
Controls
 75Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Energy Control
Displays the current fuel consumption. This 
allows you to see whether your current driving 
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 18.5 gallons/
70 liters. You will find information on refueling 
on page194.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period, 
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for 
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
After the reserve quantity has been reached, a 
message briefly appears on the Control Display; 
the remaining range is shown in the computer. 
Below a range of approx. 30 miles/50 km, the 
message remains on the Control Display.
Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur.<
Computer
Displays in instrument cluster
To display the information, press the BC button 
in the turn signal lever from radio readiness.
The following information is displayed in the 
specified order:
>Cruising range
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available 
with the remaining fuel. The range is projected 
based on the driving style over the last 20 miles/
30 km.
Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur.<
Average speed
Periods with the vehicle parked and the engine 
switched off are not included in the calculations 
of average speed.
To reset average speed: press BC button on 
turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for 
the time during which the engine is running.
You can use the Control Display to view your 
fuel consumption rate over two different dis-
tances, refer to Displays on Control Display or 
Trip computer
*. 

Refueling
194
Refueling
Always switch off the engine before refu-
eling, otherwise no fuel can be filled into 
the tank and a message is displayed.<
When handling fuel, always observe all 
applicable precautionary measures and 
regulations. Never transport reserve fuel con-
tainers in the vehicle. These could become 
leaky and cause an explosion or a fire in an acci-
dent.<
Fuel filler door
To open and close: press the rear edge of the 
fuel filler door.
Manual release
If an electrical malfunction should occur, you 
can unlock the fuel filler door manually.
Sedan
1.In the luggage compartment, raise the floor 
mat and the cover located beneath it.
2.Open the snap fasteners of the right side 
panel and take off the side panel.3.Pull the knob with the gas pump symbol.
Sports Wagon
1.Unhook the retaining strap*, refer to 
page119.
2.Open the right-hand side panel in the cargo 
area.
3.Pull the knob with the gas pump symbol.
Observe the following when refueling
When handling fuels always observe any 
safety guidelines posted at the service 
station.<
Place the fuel filler cap in the bracket attached 
to the fuel filler door. 

Mobility
 195Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid raising the filler 
nozzle during refueling, as otherwise this leads 
to
>premature pump shutoff
>a reduced efficiency of the fuel-vapor 
recovery system.
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks 
off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 18.5 gallons/70 liters, including the 
reserve capacity of approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters.
Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur.<
Fuel filler cap
Closing
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you clearly 
hear a click.
Do not jam the strap attached to the fuel 
filler cap between the fuel filler cap and 
the vehicle. A message
* is displayed if the cap 
is loose or missing.<
Fuel specifications
Do not use leaded gasoline, otherwise 
permanent damage to the catalytic con-
verter will result.<
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less 
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds 
when starting at high outside temperatures. 
This has no affect on the engine life.
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, 
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale 
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other 
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight, 
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an 
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void 
the applicable warranties with respect to 
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in 
drivability, starting and stalling problems 
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and 
high altitude. 
Should you encounter drivability problems 
which you suspect could be related to the fuel 
you are using, we recommend that you respond 
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand 
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier 
Detergent Gasoline. 
Failure to comply with these recommendations 
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.< 

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 

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