2011 BMW 5 SERIES Owners Manual

Fuel
Fuel quality
Refuel with unleaded fuel only
Do not use leaded fuel as this would per‐
manently damage the catalytic converter.
◀
Do not refuel with ethanol
Do not refuel with E85, i.e., fuel with an
ethanol content of 85 %, or with Flex Fuel, as this
would damage the engine and fuel supply sys‐
tem.◀
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91 or AKI
89
BMW recommends AKI 91 or 89.
Gasoline with lower AKI
The minimum AKI Rating is 89.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat‐
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no effect on the engine life.
Minimum fuel grade
Do not use any gasoline below the mini‐
mum specified fuel grade; otherwise, engine
damage may occur.◀
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant differ‐
ences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, ad‐
ditives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale in
the United States and Canada.
Fuels containing up to and including 10 % etha‐
nol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen
by weight, that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol
plus an equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not
void the applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship. Minimum fuel grade
The
use of poor-quality fuels may result in
driveability, starting and stalling problems es‐
pecially under certain environmental conditions
such as high ambient temperature and high al‐
titude.
Should you encounter driveability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in unscheduled maintenance.◀ Seite 241
241Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490

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Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Safety information
The tire characteristics and tire inflation pres‐
sure influence the following:
▷
The service life of the tires.
▷ Road safety.
▷ Driving comfort.
Checking the pressure
Only check the tire inflation pressure when the
tires are cold. This means after driving no more
than 1.25 miles/2 km or when the vehicle has
been
parked for at least 2 hours. When the tires
are warm, the tire inflation pressure is higher.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
Regularly check the tire inflation pressure
and correct it as needed: at least twice a month
and before a long trip. If you fail to observe this
precaution, you may be driving on tires with in‐
correct tire pressures, a condition that may not
only compromise your vehicle's driving stability,
but also lead to tire damage and the risk of an
accident.◀
After correcting the tire inflation pressure, rein‐
itialize the Tire Pressure Monitor.
Pressure specifications
The tire inflation pressure table, refer to
page 242, contains all pressure specifications
for the specified tire sizes at the ambient tem‐
perature. Pressure specifications apply to ap‐
proved tire sizes and recommended tire brands.
This information can be obtained from your
service center.
To identify the correct tire inflation pressure,
please note the following:
▷ Tire sizes of your vehicle.
▷ Vehicle load.
▷ Maximum allowable driving speed. Tire inflation pressures up to 100 mph/
160 km/h
For speeds of up to 100 mph/160 km/h and for
optimum

driving comfort, note the pressure val‐
ues in the tire inflation pressure table, refer to
page 242, and adjust as necessary. These pressure values can also be found on the
tire inflation pressure label on the driver's door
pillar.
Maximum permissible speed
Do not exceed 100 mph/160 km/h; other‐
wise, tire damage and accidents may result.

◀
Tire inflation pressure values up to
100 mph/160 km/h
528i Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 225/55 R 17 97 V M
+S A/S
225/55 R 17 97 H M
+S
2.2 / 32 2.4 / 35 Seite 242
242 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490
Wheels and tires
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Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
245/45 R 18 100 V M
+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45
R 18 100 V M
+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.6 / 38
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.4 / 35
-
-
2.9 /42535i
Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/45 R 18 100 V M
+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
225/55 R 17 97 H M
+S
245/45

R 18 100 V M
+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.7 / 39
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35 Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.4 / 35
-
-
2.9 /42 550i
Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/45 R 18 100 V M
+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45

R 18 100 V M
+S XL 2.5 / 36 2.7 / 39
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.5 / 36
--
2.5 / 36
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.5 / 36
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.6 / 38
-
-
2.9 /42 Seite 243
243Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490

