fuel BMW 525I SPORT WAGON 2001 Owner's Manual

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
97n
Computer in the MID
*
Estimated time of arrivalWhen you have input the distance from
your destination, you can obtain an
estimated time of arrival display which
is continuously updated by the com-
puter as your average driving period
varies.
Press the right of the button.
Press on the right:
The estimated time of arrival is
displayed.
Cruising rangeThe distance which the vehicle should
cover on the remaining fuel in the tank
is displayed.
Press the right of the button.
Press.
The display shows the probable range.
When you have only enough fuel
left to drive fewer than 30 miles
(50 km), then refuel, as otherwise the
engine or the catalytic converter could
be damaged.<
The computer will only register fuel
amounts over 1.8 gal (6 liter).
Fuel consumptionYou can have the average fuel
consumption displayed for two different
distances, for example a complete
journey and part of the journey .
To start the calculation, select the
CONS function with the engine running.
Press the right side of the button.
Press on the left or right:
The display will show the average fuel
consumption.
To restart the fuel consumption
calculation:
Press on the left or right.
Press the right side of the button.

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
137nRoof-mounted luggage rack
Mounting points
Access to the mounting points:
To fold up the cover (arrow), please use
the tool which is provided with the lug-
gage system.
A special luggage system is available
as an option for your BMW. Please
comply with the precautions included
with the installation instructions.
Because roof racks raise the center of
gravity of the car when loaded, they ex-
ercise a major effect on its handling and
steering response.
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You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof
weight, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the axle weights when load-
ing the rack. You will find the specifica-
tions under "Technical data" on
page 221.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on
the bottom). Be sure that adequate
clearance is maintained for raising the
sliding/tilt sunroof, and that objects do
not project into the opening path of the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate.
Secure the roof luggage correctly and
tightly to prevent it from shifting or be-
ing lost during driving (danger to follow-
ing traffic).
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden accelera-
tion and braking maneuvers. Take cor-
ners gently.
The roof load increases aerodynamic
resistance: increased fuel consumption
and stress on the roof are the immedi-
ate results.

142nCatalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions, and is designed for
use with unleaded fuel only.
Even minute quantities of lead would be
enough to permanently damage both
the catalytic converter and the system
oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and avoid potential damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements.
> Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty.
> Tow-start the vehicle only when the
engine is cold, since unburned fuel
may otherwise reach the catalytic
converter. It is better to start the vehi-
cle with an outside starting aid. >
Avoid other situations in which the
fuel is not burned, or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start (stopping and
restarting an engine which is running
properly does not present a problem).
Never let the engine run with any of
the spark plug cables disconnected. Be sure to comply with the in-
structions above to prevent un-
burned fuel from reaching the catalytic
converter. Otherwise there is danger of
overheating and damage to the cata-
lytic converter.
Extreme temperatures occur at the cat-
alytic converter on this and every cata-
lyst-equipped vehicle. Heat shields are
installed adjacent to some sections of
the exhaust system. Never remove
these shields; do not apply undercoat-
ing to their surfaces. When driving,
standing at idle, and parking the vehi-
cle, take care to avoid contact between
the exhaust system and flammable ma-
terials (grass, hay, leaves, etc.). Such
contact could lead to a fire, resulting in
personal injury and property damage. <

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
155nWinter tires Snow chains*
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the tires are
rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you. <
Tire condition, tire pressure
Winter tires display a perceptible loss in
their ability to cope with winter driving
conditions once the tread wears to be-
low 0.16 in (4 mm), and should thus be
replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures – and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
Storage
Store tires in a cool, dry place, away
from light whenever possible. Protect
the tires against contact with oil, grease
and fuel. Use narrow-link BMW snow chains
on
summer or winter tires only in pairs and
only on the rear wheels. Comply with all
manufacturer's safety precautions
when mounting the chains.
It is not possible to mount snow
chains on tires with 17-inch
wheels. <

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
165nEngine oil
Checking oil level
1 Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating
temperature.
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material.
4 Carefully push the dipstick all the way into the guide tube and pull it out
again.
5 The oil level should be in between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.
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The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.
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To add oil
Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, do not wait until the oil level
drops below the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to op-
erate without oil additives; the use
of additives could lead to damage in
some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential, and the
power steering system. <
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Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
173nCaring for your car
Caring for the vehicle finish
Regular washing is a preventive mea-
sure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the vehi-
cle's finish, especially if you drive your
vehicle in areas with high levels of air
pollution or aggressive natural sub-
stances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive sub-
stances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled
during refueling, oil, grease and brake
fluid should always be cleaned away
immediately, as should bird droppings
(finish damage).
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use clean-
ing fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth or
cotton pad to remove. Remove tar
spots with tar remover. After cleaning,
the affected areas should be waxed to
ensure continued protection.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain
at your BMW center. <
Waxing your car
Protect the finish using carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes only.
The best way to determine when the
finish needs to be waxed is by noting
when water stops beading on the sur-
face.
You can use a glass cleaner to remove
any wax or silicone that may have been
left on the windows during waxing.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain
at your BMW center. <
Paint damage
You can touch up small areas of dam-
age with BMW spray paint or a BMW
touch-up stick.
The paint color code for your vehicle is
provided on a sticker located on the
right hand side under the hood and on
the first page of your Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet.
Damage caused by flying stones,
scratches, etc., must be touched up
without delay to prevent rust from form-
ing.
If corrosion has started to form in an
area with paint damage, remove all rust
and clean the area. Then prime the area
with a BMW Primer Stick. Finally, apply
the finish coat. After a few days, polish
and protect the touched-in areas.
More extensive paint damage should
be repaired professionally in accor-
dance with the manufacturer's instruc-
tions. Your BMW center uses original
BMW finish materials in accordance
with approved repair procedures.

