automatic transmission BMW 535I 2010 User Guide

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Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance, given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and state driving
recommendations for safe following distance.
Otherwise, a violation of the law or risk of an
accident could result.<
Interrupting cruise control
Press the lever upward or downward, and with
the vehicle stopped also depress the brake
pedal. The marking in the speedometer
changes color and the distance indicator goes
out.
In addition, the system is automatically inter-
rupted:
>when you apply the vehicle brakes
>when you shift the transmission
>when DTC is activated or DSC is deacti-
vated
>when DSC comes on
>when you apply the parking brake
>when you release the safety belt and open
the driver's door with the vehicle stopped
>when the system does not recognize any
objects for an extended period of time, e. g.
on infrequently traveled roads without a
shoulder or guard rails, or if the radar sensor
is covered with dirt, refer to page70
If the system is interrupted, then it is nec-
essary for the driver to actively intervene
by braking and steering. Otherwise, there is a
risk of an accident.<
Resuming stored desired speed and
distance
While driving
Press button4.
The displays appear in the instrument cluster.
While stopped
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine
running, engage position P of the auto-
matic transmission and apply the parking brake.
Otherwise the vehicle can roll.<
If a detected vehicle in front of you brakes to a
complete stop and your vehicle has also been
braked to a complete stop by the system:
>If the vehicle in front of you drives off while
the marking1 for the desired speed in the
speedometer is green, your vehicle will
accelerate without you having to do any-
thing.
>If the vehicle in front of you drives off while
the marking1 is orange, you briefly depress
the accelerator pedal or press button4.
Rolling bars in the distance indicator3
mean that the vehicle in front of you has
driven off.
If you are stopped behind a vehicle with the
brake pedal depressed and the system is inter-
rupted or deactivated:
1.Press button4 to activate a stored desired
speed or select a desired speed with the
lever, arrow1 or arrow2.
2.Release the brake pedal.
3.If the vehicle in front of you drives off, briefly
depress the accelerator pedal or press
button4.
Deactivating system
>Press the lever upward or downward twice
while driving.
>When stopped, do the same with the brake
pedal depressed.
>Switch off the ignition.
The displays turn off, and the stored desired
speed and distance are deleted.

Driving
72 reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause
the system to react to a vehicle that is actually in
the lane next to yours. Always be ready to take
action or apply the brakes if necessary.
In addition, the system is interrupted
whenever the driver applies the vehicle
brakes, shifts the transmission from drive/D to
neutral/N, or deactivates DSC. After any inter-
ruption, the system will no longer automatically
activate the vehicle brakes, which means the
driver must intervene and resume manual brak-
ing. You should then reactivate the system only
when you are fully aware of the prior speed and
distance settings.<
Active cruise control may brake when you
reduce the stored desired speed; however, the
driver must constantly monitor traffic and inter-
vene if necessary.
When you switch off the engine or ignition,
active cruise control is fully switched off, too,
and any settings you have selected are can-
celed.
Unexpected lane change
If a vehicle in front of you is behind a stopped
vehicle and unexpectedly changes lanes, you
must react yourself, as the system does not
react to stopped vehicles.
Swerving vehicles
When a vehicle swerves out of adjacent lanes
into your lane, the system does not detect the
vehicle until it is completely in your lane.
When a vehicle ahead suddenly swerves
into your lane, the system may not be able
to restore the selected distance automatically.
This also applies to great differences in speed
between your vehicle and vehicles ahead, e. g.
when quickly approaching a truck. Once the
system has established that a vehicle is indeed
in front of you, it will indicate that you must
brake and/or maneuver the vehicle yourself.
Take action yourself, otherwise there is a risk of
an accident.<
Behavior in curves
If the selected desired speed for a curve is too
high, the system reduces the speed within a
curve. However, it cannot detect curves in
advance. Therefore, select a suitable speed at
the start of a curve.
Because of the limited range of the system, it is
possible that in curves or on the peaks and val-
leys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead may be rec-
ognized late, or not at all. Therefore, it is up to
the driver to select a speed that is prudent in
view of the curves and terrain of the roadway.

