Driving
68
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield, headlamps and
BMW Night Vision camera
*
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Switching on wipers
Pull the lever upward, arrow1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance
point.
The system reverts to normal speed when the
vehicle is stationary.
Rain sensor
The wiper operation is controlled automatically
as a function of the rain intensity. The rain sen-
sor is located on the windshield, directly in front
of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating rain sensor
Press the button, arrow3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Turn the knurled wheel5.
Deactivating rain sensor
Press the button again, arrow3. The LED goes
out.
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing
through an automatic car wash. Failure to
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper operation.<
Cleaning windshield, headlamps* and
BMW Night Vision camera*
Pull the lever, arrow4.
The system sprays washer fluid against the
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief
period.
With the vehicle lighting switched on, the head-
lamps and the BMW Night Vision camera are
also cleaned simultaneously at suitable inter-
vals.
Do not use the washing mechanisms if
there is any danger that the fluid will
freeze on the windshield. If you do so, your
vision could be obscured. To avoid freezing,
use a washer fluid antifreeze, refer to Washer
fluid. Do not use washing mechanisms when
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, otherwise
you will damage the washer pump.<
Controls
69Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are heated
when the engine is running or the ignition is
switched on.
Sports Wagon:
Rear window wiper
1Intermittent mode. When reverse gear is
engaged, continuous operation is switched
on automatically
2Cleaning the rear window
Do not use washing mechanisms when
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, other-
wise you will damage the washer pump.<
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. For
this reason, keep it away from ignition
sources and store only in the closed original
container out of reach of children. Otherwise,
there is the danger of bodily injury. Always
observe the instructions for use provided on the
containers.<
Filler neck for washer fluid
Only add washer fluid with the engine
cooled down to exclude contact with hot
engine components. Otherwise there is a dan-
ger of fire and to personal safety if the fluid is
spilled.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix
the washer fluid before filling.<
Capacity
Sedan:
Approx. 3.2 US quarts/3 liters, with headlamp
washer system
* approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters.
Sports Wagon: approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
The cruise control is available for use at speeds
of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h and higher. The
vehicle stores and maintains the speed that you
set using the lever mounted on the steering col-
umn. To maintain the specified speed, the sys-
tem brakes if the engine braking effect is not
sufficient on a downhill grade. Speed can drop
on uphill grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g. when driving on winding
roads, in heavy traffic or in poor road conditions
such as snow, rain, ice, loose road surface, and
poor visibility. Otherwise you could loose con-
trol of the vehicle and cause an accident.<
Driving tips
137Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
You can find valuable information on this topic
under Care, starting on page239.
528xi, 535xi
Avoid car washes with guide rail heights
over 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, there is dan-
ger of damaging chassis parts.<
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 page62 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.<
Make sure that no fluids leak in the cargo
bay; otherwise the vehicle could be dam-
aged.<
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.
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage
can be transported.
Care
240 ating instructions for the high-pressure clean-
ing jets.<
When using high-pressure cleaning jets,
do not remain in one place for a long time
and be sure to maintain a distance of at least
12 in/30 cm from sensors, e.g. Park Distance
Control sensors or radar sensors.<
Hand washing
When washing the vehicle by hand, use plenty
of water and car washing shampoo. Clean the
vehicle with gentle pressure using a sponge or a
washing brush.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or switch off the igni-
tion to prevent unwanted wiper operation.<
Follow local guidelines for washing vehi-
cles by hand.<
Headlamps
Do not rub dry and never use abrasives or
strong solvents to clean the covers.
Loosen dirt, e.g. insects, with shampoo or
insect remover and wash away with plenty of
water.
Use a window de-icer to remove accumulated
ice and snow, not a scraper.
Windows
Use a glass cleaner to clean the inside and out-
side surfaces of the windows and the glass sur-
faces of the mirrors.
Do not use quartz-containing cleansers
to clean glass surfaces of the mirrors.<
Wiper blades
Clean with soapy water and replace regularly to
prevent streaking.
The presence of wax and sealant residues
and dirt on the windows leads to streaking
during wiper operation and results in premature
wear on wiper blades as well as interference
with the rain sensor.<
Caring for the vehicle finish
Regular care helps your vehicle retain its value
and protects the paint from the long-term
effects of aggressive substances.
Regionally occurring environmental factors can
affect and damage vehicle finish. It is therefore
important to tailor the frequency and extent of
your car care accordingly.
Immediately remove particularly aggressive
substances such as spilled fuel, oil, grease,
brake fluid, tree resin, or bird droppings; other-
wise, they may damage your paint.
Repairing paint damage
Repair stone damage or scratches imme-
diately, depending on the severity of the
damage, to prevent the formation of rust.<
BMW recommends having paint damage pro-
fessionally repaired using Genuine BMW finish
materials in accordance with factory guidelines.
Waxing
Sealant is required when water no longer beads
on the clean surface of the paint. Use only prod-
ucts that contain carnauba wax or synthetic wax
to seal your finish.
Rubber gaskets
Treat only with water or a rubber care product.
