
Everything under control
78
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 US gal/
70 liters, including the reserve capacity of 
approx. 2.1 US gal/8 liters.
550i: approx. 2.6 US gal/10 liters reserve 
capacity. 
You will find information on refueling on 
page216.
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
>No information
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. 

Refueling
216
Refueling
Switch off the engine before refueling, 
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 
page126.
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
 217Reference
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, 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 US gal/70 liters, including the 
reserve capacity of approx. 2.1 US gal/8 liters.
550i: approx. 2.6 US gal/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.< 

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 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