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down steep hills with a speed below approx.
22 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed
automatically down to approximately twice nor-
mal walking speed, approx. 7 mph/12 km/h, and
then keeps this speed constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary
this automatically controlled speed within a
range extending from approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to
15 mph/25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same
range by using the lever of the cruise control
*.
Activating HDC
Use the button on the steering wheel.
Deactivating HDC
Use the button on the steering wheel; the HDC
display goes out.
HDC is automatically deactivated at speeds
greater than approximately 37 mph/60 km/h.
Using HDC
Manual transmission:
Use HDC in low gears and reverse gear.
Automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive position.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Display for target speed
2HDC display
Malfunction in driving-stability control
systems
The warning lamp for the brake system
lights up yellow, together with the indi-
cator lamps for ABS, DSC and Tire
Pressure Monitor or Flat Tire Monitor.
A message appears on the Control Dis-
play. The driving-stability control sys-
tems have failed. While you may con-
tinue, you should remember to proceed
cautiously and drive defensively while
avoiding full brake applications. The
Tire Pressure Monitor or the Flat Tire Monitor is
also malfunctioning. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction in Canadian models.
The DSC indicator lamp lights up. A
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. A malfunction has occurred in the
DSC and DTC. The stabilizing actions are no
longer available. The vehicle remains opera-
tional. Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
The brake system warning lamp lights
up yellow. A message appears on the
Control Display. The brake assistant is
defective. Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction in Canadian models.
Drive-off assistant
The drive-off assistant enables you to start off
conveniently on slopes. The parking brake is
not required for this purpose.

Things to remember when driving
126 the road surface, ultimately undermining your
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread
depth of the tires decreases, refer also to Mini-
mum tire tread on page208.
Driving through water
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 vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Using parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle in
place for a long time by riding the clutch;
use the parking brake. Otherwise greater clutch
wear will result.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on 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
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system, drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent pressure on the brake can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos-
sibly even brake failure.<
The braking effect of the engine can be further
increased by downshifting, if necessary all the
way down into first gear. This strategy helps
you avoid placing excessive loads on the brake
system. For information on downshifting in the
manual mode of the automatic transmission,
refer to page61.
Do not drive with the clutch depressed, in
idle or with the engine switched off, other-
wise there will be no engine braking action or
support of the braking force and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
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 tendency 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 pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air conditioner sys-
tem during operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-

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Connecting via the USB audio interface
Lift up the center armrest.
Apple iPod/iPhone
To connect the device, use the special cable
adapter for the Apple iPod/iPhone, available
from your BMW center. The cable adapter is
required for a flawless connection.
USB device
To connect the device, use a flexible
adapter cable to protect the USB inter-
face and your USB device against physical
damage.<
Connect the USB device to the USB audio
interface.
After connecting for the first time, the informa-
tion of all tracks (e.g., artist, music genre) and
the playback lists of the USB device are trans-
ferred to the vehicle. This process can take
some time. The time required is dependent on
the USB device and on the number of tracks.
During transmission, the tracks can be called up
via the file directory.
Information from up to four USB devices can be
stored in the vehicle, or a total of about 16,000
tracks.
I f a f i f t h U S B d e v i c e i s c o n n e c t e d o r i f m o r e t h a n
16,000 tracks are stored, information on exist-
ing tracks may be deleted.
Music tracks with integrated Digital
Rights Management (DRM) cannot be
played.<
Starting audio playback
If the audio device has a device name, this will
be displayed if possible.1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3. Select the symbol.
The name of the audio device may appear.
The playback starts with the first track.
Information about the track
If information about a track has been stored, it is
displayed automatically:
>Artist
>Album title
>Number of tracks
>Track file name
Track search
You can call up the tracks via the playback lists
and information. With USB devices you can also
call up the tracks via the file directory.
Selection is possible via:
>Playback lists
>Information: type of music, artist, album,
track
>Additionally for USB devices: file directory,
composer
Tracks are displayed if they have been saved in
the Latin alphabet.
Starting a track search
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3. Select the symbol.
The name of the audio device may appear.

