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Your BMW center will be happy to answer 
detailed questions on BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic 
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at 
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Viscosity grades
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and 
is specified in SAE grades.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on 
the climatic conditions in the region in which 
you normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the SAE grades 
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside 
temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system 
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant is comprised of water and coolant addi-
tive. Not all commercially available additives are 
suitable for your BMW. Ask your BMW center 
for suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise 
engine damage may result. The additives 
present a health hazard; observe the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to 
open.3.The coolant level is correct when the cool-
ant level is between the MIN and MAX 
marks, refer to the diagram adjacent to the 
filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to 
the specified level – do not overfill.
5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible. 

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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 causes 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 will assume that 
fuel vapor escapes. Then a display lights 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 trans-
mitted 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. 

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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.<
A selection of replacement bulbs is available at 
your BMW center.
Whenever you perform any work on the 
electrical system, turn off the systems/
consumers involved to prevent short circuits 
from occurring. To avoid possible injury or 
equipment damage when replacing bulbs, 
observe any instructions provided by the bulb 
manufacturer.<
For care and maintenance of the headlamps, 
please follow the instructions in the separate 
Caring for your vehicle brochure.
For bulbs for which changing is not 
described, and for checking and adjusting 
headlamp aim, please contact your BMW cen-
ter.<
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of 
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These 
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a 
concept similar to that applied in conventional 
lasers, are officially designated as Class 1 light-
emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers, and never 
stare into the unfiltered light for several 
hours, as irritation of the retina could result.<
Halogen headlamps
The illustration shows the left-hand side of the 
engine compartment.
1Cover cap for low beams
2Cover cap for high beams
Turn the cover cap to the left and remove.
Always wear gloves and eye protection – 
the atmosphere within the H7 bulb is 
pressurized. Otherwise there is a danger of inju-
ries if the bulb is accidentally damaged during 
replacement.<
Low beams
H7 bulb, 55 watts
1.Turn the bulb holder to the left and remove.
2.Remove and replace the bulb. 

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tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source 
of gradual air loss.<
4.Initialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to 
page91, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor, 
refer to page93.
5.Replace the damaged tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h.
The driving characteristics change, for example 
reduced track stability on braking, extended 
braking distance, and altered self-steering 
characteristics in the limit range. In conjunction 
with winter tires, these characteristics are more 
pronounced.
Only one compact wheel may be 
mounted. You should re-equip with 
wheels and tires of the original size as quickly as 
possible.<
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the 
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery 
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW  center will be glad to advise in 
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the 
terminals in the engine compartment with the 
engine switched off. Connections, refer to 
Jump starting on page232.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your 
BMW center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright 
position for transport and storage. Always 
restrain the battery to prevent it from tipping 
over during transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of 
some equipment may be limited and require 
reinitialization. Individual settings are also lost 
and must be updated:
>Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to 
page47.
>Time and Date 
The values must be updated, refer to 
page83.
>Radio
Stations must be stored again if necessary, 
refer to page166.
>Navigation system 
Wait until the system starts, refer to 
page134.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and 
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, as 
this could lead to a circuit overload, ultimately 
resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
Sedan
Spare fuses, plastic tweezers and fuse alloca-
tion diagram are located in the compartment for 
the onboard tool kit, refer to page222.
Sports Wagon
Spare fuses and a pair of plastic tweezers are 
contained in the onboard tool kit, refer to 
page222. A fuse allocation diagram is located 
in the cargo bay behind the right-hand side 
panel. 

