BMW M5 SEDAN 2003 Owners Manual
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Repairing a flat tire Battery
If the inflation pressure does not
hold, complete step 10 and then
repeat steps 7 through 10.
The use of the M Mobility system may
be ineffective if the damaged area in
the tire is larger than approx. 0.15 in
(4 mm). If it should prove impossible to
restore the tire to operational status
using the M Mobility system, please
contact the nearest BMW center or
BMW Roadside Assistance at
1-800-332-4269.<
10. Unscrew the hose from the valve
and stow the M Mobility system in
the luggage compartment. Screw
the cap back onto the valve stem.
When you start driving again, do not
exceed the permissible maximum
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
You will find corresponding instructions
for using the M Mobility system on the
device.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the wheel and tire
balanced. Reactivate the Flat Tire Mon-
itor, for additional information refer to
page 82. Have the M Mobility system
recharged. Contact your BMW center
for this.
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirty
valve stems frequently lead to slow
pressure loss.Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<
Battery careThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. That means that the original elec-
trolyte will normally last for the service
life of the battery under moderate cli-
matic conditions.
Please consult the staff at your
BMW center whenever you have
any questions concerning the battery.
The battery is completely maintenance-
free; the following section is provided
for your information only.<
Never disconnect the battery
when the engine is running; the
ensuing voltage surge would seriously
damage the vehicle's onboard elec-
tronic systems.<
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Battery FusesCharging the battery Recharge the battery only with the
engine off, using the auxiliary terminals
provided in the engine compartment
(for information on these terminals refer
to "Jump-starting" on page 133).
Avoid environmental pollution
when disposing of old batteries.<
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your BMW center.
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Secure
the battery to prevent it from tilting
during transport.<
In the glove compartmentOpen the glove compartment and turn
the two white quick-release fasteners
to the left.390de085
In the luggage compartmentUse the handle to pull down the trim on
the right wall.
Do not attempt to repair a blown
fuse or replace it with a fuse
having a different color or amperage
rating. Installing the wrong fuse could
cause a fire in the vehicle resulting from
a circuit overload.<394de678
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Do not use spray starter fluids to start
the engine.
When your battery is discharged you
can used two jumper cables to start
your vehicle with power from the bat-
tery in a second vehicle. You can also
use the same method to help start
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables
with fully insulated handles on the ter-
minal clamps.
Do not touch high-voltage wiring
and cables on a running engine.
There is a risk of fatal injury if you do
this. Carefully observe the following
instructions to avoid personal injury
and/or damage to one or both vehi-
cles.<
1. Ensure that the battery in the sup-
port vehicle is also rated at
12 volts. This information is pro-
vided on the top of the battery
casing
2. Do not disconnect your battery from
your vehicle's electrical system.
Switch off all electrical accessories
in both vehicles
3. Make absolutely certain that there
is no contact between the body-
work of the two vehicles Ð short cir-
cuit hazard
4. Start the engine on the support
vehicle and allow it to run5. Use one jumper cable (+) to con-
nect the positive terminal of the
battery in the support vehicle with
the auxiliary positive terminal pro-
vided in the engine compartment of
your BMW specifically for jump-
starting. The cover of the auxiliary
terminal for use in jump-starting
your BMW is identified by a "+"
symbol, refer to illustration. Flip the
cap out to open
39mde112
Jump-starting
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Jump-starting6. Next, connect one end of the other
jumper cable (Ð) to either the sup-
port vehicle's negative battery ter-
minal or a suitable ground on its
engine or bodywork. Connect the
other end to the negative battery
terminal or a suitable ground on the
vehicle being started. There is a
special nut on the strut dome of
your BMW (refer to the arrow in the
illustration)
Always adhere to this sequence
when connecting jumper cables;
failure to observe this procedure can
lead to sparks at the battery terminals
and pose an injury hazard.<390de146
7. Start the support vehicle's engine
and let it run at an increased idling
speed for a few minutes. Start the
engine on the vehicle needing the
jump-start, and allow it to run as
usual. If the first start attempt is not
successful, wait a few minutes
before another attempt in order to
allow the discharged battery to
recharge
8. Before disconnecting the jumper
cables let the engines run for a few
minutes
9. Then disconnect the jumper cables
in reverse sequence.
Depending on the cause of the fault,
have the battery recharged by your
BMW center.
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Towing the vehicleTow fittingThe screw-in tow fitting is stored in the
onboard tool kit; be sure that it remains
in the vehicle at all times. This fitting
is designed for installation in the tow
sockets located at the front and rear of
the vehicle, and is intended for towing
on proper road surfaces only.
It should not be used to pull a vehicle
out of deep snow, mud, sand, etc.
Always observe all applicable towing
laws and regulations.Access to tow sockets Front:
Apply pressure to the arrow symbol on
the cover; remove the cover.390de087
Rear:
Apply pressure to the arrow symbol on
the cover; remove the cover.
Screw the tow fitting in until it bot-
toms firmly. Failure to screw the
fitting in securely can lead to thread
damage.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, leading to pos-
sible accidents.<
Use only a nylon towing strap to tow
the vehicle. The inherent resilience of
this material helps protect both vehicles
from sudden jerking movements.394de088
Keep the vehicles in line and avoid
towing at an offset angle. Ensure
that the tow rope connecting the two
vehicles is tight, with no slack, before
starting off.<
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it is no longer
possible to control vehicle response.<
Tow-startingIt is better to start the vehicle's engine
by jump-starting. For instructions on
jump-starting, refer to page 133.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another vehicle, as damage to the
energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.
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Towing the vehicleTowing a vehicle1. Shift lever in neutral
2. Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph (70 km/h)
3. Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km/h)
4. Leave the ignition key in position 1
to ensure that the brake lamps, turn
signals, horn and windshield wipers
remain operative, and to prevent the
steering lock detent from engaging
5. Switch on the hazard-warning
system (comply with official regula-
tions).
Find some means of identifying the
vehicle in tow, for instance, place a sign
or warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even if the
electrical system has failed to prevent
the steering lock from engaging. The
steering and brakes are without power
assist when the engine is not running.
This means that increased effort is
required for steering and braking.<
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use a wheel-lift or flatbed equipment
>Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.<380us124
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Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Index Technical data
Index
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BMW M5
Displacement
Number of cylinders cu in (cm
3) 301.5 (4,941)
8
Maximum output
at engine speed hp
rpm 394
6,600
Maximum torque
at engine speedlb ft (Nm)
rpm 368 (500)
3,800
Compression ratioe
11.0
Stroke
Borein (mm)
in (mm)3.50 (89.0)
3.70 (94.0)
Fuel-injection system Digital electronic engine-management system
Engine data