Page 3 of 271
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  
     
        
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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 
     
        
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Mobility
 231Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Giving and receiving assistance
Emergency request
Requirements
>BMW Assist is activated. 
Activating BMW Assist, refer to page194.
>Radio readiness is activated.
>The BMW Assist system is logged on to a 
mobile phone network.
>The BMW Assist system is functional.
>Full preparation package mobile phone. 
With this equipment, an emergency request 
is still possible when no mobile phone is 
paired with the vehicle.
Once your BMW Assist subscription expires, 
the BMW Assist system can be deactivated by 
a BMW center without you having to visit a 
workshop. If the BMW Assist system has been 
deactivated, Emergency Requests are not pos-
sible. The BMW Assist system can be reacti-
vated by a BMW center after signing a new con-
tract.
Initiating an emergency request
1.Briefly press protective cover to open. 
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
2.Press the SOS button until the LED in the 
button lights up.
As soon as the voice connection to the BMW 
Assist Response Center has been established, 
the LED flashes.When the Emergency Request is received at 
the BMW Assist Response Center, the BMW 
Assist Response Center contacts you and 
a r r a n g e s  f o r  a d d i t i o n a l  s t e p s  t o  h e l p  y o u .  E v e n  i f  
you are unable to respond, the BMW Assist 
Response Center can take further steps to help 
you under certain circumstances.
If conditions allow, remain in the vehicle until 
the connection has been established. You will 
then be able to provide a detailed description of 
the situation.
In the event of a BMW Assist emergency call, 
data that are used to determine the necessary 
rescue measures, such as the current position 
of your vehicle if it can be established, are trans-
mitted to the BMW Assist Response Center.
If the LED is flashing but the BMW Assist 
Response Center cannot be heard over the 
hands-free system, it is possible that the 
hands-free system is malfunctioning. The BMW 
Assist Response Center may still be able to 
hear you, though.
Under certain conditions, an Emergency 
Request is automatically initiated immediately 
after a severe accident. Automatic Collision 
Notification is not affected by pressing the but-
ton.
For technical reasons, the Emergency 
Request cannot be guaranteed under 
unfavorable conditions.<
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is located in the luggage 
compartment lid/tailgate. 
     
        
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Reference
This chapter contains technical data, short
commands for the voice activation system and
an index that will help you find information
quickly.
Reference 
     
        
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Technical data
238
Technical data
Engine data
528i535i550i
Displacement cu in/cmμ182.8/2,996 181.8/2,979 292.8/4,799
No. of cylinders 668
Maximum output hp 230 300 360
at engine speed rpm 6,500 5,800 6,300
Maximum torque lb ft/Nm 200/270 300/407 360/488
at engine speed rpm 2,750 1,400-5,000 3,400 
     
        
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Technical data
240
Sports Wagon
All dimensions given in inches/mm. Smallest turning circle diam.: 39 ft/11.9 m 
     
        
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Technical data
242 Never exceed either the approved axle loads or 
the gross vehicle weight.
Capacities
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 5,291/2,400
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 5,335/2,420
Load lbs./kg 1,190/540
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,381/1,080
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,866/1,300
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 220/100
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/l 17.7-58.3/500-1,650
Sports Wagon535i xDrive
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters approx. 18.5/70 Fuel grade: page201
of that reserve US gal/liters approx. 2.1/8
550i US gal/liters approx. 2.6/10
Window cleaning system For more details: page65
>Sedan US quarts/liters approx. 3.2/3
>with headlamp cleaning system US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5
>Sports Wagon US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5 
     
        
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Everything from A to Z
254 Cooling function, automatic 
climate control107
Cooling system, refer to 
Coolant214
Copyright2
Cornering Brake Control 
CBC85
Country codes DVD162
Country of destination for 
navigation133
Courtesy lamps104
Cradle for telephone or mobile 
phone112
Cruise control65
– active cruise control66
Cruising range75
Cupholders114
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights241
Current consumption, refer to 
Energy Control75
Current playback
– external devices174
– of music collection169
Customer Relations195
Cylinders, refer to Engine 
data238
D
Dashboard, refer to 
Cockpit10
Dashboard lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting104
Data, technical238
– dimensions239
– engine238
– weights241
Data transfer196
Date74
– date format79
– retrieval74
– setting79
Daytime running lamps101Defect
– door lock30
– fuel filler flap200
– glass sunroof40
– luggage compartment lid32
– panorama glass sunroof41
– tailgate33
Defrosting windows106
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation106
Defrosting windshield, refer to 
Defrosting windows106
Defrost position, refer to 
Defrosting windows106
Deleting a trip141
Destination address
– entering133,139
Destination entry via BMW 
Assist137
Destination for navigation
– entering via map138
– entering via voice139
– entry133
Destination guidance142
– bypassing route 
sections143
– changing specified 
route142
– continuing142
– starting142
– voice instructions143
– volume of voice 
instructions144
Digital clock74
Digital radio, refer to HD 
Radio156
Dimensions239
Directional indicators, refer to 
Turn signals63
Direction announcements, 
refer to Voice 
instructions143
Direction instructions, refer to 
Voice instructions143
Directory for navigation, refer 
to Address book
135
Displacement, refer to Engine 
data238Display, refer to iDrive 
controls16
Display elements, refer to 
Instrument cluster12
Display lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting104
Displays
– on Control Display, refer to 
iDrive16
– refer to Instrument 
cluster12
Displays on the windshield, 
refer to Head-up Display95
Disposal
– battery of remote control 
with Comfort Access38
– coolant214
– vehicle battery229
Distance, refer to 
Computer76
Distance control, refer to 
Active cruise control66
Distance to destination, refer 
to Computer76
Distance warning, refer to 
PDC Park Distance 
Control84
Divided rear backrest, refer to 
Through-loading 
system116
Do201
Door entry lighting104
Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control26
Door lock30
Door locking, confirmation 
signals29
Doors
– manual operation30
– remote control28
DOT Quality Grades207
Draft-free ventilation108
Drinks holder, refer to 
Cupholders114
Drive-off assistant87
Driving lamps, refer to Parking 
lamps/low beams100
Driving stability control 
systems85