2008 BMW 5 Series Owners Manual

lbs./kg lbs./kg lbs./kg lbs./kg lbs./kg lbs./kg cu ft/l

Never exceed either the approved axle loads or the gross vehicle weight.

528xi

535xi

3,670/1,710
3,704/1,730

3,902/1,770
3,946/1,790

4,839/2,195
4,883/2,215
1,102/500
2,315/1,050
2,64891,220
220/100
18.4/520

5,004/2,270
5,048/2,290
1,102/500
2,315/1,050
2,689/1,220
220/100
18.4/520

257

a

Sports Wagon Curb weight > Manual transmission > Automatic transmission Approved gross vehicle weight > Manual transmission > Automatic transmission Load Approved front axle load Approved rear axle load Approved roof load capacity Cargo bay capacity

lbs./kg lbs./kg

lbs./kg lbs./kg lbs./kg lbs./kg lbs./kg lbs./kg cu ft/l

Never exceed either the approved axle loads or the gross vehicle weight.

Capacities

535xi

4,100/1,860
4,144/1,880

5,291/2,400
5,335/2,420
1,190/540
2,381/1,080
2,866/1,300
220/100
17.7-58.3/500-1,650

US gal/liters US gal/liters US gal/liters

Fuel tank of that reserve 550i Window cleaning system > Sedan US quarts/liters > with headlamp cleaning system US quarts/liters > Sports Wagon US quarts/liters

approx. 18.5/70
approx. 2.1/8
approx. 2.6/10

approx. 3.2/3
approx. 5.3/5
approx. 5.3/5

Notes Fuel grade: page 219

For more details: page 69

258

Short commands of voice command system

With short commands you can run certain func- tions directly, regardless of which menu item is selected.

Here are the important short commands for the voice command system.

Assistance window

Function To open the assistance window 20
To select the display in the assistance window 20 {Assistance window map facing north},

Command {Assistance window}

To change scale in assistance window 142

Communication

Function To open phone 195
To dial phone number 201
To display phone book 202
To select from the phone book 202

To display "Top 8" 203
To redial 202
To display "Received calls" 203
To display "Missed calls" 203
To display "Bluetooth" 198
To open BMW Assist 210
To open BMW Service, Services 209
To open "BMW Contact" 203
To open "BMW Contact Numbers" 203
To open "Roadside Assistance" 210

{Assistance window map direction of travel}, {Assistance window arrow display}, {Assistance window perspective}, {Assistance window current position}, {Assistance window trip computer} or {Assistance window onboard info} {Assistance window scale ... feet} or {Assistance window scale ... miles}

Command {Phone} {Dial number} {A to Z} {Call ...} or {Dial name} {Top 8} {Redial} {Received calls} {Missed calls} {Bluetooth} {BMW Assist} {BMW service} {BMW Contact} {BMW Contact numbers} {Roadside Assistance}

259

Navigation

Function To open navigation system 142
To open "Enter address" To open "New destination" To display "Input map" To display destination list To display address book To display route criteria To start destination guidance To end destination guidance To display arrow display To display map display

To change scale

To display roads or towns/cities along route To switch on voice instructions To switch off voice instructions To repeat voice instructions To open route To open "New route" To display current position

Onboard info

Function To open "Car Data" 80
To display computer 80
To display trip computer 80
To open stopwatch 86
To open speed limit 85
To activate speed limit 85
To deactivate speed limit 85

260

Command {Navigation} {Enter address} {New destination} {Input map} {Destination list} {Address book} {Route preference} {Start guidance} {Stop guidance} {Arrow display} {Map}, {Map facing north}, {Map direction of travel} or {Perspective} {Scale ... miles} or {Scale ... feet} {Route list} {Navigation info on} {Navigation info off} {Repeat navigation info} {Route menu} {New route} {Current position}

Command {Car data} {Onboard info} {Trip computer} {Stopwatch} {Limit} {Limit on} {Limit off}

Entertainment

Function Tone control 169
To switch on radio 172

To open "FM" 172
To open "AM" 172
To open "All stations" 172
To select radio station 172

