Everything under control
76
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, including the reserve capacity of
approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters.
550i: approx. 2.6 gallons/10 liters reserve
capacity.
You will find information on refueling on
page206.
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
on the turn signal lever.
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.
Controls
95Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible,
otherwise pieces of the tire could become
detached and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact your BMW
center.<
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and
then lights up continuously. The tires
are shown in gray on the Control Dis-
play and a message is displayed. No flat tire can
be detected.
A message like this is displayed in the following
situations:
>In case of a malfunction;
have the system checked.
>If a wheel is mounted without TPM elec-
tronics
>If TPM is temporarily interfered with by
other systems or devices which use the
same radio frequency.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring
Systems
Each tire, including the spare, should be
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires. As an added safety fea-
ture, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system, TPMS, that illumi-
nates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires are significantly under-
inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pres-
sure telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signif-
icantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-
inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling
and stopping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver's responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-
tem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash
for approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle startups as
long as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tire pres-
sure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may
occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure
that the replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.Active steering*
The concept
The active steering is a system that actively var-
ies the steering angle of the front wheels in rela-
tion to the steering wheel movements.
When you are driving in the low road speed
range, e. g. in a town or when parking, the steer-
ing angle increases, i.e. the steering becomes
very direct. In the higher speed range, on the
other hand, the steering angle is reduced more
and more. This improves the handling capability
of your BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle
before the driver intervenes. This stabilizing
intervention is simultaneously deactivated
when DSC is switched off, refer to page88.
Refueling
206
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 cargo bay, 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
page121.
2.Open the right-hand side panel in the cargo
bay.
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
207Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid raising the filler
nozzle during refueling, 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.
550i: approx. 2.6 gallons/10 liters reserve
capacity.
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.
Do not use E85, i.e. fuel that consists of 85%
ethanol, or Flex Fuel. Otherwise permanent
damage to the engine and the fuel supply sys-
tem 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.
Do not use gasoline below the specified
minimum quality, otherwise engine dam-
age can result.<
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.<
Mobility
221Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.
Technical data
242 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
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/l 17.7-58.3/500-1,650
Notes
Fuel tank gal/liters approx. 18.5/70 Fuel grade: page207
of that reserve gal/liters approx. 2.1/8
550i gal/liters approx. 2.6/10
Window cleaning system For more details: page67
>Sedan US quarts/liters approx. 3.2/3
>with headlamp cleaning system US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5
>Sports Wagon US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5
Everything from A to Z
252 Clock75
– 12h/24h mode84
– hour signal84
– setting time and date83
Closing
– from inside33
– from outside30
Closing fuel filler cap207
Clothes hooks116
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting
engine60
"Comfort", active backrest
width adjustment47
Comfort access38
– observe in car wash40
– replacing battery, remote
control40
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
Comfort operation
– glass sunroof31
– windows31
– windows with comfort
access39
– with comfort access39
Comfort seat46
"Communication"187,197
Compact Disc
– refer to CD changer173
– refer to CD player173
Compact wheel
– inflation pressure209
– wheel change228
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock59
Compartments
– in cargo bay, Sports
Wagon121
– refer to Storage area
package, Sports Wagon122
– refer to Storage
compartments116
Compressed audio files173
Computer76
– displays on Control
Display77
– hour signal84"Concert hall", refer to Tone
control163
"Concierge"199
Condensation, refer to When
vehicle is parked128
Condition Based Service
CBS220
"Confirmation"31
Confirmation signals for
locking and unlocking31
Connecting car vacuum
cleaner, refer to Connecting
electrical devices117
Consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption77
Consumption indicator
– Energy Control76
Consumption statistics, refer
to Average fuel
consumption77
"Continue guidance to
destination?"148
"Contrast" with BMW Night
Vision102
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– setting brightness84
– switching off/on21
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Coolant219
– checking level219
– temperature75
Cooling, maximum109
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant219
Cooling function, automatic
climate control109
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant219
Copyright2
Cornering Brake Control
CBC87
Country of destination for
navigation136Courtesy lamps105
Cover, roll-up cover,
Sports Wagon119
Cradle for telephone or mobile
phone115
Cruise control68,69
– active cruise control69
Cruising range76
Cup holders116
Curb weight, refer to
Weights241
Current consumption, refer to
Energy Control76
"Current position"154
Current position
– displaying154
– entering143
– storing143
"Curve mode" with BMW
Night Vision102
"Customer
Relations"190,199
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data238
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Data, technical238
– dimensions239
– engine238
– weights241
"Date"84
Date75
– display format84
– retrieval75
– setting84
"Date format"84
"Daytime running lamps"104
Daytime running lamps104
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control87
– warning lamp90
"Deactivated"48
Deactivating selector lever
interlock65
Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
External audio
device116,179
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting233
F
"Fader", refer to Tone
control162
Fader, refer to Tone
control162
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control80
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms38
– refer to Switching off
alarm38
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts50
– warning lamp50
Fastest route for
navigation145
"Fast route" for
navigation145
"Favorites" calling up with
radio167
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter111
Fine wood, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit232
First-aid kit232
Flashing
– during locking/unlocking,
refer to Setting confirmation
signals31
– Triple turn signal
activation66
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight115Flat tire
– changing wheels226
– compact wheel228
– Flat Tire Monitor91,92
– run-flat tires92,94,213
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor92
– warning lamp92,94
Flat tire, refer to Tire
condition213
Flat Tire Monitor91
– false alarms91
– initializing system91
– show chains215
– system limits91
– warning lamp92
Floor mat, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Floor mats/carpets, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir67
"FM", reception
range161,164
FM, waveband164
Fog lamps105
– indicator lamp13,105
Folding rear backrest119
Folding rear backrest, Sports
Wagon120
Fold-over rear backrest119
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely127
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps105
Forward, fast
– CD changer177
– CD player177
For your own safety5
4-wheel drive system, refer to
xDrive89
Freeway, refer to Route
criteria145
Front airbags96
Front armrest, refer to Center
armrest, front115Front passenger airbags,
deactivating97
Front seat adjustment46
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor91
Fuel207
– average consumption77
– display76
– high-quality brands207
– quality207
– specifications207
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities242
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge76
Fuel consumption display,
computer, average fuel
consumption77
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge76
Fuel filler door206
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction206
Fuel-saving driving, refer to
Energy Control76
Full mobile phone preparation
package182
Full screen display, refer to
Switching assistance
window off21
"Full screen" with BMW Night
Vision102
Fuses229
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control113
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel207
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge76
Gear changes
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic64
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission63