2008 BMW 525XI TOURING tow

Giving and receiving assistance
254
Sedan
Loosen the wing nut to open.
Sports Wagon
Release the two quick-release fasteners and
fold down the trim piece.
First-aid kit*
Some of the articles contained in the first-aid kit
have a limited service life. Therefore, check the
expiration dates of the contents regularly and
replace the contents concerned in good time if
necessary.
Sedan
The first-aid kit is located in the luggage com-
partment lid.Loosen the wing nut to open.
Sports Wagon
The first-aid kit is located in the right side panel
of the cargo bay. Before opening the side panel,
pull the retaining strap
* toward the rear by its
rear end and unhook it.
Roadside Assistance*
The Roadside Assistance of the BMW Group
offers you assistance in the event of a break-
down around the clock, including on weekends
and public holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the
Contact brochure.
With BMW Assist you can contact the Roadside
Assistance of the BMW Group for assistance in
the event of a breakdown directly via iDrive,
refer to page210.
Jump starting
When your battery is discharged, you can use
two jumper cables to start your BMW with
power from the battery in a second vehicle. You
can also use the same method to help start
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables with
fully-insulated clamp handles.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury,
always avoid all contact with electrical
components while the engine is running. Care-
fully adhere to the following sequence, both to
prevent damage to one or both vehicles, and to
guard against possible personal injuries.<

Mobility
255Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and
approximately the same capacitance in Ah.
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any electrical systems and com-
ponents in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise
there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
To avoid personal injury from sparks, fol-
low this sequence when connecting
jumper cables.<
In your BMW, the so-called jump-starting termi-
nal in the engine compartment serves as a pos-
itive terminal for the battery, also refer to engine
compartment overview on page233. The cover
cap is marked with a +.
1.Fold open the cover of the BMW jump-
starting terminal. To do so, pull the tab.
2.Attach one end of the jumper cable plus/+
to the positive terminal of the battery or a
jump-starting terminal of the vehicle provid-
ing assistance.
3.Attach the second end of the cable to the
positive terminal of the battery or to a start-
ing-aid terminal of the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one end of the jumper cable minus/–
to the negative terminal of the battery or to
an engine or body ground of the assisting
vehicle.Your BMW has a special nut as body ground
or negative terminal.
5.Attach the second end of the cable to the
negative terminal of the battery or to the
engine or body ground of the vehicle to be
started.Starting engine
1.Start the engine on the assisting vehicle
and allow it to run at idle for several minutes
at slightly increased speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the connection sequence.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting and towing
Observe applicable laws and regulations
for tow-starting and towing.<
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using tow fitting
Always keep the screw-in tow fitting with the
vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front or rear
of the BMW.

Giving and receiving assistance
256 Sedan:
It is located in the toolkit in the luggage com-
partment lid, refer to page243.
Sports Wagon:
It is located in the toolkit behind the left side
panel in the cargo bay, refer to page243.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing only on roads. Avoid lateral
loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehi-
cle by the tow fitting. Otherwise damage to the
tow fitting and the vehicle can occur.<
Access to screw thread
Press the arrow symbol on the cover in the
bumper.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page61, otherwise the low
beams, tail lamps, turn signals and windshield
wipers would not be available. Do not tow the
vehicle with the rear axle raised, as otherwise
the steering can turn to the left or right. When
the engine is stopped, there is no power assist. This then requires increased effort for braking
and steering. Active steering is deactivated and
larger steering wheel movements are
required.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window.
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 engage dur-
ing towing.<
Manually unlocking and locking transmission
lock, refer to page65.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 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.

Mobility
257Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
>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 a tow truck: xDrive
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 BMW transported only on a flatbed
surface.
Tow-starting
Do not tow-start the vehicle if possible, but
instead start the engine by means of jump start-
ing, refer to page254. With a catalytic con-
verter, tow-starting should only be carried out
with the engine cold, and with automatic trans-
missions, the engine cannot be started by tow-
starting.
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with country-specific regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page61.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Tow-start with the clutch completely
depressed and slowly release the clutch.
After the engine starts, immediately
depress the clutch again completely.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.

Short commands of voice command system
266
Navigation
Onboard info
FunctionCommand
To open navigation system142{Navigation}
To open "Enter address"144{Enter address}
To open "New destination"144{New destination}
To display "Input map"148{Input map}
To display destination list150{Destination list}
To display address book151{Address book}
To display route criteria154{Route preference}
To start destination guidance156{Start guidance}
To end destination guidance156{Stop guidance}
To display arrow display142{Arrow display}
To display map display158{Map}, {Map facing north},
{Map direction of travel} or
{Perspective}
To change scale158{Scale ... miles} or
{Scale ... feet}
To display roads or towns/cities along route159{Route list}
To switch on voice instructions159{Navigation info on}
To switch off voice instructions159{Navigation info off}
To repeat voice instructions160{Repeat navigation info}
To open route157{Route menu}
To open "New route"160{New route}
To display current position163{Current position}
FunctionCommand
To open "Car Data"80{Car data}
To display computer80{Onboard info}
To display trip computer80{Trip computer}
To open stopwatch85{Stopwatch}
To open speed limit85{Limit}
To activate speed limit85{Limit on}
To deactivate speed limit85{Limit off}

Reference 271
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Around the steering wheel10
Arrival time
– refer to Computer80
– refer to Starting destination
guidance156
"Arrow display" in
navigation157
"Arrow display pop-up
instructions"143
Ashtray
– front124
– rear125
Assist, refer to
BMW Assist209
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems90
Assistance window20
"Assist. window off"21
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control116
"Audio"169,171,176
Audio168
– controls168
– switching on/off168
– tone control169
– volume169
Audio device, external123
Automatic
– air distribution114
– air volume114
– cruise control71
– garage door opener120
– headlamp control107
– service notification211
– steering wheel
adjustment47
– storing stations174
– tailgate operation36
Automatic car washes136
Automatic climate control113
– automatic air
distribution114
– parked car ventilation117
– switching on and off117
– ventilation in rear117Automatic 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 lamps111
– refer to Pathway lighting108
– refer to Welcome lamps107
Automatic lights
– refer to High-beam
assistant109
Automatic low beams, refer to
High-beam assistant109
"Automatic programs"114
Automatic roll-up cover,
Sports Wagon127
Automatic soft closing33
Automatic speed reduction for
descents, refer to HDC Hill
Descent Control92
Automatic station search173
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– interlock64
– kick-down64
– manually unlocking and
locking transmission lock65
– shiftlock64
– towing256
– tow-starting257
– with comfort access39
"Automatic ventilation"118
AUTO program for automatic
climate control114
"Auto Request"211
"Autostore" on the
radio172,174
"AUX"168,187,188
AUX-In connection187
"AUX IN" in audio mode187
Average fuel consumption80
– setting units88
Average speed, refer to
Computer79"Avoid ferries" in
navigation154
"Avoid highways" in
navigation154
Avoiding freeways for
navigation154
Avoiding unintentional
alarms38
"Avoid tollroads" in
navigation154
Axle loads, refer to
Weights263
"A - Z"202B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support47
Backrests, refer to Seats46
Backrest width adjustment46
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
Backup lamps, replacing
bulbs246
"Balance", refer to Tone
control170
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
kit254
Bass, refer to Tone
control169
"Bass", Tone control170
Battery, refer to Vehicle
battery251
– jump starting254
Battery replacement, remote
control for comfort
access40
BC button, refer to
Computer79
Being towed256
Belts, refer to Safety belts50
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders124
Blower, refer to Air
volume115
"Bluetooth"195
"BMW Assist"210,211