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Giving and receiving assistance
Emergency call
Conditions for an emergency call:
>Full preparation package mobile phone. 
With this equipment, an emergency call is 
still possible when no mobile phone is 
logged on in the vehicle.
>BMW Assist is activated. Activating 
BMW Assist, refer to page201.
>Radio readiness is activated.
>The BMW Assist system is logged on to a 
mobile phone network.
>The emergency call system is operable.
Once your service contract for BMW Assist 
expires, the BMW Assist system can be deacti-
vated by a BMW center without you having to 
visit a workshop. Once the BMW Assist system 
has been deactivated, emergency calls are not 
possible. The BMW Assist system be reacti-
vated by a BMW center after signing a new con-
tract.
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 Response 
Center has been established, the LED flashes.
Once the BMW Assist Response Center has 
received your emergency call, the BMW Assist Response Center contacts you and takes fur-
ther steps to help you.
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 position of your vehicle can be 
determined, it will be transmitted to the BMW 
Assist Response Center.
If the LED is flashing but the BMW Assist 
Response Center cannot be heard over the 
hands-free system, it is possible that the 
hands-free system is malfunctioning. You may 
still be heard by the BMW Assist Response 
Center, however.
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.<
You can also use other services of 
BMW Assist with this button, refer to 
page196.<
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is located in the luggage 
compartment lid/tailgate.
Sedan
Loosen the wing nut to open. 

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Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other 
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and 
approximately the same capacitance in Ah. 
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any electrical systems and com-
ponents in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between 
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise 
there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
To avoid personal injury from sparks, fol-
low this sequence when connecting 
jumper cables.<
In your BMW, the so-called jump-starting termi-
nal in the engine compartment serves as a pos-
itive terminal for the battery, also refer to engine 
compartment overview on page217. The cover 
cap is marked with a +.
1.Fold open the cover of the BMW jump-
starting terminal. To do so, pull the tab.
2.Attach one end of the jumper cable plus/+ 
to the positive terminal of the battery or a 
jump-starting terminal of the vehicle provid-
ing assistance.
3.Attach the second end of the cable to the 
positive terminal of the battery or to a start-
ing-aid terminal of the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one end of the jumper cable minus/– 
to the negative terminal of the battery or to 
an engine or body ground of the assisting 
vehicle.Your BMW has a special nut as body ground 
or negative terminal.
5.Attach the second end of the cable to the 
negative terminal of the battery or to the 
engine or body ground of the vehicle to be 
started.Starting engine
1.Start the engine on the assisting vehicle 
and allow it to run at idle for several minutes 
at slightly increased speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the 
usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful, 
wait a few minutes before another attempt 
in order to allow the discharged battery to 
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing 
the connection sequence.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Never use spray fluids to start the 
engine.<
Tow-starting and towing
Observe applicable laws and regulations 
for tow-starting and towing.<
Do not transport any passengers other 
than the driver in a vehicle that is being 
towed.<
Using tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried 
in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front or 
rear of the BMW. 

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>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 a BMW with xDrive with just 
the front or rear axle raised, otherwise the 
wheels could lock up and the transfer case 
could 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 page232. 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, 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 page59.
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 page89.< 

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Mobility
Short commands of voice command 
system
With short commands you can carry out certain 
functions directly, regardless of which menu item is selected. Here are the important short 
commands for the voice command system.
Assistance window
Communication
*
FunctionCommand
To open the assistance window20{Assistance window}
To select the display in the assistance window20{Assistance window map facing north}, 
{Assistance window map direction of travel}, 
{Assistance window arrow display}, 
{Assistance window perspective}, 
{Assistance window current position}, 
{Assistance window trip computer} or
{Assistance window onboard info}
To change scale in assistance window134{Assistance window scale ... feet} or
{Assistance window scale ... miles}
FunctionCommand
To open phone183{Phone}
To dial phone number187{Dial number} 
To display phone book188{A to Z}
To select from the phone book188{Call ...} or
{Dial name}
To display "Top 8"189{Top 8}
To redial188{Redial}
To display "Received calls"189{Received calls}
To display "Missed calls"189{Missed calls}
To display "Bluetooth"185{Bluetooth}
To open BMW Assist197{BMW Assist}
To open BMW Service, Services196{BMW Service}
To open "BMW Contact"190{BMW Contact}
To open "BMW Contact Numbers"190{BMW Contact numbers}
To open "Roadside Assistance"197{Roadside Assistance}