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.
Telephoning
192
Telephoning
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with a full mobile phone
preparation package. After pairing a suitable
mobile phone in the vehicle once, you can oper-
ate the mobile phone via iDrive, with the buttons
on the steering wheel and by voice.
A mobile phone that has been paired once is
automatically detected again with the engine
running or the ignition switched on as soon as
it is in the vehicle interior. The logon data of up
to four mobile phones can be stored simulta-
neously. If several mobile phones are detected
simultaneously, the respective last mobile
phone paired can be operated via the vehicle.
Using a phone in your vehicle
Using snap-in adapter*
The so-called snap-in adapter, a mobile phone
cradle, enables the battery to be charged and
the mobile phone to be connected to the exter-
nal antenna of your vehicle. This ensures
improved network reception and a consistent
voice reproduction quality. Ask your BMW cen-
ter which mobile phones snap-in adapters are
offered for.
BMW discourages the use of mobile
phones or other mobile communications
devices inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the
vehicle electronics and mobile communication
device can influence one another. In addition,
there is no assurance that the radiation which
results from transmission will be dissipated
from the vehicle interior.<
For your safety
A car phone makes life more convenient in
many ways, and can even save lives in an emer-
gency. While you should consult your mobile
phone's separate operating instructions for a
detailed description of safety precautions and information, we request that you direct your
particular attention to the following:
Only make entries when the traffic situa-
tion allows you to do so. Do not hold the
mobile phone in your hand while you are driving;
use the hands-free system instead. If you do
not observe this precaution, your being dis-
tracted can endanger vehicle occupants and
other road users.<
Suitable mobile phones
Ask your BMW center which mobile phones
with a Bluetooth interface are supported by the
mobile phone preparation package or which
mobile phones snap-in adapters are available
for. These mobile phones support the functions
described in this Owner's Manual with a certain
software version. Malfunctions can occur with
other mobile phones.
Care instructions
You can find what you need to know about car-
ing for your mobile phone in the separate Caring
for your vehicle brochure and in the mobile
phone operating instructions.
Operating options
You can operate the mobile phone* using:
>Buttons on steering wheel, refer to
page12 11
>iDrive, refer to page16
>Voice commands, refer to page203
>Programmable memory/direct selection
buttons, refer to page21
Avoid operating a mobile phone detected by
the vehicle with the keypad of the mobile
phone, otherwise malfunctions can occur.
*
Giving and receiving assistance
248
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic and sport automatic
transmission
Before towing, manually release the
transmission lock, even if there is no mal-
function in the transmission. Otherwise there is
a risk that the transmission lock will automati-
cally be engaged during towing.<
Manually unlocking and locking transmission
lock, refer to page64.
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.<
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.
>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 528xi, 535xi
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.<
Have the vehicle transported on a flatbed sur-
face only.
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
Reference 263
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Approved engine oils230
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights255
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear123
Around the center console14
Around the steering wheel10
Arrival time
– refer to Computer79
– refer to Starting destination
guidance154
"Arrow display" for navigation
system155
Artificial leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
– front122
– rear122
Assist, refer to
BMW Assist207
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems90
Assistance window20
"Assist. window off"21
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control114
"Audio"167,169,174
Audio166
– controls166
– switching on/off166
– tone control167
– volume167
Audio device, external121
Automatic
– air distribution112
– air volume112
– cruise control69
– garage door opener118
– headlamp control107
– service notification209
– steering wheel
adjustment47
– storing stations172
– tailgate operation36Automatic car washes134
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Automatic climate control111
– automatic air
distribution112
– parked car ventilation115
– switching on and off115
– ventilation in rear115
Automatic closing of doors,
refer to Automatic soft
closing33
Automatic curb monitor53
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp
control107
– refer to Daytime running
lamps108
– refer to Interior lamps110
– refer to Pathway lighting108
– refer to Welcome lamps107
"Automatic programs"112
Automatic roll-up cover,
Sports Wagon124
Automatic soft closing33
Automatic speed reduction for
descents, refer to HDC Hill
Descent Control92
Automatic station search171
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
– deactivating transmission
lock64
– kick-down63
– sport program63
– towing248
– tow-starting249
– with comfort access40
"Automatic ventilation"116
AUTO program for automatic
climate control112
"Autostore" on the
radio170,172
"AUX"166,185,186
AUX-In connection121,185
Average fuel consumption79
– setting units87Average speed, refer to
Computer78
"Avoid ferries" for navigation
system153
"Avoid highways" for
navigation system152
Avoiding freeways for
navigation152
Avoiding unintentional
alarms38
"Avoid tollroads" for
navigation system153
Axle loads, refer to
Weights255
"A - Z"200B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support47
Backrests, refer to Seats46
Backrest width adjustment46
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
