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Reading lamps
Reading lamps are located in the front and rear 
adjacent to the interior lamps. Press the button 
to switch the lamps on and off. 

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Sun blinds for rear side windows
Pull the loop of the roller sun blind and hook 
onto bracket.
Do not open the window with the roller 
sun blind deployed. Otherwise, there is a 
risk of damage and injury at higher speeds.<
Glove compartment
Opening
Pull the handle. The light in the glove compart-
ment switches on.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent while the vehicle is being driven, 
close the glove compartment immediately after 
use.<
Closing
Raise the lid into the closed position.
Locking
Lock with a key.
If you only hand over the remote control 
without the integrated key, e.g. for valet 
parking, refer to page30, the glove compart-
ment cannot be unlocked.<
USB interface for data transmission
Port for importing and exporting data on USB 
devices, e.g. music collections.
Observe the following when connecting:
>Do not use force when plugging the con-
nector into the USB-audio interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or 
lamps to the USB-audio interface.
>Do not connect USB hard disks.
>Do not use the USB interface to recharge 
external devices. 
Front center armrest
The compartment in the center armrest is 
divided into two sections.
Opening cover
Press the button. The cover opens somewhat 
and can be folded upwards.
Depending on vehicle equipment, the upper 
section contains a compartment with a mat that 
can be removed for cleaning or a telephone cra-
dle
*. 

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In 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, 
page125.
Access to socket:
Remove respective cap or lighter.
Center armrest, rear
Storage tray: 
Pull the cover upward, arrow1.
Access to cup holders: 
Press button2 and open the cover.
Sedan: 
Through-loading system*
Opening
1.Release the buckle of the center seat belt in 
the rear seat using the latch plate of one of 
the other safety belts. Insert the latch plate at the end of the belt into the socket pro-
vided for it on the rear window shelf.
2.Push the corresponding head restraint 
down as far as it will go, refer to page52.
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- 

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With normal cargo bay
Pull the partition net out of the case by the loop. 
Grasp the rod on both sides and insert it in the 
brackets, arrow1. This is best carried out from 
the rear seat.
When you no longer require the partition net, 
grasp the rod on both sides and remove it from 
the brackets, arrow2. Then slowly allow the 
partition net to glide into the case.
With an expanded cargo bay
1.Fold down both rear backrests, refer to 
Expanding cargo bay.
2.Unlock the case on both sides with the but-
tons, arrow1.
3.Pull out the case downward, arrow2; avoid 
tilting when doing so.
4.Push the case into the guides on the backs 
of the backrests.
5.Carefully pull out the partition net and insert 
it in the front brackets as described in With 
normal cargo bay. This is best carried out 
from the front seat.
To restore the original state, proceed in the 
reverse order. Finally, lay the case in the two 
side brackets and then press forward until it 
engages. The red warning indicator disappears in the recess when the catch is engaged. Check 
whether the case is properly locked in place by 
pulling it with a sudden movement.
Compartment in floor
Automatic roll-up cover: the opened floor panel 
strikes against the roll-up cover in the end posi-
tion. If necessary, unhook the roll-up cover at 
the rear before opening the floor panel.
To open, reach into the recess and swing up the 
handle.
The floor panel flap can be locked.
The partitions in the compartment can be rear-
ranged.
Folding up spare tire cover
1.Swing up the cover.
2.Detach the hook from the bracket and hook 
into the floor panel flap.
Before swinging down, return the hook to its 
original position.
Storage area package*
Retaining straps
You can unhook the right-hand retaining strap, 
e.g. to open the side panel. To unhook at the  

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Thinking ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking. 
To do so, maintain the appropriate distance 
from the vehicle in front of you. An anticipatory 
and smooth driving style reduces fuel con-
sumption.
Avoiding high engine speeds
Use 1st gear only for starting off. Accelerate 
rapidly in 2nd gear and above. Avoid high 
engine speeds in doing so and shift into the 
next gear early.
When you have reached the desired speed, 
shift into the highest possible gear and drive 
with the lowest possible engine speed while 
maintaining a constant a vehicle speed.
In general: driving at a low engine speed 
reduces fuel consumption and minimizes wear.
Taking advantage of coasting
When approaching a red light, let off the gas 
and allow the vehicle to coast to a stop in the 
highest possible gear.
On steep roadways, let off the gas and allow the 
vehicle to roll in the appropriate gear.
The flow of fuel is interrupted when coasting.
Switching off the engine during longer 
stops
Switch off the engine at longer stops such as 
traffic signals, railroad crossings, or in traffic 
jams. Even having the engine switched off for 
approx. 4 seconds results in fuel savings.
Switching off functions currently not 
required
Functions such as the cooling function of the 
automatic climate control, seat heating or rear 
window defroster draw large amounts of power 
and consume additional fuel. Their influence is 
particularly pronounced in city traffic and stop & 
go operation. For this reason, it is a good idea to 
switch these functions off when they are not 
really needed.
Having maintenance carried out
Have the vehicle serviced regularly in order to 
achieve the optimum economy and service life 
of your vehicle. BMW recommends having the 
maintenance performed by a BMW center. Also 
please pay attention to the BMW maintenance 
system, refer to page237.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate is com-
pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could 
enter the interior of the vehicle.<
If it is absolutely necessary to drive with the lug-
gage compartment lid open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof or 
panorama glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic cli-
mate control to a high level, refer to 
page116.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed 
adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to 
them. When driving, standing at idle and while 
parking take care to avoid possible contact 
between the hot exhaust system and any highly 
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  

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You can find valuable information on this topic 
under Care, starting on page239.
528i xDrive, 535i xDrive
Avoid car washes with guide rail heights 
over 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, there is a dan-
ger of damaging chassis parts.<
Rear window wiper*
The rear window wiper can be damaged in car 
washes. Take appropriate protective measures; 
ask the car wash operator if necessary.
Automatic and sport automatic 
transmission
Follow the instructions on page63 so that the 
vehicle can roll.
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.
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. 

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528i
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Compact wheel
*:
T 135/80 R 17 102 M61/420
Traveling speeds up 
to max. of 100 mph/
160 km/hTraveling speeds including those exceed-
ing 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 17 95 W
245/45 R 17 99 V M+S XL32/220 33/230 32/220 33/230 35/240 42/290
225/50 R 17 94 V M+S
225/50 R 17 94 W
245/40 R 18 93 W
225/50 R 17 94 H M+S32/220 36/250 32/220 35/240 36/250 44/300
245/40 R 18 97 V M+S XL 32/220 38/260 32/220 38/260 38/260 45/310
Front: 245/40 R 18 93 W
Rear: 275/35 R 18 95 W32/220 33/230 32/220 33/230 36/250 42/290
Front: 245/35 R 19 93 Y XL
Rear: 275/30 R 19 96 Y XL32/220 38/260 32/220 33/230 35/240 42/290
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page263. 

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528i xDrive
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Compact wheel
*:
T 135/80 R 17 102 M61/420
Traveling speeds up 
to max. of 100 mph/
160 km/hTraveling speeds including those exceed-
ing 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 17 95 W
245/45 R 17 99 V M+S XL32/220 35/240 32/220 33/230 35/240 42/290
225/50 R 17 94 V M+S
225/50 R 17 94 W
225/50 R 17 94 H M+S
245/40 R 18 93 W
245/40 R 18 97 V M+S XL32/220 36/250 32/220 36/250 38/260 45/310
Front: 245/40 R 18 93 W
Rear: 275/35 R 18 95 W32/220 35/240 32/220 33/230 38/260 42/290
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page263.