Everything from A to Z
276 Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door220
– glass sunroof, electric42
– luggage compartment lid34
– panorama glass sunroof44
– tailgate35
Electric steering wheel
adjustment54
Electronic brake-force
distribution90
Electronic oil level check234
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door220
– luggage compartment lid34
– tailgate35
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission65
Emergency operation, refer to
Moving manually
– glass sunroof42
– panorama glass sunroof44
Emergency release for
luggage compartment lid in
cargo bay34
Emergency request253
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance254
"Enabled services"215
"Enabled TeleServices"212
"Enable services"215
"End call"202
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control79
Energy Control79
Engine
– breaking-in134
– data260
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature78
– speed260
– starting62
– starting, with comfort
access38
– switching off62Engine compartment233
Engine coolant235
Engine oil
– adding235
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils235
– approved engine oil235
– checking oil level234
– electronic oil level check234
– interval between changes,
refer to Service
requirements81
– oil change235
– oil grades, refer to Approved
engine oils235
"Engine oil level"234
Engine output, refer to Engine
data260
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature78
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data260
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine62
"Enter address"144,151
Entering destination via town/
city name145
Entering intersection,
navigation146
Entering the
address144,147
Entering town/city for
navigation145
Entering zip code for
navigation145
"Entertainment"168
Entertainment sound output
on/off169
Entry map for destination148
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
control79
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control171
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control171
"ESN"178ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control91
Event Data Recorders238
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system135
Exterior mirrors53
– adjusting53
– automatic dimming
feature54
– automatic heating53
– folding in and out53
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror53
External audio device123
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting255
F
"Fader", refer to Tone
control170
Fader, refer to Tone
control170
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control83
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms38
– refer to Switching off
alarm37
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts50
– warning lamp50
Fastest route for
navigation154
"Fast route" in navigation154
Filler neck for washer fluid69
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter117
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit254
First-aid kit254

Reference 279
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor94
– radio, refer to Storing
stations174
– refer to Power failure251
– refer to Setting time and
date86
– seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory47
"Input map"149
Installation location
– CD changer185
– drive for navigation DVD142
– mobile phone122
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions159
Instrument cluster12
Instrument illumination, refer
to Instrument lighting111
Instrument lighting111
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Instrument panel, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote
control120
Interesting destination for
navigation149
"Interim time"86
Interior lamps111
– switching on with remote
control31
Interior motion sensor38
– switching off38
Interior rearview mirror53
– automatic dimming
feature54
Intermittent mode of the
wipers68
J
Jacking points250
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting254
Jump starting254
K
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort
access38
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Comfort access38
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile28
"Keypad"204
Keys28
– key-related settings, refer to
Personal Profile28
– spare key28
Kick-down, Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic64
Knock control221
L
Lamps
– refer to High-beam
assistant109
– refer to Parking lamps/low
beams107
Lamps and bulbs244
Lane limit lines, refer to
Leaving lane warning105
"Language / Units"88
– in navigation143,159
"Languages"88
– in navigation143,159
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo138
Last destinations, refer to
Destination list150
"Last seat pos."48
LATCH child restraint fixing
system57
Leather care241
Leaving lane warning105
LEDs light-emitting
diodes244
Length, refer to
Dimensions261
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs248
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs244Lighter124
"Lighting"67
Lighting
– instruments111
– lamps and bulbs244
– of the vehicle, refer to
Lamps107
Light switch107
"Limit"85
Loading
– securing cargo138
– stowing cargo138
– vehicle137
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo138
"Lock after driving"33
Lock buttons in the doors,
refer to Locking33
Locking31
– confirmation signals31
– from inside33
– from outside31
– without key, refer to Comfort
access38
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals31
– from inside32
– from outside30
Low beams
107
– automatic107
– replacing bulbs245
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support47
Lug bolts250
– tightening torque, refer to
After mounting250
– wrench249
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo bay
Luggage compartment lid33
– emergency operation, refer
to Manual operation34
– emergency release34
– locking separately34
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside34
– unlocking and locking from
inside32
– unlocking manually34