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8/21/2019 60087013 1999 BMW E39 5 Series Owner s Handbook
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Owner's Handbook for the vehicle.With quick reference guide.
Contents
A-Z
Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 9 791 301 - 01/99 BMW AG
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 9 791 301 - 01/99 BMW AG
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Saloontouring
520i
523i528i
535i540i
525td525tds
530d
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C ong ra tu la t ions on your choice o f a B MW.
The b e t te r you a re ac q ua in ted w ith your ca r , the ea s ie r you w ill d isc over d r iv ing it to
be. We would therefore l ike to of fer you the fol lowing advice.
This O w ner 's Ha ndb oo k conta ins important in forma t ion o n op era t ing a nd looking
a f te r your BMW. P lea se read it c a re fu lly be fore s e t t ing o ut in your new ca r , so tha tyou a re fully f ami lia r w ith the tec hnica l adva ntag es o f your BMW. It a lso co nta insuse fu l in forma t ion on c are a nd ma intena nce , to upho ld b oth the ca r 's o pera t ing
safety and i ts ful l resale value.
We w ish you a n enjoyab le d r iv ing exper ience .
B MW AG
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4n
Notes on this Owner's Handbook
We ha ve tr ied to m a ke a ll the in forma -
t io n in th is O w n e r's H a n d b o o k e a sy t of ind . The q u ickes t a c ce ss to a pa rt icu la rtop ic or item is by co nsult ing the d e-
ta iled a lpha be t ic a l inde x a t the end .
C o ns ult the f irs t c ha pte r for a n in it ia l
ove rview o f your ca r. The de ta iled lis t o fc on tents imm ed ia te ly fol low ing the lis t
o f m a in h e a d in g s is in te n d e d to a ro u seyour curios ity ab out your new B MW a nd
enc ourag e yo u to rea d th is in forma t ion
carefully.
When the t ime c om es to s e ll your B MW,
p le a se re m e m b e r t o h a n d o v e r th is
O w n e r's H a n d b o o k ; it is re g a rd e d le -
g a lly a s pa rt o f the veh ic le .If you ha ve a ny q uer ies , B MW S ervicew ill be g la d to a dv is e yo u .
Symbols used
ind ica tes ins t ruc t ions or prec a u-
t ions w hic h yo u sho uld d ef in ite lyre a d fo r yo u r s a fe t y a n d th a t o f o th e rs ,a n d t o p re v e n t d a m a g e t o th e c a r. Ha nd bra ke/b ra ke hyd ra ulic s , Dy-na mic B ra ke C ontro l (DB C )* 22
> Anti- loc k brake s ys tem (AB S ) 21> B ra k e p a d s 21> Tyre pres s ure c o ntrol (RD C )* 22> Airbags 21> Automa t ic t ra nsm iss ion * 21> F a s te n se a t b e lt s 21
> *
9 C o m p ute r d is p la y
For op era t io n f rom turn ind ic a tor
le v e r, se e p a g e 83:
> Outs ide tempera ture> Avera g e fue l cons umpt ion ,> Before refuell ing> Av e ra g e s p e e d
10 Tellta le/w a rning lig hts for
> Autom a tic S ta b ility C on trol plus
Tra c tio n (AS C + T)/Dy na m ic S ta b il-ity C o ntrol (DS C )* 21
> S el f- leve lling s us pe ns ion * 22
1 1 D is t a n c e re c o rd e r (o d o m e t e r) a n dt rip d is tanc e reco rde r 77
1 2 D is p la y fo r C h e c k C o n t ro l 80
13 Trip d is tanc e co n tro l ze ro ing 77
14 Tellt a le and w a rn ing lig h ts (a rra ng ed
c loc kw is e) fo r
> Fog lig hts * 22> Re a r fog lig h ts* 22> B a t t e ry c h a rg e 20
> Eng ine o il le ve l/pre s s ure 20
>
d isp la
m e n t .
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18nInstrument panel*
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Instrument panel*
There a re tw o vers ions , de pend ing o n
yo u r c a r' s e q u ip m e n t
1 Fuel d isp la y w ith te llt a le to ind ic a tew hen fuel is running out 78
2 F la sh in g tu rn in d ic a to r re p e a te r 22
3 S p ee d o me te r
4 H ig h b e a m t e llta le 22
5 R e v o lu tio n c o u nt e r a n d E n e rg y
C o n t r o l 776 C o o la n t th e rm o m e te r 79
7 Te llt a le a n d w a rn in g lig h t s (a rra n g e d
c loc kwise ) for
> H a n d b r a k e 21> B ra ke hydrau lic s/Dyna mic B ra ke
C ontro l (DB C )* 22
> Anti- loc k brake s ys tem (AB S ) 21> Airbags 21> F a s te n se a t b e lt s 21> C ruis e c on tro l* 22
8 C h e c k C o n tro l b u tto n 79
9 S e le c t o r le v e r p o s it io n a n d p ro -
1 0 O t s id e t e m p e ra t u re d is p la y 77
11 Tellt a le for Automa t ic S tab ility C on-
trol plus Tra c tio n (AS C + T)/Dy na m icS ta b ility C on trol (DS C )* 21
1 2 Trip d is t a n c e re c o rd e r 77
1 3 D is p la y fo r
> C h e c k C o n tro l 80
> C o m p u te r: se e r a d io o p e r a t in ginstructions
a nd on version w ith mult i- func -t io na l s tee ring w hee l (MFL), a ls o
fo r
> R a d io a n d t e le p h o n e , s e e s e p a -ra te opera t ing instruct ions
1 4 O d o m e t e r (d is t a n c e r e c o rd e r ) 77
1 5 S e rv ic e In te rv a l in d ic a to r 7916 Trip d is tanc e co n tro l ze ro ing 77
17 Tellt a le and w a rn ing lig h ts (a rra ng edc loc kw is e) fo r
> Fog lig hts * 22> Re a r fog lig h ts* 22> B a t t e ry c h a rg e 20
>
u n it s
C o n t rma tio
g u a g e
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20nTelltale and warning lights
Technical equipment thatmonitors itself
N um e r o u s s ys te m s o n yo u r B MW a rese lf-mo nitoring , b o th w hen s ta r t ing a ndd uring the jo urney. The func tio n o f tel l-
t a le a nd w a rn ing lig h ts ma rked "" is
c h e c k e d w h e n th e ig n it io n is sw it c h e d
on . They co me on onc e for va ry ing per i-o d s .
