
Under the hood
212
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on 
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking engine oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil 
level check.
The oil level can be displayed when the engine 
is at operating temperature. Constant short-
distance driving or a very sporty driving style 
can make it impossible for a measurement to be 
taken.
Displays in instrument cluster
You can display the current oil level in the 
instrument cluster.
1Oil level
2Maximum marking
3Minimum marking
4BC button
Press the button4 in the turn signal lever 
repeatedly until the display for the oil level 
appears in the instrument cluster.
Manual transmission: the engine oil level 
will be shown in the lower display.<
The oil level must be between the two marks.
A new measurement is automatically taken 
after each engine start.
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being determined.
This process takes about 1 minute when 
stopped on a level surface.
If the engine oil has been topped off, the 
measurement of the oil level can take up to 
30 minutes.
3Oil level at minimum:
Add a maximum of 1 US quart/1 liter of 
engine oil at the next opportunity, refer to 
Adding engine oil below. Add at least 
0.5 US quart/0,5 liters of oil; otherwise, the 
oil level check cannot reliably display the 
new oil level.
If the oil level displayed is below minimum, 
add engine oil immediately. Failure to do so 
may lead to engine damage.
4Oil level too high
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, otherwise engine damage may 
result if too much oil has been added.<
5No value can be determined at this time. 
Engine is not yet at operating temperature. 

Mobility
 213Reference
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Fast measurement
In addition to the automatic measurement, you 
can also determine the current oil level manu-
ally, e.g. after adding engine oil, but with a lower 
degree of measuring accuracy.
1.With the engine at operating temperature, 
i.e. after at least 6 miles/10 km of uninter-
rupted driving, park the vehicle in a horizon-
tal position.
2.Allow the engine to run at idle.
3.Press the BC button on the turn signal lever 
repeatedly until the oil level display is 
shown in the instrument cluster.
4.Press the BC button for at least 2 seconds.
The oil level is determined. A clock symbol 
is displayed during the measurement.
5.After approx. 1 minute the current oil level is 
displayed.
Displaying via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Info sources" is 
selected and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller until "Service Info" is 
selected and press the controller.5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Service requirements" is 
selected and press the controller.
6.Change to the second field from the top if 
necessary. Turn the controller until "Engine 
oil level" is selected and press the control-
ler. The oil level is displayed.
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level O.K."
>"No measurement available: Updating 
engine oil level measurement...":
The engine oil level is measured. This pro-
cess can take approx. 1 minute when 
stopped on a level surface with the engine 
running and approx. 5 minutes while driv-
ing.
If the engine oil has been topped off, the 
measurement of the oil level can take up to 
30 minutes.
>"Oil level at the minimum! Refill with 1 quart 
of engine oil.": 
Add a maximum of 1 US quart/1 liter of 
engine oil at the next opportunity, refer also 
to Adding engine oil below. Add at least 
0.5 US quart/0.5 liters of oil; otherwise, the 
oil level check cannot reliably display the 
new oil level.
If the oil level displayed is below minimum, 
add engine oil immediately. Failure to do so 
may lead to engine damage.
>"Engine oil level too high"
*:
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, otherwise engine damage may 
result if too much oil has been added.<
>"Please observe recalculated service inter-
val for engine oil": 

Mobility
 233Reference
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4.Attach one end of the jumper cable minus/– 
to the negative terminal of the battery or to 
an engine or body ground of the assisting 
vehicle.
Your BMW M5 has a special nut as body 
ground or negative terminal.
5.Attach the second end of the cable to the 
negative terminal of the battery or to the 
engine or body ground of the vehicle to be 
started.
Starting engine
1.Start the engine on the assisting vehicle 
and allow it to run at idle for several minutes 
at slightly increased speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the 
usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful, 
wait a few minutes before another attempt 
in order to allow the discharged battery to 
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing 
the connection sequence.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Never use spray fluids to start the 
engine.<
Tow-starting and towing
Observe applicable laws and regulations 
for tow-starting and towing.<
Do not transport any passengers other 
than the driver in a vehicle that is being 
towed.<
Using tow fitting
Always keep the screw-in tow fitting with the 
vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front or rear 
of the BMW.
It is located in the toolkit in the luggage com-
partment lid, refer to page222.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the 
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the 
tow fitting for towing only on roads. Avoid lateral 
loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehi-
cle by the tow fitting. Otherwise damage to the 
tow fitting and the vehicle can occur.<
Access to screw thread
Press the arrow symbol on the cover in the 
bumper.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page57, otherwise the low 
beams, tail lamps, turn signals and windshield 
wipers would not be available. Do not tow the 
vehicle with the rear axle raised, as otherwise 
the steering can turn to the left or right. When 
the engine is stopped, there is no power assist.  

Mobility
 235Reference
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5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow 
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
Sequential Manual Transmission with 
Drivelogic
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers, 
comply with country-specific regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page57.
3.Tow-start in selector lever position N.
4.Move the selector lever into the drive posi-
tion and pull toward + within 2 seconds. 
The correct gear will be selected and 
engaged automatically.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow 
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked. 

Reference 241
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Onboard info
Entertainment
To display destination list133{Destination list}
To display address book134{Address book}
To display route criteria136{Route preference}
To start destination guidance138{Start guidance}
To end destination guidance138{Stop guidance}
To display arrow display124{Arrow display}
To display map display140{Map}, {Map facing north},
{Map direction of travel} or 
{Perspective}
To change scale140{Scale ... miles} or
{Scale ... feet}
To display roads or towns/cities along route141{Route list}
To switch on voice instructions141{Navigation info on}
To switch off voice instructions141{Navigation info off}
To repeat voice instructions142{Repeat navigation info}
To open route139{Route menu}
To open "New route"142{New route}
To display current position145{Current position}
FunctionCommand
FunctionCommand
To open "Car Data"69{Car data}
To display computer69{Onboard info}
To display trip computer70{Trip computer}
To open stopwatch75{Stopwatch}
To open speed limit74{Limit}
To activate speed limit75{Limit on}
To deactivate speed limit75{Limit off}
FunctionCommand
Tone control151{Audio}
To switch on radio154{Radio on},
{FM} or
{AM}
To open "FM"154{FM menu}
To open "AM"154{AM menu} 

Everything from A to Z
246 Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System80
– brake assistant80
– brake force display88
– breaking-in116
– CBC Cornering Brake 
Control80
– electronic brake-force 
distribution80
– handbrake59
– refer to Braking safely117
– warning lamps13
Brake system116
– brake pads116
– breaking-in116
– disk brakes117
– warning lamp82
Braking safely117
Breakdown, M Mobility 
System225
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance232
Breaking-in brake pads116
Breaking-in the clutch116
Breaking-in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential116
Break-in period116
"Brightness"77,92
Brightness of Control 
Display77
Button for starting engine, 
refer to Start/Stop button57
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
Warning6
"Call"184,195
Call
– accepting182
– displaying accepted185
– ending183
– in absence185
– rejecting183
– starting183Calling
– by entering phone 
number183
– from phone book184
– from Top 8 list185
– redialing185
Can holder, refer to Cup 
holders109
Capacities239
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery230
"Car Data"69
Care218
– car-care products218
– carpets220
– car washes218
– CD/DVD-player221
– chrome components219
– displays220
– exterior218
– fine wooden 
components220
– hand washing219
– headlamps219
– high-pressure cleaning 
jets218
– interior220
– leather220
– light-alloy wheels219
– paint219
– plastic components220
– rubber gaskets219
– safety belts220
– sensors and cameras220
– upholstery and cloth-
covered paneling220
– windows219
– wiper blades219
Cargo
– refer to Cargo loading118
– securing119
– securing with ski bag112Cargo bay
– capacity239
– emergency release36
– opening/closing, refer to 
Luggage compartment 
lid35
– opening from inside35
– opening from outside36
– opening with remote 
control33
– socket110
Caring for the vehicle 
finish219
Car key, refer to Keys/remote 
control30
Car phone176
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest107
– refer to Mobile phone176
– refer to separate operating 
instructions
Car radio, refer to Radio154
Car Shampoo220
Car wash118,218
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system116
"Categories"162
CBC Cornering Brake 
Control80
CBS Condition Based 
Service216
"CD"150,164
CD changer164
– controls150
– fast forward/reverse168
– installation location168
– random sequence167
– repeating a track167
– sampling tracks166
– selecting a CD164
– selecting a track165
– switching on/off150
– tone control151
– volume151 

Everything from A to Z
256 "Random", random play 
sequence167
"Random all" in audio 
mode168
"Random directory" in audio 
mode168
"RDS"157
Reading lamps97
Rear armrest, refer to Center 
armrest, rear111
Rear lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps224
– replacing bulbs224
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints47
– folding over backrest111
– heating49
– removing head restraints47
Rear socket110
Rear ventilation102
Rearview mirror50
Rear window
– heating100
– roller sun blind, refer to Sun 
blinds106
Rear window safety switch40
"Received calls"184
Reception
– quality157
– radio stations157
– regional station156
Reception level of mobile 
phone, refer to Status 
information21
Recirculated-air mode101
– air recirculation101
– AUC Automatic 
recirculated-air control101
Reclining seat, refer to 
Seats43
Recording times, refer to 
Stopwatch75
Redialing with mobile 
phone189
"Redial" in mobile phone 
mode184
Reflectors, refer to Tail 
lamps224
Refueling202Releasing
– hood210
Releasing the locks, refer to 
Unlocking38
"Relock door if not 
opened"35
Remaining distance, refer to 
Cruising range69
Remaining distance to 
destination, refer to 
Computer69
Remote control30
– comfort access38
– garage door opener
105
– luggage compartment lid33
– malfunction33,39
– replacing battery39
Removing condensation on 
the windows100
"Repeat directory" in audio 
mode167
"Repeat" in audio mode167
"Repeat track" in audio 
mode167
Replacement fuses230
Replacement of tires, refer to 
Changing wheels227
Replacement remote control, 
refer to New remote 
controls30
Replacing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs222
Replacing tires207
Replacing wheels/tires, refer 
to New wheels and tires207
Reporting safety defects7
Reserve
– warning, refer to Fuel 
gauge68
"Reset"85,86
Reset, refer to Resetting tone 
settings153
"Reset" the stopwatch75
"resetting FTM …"85
"Reset to default" with 
MDrive53
"Reset" tone settings153
Residual heat101Restraint systems
– for children54
– refer to Safety belts47
Retreaded tires207
Reverse, fast
– CD changer168
– CD player168
Reverse gear61
– manual transmission59
Road map140
Roadside 
Assistance186,192,232
Roadside parking lamps95
Roof load capacity239
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack119
Rope, refer to Tow-starting 
and towing233
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to 
iDrive16
Route136
– bypassing sections142
– changing142
– changing criteria136
– displaying139
– displaying arrow display139
– displaying map view140
– displaying streets or towns/
cities141
– selecting136
Route information, refer to 
Destination guidance with 
voice instructions141
Route map, refer to Displaying 
map view140
"Route preference", 
changing136
Route selection136
S
Safety5 

Everything from A to Z
258 Settings
– changing on Control 
Display75
– clock, 12h/24h mode76
– configuring, refer to 
MDrive52
– configuring, refer to 
Personal Profile31
– date77
– language78
– units of measure77
"Settings" in unlocking32
Settings menu, refer to 
imenu18
"Settings" with BMW 
Assist196
"Settings" with MDrive53
Setting time, refer to 
Preselecting activation 
times103
Shifting62
Shifting into drive position, 
refer to Selector lever 
positions60
Shift lights63
Shiftlock61
Shift paddles on steering 
wheel62
Shock absorber control, refer 
to EDC Electronic Damping 
Control83
Short commands of voice 
command system240
"Short route" in 
navigation137
Short route in navigation, refer 
to Selecting route136
Shoulder support44
"Show current position"132
"Show destination 
position"132
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer167
– CD player167
Side airbags88
Side marker lamps, replacing 
bulbs224Side-mounted turn signals, 
replacing bulbs224
Side window blinds, refer to 
Sun blinds106
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely43
– with airbags43
– with head restraint43
– with safety belts43
Ski bag112
Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to 
Electric glass sunroof40
Slope assistant, refer to 
Starting off on uphill 
slopes82
SMG, refer to Sequential 
Manual Transmission with 
Drivelogic60
"SMG Drivelogic"53,62
Snap-in adapter
– mounting/removing189
– using176
Snow chains208
Socket for Onboard 
Diagnostics interface217
Socket for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock57
Sockets, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices110
Soft closure aid, refer to 
Automatic soft closing35
Song search on CD, refer to 
Sampling tracks166
SOS, refer to Initiating an 
emergency request231
Sound distribution in audio 
mode
– front/rear fader152
– right/left balance152
Spare
– adapter for spare key30
– fuses230
– key30
– wheel, driving with spare 
wheel229
– wheel, refer to Changing 
wheels227Spare wheel, refer to 
Changing wheels227
Special oils, refer to Approved 
engine oils214
Specified oil grades, refer to 
Approved engine oils214
Speed
– limit74
Speed-dependent 
volume152
Speed limit warning, refer to 
Speed limit74
Speedometer12
"Speed volume", tone 
control152
Speed with winter tires208
"Sport" with EDC83
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems80
Start/Stop button57
– starting the engine58
– switching off the engine58
"Start" for stopwatch75
"Start guidance"129,138
Starting, refer to Starting 
engine58
Starting assistance, refer to 
Jump starting232
Starting assistant, refer to 
Starting off on uphill 
slopes
82
Starting difficulties, refer to 
Jump starting232
Starting off
– clutch protection with 
manual transmission83
– on a slippery surface83
– on uphill slopes82
Start menu, iDrive18
"Start route guidance"132
"Start service"192
"Start service" with BMW 
Assist195
"State / Province" in 
destination entry127
"State inspection"72