steering BMW 525I 2004 Owner's Manual

Lamps
88 Following automatic activation, the
vehicle's external lighting remains on
when you switch on the fog lamps.<
The automatic headlamp control can-
not serve as a substitute for your per-
sonal judgment in determining when the
lamps should be switched on in response
to ambient lighting conditions. For exam-
ple, the system cannot detect fog. To avoid
safety risks, you should always switch on
the lamps manually under these condi-
tions.<
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp
control system that enables dynamic illumi-
nation of the road surface. Depending on
the steering angle and other assumptions,
the light from the headlamp follows the
course of the road.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
In ignition key position 2, turn the
light switch to the position 'Auto-
matic headlamp control', refer to
page 87.
When reversing, the Adaptive Head
Light is inactive; when the vehicle is
stationary, it is only active in one direc-
tion.<
In case of malfunction
The LED above the symbol for automatic
headlamp control flashes. Please have the
system inspected at your BMW center.
Instrument lighting
Turn the serrated dial to adjust the illumina-
tion intensity.
High beams/standing lamps
1High beams: blue indicator lamp
2Headlamp flasher: blue indicator lamp
3Standing lamps
Standing lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just
one side of your vehicle when parking.
When using this function, comply with
national regulations:
With the ignition switched off, press the
lever in the desired direction 3, past the
resistance point.

Driving tips
107Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the
tread depth of the tires decreases, refer
also to Tire tread on page 173.
Water on the road
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 vehicle's engine, the electri-
cal systems and the transmission may be
damaged.<
Brakes
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as stan-
dard. The best way to achieve optimized
response from the ABS is to apply maxi-
mum pressure to the brake pedal during
emergency: panic stops. Since the vehicle
maintains steering responsiveness, you
can nevertheless avoid possible obstacles
with a minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indi-
cate to the driver that ABS is in its active
mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
While driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is a good idea to apply light
pressure to 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
You can retain full and unimpaired braking
efficiency by downshifting to a gear in
which only minimal brake applications are
needed when descending long or steep
downhill stretches. You can further enhance the engine's brak-
ing effect by selecting a lower gear in the
automatic transmission's manual mode,
downshifting as far as first gear on
extremely steep stretches, refer to
pages 50 and 55. This strategy helps you
avoid placing excessive loads on the brake
system.
Never drive with the clutch pressed or
allow the vehicle to coast with the
transmission in Neutral Ð or with the engine
switched off Ð there is no engine braking
when the transmission is in Neutral, and no
power-assist for brakes and steering when
the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
accelerator and brake pedals and obstruct
their movement.<
Corrosion on the brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasion-
ally, 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 ten-
dency 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 pul-
sating effect that even extended applica-
tion will fail to cure.
Brake pads
The brake pad wear warning lamp
lights up and a message appears on
the Check Control. Please note any
supplementary information that appears
there.
Warning lamp for Canadian models.
The brake pads have reached their mini-
mum pad thickness. Have them replaced at
your BMW center as soon as possible.

Driving tips
109Reference
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 bulkhead behind the rear
seats
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat
is not occupied, secure each safety belt
in the opposite buckle.
Securing the load
>Use the luggage net* or securing straps
to hold down small and lightweight lug-
gage and cargo
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing
larger and heavier objects are available
at your BMW center. Lashing eyes
mounted in the corners of the luggage
compartment are used to secure this
load securing equipment, refer to illus-
tration
>Please observe the special instructions
supplied with the heavy-duty cargo
straps.
Always position and secure the load
correctly. If you do not, it can even
endanger the passengers during braking or
evasive maneuvers.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle weight or either of the approved
axle loads, refer to page 200, as excessive
loads can pose a safety hazard, and may
also place you in violation of freeway safety
laws.
You should never transport heavy or hard
objects unsecured in the passenger com-
partment, as they could fly around and
even pose a safety hazard to the vehicle's
occupants during abrupt braking or evasive
maneuvers.<
Roof-mounted luggage
rack*
Anchorage points
The anchorage points are located within
the door openings.
A special rack system is available as an
option for your BMW. Please comply with
the precautions included with the installa-
tion instructions.
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's cen-
ter 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 weight, the
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle
loads when loading the rack.
You can find the specified weights in the
Technical data section on page 200.
Make sure that the load is not too heavy,
and that it does not extend outward to
beyond the limits of the loading surface.
Always load the heaviest pieces first Ð at
the bottom. Be sure that adequate clear-
ance is maintained for raising the glass