If a d e fe c t o c c u rs in o n e o f th e sys te m s ,the c orres po nd ing lig ht w ill rem a in o n
w hen the eng ine is s t a r ted o r w ill c om e
on a g a in dur ing the jo urney . The c orrec tres po nse on yo ur pa rt to th is is d e-
sc rib e d b e lo w .
Red: stop as soon as possible
B a t t e ry c h a rg e
The b a t tery is n ot b eingc ha rg ed . The a lterna tor V-be lt isd efec t ive o r there is a fault in the a lter-
na tor cha rg ing c ircu it . C ons ult the ne a r-
es t BMW S ervic e .
If the V-be lt is d efec t ive , d o no t
co n t inue the journey , a s there is aris k o f the e ng ine overhea t ing a nd su f-
fering d a ma g e. A d efec t ive V-be lt a ls o
increa s es the e f for t nee de d to turn thes teer ing whee l . S upnum
Fill up
ever pfo r m a
a re a c
You c
> P re
t a nThis f
DIN E
The m
> Re gnum
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26nFuel grade
Spark-ignition engines withoutcatalytic converter*
(the c a ta ly t ic c onver te r ca n b e re t ro-fi t ted)
The e ng ine is de s igned to run on b o thu n le a d e d a n d le a d e d f u e l. S in c e th e
eng ines ha ve a knoc k con tro l func t ion ,
they c a n run on d if fe ren t g rad es o f fue l.
Your B MW's e ng ine is ra ted to run o n:
> S upe r P lus /premium plus unlea d edfue l (oc tane numbe r 98 , Re s ea rc hMethod ) or
> S upe r P lus /premium plus lea d ed fuel(o c t a n e n u m b e r 9 8, Re s e a rc h
Metho d ). S upe r (premium) g ra d e p et-rol (g a s ol ine ) c a n b e ide nt if ied b y its
c onfo rmity w ith G erma n Ind us tria l
S tand a rd D IN 51 600.
Fill up w ith pe trol of th is g ra de w he n-
ever pos s ib le , s o tha t the no mina l pe r-fo rm a n c e a n d fu e l c o n su m p t io n v a lu e s
a re a c h ie v e d .
In v iew o f the e ng ine ra t ing s , yo u a re
rec om me nde d to us e th is fue l on ly in
e x c e p t io n a l c irc u m s ta n c e s .
Diesel engines
> Dies el oil to D IN EN 590 sta nd a rd .
For w in ter-g ra de d ies e l o il, s ee
p a g e 133.
D o n o t u se ra p e s e e d o il m e th y les ter (RME) or B iod ies el , or you
ris k da ma g ing the e ng ine . Eithloc k
> P reTo
c ide
loc k
is o
or e ls
n o t b ed e n t .
Note
f rom t
ca r. At ha t t h
outs id
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40nLuggage compartment lid
Lock saloon only
Only the ce n t ra l keys (s ee pa g e 34)fit
the b oo t lid loc k.
3
9
4
d
e0
1
7
Locking separately
Turn the m a s ter key to the r ig ht pa s t the
pres sure po int and t ake it ou t whe n hor-izontal .
This loc ks the lugg a g e c om pa rtmenta nd d isc onne c ts it from the ce n t ra l
loc king sys tem. If you then ha nd o ver
on ly d oo r a nd ignit ion key 3 (s eep a g e 34), t he b o o t lid c a n n o t b e
op ene d . This e x tra se cur ity ca n be
use fu l, fo r ins ta nce , w hen a rriv ing a t a
3
9
4
d
e0
6
4
Openin
P res s th
opens s
The b oo
op en thp a g e 92
Manua
if a n e le
S a l o o n :Inse rt a
3
9
4
d
e0
0
9
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Luggage compartment lid
Opening from inside car
With th is bu t ton , yo u c a n o pen the lug-
g a g e c om pa rtment lid o r t a ilg a te w hilethe ve hic le is s ta t ion a ry , provid ed it is
n o t d e a d lo c ke d .
3
9
0
d
e3
2
4
Rear window touring
It is q u ic k a n d e a sy t o lo a d a n d u n lo a d
s ma ll items if the rea r w indo w ca n beo p e n e d s e p a ra t e ly .
P res s the b ut ton (a rrow ): the rea r w in-d o w o p e n s s lig h t ly . It c a n b e s w u n g u p -
w a r d s .
To c lo s e th e w in d o w , p re s s d o w n o n
t he g la s s .
P rote c t the w ind ow if it is likely to
3
9
2
d
e1
5
9
Clos
A rec
loc k mthe lid
3
9
4
d
e1
2
8
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42nLuggage compartment lid
Closing touring
You c a n pull the t a ilg a te d ow n w ith bo th
ha nd s i f req uired (a rrow s ) a t the re-c e s s e d h a n d le s p ro v id e d .
To c los e the t a ilg a te , press it do w n on lylig ht ly . The a c tua l c los ing a c t ion is a u-
to m a t i c .