To avoid noise or damage, do not use
products that contain silicone to care for
rubber gaskets.<
Chrome components
Particularly after exposure to road salt, thor-
oughly cleanse parts like the radiator grille, door
handles, or window frames with plenty of water
with shampoo added to it. For additional treat-
ment, use chrome polish.
Alloy wheels
Depending on your system, braking can gener-
ate dust, which settles on the light-alloy wheels.
Remove this dust regularly with acid-free wheel
cleaner.
Reference 277
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Flashing
– during locking/unlocking,
refer to Setting confirmation
signals31
– triple turn signal
activation67
Flashlight122
Flat tire
– changing wheels248
– compact wheel250
– Flat Tire Monitor94,95
– refer to Tire condition229
– run-flat tires95,97,229
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor96
– warning lamp95,97
Flat Tire Monitor94
– false alarms94
– initializing system94
– snow chains231
– system limits94
– warning lamp95
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid69
"FM", reception
range168,172
FM, waveband172
Fog lamps111
– indicator lamp13,111
Folding rear backrest126
– Sports Wagon127
Fold-over rear backrest126
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely136
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps111
Forward, fast
– CD changer185
– CD player185
For your own safety5
4-wheel drive system, refer to
xDrive92
Freeway, refer to Route
criteria154
Front airbags99
Front armrest, refer to Center
armrest, front122Front passenger airbags,
deactivating100
Front seat adjustment46
"FTM"95
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor94
Fuel221
– average consumption80
– display79
– high-quality brands221
– quality221
– specifications221
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities264
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge79
Fuel consumption display,
computer, average fuel
consumption80
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge79
Fuel-efficient driving
– refer to Energy control79
– refer to Saving fuel134
Fuel filler door220
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction220
Full mobile phone preparation
package194
Full screen display, refer to
Switching assistance
window off21
"Full screen" with BMW Night
Vision105
Fuses252
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control120
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel221
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge79
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission63General driving
notes134,135
Glass sunroof, electric41
– convenient operation from
outside32
– convenient operation with
comfort access39
– moving manually42
– remote control30
Glove compartment122
– flashlight122
– lighting122
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system142
Grills, refer to Ventilation117
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights263
H
Halogen lamps245
Handbrake63
– indicator lamp13,63
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone14
Hand washing240
Hazard warning flashers15
"HDC"92
HDC Hill Descent Control92
"HDC on"92
"HDC on / off"55
"HD radio"176
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio176
Head airbags99
Headlamp control,
automatic107
Headlamp flasher67
Headlamps107
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system68
– cleaning tank, refer to
Capacities264
– filler neck for washer
fluid233
– replacing bulbs245
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light109
Everything from A to Z
288 Venting, refer to
Ventilation117
Vent outlets113
– refer to Ventilation117
Vent outlets of automatic
climate control113
Vents, refer to Ventilation117
"Vent settings"115
Viscosity235
Voice, refer to Destination
guidance with voice
instructions159
Voice command system
– overview23
– short commands265
Voice instructions for
navigation system159
– muting55
– repeating55,160
– switching on/off55,159
– volume160
Voice phone book206
Volume168
– audio sources168
– cargo bay263
– fuel tank, refer to
Capacities264
– mobile phone200
– setting speed-
dependent170
– voice instructions160
– windshield cleaning system,
refer to Capacities264
W
Warning lamps, refer to
Indicator and warning
lamps13
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control83
Warning on leaving lane, refer
to Leaving lane warning105
Warning triangle253
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models237
Washer fluid69
– capacity of the reservoir69Waste container, refer to
Ashtray124
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water136
Water penetration239,240
Waveband for radio172
"WB"168,176
Wear indicators in tires, refer
to Minimum tread depth229
Weather news flashes175
Website BMW4
Weights263
Welcome lamps107
"Welcome light"108
Wheel/tire combination, refer
to New wheels and tires229
Wheel/tire damage229
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions261
Wheels and tires222
Width, refer to
Dimensions261
Windows40
– convenient operation30
– convenient operation from
outside32
– convenient operation with
comfort access39
– rear window, Sports
Wagon34
– safety switch41
Windshield
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system68
– defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows115
– displays, refer to Head-Up
Display101
Windshield wash
– automatic, refer to Rain
sensor68
– capacities, reservoir264
– filler neck for washer
fluid233
– rear window69
– washer fluid69
– windshield washer
nozzles69
– wiper system68Windshield wipers, refer to
Wiper system68
– wiper blade
replacement243
Winter tires230
– setting speed limit85
– storage230
Wiper blade replacement243
Wiper system68
– rain sensor68
– washer fluid69
– windshield washer
nozzles69
"With highways" in
navigation154
Word matching principle for
navigation155
Working in the engine
compartment232
Wrenches/screwdrivers, refer
to Onboard toolkit243
X
xDrive92
Xenon lamps245
– replacing bulbs245
Y
Your individual vehicle
– programmable buttons on
steering wheel54
– settings, refer to Personal
Profile28
Z
"Zoom" with BMW Night
Vision105