Navigation
Driving tips
125Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
or press
on the steering wheel for a longer period.
Programing button functions, refer to
page 44.
Repeating an instruction
To repeat the last voice instruction:
or press
on the steering wheel briefly.
Programing button functions, refer to
page 44.
Suppressing voice instructions
To prevent the navigation system from
interrupting other audio sources, such as a
news program or traffic bulletin, you can
deactivate the voice instructions.
During an instruction, press
or press
on the steering wheel briefly.
Programing button functions, refer to
page 44.
Adjusting volume
You can adjust the volume of the voice
instructions for each specific key:
1.To repeat the last voice instruction, if
required:
or press
on the steering wheel briefly.2.Turn the button during an instruction to
select the desired volume.
The navigation system's voice guidance
will continue to issue instructions at this
volume level, even if the radio is set to min-
imum volume.
Blocking sections of a route
During destination guidance you can revise
the navigation system's route recommen-
dations to avoid particular stretches of
road. Enter the number of miles/kilometers
that you want to travel before returning to
the original route.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Select "New route" and press the con-
troller
2.Turn the controller to enter the desired
number of miles/kilometers and press
the controller.
To exit from the menu without changing
the route:
Select and press the controller
3."Calculate" is used to recalculate the
route.

On/off, tone
130
On/off, tone
Depending on the equipment options you
have chosen, the following audio sources
are available:
>Radio Business
>CD player
>CD changer.
The following section summarizes the com-
mon controls and setting options for the
audio sources. Thereafter, the individual
audio sources are described in detail.
Controls
The audio sources can be operated using:
>The center console
>The Control Center
>Buttons on the steering wheel, refer to
page 11.
Operation using the center console
The layout of the buttons can vary depend-
ing on your vehicle's equipment.
1To operate audio sources
>Press: switching on/off.
The system selects the last audio
source used, radio or CD
>Turn: adjusting volume
2Drive for audio CD
3Eject CD
4Station scan/track search
>Change the station
>Select music track for CD
Operation using the Control Center
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Open the start menu by pressing the
button
2.Move the controller backwards to open
"Entertainment".
>"FM" and "AM"
Selecting waveband, storing and calling
up stations
>"WB"
Opening Weather Band station
>"SAT"
Selecting satellite radio
>"CD"
Selecting CD player or CD changer
>"Set"
Updating stations with best reception,
storing stations, setting the tone, play-
ing stations or tracks.

151
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
Batteries
Never attempt to disassemble your
BMW portable phone or its battery.
Use only approved battery types Ð the
wrong battery can destroy your portable
phone.
To avoid possible short circuits, after
removing a battery you should never allow
it to come into contact with metallic sur-
faces of any kind.<
Disposing of used batteries
Return used batteries to a recycling
collection point or to your BMW cen-
ter.<
Care instructions
You can find useful information on caring
for your portable phone in the separate
portable phone Owner's Manual and in the
separate Caring for your vehicle brochure.
Controls
You can operate the BMW portable phone*
using:
>The steering wheel, refer to page 11
>The Control Center, refer to page 152
>The voice control, refer to page 157.
You can use the car phone via the hands-
free unit for BMW Assist calls.
The Control Display indicates which tele-
phone you are using to establish a connec-
tion.
Telephoning with the
car phone: BMW Assist calls
You can use the car phone via the hands-
free unit for BMW Assist calls.
The car phone must have been
enabled prior to initial use. In this con-
nection, please contact your BMW cen-
ter.<
Starting the BMW portable phone*
Before starting off, place the BMW portable
phone in the cradle. If you are making a call
using the car phone, you can only use the
BMW portable phone once you have termi-
nated this call.
Inserting the portable phone
1.Press button 1
2.If necessary, remove the protective cap
from the antenna connector on the rear
of the portable phone
3.Insert the portable phone with the
antenna fully retracted
4.Press the cradle downwards.
Removing the portable phone
Press button 1.
For information on operating your
portable phone, please consult the
separate Owner's Manual.<
Hands-free unit
The hands-free microphones are located
on the headlining.

Telephoning
152 The hands-free unit is activated whenever
you establish or receive a call using:
>The buttons on the steering wheel
>The Control Center
>Voice control.
To continue a call on the portable phone
using hands-free unit:
Insert the portable phone with the lid
opened in the cradle.
To continue a call on the hands-free unit
using the portable phone:
Take the portable phone with the lid
opened out of the cradle.
The call is ended as soon as you take the
phone from the cradle with a closed lid.
Volume adjustment
You can adjust the volume for the hands-
free unit for each individual key:
Turn the button during a call to select the
desired volume.
The hands-free unit will remain at this vol-
ume level, even if the other audio sources
are set to minimum volume.
Operation using the Control
Center
You can use the following functions via the
Control Center:
>Enter unlock code with portable phone
engaged
>Dial phone number
>Phone book with portable phone
engaged
>Top-8 with portable phone engaged>Repeat dialing
>Display accepted calls
>Display missed calls
>Text messages/SMS with portable
phone engaged.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Turn the ignition key to position 2
2.Open the start menu by pressing the
button
3.Move the controller forwards to open
"Communication".
Entering unlock code
If, after placing the BMW portable phone in
the cradle, you are requested by a mes-
sage from the Control Display to enter the
unlock code:
1.Select "Phone" and press the controller
2.To enter the unlock code: select digits
individually and press the controller.
Each digit of the unlock code is dis-
played on the Control Display with an
asterisk.

