Contents A­Z Owner's Manual for the Vehicle. With a quick reference guide for your convenience. Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 012 - © 07/99 BMW AG 528i 540i sedan sport wagon Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 012 - © 07/99 BMW AG Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW. Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and security when you drive it. We therefore have this request: Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new car. It contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in gaining maximum use and satisfaction from the unique range of technical features on your BMW. The manual also contains information on care and maintenance designed to enhance operating safety and contribute to maintaining the value of your BMW throughout an extended service life. This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important operating, safety and maintenance information. This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet (US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models). We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly. Your BMW is covered by the following warranties: ­ New Vehicle Limited Warranty ­ Limited Warranty Rust Perforation ­ Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty ­ Federal Emissions Performance Warranty ­ California Emission Control System Limited Warranty Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models). We wish you an enjoyable driving experience. BMW AG Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 012 - © 07/99 BMW AG 4n Notes on the Owner's Manual We have made every effort to ensure that you are able to find what you need in this Owner's Manual as quickly as possible. The fastest way to find certain topics is by using the detailed index at the end. If you desire an initial overview of your vehicle, this can be found in the first chapter. The detailed list of contents that directly follows the summary of contents is intended to stimulate your curiosity regarding your BMW and to encourage you to read the manual. Should you wish to sell your BMW at some time in the future, please remember to hand over the Owner's Manual to the new owner; it is part of the vehicle. If you have any additional questions, an authorized BMW center will be glad to advise you. Symbols used These sections contain vital information ­ please read the accompanying text passages carefully, both for your own safety and to prevent damage to your BMW.< These passages contain information on special and unique features of your vehicle.< Indicates special information on recycling.< < Indicates the end of a note. The individual vehicle On buying your BMW, you have decided in favor of a model with individualized equipment and features. This Owner's Manual describes all models and equipment that BMW offers within the same group. We hope you will understand that equipment and features are included which you might not have chosen for your vehicle. Any differences can easily be identified, since all optional accessories and special equipment are marked with an asterisk *. If your BMW features equipment which * Indicates special equipment, country- is not described in this Owner's Manual (car radio or telephone, for instance), specific equipment and optional extras. Supplementary Owner's Manuals are enclosed. We ask you to read these Indicates that you should consult manuals as well. the relevant section of this Owner's Manual for information on a particular part or assembly. Alerts you to functions which can be adjusted by your authorized BMW center ("Car Memory" or "Key Memory"). Refer to page 58.< © 1999 BMW AG Munich, Germany Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the written consent of BMW AG, Munich. Order no. 01 41 0 155 012 US English VIII/99 Printed in Germany Printed on environmentally friendly paper (bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling). Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 012 - © 07/99 BMW AG 5n Status at time of printing BMW pursues a policy of continuous, ongoing development that is conceived to ensure that our vehicles continue to embody the highest quality and safety standards combined with advanced, state-of-the-art technology. For this reason, it is possible that the features described in this Owner's Manual could differ from those on your vehicle. Nor can errors and omissions be entirely ruled out. You are therefore asked to appreciate that no legal claims can be entertained on the basis of the data, illustrations or descriptions in this manual. Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 012 - © 07/99 BMW AG 6n For your own safety Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8% oxygen by weight (i.e., 15% MTBE or 3% methanol plus an equivalent amount of co-solvent) will not void the applicable warranties with respect to defects in materials or workmanship. Field experience has indicated significant differences in fuel quality (i.e., volatility, composition, additives, etc.) among gasolines offered for sale in the United States and Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels may result in driveability, starting and stalling problems, especially under certain environmental conditions, such as high ambient temperature and high altitude. Should you encounter driveability problems that you suspect could be related to the fuel you are using, we recommend that you respond by switching to a recognized high-quality brand. Failure to comply with these recommendations may result in unscheduled maintenance. Follow the relevant safety rules when you are handling gasoline.< Important safety information! For your own safety, use genuine parts and accessories approved by BMW. When you purchase accessories tested and approved by BMW and Original BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire the assurance that they have been thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure optimum performance when installed on your vehicle. BMW warrants these parts to be free from defects in material and workmanship. BMW will not accept any liability for damage resulting from installation of parts and accessories not approved by BMW. BMW cannot test every product from other manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a BMW safely and without risk to either the vehicle, its operation, or its occupants. Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and other products approved by BMW, together with professional advice on using these items, are available from all BMW centers. Installation and operation of non-BMW approved accessories such as alarms, radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension components, brake dust shields, telephones (including operation of any portable cellular phone from within the vehicle without using an externally-mounted antenna) or transceiver equipment (C.B., walkie-talkie, ham radio, for instance) may cause extensive damage to the vehicle, compromise its safety, interfere with the vehicle's electrical system, or affect the validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. Visit your authorized BMW center for additional information.< Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and systems may be performed by any automotive repair establishment or individual using any certified automotive part.< Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 012 - © 07/99 BMW AG 7n The following only applies to vehicles owned and operated in the US. REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying BMW of North America, Inc., P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227, Telephone (201) 307-4000. If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or BMW of North America, Inc. To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline. Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 012 - © 07/99 BMW AG 8n Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 012 - © 07/99 BMW AG 9n Owner service procedures Technology Repairs Index Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 012 - © 07/99 BMW AG Advanced technology Technical data Data Index Car care Operation, care and maintenance Controls Controls and features Overview Overview Contents Cockpit 16 Instrument cluster 18 Indicator and warning lamps 22 Multifunction steering wheel (MFL) 25 Hazard warning flashers 27 Warning triangle 27 First-aid kit 27 Refueling 28 Fuel specifications 29 Tire inflation pressure 29 Locks and security systems: Keys 34 Electronic vehicle immobilizer 35 Central locking system 36 Opening and closing ­ from the outside 36 With the key 36 Opening and closing ­ from the inside 40 Luggage compartment lid/ Tailgate 41 Luggage compartment 44 Alarm system 45 Electric power windows 47 Sliding/Tilt sunroof 48 Adjustments: Seats 50 Steering wheel 54 Mirrors 54 Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory 56 Car Memory, Key Memory 58 Passenger safety systems: Safety belts 59 Airbags 60 Child restraints 64 Child seat security 66 Child-safety locks 66 Driving: Steering/Ignition lock 67 Starting the engine 68 Switching off the engine 69 Parking brake 69 Manual transmission 70 Automatic transmission 71 Automatic transmission with Steptronic 74 Indicator/Headlamp flasher 77 Wiper/Washer system 77 Rear window defroster 79 Cruise control 80 Everything under control: Odometer, outside temperature display 82 Tachometer 83 Energy control 83 Fuel gauge 83 Temperature gauge 84 Service Interval Display 84 Check Control 85 Onboard computer 88 Technology for safety and convenience: Park Distance Control (PDC) 90 Automatic Stability Control plus Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 91 Tire Pressure Control (RDC) 92 Controls and features Overview Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 012 - © 07/99 BMW AG 11n Controls and features Controlling the climate for pleasant driving: Automatic climate control 98 Seat heating 103 Steering wheel heating 103 Roller sun blind 104 Independent ventilation system 104 Cabin convenience: BMW Universal Transmitter 105 Glove compartment 108 Storage facilities 108 Cellular phone 109 Beverage holder 109 Ashtray, front 110 Cigarette lighter 110 Ashtray, rear 111 Operation, care and maintenance Lamps: Parking lamps/Low beams 94 Instrument lighting 94 High beams/Parking lamps 95 Fog lamps 95 Interior lamps 96 Reading lamps 96 Loading and transporting cargo: Through-loading system 112 Ski bag 113 sport wagon: Luggage compartment 116 Roll-up cover 116 Separation net 116 Storage areas in the luggage compartment 118 Cargo loading 120 Roof-mounted luggage rack 121 Special operating instructions: Break-in procedure 124 Driving notes 125 Catalytic converter 126 Antilock Brake System (ABS) 127 Disc brakes 128 Brake system 130 Winter operation 130 Power steering 132 Level control system 132 Cellular phone 133 Radio reception 133 Wheels and tires: Tire inflation pressure 134 Tire condition 134 Tire replacement 135 Tire rotation 136 Wheel and tire combinations 137 Winter tires 138 Snow chains 139 Approved wheel and tire specifications 140 Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 012 - © 07/99 BMW AG Contents Operation, care and maintenance Owner service procedures Advanced technology Under the hood: Hood 143 Engine compartment 144 Washer fluids 148 Washer nozzles 148 Engine oil 149 Coolant 151 Brake fluid 152 Vehicle Identification Number 153 Care and maintenance: The BMW Maintenance System 154 Caring for your car 155 Airbags 160 Vehicle storage 160 Laws and regulations: Technical modifications 161 OBD connector 162 Replacement procedures: Onboard tool kit 166 Wiper blades 166 Lamps and bulbs 167 Changing tires 173 Battery 176 Fuses 178 In case of electrical malfunction: Fuel filler door 180 Sliding/Tilt sunroof 180 Tailgate 181 Assistance, giving and receiving: Jump-starting 182 Towing the vehicle 183 Airbags 188 Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC) 188 Automatic Stability Control plus Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 189 Radio reception 190 BMW active seat 190 Safety belt tensioner 191 DSP sound system 192 Interior rearview mirror with automatic ...