To a void injuries , a s w ith a ny c lo s -
in g p ro c e s s , e n su re th a t th e c lo s -
ing a rea o f the b oo t lid /ta ilg a te is uno b-
3
9
2
d
e1
6
0
If pos s ib le , d rive o nly w ith the ta il-
g a te a n d r e a r w in d o w fu lly c lo s e d ,
to p r e ve n t e x h a u s t g a se s fro m e n te rin g
th e p a ss e n g e r c o m p a rtm e n t . If yo u a reob lig ed to d rive the c a r w ith the lid , ta il-
g a t e o r re a r w in d o w o p e n :
> C lo s e a ll o th e r w in d o w s a n d th e su n -roof
> Increa s e the vo lume o f a ir in the he a t-ing a nd ve nt ila t ion s ys tem o r the a ir
co nd it ione r, re fe r to pa g e 94o r100. a d o o r , t h e e n g in e c o m p a rtm e n t , th elo a d a re a o r lo a d a re a o r th e re a r w in -
d o w a re o p e n e d
> there is a ny mo veme nt ins ide the c a r(in ter io r mo vem ent d ete c tor)
> there is a cha nge in the ca r' s a t t itude ,for ins ta nc e i f it is ja c ked up to re-m o v e a w h e e l o r if it is t o w e d a w a y
> there is a n in terrupt ion in the p ow ers upply f rom the b a t te ry .
Dep end ing on the na t iona l-marke t ver-
s ion o f the c a r, the a la rm s ys tem ind i-ca tes una uthoris ed en t ry or t am pe ring
in d i f ferent ways :
> 3 0 -se c o n d a c o u s t ic a la rm
> S w it c h in g o n the h a z a rd w a rn in gf la s he rs fo r a pprox. 5 minutes * .
Activating and de-activating
Whene ver the ca r is loc ked or un-
loc ked , w he ther a t a loc k or w ith the re-
mo te c on tro l, the a la rm s ys te m is a c t i-v a te d o r d e -a c t iv a te d a t th e s a m e t im e .
The in ter ior mo vem ent d ete c tor is a c t i-
v a te d a b o u t 3 0 se c o n d s a ft e r th e la s t
locking ac t ion .
If t h e a la rm s ys te m h a s b e e n a c t iv a te d
co rrec t ly , the ha za rd w a rn ing f la she rsc o m e o n o n c e * .
E ve n w h e n th e s y s t e m h a s b e e n a c t i-
va te d , yo u ca n op en the l id/ta ilg a te b y
pres s ing b ut ton 4 on the ra d io rem otec o ntrol . As s oo n a s the l id /ta ilg a te is
c lose d a g a in , it is loc ked .
On c er ta in na t iona l-ma rket ver-s io n s , t he a la rm s ys te m c a n o n ly
b e o p e ra te d f ro m th e ra d io r e m o te c o n -
t ro l. On thes e ca rs , un loc king w ith a key
trig g ers o f f the a la rm.To sw itch o f f the a la rm: pres s bu t ton 1
Alarm
> If the mirroa c t i v a
>If the is be i
or thec lose
fully ,
t e c te d
fla sh ever ,
3
9
0
d
e0
2
0
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Alarm system*
> If the te llt a le f la she s for 10 se c ond sw h e n th e sys te m is d e -a c t iv a te d , a n
a t t e m p t w a s m a d e t o t a m p e r w it h t he
c a r .
Af te r the a la rm ha s s toppe d , the te llt a le
onc e a g a in f la she s in te rmit ten t ly .
Tilt sensor
The ti lt a la rm se ns o r a nd the interio r
m o v e m e n t d e t e c t o r c a n b e s w it c h e d o ff
tog ethe r. This prevents the a la rm fromb e in g t rig g e re d o f f w h e n n o t w a n te d ,
for ins ta nce in tw o- leve l ga ra g e pa rking
or w he n tra velling on a c a r tra in o r ferry :
P er form the loc king mo veme nt (a c t i-va te ) tw ice , by pres s ing but ton 2 on the
ra d io remo te co n tro l tw ice in suc ce s-
s ion , o r rep ea t ing the loc king mo ve-
me nt w ith the key .The te llta le c om es on b rie f ly , the n
f la s he s c on t inuous ly . The t ilt a la rm s en-
s or and interior movem ent de tec tor a re
then s w itche d o f f un t il the s ys tem is d e-a c t i v a te d a g a i n .
Interior movement detector
The illus tra tio n sh o w s the inte rio r mo ve-
me nt de tec tor 's t ra nsm it te r a nd re-ceiver .
B e fore the in terior movem ent d e te c to rc a n o p e ra te c o r re c t ly , t h e w in d o w s a n d
su n ro o f m u s t b e c lo s e d .
How ever , sw itch the in terior movem ent
d ete c tor of f (s ee und er " Tilt a la rm s en-s or " in p revious c olumn) if
> c hild ren o r a nima ls rem a in in the c a r
3
9
0
d
e1
5
3
sw itch
ven iend o w s
s ta rte
t his c
d e -a c
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46nElectric windows
Opening and closing windows
Fro m ignitio n key p o s itio n 1:
> P res s the ro c ker s w itch in unt il thepres s ure po int is fe lt :
t h e w in d o w c o n t in u e s t o m o v e fo r a slo n g a s th e ro c ke r sw it c h is p re s se d .
> P re s s t he t o g g le s w it c h o v e r b e y o n dthe pres s ure p o in t :
th e w in d o w th e n c o n t in u e s t o m o v eautomat ica l ly .
