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 The symbol on the display of the automatic 
climate control flashes when the parked car 
ventilation has switched on.
The parked car ventilation is only avail-
able for activation within the next 
24 hours. Please reactivated it after this time.< 

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You can operate the device when the engine is 
running or when the ignition is switched on.
If the device fails to function even after 
repeated programming, check whether 
the original hand-held transmitter uses an alter-
nating-code system. To do so, either read the 
instructions for the original hand-held transmit-
ter or hold down the programmed memory 
button1 of the integrated universal remote 
control. If the LED2 on the integrated universal 
remote control flashes rapidly for a short time 
and then remains lit for approx. 2 seconds, this 
indicates that the original hand-held transmitter 
uses an alternating-code system. In the case of 
an alternating-code system, program the mem-
ory buttons1 as described at Alternating-code 
hand-held transmitters.<
Alternating-code hand-held 
transmitters
To program the integrated universal remote 
control, consult the operating instructions for 
the equipment to be set. You will find informa-
tion there on the possibilities for synchroniza-
tion.
When programming hand-held transmitters 
that employ an alternating code, please observe 
the following supplementary instructions:
P r o g ra m m in g  w i ll  b e  ea s i er  w it h  t h e  a i d  o f  
a second person.<
1.Park your vehicle within the range of the 
remote-controlled device.
2.Program the integrated universal remote 
control as described above in the section 
Fixed-code hand-held transmitters.
3.Locate the button on the receiver of the 
device to be set, e. g. on the drive unit.
4.Press the button on the receiver of the 
device to be set. After step 4, you have 
approx. 30 seconds for step 5.
5.Press the programmed memory button1 
of the integrated universal remote control 
three times.
The corresponding memory button 1 is now 
programmed with the signal of the original 
hand-held transmitter.If you have any additional questions, 
please contact your BMW center.<
Deleting all stored programs
Press the left and right-hand memory button1 
for approx. 20 seconds until the LED2 flashes 
quickly:
All stored programs are deleted.
Individual programs cannot be deleted.
Rememorizing individual programs
1.Hold the original handheld remote control 
approx. 10 to 30 cm away from the memory 
buttons1.
The required distance between the 
hand-held transmitter and the mem-
ory buttons1 depends on the relevant sys-
tem of the original hand-held transmitter 
used.<
2.Press the desired memory button1 of the 
integrated universal remote.
3.If the LED2 flashes slowly after approx. 
20 seconds, press the command button of 
the original hand-held transmitter. As soon 
as the LED2 flashes rapidly, release both 
buttons. If the LED2 does not flash rapidly 
after approx. 15 seconds, alter the distance 
and repeat the step.
Sun blinds*
Sun blind for rear window
Press the button on the driver's door. 

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Opening upper compartment
Press button and fold cover upward.
Accessing lower compartment
Press the button at the front and fold the upper 
compartment or the telephone cradle upward.
Ventilating lower compartment*
Push the slide in the lower compartment 
upward.
Depending on the automatic climate con-
trol setting, the temperature inside the 
ventilated compartment may be higher than in 
the rest of the interior. Should this be the case, 
push the slide downward to close off the venti-
lation.<
Adjusting
Push the illustrated section of the center arm-
rest into the desired position.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such 
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks 
over the vehicle's loudspeaker system:
>AUX-In connection, refer to page168.
>USB/audio interface
*, refer to page169.
Storage compartments
Storage compartments are located in the cen-
ter console and in the rear.
Storage nets are located on the backrests of the 
front seats, and a net
* is provided in the front 
passenger footwell.
Do not stow hard or sharp-edged objects 
in the storage nets or the net, otherwise 
there is an increased risk of injury in an acci-
dent.< 

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Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for 
example, use the lighter and burn themselves.<
Ashtray, rear*
Emptying
Press the entire cover down. The ashtray rises 
and can be removed.
Cigarette lighter, rear
Refer to Cigarette lighter, front.
Connecting electrical devices
Sockets
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, the cigarette lighter socket can be used as a 
power outlet for hand flashlights, car vacuum 
cleaners, etc., with power ratings of up to 
approx. 200 W at 12 V. Avoid damaging the 
socket due to inserting plugs of different 
shapes or sizes. The same is true for all power 
outlets in the vehicle.
In front passenger footwell
Access to socket:
Fold open the cover.
In the rear center console
Depending on the equipment, the sockets in 
the rear are covered with caps or equipped with 
a lighter. Refer to Cigarette lighter, front, 
page108.
Access to socket:
Remove respective cap or lighter.
In cargo bay
Access to socket:
Fold open the cover. 

