Controls
127Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Dividing up rear compartment
Fold out the partitions and press down.
Use the separation net, refer to page125,
otherwise objects could be thrown
around and endanger occupants, e.g. during
braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Ski bag*
Designed for safe, clean transport of up to
4 pairs of standard skis or up to 2 snowboards.
With the ski bag you can stow skis with a length
of up to 6.9 ft/2.10 m. When skis of 6.9 ft/2.10 m
in length are loaded, the ski bag will tend to con-
tract, reducing its overall capacity.
Loading
1.Fold down the center armrest, press the
button and open the cover.
2.Press the button again; the cover in the
cargo bay opens. If you press the button
firmly the first time, this also opens the
cover in the cargo bay.
3.Extend the ski bag between the front seats
and fill it. The zipper facilitates access to the
stowed items and drying of the ski bag.4.Insert the latch plate of the ski bag retaining
strap into the center safety belt buckle that
is marked CENTER.
Only stow clean skis in the ski bag. Wrap sharp
edges to prevent damage.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con-
tents. Tighten the retaining strap on the ten-
sioning buckle for this purpose.
Secure the ski bag in this way. If you fail to
do so, it could endanger occupants dur-
ing braking or evasive maneuvers.<
To store the ski bag, perform the above steps in
reverse order.
Removing ski bag
The ski bag can be completely removed, e.g. for
faster drying or to allow you to put it to other
uses.
Things to remember when driving
134
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air conditioner sys-
tem during operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page53,
otherwise they could be damaged due to the
width of the vehicle.
General information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure.
Rear window wiper*
The rear window wiper can be damaged in car
washes. Take appropriate protective measures;
ask the car wash operator if necessary.
Automatic and sport automatic
transmission
Follow the instructions on page61 so that the
vehicle can roll.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage develops inside the tires. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX lbs. or YYY kg, as otherwise the vehicle
may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Things to remember when driving
136
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 page255.
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 on 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.
Mobility
239Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Lamps in luggage compartment lid
License plate lamp
5-watt bulb, C5W
1.Insert screwdriver into the slot and press to
the right, refer to arrows. This releases the
lamp.
2.Remove the lamp and replace the bulb.
Sports Wagon:
Brake lamp and backup lamp
1.Turn the locks to the left and fold down the
trim.
2.Fold down the foam insulation.3.Pull out the bulb holder for the backup
lamp1 or brake lamp2 downward.
4.Backup lamp: remove the bulb for replace-
ment.
Brake lamp: apply gentle pressure to the
bulb while turning it to the left for removal
and replacement.
Changing wheels
Safety precautions in the event of a flat
tire or wheel change: park the vehicle as
far as possible from passing traffic and on solid
ground. Switch on the hazard warning flashers.
Have all vehicle occupants get out of the vehicle
and ensure that they remain outside the imme-
diate area in a safe place, such as behind a
guardrail.
If a warning triangle
* or portable hazard warning
lamp
* is required, set it up on the roadside at an
appropriate distance from the rear of the vehi-
cle. Comply with all safety guidelines and regu-
lations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm surface
which is not slippery. The vehicle or the jack
could slip to the side if you attempt to raise the
vehicle on a soft or slippery surface such as
snow, ice, tiles, etc.
Position the jack on a firm support surface.
Do not use a wooden block or similar object as a
support base for the jack, as this would prevent
it from extending to its full support height and
reduce its load-carrying capacity.
