
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  

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to use 
the index, refer to page250.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
7Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
21Letters and numbers
22Voice activation system
Controls
26Opening and closing
43Adjusting
53Transporting children safely
57Driving
74Controls Overview
84Technology for comfort, convenience 
and safety
100Lamps
105Climate
110Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
124Things to remember when driving
Navigation
132Navigation system
133Destination entry
142Destination guidance
148What to do if...
Entertainment
152On/off and tone
155Radio
158Satellite radio
160CD/DVD player and CD changer
167Music collection
172External devices
Communications
178Telephone
190Contacts
192BMW Assist
Mobility
200Refueling
202Wheels and tires
211Under the hood
215Maintenance
217Care
221Replacing components
231Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
238Technical data
243Short commands of voice activation 
system
250Everything from A to Z 

 5Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The individual vehicle
When purchasing your BMW, you have decided 
in favor of a model with individualized equip-
ment and features. This Owner's Manual 
describes the entire array of options and equip-
ment available with a specific BMW model. 
Please bear in mind that the manual may con-
tain information on accessories and equipment 
that you have not specified for your own vehicle. 
Sections describing options and special equip-
ment are marked by asterisk 
* to assist you in 
identifying possible differences between the 
descriptions in this manual and your own vehi-
cle's equipment.
If equipment in your BMW is not described in 
this Owner's Manual, please refer to the accom-
panying Supplementary Owner's Manuals.
Editorial notice
BMW pursues a policy of continuous, ongoing 
development that is conceived to ensure that 
our vehicles continue to embody the highest 
quality and safety standards combined with 
advanced, state-of-the-art technology. For this 
r e a s o n ,  i t  i s  p o s s i b l e  t h a t  t h e  f e a t u r e s  d e s c r i b e d  
in this Owner's Manual could differ from those 
on your vehicle.
For your own safety
Maintenance and repairs
Advanced technology, e.g., the use of 
modern materials and high-performance 
electronics, requires specially adapted mainte-
nance and repair methods. Therefore, have cor-
responding work on your BMW performed only 
by your BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If this work is 
not carried out properly, there is a danger of 
subsequent damage and related safety haz-
ards.< 

Notes
6
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts 
and accessories approved by BMW. 
When you purchase accessories tested and 
approved by BMW and Genuine BMW Parts, 
you simultaneously acquire the assurance that 
they have been thoroughly tested by BMW to 
ensure optimum performance when installed 
on your vehicle. 
BMW warrants these parts to be free from 
defects in material and workmanship. 
BMW will not accept any liability for damage 
resulting from installation of parts and accesso-
ries not approved by BMW. 
BMW cannot test every product made by other 
manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a 
BMW safely and without risk to either the vehi-
cle, its operation or its occupants. 
Genuine BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and 
other products approved by BMW, together 
with professional advice on using these items, 
are available from all BMW centers. 
Installation and operation of non BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, radios, 
amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension 
components, brake dust shields, telephones, 
including operation of any mobile phone from 
within the vehicle without using an externally 
mounted antenna, or transceiver equipment 
such as CBs, walkie-talkies, ham radios or the 
like may cause extensive damage to the vehicle, 
compromise its safety, interfere with the vehi-
cle's electrical system, or affect the validity of 
the BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW 
center for additional information.<
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of 
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performed by any automotive 
repair establishment or individual using any cer-
tified automotive part.<
California Proposition 65 Warning
California law requires us to issue the following 
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of 
automobile components and parts, 
including components found in the interior fur-
nishings in a vehicle, contain or emit chemicals 
known to the State of California to cause cancer 
and birth defects and reproductive harm. In 
addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and 
certain products of component wear contain or 
emit chemicals known to the State of California 
to cause cancer and birth defects or other 
reproductive harm. 
Battery posts, terminals and related accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Wash 
your hands after handling. 
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have 
caused cancer in laboratory animals. Always 
protect your skin by washing thoroughly with 
soap and water.< 