174nCaring for your car
Window care
You can use window and glass cleaner
to clean inside window surfaces and
mirrors without smearing and streaking.
Never use polishing pastes or abrasive
(quartz) cleansers on mirror lenses.
When caring for break-resistant
security glass
*, observe the fol-
lowing instructions:
The inner surface of the side windows
is coated with a plastic film. For this
reason, do not affix any decals or adhe-
sive stickers on the inside of these win-
dows unless they are to be placed there
permanently.
Wash the glass with clean water. If nec-
essary, you may add a commercially-
available mild household cleaner. Do
not use abrasive cleaners.
If the windows are fogged or iced over,
treat them with an anti-misting cloth or
a deicer spray – do not use an ice
scraper. <
Clean the wiper blades with soapy wa-
ter. The wiper blades should be re-
placed twice a year, before and after
the cold season.
Use only wiper blades which have
been approved by BMW. <
Caring for other vehicle
components and materials
Light-alloy wheels should be treated
with alloy wheel cleaner, especially
during the winter months. However, do
not use aggressive products contain-
ing acids, strong alkalis or abrasives.
Do not use steam cleaners operating at
temperatures above 140 7 (60 6).
(Follow the manufacturer's instruc-
tions.)
If your vehicle has chrome parts
* such
as window moldings, door handles or
other items, clean these parts carefully
with ample clean water, especially if
they have an accumulation of road salt.
Use a chrome polish for an additional
treatment.
Plastic components, vinyl upholstery,
headliners, lamp lenses, the clear cover
of the instrument cluster and compo-
nents with a sprayed dull black surface
can be cleaned with water (add plastic
cleaner as required). Do not allow mois-
ture to soak through the seats or head-
liner. Never use solvents such as lac-
quer thinner, heavy-duty grease
remover, fuels, etc. Rubber components should be cleaned
with water only; a rubber treatment or
silicone spray may also be applied.
The safety belts should be cleaned with
a mild soap and water solution without
being removed from the vehicle. Never
attempt chemical or dry cleaning, as
damage to the belt fabric could result.
After cleaning, never allow the inertia
reel to retract the belts until they are
completely dry. Dirty safety belts pre-
vent the inertia reel mechanism from
retracting the strap properly, and thus
constitute a safety hazard.
Heavily soiled floor carpets and mats
*
can be cleaned with an interior cleaner.
The floor mats can be removed from
the vehicle for cleaning.
Please use only a damp cloth to clean
wooden fascia panels and components.
Follow up by drying with a soft cloth.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain
at your BMW center. <

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
Overview
Controls and features Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical dataIndex
Advanced technology
181
n
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit 182
Wiper blades 182
Lamps and bulbs 183
Changing a wheel 190
Battery 193
Fuses 196
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Fuel filler door 198
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 198
Tailgate 199
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting 200
Towing the vehicle 201

198n
Manual release – sedan
1 Use the handle to lower the trim
panel on the right side of the luggage
compartment.
2 Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol (arrow).
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Manual release – sport wagon
1 Release the right-hand panel in the luggage compartment with the button
and fold the panel down.
2 Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol (arrow).
If a subwoofer
* is installed, loosen the
T-screw and swing the subwoofer to
the side.
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Manual operation
1 Remove the interior lamp (refer to page 188), reach into the opening
and push out the panel.
2 Use the Allen key from the onboard tool kit (refer to page 182) to turn the
sliding/tilt sunroof in the desired di-
rection.
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Fuel filler door Sliding/Tilt sunroof

218n
BMW 525i/sport wagon BMW 530i BMW 540i/sport wagon
Displacement
Number of cylinders cu in (cm
m) 152.2 (2,494)
6 181.8 (2,979)
6268.4 (4,398)
8
Maximum output
at engine speed hp
rpm184
6,000 225
5,900282
5,400
Maximum torque
at engine speed Ib ft (Nm)
rpm175 (236)
3,500 214 (289)
3,500324 (440)
3,600
Compression ratio e10.5 10.2 10.0
Stroke
Bore in (mm)
in (mm)2.95 (75.0)
3.31 (84.0) 3.53 (89.6)
3.31 (84.0)3.26 (82.7)
3.62 (92.0)
Fuel-injection system Digital-electronic engine-management system
Engine specifications