157
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
Operation by voice control*
The concept
You can operate your phone without having
to remove your hands from the steering
wheel. The system operates on the basis of
voice commands that you will learn easily
after using them a few times. In addition,
you are also supported by instructions or
questions.
Symbols used
Voice commands
In ignition key position 2:
1.Briefly press the button on the steer-
ing wheel.
A sound signal indicates operating
readiness
2.Speak voice commands.To have the system list the voice com-
mands possible in each case:
Canceling operation via voice
control
Briefly press the button on the steering
wheel or
In dialogs where text of any kind can be
spoken, e.g. a name, canceling is only pos-
sible using the button. This is automati-
cally interrupted when an incoming call is
received.
Voice commands
In addition to the commands described in
this Owner's Manual, alternative com-
mands are often possible for the same
functions, e.g.:
Digits from zero to nine are understood.
You can say each digit individually or group
them into a sequence of three to five digits
to accelerate the input.
Dialing a phone number Ð an example
Start the dialog:
Briefly press the button on the steering
wheel.{...} Identifies voice commands.
{{...}} Identifies instructions generated
by the voice command system.
{Help}.
{Cancel}.
{Dial name} or {Name}.
Voice commandResponse
{Dial number}{{Please say the number}}
e.g. {201 12 34 56 7}{{201 12 34 56 7. Continue?}}
{Dial}{{Dialing number}}

Wheels and tires
176 can estimate the possible distance for con-
tinued driving on the basis of the following
guide values:
>With low load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
Approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or
4 persons without luggage:
Approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With full load:
4 persons or more, luggage compart-
ment full:
Approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. With infla-
tion pressure loss, the driving characteris-
tics change, for example reduced track sta-
bility on braking, extended braking
distance, and altered self-steering charac-
teristics.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends that
you do not have damaged run-flat tires
repaired and that you consult your BMW
center in this case.<
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain snow chains, clas-
sifies them as road-safe and approves
them. Consult your BMW center for more
information. BMW recommends only using
these approved, narrow-link snow chains.
These snow chains are approved exclu-
sively for use on summer or winter tires in
pairs on the rear wheels.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions
when installing snow chains.
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of 30 mph/
50 km/h with the chains mounted.
After mounting snow chains, do not
activate the Flat Tire Monitor.
When you are driving with snow chains, it
can be beneficial to switch off DSC briefly,
refer to page 78.<

Mobility
179Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Adding engine oil
Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark or a message
appears on the Control Display before add-
ing oil.
BMW engines are designed to oper-
ate without additives, and their use
could even lead to damage in some cases.
This also applies to the automatic transmis-
sion, the differential and the power steering
system.<
Recommendation: have oil changes per-
formed only by your BMW center.
Continuous exposure to used oil has
caused cancer in laboratory testing.
For this reason, any skin areas that come
into contact with oil should be thoroughly
washed with soap and water.
Store oil, grease, etc., well out of the reach
of children; always observe all warning
labels on the containers.<
Always observe all applicable rules
and regulations for environmental
protection when disposing of used oil.<
Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has
critical significance for the operation and
service life of an engine. BMW approves
only specific oils after confirming their suit-
ability for use in its vehicles with extensive
testing.
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil, you can add small
amounts of another synthetic oil between
oil changes. Use only oils with the API SH
specification or higher. Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the specific BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or synthetic oils
which have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North America at
1-800-831-1117 or visit this website:
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this informa-
tion.
Viscosity ratings
Viscosity is the oil flow rating as defined in
SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in the
area where you typically drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys-
tem when the engine is hot. Escaping
coolant can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. Always store these
agents in tightly-closed original containers
kept well away from the reach of children.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
flammable. Therefore, do not pour over hot
engine parts, as otherwise they could catch
fire and cause burns.
Always observe the instructions for use
provided on the containers.<
Always observe all applicable rules
and regulations for environmental
protection when disposing of used anti-
freeze and anticorrosion agents.<