Driving
56
Radio readiness and ignition switched
off
All indicator and warning lamps in the instru-
ment cluster go out.
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms,
otherwise the inhalation of toxic exhaust
gases can cause unconsciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a
potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, shift into neutral
* or move the selector
lever into the N position and set the handbrake,
otherwise the vehicle can begin to roll.<
When starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it
running while the vehicle remains stationary.
Instead, begin to drive at a moderate engine
speed.
Do not press either the brake or the
clutch
* pedal as long as you do not want
to start the engine. The engine starts when you
briefly press the Start/Stop button while
depressing the clutch pedal on vehicles with a
manual transmission
*.<
Manual transmission*
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Depress the clutch pedal and select the
idling position.
3.Briefly press the Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a certain period and automat-
ically disengaging it as soon as the engine
starts.
Sequential Manual Transmission with
Drivelogic
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Place selector lever in position N.
3.Briefly press the Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a certain period and automat-
ically disengaging it as soon as the engine
starts.
If the engine does not start, shift back to
the last selector lever position selected,
refer to the instrument cluster display or the
selector lever. Then select position N.
You cannot start off with the hood open.
When the engine is cold, the exhaust system
has a slightly metallic undertone due to the sys-
tem design.<
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated starting attempts in
which the engine does not start. Otherwise, the
fuel is not burned or inadequately burned and
there is a danger of overheating and damaging
the catalytic converter.<
Special starting conditions
Depress the accelerator pedal half way when
starting the engine in the following situations:
>The engine fails to start on the first attempt,
e.g. if it is very hot or cold.
>The engine is started at very low tempera-
tures, below approx. + 57/– 156, at high
altitudes, over approx. 3,300 ft/1,000 m.
Driving tips
113Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it
the risk of serious property damage as well as
personal injury. Do not touch hot exhaust tail
pipes. Otherwise there is a risk of burns.<
Mobile communications devices in
vehicle
BMW discourages the use of mobile
communications devices, e. g. mobile
phones, 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.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between the tires and
the road surface, ultimately undermining your
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread
depth of the tires decreases, refer also to Mini-
mum tire tread on page196.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Starting off
On slopes
The starting assistant enables starting off on
slopes virtually without rolling back.
1.Hold the vehicle with the footbrake.
2.Make sure that the handbrake is released.
3.Release the footbrake and drive off quickly.The starting assistant holds the vehicle
for approx. 1 second after releasing the
footbrake. Depending on the load, the vehicle
may also roll back slightly during this time.
After releasing the footbrake, drive off quickly,
otherwise the starting assistant no longer holds
the vehicle after approx. 1 second and it begins
to roll back.<
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold
the vehicle on a hill by pressing the accel-
erator, but apply the footbrake or handbrake
instead. Otherwise overheating and heavy wear
can result in the area of the Sequential Manual
Transmission.<
To protect the clutch of the Sequential Manual
Transmission from overheating, the starting-off
behavior is changed under heavy loading, e.g. a
rapid succession of starts on slopes. This can
be noticed from shaking during starting off.
On a slippery surface
1.Select "P 400" program of M Engine
Dynamic Control, refer to page61.
2.Gently press accelerator pedal to prevent
wheels from spinning when starting off.
Clutch protection with manual
transmission
Be sure to avoid riding the clutch for longer peri-
ods.
Your BMW M5 is equipped with an overload
protection for the clutch. Riding the clutch for
longer periods is detected and the engine man-
agement system limits the engine speed to pro-
tect the clutch. This can result in the vehicle fail-
ing to accelerate when the clutch pedal is
partially depressed.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Things to remember when driving
114 The pulsing of he brake pedal indicates that the
ABS is controlling braking.
In certain braking situations the perforated
brake rotors can cause operating noises which,
however, have not effect on the performance
and operating safety of the brake system.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent pressure on the brake pedal
can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and
possibly even brake failure.<
Sequential Manual Transmission: do not
drive in idle or with the engine switched
off, otherwise there will be no engine braking
action or support of the braking force and steer-
ing.
Manual transmission: do not drive with the
clutch depressed, in idle or with the engine
switched off, otherwise there will be no engine
braking action or support of the braking force
and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
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 page47,
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.
