2009 BMW 530I TOURING city light

Driving
72 Active cruise control represents a technological
advance over the familiar cruise control and is a
welcome relief from the constant adjustment of
speed that can accompany driving in traffic on
freeways or other high-speed thoroughfares.
Especially on longer trips and in traffic conges-
tion, the system can reduce fatigue and tension,
while increasing your enjoyment of driving.
Please use it safely and responsibly.
In addition to holding a steady cruising speed, if
you encounter slower vehicles ahead, active
cruise control will, within limits, adjust your
vehicle's speed automatically so that you can
flow with the traffic without having to make con-
stant adjustments. If, for example, while cruis-
ing at the selected speed, you begin to
approach a slower vehicle ahead of you in the
same lane, the system will reduce your vehicle's
speed to the same as that of the vehicle ahead
to maintain your selected distance setting. You
can vary the following distance, which will vary
with speed. Based on your selected distance
setting, the system automatically decreases the
throttle setting and lightly applies the brakes if
necessary. In addition, if the vehicle ahead of
you slows to a complete stop, the system can
follow this action within the given scope and
can also accelerate from a complete stop if the
vehicle ahead of you drives off again shortly
thereafter. During braking, your vehicle brake
lamps will automatically illuminate to alert a fol-
lowing driver to take action. In addition, it may
be necessary for your vehicle to downshift the
automatic transmission to maintain the dis-
tance setting selected. As soon as the road in
front of you has no moving vehicles, the system
will accelerate to your desired speed. This set
speed is also maintained on downhill grades,
however the vehicle speed can drop below the
set speed when driving uphill if the engine out-
put is not sufficient.
Active cruise control cannot detect stop
signs, red lights, or any object that is
stopped or is blocking the road.
Active cruise control is not and must not be
used as a collision avoidance/warning system.
Since this active cruise control system is a new
technology and operates differently from con-ventional cruise control systems which you may
be accustomed to, it is necessary that you read
all of the pages relating to this system before
use. Carefully read and observe the information
on the system limitations beginning on page76
to obtain a good command of the system and its
range of applications.<
Brake pedal feel
When the system brakes and you also depress
the brake pedal, a somewhat different braking
feel results.
Professional* navigation system
If a navigation DVD is in the drive, refer to
page142, within limits the system adjusts the
accelerating and braking behavior of the vehicle
to the road you are driving on.
To ensure that the system is informed of
the current course of the road, always use
the latest navigation DVD if possible.<
When the vehicle position is unknown, e. g.
when you leave the map area, this influence of
the navigation system is not available.
Applications
Please try the system first during sparse traffic
and clear road conditions so that you can get
used to the system. After you have experience
and understand the system, only then use it
during normal traffic.
As with conventional cruise control systems,
active cruise control in no way reduces or sub-
stitutes for the driver's own personal experi-
ence, responsibility, alertness and awareness in
adjusting speed, braking or otherwise control-
ling the vehicle. The driver should decide when
to use the system on the basis of road, traffic,
visibility, and weather conditions. Active cruise
control is intended for use on highway-type
roadways where traffic is moving relatively
smoothly as well as in slow-moving traffic. Do
not use the system in city driving; in complex
driving situations; heavy traffic such as during
rush hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery
roads or roads with sharp curves such as high-
way off-ramps; during inclement weather such

Driving
76 Do not apply adhesive labels etc. in the area of
the short-range sensors.If the sensor is not aligned properly, e. g. due to
damage, the active cruise control cannot be
activated.
System limitations
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise
controlling the vehicle. The driver should
decide when to use the system on the basis of
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions.
Active cruise control is intended for use on
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in
city driving; in complex driving situations; on
curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or roads
with sharp curves such as highway off-ramps;
during inclement weather such as snow, strong
rain or fog; or when entering interchanges, ser-
vice/parking areas or toll booths. It is also
important to regulate your vehicle's speed and
distance setting within applicable legal limits.
Always be ready to take action or apply the
brakes if necessary, especially when the sys-
tem is actively following a vehicle in front of
you.<
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system do have physical limita-
tions. For example, the system may not detect
vehicles driving ahead if they suddenly brake
heavily in stop-and-go traffic during accelera-
tion. The system will not apply the brakes or
slow your vehicle when a very slow-moving
vehicle, stopped vehicle or stationary object is
in the lane ahead of you, for example when
approaching a traffic light or parked vehicle or
when a vehicle is stalled in your lane. Also, the system does not react to oncoming traffic,
pedestrians or other types of potential traffic
s u c h a s a r i d e r o n a h o r s e b a c k . I t i s a l s o p o s s i b l e
that the system may not detect smaller moving
objects such as motorcycles or bicycles. Be
especially alert when encountering any of these
situations as the system will neither automati-
cally brake, nor provide a warning to you. Also,
be aware that every decrease in the distance
setting allows your vehicle to come closer to a
vehicle in front of you and requires a heightened
amount of alertness.<
The system cannot allow the vehicle to drive off
automatically in situations that make driving off
considerably more difficult, e.g. on steep uphill
grades, with a heavy trailer or before raised
areas in the road.
Near radio astronomy stations, the system
radar is deactivated at speeds under 20 mph/
30 km/h due to legal regulations.
Be certain to interrupt the system when
you pull into an exit lane for a highway
offramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's
reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause
the system to react to a vehicle that is actually in
the lane next to yours. Always be ready to take
action or apply the brakes if necessary.
In addition, the system is interrupted
whenever the driver applies the vehicle
brakes, shifts the transmission from drive/D to

