2015 BMW 5 SERIES Gear

This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplan‐
ing. It is characterized by a partial or complete
loss of contact between the tires and the road
surface, ultimately undermining your ability to
steer and brake the vehicle.
Driving through water Observe water level and speed
Do not exceed the maximum water level
and maximum speed; otherwise, the vehicle's
engine, the electrical systems and the trans‐
mission may be damaged.◀
Drive though calm water only and only if it is
not deeper than 9.8 inches/25 cm and at this
height, no faster than walking speed, up to
3 mph/5 km/h.
Braking safely
Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a stand‐
ard feature.
Applying the brakes fully is the most effective
way of braking in situations needed.
Steering is still responsive. You can still avoid
any obstacles with a minimum of steering ef‐
fort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal and sounds from
the hydraulic circuits indicate that ABS is in its
active mode.
In certain braking situations, the perforated
brake discs can cause functional problems.
However, this has no effect on the perform‐
ance and operational reliability of the brake.
Objects within the range of movement
of the pedals
No objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the pedal area; otherwise, the
function of the pedals could be impeded while driving and create the risk of an accident.
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 attached to
floor.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fas‐
tened again after they were removed for clean‐
ing, e.g.◀
Driving in wet conditions When roads are wet, salted, or in heavy rain,
press brake pedal ever so gently every few
miles.
Ensure that this action does not endanger other traffic.
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 Avoid stressing the brakes
Avoid placing excessive stress on the
brake system. Light but consistent brake pres‐
sure can lead to high temperatures, brakes
wearing out and possibly 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 are un‐
available with the engine stopped.◀
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear that requires least braking efforts. Other‐
wise the brakes may overheat and reduce
brake efficiency.
You can increase the engine's braking effect
by shifting down, going all the way to first gear,
if needed.
Brake disc corrosion
Brake disc corrosion and contamination of the
brake pads are favored by:▷Low mileage.Seite 190Driving tipsThings to remember when driving190
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 954 312 - II/15

Avoid high engine speeds
As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Use 1st gear to get the vehicle moving. Start‐
ing with the 2nd gear, accelerate rapidly. When
accelerating, shift up before reaching high en‐
gine speeds.
When you reach the desired speed, shift into
the highest applicable gear and drive with the
engine speed as low as possible and at a con‐
stant speed.
If necessary, observe the gear shift indicator of
the vehicle, refer to page 95.
Use coasting
When approaching a red light, take your foot
off the accelerator and let the vehicle coast to
a halt.
For going downhill take your foot off the accel‐
erator and let the vehicle roll.
The flow of fuel is interrupted while coasting.
Switch off the engine during longer stops
Switch off the engine during longer stops, e.g.,
at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in traffic
congestion.
Auto Start/Stop function The Auto Start/Stop function of your vehicle
automatically switches off the engine during a
stop.
If the engine is switched off and then restarted
rather than leaving the engine running con‐
stantly, fuel consumption and emissions are
reduced. Savings can begin within a few sec‐
onds of switching off the engine.
In addition, fuel consumption is also deter‐
mined by other factors, such as driving style,road conditions, maintenance or environmental
factors.
Switch off any functions that
are not currently needed
Functions such as seat heating and the rear
window defroster require a lot of energy and
reduce the range, especially in city and stop-
and-go traffic.
Reel off these functions if they are not needed. The ECO PRO driving program supports the
energy conserving use of comfort features.
These functions are automatically deactivated
partially or completely.
Have maintenance carriedout
Have vehicles maintained regularly to achieve
optimal vehicle efficiency and operating life.
The maintenance should be carried out by
your service center.
Also note the BMW Maintenance System, refer
to page 236.
ECO PRO
The concept ECO PRO supports a driving style that saves
on fuel consumption. For this purpose, the en‐
gine control and comfort features, e. g. the cli‐
mate control output, are adjusted.
Under certain conditions the engine is auto‐
matically decoupled from the transmission in
the D selector lever position. The vehicle con‐
tinues traveling with the engine idling to re‐
duce fuel consumption. Selector lever position
D remains engaged.
In addition, context-sensitive instructions are
displayed to assist with an optimized fuel con‐
sumption driving style.Seite 196Driving tipsSaving fuel196
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 954 312 - II/15

gine deposits, it is highly recommended to
purchase gasoline from Top Tier retailers.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in the need for unscheduled main‐
tenance.◀
Diesel
Low-Sulfur Diesel
The engine of your BMW is designed for diesel
with low sulfur content:
Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel ASTM D 975-xx.
xx: comply with the current standard in each
case.
Use only Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel.
The fraction of biodiesel in the fuel must
not exceed 5 %, referred to as B5. Do not use
gasoline. If you do fill the tank with the wrong
fuel, e.g., gasoline, do not start the engine as
this may damage the engine.◀
After adding the wrong fuel, contact your serv‐
ice center or Roadside Assistance.
If the fuel pump nozzle does not fit in the filler
pipe of your BMW, please check to ensure that you are refueling at a diesel fuel pump that is
equipped with a diesel fuel pump nozzle.
In the event the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel
cannot be fully inserted into the fuel filler neck,
please contact BMW Roadside Assistance for
instructions on how to add fuel.
For additional information regarding Roadside
Assistance, refer to Owner's Manual for Navi‐
gation, Entertainment and Communication.
Winter diesel
To ensure that the diesel engine remains op‐
erational in the winter, use winter diesel.
It is available at gas stations during winter
months.
The fuel filter heating system, included as a
standard feature, prevents disruption of the
fuel supply while driving.Do not add any diesel additives
Do not add additives, including gasoline;
otherwise, engine damage may occur.◀
BMW Advanced Diesel
The concept BMW Advanced Diesel reduces nitrogen ox‐
ides in the diesel emissions by injecting diesel
exhaust fluid reducing agent into the exhaust
system. A chemical reaction takes place inside
the catalytic converter that minimizes nitrogen
oxides.
The vehicle has a tank that can be refilled.
To be able to start the engine as usual, there
must be an adequate reducing agent.
Reducing agent is added by the service center.
Warming up the system
In order to warm the engine up to its operating
temperature after a cold start, the Steptronic
transmission may subsequently shift up to the
next higher gear.
Displays in the instrument cluster
Reserve indication This display in the instrument cluster provides
information about the distance that can still be
driven with the current reserve level.▷Lamp white: refill with re‐
duction agent at the next
opportunity.▷Lamp yellow: not enough re‐
duction agent present. The
remaining range is displayed
in the instrument cluster. Im‐
mediately refill with reduc‐
tion agent, refer to
page 208.Seite 207FuelMobility207
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 954 312 - II/15