P res s the sw itch b rie f ly a g a in to ha lt
3
9
0
d
e0
5
5
After the ig nit ion is s w itch ed of f :
> You c a n s t ill op era te the e lec tric w in-d o w s fo r up to 1 5 m in u te s , u n le s s a
fro n t d o o r w a s o p e n e d a n d c lo s e da g a in . To o pen , pres s the roc ker
sw it c h b e yo n d th e n o r m a l d e te n t
point.
When lea v ing the c a r, a lw a ys t a ke
out the ig n it ion key a nd c los e the
d o o r s , so th a t c h ild r e n c a n n o t o p e r a te
the e lec t ric w indo w s a nd po ss ib ly in jure
th e m se l v e s .When b ra king
>When o pe ra t ing the c lu tch or w henmo ving the a u toma t ic t ra nsm is s ion
s elec tor leve r f rom D to N> If t h e se le c te d s p e e d is e x c e e d e d o rnot rea c hed for a leng thy per iod , for
in s t a n c e b y d e p r e ss in g th e a c c e le ra -
tor peda l.
Calling up memorised speed
P re s s b u t to n 4 :
The s pee d la s t mem or is ed is rec a lled
a n d m a in t a in e d o n c e it ha s b e e nre a c h e d a g a in . If yo u turn the ig nitio n
ke y to s e t t in g 0 , th e s to re d ro a d s p e e d
is c le a re d fro m m e m o ry a n d th e sys te m
is de-ac t iva ted .
De-activating the system
If you ha ve in terrupted the c ru is e c on-
t ro l func t ion , press bu t ton 1 onc e a g a in .
The te l lt a le la mp g oe s out a nd thes to r e d ro a d s p e e d is c a n c e lle d .
w h ic h
be ingis s lip
(s tone
Trip distance recorder; outside temperature display Revo
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Odometer (distance recorder)
Yo u c a n a c t iv a te th e d isp la ys s h o w n o n
this Fig ure in ig nit ion s et t ing 0 b y pres s -
ing the b ut ton (a rrow ) on the instrume ntcluster .
The la yo ut of the d is pla ys d i ffers a c -
co rd ing to yo ur ca r' s eq u ipme nt .
Trip distance recorder
To res et to ze ro, p res s the knob (a rrow )in ig nit io n key p os it ion 1 o r be yo nd .
3
9
0
d
e0
2
5
1 the b ut ton (a rrow ) in ig n it ion se t t ing 1
a n d h o ld in g it d o w n2 then turn ing the ig n it ion key to 0 .
Ice warning
If the outs ide temp era ture fa lls to a p-
p ro x . + 36, a w a rn in g s ig n a l is h e a rda n d th e d isp la y fla sh e s fo r a s h o rt p e -
riod.
The w a rn ing is repe a ted if the te mpe ra -
ture rise s a g a in t o a t le a s t + 66a n d
Never a
zo ne o f
In this z
rupted t
c om es t io n in a
3
9
0
d
e0
0
4
p d s a ce eco de ; ou s de e pe a u e d sp ay e o
78nEnergy Control Fuel gauge
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gy g g
Ind ic a tes c urrent fuel c on s ump tion in
l/100 km. This en a b les yo u to c he c k
how economica l and env i ronmenta l ly
frien d ly y o ur curre nt d riving s tyle is .
When the c a r is ha lted , the nee d lem o v e s b a c k t o z e ro .
3
9
0
d
e0
0
5
The w a rning lig ht co me s o n br ie f ly a s
a n op era t ing c hec k whe n the ig n it ion is
s w it c h e d o n .
When the w a rn ing lig h t co me s on , there
a re a b o u t
> 8 l B MW 520i, 523i, 528i,525td /td s , 530d
> 10 l B MW 535i, 540i
o f fue l le f t in the ta nk.
F ue l t a n k c a p a c it y : s e e p a g e 223.
3
9
0
d
e0
0
6
Ad
th
d ry a n d
or the c
Coolant thermometer Service Interval indicator
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Blue
The e ng ine is s t ill c o ld . Drive a t mo d er-
a t e e n g in e a n d ro a d s p e e d s .
Red
If the w a rn ing lig h t co me s on o r the
C OO LANT TEMP ERATUR E C he c k
Contro l d i sp lay appears * : the e ng ine i sto o h o t . S w it c h it o ff a t o n c e a n d a llo w
t o c o o l d o w n .
3
9
0
d
e0
0
7
The d is p la y la yout va ries a c co rd ing to
your ca r' s eq u ipme nt spe c i fica t ion .
Green light-emitting diodes
The few er a re on , the s oo ner the ne x t
s ervice w ill be due .
Yellow LED
This lig hts up in c o njunc tio n w ith
OILS ER VIC E or INS P EC TION.
A se rv ic e rout ine is due . Ma ke a rra ng e-
3
9
0
d
e0
0
8
Clock
S h o w
the d i
In su c
brakereg a rd
p a g e
80nCheck Control
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Graphic display
The follow ing instruc t ions a nd s ta tus
m e s s a g e s a re d e p ic t e d a s s y m b o ls a n dso und a g ong from ig n it ion s e t t ing 2 .
They rem a in o n d is pla y unt il the faults
h a v e b e e n re m e d ie d :
1 C h e c k lo w - a n d h ig h -b e a m h e a d -
la mps a nd pa rking lig h ts
2 To p u p w a sh e r flu id g o e s o u t a f te ra pprox. 1 minute
3 D oo r o pe n
3
9
0
d
e1
2
1
Alphanumeric display*
C lea r-tex t ins t ruc t ions a nd rem inde rs
a re sho w n in ig n it ion key pos it ion 2 a nd
b e yo n d . A g o n g s ig n a l is a lw a ys h e a rda t t h e s a m e t im e .