Backup lamps, replacing
bulbs237
"Balance", refer to Tone
control168
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
kit245
Bass, refer to Tone
control167
"Bass", tone control168
Battery, refer to Vehicle
battery242
– jump starting246
Battery replacement, remote
control for comfort
access40
BC button, refer to
Computer78
Being towed247
Belts, refer to Safety belts50
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders121
Blower, refer to Air
volume113
"Bluetooth"194
Everything from A to Z
268
E
Easy entry/exit54
– backrest width47
Eject button, refer to Buttons
in area of CD player166
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door216
– glass sunroof, electric43
– luggage compartment lid34
– panorama glass sunroof44
– tailgate36
Electric steering wheel
adjustment54
Electronic brake-force
distribution90
Electronic oil level check229
Emergency call244
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door216
– luggage compartment lid34
– tailgate36
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission64
Emergency operation, refer to
Moving manually
– glass sunroof43
– panorama glass sunroof44
Emergency release for
luggage compartment lid in
cargo bay35
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance245
"Enable services"213
"End call"200
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control78
Energy Control78Engine
– breaking-in132
– data252
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature77
– speed252
– starting61
– starting, with comfort
access39
– switching off61
Engine compartment229
Engine coolant231
Engine oil
– adding230
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils230
– approved engine oil230
– checking oil level229
– electronic oil level check229
– interval between changes,
refer to Service
requirements80
– oil change230
– oil grades, refer to Approved
engine oils230
"Engine oil level"230
Engine output, refer to Engine
data252
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature77
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data252
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine61
"Enter address"142,150
Entering destination via town/
city name143
Entering intersection,
navigation144
Entering the
address142,145
Entering town/city for
navigation143
Entering zip code for
navigation143
"Entertainment"166
Entertainment sound output
on/off167Entry map for destination146
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
Control78
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control169
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control169
"ESN"177
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control91
Event Data Recorders233
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system132
Exterior mirrors52
– adjusting52
– automatic dimming
feature53
– automatic heating53
– folding in and out53
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror53
External audio device121
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting247
F
"Fader", refer to Tone
control168
Fader, refer to Tone
control168
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control82
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms38
– refer to Switching off
alarm38
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts50
– warning lamp50
Fastest route for
navigation152
Reference 271
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure218
Inflation pressure monitoring
– refer to Flat Tire Monitor94
– refer to TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor95
Info menu17
Information
– on another location147
– on current position147
– on destination location147
"Information" for navigation
system147
Information menu, refer to
imenu17
"Information on
destination"149
Information service210
"Info sources"80
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor94
– radio, refer to Storing
stations172
– refer to Power failure242
– refer to Setting time and
date85
– seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory47
"Input map"147
Installation location
– CD changer183
– drive for navigation DVD140
– mobile phone120
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions157
Instrument cluster12
Instrument illumination, refer
to Instrument lighting110
Instrument lighting110
Instrument panel
– refer to Cockpit10
– refer to Instrument
cluster12
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote
control118
Interesting destination for
navigation147"Interim time"85
Interior lamps110
– switching on with remote
control31
Interior motion sensor38
– switching off38
Interior rearview mirror53
– automatic dimming
feature53
Intermittent mode of the
wipers67
J
Jacking points241
Joystick
– refer to iDrive16
– refer to Selector lever,
selecting transmission
positions63
Jump starting246
K
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort
access39
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Comfort access39
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile29
"Keypad"202
Keys28
– key-related settings, refer to
Personal Profile29
– spare key28
Kick-down, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic63
Knock control217
L
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams107
Lamps and bulbs235
Lane limit lines, refer to
Leaving lane warning105"Language / Units"87
– for navigation
system141,157
"Languages"87
– for navigation
system141,157
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo135
Last destinations, refer to
Destination list149
"Last seat pos."48
LATCH child restraint fixing
system58
Leaving lane warning105
LEDs light-emitting
diodes235
Length, refer to
Dimensions253
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs239
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs235
Lighter122
"Lighting"66
Lighting
– instruments110
– lamps and bulbs235
– of the vehicle, refer to
Lamps107
Light switch107
"Limit"84
Loading
– securing cargo135
– stowing cargo135
– vehicle134
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo135
"Lock after driving"33
Locking31,33
– confirmation signals31
– from inside33
– from outside31
– without key, refer to Comfort
access39
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals31
– from inside33
– from outside30