To open "Presets" 172

To select preset radio station 172
To open "Manual" 173

To open strongest radio stations 174
To open "WB" 176
To switch on weatherband 176
To select a weatherband station 176
To open "SAT" 180
To switch on satellite radio 180
To open "Presets" of satellite radio 181
To open "All channels" of satellite radio 180
To open "Categories" of satellite radio 180
To open CD player 182
To switch on CD player 182
To open CD changer 183
To switch on CD changer 183
To select a CD in the CD changer 183
To select music track 183
To select a CD and music track in the CD changer 183
To switch on audio playback with external audio device 188

Command {Audio} {Radio on}, {FM} or {AM} {FM menu} {AM menu} {FM all stations} {Station ...}, e.g. {Station WNYC}, or {Choose station} {FM presets} or {AM presets} {Preset ...}, e.g. {Preset 1} {FM manual}, {AM manual} or {Choose frequency}, {Frequency ... Megahertz} {AM Autostore} {Weatherband menu} {Weatherband on} {Choose weatherband station} {SAT radio menu} {SAT radio} {SAT radio presets} {SAT radio all channels} {SAT radio categories} {CD menu} {CD} {CD changer menu} {CD changer} {CD 1...6} {CD track ...} {CD 1...6 track ...}

{Audio Aux}

261

Climate

Function To adjust temperature distribution for front seat heating 51
To open "Vent settings" 116
To open "Automatic programs" 115
To open "Parked car ventilation" 119
To open "Automatic ventilation" 119
To display activation times 119

Command {Seat heater distribution}

{Vent settings} {Automatic programs} {Parked car operation} {Automatic ventilation} {Activation time}

menu

Function To open the menu "Display off" 21
To open "Info sources" To open "Settings" To open "Door locks" 30, 32
To open "Steering wheel buttons" 54
To open "Lighting" 67
To open "Service requirements" 81, 211
To open "Service" 81, 211
To open "BMW Service settings" settings 213
To display "Check Control messages" 84
To open "Head-Up Display" 102
To set brightness of Control Display 88
To open "Units" 88
To open "Language" 88, 142
To open "Time" 86
To open "Date" 87
To open "PDC" 90
To open "FTM" 95
To open "TPM" 97
To display "Bluetooth" 198
To open "HDC" 93
To activate BMW Night Vision 105
To deactivate BMW Night Vision 105
To display settings for BMW Night Vision 105

262

Command {Settings menu} {Display off} {Info sources} {Settings} {Door locks} {Steering wheel buttons} {Lighting} {Service requirements} {Service} {BMW service settings} {Check Control messages} {Head-up display} {Brightness} {Units} {Language} {Time} {Date} {PDC} {FTM} {TPM} {Bluetooth} {HDC} {Night Vision on} {Night Vision off} {Night Vision settings}

e

263

Everything from A to Z

Index

"..." Identifies Control Display

texts used to select individual functions, and indicates where to find them in the text.

ABS Antilock Brake

System 91

– indicator lamp 94
ACC, refer to Active cruise

control 70

Accepted calls 202
Accessories 6
Accident, refer to Emergency

request 247

Acoustic signal, refer to Check

Control 83

Activated-charcoal filter for

automatic climate control 118

"Activation time" for parked-

car ventilation 119

Active cruise control 70
– indicator lamp 74
– radar sensors 74
– selecting distance 72
– warning lamps 74
Active front head restraints 49
Active seat 52
Active seat ventilation 52
Active steering 99
– warning lamp 100
Adapter for spare key 28
Adaptive brake assistant 92
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to

Brake force display 100
Adaptive Head Light 110
"Add digits" for mobile

phone 202

264

Additives – coolant 233
– engine oil, refer to Approved

AKI, refer to Fuel quality 219
Alarm system 37
– avoiding unintentional

engine oils 233

"Address book" for navigation

system 151

Address for navigation – deleting 153
– entering 144, 147
– selecting 152
– storing 151
– storing current position 152
"Add to address book" 151
"Add to destination

list" 147, 148

alarms 38

– interior motion sensor 38
– switching off alarm 37
– switching off tilt alarm

sensor and interior motion sensor 38

– tilt alarm sensor 38
"All channels" 180
"All doors" 30
All-season tires, refer to

Winter tires 228

"All stations", calling up with

Adjusting active backrest

radio 172, 176

width 47

Adjusting interior temperature 115

Adjusting the tone during audio operation, refer to Tone control 169

Adjusting thigh support 46
"After door opened" 48
"After unlocking" 48
Airbags 100
– indicator/warning lamp 102
– indicator lamp for front passenger airbags 101

– sitting safely 45
Air distribution – automatic 115
– manual 116
Airing, refer to Ventilation 118
Air recirculation – AUC Automatic

recirculated-air control 117

– recirculated-air mode 117
"Air recirculation on / off" 55
Air supply, automatic climate

control 114

Air volume 116

All-wheel drive, refer to

xDrive 93

Alterations, technical, refer to

For your own safety 5

Altering stretch of road 160
"AM", reception range 169, 172

Antenna, refer to Caring for

your vehicle brochure

Antenna for mobile phone 194
Antifreeze – coolant 233
– washer fluid 69
Antilock Brake System

ABS 91

Anti-theft alarm system, refer

to Alarm system 37

Anti-theft system, refer to

Central locking system 29
Approved axle loads, refer to

Weights 257

Approved engine oils 233
Approved gross vehicle

weight, refer to Weights 257

Armrest, refer to Center

armrest, rear 127

Around the center console 14
Around the steering wheel 10
Arrival time – refer to Computer 80
– refer to Starting destination

guidance 156

"Arrow display" for navigation

system 157

"Arrow display pop-up

instructions" 143

Ashtray – front 125
– rear 126
Assist, refer to

Automatic climate control 114
– automatic air

distribution 115

– parked car ventilation 118
– switching on and off 118
– ventilation in rear 118
Automatic closing of doors,

refer to Automatic soft closing 33

Automatic curb monitor 53
Automatic lighting – refer to Automatic headlamp

control 108

AUX-In connection 188
"AUX IN" in audio mode 188
Average fuel consumption 80
– setting units 88
Average speed, refer to

Computer 79

"Avoid ferries" for navigation

system 154

"Avoid highways" for

navigation system 154

Avoiding freeways for

navigation 154

Avoiding unintentional

– refer to Daytime running

alarms 38

BMW Assist 209

lamps 109

Assistance systems, refer to

– refer to High-beam

Driving stability control systems 91

Assistance window 20
"Assist. window off" 21
AUC Automatic recirculated-

air control 117

"Audio" 169, 171, 176
Audio 168
– controls 168
– switching on/off 168
– tone control 169
– volume 169
Audio device, external 124
Automatic – air distribution 115
– air volume 115
– cruise control 70
– garage door opener 121
– headlamp control 108
– service notification 211
– steering wheel adjustment 47

– storing stations 174
– tailgate operation 36
Automatic car washes 137
– also refer to Caring for your

vehicle brochure

assistant 110

– refer to Interior lamps 112
– refer to Pathway lighting 109
– refer to Welcome lamps 108
Automatic low beams, refer to

High-beam assistant 110
"Automatic programs" 115
Automatic roll-up cover,

Sports Wagon 128

Automatic soft closing 33
Automatic speed reduction for descents, refer to HDC Hill Descent Control 93

Automatic station search 173
Automatic transmission with

Steptronic 63

– interlock 64
– kick-down 64
– manually unlocking and

locking transmission lock 65

– shiftlock 64
– towing 250
– tow-starting 251
– with comfort access 39
"Automatic ventilation" 119
AUTO program for automatic

climate control 115
"Auto Request" 211
"Autostore" on the

radio 172, 174

"AUX" 169, 188, 189

"Avoid tollroads" for

navigation system 154

Axle loads, refer to

Weights 257

"A - Z" 202

Backrest contour, refer to

Lumbar support 47

Backrests, refer to Seats 46
Backrest width adjustment 46
Back seats, refer to Rear seats Backup lamps, replacing

bulbs 240

"Balance", refer to Tone

control 170

Band-aids, refer to First-aid

kit 248

Bass, refer to Tone

control 169

"Bass", tone control 170
Battery, refer to Vehicle

battery 245

– jump starting 248
Battery replacement, remote

control for comfort access 40

BC button, refer to

Computer 79

Being towed 250
Belts, refer to Safety belts 50
Beverage holder, refer to Cup

holders 125

265

Blower, refer to Air

volume 116

"Bluetooth" 195
"BMW Assist" 210
BMW Assist 209
– activating 214
– concierge service 212
– contacting BMW Customer

