2009 BMW 525XI TOURING brake light

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
94
Displays in instrument cluster
1Display for target speed
2HDC display
Malfunction in driving-stability control
systems
The warning lamp for the brake system
lights up yellow, together with the indi-
cator lamps for ABS, DSC and Tire
Pressure Monitor or Flat Tire Monitor.
A message appears on the Control Dis-
play. The driving-stability control sys-
tems have failed. While you may con-
tinue, you should remember to proceed
cautiously and drive defensively while
avoiding full brake applications. The
Tire Pressure Monitor or the Flat Tire Monitor is
also malfunctioning. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction in Canadian models.
The DSC indicator lamp lights up. A
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. A malfunction has occurred in the
DSC and DTC. The stabilizing actions are no
longer available. The vehicle remains opera-
tional. Have the system checked as soon as
possible.The brake system warning lamp lights
up yellow. A message appears on the
Control Display. The brake assistant is
defective. Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction in Canadian models.
Starting assistant
The starting assistant enables you to start off
conveniently on slopes. The handbrake is not
required for this purpose.
1.Hold the vehicle with the brake.
2.Release the brake and begin to drive imme-
diately.
After releasing the brake, begin to drive
immediately; otherwise, the starting
assistant no longer holds the vehicle after
approx. 2 seconds and your vehicle will start to
roll backward.<
Dynamic Drive*
The concept
Dynamic Drive minimizes body roll and opti-
mizes vehicle stability during cornering and
evasive maneuvers.
Dynamic Drive is based on active stabilizers on
the front and rear axles. Suspension compli-
ance adapts to suit driving conditions, varying
from performance-oriented during cornering to
smooth and comfort-oriented when the vehicle
is proceeding in a straight line. During vehicle
operation, the system continuously runs
through closed-loop control cycles lasting only
fractions of a second.
The system assumes operational status each
time you start the engine.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
100 very direct. In the higher speed range, on the
other hand, the steering angle is reduced more
and more. This improves the handling capability
of your BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle
before the driver intervenes. This stabilizing
intervention is simultaneously deactivated
when DSC is switched off, refer to page92.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow and
a message is shown on the Control Dis-
play. Active steering is malfunctioning
or is temporarily deactivated. Greater steering
wheel movements are required at low speeds,
while the vehicle reacts more sensitively to
steering wheel movements at higher speeds. The stability-promoting intervention can also
be deactivated. Proceed cautiously and drive
defensively. Have the system checked if the
active steering is malfunctioning.
Brake force display
On the left: normal braking.
On the right: heavy braking.
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags
3Side airbags in front and rear
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
please observe the adjustment instructions on
page47.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered in
every impact situation, e. g. less severe acci-
dents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way. Do not attempt to
remove the airbag restraint system from the
vehicle. Do not modify or tamper with either the
wiring or the individual components in the air-
bag system. This category includes the uphol-

Controls
107Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
stating that the system is not active until this
speed is reached.
A warning will be canceled:
>after approx. 3 seconds
>if you return to your lane
>if you brake heavily
>if you signal
System limits
The leaving lane warning cannot serve as
a substitute for your personal judgment in
determining the course of the road.
If the system issues a warning, do not move the
steering wheel with unnecessary severity, as
otherwise you could loose control of the vehi-
cle.<
The function of the system may be limited in the
following example situations:
>in heavy fog, rain or snowfall
>with worn-away, poorly visible limit lines, or
lines that run together or apart or are
unclear, e.g. in road construction areas
>when limit lines are covered by snow, ice,
dirt or a great deal of water
>in tight curves or on narrow roads
>when limit lines are not white
>when limit lines are covered by objects
>when driving up close behind a vehicle driv-
ing ahead
>with bright counter light
>when the windshield is fogged up, dirty or
covered with stickers, vignettes etc. in the
area of the inside rearview mirror

Things to remember when driving
136 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 page229.
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.<
Using handbrake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle in
place for a long time by riding the clutch;
use the handbrake. Otherwise greater clutch
wear will result.<
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.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
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 can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos-
sibly even brake failure.<
The braking effect of the engine can be further
increased by downshifting, if necessary all the
way down into first gear. This strategy helps
you avoid placing excessive loads on the brake
system. For information on downshifting in the
manual mode of the automatic transmission,
refer to page65.
Do not drive with the clutch depressed, in
idle or with the engine switched off, other-
wise 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.
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 page55,
otherwise they could be damaged due to the
width of the vehicle.

Care
240 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 w a t e r n o l o ng e r b e a ds
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.
Do not use aggressive, acid-containing,
strongly alkaline, or coarse cleansers and
do not use steam cleaners at temperatures
greater than 1407/606; otherwise you may
damage your vehicle.<

