2006 BMW 530I tow bar

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
84 iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "PDC" and press the controller.
5.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
The PDC screen is activated.
The display appears on the Control Display as
soon as PDC is activated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can
no longer be detected. This applies especially
in those cases where the system approaches
the physical constraints of ultrasonic measure-
ment, as occurs with tow bars and trailer cou-
plings, and in the vicinity of thin or wedge-
shaped objects. Low objects already displayed,
e.g. a curb, can disappear from the detection
area of the sensors again before a continuous
tone sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g.
cornices, cannot be detected. Loud sources of
sound, inside and outside the vehicle, could
drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array
of systems designed to enhance and maintain
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Braking safely refer to page117.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking
during a lane change, driving stability and steer-
ing response are improved further.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the braking. DBC is switched
off when the brake pedal is released.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels
when starting off and accelerating. DSC also
identifies unstable driving conditions, such as a
loss of traction at the rear of the vehicle or slid-
ing of the vehicle in its front wheels. In these
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe
course within physical limits by reducing engine
output and through braking actions in the indi-
vidual wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start the
engine.

Mobility
203Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Replacing components
Onboard toolkit
Sedan
The onboard toolkit is located in the luggage
compartment lid.
Loosen the wing nut to open.
Sports Wagon
The onboard toolkit is located in the left side
panel of the cargo area.
Wiper blade replacement
Front
1.Fold the wiper arm out and grasp firmly.
2.Press the safety tabs together while sliding
the wiper blade toward the front to disen-
gage it.
3.Mount the new wiper blade and slide in until
it is heard to engage.
Rear*
1.Lift off the wiper arm completely and pull off
the wiper blade, refer to arrow.
2.Mount the new wiper blade and press on
until it is heard to engage.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. You must be duly diligent
in replacing them. BMW recommends having
your BMW center perform any work that you do
not feel competent to perform yourself or that is
not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a
clean cloth, napkin, etc., or hold the bulb by its
metal socket.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at your BMW center.
Whenever you perform any work on the
electrical system, turn off the consumers
involved to prevent short circuits from occur-
ring. To avoid possible injury or equipment

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.

Mobility
215Reference
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 the front or rear
axle raised individually, otherwise the
wheels may block and the transfer case may be
damaged.<
The BMW may only be transported on a truck
bed.
Tow-starting
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. Jump starting,
refer to page212.<
Do not tow-start vehicles with an auto-
matic transmission.Only tow-start vehi-
cles with a catalytic converter with the engine
cold. It is better to jump start the engine, refer to
page212.<
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with country-specific regulations.
2.Switch on ignition, refer to page56.
3.Shift into 3rd gear. Vehicles with 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.
Vehicles with SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox:
1.Tow-start in selector lever position N.
2.Select Sequential mode. The correct gear
will be selected and engaged automatically.
Do not activate the HDC Hill Descent
Control of the 525xi, 530 xi during tow-
starting, refer to page86.<

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

Everything from A to Z
240
S
Safety5
Safety belts47
– damage48
– sitting safely43
– warning lamp47
Safety belt tensioners
– refer to Airbags90
– refer to Safety belts47
Safety systems
– ABS Antilock Brake
System84
– airbags90
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control84
– safety belts47
Satellite radio153
– enabling channel153
– selecting channel154
– storing channel154
"SAT" for radio144,154
"Save current
destination"134
"Scan"
– playing a music track159
– playing stations149
Scan
– CD changer159
– CD player159
– radio149
"Scan all" in audio mode159
"Scan directory" in audio
mode159
Screen, refer to iDrive16
Screw thread for tow
fitting214
SDARS, refer to Satellite
radio153
"Seat heater distribution"48Seats44
– active backrest width
adjustment45
– adjusting the seats44
– comfort seat44
– easy entry/exit45
– heating48
– lumbar support44
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory45
– sitting safely43
– storing the setting45
– thigh support44
– ventilation, refer to Active
seat ventilation49
Securing load
– refer to Securing cargo120
– with ski bag, refer to
Securing cargo110
"Select as destination"131
"Select current speed"79
Selecting audio sources, refer
to Operation via iDrive144
Selecting distance for active
cruise control67
Selecting frequency
manually149
Selecting menu items19
Selecting new scale for
navigation138
Selecting route134
Selection options with
navigation system134
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox59
Selector lever interlock, refer
to Shiftlock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox59Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox59
Self-leveling suspension87
Separation net111
Sequential Manual Gearbox
SMG59
"Service"75,180,197
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance212
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models201
Service interval indicator, refer
to Service requirements75
"Service notification"180
"Service Request"181,183
"Service
requirements"76,180,198
Service requirements75
– also refer to CBS Condition
Based Service201
"Service Status"180
"Set date"81
"Set" in audio mode144
"Set" on trip computer75
"Set service date"76
"Set time"80
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h mode81
– configuring, refer to
Personal Profile29
Setting speed limit
79
Setting the time, refer to
Preselecting activation
times102
"Set tire pressure"88
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
– SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox60