2008 BMW 535XI SEDAN transmission

Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Indicator lamps for turn signals
2Speedometer
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Displays for
>Active cruise control
*70
>Leaving lane warning
*106
5Tachometer78
6Energy Control79
7Display for
>Clock/date78
>Outside temperature78
>Indicator and warning lamps83
>Speed of cruise control
*69
>Desired speed for active cruise
control
*708Display for
>Odometer and trip odometer78
>Computer79
>Date and remaining travel distance
for service requirements81
>Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
*63
>Sport automatic transmission
*66
>HDC Hill Descent Control
*93
>High-beam assistant
*110
> Check Control message present83
9Fuel gauge79
10Resetting trip odometer78

Controls
39Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Locking
>On the driver's door, touch the highlighted
surface, arrow2, with a finger for approx.
1 second, but do not grasp the door handle.
>On the remaining doors, touch the high-
lighted surface, arrow3, with the back of
your hand for approx. 1 second, but do not
grasp the door handle.
This corresponds to pressing the but-
ton.
Please make sure that the ignition and all
electronic systems/consumers are
switched off before locking to save the bat-
tery.<
Comfort closing
Hold a finger or the back of your hand against
the surface, arrow2 or 3, but do not grasp the
door handle while doing so.
The windows and the glass sunroof
* are
closed.
Watch during the closing process to be
sure that no one is injured. Removing the
hand from the door handle stops the closing
process immediately.<
Opening luggage compartment lid/
tailgate separately
Press the button on the luggage compartment
lid/tailgate. This corresponds to pressing the
button.
If a remote control accidentally left in the
cargo bay is detected in the locked vehi-
cle after closing the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate or the rear window, the lid or rear win-
dow opens again. The hazard warning flashers
flash and a signal
* sounds.<
Sports Wagon: opening rear window
separately
Press the button on the rear window, refer to
page34.
Switching on radio readiness
By pressing the Start/Stop button, you switch
on the radio readiness, refer to page61.
When doing so, do not depress the brake
or clutch pedal, otherwise the engine will
start immediately.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion if a remote control is located in the interior
of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in the igni-
tion lock, refer to page61.
If you take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle with the engine running, a
warning lamp lights up. In addition, a message
appears on the Control Display. As long as no
remote control is detected, it is only possible to
restart the engine within approx. 10 seconds
after it is switched off.
Switching off engine with automatic
and sport automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off in trans-
mission position P, refer to page62.
To switch off the engine in transmission posi-
tion N, the remote control must be inserted in
the ignition lock.
Before driving into a car wash with
automatic and sport automatic
transmission
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2.Depress brake pedal.
3.Engage transmission position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
The vehicle can roll.

Controls
61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Driving
Ignition lock
Inserting remote control into ignition
lock
Insert the remote control as far as possible into
the ignition lock.
Radio readiness switches on.
Some electronic systems/consumers are ready
for operation.
Comfort access*
With comfort access, only insert the remote
control into the ignition lock in exceptional
cases, refer to page38.
Removing remote control from ignition
lock
Do not pull the remote control out of the
ignition lock using force, as otherwise
damage may result.<
Before removing the remote control, first press
it in as far as possible to release the locking
device.
The ignition is switched off if it was still
switched on.
Automatic and sport automatic
transmission
The remote control can only be removed when
transmission position P is selected: interlock.
Start/Stop button
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches the
radio readiness or the ignition on and off.
The engine is started when you press the
Start/Stop button and depress the clutch
if the car has manual transmission or the brake if
the car has automatic transmission.<
Radio readiness
Some electronic systems/consumers are ready
for operation. The time and outside tempera-
ture are displayed in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is switched off:
>when the remote control is removed from
the ignition lock
>with comfort access
* by touching the sur-
face on the door handle, refer to Locking on
page39
Ignition on
All electronic systems/consumers are ready for
operation. The odometer and the trip odometer
are displayed in the instrument cluster, refer to
page78.
Please switch off the ignition and the
electronic systems/consumers which are
not required when the engine is not running to
save the battery.<

Driving
62
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, select the idling position, or shift the trans-
mission into position P and firmly apply the
handbrake, otherwise the vehicle can begin to
roll.<
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.<
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.
Manual transmission
Remote control in ignition lock or with comfort
access in vehicle, refer to page38.
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Depress the clutch pedal and shift into
idling position.3.Press the Start/Stop button.
Automatic and sport automatic
transmission*
Remote control in ignition lock or with comfort
access in vehicle, refer to page38.
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Press the Start/Stop button.
Switching off engine
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
remote control with you.
When parking, firmly apply the handbrake, as
otherwise the vehicle could roll.<
Manual transmission
1.Press the Start/Stop button with the vehicle
stopped.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Firmly apply the handbrake.
4.Remove the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page61.
Automatic and sport automatic
transmission*
1.Shift transmission into position P with the
vehicle stopped.
2.Press the Start/Stop button.
3.Firmly apply the handbrake.
4.Remove the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page61.
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle can roll if you proceed according to
the following steps:
1.With comfort access: insert the remote con-
trol into the ignition lock.
2.Depress brake pedal.
3.Shift into transmission position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
Transmission position P will be engaged:
>automatically after approx. 30 minutes