Mobility
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Care
Car-care products
Regular cleaning and care make a significant
contribution to retaining your BMW's value.
For the cleaning and care of your vehicle, BMW
recommends using only products that BMW
has approved for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be glad to advise you
about products and services for the cleaning
and care of your BMW.
Genuine BMW Care Products are materi-
als tested, laboratory tested, and tested in
actual use. They offer optimum care and pro-
tection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol
or solvents; they can damage your vehi-
cle.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances
that are dangerous or pose health risks.
You should therefore heed the warnings and
hazard indications on the packaging. Open the
doors or windows on your vehicle whenever
cleaning the interior. Make sure there is suffi-
cient ventilation in enclosed spaces. Use only
products that are formulated for vehicle clean-
ing.<
Exterior care
Washing your vehicle
In the winter months, it is especially
important to ensure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Otherwise, signifi-
cant soiling and road salt can cause damage to
the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them. Failure to do so
may lead to a reduction in braking efficiency and
also to corrosion of the brake rotors.<
Car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes.Before driving into the car wash, make sure that
it is suitable for your BMW. Pay attention to the
following points:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to
page239.
>If necessary, fold in the outside rearview
mirrors, refer to page51.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Avoid car washes with rail heights over
4in/10cm, otherwise there is danger of
damaging chassis parts.<
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Deactivate rain sensor to prevent unwanted
wiper activation.
>Deactivate rear window wiper
* and protect
it from damage. Take appropriate protec-
tive measures; inquiring with the car wash
operator as needed.
>Remove additional add-on parts, e.g., spoil-
ers or phone antennas, if they could be
damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into the car wash, make sure the
vehicle is able to roll by making sure to:
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition
lock, even with Comfort Access.
2.Shift into transmission position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, ensure that you maintain suffi-
cient clearance to the vehicle and do not exceed
a temperature of 1407/606.
Insufficient distance or excessive pressure or
temperature can damage parts of the vehicle or
can result in water penetration. Follow the oper-

Giving and receiving assistance
234 Sedan:
It is located in the toolkit in the luggage com-
partment lid, refer to page221.
Sports Wagon:
It is located in the toolkit behind the left side
panel in the cargo bay, refer to page221.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing only on roads. Avoid lateral
loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehi-
cle by the tow fitting. Otherwise damage to the
tow fitting and the vehicle can occur.<
Access to screw thread
Press the arrow symbol on the cover in the
bumper.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page57, otherwise the low
beams, tail lamps, turn signals and windshield
wipers would not be available. Do not tow the
vehicle with the rear axle raised, as otherwise
the steering can turn to the left or right. When
the engine is stopped, there is no power assist. This then requires increased effort for braking
and steering. Active steering is deactivated and
larger steering wheel movements are
required.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic and sport automatic
transmission
Before towing, manually release the
transmission lock, even if there is no mal-
function in the transmission. Otherwise there is
a risk that the transmission lock will engage dur-
ing towing.<
Manually unlocking and locking transmission
lock, refer to page61.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph/
70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km; otherwise the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
Towing methods
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or body
and chassis parts, otherwise damage may
result.<
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes in public traffic is not permitted. Familiar-
ize yourself with the regulations on towing in the
respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle may not be lighter
than the vehicle to be towed, otherwise it
will not be possible to reliably control vehicle
response.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an offset
angle, please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.