Everything under control
80
Energy Control
Displays the current fuel consumption. This
allows you to see whether your current driving
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 18.5 US gal/
70 liters, including the reserve capacity of
approx. 2.1 US gal/8 liters.
550i: approx. 2.6 US gal/10 liters reserve
capacity.
You will find information on refueling on
page220.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
After the reserve quantity has been reached, a
message briefly appears on the Control Display;
the remaining range is shown in the computer.
Below a range of approx. 30 miles/50 km, the
message remains on the Control Display.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Computer
Displays in instrument cluster
Press the button on the turn signal lever.
The following information is displayed in the
specified order:
>Cruising range
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
>No information
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available
with the remaining fuel. The range is projected
based on the driving style over the last 20 miles/
30 km.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Average speed
Periods with the vehicle parked and the engine
switched off are not included in the calculations
of average speed.
To reset average speed: press BC button on
turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for
the time during which the engine is running.

Driving tips
135Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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

Destination entry
148 volume, avoiding excessive emphasis and
pauses.
The system can suggest up to 20 destina-
tions that match your entries. Up to
6 entries are displayed at once on the Con-
trol Display.
The town/city can also be selected from the list
via iDrive:
Turn the controller until the destination is
selected and press the controller.
Entering the destination as an entire
word*
Towns/cities and streets located in the region
where the language of the voice command sys-
tem is spoken can be entered as an entire word.
Example: to enter a US destination as an entire
word, the system language must be English.
Speak smoothly and at normal volume, avoiding
excessive emphasis and pauses.1.Wait for the system to request the destina-
tion.
The system can suggest up to 6 destina-
tions that match your entries.
The town/city can also be selected from the list
via iDrive:
Turn the controller until the destination is
selected and press the controller.
Destinations that sound the same which
cannot be differentiated by the system
are summarized in a separate list and shown as
a destination followed by three dots.
Select this entry with {Yes} if necessary. Then
select the desired town/city from this list.<
Entering street and house number
The street is entered in the same way as the
destination.
To enter the house number:
Up to 4-digit house numbers can be entered.
Say the house number as individual numbers. 1.Spell town/city name:
Say at least the first three letters of the
destination. The more letters you say,
the more exactly the system recognizes
the town/city.
A destination is suggested by the system.
2.Select town/city:
>Select highlighted town/city: {Yes}
>Select other town/city: {No}
>Select entry, e.g. {Entry 3}
>To show other entries in the list:
{Next page}
>To respell the town/city: {Repeat}
2.Say the name of the destination.
A destination is suggested by the system.
3.Select town/city:
>Select highlighted town/city: {Yes}
>Select other town/city: {No}
>Select entry, e.g. {Entry 3}
>To reenter the town/city: {Repeat}
>To enter the town/city by spelling:
{Spell}
1.{House number}
2.Say the house number.

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

Everything from A to Z
288 Units
– average fuel
consumption89
– temperature89
Universal garage-door
opener, refer to Integrated
universal remote
control121
Universal remote control121
"Unlock button"32
Unlocking
– from inside35
– from outside32
– setting unlocking
behavior32
– without key, refer to Comfort
access40
Unlocking without key, refer to
Comfort access40
"Update services"215
USB-audio interface/mobile
phone audio interface189
"USB" in audio mode190
"Use current location as
address"152,154
Used batteries
– refer to Disposal251
– refer to Replacing battery42
Using turn signals68
V
Valve screw caps, refer to
After mounting250
Vehicle
– battery251
– breaking-in134
– loading137
– measurements, refer to
Dimensions261
– parking63
– weights263
"Vehicle / Tires" in
unlokking32
Vehicle care, refer to Care239
Vehicle jack249
– jacking points250Vehicle position, refer to
Displaying current
position163
Ventilation118
– draft-free118
– in rear118
– while stationary118
Venting, refer to
Ventilation118
Vent outlets114
– refer to Ventilation118
Vent outlets of automatic
climate control114
Vents, refer to Ventilation118
"Vent settings"116
Viscosity235
Voice, refer to Destination
guidance with voice
instructions159
Voice command system
– overview24
– short commands265
Voice instructions for
navigation system159
– muting57
– repeating57,160
– switching on/off57,159
– volume160
Voice phone book206
Volume168
– audio sources168
– cargo bay263
– fuel tank, refer to
Capacities264
– mobile phone200
– setting speed-
dependent170
– voice instructions160
– windshield cleaning system,
refer to Capacities264
W
Warning lamps, refer to
Indicator and warning
lamps13
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control84Warning on leaving lane, refer
to Leaving lane warning106
Warning triangle253
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models237
Washer fluid70
– capacity of the reservoir70
Waste container, refer to
Ashtray125
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water136
Water penetration239,240
Waveband for radio172
"WB"168,176
Wear indicators in tires, refer
to Minimum tread depth229
Weather news flashes176
Website BMW4
Weights263
Welcome lamps108
"Welcome light"109
Wheel/tire combination, refer
to New wheels and tires229
Wheel/tire damage229
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions261
Wheels and tires222
Width, refer to
Dimensions261
Windows42
– convenient operation33
– convenient operation from
outside34
– convenient operation with
comfort access41
– rear window, Sports
Wagon37
– safety switch43
Windshield
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system69
– defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows116
– displays, refer to Head-Up
Display102