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Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system 
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant is composed of equal parts water and a 
coolant additive. Not all commercially available 
additives are suitable for your BMW. Ask your 
BMW center for suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise 
engine damage may result. The additives 
present a health hazard; observe the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Do not open the hood until the engine has 
cooled down.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to 
open.
3.The coolant level is correct when the upper 
end of the float rod is at the same height as 
the upper edge of the filler neck, also refer 
to the drawing next to the filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to 
the specified level – do not overfill.
5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible. 

Maintenance
216
Maintenance
BMW maintenance system
The BMW maintenance system supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The ultimate objective is to 
ensure economical maintenance by providing 
the ideal service for your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell 
your BMW, a complete dealer service history 
will prove to be an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current and future service 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Control Display to show 
remaining distances and times of selected 
maintenance intervals and legally mandated 
deadlines, refer to page70:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads, separate for the front and rear
>Brake fluid
>Vehicle check
>Legally mandated inspections depending 
on local regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required 
maintenance continuously in the remote con-
trol during driving. After accessing the data 
stored in the remote control, your BMW Service 
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of 
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. You should therefore hand over the remote 
control you last used to drive to the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor when you take your vehicle in for 
service.
Make sure the date is set correctly, refer 
to page77, otherwise the effectiveness 
of CBS Condition Based Service is not 
ensured.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW center. 
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.< 

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Socket for OBD Onboard 
Diagnostics interface
Components which are decisive for the 
exhaust-gas composition can be checked via 
the OBD socket with a device.
This socket is located to the left on the driver's 
side, on the underside of the instrument panel 
under a cover.
Exhaust-gas values
The warning lamp lights up. The 
exhaust-gas values worsen. Have the 
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction in Canadian models.
The lamp flashes under certain condi-
tions. This is a sign of excessive misfiring of the 
engine. In this case you should reduce speed 
and drive to the nearest BMW center as soon as 
possible. Heavy engine misfiring causes seri-
ous damage to the emission-relevant compo-
nents, especially the catalytic converter, within 
a short time.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system will assume that 
fuel vapor escapes. Then a display lights up. If 
the cap is then tightened, the display will go out 
within a few days.<
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with 
a device for recording or transmitting certain 
vehicle data or information. If you have also sub-
scribed to BMW Assist, certain vehicle data can be transmitted or recorded to enable corre-
sponding services. 

Care
218
Care
Car-care products
Regular cleaning and care make a significant 
contribution to retaining your BMW's value.
For the cleaning and care of your vehicle, BMW 
recommends using only products that BMW 
has approved for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be glad to advise you 
about products and services for the cleaning 
and care of your BMW.
Genuine BMW Care Products are materi-
als tested, laboratory tested, and tested in 
actual use. They offer optimum care and pro-
tection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol 
or solvents; they can damage your vehi-
cle.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances 
that are dangerous or pose health risks. 
You should therefore heed the warnings and 
hazard indications on the packaging. Open the 
doors or windows on your vehicle whenever 
cleaning the interior. Make sure there is suffi-
cient ventilation in enclosed spaces. Use only 
products that are formulated for vehicle clean-
ing.<
Exterior care
Washing your vehicle
In the winter months, it is especially 
important to ensure that the vehicle is 
washed on a regular basis. Otherwise, signifi-
cant soiling and road salt can cause damage to 
the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them. Failure to do so 
may lead to a reduction in braking efficiency and 
also to corrosion of the brake rotors.<
Car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes.Before driving into the car wash, make sure that 
it is suitable for your BMW. Pay attention to the 
following points:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to 
page238.
>If necessary, fold in the outside rearview 
mirrors, refer to page50.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Deactivate rain sensor to prevent unwanted 
wiper activation.
>Deactivate Remove additional add-on 
parts, e.g. spoilers or phone antennas, if 
they could be damaged.
Sequential Manual Transmission
Before driving into the car wash, make sure the 
vehicle is able to roll by making sure to:
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock, even with comfort access.
2.Shift into transmission position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock 
so that the vehicle can roll.
Steam cleaners/high-pressure 
cleaning jets
When using steam jets or high-pressure 
washers, ensure that you maintain suffi-
cient clearance to the vehicle and do not exceed 
a temperature of 1407/606. 
Insufficient distance or excessive pressure or 
temperature can damage parts of the vehicle or 
can result in water penetration. Follow the oper-
ating instructions for the high-pressure clean-
ing jets.<
When using high-pressure cleaning jets, 
do not remain in one place for a long time 
and be sure to maintain a distance of at least  

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Have work on the xenon lighting system 
performed only by your BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. Due to the high voltage present in the 
system, there is a danger of fatal injuries when 
work is carried out improperly.<
Access to lamps
The illustration shows the left-hand side of the 
engine compartment.
1Cover cap for parking and roadside parking 
lamps, daytime running lamps
2Sealing cap for turning lamps
*
To remove the covers:
>Parking lamps and roadside parking lamps, 
daytime running lamps: turn the cover cap 
to the left and remove.
>Turning lamps: turn the sealing cap to the 
left and remove.
Parking lamps and roadside parking 
lamps, daytime running lamps
H8 bulb, 35 watts
1.Turn the bulb in the direction of the arrow, in 
the opposite direction on the other side, 
and remove.
2.Remove the connector and replace the 
bulb.
Turning lamps*
H3 bulb, 55 watts
1.Remove the sealing cap, refer to Access to 
lamps.
2.Push the locking bar to the side out of the 
anchor and fold upward.
3.Remove the connector and take out the 
bulb.
4.Replace the bulb and reinstall.
5.Fold down the locking bar and engage it.
6.Reconnect the connector.
7.Mount the sealing cap. Watch the markings 
on the bulb when doing so. 