Relations 212

– displaying vehicle data 215
– offered services 209
– roadside assistance 210
– TeleService 211
– updating 213
"BMW Contact" 204
"BMW Contact Numbers" 204

BMW homepage 4
BMW maintenance

system 235

BMW Night Vision 104
– activating 105
– cleaning camera 106
– cleaning camera, refer to

Wiper system 68
– deactivating 105
– making settings 105
"BMW Service settings" 213
BMW website 4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup

holders 125

Bracket for telephone or

mobile phone

– refer to Snap-in adapter 207
Brake assistant 91
– adaptive 92
Brake force display 100
Brake lamps – replacing bulbs 240
– two-stage 100
Brake rotors – breaking-in 134
– refer to Braking safely 136

266

Brakes – ABS Antilock Brake

System 91

– brake assistant 91
– brake force display 100
– breaking-in 134
– CBC Cornering Brake

Control 91

– electronic brake-force

distribution 91
– handbrake 63
– refer to Braking safely 136
– warning lamps 13
Brake system 134
– brake pads 134
– breaking-in 134
– disk brakes 136
– warning lamp 94
Braking safely 136
Breakdown services, refer to

Roadside Assistance 248
Breaking-in brake pads 134
Breaking-in the clutch 134
Breaking-in the differential,

refer to Engine and differential 134

Break-in period 134
"Brightness" 88, 103
– with BMW Night Vision 106
Brightness of Control

Display 88

Button for starting engine,

refer to Start/Stop button 61
Buttons on steering wheel 11

California Proposition 65

Warning 6

"Call" 202, 213
Call – accepting 200
– displaying accepted 203
– ending 201
– in absence 203
– rejecting 201
– starting 201

Calling – by entering phone

number 201

– from phone book 202
– from Top 8 list 203
– redialing 203
– refer to telephone operating

instructions

Can holder, refer to Cup

holders 125
Capacities 258
Car battery, refer to Vehicle

battery 245

Car care, refer to Caring for

your vehicle brochure

Car-care products, refer to

Caring for your vehicle brochure

"Car Data" 80
Care 236
– refer to Caring for your

vehicle brochure

Cargo – refer to Cargo loading 137
– securing 138
– securing with ski bag 131
Cargo bay – capacity 257
– emergency operation, refer to Opening manually, Sports Wagon 35

