2008 BMW M5 SEDAN load capacity

Practical interior accessories
110
Center armrest, rear
Storage tray:
Pull the cover upward, arrow1.
Access to cup holders:
Press button2 and open the cover.
Through-loading system*
Opening
1.Open the buckle of the center safety belt in
the rear and insert the latch plate at the end
of the belt into the fixture on the rear win-
dow shelf.
2.Push the corresponding head restraint
down as far as it will go, refer to page45.
3.To release the rear backrest, pull the corre-
sponding lever in the cargo bay.4.The unlocked rear backrest moves forward
slightly. Fold the backrest forward by the
head restraint.
Closing
1.Fold the rear backrest into the seating posi-
tion and engage.
When you return the seat to its upright
position, make sure that the catch
engages properly. If it is not properly engaged,
transported cargo could enter the vehicle dur-
ing braking or evasive maneuvers and endanger
the vehicle occupants.<
2.Release the latch plate from the bracket on
the rear window shelf and insert it into the
buckle of the center safety belt. Make sure
the latch plate audibly engages.
The lashing eyes in the cargo bay provide you
with a way to attach cargo-bay nets
* or luggage
straps for securing suitcases and luggage, refer
to page117.
Ski bag*
The ski bag is designed for safe, clean transport
o f up to 4 pairs of s tandard skis or up to 2 snow-
boards.
With the ski bag you can stow skis with a length
o f u p t o 6 . 9 f t / 2 . 1 0 m . W h e n s k i s o f 6 . 9 f t / 2 . 1 0 m
in length are loaded, the ski bag will tend to con-
tract, reducing its overall capacity.

Things to remember when driving
116
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 page48,
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.<
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.

Things to remember when driving
118
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option
for your BMW. Please comply with the precau-
tions included with the installation instructions.
Mounting points
The mounting points are located in the door
openings.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
its handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember not to
exceed the approved roof load capacity, the
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle loads
when loading the rack.
You can find the specified weights under
Weights on page232.
Distribute the roof load uniformly. The load
must not be too large in area. Always stow the
heaviest pieces on the bottom. Be sure that
adequate clearance is maintained for raising the
glass sunroof, and that objects do not project
into the opening path of the luggage compart-
ment lid.
Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and
braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.

Mobility
201Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits, otherwise violations of the law could
occur.
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed letter
Q = up to 100 mph/160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Z = over 150 mph/240 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT ... 3307 indicates that the
tire was manufactured in week 33 of 2007.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years. This also concerns the tire of the
spare wheel.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
up to max. of
100 mph/160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications
in the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
245/45 R 18 100 V XL M+S 35/240 38/260 35/240 38/260 41/280 46/320
255/40 ZR 19 36/250 - 36/250 - 41/280 -
285/35 ZR 19 - 36/250 - 36/250 - 46/320
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page232.
e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Belted construction – radial
Rim diameter in inches
Carrying capacity ID-code
(not in ZR tires)
Speed code letter
(in ZR tires before the R)
245/45 R18100 V
285/35 ZR19
e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 3307

Replacing components
220 the selector lever into a drive position with the
sequential transmission.
Have all vehicle occupants get out of the vehicle
and ensure that they remain outside the imme-
diate area in a safe place, such as behind a
guardrail.
If a warning triangle
* or portable hazard warning
lamp
* is r e q u ir e d, s et i t up o n t h e ro a d s i d e a t a n
appropriate distance from the rear of the vehi-
cle. Comply with all safety guidelines and regu-
lations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm surface
which is not slippery. The vehicle or the jack
could slip to the side if you attempt to raise the
vehicle on a soft or slippery surface such as
snow, ice, tiles, etc.
Position the jack on a firm support surface.
Do not use a wooden block or similar object as a
support base for the jack, as this would prevent
it from extending to its full support height and
reduce its load-carrying capacity.
To avoid serious or fatal injury: never lie under
the vehicle, and never start the engine while it is
supported by the jack.<
What you will need
To avoid rattling noises later on, note the posi-
tions of the tools before removing them, then
return them to their initial positions after com-
pleting work.
1Chock
*
2Vehicle jack*
3Lug wrench*
The tools are located in the hollow of the spare
wheel.
Spare wheel*
1.Pull back lock1, fold open tensioning lock2
completely and loosen the belt3.
2.Remove the cover4.
3.Remove the tool mount form the spare tire
and stow the belt in the net bag included if
necessary.
4.Remove the spare wheel.
Preparing wheel change
1.Observe the safety precautions above.
2.Prevent the vehicle from rolling:
Place the chock behind the front wheel on
the other side of the vehicle, or on inclines,
in front of this wheel. On steeply inclined
roads, always secure the vehicle against
rolling.
3.Loosen the lug bolts a half turn.
Jacking up vehicle
1.Position the vehicle jack at the jacking point
closest to the wheel so that the entire sur-
face of the jack base rests on the ground
perpendicularly beneath the jacking point.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not attempt
to raise another vehicle model with it or to
raise any load of any kind. To do so could
cause accidents and personal injury.<

