2011 BMW 528I automatic transmission

Starting aid terminals
Connecting order
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order; otherwise, there is the danger of injury
from sparking.◀ The so-called starting aid terminal in the engine
compartment acts as the battery's positive ter‐
minal.
The body ground or a special nut acts as the
negative terminal.
Connecting the cables
1.
Pull off the cap of the BMW starting aid ter‐
minal.
2. Attach one terminal clamp of the positive
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery,
or to the corresponding starting aid
terminal of the vehicle providing assistance.
3. Attach the other end of the cable to the pos‐
itive terminal of the battery, or to the corre‐
sponding

starting aid terminal of the vehicle
to be started.
4. Attach one terminal clamp of the negative
jumper

cable to the negative terminal of the
battery, or to the corresponding engine or body ground of the vehicle providing assis‐
tance.
5. Attach the other end of the cable to the neg‐
ative

terminal of the battery, or to the corre‐
sponding engine or body ground of the ve‐
hicle to be started.
Starting the engine
Never use spray fluids to start the engine.
1. Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and
let

it run for several minutes at an increased
idle speed.
If the vehicle being started has a diesel en‐
gine: let the engine of the assisting vehicle
run for approx. 10 minutes.
2. Start the engine of the vehicle being started
in the usual way.
If

the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before making another
attempt in order to allow the discharged bat‐
tery to recharge.
3. Let both engines run for several minutes.
4. Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Tow-starting and towing
Automatic transmission

*: transporting
your vehicle
Note
Your vehicle is not permitted to be towed.
Therefore, contact a service center in the event
of a breakdown.
Do not have the vehicle towed
Have your vehicle transported on a loading
platform only; otherwise, damage may occur.◀ Seite 271
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

▷
Maneuvering capability is limited during cor‐
nering.
▷ The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is secured with an offset.
Tow rope
When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure that
the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is se‐
cured on other parts of the vehicle.◀
Tow fitting The screw-in tow fitting should always be car‐
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the
front

or rear of the BMW. It is located in the con‐
tainer on the inside of the trunk lid.
Tow fitting, information on use
▷Use only the tow fitting provided with
the vehicle and screw it all the way in.
▷ Use the tow fitting for towing on paved roads
only.
▷ Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g.,
do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting.
Otherwise, damage to the tow fitting and the ve‐
hicle can occur.◀ Screw thread
Push out the cover by pressing on the top edge.
Tow-starting
Automatic transmission

*
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Due to the automatic transmission, the engine
cannot be started by tow-starting.
Have the cause of the starting difficulties rem‐
edied.
Manual transmission
If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but start
the engine by jump-starting, refer to page 270.
If the vehicle is equipped with a catalytic con‐
verter, only tow-start while the engine is cold.
1. Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.
2. Ignition, refer to page 58, on.
3. Engage third gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
pressed

and slowly release the clutch. After
the engine starts, immediately press on the
clutch again.
5. Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard warn‐
ing system.
6. Have the vehicle checked.
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Care
Car washes
Notes
Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of 140 ℉/
60 ℃.
Holding them too close or using excessively
high
pressures or temperatures can cause dam‐
age or preliminary damage that may then lead to
long-term damage.
Follow the operating instructions for the high-
pressure washer.◀
Cleaning sensors/cameras with high-
pressure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the exterior sensors and cameras, e.g.,
Park Distance Control*, for extended periods of
time and only from a distance of at least 12 in/
30 cm.◀
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in win‐
ter.
Intense soiling and road salt can damage the ve‐
hicle.
Washing in automatic car washes
Your vehicle can be washed in automatic car
washes right from the start.
Give preference to cloth car washes or those
that use soft brushes in order to avoid paint
damage.
Notes
Note the following:
▷ Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.
▷ Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may

be damaged, depending on the width of
the vehicle. ▷
Deactivate the rain sensor, refer to page 63,
to avoid unintentional wiper activation.
▷ In some cases, an unintentional alarm can be
triggered

by the interior motion sensor of the
alarm system*. Follow the instructions on
avoiding an unintentional alarm, refer to
page 40.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged.

