load capacity BMW M5 2010 Owners Manual
Page 114 of 266
Practical interior accessories
112
Ski bag*
The ski bag is designed for safe, clean transport 
of up to 4 pairs of standard skis or up to 2 snow-
boards.
With the ski bag you can stow skis with a length 
o f  u p  t o  6 . 9 f t / 2 . 1 0  m .  W h e n  s k i s  o f  6 . 9 f t / 2 . 1 0  m  
in length are loaded, the ski bag will tend to con-
tract, reducing its overall capacity.
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 120 of 266
Things to remember when driving
118 vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the 
vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page50, 
otherwise they could be damaged due to the 
width of the vehicle.
You can find valuable information on this topic 
under Care, starting on page218.
Ground clearance
Make sure that sufficient ground clear-
ance is available. To drive down curbs, 
select the "Sport" program of the EDC Elec-
tronic Damping Control, refer to page83, to 
keep the ground clearance as uniform as possi-
ble. Otherwise the vehicle may be damaged.<
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their 
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage 
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result 
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Make sure that no fluids leak in the cargo 
bay; otherwise the vehicle could be dam-
aged.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX lbs. or YYY kg, as otherwise the vehicle may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the XXX amount equals 
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is 
650 lbs.: 
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely exceed the available 
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of 
the load from your trailer will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for 
transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the available cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle.
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. 
Page 121 of 266
Driving tips
 119Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle 
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer 
to page239, 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.
Use only the lashing eyes pictured to fasten the 
heavy-duty cargo straps. Do not secure cargo 
with the upper attachment points for LATCH, 
refer to page55; otherwise, you could damage 
them.<
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option 
for your BMW. Please comply with the precau-
tions included with the installation instructions.
Mounting points
The mounting points are located in the door 
openings.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of 
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on 
its handling and steering response. 
You should therefore always remember not to 
exceed the approved roof load capacity, the 
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle loads 
when loading the rack.
You can find the specified weights under 
Weights on page239. 
Page 230 of 266
Replacing components
228 the selector lever into a drive position with the 
sequential transmission.
Have all vehicle occupants get out of the vehicle 
and ensure that they remain outside the imme-
diate area in a safe place, such as behind a 
guardrail. 
If a warning triangle
* or portable hazard warning 
lamp
* is required, set it up on the roadside at an 
appropriate distance from the rear of the vehi-
cle. Comply with all safety guidelines and regu-
lations. 
Change the wheel only on a level, firm surface 
which is not slippery. The vehicle or the jack 
could slip to the side if you attempt to raise the 
vehicle on a soft or slippery surface such as 
snow, ice, tiles, etc. 
Position the jack on a firm support surface. 
Do not use a wooden block or similar object as a 
support base for the jack, as this would prevent 
it from extending to its full support height and 
reduce its load-carrying capacity. 
To avoid serious or fatal injury: never lie under 
the vehicle, and never start the engine while it is 
supported by the jack.<
What you will need
To avoid rattling noises later on, note the posi-
tions of the tools before removing them, then 
return them to their initial positions after com-
pleting work.
1Chock
*
2Vehicle jack*
3Lug wrench*
The tools are located in the hollow of the spare 
wheel.
Spare wheel*
1.Pull back lock1, fold open tensioning lock2 
completely and loosen the belt3.
2.Remove the cover4.
3.Remove the tool mount form the spare tire 
and stow the belt in the net bag included if 
necessary.
4.Remove the spare wheel.
Preparing wheel change
1.Observe the safety precautions above.
2.Prevent the vehicle from rolling:
Place the chock behind the front wheel on 
the other side of the vehicle, or on inclines, 
in front of this wheel. On steeply inclined 
roads, always secure the vehicle against 
rolling.
3.Loosen the lug bolts a half turn.
Jacking up vehicle
1.Position the vehicle jack at the jacking point 
closest to the wheel so that the entire sur-
face of the jack base rests on the ground 
perpendicularly beneath the jacking point.
The vehicle jack is designed for 
changing wheels only. Do not attempt 
to raise another vehicle model with it or to 
raise any load of any kind. To do so could 
cause accidents and personal injury.< 
Page 241 of 266
Reference 239
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Weights
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or 
the gross vehicle weight.
