustment46
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
Backup lamps, refer to
Reverse gear61
– replacing bulbs213
"Balance", refer to Tone
control154
Balance, refer to Tone
control154
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
kit220
Bass, refer to Tone
control153
"Bass", tone control154
Battery, refer to Vehicle
battery217
– jump starting220
Battery disposal
– remote control with comfort
access40
– vehicle battery218
Battery replacement, remote
control with comfort
access40
Being towed222
Belts, refer to Safety belts49
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders114
Blower, refer to Air
volume107
"BMW Assist"189

Everything from A to Z
240 Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– setting brightness83
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenience operation
– glass sunroof31
– windows31
Convenience start, refer to
Starting engine59
Coolant207
– checking level207
– temperature74
Cooling, maximum107
Cornering Brake Control
CBC86
Country of destination for
navigation134
Courtesy lamps104
Cover, roll-up cover,
Sports Wagon117
Cradle for telephone or mobile
phone113
Cruise control66,67
– active cruise control67
Cruising range75
Cup holders114
Curb weight, refer to
Weights229
Current fuel consumption75
"Current position"148
Current position
– displaying148
– entering140
– storing140
"Curve mode" with
BMW Night Vision100
"Customer
Relations"182,190
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data226
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Data226
– capacities230
– dimensions227
– engine226
– technical data226
– weights229
"Date"83
Date74
– display format83
– retrieval74
– setting83
"Date format"83
Daytime running lamps102
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control86
"Deactivated"48
Deactivating selector lever
interlock64
Decommissioning the vehicle,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Defect
– fuel filler door194
– glass sunroof42
– luggage compartment lid34
– tailgate36
Defrosting windows107
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation107
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows107
"Delete address book" for
navigation system142
"Delete all numbers" for
mobile phone181
"Delete data" for navigation
system142
"Delete" for mobile
phone181
Destination address
– deleting141
– entering133,136Destination for navigation
– destination list139
– entering via voice136
– entry133
– selecting from address
book141
– selecting using
information138
– storing140
Destination guidance144
– bypassing route
sections148
– canceling voice
instructions53
– changing specified
route142
– displaying routes
145
– distance and arrival144
– interrupting144
– starting144
– terminating/continuing144
– voice instructions147
– volume of voice
instructions147
Destination list for
navigation139
Destinations recently driven
to139
"Details" in audio mode167
"Dial" for mobile phone179
"Dial number"179
"Diamond button"53
Diamond button53
Digital clock74
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio160
Dimensions227
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals64
Direction announcements,
refer to Voice
instructions147
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions147
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book140
Displacement, refer to Engine
data226

Everything from A to Z
248 Radio position, refer to Radio
readiness58
Radio readiness58
– switched off58
– switched on58
– with comfort access39
Rain sensor65
"Random", random play
sequence168
"Random all" in audio
mode169
"Random directory" in audio
mode169
"RDS"159
Reading lamps104
Rear armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear116
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps213
– replacing bulbs213
Rear seat back,
folding116,117
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints49
– folding over
backrest116,117
– heating50
Rear ventilation109
Rearview mirror51
Rear window
– changing wiper blade211
– heating107
– opening and closing on
Sports Wagon34
– roller sun blind, refer to Sun
blinds112
– window wiper on Sports
Wagon66,126
Rear window safety switch41
"Received calls"180
Reception
– quality159
– radio stations159
– regional station157
Reception level of mobile
phone, refer to Status
information20Rechargeable flashlight113
Recirculated-air mode
– air recirculation108
– AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control108
Reclining seat, refer to
Backrest46
Recording times, refer to
Stopwatch81
"Redial" for mobile phone180
Reflectors, refer to Tail
lamps213
Refueling194
Releasing, hood204
"Relock door if not
opened"33
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range75
Remaining distance to desti-
nation, refer to Computer76
Remote control28
– battery replacement40
– comfort access38
– garage door opener111
– luggage compartment lid31
– malfunction31,40
– tailgate31
Removing condensation on
the windows107
"Repeat directory" in audio
mode168
"Repeat" in audio mode168
"Repeat track" in audio
mode168
Replacement fuses218
Replacement of tires, refer to
Changing wheels215
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs212
Replacing tires202
Replacing wheels/tires, refer
to New wheels and tires201
Reporting an accident, refer
Initiating an emergency
call219
Reporting safety defects7Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge75
Reservoir for washer
systems66
"Reset"92
– stopwatch82
– tone settings155
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings155
Residual heat108
Restraint systems
– for children54
– refer to Safety belts49
Retaining straps, refer to
Storage area package119
Retreaded tires202
Reverse, fast
– CD changer169
– CD player169
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– manual transmission61
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission61
Road map146
"Roadside
Assistance"182
,189
Roadside Assistance220
Roadside parking lamps102
– replacing bulbs213
Roller sun blind, refer to Sun
blinds112
Roll-up cover, Sports
Wagon117
Roof load capacity229
Roof-mounted luggage
rack128
Rope, refer to Tow-starting
and towing221
Rotary pushbutton, refer to
iDrive16