◀
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle is able to roll when the following
steps are taken:
Manual transmission:
1. Shift to neutral.
2. Release the parking brake, refer to page 60.
3. Switch the engine off.
4. Switch on the ignition.
Automatic transmission*:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Engage transmission position N.
3. Release the parking brake, refer to page 60,
or deactivate Automatic Hold, refer to
page 60.
4. Switch the engine off.
Transmission
position P with the igni‐
tion off
When the ignition is switched off, position P
is engaged automatically. When in an auto‐
matic car wash, for example, ensure that the
ignition is not switched off accidentally.◀ The vehicle cannot be locked from the outside
when in transmission position N.
A

signal is sounded when an attempt is made to
lock the vehicle. Seite 274
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Care

Weights
The values preceding the slash apply to vehicles
with manual transmission; the values following
the slash apply to vehicles with automatic trans‐
mission.
528i
Approved gross vehicle weight lbs/kg
4,982/2,260
Load lbs/kg1,058/480
Approved front axle load lbs/kg2,359/1,070
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg2,844/1,290
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg220/100
Trunk capacity cu ft/l18.36/520
535i
Approved gross vehicle weight lbs
kg5,159/5,181
2,340/2,350
Load lbs/kg1,058/480
Approved front axle load lbs/kg2,491/1,130
Approved rear axle load lbs
kg2,866/2,888
1,300/1,310
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg220/100
Cargo area capacity cu ft/l18.36/520
550i
Approved gross vehicle weight lbs
kg5,401/5,423
2,450/2,460
Load lbs/kg1,036/470
Approved front axle load lbs
kg2,712/2,734
1,230/1,240
Approved rear axle load lbs
kg2,932/2,943
1,330/1,335
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg220/100
Cargo area capacity cu ft/l18.36/520 Seite 283
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐
tem 95
ACC, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go 102
Activated-charcoal filter 129
Active Blind Spot Detec‐ tion 92
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, ACC 102
Active seat, front 46
Active seat ventilation, front 47
Active Steering, integral 98
Adaptive brake assistant 95
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 94
Adaptive drive 97
Adaptive light control 81
Additional telephone 210
Additives, oil 258
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 44
Airbags 85
Airbags, indicator/warning light 86
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 127
Air distribution, manual 126
Air drying, refer to Cooling function 128
Air pressure, tires 242
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 129
Air volume, automatic climate control 127
Alarm system 39
Alarm, unintentional 40
All around the center con‐ sole 14
All around the headliner 15 All around the steering
wheel 12
ALL program, automatic cli‐ mate control 128
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 252
All-wheel-drive 96
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 133
Alternative oil types 258
AM/FM station 174
Announcement, navigation, refer to Spoken instruc‐
tions 163
Antifreeze, washer fluid 64
Antilock Brake System, ABS 95
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 95
Appointments 226
Approved engine oils 258
Apps 236
Armrest, refer to Center arm‐ rest 139
Arrival time 77
Ashtray 134
Ashtray, front 134
Ashtray, rear 135
Assist 232
Assistance, Roadside Assis‐ tance 270
Assistance when driving off 95
Audio playback 181
Audio playback, Blue‐ tooth 196
AUTO intensity 127
Automatic car wash 274
Automatic climate con‐ trol 126
Automatic Cruise Control with Stop & Go 102
Automatic Curb Monitor 52 Automatic deactivation, front
passenger airbags 86
Automatic headlamp con‐ trol 81
Automatic Hold 60
Automatic locking 35
Automatic recirculated-air control 127
Automatic Soft Closing, doors 35
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 65
Automatic trunk lid 36
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 127
AUTO program, intensity 127
AUX-IN port 192
Average fuel consumption 76
Average speed 76
Axle loads, weights 283
B
Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 46
Backrest, seats 44
Backup camera 113
Backup lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 266
Balance 172
Band-Aids, refer to First aid kit 270
Bar for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 272
Bass 172
Battery replacement, remote control, rear entertain‐
ment 202
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 267
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 28
Battery, vehicle 267
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Manual transmission 64
Map, destination entry
158
Map in split screen 165
Map view 163
Marking on approved tires 252
Marking, run-flat tires 252
Massage seat, front 46
Master key, refer to Remote control 28
Maximum cooling 127
Maximum speed, winter tires 252
Measure, units of 79
Medical kit 270
Memory for seat, mirrors, steering wheel 51
Menu
in instrument cluster 75
Menus, operating, iDrive 16