Controls
63Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>if you remove the remote control from the
ignition lock
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes
the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up, and a sig-
nal also sounds when starting off. The
handbrake is applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and
lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should
make it necessary to apply the handbrake
while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it too
firmly. In doing so, continuously press the but-
ton of the handbrake lever. Otherwise, too firm
an application of the handbrake can lock up the
rear wheels and cause the rear of the car to
swerve.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the hand-
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the hand-
brake is applied.<
Manual transmission
While shifting in the 5th/6th gear lane,
press the gearshift lever toward the right,
otherwise accidental shifting into the 3rd or 4th
gear could result in engine damage.<
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
When pressing the gearshift lever to the left,
overcome some resistance.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to
page64.
Transmission positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in instrument cluster
P R N D DS S1* to S6* M1 to M6
The transmission position is indicated, and in
the manual mode, the gear currently engaged.

Driving
64
Engaging transmission position
>Do not leave the transmission position P
until the engine is running: interlock.
>With the vehicle stationary, depress the
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N;
otherwise the shift command will not be
executed: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping
after you select a driving position,
maintain pressure on the brake pedal until
you are ready to start.<
Engaging N, D, R
Briefly press the selector lever in the desired
direction, beyond a resistance point if neces-
sary. Press button1 simultaneously out of P or
into R.
The engaged transmission position is also dis-
played on the selector lever.
The selector lever immediately returns to the
center position when released.
Engaging P
Press buttonP.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
The rear wheels are locked.
P is engaged automatically as soon as
you switch off the engine unless N is
engaged and with comfort access the remote
control is inserted in the ignition lock, refer to
Before driving into a car wash, page62.<
N Neutral
Can, for example, be engaged in automatic car
washes. The vehicle can roll.
N remains engaged even after the engine
is switched off whenever you leave the
remote control in the ignition lock. This function
is useful, for example, in automatic car washes,
refer to page62<
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are available.
Kick-down
Kick-down enables you to achieve maximum
performance.
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the
increased resistance at full throttle.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Press selector lever toward the left from trans-
mission position D:
The sport program is activated, and DS is dis-
played in the instrument cluster; with the sport
automatic transmission
* also S1 to S6. This
position is recommended for a performance-
oriented driving style.

Controls
65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
When the selector lever is pressed forward or
back, the manual mode is activated and the
Steptronic shifts the gear. The instrument clus-
ter shows M1 through M6.
Upshifts and downshifts are only carried out at a
suitable engine and vehicle speed, e.g. a down-
shift is not carried out at excessively high
engine speeds. The selected gear is briefly dis-
played in the instrument cluster, followed by the
current gear.
To resume automatic mode, press the selector
lever to the right.
Manually unlocking and locking
transmission lock
In case of a power failure, e.g. when the battery
is drained or disconnected, or an electrical fault,
manually release the transmission lock, as oth-
erwise the rear wheels are blocked and the
vehicle cannot be towed.
Only manually release the transmission lock for
towing and firmly apply the handbrake before-
hand so that the vehicle cannot roll. Reengage
the transmission lock after parking the vehicle
at its destination.
Unlocking
1.Reach into the trim-piece opening, arrow1,
and firmly pull the trim piece upward,
arrow2.
2.Remove cover over the opening, refer to 3.3.Insert a screwdriver from the onboard tool
kit, refer to page237, into the opening,
arrow1.
4.Pull the screwdriver toward the rear until it is
heard to engage, arrow2, and leave it
inserted in the opening. The transmission
lock is released.
Releasing on sport automatic
transmission*
1.Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
2.Pull the sleeve over the selector lever.
3.Reach into the trim-piece opening, arrow1,
and firmly pull the trim piece upward,
arrow2.
4.Remove cover over the opening, refer to 5.

Driving
66 5.Insert a screwdriver from the onboard tool
kit, refer to page237, into the opening,
arrow1.
6.Pull the screwdriver toward the rear until it is
heard to engage, arrow2, and leave it
inserted in the opening. The transmission
lock is released.
Locking
1.Pull out the screwdriver upward.
The transmission lock is locked again.
2.Reinstall the cover and the trim piece.
Information on jump starting and towing from
page248.
Sport automatic
transmission*
You can also shift manually with two shift pad-
dles on the steering wheel.
You can also choose between two driving pro-
grams: Normal or Sport, refer to Dynamic Driv-
ing Control.
Shift paddles on steering wheel
The shift paddles allow you to shift gears
quickly, as both hands can remain on the steer-
ing wheel.
>When you use the shift paddles on the
steering wheel to shift gears in automatic
mode, the gearshift system switches into
the manual mode.
>If you do not shift with the shift paddles and
do not accelerate for a certain time, the sys-
tem switches into the automatic mode
again when the selector lever is in D.
>To shift up: pull one of the shift paddles.
>To shift down: press one of the shift pad-
dles.
Dynamic Driving Control
The Dynamic Driving Control makes it possible
for your BMW to react in an even more perfor-
mance-oriented manner at the push of a button:
>The speed range of the engine is optimally
utilized.
>Gearshifts are faster.
>The engine responds more spontaneously
to accelerator pedal movements.
>The steering will operate in an even sportier
mode.
>In the automatic mode, the 6th gear is not
engaged.