To avoid serious or fatal injury: never lie under
the vehicle, and never start the engine while it is
supported by the jack.<
Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Weights
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Sedan528i535i550i
Curb weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 3,505/1,590 3,660/1,660 3,946/1,790
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 3,571/1,620 3,703/1,680 3,968/1,800
Approved gross vehicle weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 4,607/2,090 4,872/2,210 5,048/2,290
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 4,673/2,120 4,872/2,210 5,070/2,300
Load lbs./kg 1,102/500 1,102/500 1,102/500
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,227/1,010 2,359/1,070 2,469/1,120
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,601/1,180 2,711/1,230 2,733/1,240
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 220/100 220/100 220/100
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/l 18.4/520 18.4/520 18.4/520
Sedan528xi535xi
Curb weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 3,670/1,710 -
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 3,704/1,730 3,946/1,790
Approved gross vehicle weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 4,839/2,195 -
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 4,883/2,215 5,048/2,290
Load lbs./kg 1,102/500 1,102/500
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,315/1,050 2,315/1,050
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,646/1,200 2,646/1,200
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 220/100 220/100
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/l 18.4/520 18.4/520
Technical data
256 Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Capacities
Sports Wagon535xi
Curb weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 4,100/1,860
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 4,144/1,880
Approved gross vehicle weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 5,291/2,400
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 5,335/2,420
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 US gal/liters approx. 18.5/70 Fuel grade: page217
of that reserve US gal/liters approx. 2.1/8
550i US gal/liters approx. 2.6/10
Window cleaning system For more details: page68
>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
264 "BMW Assist"208
BMW Assist207
– activating212
– breakdown assistance208
– contacting BMW Customer
Relations210
– displaying vehicle data213
– information service210
– services offered207
– TeleService209
– updating211
"BMW Contact"202
"BMW Contact
Numbers"202
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance
system232
BMW Night Vision103
– activating104
– cleaning camera105
– cleaning camera, refer to
Wiper system67
– deactivating104
– making settings104
"BMW Service settings"211
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders121
Bracket for telephone or
mobile phone, refer to Snap-
in adapter205
Brake assistant90
– adaptive91
Brake force display99
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs237
– two-stage99
Brake rotors
– breaking-in132
– refer to Braking safely133Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System90
– brake assistant90
– brake force display99
– breaking-in132
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control90
– electronic brake-force
distribution90
– handbrake62
– refer to Braking safely133
– warning lamps13
Brake system132
– brake pads132
– breaking-in132
– disk brakes134
– warning lamp
93
Braking safely133
Breakdown assistance208
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance245
Breaking-in brake pads132
Breaking-in the clutch132
Breaking-in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential132
Break-in period132
"Brightness"87,102
– with BMW Night Vision105
Brightness of Control
Display87
Button for starting engine,
refer to Start/Stop button60
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
Warning6
"Call"200,211
Call
– accepting198
– displaying accepted201
– ending199
– in absence201
– rejecting199
– starting199Calling
– by entering phone
number199
– from phone book200
– from Top 8 list201
– redialing201
– refer to telephone operating
instructions
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders121
Capacities256
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery242
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car Data"79
Care233
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo
– refer to Cargo loading134
– securing135
– securing with ski bag127
Cargo bay
– capacity255
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually, Sports
Wagon36
– emergency release35
– expanding, Sports
Wagon125
– floor panel flap, refer to
Compartment in floor,
Sports Wagon126
– locking separately34
– opening/closing, refer to
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate34
– opening from inside34
– opening from inside, Sports
Wagon35
– opening from outside34
– opening from outside,
Sports Wagon35
– opening with remote
control31
Reference 275
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Reception level of mobile
phone, refer to Status
information20
Rechargeable flashlight120
Recirculated-air mode114
– air recirculation114
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control114
Reclining seat, refer to
Seats46
Recording times, refer to
Stopwatch85
"Redial" for mobile phone200
Redialing with mobile
phone205
Reflectors, refer to Tail
lamps237
Refueling216
Releasing, hood228
Releasing the locks, refer to
Unlocking39
"Relock door if not
opened"33
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range78
Remaining distance to
destination, refer to
Computer79
Remote control28
– comfort access39
– garage door opener118
– luggage compartment lid31
– malfunction32,40
– replacing battery40
– tailgate31
Removing condensation on
the windows113
"Repeat directory" in audio
mode182
"Repeat" in audio mode182
"Repeat track" in audio
mode182
Replacement fuses242
Replacement of tires, refer to
Changing wheels239
Replacement remote control,
refer to New remote
controls28Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs235
Replacing tires226
Replacing wheels/tires, refer
to New wheels and tires226
Reporting safety defects7
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge78
"Reset"94,96
– stopwatch85
– tone settings169
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings
169
"resetting FTM …"95
Residual heat114
Restraint systems
– for children56
– refer to Safety belts50
Retaining straps, refer to
Storage area package,
Sports Wagon126
Retreaded tires226
Reverse, fast
– CD changer183
– CD player183
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– manual transmission62
Road map156
"Roadside
Assistance"202,208
Roadside Assistance245
Roadside parking lamps109
– replacing bulbs236
Roller sun blind, refer to Sun
blinds119
Roll-up cover, Sports
Wagon124
Roof load capacity255
Roof-mounted luggage
rack136
Rope, refer to Tow-starting
and towing247
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to
iDrive16Route152
– bypassing sections158
– changing158
– changing criteria152
– displaying155
– displaying arrow display155
– displaying map view156
– displaying streets or towns/
cities157
– selecting152
Route information, refer to
Destination guidance with
voice instructions157
Route map, refer to Displaying
map view156
"Route preference",
changing152
Route selection152
RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to Run-
flat tires226
Rubber parts, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Run-flat tires226
– continuing driving with a
damaged tire95,97
– flat tire95,97
– new wheels and tires226
– tire inflation
pressure95,97,218
– Tire Pressure Monitor95
– tire replacement226,227
– winter tires227
Run-Flat Tires,
Flat Tire Monitor94
S
Safety5
Safety belts50
– damage50
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– sitting safely45
– warning lamp50
Safety belt tensioners
– refer to Airbags99
– refer to Safety belts50