BMW 5 SERIES 2011 Owners Manual

Fuel
Fuel quality
Refuel with unleaded fuel only
Do not use leaded fuel as this would per‐
manently damage the catalytic converter.
◀
Do not refuel with ethanol
Do not refuel with E85, i.e., fuel with an
ethanol content of 85 %, or with Flex Fuel, as this
would damage the engine and fuel supply sys‐
tem.◀
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91 or AKI
89
BMW recommends AKI 91 or 89.
Gasoline with lower AKI
The minimum AKI Rating is 89.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat‐
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no effect on the engine life.
Minimum fuel grade
Do not use any gasoline below the mini‐
mum specified fuel grade; otherwise, engine
damage may occur.◀
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant differ‐
ences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, ad‐
ditives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale in
the United States and Canada.
Fuels containing up to and including 10 % etha‐
nol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen
by weight, that is, 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. Minimum fuel grade
The
use of poor-quality fuels may result in
driveability, starting and stalling problems es‐
pecially under certain environmental conditions
such as high ambient temperature and high al‐
titude.
Should you encounter driveability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in unscheduled maintenance.◀ Seite 241
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Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Safety information
The tire characteristics and tire inflation pres‐
sure influence the following:
▷
The service life of the tires.
▷ Road safety.
▷ Driving comfort.
Checking the pressure
Only check the tire inflation pressure when the
tires are cold. This means after driving no more
than 1.25 miles/2 km or when the vehicle has
been
parked for at least 2 hours. When the tires
are warm, the tire inflation pressure is higher.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
Regularly check the tire inflation pressure
and correct it as needed: at least twice a month
and before a long trip. If you fail to observe this
precaution, you may be driving on tires with in‐
correct tire pressures, a condition that may not
only compromise your vehicle's driving stability,
but also lead to tire damage and the risk of an
accident.◀
After correcting the tire inflation pressure, rein‐
itialize the Tire Pressure Monitor.
Pressure specifications
The tire inflation pressure table, refer to
page 242, contains all pressure specifications
for the specified tire sizes at the ambient tem‐
perature. Pressure specifications apply to ap‐
proved tire sizes and recommended tire brands.
This information can be obtained from your
service center.
To identify the correct tire inflation pressure,
please note the following:
▷ Tire sizes of your vehicle.
▷ Vehicle load.
▷ Maximum allowable driving speed. Tire inflation pressures up to 100 mph/
160 km/h
For speeds of up to 100 mph/160 km/h and for
optimum

driving comfort, note the pressure val‐
ues in the tire inflation pressure table, refer to
page 242, and adjust as necessary. These pressure values can also be found on the
tire inflation pressure label on the driver's door
pillar.
Maximum permissible speed
Do not exceed 100 mph/160 km/h; other‐
wise, tire damage and accidents may result.

◀
Tire inflation pressure values up to
100 mph/160 km/h
528i Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 225/55 R 17 97 V M
+S A/S
225/55 R 17 97 H M
+S
2.2 / 32 2.4 / 35 Seite 242
242 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490
Wheels and tires
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Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
245/45 R 18 100 V M
+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45
R 18 100 V M
+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.6 / 38
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.4 / 35
-
-
2.9 /42535i
Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/45 R 18 100 V M
+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
225/55 R 17 97 H M
+S
245/45

R 18 100 V M
+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.7 / 39
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35 Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.4 / 35
-
-
2.9 /42 550i
Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/45 R 18 100 V M
+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45

R 18 100 V M
+S XL 2.5 / 36 2.7 / 39
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.5 / 36
--
2.5 / 36
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.5 / 36
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.6 / 38
-
-
2.9 /42 Seite 243
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535i xDrive
Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/45 R 18 100 V M
+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
225/55 R 17 97 H M
+S
245/45
R 18 100 V M
+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.7 / 39
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.5 / 36
-
-
3.0 / 44 550i xDrive
Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/45 R 18 100 V M
+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45
R 18 100 V M
+S XL 2.6 / 38 2.7 / 39
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.6 / 38
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.6 / 38
--
2.7 / 39
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.7 / 39
-
-
3.1 / 45 Tire inflation pressures at max. speeds
above 100 mph/160 km/h
Speeds above 100 mph/160 km/h
In

order to drive at maximum speeds in ex‐
cess of 100 mph/160 km/h, please observe, and,
if necessary, adjust tire pressures for speeds
exceeding 100 mph/160 km/h from the relevant
table on the following pages. Otherwise tire
damage and accidents could occur.◀
Tire inflation pressure values over
100 mph/160 km/h
528i
Without high-speed tuning feature Seite 244
244 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490
Wheels and tires
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Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with
the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires 225/55 R 17 97 V M
+S A/S
225/55

R 17 97 H M
+S 2.2 / 32 2.6 / 38
245/45 R 18 100 V
M+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.9 /42
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.4 / 35
-
-
2.9 /42With high-speed tuning feature Tire size
Pressure specifications in
bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires 225/55 R 17 97
H M+S
2.5 / 36 3.0 / 44
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL 2.7 / 39 3.2 / 46
F: 245/45 R 18 96
Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99
Y 2.7 / 39
-
-
2.7 / 39
F: 245/40 R 19 94
Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96
Y 2.7 / 39
-
-
3.0 / 44
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.7 / 39
-
-
3.2 / 46 535i
Without high-speed tuning feature
Seite 245
245Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490