Ground clearance
Make sure that sufficient ground clear-
ance is available. To drive down curbs,
select the "Sport" program of the EDC Elec-
tronic Damping Control, refer to page82, to
keep the ground clearance as uniform as possi-
ble. Otherwise the vehicle may be damaged.<
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.<
Reference 235
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Display off"21
Displays
– on Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– refer to Instrument
cluster12
"Display settings"76,89
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-Up Display88
Disposal
– battery of remote control
with comfort access37
– coolant202
– vehicle battery213
Distance, refer to
Computer68
"Distance to dest."68
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer68
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control78
Divided rear backrest, refer to
Through-loading
system108
Door entry lighting94
Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Door lock32
Door locking, confirmation
signals31
"Door locks"30
Doors
– manual operation32
– remote control30
DOT Quality Grades196
Draft-free ventilation99
Drinks holder, refer to Cup
holders105
Drivelogic60
Drive mode59
"Driver's door only"31
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams92
Driving programs, refer to
Drivelogic60
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route134Driving stability control
systems79
Driving through water113
Driving tips, refer to General
driving notes112
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function98
Drying the air, refer to Cooling
function98
"DSC"50,80
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control80
– indicator lamp13
,80
– malfunction81
DVD for navigation120
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC80
"Dynamic route" for
navigation131
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC80
– M Dynamic Mode MDM80
E
Easy entry/exit49
– backrest width43
"EDC"50
EDC Electronic Damping
Control82
– "Comfort"82
– "Normal"82
– "Sport"82
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on CD player146
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door192
– glass sunroof, electric40
– luggage compartment lid34
Electric steering wheel
adjustment48
Electronic brake-force
distribution79
Electronic Damping Control
EDC82
Emergency call214Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door192
– luggage compartment lid34
Emergency operation of glass
sunroof, refer to Moving
manually40
Emergency release for
luggage compartment lid in
cargo bay34
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance215
"Enable services"188
"End call"174
Engaging driving position,
refer to Selector lever
positions58
Engaging forward position,
refer to Selector lever
positions58
Engine
– breaking-in112
– data222
– M Engine Dynamic
Control61
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature66
– speed222
– starting56
– starting, with comfort
access36
– starting difficulties56
– switching off57
Engine compartment200
Engine coolant202
Everything from A to Z
236 Engine oil
– adding201
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils202
– approved engine oil202
– checking oil level200
– exact measurement201
– fast measurement201
– interval between changes,
refer to Service
requirements69
– oil change202
– oil grades, refer to Approved
engine oils202
– possible displays201
– temperature67
– temperature gauge67
Engine output, refer to Engine
data222
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature66
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data222
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine56
"Enter address"122,129
Entering destination via town/
city name122
Entering intersection,
navigation123
Entering the
address121,124
Entering town/city for
navigation122
Entering zip code for
navigation123
"Entertainment"146
Entertainment sound output
on/off147
Entry map for destination126
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control149Equalizer, refer to Tone
control149
"ESN"156
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control80
Event Data Recorders205
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system112
Exterior mirrors47
– adjusting47
– automatic dimming
feature48
– automatic heating48
– folding in and out47
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror48
External audio
device105,165
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting216
F
"Fader", refer to Tone
control148
Fader, refer to Tone
control148
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control71
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms36
– refer to Switching off
alarm35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts45
– warning lamp46
Fastest route for
navigation131
"Fast route" for
navigation131
"Favorites" calling up with
radio153
Filling bottle, refer to
M Mobility System208
Filling sealant into wheel209Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter100
Fine wood, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit215
First-aid kit215
Flashing
– during locking/unlocking,
refer to Setting confirmation
signals31
– Triple turn signal
activation62
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight104
Flat tire
– changing wheels210
– Flat Tire Monitor82,84
– M Mobility System84,208
– spare wheel211
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor84
– warning lamp84,85
Flat tire, refer to Tire
condition196
Flat Tire Monitor82
– false alarms83
– initializing system83
– show chains198
– system limits83
– warning lamp84
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 reservoir63
"FM", reception
range147,
150
FM, waveband150
Folding rear backrest108
Fold-over rear backrest108
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely113
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps94