
DrivingVehicle 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.
Start/Stop button
The concept Pressing the Start/Stop button
switches the ignition on or off and
starts the engine.
Automatic transmission: The en‐
gine starts if the brake is de‐
pressed while pressing the Start/Stop button.
Manual transmission: the engine starts if the
clutch pedal is depressed when the Start/Stop
button is pressed.
Ignition on
Automatic transmission: Press the Start/Stop
button but do not depress the brake.
Manual-shift transmission: press the Start/Stop
button, and do not press on the clutch pedal at
the same time.
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Most of the indicator and warning lamps in the
instrument cluster light up for varying lengths of
time.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
The ignition switches off automatically:▷When the vehicle is locked, if the low beams
are switched on.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
Note
If the engine is switched off and the ignition is
switched on, the system automatically switches
to the radio ready state when the door is opened
if the lights are switched off or the daytime run‐
ning lights are switched on.
Ignition off
Automatic transmission: Press the Start/Stop
button again, but do not depress the brake.
Manual-shift transmission: press the Start/Stop
button again, and do not press on the clutch
pedal at the same time.
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster go
out.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
Transmission position P with the ignition
off
When the ignition is switched off, position P is
engaged automatically. When in an automatic
car wash, for example, ensure that the ignition is
not switched off accidentally.◀
Ignition automatically cuts off while the vehicle
is stationary and the engine is stopped:
▷During locking, also with the low beams ac‐
tivated.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started. This function is only available when
the low beams are switched off.▷When opening and closing the driver door, if
the driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the
low beams are switched off.Seite 62ControlsDriving62
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▷The external temperature is high and auto‐
matic climate control is running.▷The passenger compartment has not yet
been heated or cooled to the required level.▷The engine is not yet at operating tempera‐
ture.▷The wheels are at a sharp angle or the steer‐
ing wheel is being turned.▷After driving in reverse.▷Fogging of the windows when the automatic
climate control is switched on.▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.▷The engine compartment lid is unlocked.▷HDC is activated.▷The parking assistant is activated.▷Stop-and-go traffic.▷The transmission selector lever is in position
N or M/S.
Starting the engine
The engine starts automatically under the fol‐
lowing conditions:
▷Manual transmission:
The clutch pedal is pressed.▷Automatic transmission:
By releasing the brake pedal.
When Automatic Hold is activated: press the
accelerator.
After the engine starts, accelerate as usual.
Safety mode
After the engine switches off automatically, it
will not start again automatically if any one of the
following conditions are met.
▷The driver's safety belt is unbuckled and the
driver's door is open.▷The hood was unlocked.
Some indicator lamps light up for varying
lengths of time.
The engine can only be started via the Start/
Stop button.
Note
Even if driving away was not intended, the de‐
activated engine starts up automatically in the
following situations:▷Excessive warming of the passenger com‐
partment when the cooling function is
switched on.▷The steering wheel is turned.▷Automatic transmission: the transmission
position is changed from D to N, R, or M/S.▷Automatic transmission: the transmission
position is changed from P to N, D, R, or M/
S.▷The vehicle begins rolling.▷Fogging of the windows when the automatic
climate control is switched on.▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.▷Excessive cooling of the passenger com‐
partment when the heating is switched on.▷Low brake vacuum pressure; this can occur,
for example, if the brake pedal is depressed
a number of times in succession.
Preventing an automatic engine stop
with automatic transmission
The concept
To make it possible to drive away very quickly,
such as at an intersection, the automatic engine
stop can be actively prevented.
Preventing an engine stop using the
brake pedal
The engine stop can be actively prevented
within one second after the vehicle comes to a
standstill.
▷Immediately after the vehicle comes to a
standstill, briefly press the brake pedal
forcefully.Seite 65DrivingControls65
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Transporting loads
Loads that extend beyond the perimeter
of the vehicle are not taken into account by the
system during the parking procedure.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, there is the danger of an acci‐
dent occurring.◀
Curbs
The parking assistant may steer the vehi‐
cle over or onto curbs.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, the wheels, tires, or the vehicle
may become damaged.◀
An engine that has been switched off by the
Auto Start Stop function is restarted automati‐
cally when the parking assistant is activated.
Requirements
For measuring parking spaces▷Maximum speed while driving forward ap‐
prox. 22 mph/35 km/h.▷Maximum distance to row of parked vehi‐
cles: 5 ft/1.5 m.▷When parking in parking spaces on the driv‐
er's side, the corresponding turn signal must
be set.
Suitable parking space
▷Gap between two objects with a minimum
length of approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.▷Minimum length of the gap: own vehicle's
length plus approx 4 ft/1.2 m.▷Minimum depth: approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.
For parking procedure
Closed doors.