Everything from A to Z
270
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System91
– indicator lamp94
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control71
Accepted calls202
Accessories6
Accident, refer to Emergency
request253
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control84
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control118
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation119
Active cruise control71
– indicator lamp75
– radar sensors75
– selecting distance73
– warning lamps75
Active front head restraints51
Active seat54
Active seat ventilation54
Active steering99
– warning lamp100
Adapter for spare key30
Adaptive brake assistant92
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display100
Adaptive Head Light110
"Add digits" in mobile phone
mode202Additives
– coolant235
– engine oil, refer to Approved
engine oils235
"Address book" in
navigation152
Address for navigation
– deleting153
– entering144,147
– selecting153
– storing152
– storing current position152
"Add to address book"152
"Add to destination
list"147,149
Adjusting active backrest
width49
Adjusting interior
temperature115
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control169
Adjusting thigh support48
"After door opened"50
"After unlocking"
50
Airbags100
– indicator/warning lamp102
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags101
– sitting safely47
Air distribution
– automatic115
– manual116
Airing, refer to Ventilation118
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control117
– recirculated-air mode117
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode117
"Air recirculation on / off"57Air supply, automatic climate
control114
Air volume116
AKI, refer to Fuel quality221
Alarm system39
– avoiding unintentional
alarms40
– interior motion sensor40
– switching off alarm40
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor40
– tilt alarm sensor40
"All channels"180
"All doors"33
Alloy wheels240
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires230
"All stations", requesting in
radio mode172
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive93
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Altering stretch of road160
"AM", reception
range168,172
Antenna for mobile phone194
Antifreeze
– coolant235
– washer fluid70
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system39
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system32
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights263
Approved engine oils235
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights263
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear127

Everything from A to Z
272 BMW Assist209
– activating215
– BMW TeleServices211
– concierge service212
– contacting BMW Customer
Relations212
– displaying vehicle data216
– offered services209
– roadside assistance210
– updating214
BMW Assist My Info213
"BMW Contact"204
"BMW Contact
Numbers"204
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance
system237
BMW Night Vision104
– activating105
– cleaning camera106
– cleaning camera, refer to
Wiper system69
– deactivating105
– making settings105
"BMW Service settings"214
BMW TeleServices211
BMW TeleServices services
– displaying212
– updating212
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders125
Bracket for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter207
Brake assistant91
– adaptive92
Brake force display100
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs246
– two-stage100
Brake rotors
– breaking-in134
– refer to Braking safely136Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System91
– brake assistant91
– brake force display100
– breaking-in134
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control91
– electronic brake-force
distribution91
– handbrake64
– refer to Braking safely136
– warning lamps13
Brake system134
– brake pads
134
– breaking-in134
– disk brakes136
– warning lamp94
Braking safely136
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance254
Breaking-in brake pads134
Breaking-in the clutch134
Breaking-in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential134
Break-in period134
"Brightness"89,103
Brightness of Control
Display88
"Brightness" with BMW Night
Vision106
Button for starting engine,
refer to Start/Stop button62
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
Warning6
"Call"202,213
Call
– accepting200
– displaying accepted203
– ending201
– in absence203
– rejecting201
– starting201Calling
– by entering phone
number201
– from phone book202
– from Top 8 list203
– redialing203
– refer to telephone operating
instructions
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders125
Capacities264
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery251
"Car Data"81
Care239
– car-care products239
– carpets241
– car washes239
– CD/DVD-player242
– chrome components240
– displays241
– exterior239
– fine wooden
components241
– hand washing240
– headlamps240
– high-pressure cleaning
jets239
– interior241
– leather241
– light-alloy wheels240
– paint240
– plastic components241
– rubber gaskets240
– safety belts241
– sensors and cameras241
– upholstery and cloth-
covered paneling241
– windows240
– wiper blades240
Cargo
– refer to Cargo loading137
– securing138
– securing with ski bag131

Reference 273
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Cargo bay
– capacity263
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually, Sports
Wagon38
– emergency release37
– expanding, Sports
Wagon128
– floor panel flap, refer to
Compartment in floor,
Sports Wagon129
– locking separately36
– opening/closing, refer to
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate36
– opening from inside36
– opening from inside, Sports
Wagon37
– opening from outside36
– opening from outside,
Sports Wagon37
– opening with remote
control33
Cargo bay cover, refer to Roll-
up cover128
Caring for the vehicle
finish240
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
control30
Car phone194
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest123
– refer to Mobile phone194
– refer to separate operating
instructions
Car radio, refer to Radio172
Car Shampoo241
Car wash63,136
– with comfort access42
Car washes239
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system135
"Categories"180
CBC Cornering Brake
Control91
CBS Condition Based
Service237
"CD"168,182CD changer182
– controls168
– fast forward/reverse186
– installation location186
– random sequence185
– repeating a track185
– sampling tracks184
– selecting a CD182
– selecting a track183
– switching on/off168
– tone control169
– volume
169
CD player182
– controls168
– fast forward/reverse186
– random sequence185
– repeating a track185
– sampling a track184
– selecting a track183
– switching on/off168
– tone control169
– volume169
Center armrest
– front123
– rear127
Center brake lamp247
Center console14
"Central locking"32
Central locking
– from inside35
– from outside32
Central locking system32
– comfort access40
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changes, technical, refer to
Parts and accessories6
Changing language on
Control Display89
Changing scale for
navigation158
Changing units of measure on
Control Display89
Changing wheels229,248
CHECK button85
Check Control84
"Check Control
messages"85
Check Gas Cap221Checking the air pressure,
refer to Tire inflation
pressure222
Child restraint fixing system
LATCH59
Child restraints58
Child restraint systems58
Child-safety lock61
Child seats, refer to
Transporting children
safely58
Chime, refer to Check
Control84
Chock249
Chrome-plated parts241
Chrome polish241
Cigarette lighter125
Cigarette lighter socket, refer
to Connecting electrical
devices126
Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care239
"Climate"53,115
Clock79
– 12h/24h format88
– hour signal88
– setting time and date87
Closing
– from inside35
– from outside32
Closing fuel filler cap221
Clothes hooks124
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting
engine63
Comfort access40
– observe in car wash42
– replacing battery, remote
control42
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
Comfort seat48
"Communication"200,210,2
11,213
Compact Disc
– refer to CD changer182
– refer to CD player182