Menus, refer to iDrive operat‐ ing concept 17
Message list, traffic bulle‐ tins 165
Messages 224
Messages, refer to Check Control 70
Microfilter 129
Minimum tread, tires 251
Mirror 51
Mirror memory 51
Mobile communication devi‐ ces in the vehicle 147
Mobile phone 210
Modifications, technical, refer to Safety 7
Moisture in headlamp 263
Monitor, refer to Control Dis‐ play 16
Mounting of child restraint fix‐ ing systems 54
MP3 player 192
Multifunction steering wheel, buttons 12
Multimedia 181
Music collection 188
Music search 189
Music, storing 188 N
Navigation
154
Navigation data 168
Neck restraints, front, refer to Head restraints 49
Neck restraints, rear, refer to Head restraints 50
New wheels and tires 251
Night Vision with pedestrian detection 122
NORMAL program, Dynamic Driving Control 100
Notes 227
Number of cylinders, en‐ gine 281
Nylon rope for tow-starting/ towing 273
O
OBD Onboard Diagnos‐ tics 260
Obstacle marking, backup camera 115
Odometer 73
Office 221
Oil 257
Oil, adding 257
Oil additives 258
Oil
change interval, service re‐
quirements 74
Oil filler neck 257
Oil level check 257
Oil types, alternative 258
Oil types, approved 258
Old batteries, disposal 268
Onboard Diagnostics OBD 260
Onboard monitor, refer to Control Display 16
Online, refer to BMW On‐ line 234
Opening/closing from in‐ side 35
Opening/closing via door lock 34 Opening/closing with remote
control 32
Operating concept, iDrive 16
Outside air, refer to Automatic recirculated-air control 127
Overheating
of engine, refer to
Coolant temperature 72
P
Paint, vehicle 275
Panic mode 32
Parallel parking assistant 118
Park Distance Control PDC 111
Parked-car ventilation 131
Parked vehicle, condensa‐ tion 148
Parking aid, refer to PDC 111
Parking assistant 118
Parking brake 60
Parking lamps 80
Parking with Auto Hold 60
Passenger side mirror, tilting downward 52
Pathway lines, backup cam‐ era 114
PDC Park Distance Con‐ trol 111
Pedestrian detection, refer to Night Vision 122
People detection, refer to Night Vision 122
Permissible axle load 283
Personal information 221
Personal Profile 29
Phone 210
Pinch protection system, glass sunroof 42
Pinch protection system, win‐ dows 40
Plastic, care 276
PlugIn 237
Position, storing 156
Postal code, entering in navi‐ gation 154
Power failure 268
Power output, engine 281
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Power sunroof, glass 41
Power windows
40
Pressure, tire air pres‐ sure 242
Profile, refer to Personal Pro‐ file 29
Programmable memory but‐ tons, iDrive 20
Protective
function, glass sun‐
roof 42
Protective function, win‐ dows 40
Push-and-turn switch, refer to Controller 16
R
Radiator fluid 258
Radio 174
Radio-operated key, refer to Remote control 28
Radio ready state 58
Rain sensor 63
Random 182
Random playback 182
RDS 175
Reading out loud 228
Rear automatic climate con‐ trol 130
Rear axle steering 98
Rear entertainment 201
Rear lamps 265
Rear socket 136
Rear source, selecting for rear entertainment 204
Rearview mirror 51
Rear window defroster 128
Recirculated-air mode 127
Recommended tire brands 252
Refueling 240
Remaining range 73
Reminders 227
Remote control/key 28
Remote control, malfunc‐ tion 33
Remote control, rear enter‐ tainment 202 Remote control, universal
132
Replacement fuse 268
Replacing parts 262
Replacing wheels/tires 251
Reporting safety defects 8
RES button 104
Reserve warning, refer to Range 73
Resetting,
Tire Pressure Mon‐
itor TPM 89
Residual heat, automatic cli‐ mate control 128
Retaining straps, securing cargo 149
Retreaded tires 252
Roadside Assistance 233
Roadside parking lamps 81
Roller sunblinds 41
Roll stabilization, refer to Adaptive Drive 97
Roll stabilization, refer to Dy‐ namic Drive 98
Roof load capacity 283
Roof-mounted luggage rack 150
Rope for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 273
Route 162
Route criteria, route 161
Route, displaying 162
Routes, avoiding 162
Route section, bypassing 163
RPM, engine 281
RSC Runflat System Compo‐ nent, refer to Run-flat
tires 252
Rubber components, care 276
Run-flat tires 252
S
Safe braking 147
Safety 7
Safety belt reminder 48
Safety belts 48
Safety belts, care 276
Safety switch, windows 41 Safety systems, airbags
85
Satellite radio 176
Saving fuel 150
Scale, changing during navi‐ gation 164
Screen, refer to Control Dis‐ play 16
Screwdriver 262
Screw thread for tow fit‐ ting 273
Seat belts, refer to Safety belts 48
Seat heating, front 47
Seat heating, rear 47
Seating position for chil‐ dren 54
Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory 51
Seats 44
Seat ventilation, front 47
Selection list in instrument cluster 75
Selector lever, automatic transmission 65
Sensors, care 276
Service and warranty 7
Service requirements, CBS Condition Based Serv‐
ice 260
Service requirements, dis‐ play 74
Service, Roadside Assis‐ tance 270
Settings on Control Dis‐ play 78
Settings, storing for seat, mir‐ rors, steering wheel 51
Shifting, automatic transmis‐ sion 65
Shifting, manual transmis‐ sion 64
Shift paddles on steering wheel 66
Short commands 285
Shoulder support 46
Side airbags 85
Side View 117
Signaling, horn 12
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Everything from A to Z

