2012 BMW 528I manual transmission

Objects in the area around the pedalsNo objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the area of motion of the pedals;
otherwise, the function of the pedals could be
impeded while driving
Do not place additional floor mats over existing
mats or other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved for
the vehicle and can be properly fixed in place.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened
again after they were removed for cleaning, for
example.◀
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, briefly
exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every
few miles.
Ensure that this action does not endanger other
road users.
The heat generated in this process helps dry the
brake discs and pads.
In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
Hills
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the gear
in which the least braking is required. Otherwise,
the brake system may overheat, resulting in a
reduction in the brake system efficiency.
Manual transmission:
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, going all the way to first gear, if
necessary.
Automatic transmission:
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down in the manual mode of the auto‐
matic transmission, refer to page 72.Avoid load on the brakes
Avoid placing excessive load on the brake
system. Light but consistent brake pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos‐
sibly even brake failure.◀
Do not drive in neutral
Do not drive in neutral or with the engine
stopped, as doing so disables engine braking. In
addition, steering and brake assist is unavailable
with the engine stopped.◀
Brake disc corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and contamination
on the brake pads are furthered by:▷Low mileage.▷Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.▷Infrequent use of the brakes.
Corrosion occurs when the minimum pressure
that must be exerted by the pads during brake
applications to clean the discs is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake discs, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating ef‐
fect that generally cannot be corrected.
Condensation under the parked vehicle
When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water develops that exits underneath
the vehicle.
Therefore, traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are normal.
Seite 162Driving tipsThings to remember when driving162
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 879 - 09 11 490

▷Blue display: efficient driving style as long as
the mark moves within the blue range.▷Gray display: adjust driving style, e. g. by
backing off the accelerator pedal.
The display switches to blue as soon as all con‐
ditions for fuel-economy-optimized driving are
met.
ECO PRO Tip - driving instruction The arrow indicates that the driv‐
ing style can be adjusted to be
more fuel efficient by backing off
the accelerator.
Additional symbols
SymbolMeasureFor efficient driving style, back off the
accelerator.Reduce speed to the selected ECO
PRO speed.Automatic transmission: switch from
S to D or avoid manual shift interven‐
tions.Manual shift transmission: follow
shifting instructions.Manual shift transmission: engage
neutral for engine stop.
Configuring ECO PRO
1."Settings"2."Driving mode"3."Configure ECO PRO"4.Configure the program.
ECO PRO Tip
▷"ECO PRO limit:":
Set ECO Pro speed at which an ECO PRO
Tip is to be displayed.▷"ECO PRO speed warning":
A reminder is displayed if the set ECO PRO
speed is exceeded.
ECO PRO climate control
"ECO PRO climate control"
The climate control is adjusted to be fuel-effi‐
cient.
The following settings are optimized:
▷Cooling or heat output of the automatic cli‐
mate control▷Exterior mirror heating▷Seat heating
ECO PRO Potential
The percentage of potential savings that can be
achieved with the current configuration is dis‐
played.
Indications on the Control Display
EfficientDynamics
Information on fuel consumption and technol‐
ogy can be displayed during driving.
1."Vehicle Info"Seite 168Driving tipsSaving fuel168
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 879 - 09 11 490

▷"Engine oil at minimum. Add 1 quart of
engine oil!"
Within the next 125 miles/200 km, a maxi‐
mum of 1 US quart/liter oil.▷"Engine oil level below minimum. Add 1
quart!"
Immediately add 1 US quart/liter of oil.
Detailed measurement
Requirements:
▷Vehicle is on a level road and the engine is
running at operating temperature.▷Manual transmission: Shift lever in neutral
position clutch and gas pedal not de‐
pressed.▷Automatic transmission: Selector lever in
transmission position N or P and gas pedal
not depressed.
In order to perform a detailed measurement of
the engine oil level:
1."Vehicle Info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Measure engine oil level"4."Start measurement"
The oil level is checked and displayed via a scale.
During the detailed measurement, the idle
speed is increased somewhat.
Duration: approx. 1 minute.
Adding engine oil
Filler neck
Only replenish the maximum oil amount of
1 US quart/liter if the message is displayed in the
instrument cluster or the oil level has dropped to
just at the lower mark of the dipstick.
Protect children
Keep oil, grease, etc., out of reach of chil‐
dren and heed the warnings on the containers
to prevent health risks.◀
Do not add too much engine oil
When too much engine oil is added, im‐
mediately have the vehicle checked, otherwise,
this may cause engine damage.◀
Oil types for refilling
Notes No oil additives
Oil additives may lead to engine damage. ◀
Viscosity grades for engine oils
When selecting an engine oil, ensure that
the engine oil belongs to one of the viscosity
grades SAE 0W-40, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-40,
and SAE 5W-30 or malfunctions or engine dam‐
age may occur.◀
The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the
engine.
Seite 285Engine oilMobility285
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 879 - 09 11 490

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.◀
Tow truck
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Use the tow fitting screwed in at the front for
maneuvering the vehicle only.
Manual transmission
Observe before towing your vehicle The parking brake is blocked
The parking brake cannot be released
manually.
When the parking brake is blocked, do not tow
with the front axle lifted or the vehicle can be
damaged.
Contact your service center.◀
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Towing Follow the towing instructions
Follow all towing instructions; otherwise,
vehicle damage or accidents may occur.◀▷Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lamps, turn
signals, and windshield wipers may be un‐
available.▷Do not tow the vehicle with the rear axle
tilted, as the front wheels could turn.▷When the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. Consequently, more force
needs to be applied when braking and steer‐
ing.▷Larger steering wheel movements are re‐
quired.
Tow truck
Have your vehicle transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Seite 301Breakdown assistanceMobility301
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 879 - 09 11 490

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 299.
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 62, 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.Seite 303Breakdown assistanceMobility303
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 879 - 09 11 490

CareVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
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
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 70,
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 43.
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
In order to ensure that the vehicle can roll in a car
wash, take the following steps:
Manual transmission:
1.Release the parking brake, refer to page 66.2.Drive into the car wash.3.Shift to neutral.4.Switch the engine off.5.Switch on the ignition.Seite 304MobilityCare304
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 879 - 09 11 490

Length, wheel base1Wheel base: 116.9 inches / 2,968 mm2Length: 193.1 inches / 4,905 mm
Smallest turning circle
Dia.: 39 ft 2 in/11.95 m
Dia. xDrive: 39 ft 8 in/12.10 mDia. with active steering: 37 ft 6 in/11.45 m
Weights
The values preceding the slash apply to vehicles
with manual transmission; the values followingthe slash apply to vehicles with automatic trans‐
mission. 528iApproved gross vehicle weightlbs/kg4,971/2,255Loadlbs/kg1,036/470Approved front axle loadlbs/kg2,359/1,070Approved rear axle loadlbs/kg2,844/1,290Approved roof load capacitylbs/kg220/100Trunk capacitycu ft/l18.36/520Seite 311Technical dataReference311
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 879 - 09 11 490

Everything from A to Z
IndexA
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐ tem 107
ACC, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go 114
Activated-charcoal filter 142
Active Blind Spot Detec‐ tion 104
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, ACC 114
Active Protection 106
Active seat, front 49
Active seat ventilation, front 50
Active Steering, integral 110
Adaptive brake assistant 107
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 105
Adaptive drive 110
Adaptive light control 91
Additional telephone 230
Additives, oil 285
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 47
Airbags 94
Airbags, indicator/warning light 95
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 141
Air distribution, manual 140
Air drying, refer to Cooling function 141
Air pressure, tires 265
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 142
Air volume, automatic climate control 140
Alarm system 42
Alarm, unintentional 43 All around the center con‐
sole 14
All around the headliner 15
All around the steering wheel 12
ALL program, automatic cli‐ mate control 141
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 279
All-wheel-drive 109
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 147
Alternative oil types 286
AM/FM station 192
Announcement, navigation, refer to Spoken instruc‐
tions 182
Antifreeze, washer fluid 71
Antilock Brake System, ABS 107
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 107
Applications 258
Appointments 248
Approved engine oils 285
Apps 258
Apps, video playback 215
Armrest, refer to Center arm‐ rest 154
Arrival time 85
Ashtray 148
Ashtray, front 148
Ashtray, rear 149
Assist 253
Assistance, Roadside Assis‐ tance 299
Assistance when driving off 107
Audio playback 201
Audio playback, Blue‐ tooth 216 AUTO H button, refer to Auto‐
matic Hold 67
AUTO intensity 140
Automatic car wash 304
Automatic climate con‐ trol 139
Automatic Cruise Control with Stop & Go 114
Automatic Curb Monitor 56
Automatic deactivation, front passenger airbags 96
Automatic Engine Start/Stop Function 64
Automatic headlamp con‐ trol 90
Automatic Hold 67
Automatic locking 37
Automatic recirculated-air control 141
Automatic Soft Closing, doors 37
Automatic tailgate 38
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 72
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 140
AUTO program, intensity 140
AUX-IN port 212
Average fuel consumption 84
Average speed 84
Axle loads, weights 311
B
Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 49
Backup camera 126
Balance 190
Band-Aids, refer to First aid kit 299 Seite 324ReferenceEverything from A to Z324
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 879 - 09 11 490