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Weights
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Sedan528i535i550i
Curb weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 3,505/1,590 3,660/1,660 3,946/1,790
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 3,571/1,620 3,703/1,680 3,968/1,800
Approved gross vehicle weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 4,607/2,090 4,872/2,210 5,048/2,290
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 4,673/2,120 4,872/2,210 5,070/2,300
Load lbs./kg 1,102/500 1,102/500 1,102/500
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,227/1,010 2,359/1,070 2,469/1,120
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,601/1,180 2,711/1,230 2,733/1,240
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 220/100 220/100 220/100
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/l 18.4/520 18.4/520 18.4/520
Sedan528i xDrive535i xDrive
Curb weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 3,670/1,710 3,902/1,770
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 3,704/1,730 3,946/1,790
Approved gross vehicle weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 4,839/2,195 5,004/2,270
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 4,883/2,215 5,048/2,290
Load lbs./kg 1,102/500 1,102/500
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,315/1,050 2,315/1,050
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,689/1,220 2,689/1,220
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 220/100 220/100
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/l 18.4/520 18.4/520
Sports Wagon535i xDrive
Curb weight
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 4,100/1,860
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 4,144/1,880
Approved gross vehicle weight

Technical data
242 Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Capacities
>Manual transmission lbs./kg 5,291/2,400
>Automatic transmission lbs./kg 5,335/2,420
Load lbs./kg 1,190/540
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,381/1,080
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,866/1,300
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 220/100
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/l 17.7-58.3/500-1,650
Sports Wagon535i xDrive
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters approx. 18.5/70 Fuel grade: page201
of that reserve US gal/liters approx. 2.1/8
550i US gal/liters approx. 2.6/10
Window cleaning system For more details: page65
>Sedan US quarts/liters approx. 3.2/3
>with headlamp cleaning system US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5
>Sports Wagon US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5

Reference 251
At a glance
Controls
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Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic
– air distribution106
– air volume106
– cruise control66
– garage door opener110
– headlamp control100
– recirculated-air control
AUC107
– steering wheel
adjustment45
– tailgate operation34
Automatic climate control105
– automatic air
distribution106
– parked car ventilation109
– settings via iDrive108
– switching on and off108
– ventilation in rear108
Automatic closing of doors,
refer to Automatic soft
closing31
Automatic curb monitor51
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp
control100
– refer to Daytime running
lamps101
– refer to Interior lamps104
– refer to Pathway lighting101
– refer to Welcome lamps100
Automatic lights
– refer to High-beam
Assistant102
Automatic low beams, refer to
High-beam Assistant102
Automatic luggage
compartment roller cover,
Sports Wagon117
Automatic Service
Request196
Automatic soft closing31
Automatic speed reduction for
descents, refer to HDC Hill
Descent Control86Automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
– interlock60
– kick down60
– manually unlocking and
locking transmission lock61
– shiftlock60
– towing234
– tow-starting235
– with Comfort Access37
AUTO program for automatic
climate control106
AUX-IN port172
Available services196
Average fuel consumption75
– setting units76
Average speed, refer to
Computer75
Avoiding freeways for
navigation142
Avoiding unintentional
alarms36
Axle loads, refer to
Weights241
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support45
Backrests, refer to Seats44
Backrest width adjustment44
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
Backup lamps, replacing
bulbs224
Band-aids, refer to First aid
kit232
Bass, refer to Tone
control152
Battery, refer to Vehicle
battery229
– jump starting232
Battery replacement
– remote control for Comfort
Access38
BC button, refer to
Computer75
Being towed234
Belts, refer to Safety belts48Beverage holder, refer to
Cupholders114
Blower, refer to Air
volume107
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating180
BMW
– Car Shampoo219
BMW Assist,
activating194,196
BMW Assist192
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance
system215
BMW Night Vision96
– activating98
– cleaning camera98
– cleaning camera, refer to
Wiper system64
– deactivating98
– making settings98
BMW Search194
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to
Cupholders114
Bracket for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter188
Brake assistant85
– adaptive85
Brake force display93
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs224
– two-stage93
Brake rotors
– breaking-in124
– refer to Braking safely126