Traffic bulletins, naviga‐
tion 165
Traffic
situation/gray card 166
Transmission, automatic 65
Transmission, manual 64
Transporting children safely 54
Tread, tires 250
Treble, tone 172
Trip computer 77
Triple turn signal activa‐ tion 62
Trip odometer 73
Truck for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 272
Trunk lid 35
Trunk lid, automatic 36
Trunk lid, emergency unlock‐ ing 37
Trunk lid, hotel function 37
Trunk lid via remote con‐ trol 33
Turning circle 281
Turning circle lines, backup camera 114
Turn signals, operation 62
Turn signals, rear, bulb re‐ placement 266
U
Unintentional alarm 40
Units of measure 79
Universal remote control 132
Unlock button, automatic transmission 65
Unlocking/locking from in‐ side 35
Unlocking/locking via door lock 34
Unlocking/locking with remote control 32
Updates made after the edito‐ rial deadline 6
Updating software 199
Upholstery care 275
USB audio interface 193
USB interface 138 V
Variable steering, Integral Ac‐
tive Steering 98
Vehicle battery 267
Vehicle
battery, replacing 267
Vehicle, breaking in 146
Vehicle care 275
Vehicle identification number, refer to Identification number
in the engine compart‐
ment 255
Vehicle jack 267
Vehicle paint 275
Vehicle storage 276
Vehicle wash 274
Ventilation 129
Ventilation, refer to Parked-car ventilation 131
Version of the navigation data 168
Video playback 183
Video playback, iPhone 195
Video playback, snap-in adapter 195
Voice activation, mobile phone 217
Voice activation, short com‐ mands 285
Voice activation system 22
Volume, setting 172
W
Warning messages, refer to Check Control 70
Warning triangle 270
Washer fluid 64
Washer fluid reservoir, ca‐ pacity 284
Washer nozzles, wind‐ shield 64
Washer system 62
Washing, vehicle 274
Water on roads 147
Weather Band 176
Weights 283
Welcome lamps 80 Wheel base, vehicle 281
Wheel change 267
Wheels, changing 251
Wheels, everything on wheels
and tires 242
Wheels,
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM 88
Width, vehicle 280
Window defroster, rear 128
Windows, powered 40
Windshield, climate con‐ trol 147
Windshield washer fluid 64
Windshield washer noz‐ zles 64
Windshield washer system 62
Windshield wiper 62
Windshield wipers, fold-out position 64
Winter storage, care 276
Winter tires, suitable tires 252
Winter tires, tread 250
Wiper blades, replacing 262
Wiper fluid 64
Wiper system 62
Wood, care 276
Word match concept, naviga‐ tion 21
Wrench 262
X
xDrive 96
Xenon headlamps, bulb re‐ placement 264
Y
Your individual vehicle 6
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Everything from A to Z