1 S y m b o l th a t a w a rn in g is p re s e n t
2 D is p la y
3 C H EC K butto n
The sys tem ma lfunc t ion d is p la ys a re d i-
v ide d in to tw o prior ity c a teg or ies :
3
9
0
en1
1
1
P rio rity
Thes e d
a c c o m pfla s hing
era l f au
a re d isp
pla ys reh a v e b e
e r a se d
> RELE> C O O L
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> CHECK BRAKE FLUIDThe leve l is c los e to the minimum
ma rk. Add f luid a t the e a rlies t op po r-
tun it y ; s e e p a g e 161. Ha v e t he c a u s eof b rake f lu id los s t ra c ed a nd rec t ified
by B MW S ervice
> TYRE DEFE C T*Im m e d ia te ly re d u c e s p e e d re a d y tos to p , a v o id in g a n y p ro n o u n c e d b r a k-
ing a nd s teer ing m a noe uvres w hile
d o in g s o .S e e p a g e s 89
> S ELFLEVEL S US P . INAC T*H a v e t he c a r c h e c ke d b y t h e n e a r e s t
B MW S e rv ic e ; se e p a g e 135
> FUEL INJ EC T.S YS .*H a v e a c h e c k p e rfo r m e d b y B MW
S e rv ic e ; s e e a ls o p a g e 136> LIMIT*
D isp la y sh o w s w h e n e v e r yo u a r e e x -ce ed ing the leg a l sp ee d limit in a
g iven c ountry .
P rio rity 2
Thes e fa u lt s o r rem inde rs a re sho w n for
20 se c on d s in ig nit io n key p os it ion 2
a nd b eyo nd . Afte r the tex t d is p la ysha ve g one out , sym bo ls rema in v is ib le
to ind ica te tha t there a re f a u lt mes -
sa g e s in th e C h e c k C o n t ro l. Th e m e s-
s a g e s c a n b e c a lle d u p a g a in b y p re s s -in g C H EC K b u t to n 3 .
> B OO TLID OP END isp la y o n ly a p p e a rs w h e n c a r is
d r iven a w a y f rom a s tand s t ill fo r the
first time
> D O O R O P E ND is p la y a p p e a rs w h e n th e c a r h a s
rea che d a g iven (low ) sp ee d
> FAS TEN S EAT B ELTS *The w a rn ing la mp w ith be lt sym bo l
a ls o c o m e s o n
> P R E-HE ATING *Do not s t a r t the eng ine un t il the d is-p la y h a s g o n e o u t
>WAS HER FLUID LOWRe sto re the c or rec t leve l a t the e a rli-
> S ETTh e
tyre
ha sS e e
> C HC he
avaa nd
S e e
> TYRB riere f e
> C HA b
thea nd
> C HC H
C HC H
C H
C H
C H
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> TRANS FAILS AFE P RO G *P lea s e v is i t your nea res t B MW S erv-
ice ce n t re , re fe r to p a g e 67o r69
> C HEC K B RAKE LINING SH a v e t he b r a ke p a d s c h e c ke d b y
B M W S e rv ic e ; s e e p a g e 132
> R ADIO KE Y, B ATTER YR e n e w t he b a t te ry ; s e e p a g e 183
> C HEC K C OO LANT LEVELC oo la n t leve l is too low a nd s hould
b e to p p e d u p a t t h e e a rlie s t o p p o rtu-n it y ; s e e p a g e 160
> ENG INE FAILSAFE P RO G *The Elec tron ic Eng ine Output C on trol
(EML) ha s a fault . Hig her pe d a l pres -
su re a n d lo n g e r p e d a l t ra v e l m a y b en e e d e d w h e n b ra k in g . P le a s e h a v e a
c hec k per formed by B MW S erviceTh e f o llo w in g m e s sa g e c a n n o t b e
c a lle d u p a g a in :
> EXT. TEM P 5 .06This is a n e xa mp le of the d is pla y . The
a c tu a l o u ts id e t e m p e r a tu re is sh o w n
if it is + 36 o r b e lo w ; s e e a ls o
Messages displayed at the endof a journey
All ma lfunct ion s w hic h ha ve b ee n ind i-
ca ted d uring a journey a re d is p la yeda g a in in suc ce ss ion w hen the ig n it ion
key i s turned ba c k to p os it ion 0 .
The follow ing in forma tion is a ls o pro-
vid ed if ap propr ia te :
> LIG HTS ON
Wa rning a t end o f journey , w hendr iver' s d oo r is op ene d
> C HEC K ENG INE OIL LEVAd d e ng ine o il a t the ea rlies t opp or tu-
nity (w hen refuel ling ); s ee pa g e 157.
Af ter the ig n it ion key ha s be en rem oveda n d t he d is p la y h a s g o n e o u t , yo u c a n
c a ll up C HEC K CO NTRO L d is pla ys fo rup to a pprox . th ree minutes b y pres s ing
the C HEC K but ton 3 . If there a re s ev-era l d is p la ys , the C HEC K but ton mus t
b e p r e s s e d m o re t h a n o n c e .
Check
P res s th
key s e t t
C HEC K
There at e m s m
Compu
A de s cr
found int e m s " a
Yo
m et ion d isp
On-board computer
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p
Calling up functions
Us ing the b ut ton in the turn ind ic a tor
leve r, f rom ig nit ion key s et t ing 1 , yo u
c a n ca ll up on-boa rd c om puter in forma -t io n in the ins trume nt c lus ter d isplay
un it . Every t ime you p res s the b ut ton
to w a rd s th e s t e e rin g c o lu m n , a n o th e r
funct ion is d is pla yed on s c ree n (i.e .s c rolling func tio n).