Replacing components
228 the selector lever into a drive position with the 
sequential transmission.
Have all vehicle occupants get out of the vehicle 
and ensure that they remain outside the imme-
diate area in a safe place, such as behind a 
guardrail. 
If a warning triangle
* or portable hazard warning 
lamp
* is required, set it up on the roadside at an 
appropriate distance from the rear of the vehi-
cle. Comply with all safety guidelines and regu-
lations. 
Change the wheel only on a level, firm surface 
which is not slippery. The vehicle or the jack 
could slip to the side if you attempt to raise the 
vehicle on a soft or slippery surface such as 
snow, ice, tiles, etc. 
Position the jack on a firm support surface. 
Do not use a wooden block or similar object as a 
support base for the jack, as this would prevent 
it from extending to its full support height and 
reduce its load-carrying capacity. 
To avoid serious or fatal injury: never lie under 
the vehicle, and never start the engine while it is 
supported by the jack.<
What you will need
To avoid rattling noises later on, note the posi-
tions of the tools before removing them, then 
return them to their initial positions after com-
pleting work.
1Chock
*
2Vehicle jack*
3Lug wrench*
The tools are located in the hollow of the spare 
wheel.
Spare wheel*
1.Pull back lock1, fold open tensioning lock2 
completely and loosen the belt3.
2.Remove the cover4.
3.Remove the tool mount form the spare tire 
and stow the belt in the net bag included if 
necessary.
4.Remove the spare wheel.
Preparing wheel change
1.Observe the safety precautions above.
2.Prevent the vehicle from rolling:
Place the chock behind the front wheel on 
the other side of the vehicle, or on inclines, 
in front of this wheel. On steeply inclined 
roads, always secure the vehicle against 
rolling.
3.Loosen the lug bolts a half turn.
Jacking up vehicle
1.Position the vehicle jack at the jacking point 
closest to the wheel so that the entire sur-
face of the jack base rests on the ground 
perpendicularly beneath the jacking point.
The vehicle jack is designed for 
changing wheels only. Do not attempt 
to raise another vehicle model with it or to 
raise any load of any kind. To do so could 
cause accidents and personal injury.< 

Replacing components
230
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the 
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery 
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW center will be glad to advise in 
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the 
terminals in the engine compartment with the 
engine switched off. Connections, refer to 
Jump starting on page232.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your 
BMW center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright 
position for transport and storage. Always 
restrain the battery to prevent it from tipping 
over during transport.<
Power failure
Following a temporary power failure, e.g. due to 
a discharged battery, the use of some equip-
ment will be restricted, requiring its reinitializa-
tion. In the same way, individual settings are lost 
and must be updated again:
>Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory 
The positions must be stored again, refer to 
page45.
>Time and date
Must be updated again, refer to page76.
>Radio 
Radio stations must be stored again, refer 
to page156.
>Navigation system 
You must wait until the system becomes 
functional again, refer to page124.
>Glass roof, electric
It may only be possible to raise the glass 
roof. The system must be initialized, refer to 
page41.
>Power windows 
The pinch prevention system for the power windows must be reinitialized, refer to 
page39.
Talk to your BMW center before placing 
the stored vehicle back in service.<
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and 
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, as 
this could lead to a circuit overload, ultimately 
resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
Spare fuses, plastic tweezers and fuse alloca-
tion diagram are located in the compartment for 
the onboard tool kit, refer to page222.
In glove compartment
1.Release both quick-release fasteners.
2.Fold the cover forward or remove.
In cargo bay
1.Lift up floor mat.
2.Release the quick-release fastener of the 
right side panel and pull out the panel. 

Giving and receiving assistance
232
First-aid kit*
Some of the articles contained in the first-aid kit 
have a limited service life. Therefore, check the 
expiration dates of the contents regularly and 
replace the contents concerned in good time if 
necessary.
The first-aid kit is located in the luggage com-
partment lid.
Loosen the wing nut to open.
Roadside Assistance*
The Roadside Assistance of the BMW Group 
offers you assistance in the event of a break-
down around the clock, including on weekends 
and public holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the 
Contact brochure.
With BMW Assist you can contact the Roadside 
Assistance of the BMW Group for assistance in 
the event of a breakdown directly via iDrive, 
refer to page192.
Jump starting
When your battery is discharged, you can use 
two jumper cables to start your BMW with 
power from the battery in a second vehicle. You 
can also use the same method to help start 
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables with 
fully-insulated clamp handles.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury, 
always avoid all contact with electrical 
components while the engine is running. Care-fully adhere to the following sequence, both to 
prevent damage to one or both vehicles, and to 
guard against possible personal injuries.<
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other 
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and 
approximately the same capacitance in Ah. 
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any electrical systems and com-
ponents in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between 
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise 
there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
To avoid personal injury from sparks, fol-
low this sequence when connecting 
jumper cables.<
In your BMW M5, the so-called jump-starting 
terminal in the engine compartment serves as a 
positive terminal for the battery, also refer to 
engine compartment overview on page211. 
The cover cap is marked with a +.
1.Fold open the cover of the BMW jump-
starting terminal. To do so, pull the tab.
2.Attach one end of the jumper cable plus/+ 
to the positive terminal of the battery or a 
jump-starting terminal of the vehicle provid-
ing assistance.
3.Attach the second end of the cable to the 
positive terminal of the battery or to a start-
ing-aid terminal of the vehicle to be started.