Capacities
M5
Curb weight lbs./kg 4,012/1,820
Approved gross vehicle weight lbs./kg 5,071/2,300
Load lbs./kg 1,058/480
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,403/1,090
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,800/1,270
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 220/100
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/l 17.7/500
Notes
Fuel tank  US gal/liters approx. 18.5/
70Fuel grade: page203
of that reserve  US gal/liters approx. 4/15
Window and headlamp 
washer system  US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5For more details: page64 
Page 248 of 266
Everything from A to Z
246 Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System80
– brake assistant80
– brake force display88
– breaking-in116
– CBC Cornering Brake 
Control80
– electronic brake-force 
distribution80
– handbrake59
– refer to Braking safely117
– warning lamps13
Brake system116
– brake pads116
– breaking-in116
– disk brakes117
– warning lamp82
Braking safely117
Breakdown, M Mobility 
System225
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance232
Breaking-in brake pads116
Breaking-in the clutch116
Breaking-in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential116
Break-in period116
"Brightness"77,92
Brightness of Control 
Display77
Button for starting engine, 
refer to Start/Stop button57
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
Warning6
"Call"184,195
Call
– accepting182
– displaying accepted185
– ending183
– in absence185
– rejecting183
– starting183Calling
– by entering phone 
number183
– from phone book184
– from Top 8 list185
– redialing185
Can holder, refer to Cup 
holders109
Capacities239
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery230
"Car Data"69
Care218
– car-care products218
– carpets220
– car washes218
– CD/DVD-player221
– chrome components219
– displays220
– exterior218
– fine wooden 
components220
– hand washing219
– headlamps219
– high-pressure cleaning 
jets218
– interior220
– leather220
– light-alloy wheels219
– paint219
– plastic components220
– rubber gaskets219
– safety belts220
– sensors and cameras220
– upholstery and cloth-
covered paneling220
– windows219
– wiper blades219
Cargo
– refer to Cargo loading118
– securing119
– securing with ski bag112Cargo bay
– capacity239
– emergency release36
– opening/closing, refer to 
Luggage compartment 
lid35
– opening from inside35
– opening from outside36
– opening with remote 
control33
– socket110
Caring for the vehicle 
finish219
Car key, refer to Keys/remote 
control30
Car phone176
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest107
– refer to Mobile phone176
– refer to separate operating 
instructions
Car radio, refer to Radio154
Car Shampoo220
Car wash118,218
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system116
"Categories"162
CBC Cornering Brake 
Control80
CBS Condition Based 
Service216
"CD"150,164
CD changer164
– controls150
– fast forward/reverse168
– installation location168
– random sequence167
– repeating a track167
– sampling tracks166
– selecting a CD164
– selecting a track165
– switching on/off150
– tone control151
– volume151 
Page 258 of 266
Everything from A to Z
256 "Random", random play 
sequence167
"Random all" in audio 
mode168
"Random directory" in audio 
mode168
"RDS"157
Reading lamps97
Rear armrest, refer to Center 
armrest, rear111
Rear lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps224
– replacing bulbs224
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints47
– folding over backrest111
– heating49
– removing head restraints47
Rear socket110
Rear ventilation102
Rearview mirror50
Rear window
– heating100
– roller sun blind, refer to Sun 
blinds106
Rear window safety switch40
"Received calls"184
Reception
– quality157
– radio stations157
– regional station156
Reception level of mobile 
phone, refer to Status 
information21
Recirculated-air mode101
– air recirculation101
– AUC Automatic 
recirculated-air control101
Reclining seat, refer to 
Seats43
Recording times, refer to 
Stopwatch75
Redialing with mobile 
phone189
"Redial" in mobile phone 
mode184
Reflectors, refer to Tail 
lamps224
Refueling202Releasing
– hood210
Releasing the locks, refer to 
Unlocking38
"Relock door if not 
opened"35
Remaining distance, refer to 
Cruising range69
Remaining distance to 