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535i xDrive
Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/45 R 18 100 V M
+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
225/55 R 17 97 H M
+S
245/45
R 18 100 V M
+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.7 / 39
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.5 / 36
-
-
3.0 / 44 550i xDrive
Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/45 R 18 100 V M
+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45
R 18 100 V M
+S XL 2.6 / 38 2.7 / 39
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.6 / 38
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.6 / 38
--
2.7 / 39
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.7 / 39
-
-
3.1 / 45 Tire inflation pressures at max. speeds
above 100 mph/160 km/h
Speeds above 100 mph/160 km/h
In

order to drive at maximum speeds in ex‐
cess of 100 mph/160 km/h, please observe, and,
if necessary, adjust tire pressures for speeds
exceeding 100 mph/160 km/h from the relevant
table on the following pages. Otherwise tire
damage and accidents could occur.◀
Tire inflation pressure values over
100 mph/160 km/h
528i
Without high-speed tuning feature Seite 244
244 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490
Wheels and tires
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Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with
the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires 225/55 R 17 97 V M
+S A/S
225/55

R 17 97 H M
+S 2.2 / 32 2.6 / 38
245/45 R 18 100 V
M+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.9 /42
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.4 / 35
-
-
2.9 /42With high-speed tuning feature Tire size
Pressure specifications in
bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires 225/55 R 17 97
H M+S
2.5 / 36 3.0 / 44
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL 2.7 / 39 3.2 / 46
F: 245/45 R 18 96
Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99
Y 2.7 / 39
-
-
2.7 / 39
F: 245/40 R 19 94
Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96
Y 2.7 / 39
-
-
3.0 / 44
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.7 / 39
-
-
3.2 / 46 535i
Without high-speed tuning feature
Seite 245
245Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490

Reference
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Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with
the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
psi/kilopascal with
cold tires 245/45 R 18 100 V
M+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
225/55

R 17 97 H M
+S
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.9 /42
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R:
275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R:
275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.4 / 35
-
-
2.9 /42With high-speed tuning feature Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
psi/kilopascal with
cold tires 245/45 R 18 96 Y
225/55 R 17 97
H M+S
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL
2.7 / 39 3.2 / 46
F: 245/45 R 18 96
Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99
Y 2.7 / 39
-
-
2.7 / 39
F: 245/40 R 19 94
Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96
Y 2.7 / 39
-
-
3.0 / 44
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.7 / 39
-
-
3.2 / 46 550i
Without high-speed tuning feature
Seite 246
246 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490
Wheels and tires
ProCarManuals.com

Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with
the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
psi/kilopascal with
cold tires 245/45 R 18 100 V
M+S XL A/S
245/40

R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL 2.5 / 36 3.0 / 44
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R:
275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.5 / 36
--
2.5 / 36
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R:
275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.5 / 36
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.6 / 38
-
-
2.9 /42With high-speed tuning feature
Tire size
Pressure specifications in
bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
psi/kilopascal with
cold tires 245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL
2.9 /42 3.2 / 46 Tire size
Pressure specifications in
bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with the high speed tun‐
ing feature
F: 245/45 R 18 96
Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99
Y 2.9 /42
-
-
2.9 /42
F: 245/40 R 19 94
Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96
Y 2.9 /42
-
-
3.2 / 46
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.9 /42
-
-
3.2 / 46 535i xDrive
Without high-speed tuning feature
Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with

the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires 245/45 R 18 100 V
M+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
225/55

R 17 97 H M
+S
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.9 /42 Seite 247
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance
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Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with
the high speed tun‐
ing feature
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R:
275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R:
275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.5 / 36
-
-
3.0 / 44With high-speed tuning feature
Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires 245/45 R 18 96 Y
225/55 R 17 97
H M+S
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL
2.8 / 41 3.3 / 48
F: 245/45 R 18 96
Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99
Y 2.8 / 41
-
-
2.8 / 41 Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with the high speed tun‐
ing feature
F: 245/40 R 19 94
Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96
Y 2.8 / 41
-
-
3.0 / 44
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.9 /42
-
-
3,3 / 48 550i xDrive
Without high-speed tuning feature
Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with

the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires 245/45 R 18 100 V
M+S XL A/S
245/40

R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL 2,6 / 36 3.0 / 44
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R:
275/40 R 18 99 Y 2,6 / 36
--
2,6 / 36 Seite 248
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Wheels and tires
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