– emergency release 34
– expanding, Sports

Wagon 128

– floor panel flap, refer to Compartment in floor, Sports Wagon 129

– locking separately 34
– opening/closing, refer to

Luggage compartment lid/ tailgate 33

– opening from inside 33
– opening from inside, Sports

Wagon 35

– opening from outside 33
– opening from outside,

Sports Wagon 35

– opening with remote

control 31

Cargo bay cover, refer to Roll-

up cover 128

Caring for artificial leather,

refer to Caring for your vehicle brochure

Caring for leather, refer to

Caring for your vehicle brochure

Caring for light-alloy wheels,

refer to Caring for your vehicle brochure

Caring for plastic, refer to the

Caring for your vehicle brochure

Caring for the carpet, refer to

Caring for your vehicle brochure

Caring for the vehicle finish,

refer to Caring for your vehicle brochure

Car key, refer to Keys/remote

control 28

Car phone 194
– installation location, refer to

Center armrest 123

– refer to Mobile phone 194
– refer to separate operating

instructions

Car radio, refer to Radio 172
Car wash 62, 137
– also refer to Caring for your

vehicle brochure

– with comfort access 39
Catalytic converter, refer to

Hot exhaust system 135

"Categories" 180
CBC Cornering Brake

Control 91

CBS Condition Based

Service 235
"CD" 169, 182

CD changer 182
– controls 168
– fast forward/reverse 186
– installation location 186
– random sequence 185
– repeating a track 185
– sampling tracks 184
– selecting a CD 183
– selecting a track 183
– switching on/off 168
– tone control 169
– volume 169
CD player 182
– controls 168
– fast forward/reverse 186
– random sequence 185
– repeating a track 185
– sampling a track 184
– selecting a track 183
– switching on/off 168
– tone control 169
– volume 169
Center armrest – front 123
– rear 127
Center brake lamp 241
Center console 14
"Central locking" 30
Central locking – from inside 32
– from outside 30
Central locking system 29
– comfort access 38
Changes, technical – refer to For your own

safety 5

– refer to Parts and

accessories 6

Changing language on

Control Display 88
Changing scale for

navigation 158

Changing units of measure on

Control Display 88

Changing wheels 227, 242
CHECK button 84
Check Control 83
"Check Control messages" 84

Check Gas Cap 219
Checking the air pressure,

refer to Tire inflation pressure 220

Child restraint fixing system

LATCH 57

Child restraints 56
Child restraint systems 56
Child-safety lock 59
Child seats, refer to

Transporting children safely 56

Chime, refer to Check

Control 83

Chock 243
Chrome parts, refer to Caring

for your vehicle brochure

Cigarette lighter 125
Cigarette lighter socket, refer

to Connecting electrical devices 126

Cleaning, refer to Caring for

your vehicle brochure

"Climate" 51, 115
Clock 78
– 12h/24h format 87
– hour signal 87
– setting time and date 86
Closing – from inside 32
– from outside 30
Closing fuel filler cap 219
Clothes hooks 124
Cockpit 10
Cold start, refer to Starting

engine 62

Comfort access 38
– observe in car wash 39
– replacing battery, remote

control 40

Comfort area, refer to Around

the center console 14

Comfort seat 46
"Communication" 200, 210
Compact Disc – refer to CD changer 182
– refer to CD player 182

267

Compact wheel – inflation pressure 221, 222
– wheel change 244
Compartment for remote control, refer to Ignition lock 61

Compartments – in cargo bay, Sports

Wagon 129

– refer to Storage area

Control Display, refer to

iDrive 16

– setting brightness 88
– switching off/on 21
Controller, refer to iDrive 16
Controls, refer to Cockpit 10
Convenient operation – glass sunroof 30
– windows 30
– windows and glass sunroof

package, Sports Wagon 130

with comfort access 39

– refer to Storage

compartments 124

Compressed audio files 182
Computer 79
– displays on Control

Display 80

– hour signal 87
"Concert hall", refer to Tone

control 171

"Concierge" 212
Concierge service 212
Condensation, refer to When

vehicle is parked 136

Condition Based Service

CBS 235

"Confirmation" 31
Confirmation signals for

locking and unlocking 31

Connecting car vacuum

cleaner, refer to Connecting electrical devices 126
Consumption, refer to

Average fuel consumption 80

Consumption indicator,

Energy Control 79

Consumption statistics, refer

to Average fuel consumption 80

"Continue guidance to

destination?" 157

"Contrast" with BMW Night

Vision 106

Coolant 233
– checking level 233
– temperature 78
Cooling, maximum 117
Cooling fluid, refer to

Coolant 233

Cooling function, automatic

climate control 117

Cooling system, refer to

Coolant 233

Copyright 2
Cornering Brake Control

CBC 91

Country of destination for

navigation 145

Courtesy lamps 112
Cradle for telephone or mobile

phone 123

Cruise control 69
– active cruise control 70
Cruising range 79
Cup holders 125
Curb weight, refer to

Weights 257

Current consumption, refer to

Energy Control 79

"Current position" 163
Current position – displaying 163
– entering 152
– storing 152
"Curve mode" with