Tow-starting and towingNote Tow-starting and towing
For tow-starting or towing, switch off the
Intelligent Safety systems; otherwise malfunc‐
tions of the individual braking systems might
lead to accidents.◀
Steptronic 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 load‐
ing platform only; otherwise, damage may oc‐
cur.◀
Tow truck
The vehicle should only be transported on a
loading platform.
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result.◀
Use tow fitting located in the front only for po‐
sitioning the vehicle.
Manual transmission
Observe before towing your vehicle Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Towing When the parking brake is blocked
The parking brake cannot be released
manually.
Do not tow the vehicle with the parking brake
blocked, or the vehicle can be damaged.
Contact your service center.◀
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 lights, turn
signals, and wipers may be unavailable.▷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
steering.▷Larger steering wheel movements are re‐
quired.▷The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the vehicle being towed; otherwise,
it will not be possible to control the vehi‐
cle's response.Seite 248MobilityBreakdown assistance248
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 954 312 - II/15

Screw thread for tow fitting
Push out the cover by pressing on the top
edge.
Tow-starting
Steptronic transmission Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Tow-starting the engine is not possible due to
the transmission.
Have the cause of the starting problems fixed.
Manual transmission If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but
start the engine by jump-starting, refer to
page 246. If the vehicle is equipped with a cat‐
alytic converter, only tow-start while the en‐ gine is cold.
1.Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.2.Ignition, refer to page 69, on.3.Engage third gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the
clutch pedal pressed and slowly release
the pedal. After the engine starts, immedi‐
ately press on the clutch pedal again.5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard
warning system.6.Have the vehicle checked.Seite 250MobilityBreakdown assistance250
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 954 312 - II/15

EfficientDynamics 199
Electronic displays, instru‐ ment cluster 84
Electronic oil measure‐ ment 231
Electronic Stability Program ESP, refer to DSC 135
Emergency detection, remote control 35
Emergency release, fuel filler flap 204
Emergency Request 245
Emergency start function, en‐ gine start 35
Emergency unlocking, trans‐ mission lock 82
Emergency unlocking, trunk lid 43
Energy Control 93
Energy recovery 94
Engine, automatic Start/Stop function 71
Engine, automatic switch- off 71
Engine compartment 229
Engine compartment, work‐ ing in 229
Engine coolant 234
Engine idling when driving, coasting 199
Engine oil 231
Engine oil, adding 232
Engine oil additives 233
Engine oil change 233
Engine oil filler neck 232
Engine oil temperature 92
Engine oil types, alterna‐ tive 233
Engine oil types, ap‐ proved 233
Engine start during malfunc‐ tion 35
Engine start, jump-start‐ ing 246
Engine start, refer to Starting the engine 70 Engine stop 71
Engine temperature 92
Entering a car wash 251
Equipment, interior 172
Error displays, see Check Control 88
ESP Electronic Stability Pro‐ gram, refer to DSC 135
Exchanging wheels/tires 223
Exhaust system 189
Exterior mirror, automatic dimming feature 63
Exterior mirrors 62
External start 246
External temperature dis‐ play 93
External temperature warn‐ ing 93
Eyes for securing cargo 193
F
Failure message, see Check Control 88
False alarm, refer to Uninten‐ tional alarm 48
Fan, refer to Air flow 166
Filler neck for engine oil 232
Fine wood, care 253
First aid kit 246
Fitting for towing, see Tow fit‐ ting 249
Flat tire, changing wheels 243
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 115
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Moni‐ tor TPM 111
Flat tire, warning lamp 112, 115
Flooding 190
Floor carpet, care 254
Floor mats, care 254
Fold down the rear seat back‐ rest, see Though-loading
system 177
Fold-out position, wiper 78 Foot brake 190
Front airbags 108
Front-end collision warning with braking function 120
Front-end collision warning with City Braking func‐
tion 118
Front fog lights 106
Front fog lights, bulb replace‐ ment 241
Front lights 239
front-seat passenger airbags, automatic deactivation 110
Front-seat passenger airbags, indicator lamp 110
FTM Flat Tire Monitor 115
Fuel 206
Fuel consumption, refer to Average fuel consump‐
tion 98
Fuel filler flap 204
Fuel gauge 92
Fuel lid 204
Fuel quality 206
Fuel recommendation 206
Fuel, tank capacity 261
Fuse 244
G
Garage door opener, refer to Universal Integrated Remote
Control 172
Gasoline 206
Gear change, Steptronic transmission 80
Gear shift indicator 95
General driving notes 188
Glare shield 174
Glass sunroof, powered 50
Glove compartment 181
Gross vehicle weight, ap‐ proved 259 Seite 265Everything from A to ZReference265
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 954 312 - II/15