destination, refer to 
Computer69
Remote control30
– comfort access38
– garage door opener
105
– luggage compartment lid33
– malfunction33,39
– replacing battery39
Removing condensation on 
the windows100
"Repeat directory" in audio 
mode167
"Repeat" in audio mode167
"Repeat track" in audio 
mode167
Replacement fuses230
Replacement of tires, refer to 
Changing wheels227
Replacement remote control, 
refer to New remote 
controls30
Replacing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs222
Replacing tires207
Replacing wheels/tires, refer 
to New wheels and tires207
Reporting safety defects7
Reserve
– warning, refer to Fuel 
gauge68
"Reset"85,86
Reset, refer to Resetting tone 
settings153
"Reset" the stopwatch75
"resetting FTM …"85
"Reset to default" with 
MDrive53
"Reset" tone settings153
Residual heat101Restraint systems
– for children54
– refer to Safety belts47
Retreaded tires207
Reverse, fast
– CD changer168
– CD player168
Reverse gear61
– manual transmission59
Road map140
Roadside 
Assistance186,192,232
Roadside parking lamps95
Roof load capacity239
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack119
Rope, refer to Tow-starting 
and towing233
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to 
iDrive16
Route136
– bypassing sections142
– changing142
– changing criteria136
– displaying139
– displaying arrow display139
– displaying map view140
– displaying streets or towns/
cities141
– selecting136
Route information, refer to 
Destination guidance with 
voice instructions141
Route map, refer to Displaying 
map view140
"Route preference", 
changing136
Route selection136
S
Safety5 
Page 263 of 266
Reference 261
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Units
– average fuel 
consumption77
– temperature77
Universal garage-door 
opener, refer to Integrated 
universal remote 
control105
Universal remote control105
"Unlock button"32
Unlocking
– from inside35
– from outside32
– setting unlocking 
behavior32
– without key, refer to Comfort 
access38
Unlocking without key, refer to 
Comfort access38
"Update services"197
Upshift display, refer to Shift 
lights63
USB-audio interface/mobile 
phone audio interface171
"USB" in audio mode172
"Use current location as 
address"134,136
Used batteries
– refer to Disposal230
– refer to Replacing battery39
Using turn signals63
V
Valve screw caps, refer to 
After mounting229
Vehicle
– battery230
– breaking-in116
– loading118
– measurements, refer to 
Dimensions238
– parking58
– weights239
"Vehicle / Tires" in 
unlokking32
Vehicle care, refer to Care218
Vehicle jack228
– jacking points228Vehicle position, refer to 
Displaying current 
position145
Ventilation102
– draft-free102
– in rear102
– while stationary102
Venting, refer to 
Ventilation102
Vent outlets98
– refer to Ventilation102
Vent outlets of automatic 
climate control98
Vents, refer to Ventilation102
"Vent settings"100
Viscosity214
Voice, refer to Destination 
guidance with voice 
instructions141
Voice command system
– overview24
– short commands240
Voice instructions for 
navigation system141
– muting52
– repeating52,142
– switching on/off52,141
– volume142
Voice phone book188
Volume150
– audio sources150
– cargo bay239
– fuel tank, refer to 
Capacities239
– mobile phone182
– setting speed-
dependent152
– voice instructions142
– windshield cleaning system, 
refer to Capacities239
W
Warning lamps, refer to 
Indicator and warning 
lamps13
Warning messages, refer to 
Check Control72
Warning triangle231Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian 
models216
Washer fluid65
– capacity of the reservoir65
Waste container, refer to 
Ashtray109
Water on roads, refer to 
Driving through water117
Water penetration218,219
Waveband for radio154
"WB"150,158
Wear indicators in tires, refer 
to Minimum tread depth206
Weather news flashes158
Website BMW4
Weights239
Welcome lamps93
"Welcome light"94
Wheel/tire combination, refer 
to New wheels and tires207
Wheel/tire damage207
Wheelbase, refer to 
Dimensions238
Wheels and tires204
Width, refer to 
Dimensions238
Windows39
– convenient operation33
– convenient operation from 
outside34
– convenient operation with 
comfort access39
– safety switch40
Windshield
– cleaning, refer to Wiper 
system64
– defrosting, refer to 
Defrosting windows100
– displays, refer to Head-Up 
Display90