towing BMW M5 SEDAN 2003 Owners Manual

Contents

Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures106
Driving notes107
Antilock Brake System107
Brake system108

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure109
Tire condition109
Tire replacement110
Wheel and tire
combinations111
Special characteristics of winter
tires112
Snow chains112

In the engine compartment:

Hood113
Engine compartment
essentials114
Washer fluids115
Engine oil115
Coolant117
Brake fluid118

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System119

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications120
California Proposition
65 Warning120
OBD interface socket121

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit124
Windshield wiper blades124
Lamps and bulbs124
Repairing a flat tire128
Battery131
Fuses132

Assistance, giving and
receiving:

Jump-starting133
Towing the vehicle135

102n
Ski bag
*
Cargo loading
With through-loading system1. Fold the center armrest outward.
Loosen the trim from the upper
Velcro¨ fastener and place it on the
armrest
2. Press button 1 downward and swing
the cover forward
3. Press knob 2: the cover in the lug-
gage compartment is unlocked. 394de751
Stowing cargo When transporting cargo in your BMW:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible Ð directly behind the back-
rests or the luggage compartment
partition Ð and as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
>If you are transporting very heavy
loads when the rear seat is not occu-
pied, secure the outer safety belts in
the opposite buckles.39mde036
Securing the load >Secure smaller, light pieces with the
luggage net or use retaining straps
*
(refer to page 34)
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing
devices
*. The lashing eyes provided
at the corners of the luggage com-
partment serve for mounting these
load-securing devices
>Comply with the information
enclosed with the load-securing
devices.
39mde037

106n
To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you
observe the following.
Your BMW M5 is a masterpiece of
superlative technology. To ensure
that you derive maximum satisfaction
from its extensive array of advanced
features while simultaneously creating
the basis for many years of driving plea-
sure, we urge you to observe the fol-
lowing precautions during the initial
period of operation.<
Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed
5,500 rpm or 105 mph (170 km/h)
during this period.
Comply with all official speed limits.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal to
the full-throttle position.
Following the Break-in inspection at
1,200 miles (2,000 km), you can gradu-
ally increase engine or road speeds.
You should also comply with these
break-in procedures if the engine or dif-
ferential is replaced later in the course
of the vehicle service life.
TiresOwing to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
Thus drive with extra care during the
initial 200 miles (300 km).
Comply with all official speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may from between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or com-
plete loss of traction, vehicle control
and braking effectiveness. Reduce your
speed on wet roads.<
Brake systemApproximately 300 miles (500 km) must
elapse before the brake pads and
rotors achieve the optimal pad-surface
and wear patterns required for trouble-
free operation and long service life later
on.
To break-in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that
traffic conditions allow you to do so. To
avoid corrosion, repeat this procedure
from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is applied.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine shut off Ð when
towing, for instance Ð substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle. optimally after about 300 miles
(500 km). Engage the gears carefully
during the break-in period.
Break-in procedures

135n
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.

136n
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

Everything from A to ZF
Failure messages66
Filling capacities143
First-aid kit20
Fittings, tow starting and
towing135t
Flashlight96
Flat tire109
Flat Tire Monitor82
Flat tire, repairing128
Fog lamps85
bulb replacement126t
Folding rear backrest99
Follow me home lamps84
Frost protection,
radiator118
Fuel consumption75
average75
Fuel filler door20
manual operation20t
Fuel gauge64
Fuel quality22
Fuel specifications22
Fuel tank capacity143
Fuse replacement132t G
Gasoline gauge64
Gasoline quality22
Glove compartment96
Gross vehicle weight142
H
Handbrake17, 58
Hands-free system97
Hazard warning triangle20
Head protection airbags49
Head restraints43
adjusting43
Headlamp cover,
care125t
Headlamp flasher59
Headlamp washer
system115
Headlamp washers61
Headrests43
Heated seats46
Heating with vehicle
stopped90
Heavy cargo102
Height141
Height adjustment
seats41
steering wheel47
High beams18, 59, 85
High Performance Synthetic
Oil117
High-mount brake lamp127
Holder for canned
beverages97
Hood113
release113t
Horn14 Hydraulic Braking Assistant,
refer to DBC17, 80
Hydroplaning107, 109
I
Ice warning63
Identification, tires111
Ignition key26
Ignition lock56
Imprint4
Independent ventilation
system, refer to Parked-
car ventilation system92
Indicator lamps16
Inflation
pressure22t, 109
INSPECTION65
Instrument cluster15
Instrument lighting85
Intensive cleaning
system115
Interface socket for Onboard
Diagnostics (OBD)121
Interior lamps86
Interior mirrors48
Interior motion sensor36
deactivating29 J
Jump-starting133t
K
Key Memory55
Key with remote control26
Keys26 L
Lamps and bulbs124
Lashing eyes for attaching
cargo straps34, 102
Length141
License plate lamps, bulb
replacement127t
Lighter98
LIGHTS ON warning84
Locking and unlocking the
doors27
Low beams14, 84
Low-fuel warning lamp64
Luggage compartment34
capacity142
manual operation32t
opening from the
inside33
opening separately32
securing separately32

Everything from A to Z
151n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Time
calling up70
changing70
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Time of arrival,
estimated75
Timer70
Tire
condition109
damage109t
inflation
pressure22t, 109
labeling111
pressure monitor82
replacement110
tread109
Tire Quality Grading110
Tools124t
Torque140
Tow fittings135t
Towing the vehicle135t
Track141
Traction Control System,
refer to DSC80
Transmitter key26
Transporting children
safely51
Tread depth, tires109
Tread wear indicator109 Trip odometer63
Trunk, refer to Luggage
compartment32
Turn signal indicator18, 59
bulb replacement125t
Turning circle141
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQR)110
Universal Transmitter93
Use antifreeze,
radiator118t
Used batteries132 V
Vehicle battery131
Vehicle key26
Vehicle Memory55
Ventilation91
Ventilation in the rear91
Ventilation while parked
activating72
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Ventilation while parked,
refer to Parked-car venti-
lation system92
Ventilation, draft-free91
W

Warm feet Ð cool head91
Warning lamps16
Warning messages66
Warning triangle20
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian
models)119
Washer fluids115t
Washer reservoir,
filling115t
Washer system60
Water on the roads107
Wear indicator in the
tires109
Weights142
Wheel and tire
combinations111
Wheelbase141
Width141
Windows36
convenience operation27
defrosting89
Windshield washer60
reservoir, filling115t
Windshield wiper60
Winter tires112
Wiper system60
Working in the engine
compartment113t
X
Xenon lamp125