2006 BMW 525XI tailgate

Opening and closing
38 remote control with you, e.g. in your jacket
pocket. The vehicle automatically detects the
related remote control in the immediate vicinity
or in the interior.
Comfort access supports the following func-
tions:
>Unlocking/locking vehicle
>Starting engine
>Comfort locking
Functional requirement
>The vehicle can only be unlocked if the
vehicle detects that the remote control car-
ried is located outside the vehicle.
>The next unlocking and locking cycle is not
possible until after approx. 2 seconds.
>The engine can only be started if the vehicle
detects that the remote control carried is
located in the vehicle.
Special features in contrast to ordinary
remote control
It is basically irrelevant whether you operate the
functions mentioned previously with the com-
fort access feature or by pressing the buttons
on the remote control. Therefore, please famil-
iarize yourself with the information on opening
and closing beginning on page28 beforehand.
The special features when using comfort
access are described in the following.
Releasing
Completely grasp a door handle, arrow1.
This corresponds to pressing the button.If a remote control is detected in the interior
after unlocking, the electric steering-wheel lock
unlocks, refer to page56.
Locking
Touch the surface, arrow2 on the driver's door
or3 on the other doors with a finger for approx.
1 second. This corresponds to pressing the
button.
For comfort closing, hold a finger on the sur-
face, arrow2 or 3.
If a remote control accidentally left in the
luggage compartment/cargo area is
detected in the locked vehicle after closing the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate, the lid/tail-
gate opens again. The hazard warning flashers
flash and an acoustic signal
* sounds.<
Switching on radio readiness
By briefly pressing the Start/Stop button, you
switch on the radio readiness, refer to page56.
When doing so, do not depress the brake
pedal, otherwise the engine will start
immediately.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine or switch on the switch
on ignition if a remote control is located in the
interior of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in
the ignition lock, refer to page56.
If you take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle with the engine running, a
warning lamp lights up. In addition, a message
appears on the Control Display. As long as no
remote control is detected in the vehicle, it is
only possible to restart the engine within
approx. 10 seconds after it is switched off.
Switching off engine with automatic
transmission
The engine can only be switched off in the
selector lever position P, refer to page58.
To switch off the engine in the selector lever
position N, the remote control must be inserted
in the ignition lock.

Controls
111Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1.Pull the handle forward and pull the ski bag
up and out.
2.Close the cover in the luggage compart-
ment.
Your BMW center will be glad to provide
you with more detailed information on the
various items of equipment.<
Sports Wagon: cargo area
Cargo area cover
Pull out the cover and hook it into the brackets.
You can carry light objects such as items of
clothing on the cover.
Do not place heavy or hard objects on the
c o v e r . If y o u d o s o , t h e y m a y a l r ea d y p o s e
a danger to vehicle occupants during braking or
evasive maneuvers.
Do not allow the cover to snap back, otherwise
it may be damaged.<
When opening the rear window or tail-
gate, the cargo area cover is raised.
Before closing the rear window or tailgate,
press down the cover until it engages.<
Increasing cargo area
The rear backrest is divided into one-third/two-
thirds. You can fold over both sides individually
to increase the cargo area.
Grasp into the recess and pull toward the front.
When you fold back into the seating posi-
tion, be sure that the catch engages
securely. The red warning indicator disappears
in the recess when the catch is engaged. If it is
not properly engaged, transported cargo could
enter the passenger compartment during brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers and endanger the
vehicle occupants.<
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
please observe the safety belt information on
page43.<
Separation net
Do not allow the separation net to snap
back, otherwise there is a risk of injury
and the separation net may be damaged.<
With normal cargo area
Pull the separation net out of the case by the
loop. Grasp the rod on both sides and insert it in
the brackets, arrow1. This is best carried out
from the rear seat.

Things to remember when driving
116
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. To ensure that your vehicle contin-
ues to provide optimized economy of operation
throughout an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing section.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and driving speeds,
however do not exceed 4,500 rpm or 100 mph/
160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kick-down mode during these
initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.
SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox
Do not use the acceleration assistant during the
break-in period, refer to page61.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during
this break-in period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch is only at its opti-
mized level after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if com-
ponents mentioned above must be replaced
after subsequent driving operation.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate is com-
pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could
enter the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances should make it abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof or
panorama glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic
climate control to a high level, refer to
page100.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on exhaust system.
Do not remove the heat shields installed adja-
cent to it, and never apply undercoating to
them. When driving, standing at idle and while
parking take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it
the risk of serious property damage as well as
personal injury.<