Reference
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Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with
the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
psi/kilopascal with
cold tires 245/45 R 18 100 V
M+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
225/55

R 17 97 H M
+S
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.9 /42
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R:
275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R:
275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.4 / 35
-
-
2.9 /42With high-speed tuning feature Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
psi/kilopascal with
cold tires 245/45 R 18 96 Y
225/55 R 17 97
H M+S
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL
2.7 / 39 3.2 / 46
F: 245/45 R 18 96
Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99
Y 2.7 / 39
-
-
2.7 / 39
F: 245/40 R 19 94
Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96
Y 2.7 / 39
-
-
3.0 / 44
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.7 / 39
-
-
3.2 / 46 550i
Without high-speed tuning feature
Seite 246
246 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490
Wheels and tires
ProCarManuals.com

Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with
the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
psi/kilopascal with
cold tires 245/45 R 18 100 V
M+S XL A/S
245/40

R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL 2.5 / 36 3.0 / 44
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R:
275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.5 / 36
--
2.5 / 36
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R:
275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.5 / 36
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.6 / 38
-
-
2.9 /42With high-speed tuning feature
Tire size
Pressure specifications in
bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
psi/kilopascal with
cold tires 245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL
2.9 /42 3.2 / 46 Tire size
Pressure specifications in
bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with the high speed tun‐
ing feature
F: 245/45 R 18 96
Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99
Y 2.9 /42
-
-
2.9 /42
F: 245/40 R 19 94
Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96
Y 2.9 /42
-
-
3.2 / 46
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.9 /42
-
-
3.2 / 46 535i xDrive
Without high-speed tuning feature
Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with

the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires 245/45 R 18 100 V
M+S XL A/S
245/40 R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
225/55

R 17 97 H M
+S
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.9 /42 Seite 247
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Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with
the high speed tun‐
ing feature
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R:
275/40 R 18 99 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R:
275/35 R 19 96 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.6 / 38
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.5 / 36
-
-
3.0 / 44With high-speed tuning feature
Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires 245/45 R 18 96 Y
225/55 R 17 97
H M+S
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL
2.8 / 41 3.3 / 48
F: 245/45 R 18 96
Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99
Y 2.8 / 41
-
-
2.8 / 41 Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with the high speed tun‐
ing feature
F: 245/40 R 19 94
Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96
Y 2.8 / 41
-
-
3.0 / 44
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.9 /42
-
-
3,3 / 48 550i xDrive
Without high-speed tuning feature
Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with

the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires 245/45 R 18 100 V
M+S XL A/S
245/40

R 19 98 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL 2,6 / 36 3.0 / 44
F: 245/45 R 18 96 Y
R:
275/40 R 18 99 Y 2,6 / 36
--
2,6 / 36 Seite 248
248 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490
Wheels and tires
ProCarManuals.com

Tire size
Pressure specifications
in bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with
the high speed tun‐
ing feature
F: 245/40 R 19 94 Y
R:
275/35 R 19 96 Y 2,6 / 36
--
2.7 / 39
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 2.7 / 39
-
-
3.1 / 45With high-speed tuning feature
Tire size
Pressure specifications in
bar/PSI
The values in ( ) apply if
the vehicle is equipped
with the high speed tun‐
ing feature
Specifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires 245/45 R 18 96 Y
245/45 R 18 100
V M+S XL
2.9 /42 3.4 / 49
F: 245/45 R 18 96
Y
R: 275/40 R 18 99
Y 2.9 /42
-
-
2.9 /42
F: 245/40 R 19 94
Y
R: 275/35 R 19 96
Y 2.9 /42
-
-
3.2 / 46
F: 245/35 R 20 95
Y XL
R: 275/30 R 20 97
Y XL 3.1 / 45
-
-
3.4 / 49 Tire identification marks
Tire size
255/50 R 19 103 Y
255: nominal width in mm
50: aspect ratio in %
R: radial tire code
19: rim diameter in inches
103: load rating, not for ZR tires
Y: speed rating, before the R on ZR tires
Speed letter
T = up to 118 mph, 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph, 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph, 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph, 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph, 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
DOT code: DOT xxxx xxx 3510
xxxx: manufacturer code for the tire brand
xxx: tire size and tire design
3510: tire age
Tires

with DOT codes meet the guidelines of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
Tire age
DOT … 3510: the tire was manufactured in the
35th week in 2010.
Recommendation
Regardless of wear, replace tires at least every
6 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear 200; Traction AA;
Temperature A
Seite 249
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DOT Quality Grades
Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All
passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these
grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov‐
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half, 1 g, times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service practices
and differences in road characteristics and cli‐
mate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfa‐
ces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration, cornering, hydro‐
planing, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus‐
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades Band A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Temperature grade for this tire
The temperature grade for this tire is es‐
tablished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla‐
tion,
or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and pos‐
sible tire failure.
If necessary, have the vehicle towed.◀
RSC – Run-flat tires
Run-flat tires, refer to page 252, are labeled with
a circular symbol containing the letters RSC
marked on the sidewall.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires with better cold
weather performance than summer tires.
Tire tread
Summer tires
Do not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.12 in/3 mm.
There is an increased danger of hydroplaning if
the tread depth is less than 0.12 in/3 mm.
Winter tires
Do not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.16 in/4 mm.
Below a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm, tires are
less suitable for winter operation. Seite 250
250 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 469 - 03 11 490
Wheels and tires
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