Everything from A to Z
250 Settings
– BMW Night Vision99
– changing on Control
Display82
– clock, 12h/24h mode83
– configuring, refer to
Personal Profile29
Setting speed limit81
Setting time, refer to Prese-
lecting activation time109
"Set tire pressure"90
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic64
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission62
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission61
Shift paddles62
Short commands of voice
command system231
"Short route" for
navigation143
Short route in navigation, refer
to Selecting route142
Shoulder support46
"Show current position"138
"Show destination
position"138
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer168
– CD player168
Side airbags94
Side marker lamps, replacing
bulbs213
Side turn signals, replacing
bulbs213
Side window blinds, refer to
Sun blinds112
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely45
– with airbags45
– with head restraint45
– with safety belts45
Ski bag120Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof,
electric41
– refer to Panorama glass
sunroof43
Slope assistant, refer to
Starting assistant125
SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission61
– acceleration assistant63
– breaking-in124
– Dynamic Driving Control62
– gear display61
– kick-down62
– shiftlock61
– towing222
– tow-starting223
Snow chains203
Socket for Onboard
Diagnostics interface210
Socket for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock58
Sockets, refer to Connecting
electrical devices115
Soft closure aid, refer to
Automatic soft closing33
Song search with CD, refer to
Playing a track167
SOS, refer to Initiating an
emergency call219
Spare fuses218
Spare key28
– adapter28
Spare remote control28
Spare wheel
– refer to Changing
wheels215
– refer to Compact wheel216
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils206
Specified oil grades, refer to
Approved engine oils206
Speed
– with compact wheel217
– with winter tires202
Speed-dependent
volume154
Speed limit warning, refer to
Speed limit81Speedometer12
"Speed volume", refer to Tone
control154
"Sport", active backrest width
adjustment47
Sport program, refer to
Dynamic Driving Control62
Sports Wagon
– automatic roll-up cover117
– automatic tailgate
operation36
– compartments in cargo
area118
– increasing cargo area117
– opening rear window34
– opening tailgate35
– panorama glass sunroof43
– rear window wiper66
– rear window wiper, changing
wiper blade211
– releasing fuel filler door in
event of electrical
malfunction194
– roll-up cover117
– roll-up cover for cargo
area117
– self-leveling suspension89
– separation net118
– socket in cargo area116
– storage area package119
– tail lamps, replacing
bulbs214
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems86
"Star button"53
Star button53
Start/Stop button58
"Start" for stopwatch82
"Start guidance"136,144
Starting, refer to Starting
engine59
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting220
Starting assistant125
Starting difficulties
– jump starting220
– refer to Special starting
conditions59

Reference 251
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Starting off on slopes, refer to
Starting assistant125
Start menu, iDrive17
"Start route guidance"138
"Start service"189
"State / Province" for desti-
nation entry134
"State inspection"78
Station, refer to Radio156
"Stations", presets163
"Status"78
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steering wheel
– adjustment52
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– easy entry/exit52
– heating52
– lock58
– locking58
– memory47
– programmable buttons53
"Steering wheel buttons"53
Steering-wheel shift buttons,
refer to Shift paddles62
Steering with variable ratio,
refer to Active steering93
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic63
"Stop" for stopwatch82
"Stopwatch"82
Stopwatch81
Storage area package119
Storage compartments114
"Store in address book" for
navigation system140
"Store" on the radio158,163
Storing current position140
Storing radio stations158
Storing sitting position, refer
to Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory47
Storing tires202
Straps, refer to Loading128
"Street" for destination
entry135Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires196
Sun blinds112
"Surround Settings", refer to
Tone control154
SW, waveband156
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching between high
beams and low beams,
automatic, refer to High-
beam assistant103
Switching cooling function on
and off107
Switching off engine60
Switching off tilt alarm
sensor38
Switching on
– audio152
– CD changer152
– CD player152
– radio152
Switching on hour signal83
Swiveling headlamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light102
Symbols4
– indicator/warning lamps13
T
Tachometer74
"Tailgate"36
Tailgate33,35
– automatic operation36
– locking and unlocking from
inside32
– opening from inside, Sports
Wagon35
Tail lamps213
– replacing bulbs213
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities230
Target cursor for
navigation138
Technical alterations, refer to
For your own safety5
Technical data226
Telematic, refer to
TeleService,
BMW Assist187Telephone, refer to Mobile
phone174
"Telephone list"53
TeleService187
– enabling187
– services offered188
Temperature
– adjusting in upper body
region106
– adjusting with automatic
climate control106
– of coolant, refer to Coolant
temperature74
Temperature display
– outside temperature74
– setting units84
– temperature warning74
Temperature warning74
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control66
"Terminate services"190
"Text language"84
"Theater", refer to Tone
control154
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp214
Through-loading system116
Tightening torque of the lug
bolts, refer to After
mounting217
Tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror52
"Time"83
"Time format"83
Timer, refer to Preselecting
activation time109
"Timer 1" for parked car
ventilation110
"Timer 2" for parked car
ventilation110
Tire inflation pressures196
Tire pressure loss90,91
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor89
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM91
Tire Quality Grading200