Opening and closing
26
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. 
For Comfort Access
*, the remote control con-
tains a replaceable battery, refer to page38.
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, page26.
Information on the required for maintenance is 
also stored in the remote control, refer to Ser-
vice data in remote control, page215.
Integrated key
Press button1 to unlock the key.The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Glove compartment, refer to page112
>Sports Wagon: floor panel flap in cargo bay, 
refer to page118
>Driver's door, refer to page30
>Luggage compartment lid, refer to page31.
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.
Remove the adapter from the holder in the 
glove compartment and slide the spare key into 
the adapter before use.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW 
individually according to your preferences. Per- 

Controls
 77Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3.Select the desired menu item.
4.Select the desired unit.
The settings are stored for the remote key cur-
rently in use.
Service requirements
The remaining driving distance and the date for 
the next maintenance are displayed briefly with 
the ignition switched on.
Your BMW Service Advisor can deter-
mine your vehicle's current service 
requirements by reading out the data stored in 
the remote control.<
Additional information
You can view more detailed information by 
using the Control Display, for operating princi-
ple refer to page16.1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
3."Service required"
Required maintenance procedures and legally 
mandated inspections are displayed.
You can request more detailed information on 
every entry:
Select the entry and press the controller.
To exit from the menu:
Move the controller to the left.
Symbols
No service is currently required. 
The deadline for service or a legally man-
dated inspection is approaching. Please 
arrange a service appointment.
The service deadline has already passed. 
Entering deadlines for legally required 
inspections*
Make sure the date on the Control Display is set 
correctly, refer to page79, otherwise the effec-
tiveness of CBS Condition Based Service is not 
ensured.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status" 

Controls Overview
78 3."Service required"
4."§ Vehicle inspection"
5.Open the menu for entering the deadline.
6."Date:"
7.Turn the controller until the desired month 
is displayed, and then press the controller.
8.Set the year in the same manner.
The date is stored.
To exit the menu: 
Move the controller to the left.
More information on the BMW Maintenance 
System can be found on page215.
Automatic Service Request*
Data regarding the maintenance status or 
legally mandated inspections of the vehicle are 
automatically transmitted to your BMW center 
prior to a service due date. You can check when 
your BMW center was notified.iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
3."Options"
4."Last Service Request"
Clock
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, refer also to Personal Profile on 
page26.
Setting the time
To set the 12h/24h mode, refer to Setting the 
time format below.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the MENU button.
The main menu is displayed. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92 4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
4 or more persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of 
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distance and altered natural 
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations or loud noises occur while 
the vehicle is being driven, this can indicate final 
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and 
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible, 
otherwise pieces of the tire could become 
detached and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact your BMW 
center.<
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and 
then lights up continuously. The tires 
are shown in gray on the Control Dis-
play and a message is displayed. No flat tire can 
be detected.
A message like this is displayed in the following 
situations:
>In case of a malfunction;
have the system checked.
>If a wheel is mounted without TPM elec-
tronics.
>If TPM is temporarily interfered with by 
other systems or devices which use the 
same radio frequency.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
Systems
Each tire, including the spare, should be 
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the 
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle 
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. If your vehicle has tires of a 
different size than the size indicated on the 
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, 
you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires. As an added safety fea-
ture, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire 
pressure monitoring system, TPMS, that illumi-
nates a low tire pressure telltale when one or 
more of your tires are significantly underin-
flated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure 
telltale illuminates, you should stop and check 
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them 
to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly 
underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat 
and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also 
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and 
may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping 
ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the 
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire 
pressure, even if underinflation has not reached 
the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low 
tire pressure telltale.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined 
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-
tem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash 
for approximately one minute and then remain 
continuously illuminated. This sequence will 
continue upon subsequent vehicle startups as 
long as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator lights up, the system may not 
be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as 
intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a 
variety of reasons, including the installation of 
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the 
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning 
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction 
telltale after replacing one or more tires or 
wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the 
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow 
the TPMS to continue to function properly.
Active steering*
The concept
Active steering varies the turning angle of the 
front wheels in relation to steering wheel move-
ments. It also varies the steering force required 
to turn the wheels depending on the speed at 
which you are driving.