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Loading
1.Fold down the center armrest, press the 
button and open the cover.
2.Press the button again; the cover in the 
cargo bay opens. If you press the button 
firmly the first time, this also opens the 
cover in the cargo bay.
3.Extend the ski bag between the front seats 
and fill it. The zipper facilitates access to the 
stowed items and drying of the ski bag.
4.Insert the latch plate of the ski bag retaining 
strap into the center safety belt buckle that 
is marked CENTER.
Only stow clean skis in the ski bag. Wrap sharp 
edges to prevent damage.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con-
tents. Tighten the retaining strap on the ten-
sioning buckle for this purpose.
Secure the ski bag in this way. If you fail to 
do so, it could endanger vehicle occu-
pants during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
To store the ski bag, perform the above steps in 
reverse order.
Removing ski bag
The ski bag can be completely removed, e.g. for 
faster drying or to allow you to put it to other 
uses.
1.Pull the handle forward and pull the ski bag 
up and out.
2.Close the cover in the cargo bay.
Your BMW center will be glad to provide 
you with more detailed information on the 
various items of equipment.< 

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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.<
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 page202.
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.<
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.
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. 

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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.
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward and as low 
as possible, placing it directly behind the 
rear backrest.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is 
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the 
opposite buckle.
>Do not pile objects higher than the top edge 
of the backrest.
Securing cargo
>Use the luggage net*, luggage straps, or 
securing straps to hold down small and 
lightweight luggage and cargo.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing 
larger and heavier objects are available at 
your BMW center. Four lashing eyes 
mounted in the cargo bay are used to 
secure these heavy-duty cargo straps, refer 
to illustration.
>Please observe the special instructions 
supplied with the heavy-duty cargo straps.
Position and secure the cargo as 
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the vehicle's occupants, for example if sud-
den braking or evasive maneuvers are neces-
sary.
Use only the lashing eyes to secure heavy-duty 
cargo straps, refer to illustration, otherwise the 
cargo straps could become detached or the 
vehicle could be damaged.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle 
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer 
to page232, as excessive loads can pose a 
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws. 
You should never transport unsecured heavy or 
hard objects in the passenger compartment, as 
they could fly around and pose a safety hazard 
to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.< 

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BMW M5 Engineering
V10 High Output Engine
With a 305 cu in/5 liter displacement, the high-
speed V10 engine generates a maximum out-
put of 373 kW and a maximum torque of 
384 lb ft/520 Nm. Its spontaneous response 
characteristics yield a very broad usable engine 
speed range. At the maximum engine speed of 
8250 rpm, the flow of fuel is interrupted in order 
to protect the engine. Due to the powerful 
engine dynamics, when the vehicle is at rest, 
the maximum engine speed is limited to 
7000 rpm.
Warming up
The emissions control system causes the 
V10 high-output engine to have slightly 
rougher running characteristics during its 
warm-up phase.
When the engine is cold, the exhaust system 
has a slightly metallic undertone due to the sys-
tem design.
For additional information of warming up, refer 
to Tachometer on page66 and Engine oil tem-
perature on page67.
Compound brake
Your BMW M5 has a high-performance brake 
s y s t em  wi t h  p e rf o ra t e d  c o m p o u n d  b r a k e  r o t o r s .
Due to the special structural features of these 
brake rotors, function noises occur during brak-
ing, but this has no effect on the performance, 
operating safety, and stability of the brakes.
Braking correctly
In order to keep the brake system in optimum 
condition, it is useful to put them under load at 
regular intervals in accordance with the nature 
of the vehicle.
Also refer to Corrosion on brake rotors on 
page115.
Drive train
In your BMW M5, particular importance was 
attached to the direct connection of the engine 
to the drive system. Due to the torsionally rigid 
design of the drive train, the transmission of the 
torque is also audible, as is customary in a 
sports car. As a result, load shifts can be dis-
tinctly audible. This does not in any way impair 
the function or the service life of the compo-
nents.