
528i
535i
550i
528i xDrive
535i xDriveOwner's Manual for Vehicle
Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with 
enhanced control and security when you drive it. We therefore 
have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize 
yourself with the information that we have compiled for you 
before starting off in your new vehicle. It contains important data 
and instructions intended to assist you in gaining maximum use 
and satisfaction from your BMW's unique range of technical fea-
tures. The manual also contains information on maintenance 
designed to enhance operating safety and contribute to main-
taining the value of your BMW throughout an extended service 
life.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet for US models or a Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG  

Opening and closing
30
Opening and closing
Keys/remote control
1Remote control with integrated key
2Spare key
3Adapter for spare key, in glove compart-
ment
Remote control with integrated key
Each remote control contains a battery which is 
charged in the ignition lock while driving. Drive a 
longer distance with each remote control at 
least twice a year to keep the battery charged. 
In cars with convenient access
*, the remote 
control contains a replaceable battery, refer to 
page42.
Depending on which remote control is detected 
by the vehicle during unlocking, different set-
tings are activated and executed in the vehicle, 
refer to Personal Profile, page31.
Information on the required for maintenance is 
also stored in the remote control, refer to Ser-
vice data in remote control, page237.
Integrated key
Press button1 to unlock the key.
The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Glove compartment, refer to page123
>Sports Wagon: floor panel flap in cargo bay, 
refer to page129
>Driver's door, refer to page34
>Luggage compartment lid, refer to page36.
New remote controls
To obtain additional or replace lost keys, new 
remote controls with an integrated key are 
available at your BMW center.
Spare key
Store the spare key in a safe place such as your 
wallet. This key is not intended for regular use.
The spare key and integrated key fit the same 
locks.
Adapter for spare key
The adapter is required so that the vehicle can 
be started with the spare key or radio readiness 
can be switched on. 

Controls
 45Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
desired direction. The arrow below indi-
cates the rotation direction for closing.
Sports Wagon: 
Panorama glass sunroof
The panorama glass sunroof is ready for opera-
tion when the ignition is switched on, refer to 
page62.
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the panorama glass sunroof and 
keep it in your field of vision until it is closed. 
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for 
example, operate the roof and injure them-
selves.<
Raising
Press the switch. 
The closed sunroof is raised and the sliding 
visor opens slightly.
Do not use force to close the sliding visor 
with the glass sunroof in its raised posi-
tion, otherwise the mechanism will be dam-
aged.<
Opening, closing
Sliding visor
You can move the sliding visor independently 
with the sunroof closed or raised.
>Slide the switch back to the resistance 
point. 
The sliding visor opens as long as you keep 
the switch in this position.
>Briefly press the switch back beyond the 
resistance point. 
The sliding visor will open automatically. 
Briefly pressing the switch stops the 
motion.
You can close the sliding visor in a similar man-
ner by sliding the switch forwards.
Panorama glass sunroof
With the sliding visor open, proceed as 
described under Sliding visor.
For information on convenient operation via the 
remote control or door lock, refer to page33 
or34.
For information on comfort closing with comfort 
access, refer to page41.
Opening and closing sunroof and 
sliding visor together
Briefly press the switch beyond the resistance 
point twice consecutively.
Briefly pressing the switch stops the motion.
Comfort modes
>Press the switch twice with the sunroof 
open: 
The sunroof is raised.
>When the sunroof is raised, briefly press the 
switch twice in the opening direction: 
The sunroof is opened all the way.
Comfort position
The sunroof is not completely open in the com-
fort position. This reduces the wind noises in 
the interior. 

Transporting children safely
58
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger 
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening 
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place 
for children is on the rear seat.
Children younger than 13 years of age or 
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only 
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and 
height of the child. Otherwise there is an 
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a 
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint 
system can no longer be used due to their age, 
size and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it ever be necessary to use a child 
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front and side airbags on the passen-
ger side must first be deactivated. Otherwise, 
there is an increased risk of injury for the child if 
the airbags are triggered, even with a child 
restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the front passenger airbags, refer to 
page101.
Installing child restraint 
systems
Observe the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions for selection, 
installation and use of the child restraint sys-
tems. Otherwise the degree of protection may 
be reduced.<
Backrest width* on front passenger 
seat
Open the backrest width setting of the 
front passenger seat all the way. After 
mounting the child's seat, deactivate the active 
backrest width adjustment and do not call up 
any memory position. Otherwise this limits the 
stability of the child's seat on the front passen-
ger seat.<
1.After unlocking the vehicle, sit on the front 
passenger seat and close the door to call up 
the memory position.
2.Completely open the backrest width adjust-
ment, refer to page48.
3.Deactivate active backrest width adjust-
ment, refer to page49.
4.Install child's seat.
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the 
front passenger can be locked against pulling 
out to secure child restraint systems.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to retract and pull 
taut against the child restraint system. The 
safety belt is locked. 