The s eq uenc e o f d is p la ys is :
a m b ie n t t e m p e ra tu re , a v e ra g e fu e l c o n -
3
9
0
d
e3
3
6
Outside temperature and averagefuel consumption
Yo u c a n c h a n g e th e u nit o f m e a su re -
me nt for the a mb ien t temp era ture d is -p la y (6/7), by
1 p re s s in g a n d h o ld in g d o w n th e re s e t
but ton for the t rip d is tanc e d is p la y
(odometer )
2 then turn ing the ig n it ion key to 0 .
S e e a ls o p a g e 77.
3
9
0
d
e1
2
6
Operspee
The ra
d is t a n
Th e as t a t io
w a s s
3
9
0
d
e1
2
5
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Clearing the display
While a vera g e s pee d is b e ing d is -
pla yed , if yo u pres s the turn ind ic a tor
leve r b rie f ly , the on-b oa rd c om pute rd isp la y c a n b e s w it c h e d o ff.
Recalculating
If you ho ld the b ut ton d ow n long er , the
a vera g e va lues d is p la yed for fue l c on-
s u m p t io n a n d ro a d s p e e d a re re c a lc u -la ted , s ta rt ing f rom this po int in t ime .
The e ng ine m us t be running .
Compudisplay
If your c
a lpha -nis de s cr
t io n s " R
Park Distance Control (PDC)*
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P D C a s s is t s yo u w h e n re v e rs in g th e c a r
in to a pa rking sp a ce . An a ud ib le w a rn-
ing s igna l te lls you ho w f a r you a re f rom
ob st ruc t ions be h ind the c a r. To do th is ,four u lt ra so n ic s ens ors in the b a ck
b u m p e r m e a su re th e d is t a n c e to th e
nea res t ob jec t . The m ea s uring ra ng e for
th e tw o c o rn e r se n so rs e n d s a p p ro x .60 c m (a pprox. 2 ft ) b eh ind the b ump er .
Th e tw o c e n t re s e n s o r s h a v e a ra n g e o f
a pp ro x. 1.50 m (a pp ro x. 5 ft).In ig nit ion key po s it ion 2 , the s ys tem is
a c t iva ted a u toma t ica lly a fte r a pprox . 1s e c o n d w h e n re v e rs e g e a r is s e le c t e d
or the a u toma t ic t ra nsm iss ion s e lec tor
lever mo ved to R . It is s w itche d o f f
w hen the lever is m oved out o f reverse
g ea r or aw a y from po s i tion R. If you a retow ing a t ra ile r , o f co urs e , the s ys te m
c a n n o t m a k e th e a p p ro p r ia t e m e a su re -
me nts a nd is there fore o ut o f a c t ion .
Audible warning signals
The d is ta nc e f rom a n ob s truc t ion is in-
d ic a ted by a n in termit ten t aud ib le s ig-
na l. The c los er the ca r a pproa c hes theob s t ruc t ion , the mo re r ap id the s e-
q u e n c e o f s ig n a ls . Wh e n th e d is t a n c e is
les s tha n 30 cm (a pp rox. 12 in), the s ig -
n a l b e c o m e s c o n tin uo u s .
The s ig na l is in terrupte d a f ter ap prox.3 se c o n d s if t h e d is t a n c e fro m th e o b -
s tac le rem a ins c ons tan t dur ing th is
t ime , for ins ta nce w hen revers ing pa ra l-
le l to a w a ll.
If a co n t inuous s igna l a t a p itch h ig herth a n u su a l is h e a rd w h e n th e sys te m is
f irs t a c t iva ted , it is ma lfunct ioning . Ha ve
th e c a u se t ra c e d a n d r e c t ifie d b y B MWServ ice .
Th
tu
of ob s t r
t a in " d en o t a lw a
d e t e c t io
phys ic a
m e n t , eor th in a
Lo u d s o
d io s c a nth e P D C
K e
fro
a te re l iaD o n o t
o f t ime je t . Kee
prox . 4
86nASC+T/DSC*
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Automatic Stability Controlplus Traction (ASC+T)/DynamicStability Control (DSC)*
Th e se sys te m s e n s u re a d d it io n a l d y-namic s tabi l i ty , par t icular ly when accel-
era t ing a nd c ornering .
Th e D S C a d d s t o t he a d v a n t a g e s o f
AS C + T. In a dd it ion to a ch iev ing op t i-
m u m d yn a m ic s t a b ilit y w h e n a c c e le ra t -ing a nd s ta r t ing from a s tand s t ill, a g a in
in s ta b ility is o b ta ine d w hen c orner ing .
3
9
0
d
e3
5
9
Telltale lamp
The tellta le la mp in the ins tru-
me nt c lus te r g oe s o u t shor tly
a ft e r th e e n g in e h a s b e e ns t a rte d . S e e p a g e 21.
If the te llta le la mp f la s hes :
The s ys tem is a c t ive , tha t is to s a y it is
co mpe nsa t ing for f luc tua t ions in t ra c -
t io n c a u se d b y th e ro a d s u rfa c e .
If the te llt a le la mp do es no t g o out a f te rt he e n g in e h a s b e e n s t a rt e d o r c o m e s
on d uring the journey:
The sys tem is de fec t ive , b u t the c a r it -
s el f is fully o pe ra t io na l w ith the e xce p-t ion of the AS C + T/DS C s ta b ility c ontrol
funct ion . P lea s e v is it B MW S ervic e for
rep a ir w ork.
Switching off
P res s the but to n ; the te l lta le lam p w ill
c o m e o n .
D e p e n d in g o n th e c a r' s e q u ip m e n t , t h e
b u t to n is m a rke d e ith e r AS C o r D S C .
Switch
P re s s th
ta le la m
N o
c o
limit s pe
sp o n s ibof t ra c t i
The ex t
th is s y sa s a n in
Yo u w ill
DS C in
in te re s t
Electronic Damping Control (EDC)*
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This sys tem a utoma t ica lly ens ures
th a t m o v e m e n t o f th e ro a d w h e e ls is
d a m p e d a c c o rd in g t o t he c a r's n e e d s ,a n d th e re f o re e n h a n c e s b o th rid e c o m -
fo rt a n d s a fe t y .
3
9
0
d
e3
5
8
Automatic control
Automa t ic c on tro l is a c t iva ted ea ch
t ime the e ng ine is s t a rted . It t akes e f fec t
o v e r th e e n t ire r o a d -sp e e d ra n g e a n dreg a rd less o f the loa d o n the ca r. If the
in fluenc ing f ac tors cha ng e (roa d sur-
fa c e a n d o th e r o p e ra t in g f a c to rs s u c h
a s s te er ing , b raking e tc . ), the da mpingfo rc e e x e rte d b y th e sh o c k a b s o r b e rs is
a utom a tic a lly va ried w ith in a f ra c t ion o f
a s e c o n d .
Sport
With the
the ED C
next to
Th e S p oif you re
s uspe n
To c ha n
P res s th
w ill g o o
88n Tyre pressure control (RDC)*
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The principle
The RDC mo nitors ty re pres s ures a t a ll
four roa d w hee ls , bo th a t a s t and s t ill
a nd w hen the c a r is be ing d r iven . Thesys te m re p o rt s a n y su d d e n lo s s o f
pres sure in one or more tyres .
To e n a b le th e RD C to " g e t t o kn o w " th e
c or rec t ty re pres s ure , c hec k tyre pres -
s ures in a ll t y res a g a ins t the tyre pres -s u re t a b le o n p a g e 27a nd c or rec t if
n e c e s sa ry . Th e n a c t iv a te th e s ys te m .
This telltale in the instrument
c lus ter or the C hec k C ontro l in-
forms you w hene ver tyre pres-s ure is no t norma l.
Activating the system
1 Turn the ignit ion key to p os it ion 2 (b ut
d o n o t s t a rt t he e n g in e )
2 K e e p th e b u t to n p re s se d in (a rro w )until the y e llo w te llta le la mp o n the in-
s t ru m e n t p a n e l c o m e s o n f o r a fe wse c o n d s o r th e C h e c k C o n t ro l d is -
p la ys " S ET TYRE P RES S URE"3 Afte r th e c a r h a s b e e n d r iv e n fo r se v -
e ra l m in u te s , th e RD C a d o p t s th e a c -
tua l ty re p res s ures a s the nom ina l
va lues w hic h it is to m on itor
3
9
0
d
e3
2
0
If the
If the
a f te r a
tyre), m e s s a
in the
This i
su re s
fie d v
th e m ,w e re
t y re p
to the
s ure t
s y s t e
Tyre pressure control (RDC)*
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With a burst tyre
If you s uf fer a tyre d efec t involv ing los s
o f press ure , the red te llt a le la mps up , o r
th e m e s sa g e " TYRE D EFEC T" a p p e a rsin the C hec k Co ntro l. In a dd it ion , a
g o n g s o u n d s .
Wh e n this o c c u rs , s lo w d o w n to a s to p
imm ed ia te ly , a vo id ing ha rs h b ra king
a n d s t e e rin g m a n o e u v re s . Re p la c e th ede fec t ive w hee l w ith tyre .
The s pa re w hee l supp lied a s
s t a n d a rd w ith yo u r c a r is e q u ip p e dw ith th e n e c e ss a ry RD C e le c t ro n ic s a n d
is there fore a ls o m onitored a u toma t i-
ca lly a fte r fit t ing , w hen the s ys te m ha s
b e e n a c t iv a t e d . so ain se
w a s
> u sepo s
too
them
re d u c
a re wth e b r
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166n Care of the car
Protecting the paintwork
P olish the pa in tw ork only w ith prod uc ts
Touching in paint damage
Min o r p a in t d a m a g e c a n b e to u c h e d in
Care
Wa ter
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P olish the pa in tw ork on ly w ith prod uc ts
c o n t a in in g C a rn a u b a o r syn th e tic
w a x e s .
A sure s ign tha t the pa in tw ork nee dsp ro te c t iv e t re a tm e n t is w h e n w a te r n o
long er forms la rg e d rop lets a nd rolls o f f
th e su rfa c e .
Re m o v e c a re p ro d u c t re s id u e s a n d s ili-
c o n e fro m th e w in d s c r e e n w ith g la s s
c leaner .
Min o r p a in t d a m a g e c a n b e to u c h e d in
w ith a B MW pa in t spray a eroso l or
B MW pa int pe nc il.
The c o lour of yo ur c a r's p a intw ork iss t a t e d o n th e t yp e p la t e (se e p a g e 162)
a n d o n th e f irs t p a g e o f the S e rv ic e
Bookle t .
S c ra t c h e s a n d d a m a g e c a u s e d b y fly in g
s to n e s m u s t b e re p a ire d im m e d ia te ly ,
to p reve nt rus t from forming.If a n y a r e a s o f th e b o d y h a v e a lre a d y
s t a rt e d to ru s t a s a re s u lt o f p a in t d a m -
a g e , re m o v e the ru s t a n d c le a n th e m .
App ly pr ime r c oa t ing w ith a B MWprime r s t ic k, a l low to d ry tho roug hly ,
then a pply the top co a t . Afte r a few
d a ys , p o lish th e t o u c h e d -in a r e a s a n da pply a pa in t pro te c t ion prod uc t .
Yo u c a n h a v e m o r e w id e sp r e a d p a in td a m a g e e x p e rt ly re p a ire d b y B MW
S e rv ic e in a c c o rd a n c e w ith th e m a n u -
fac turer 's d irec t ives , us ing o rig ina l
Wa ter
prepa
The ca u t o m
w a sh e
D e p e
a re usfluenc
in c u r
The p
riora te
prox. b e g in
sc re e
th e w
K e e p
a nd thsm e a
c le a n
co n ta
Care of the car
F o g g e d -o v e r o r ic e d - up w in d o w s c a n
b e t re a te d in s id e th e c a r w ith a d e m is t -Care of special components
Alloy w hee ls sho uld b e t rea ted w ith a
S e a t b
mild s
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ing c lo th or de -ic ing sp ra y do no t us e
a n ic e s c ra p e r . o ld o il> o il filte rs> ant i f reeze> brake fluid> ba t te r ies
> tyres> a ir c leaner e lements
> a i r b a g s> w in d s c re e n s a n d re a r w in d o w s
B MW o r g a n ise s , p a ys f o r a n d s u p e r-
v ise s th e r e m o v a l a n d d isp o s a l o f th e s e
s u b s t a n c e s a n d h a s d ra w n up h a n d lin g
pr inc iples far in exc es s o f a nything c ur-rent ly c a lled for by law .
a b le for rec yc l ing w ill a vo id unnec es -
sa ry e x p e n se fo r yo u a n d u n d u e b u rd e n
on the e nv ironm ent . Ea s ily remo vab lec o m p o n e n ts a n d a s s e m b lie s c o n ta in in g
re-usa b le m a teria ls w herever po s s ib le
in c r e a s e th e v a lu e o f a s c ra p p e d v e h i-c le .
B MW co op era tes w ith s e lec ted , li-
c e n s e d d is p o s a l a n d re c y c lin g c o m p a -
n ies in it s va rious co untries ; thes e a c-ce pt your veh ic le a t the e nd o f it s us e fu llif e a nd rec yc le or d isp os e o f it a nd it s
c o m p o n e n t p a r ts a c c o r d in g to th e p rin -
c ip les la id d ow n by B MW.
Yo ur BMW S ervic e s ta t io n w ill
g la d ly a dv ise you o n re turn ing thec a r fo r d isp o sa l a s a n d w h e n it ha s t o
b e w ith d ra w n fro m u s e . U s e
po s
too
178nLights and bulbs
Xenon headlamps*
The o pe rating l ife o f thes e l ig ht units is
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g g
extrem ely long a nd the likelihoo d of fa il-
ure ve ry low , prov ide d tha t they a re no t
sw it c h e d o n a n d o f f a v e ry g r e a tnumb er o f t ime s . If a Xeno n hea d la mp
sho uld no ne the les s f a il, sw itch o n the
fog lig h ts a nd co n t inue the journey w ithg rea t ca re , prov ide d tha t loc a l leg is l a -
t ion d oe s no t pro hibi t th is .
In v iew o f the h ig h vo lt ag es tha ta re p res en t , w ork on the en t ire
lig h t ing s ys te m s hould on ly b e ca rried
out b y s killed pe rs onne l, to a vo id the
risk of possibly fatal injury. g re e n : a d e q u a t e c h a rg e
> bla c k: s t a te o f cha rg e is too low . Theb a t te ry n e e d s t o b e r e c h a rg e d .
P le a s e c o n t a c t B M W S e rvic e a n d a r -ra n g e fo r th is t o b e d o n e
> ye llo w : th e b a t te r y m u s t b e re p la c e d .
The b a ttery w ill no t a c hie ve its full
3
9
4
d
e3
6
8
Removing and installing
D o n o t d is c o n n e c t b a t te r y le a d sw hile the eng ine is running , othe r-
w is e e xce s s c urren t w ill de s t roy the ve-
hicle electronics unit .
D o n o t m a ke a n y m o d ific a t io n s t o th elea ds a t the p os it ive te rmina l, s ince th is
c ould rend er the p rote c t ive funct ion o f
the s a fe ty ba t tery termina l inef fec t ive .
Re p a irs a n d d isp o sa l sh o u ld o n ly b eunde rtaken b y proper ly t ra ined perso n-
3
9
4
d
e3
0
6
the le
fit the
ba t te re v e n t
Rech
Re c h ag ine s
co nne
mina lris k o
If the
th a n 4
lea d f
192nBattery Fuses
use les s . Every time a ba t te ry is a llow ed
to run f la t , p a rtic ula rly if le f t in this s ta te
for so me time , its op era t ing life is re-
C los e th
lid a t th
re lea s e
8/21/2019 60087013 1999 BMW E39 5 Series Owner s Handbook
193/238
for so me t ime , its op era t ing life is re
d u c e d .
D isp os e o f o ld b a t te ries on ly to an
a uthor is ed c ol lec t ing po int or re-
turn them to B MW S ervic e . B a t te riesf illed w ith a c id sho uld be t ra nsp or ted
and s tored upr igh t . P ro tec t ba t te r ies
a g a ins t fa lling o ver w hen in tra ns it . Th e a n g le d to w b a r g e n e r a te s la t e ra lforc es w hic h c ould be c rit ic a l if theroa d sur fa c e i s s lippe ry
> To c o m p e n sa te fo r th e a n g le d to w -b a r, th e t o w e d a n d to w in g v e h ic le s
ma y ha ve to b e o ff se t in re la t ion too n e a n o t h e r
> there is a risk o f sk idd ing to o ne s idew h e n th e t o w in g v e h ic le ' s b ra ke s a re
appl ied .
Do no t tow a veh ic le hea v ier tha nyo u r o w n , a s th e re is o th e rw ise a
ris k o f lo s ing c o ntrol.
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