navigation BMW M5 2008 Repair Manual
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Loading
1.Fold down the center armrest, press the 
button and open the cover.
2.Press the button again; the cover in the 
cargo bay opens. If you press the button 
firmly the first time, this also opens the 
cover in the cargo bay.
3.Extend the ski bag between the front seats 
and fill it. The zipper facilitates access to the 
stowed items and drying of the ski bag.
4.Insert the latch plate of the ski bag retaining 
strap into the center safety belt buckle that 
is marked CENTER.
Only stow clean skis in the ski bag. Wrap sharp 
edges to prevent damage.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con-
tents. Tighten the retaining strap on the ten-
sioning buckle for this purpose.
Secure the ski bag in this way. If you fail to 
do so, it could endanger vehicle occu-
pants during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
To store the ski bag, perform the above steps in 
reverse order.
Removing ski bag
The ski bag can be completely removed, e.g. for 
faster drying or to allow you to put it to other 
uses.
1.Pull the handle forward and pull the ski bag 
up and out.
2.Close the cover in the cargo bay.
Your BMW center will be glad to provide 
you with more detailed information on the 
various items of equipment.< 
Page 117 of 260
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flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass, 
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it 
the risk of serious property damage as well as 
personal injury. Do not touch hot exhaust tail 
pipes. Otherwise there is a risk of burns.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge 
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and 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.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread 
depth of the tires decreases, refer also to Mini-
mum tire tread on page202.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it 
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at 
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the 
transmission may be damaged.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard 
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to 
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains 
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid 
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering 
effort.
The pulsing of he brake pedal indicates that the 
ABS is controlling braking.
In certain braking situations the perforated 
brake rotors can cause operating noises which, 
however, have not effect on the performance 
and operating safety of the brake system.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the 
brake pedal. Even light but consistent 
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures, 
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, 
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal 
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to 
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger 
other road users. The heat generated in this 
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure 
that full braking efficiency will then be available 
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting 
reduced efficiency of the brake system, 
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the 
gear in which the least braking is required. Even 
light but consistent pressure on the brake pedal 
can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and 
possibly even brake failure.<
Sequential Manual Transmission: do not 
drive in idle or with the engine switched 
off, otherwise there will be no engine braking 
action or support of the braking force and steer-
ing. 
Manual transmission: do not drive with the 
clutch depressed, in idle or with the engine 
switched off, otherwise there will be no engine 
braking action or support of the braking force 
and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other 
objects to protrude into the area of movement 
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in operating conditions where 
brake applications are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the 
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum 
pressure which must be exerted by the pads 
during brake applications to clean the rotors is 
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the 
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating 
effect that even extended application will fail to 
cure. 
Page 119 of 260
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Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of 
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the 
weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage 
can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward and as low 
as possible, placing it directly behind the 
rear backrest.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is 
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the 
opposite buckle.
>Do not pile objects higher than the top edge 
of the backrest.
Securing cargo
>Use the luggage net*, luggage straps, or 
securing straps to hold down small and 
lightweight luggage and cargo.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing 
larger and heavier objects are available at 
your BMW center. Four lashing eyes 
mounted in the cargo bay are used to 
secure these heavy-duty cargo straps, refer 
to illustration.
>Please observe the special instructions 
supplied with the heavy-duty cargo straps.
Position and secure the cargo as 
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the vehicle's occupants, for example if sud-
den braking or evasive maneuvers are neces-
sary.
Use only the lashing eyes to secure heavy-duty 
cargo straps, refer to illustration, otherwise the 
cargo straps could become detached or the 
vehicle could be damaged.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle 
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer 
to page232, as excessive loads can pose a 
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws. 
You should never transport unsecured heavy or 
hard objects in the passenger compartment, as 
they could fly around and pose a safety hazard 
to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.< 
Page 121 of 260
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BMW M5 Engineering
V10 High Output Engine
With a 305 cu in/5 liter displacement, the high-
speed V10 engine generates a maximum out-
put of 373 kW and a maximum torque of 
384 lb ft/520 Nm. Its spontaneous response 
characteristics yield a very broad usable engine 
speed range. At the maximum engine speed of 
8250 rpm, the flow of fuel is interrupted in order 
to protect the engine. Due to the powerful 
engine dynamics, when the vehicle is at rest, 
the maximum engine speed is limited to 
7000 rpm.
Warming up
The emissions control system causes the 
V10 high-output engine to have slightly 
rougher running characteristics during its 
warm-up phase.
When the engine is cold, the exhaust system 
has a slightly metallic undertone due to the sys-
tem design.
For additional information of warming up, refer 
to Tachometer on page66 and Engine oil tem-
perature on page67.
Compound brake
Your BMW M5 has a high-performance brake 
s y s t em  wi t h  p e rf o ra t e d  c o m p o u n d  b r a k e  r o t o r s .
Due to the special structural features of these 
brake rotors, function noises occur during brak-
ing, but this has no effect on the performance, 
operating safety, and stability of the brakes.
Braking correctly
In order to keep the brake system in optimum 
condition, it is useful to put them under load at 
regular intervals in accordance with the nature 
of the vehicle.
Also refer to Corrosion on brake rotors on 
page115.
Drive train
In your BMW M5, particular importance was 
attached to the direct connection of the engine 
to the drive system. Due to the torsionally rigid 
design of the drive train, the transmission of the 
torque is also audible, as is customary in a 
sports car. As a result, load shifts can be dis-
tinctly audible. This does not in any way impair 
the function or the service life of the compo-
nents. 
Page 123 of 260
Navigation
This chapter describes how you can
enter destinations and specify your route
so that your navigation system guides you
reliably to your destination.
Navigation 
Page 124 of 260
Starting navigation system
122
Starting navigation system
Your navigation system can use satellites to 
ascertain the precise position of your vehicle 
and guide you reliably to any destination you 
enter.
Navigation DVD
The navigation system requires a special navi-
gation DVD. The latest version is available at 
your BMW center.
Inserting navigation DVD
1.Insert the navigation DVD with the labeled 
side up. The navigation DVD is automati-
cally pulled in.
2.Allow several seconds for the system to 
scan the data from the DVD.
Removing navigation DVD
1.Press  button 1.
The DVD emerges slightly from the drive.
2.Remove the DVD.
If the DVD is not ejected from the drive, it is pos-
sible that it is blocked. In this case a message is 
also shown on the Control Display.
Display in assistance window
You can display the route or the current position 
in the assistance window. This display remains 
visible even if you change to another applica-
tion.
1.Move the controller to the right to enter the 
assistance window.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select the desired route view or "Current 
position".
4.Press the controller.
Displaying arrow view in map view*
If the navigation system suggests a change of 
direction, the arrow view is briefly displayed.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
* 
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4.Turn the controller until "Language / Units" 
is selected and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Languages" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.Select "Arrow display pop-up instructions" 
and press the controller.
 The arrow view appears in the assistance 
window. 
Page 126 of 260
Destination entry
124
Destination entry
In entering your destination you can select from 
among the following options:
>Entering a destination manually, see below
>Entering destination via voice*, refer to 
page127
>Selecting destination using information, 
refer to page129
>Selecting destination from a list, refer to 
Destination list, page130
>Selecting destination from address book, 
refer to page131
>Selecting home address, refer to page133
After selecting your destination you can pro-
ceed to start the destination guidance, refer to 
page136.
You can also store a navigation destination on 
the programmable memory/direct selection 
buttons, refer to page21.
Enter data only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary, and always give priority to the 
applicable traffic regulations in the event of any 
contradiction between traffic and road condi-
tions and the instructions issued by the naviga-
tion system. If you do not observe this precau-
tion, you can endanger the vehicle occupants 
and other road users.<
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the right to open 
"Navigation".
3.Select "Navigation" and press the control-
ler.
The Control Display shows:
>the arrow view or map view during destina-
tion guidance
>the destination list when destination guid-
ance is switched offEntering a destination 
manually
The system's word matching principle makes it 
easier for you to enter the names of streets or 
towns, refer to page135. This allows you to 
enter different spellings and completes your 
entry automatically so that stored names can be 
called up quickly.
1.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Navigation" is selected and 
press the controller.
"New destination" is selected.
2.Press the controller.
3.Select "Enter address" and press the con-
troller.
The system also supports you with the follow-
ing features:
>If you do not enter a street, the system will 
guide you to the downtown area of a town/
city.
>You can skip the entry of country and local-
ity if the current entries should be retained 
for your new destination. 
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Selecting country
1.Select "State / Province" or the displayed 
country and press the controller.
The list of available countries appears on 
the display.
2.Select the country of destination and press 
the controller.
In order to be able to start the destination guid-
ance, at least the town/city of the destination or 
its zip code must be entered.
Entering destination via town/city 
name
1.Select "Town / City" or the displayed town/
city and press the controller.
2.Select the starting letter and press control-
ler.
A list of all towns/cities starting with this let-
ter appears on the Control Display.
3.To delete the letter entered if necessary:
>Delete individual numbers or letters:
Move the controller toward the right to 
select   and press the controller.
>Delete all numbers or letters:
Move the controller toward the right to 
select   and press and hold the con-
troller.4.If necessary, enter more letters.
The list gradually grows smaller each time 
you enter a new letter.
>Enter blank space if necessary:
Select the   symbol and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to the third field from the top if nec-
essary. Turn the controller until the town/
city name is selected from the list and press 
the controller.
Entering destination by zip code
1.Select "Town / City" and press the control-
ler.
2.Enter the zip code: 
Select the desired digits and press the con-
troller. 
Page 128 of 260
Destination entry
126 >Enter a blank space:
Select the   symbol and press the con-
troller.
>Delete individual numbers or letters:
Move the controller toward the right to 
select   and press the controller.
>Delete all numbers or letters:
Move the controller toward the right to 
select   and press and hold the con-
troller.
3.Select the zip code and press the controller. 
The corresponding destination is displayed.
4.Change into the third field from the top. 
Turn the controller until the destination is 
selected and press the controller.
Entering street, house number and 
intersection
After the street you can also enter the intersec-
tion or the house number.
Entering street and intersection
1.Select "Street" or the displayed street and 
press the controller.
2.Enter the street.
The street is entered exactly like the desti-
nation.
The intersection is entered in the same way as 
the street.
Entering a street without entering 
destination
You can also enter a street without entering 
a destination. In this case all streets of the 
entered country are offered for selection. The related town/city is displayed after the 
street name.
If a town/city has already been entered, you can 
undo this entry. This may be practical if the 
desired street does not exist in the entered des-
tination, because, for example, it belongs to 
another part of the town/city.
1.Change to upper field.
 The arrow is selected.
2.Turn the controller to the right until the 
request for the entry of a street in the coun-
try appears and press the controller.
3.Change to the second field from the top and 
enter the street.
Entering house number
All house numbers stored for the street on the 
navigation DVD can be entered.
1.Select "House number" and press the con-
troller.
2.Enter the house number:
Select the desired digits and press the con-
troller.
3.Change into the third field from the top. 
Turn the controller until the house number 
is selected and press the controller.