At a glance
Button in the vehicle
Parking assistant
Ultrasound sensors
The ultrasounds sensors used to measure park‐
ing spaces are located in the side turn signals.
To ensure full operability:
▷Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.▷When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the sensors for long periods and main‐
tain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.
Switching on/off
Switching on with the button Press the button.
The LED lights up.
The current status of the parking space search
is indicated on the Control Display.
  Parking assistant is activated automatically.
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Ski bag
Capacity
The ski bag can be used to transport up to four
pairs of skis with a length of up to 6 ft/2.10 m or,
depending on the binding, up to two snow‐
boards with a length of up to 5 ft/1.60 m.
Preparing and loading the ski bag1.Fold open the center armrest on the inside.2.Open the inside cover and cargo area by
pressing the button.3.Lay out the ski bag.4.Load the ski bag. If necessary, wrap the
sharp edges of the skis.5.Insert the tongue plate into the belt buckle.6.Tighten the retaining strap.
Securing the ski bag
Secure the ski bag by tightening the re‐
taining strap; otherwise, the contents could
present a source of danger to the passengers,
for example during braking or evasive maneu‐
vers.◀
Removing the ski bag
The ski bag can be removed entirely, e.g., to dry
quickly or to use other inserts.
1.Pull the handle forward and lift the ski bag
out.2.Close the cover in the cargo area.Seite 162ControlsInterior equipment162
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Length, wheel base1Wheel base: 116.9 inches / 2,968 mm2Length: 193.1 inches / 4,905 mmM550d Vehicle height: 193.5 inches/
4,916 mm
Smallest turning circle
without active steering: 39 ft 2 in/11.95 mwith 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 233Technical dataReference233
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Individual settings, refer toPersonal Profile  31 
Inflation pressure, tires  189 
Inflation pressure warning FTM, tires  105 
Info display, refer to Com‐ puter  88 
Initialization, Integral Active Steering  123 
Initialize, Tire Pressure Moni‐ tor TPM  103 
Initializing, Flat Tire Monitor FTM  106 
Instrument cluster  75 
Instrument cluster, electronic displays  77 
Instrument display, multifunc‐ tional  78 
Instrument lighting  98 
Integral Active Steering  122 
Integrated key  30 
Integrated universal remote control  155 
Intensity, AUTO program  149 
Interior equipment  155 
Interior lamps  98 
Interior lamps via remote con‐ trol  35 
Interior motion sensor  43 
Interior rearview mirror  56 
Interior rearview mirror, auto‐ matic dimming feature  56 
Internet page  6 
Interval display, service re‐ quirements  85 
J
Jacking points for the vehicle jack  218 
Jack, refer to Vehicle jack  218 
Joystick, automatic transmis‐ sion  73 
Jump-starting  221 K
Key/remote control  30 
Keyless Go, refer to Comfort Access  40 
Key Memory, refer to Personal Profile  31 
Kickdown, automatic trans‐ mission  72 
Knee airbag  99 
L
Lamp replacement  212 
Lamp replacement, front  213 
Lamp replacement, rear  216 
Lamps  94 
Lamps and bulbs  212 
Lane departure warning  114 
Lane margin, warning  114 
Language on Control Dis‐ play  92 
Lashing eyes, securing cargo  176 
LATCH child restraint fixing system  59 
Leather, care  227 
LEDs, light-emitting di‐ odes  213 
Length, vehicle  233 
Letters and numbers, enter‐ ing  21 
License plate lamp, bulb re‐ placement  217 
Light-alloy wheels, care  228 
Light control  96 
Light-emitting diodes, LEDs  213 
Lighter, front  157, 158  
Lighter, rear  158 
Lighting  94 
Lighting, speaker  98 
Lighting via remote control  35 
Light switch  94 
Load  175 
Loading  175 Lock, door  36 
Locking/unlocking from in‐ side  37 
Locking/unlocking via door lock  36 
Locking/unlocking with re‐ mote control  34 
Locking, automatic  37 
Locking, central  33 
Locking via trunk lid  38 
Lock, power window  44 
Locks, doors, and win‐ dows  61 
Low beams  94 
Low beams, automatic, refer to High-beam Assistant  96 
Lower back support  49 
Luggage rack, refer to Roof- mounted luggage rack  176 
Lumbar support  49 
M
Maintenance  210 
Maintenance require‐ ments  210 
Maintenance, service require‐ ments  85 
Maintenance system, BMW  210 
Malfunction displays, refer to Check Control  81 
Manual air distribution  149 
Manual air flow  149 
Manual brake, refer to Parking brake  66 
Manual mode, transmis‐ sion  73 
Manual operation, backup camera  137 
Manual operation, door lock  37 
Manual operation, exterior mir‐ rors  56 
Manual operation, fuel filler flap  186 Seite 240ReferenceEverything from A to Z240
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