Controls
 59Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the belt webbing to retract com-
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fixing system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
Follow the system manufacturer's 
instructions on installation and use of 
LATCH child restraint systems in order not to 
impair their protective function.<
Before attaching the LATCH child's seat, pull 
the belt away from the region of the child 
restraint fixing system.
Make sure that the LATCH mounts have 
properly clicked into place and that the 
child restraint system is resting snugly against 
the backrest. Otherwise, the protective action 
may be impeded.<
Sedan: rear seats
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located at the positions indicated by arrows in 
the gap between the seat and the backrest.
Sedan: rear seats with through-loading 
system*
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located behind the indicated protective caps. 
Remove the cover caps before mounting the 
child's seat.
 Sports Wagon: rear seats
The anchor points for the lower LATCH 
anchors are located behind the labeled covers.
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located behind the indicated protective caps 
and are covered again after the child's seat is 
removed.
Child restraint system with tether strap
Only use the tether-strap mounting 
points to secure child restraint systems, 
otherwise the mounting points could be dam-
aged.< 

Transporting children safely
60
Sedan
There are three additional mounting points for 
child restraint systems with a tether strap, refer 
to arrows. Fold the corresponding mounting 
point upward before using.
Sports Wagon
Three additional mounting points for child 
restraint systems with a tether strap are pro-
vided under covers in the cargo bay floor, refer 
to arrows. Remove the corresponding covers 
before use.
Placement of tether strap
Make sure that the upper retaining strap 
is not routed over sharp edges and does 
not twist on its way to the upper mounting point; 
otherwise, the belt may not properly secure the 
child restraint system in the event of an acci-
dent.<
Outer rear seat, Sedan
Outer rear seats, Sports Wagon
1Direction of travel
2Head restraints
3Hook of upper retaining strap
4Mounting point
5Rear window shelf/luggage compartment 
floor
6Backrest
7Upper retaining strap of child restraint sys-
tem
Fold upward or remove covers before using the 
mounting points.
1.Slide the head restraint upward.
2.Thread the upper retaining strap between 
the head restraint supports. 

Controls
 65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 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, page63.<
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 page63<
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 the selector lever toward the left from 
transmission 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. 

Everything under control
86
Indication of malfunction urgency
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the 
stored Check Control messages are also dis-
played with the following symbols:
No malfunctions are present in the moni-
tored systems.
Malfunctions are present in the moni-
tored systems. Depending on the mal-
function, supplementary information is 
shown on the Control Display.
The symbols also indicate the status of the ser-
vice requirements display, refer to page82.
Displays after completion of trip
Malfunction reports generated during the trip 
are shown consecutively when you switch off 
the ignition.
Before the display disappears, you can display 
the messages once again. Press the CHECK 
button for approx. 2 seconds. If several mes-
sages are present, you can continue to press 
the CHECK button to view them in succession.
The display goes out
>after a short time
>when you press the CHECK button again 
for approx. 2 seconds
Speed limit
You can enter a speed and a Check Control 
message indicates when you have reached this 
speed. This enables you, for example, to 
receive warnings if you exceed a speed limit in 
an urban area.
You are only warned of reaching this speed a second time if your vehicle speed falls below it 
again by at least 3 mph/5 km/h.
Displaying, setting or changing limit
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*:
Open "Car Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4.Select "Limit" and press the controller.
5.Select the speed value and press the con-
troller.
6.Turn the controller to set the limit.
7.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The limit is activated.
Applying your current speed as limit
Select "Select current speed" and press the 
controller. The system adopts your current 
speed as the limit.
Activating/deactivating the limit
Select "On" and press the controller.
 The limit is activated.
Stopwatch
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*:
Open "Car Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.