BMW Night Vision 106

Control Center, refer to

"Customer

iDrive 16

268

Relations" 204, 212

Cylinders, refer to Engine

data 254

Dashboard, refer to

Cockpit 10

Data, technical 254
– dimensions 255
– engine 254
– weights 257
"Date" 87
Date 78
– date format 87
– retrieval 78
– setting 87
"Date format" 87
"Daytime running lamps" 109
Daytime running lamps 109
DBC Dynamic Brake Control,

warning lamp 94
"Deactivated" 49
Decommissioning the vehicle,

refer to Caring for your vehicle brochure

Defect – door lock 32
– fuel filler door 218
– glass sunroof 42
– luggage compartment lid 34
– panorama glass sunroof 44
– tailgate 35
Defrosting windows 116
Defrosting windows and

removing condensation 116
Defrosting windshield, refer to

Defrosting windows 116

Defrost position, refer to

Defrosting windows 116
"Delete address book" for

navigation system 153
"Delete all numbers" for

mobile phone 203

"Delete data" for navigation

system 153

"Delete" for mobile

phone 203

Destination address – deleting 153
– entering 144, 147

Destination for navigation – destination list 150
– entering via voice 147
– entry 144
– selecting from address

book 152

– selecting using information 149

– storing 151
Destination guidance 156
– bypassing route

sections 160

– canceling voice instructions 55

– changing specified

route 154

– displaying route 157
– distance and arrival 156
– interrupting 156
– starting 156
– terminating/continuing 156
– voice instructions 159
– volume of voice instructions 160
Destination list for

navigation 150

Destinations recently driven

to 150

"Details" in audio mode 184, 190

"Dial" for mobile phone 201
"Dial number" 201
"Diamond button" 55
Diamond button 54
Digital clock 78
Digital radio, refer to High

Definition Radio 176

Dimensions 255
Directional indicators, refer to

Turn signals 67

Direction instructions, refer to

Voice instructions 159
Directory, refer to Phone

book 202

Directory for navigation, refer

to Address book 151

Direct selection buttons 21
Displacement, refer to Engine

data 254

"Display" 88
Display, refer to iDrive

controls 16

Display elements, refer to

Instrument cluster 12

Displaying vehicle data 215
Display lighting, refer to Instrument lighting 112

"Display off" 21
Displays – on Control Display, refer to

iDrive 16

– refer to Instrument

cluster 12

"Display settings" 88, 103
Displays on the windshield,

refer to Head-Up Display 102

Disposal – battery of remote control

with comfort access 40

– coolant 233
– vehicle battery 245
Distance, refer to

Computer 80

Distance control, refer to Active cruise control 70

"Distance to dest." 80
Distance to destination, refer

to Computer 80

Drinks holder, refer to Cup

holders 125

"Driver's door only" 30
Driving lamps, refer to Parking

lamps/low beams 108

Driving route, refer to Displaying route 157
Driving stability control

systems 91

Driving through water 136
Driving tips, refer to General

driving notes 134

Dry air, refer to Cooling

function 117

Drying the air, refer to Cooling

function 117

DSC Dynamic Stability

Control 92

– indicator lamp 13, 92
– malfunction 94
DTC Dynamic Traction

Control 92

– activating 92
– indicator lamp 13, 93
DVD for navigation 142
Dynamic Drive 94
Dynamic Driving Control 66
"Dynamic route" for

navigation 154

Dynamic Stability Control

Distance warning, refer to

DSC 92

PDC Park Distance Control 90

Divided rear backrest, refer to

Through-loading system 127

Door entry lighting 112
Door key, refer to Keys/

remote control 28

Door lock 32
Door locking, confirmation

signals 31

"Door locks" 30
Doors – manual operation 32
– remote control 30
DOT Quality Grades 226
Draft-free ventilation 118

Dynamic Traction Control

DTC 92

Easy entry/exit 54
– backrest width 47
Eject button, refer to Buttons

in area of CD player 168

Electrical malfunction – door lock 32
– driver's door 32
– fuel filler door 218
– glass sunroof, electric 42
– luggage compartment lid 34
– panorama glass sunroof 44
– tailgate 35

269