Things to remember when driving
120
Securing cargo
>Use the luggage net*, luggage straps, or
securing straps to hold down small and
lightweight luggage and cargo.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing
larger and heavier objects are available at
your BMW center. Four lashing eyes
mounted in the luggage compartment or
cargo area are used to secure these heavy-
duty cargo straps, refer to illustration.
>Please observe the special instructions
supplied with the heavy-duty cargo straps.
Always position and secure the load as
described above. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during braking or
evasive maneuvers.
Use only the lashing eyes to secure heavy-duty
cargo straps, refer to illustration, otherwise the
cargo straps could become detached or the
vehicle could be damaged.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page221, as excessive loads can pose a
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws.
You should never transport heavy or hard
objects unsecured in the passenger compart-
ment, as they could fly around and pose a safety
hazard to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt
braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option
for your BMW. Please comply with the precau-
tions included with the installation instructions.
Mounting points
The mounting points are located in the door
openings or on the roof rails
*.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center 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 load capacity, the
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle loads
when loading the rack.
You can find the specified weights under
Weights on page221 ff.
The load on the roof must be evenly distributed
and must not extend outward beyond the limits
of the loading surface. Always stow the heaviest
pieces at the bottom. Be sure that adequate
clearance is maintained for raising the glass
sunroof, and that objects do not project into the
opening path of the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate.
Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and
braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.

Replacing components
208 4.Fold over the floor panel flap toward the
front to release it and remove.
5.Open the front floor panel flap.
6.Swing up the spare tire cover and hook the
hooks into the upper frame of the tailgate
opening.
7.Take out the cross support upward.
When installing the floor panel flap, proceed in
the reverse order and press down the hinge
covers.
Compact wheel*
1.Unscrew the wing nut 1.
2.Remove the washer 2 laterally.
3.Take out the tool mounts 3.
4.Remove the compact wheel.
Preparing wheel change
1.Observe the safety precautions above.
2.Prevent the vehicle from rolling:
Place the chock behind the front wheel on
the other side of the vehicle, or on inclines,
in front of this wheel. On a steep grade, take
other steps to prevent the vehicle from roll-
ing.
3.Loosen the lug bolts a half turn.
Jacking up vehicle
1.Position the vehicle jack at the jacking point
closest to the wheel so that the entire sur-
face of the jack base rests on the ground
perpendicularly beneath the jacking point.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not attempt
to raise another vehicle model with it or to
raise any load of any kind. To do so could
cause accidents and personal injury.<
2.Guide the jack head into the rectangular
recess of the jacking point when cranking
up, refer to illustration detail.
3.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised from the ground.
Mounting a wheel
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel.
2.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub. Also clean the lug bolts.
3.Position the new wheel or compact wheel.
Secure the wheel by turning at least two lug
bolts into opposite bolt holes.

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.

Everything from A to Z
228 Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights221
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear109
Arrival time
– refer to Computer74
– refer to Starting destination
guidance136
"Arrow display" during
navigation137
Ashtray
– front107
– rear108
Assist, refer to
BMW Assist179
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems84
Assistance window20
"Assist. window off"21
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control101
Audio144
– controls144
– switching on/off144
– tone control145
– volume145
"Audio", refer to Tone
control145
Automatic
– air distribution99
– air volume99
– garage door opener104
– headlamp control94
– service notification180
– steering wheel adjustment,
refer to Easy entry/exit50
– storing stations149
– tailgate operation35
Automatically switching
between high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant95
Automatic car washes118
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Automatic climate control98
– automatic air distribution99
– switching off101Automatic curb monitor50
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp
control94
– refer to Daytime driving
lamps94
– refer to High-beam
assistant95
– refer to Interior lamps97
– refer to Pathway lighting94
Automatic low-beam function,
refer to High-beam
assistant95
"Automatic programs"99
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC101
Automatic station search149
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– deactivating selector lever
interlock62
– interlock61
– kick-down61
– selector lever interlock61
– shiftlock61
– sport program62
– tow starting214
– tow-starting215
– with comfort access38
"Automatic ventilation"102
AUTO program for automatic
climate control99
"Autostore" on the
radio148,150
Average fuel consumption73
– setting the units81
Average speed, refer to
Computer73
"Avoid ferries" for
navigation135
"Avoid highways" for
navigation135
Avoiding freeways for
navigation135
Avoiding unintentional
alarms37
"Avoid tollroads" for
navigation135Axle loads, refer to
Weights221
"A - Z"172
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support44
Backrests, refer to Seats44
Backrest width adjustment44
Backup lamps, refer to
Reverse gear59
– replacing bulbs205
"Balance", refer to Tone
control146
Balance, refer to Tone
control146
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
kit212
"Bass", refer to Tone
control146
Bass, refer to Tone
control145
Battery, refer to Vehicle
battery209
– jump starting212
Battery disposal
– remote control with comfort
access39
– vehicle battery209
Battery replacement, remote
control with comfort
access39
Being towed214
Belts, refer to Safety belts47
Beverage holder, refer to
Cup holders107
Blower, refer to Air
volume100
"BMW Assist"181
BMW Assist179
– enabling179
– services offered180
"BMW Contact"183
"BMW Contact
Numbers"183
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance
system201

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