Technical data
232
Weights
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Capacities
M5
Curb weight lbs./kg 4,012/1,820
Approved gross vehicle weight lbs./kg 5,071/2,300
Load lbs./kg 1,058/480
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,403/1,090
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,800/1,270
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 220/100
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/l 17.7/500
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters approx. 18.5/70 Fuel grade: page199
of that reserve US gal/liters approx. 4/15
Window and headlamp
washer system US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5 For more details: page63

Everything from A to Z
240 Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System79
– brake assistant80
– brake force display87
– breaking-in114
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control79
– electronic brake-force
distribution79
– handbrake58
– refer to Braking safely115
– warning lamps13
Brake system114
– brake pads114
– breaking-in114
– disk brakes115
– warning lamp81
Braking safely115
Breakdown, M Mobility
System217
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance224
Breaking-in brake pads114
Breaking-in the clutch114
Breaking-in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential114
Break-in period114
"Brightness"76,91
Brightness of Control
Display76
Button for starting engine,
refer to Start/Stop button56
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
Warning6
"Call"182,193
Call
– accepting181
– displaying accepted183
– ending181
– in absence183
– rejecting181
– starting181Calling
– by entering phone
number181
– from phone book182
– from Top 8 list183
– redialing183
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders108
Capacities232
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery222
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car Data"68
Care213
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo
– refer to Cargo loading116
– securing117
– securing with ski bag111
Cargo bay
– capacity232
– emergency release34
– opening/closing, refer to
Luggage compartment
lid33
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
– opening with remote
control31
– socket109
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochureCaring for the carpet, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
control28
Car phone174
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest106
– refer to Mobile phone174
– refer to separate operating
instructions
Car radio, refer to Radio152
Car wash116
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system114
"Categories"160
CBC Cornering Brake
Control79
CBS Condition Based
Service212
"CD"149,162
CD changer162
– controls148
– fast forward/reverse166
– installation location166
– random sequence165
– repeating a track165
– sampling tracks164
– selecting a CD163
– selecting a track163
– switching on/off148
– tone control149
– volume149
CD player162
– controls148
– fast forward/reverse166
– random sequence165
– repeating a track165
– sampling a track164
– selecting a track163
– switching on/off148
– tone control149
– volume149

Everything from A to Z
250 "Random", random play
sequence165
"Random all" in audio
mode166
"Random directory" in audio
mode165
"RDS"155
Reading lamps96
Rear armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear110
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps216
– replacing bulbs216
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints45
– folding over backrest110
– heating47
– removing head restraints45
Rear socket109
Rear ventilation101
Rearview mirror48
Rear window
– heating99
– roller sun blind, refer to Sun
blinds105
Rear window safety switch38
"Received calls"182
Reception
– quality155
– radio stations155
– regional station154
Reception level of mobile
phone, refer to Status
information20
Rechargeable flashlight106
Recirculated-air mode100
– air recirculation100
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control100
Reclining seat, refer to
Seats42
Recording times, refer to
Stopwatch74
"Redial" for mobile phone182
Redialing with mobile
phone187
Reflectors, refer to Tail
lamps216Refueling198
Releasing
– hood206
– locks, refer to Unlocking36
"Relock door if not
opened"32
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range68
Remaining distance to
destination, refer to
Computer68
Remote control28
– comfort access36
– garage door opener
104
– luggage compartment lid31
– malfunction31,37
– replacing battery37
Removing condensation on
the windows99
"Repeat directory" in audio
mode165
"Repeat" in audio mode165
"Repeat track" in audio
mode165
Replacement fuses222
Replacement of tires, refer to
Changing wheels219
Replacement remote control,
refer to New remote
controls28
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs214
Replacing tires203
Replacing wheels/tires, refer
to New wheels and tires203
Reporting safety defects7
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge67
"Reset"84,85
– stopwatch74
– tone settings151
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings151
"resetting FTM …"84
"Reset to default" with
MDrive51
Residual heat100Restraint systems
– for children53
– refer to Safety belts45
Retreaded tires203
Reverse, fast
– CD changer166
– CD player166
Reverse gear60
– manual transmission58
Road map138
"Roadside
Assistance"184,190
Roadside Assistance224
Roadside assistance190
Roadside parking lamps94
Roof load capacity232
Roof-mounted luggage
rack118
Rope, refer to Tow-starting
and towing225
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to
iDrive16
Route134
– bypassing sections
140
– changing140
– changing criteria134
– displaying137
– displaying arrow display137
– displaying map view138
– displaying streets or towns/
cities139
– selecting134
Route information, refer to
Destination guidance with
voice instructions139
Route map, refer to Displaying
map view138
"Route preference",
changing134
Route selection134
Rubber parts, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure