Deutsch
EnglishIntroduction for your BMW 5 Series 1995-2003
Owner's Manual for the Vehicle.
With a quick reference guide
for your convenience.
BMW recommends Castrol
M5
Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW M5.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. We therefore have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new BMW. It
contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in gaining maximum
use and satisfaction from the unique range of technical features on your BMW. In
addition, you will find information on maintenance and care, there to ensure oper-
ating and driving safety, as well as to maintain the best possible value of your
vehicle.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important
operating, safety and maintenance information.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models). We
recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:
> New Vehicle Limited Warranty
> Limited Warranty Rust Perforation
> Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
> Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
> California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW M
Foreword
4n
t Identifies index entries that refer to
owner service procedures or topics on
car care.
Notes on the Owner's Manual
Symbols used
We have made every effort to ensure
that you are able to find what you need
in this Owner's Manual as quickly as
Indicates instructions or precau-
tions that must be followed
precisely in order to avoid the possi-
Identifies systems or components,
which your BMW center can either
activate or adapt to suit an individual
driver's requirements ("Car Memory",
"Key Memory"). Refer to page 52.
possible. The fastest way to find certain bility of personal injury and serious
topics is by using the detailed index at
the end. If you desire an initial overview
of your vehicle, this can be found in the
first chapter. The detailed list of
contents that directly follows the
summary of contents is intended to
stimulate your curiosity regarding your
BMW and to encourage you to read the
manual.
damage to the vehicle.<
Contains information that will
assist you in gaining the optimum
benefit from your vehicle and enable
you to care more effectively for your
vehicle.<
Refers to measures that can
be taken to help protect the
environment.<
Should you wish to sell your BMW at
some time in the future, please
remember to hand over the Owner's
Manual to the new owner; it is part of
the vehicle.
< Marks the end of a specific item of
information.
Should you have any further questions,
your BMW center will be glad to assist
at any time.
* Indicates special equipment,
country-specific equipment and
optional extras.
© 2000 BMW M GmbH
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, is permitted
only with the express written approval of
BMW M GmbH, Munich.
Order no. 01 41 0 155 429
US English VIII/2000
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling).
Notes
Symbols
Your individual vehicle
5n
The individual vehicle
Status at time of printing
On buying your BMW, you have BMW pursues a policy of continuous,
decided in favor of a model with individ- ongoing development conceived to
ualized equipment and fittings. This
Owner's Manual describes all models
and equipment that BMW offers within
the same group.
ensure that our vehicles continue to
embody the highest quality and safety
standards combined with advanced,
state-of-the-art technology. For this
reason, it is possible that the features
described in this Owner's Manual could
differ from those on your vehicle. Nor
can errors and omissions be entirely
ruled out. You are therefore asked to
appreciate that no legal claims can be
entertained on the basis of the data,
illustrations or descriptions in this
Owner's Manual.
We hope you will understand that
equipment and features are included
that you might not have chosen for your
vehicle. Any differences can easily be
identified, since all optional accessories
and special equipment are marked with
an asterisk *.
If your BMW features equipment that is
not described in this Owner's Manual (a
car radio or telephone, for instance), we
have enclosed Supplementary Owner's
Manuals. We ask you to read these
manuals as well.
Status at time of printing
6n
Important safety information!
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
For your own safety
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
For your own safety, use genuine parts radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
and accessories approved by BMW. wheels, suspension components, brake
When you purchase accessories tested dust shields, telephones (including
and approved by BMW and Original operation of any portable cellular phone
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (that is,
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will
not void the applicable warranties
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality (volatility, composition, addi-
tives, etc.) among gasolines offered for
sale in the United States and Canada.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result
in driveability, starting and stalling
problems, especially under certain
environmental conditions such as high
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related
to the fuel you are using, we recom-
mend that you respond by switching to
a recognized high-quality brand.
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire from within the vehicle without using an
the assurance that they have been thor- externally-mounted antenna) or trans-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
ceiver equipment (for instance, CBs,
walkie-talkie, ham radio or similar
accessories) may cause extensive
damage to the vehicle, compromise its
safety, interfere with the vehicle's elec-
trical system or affect the validity of the
BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW
center for additional information.<
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control
BMW cannot test every product from
other manufacturers to verify if it can be devices and systems may be performed
used on a BMW safely and without risk by any automotive repair establishment
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its or individual using any certified auto-
occupants.
motive part.<
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.
Symbol on vehicle parts
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Follow the relevant safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.<
Owner's Manual for information on
a particular part or assembly.
For your own safety
7n
The following only applies to vehicles owned and operated in the US.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying BMW of
North America, Inc., P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227, Telephone (201) 307-4000.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a
group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in indi-
vidual problems between you, your dealer, or BMW of North America, Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You can
also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.
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Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
Index
Contents
Cockpit 16
Instrument cluster 18
Locks and security systems:
Keys 30
Electronic vehicle
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock 61
Starting the engine 62
Switching off the engine 62
Parking brake 63
Indicator and warning lamps 20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL) 23
immobilizer 31
Central locking system 32
Opening and closing – from the
outside 32
Hazard warning flashers 24
Warning triangle 24
First-aid kit 24
Manual transmission 64
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher 64
Using the key 32
Refueling 25
Fuel specifications 26
Tire inflation pressure 26
Using the remote control 33
Opening and closing – from the
inside 36
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor 65
Rear window defroster 67
Cruise control 67
Luggage compartment lid 37
Luggage compartment 39
Alarm system 40
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature
display 69
Electric power windows 42
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 43
Tachometer 70
Engine oil temperature gauge 70
Fuel gauge 70
Adjustments:
Seats 45
Steering wheel 48
Mirrors 49
Coolant temperature gauge 71
Service Interval Display 71
Check Control 72
Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory 50
Car Memory, Key Memory 52
Multi-Information Display
(MID) 75
Digital clock 76
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts 53
Airbags 54
Computer 79
Transporting children safely 58
Contents
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Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Interior conveniences:
BMW Universal Transmitter 103
Integrated rear-seat
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedure 118
Driving notes 119
Park Distance Control (PDC) 84
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 86
equipment 106
Catalytic converter 120
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 121
Glove compartment 107
Storage compartments 108
Cellular phones 108
Beverage holder 108
Ashtray, front 109
M Dynamic Driving Control 87
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW) 88
Disc brakes 123
Brake system 124
Lamps:
Winter operation 125
Power steering 127
Cellular phone 127
Radio reception 127
Side lamps/Low beams 90
Instrument rheostat 90
High beams/Parking lamps 91
Fog lamps 91
Cigarette lighter 110
Ashtray, rear 110
Loading and transporting
cargo:
Interior lamps 91
Reading lamps 92
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure 128
Tire condition 128
Tire replacement 129
Tire rotation 130
Through-loading system 111
Ski bag 112
Cargo loading 114
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Roof-mounted luggage rack 115
Automatic climate control 94
Integrated rear center
console 100
Wheel and tire
combinations 131
Special features of winter
tires 132
Seat heating 102
Roller sun blind 102
Independent ventilation
system 102
Snow chains 133
Approved wheel and tire
specifications 134
Contents
Under the hood:
Hood 135
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit 156
Windshield wiper blades 156
Lamps and bulbs 157
Repairing a flat tire 162
Battery 166
Airbags 176
Radio reception 176
BMW active seat 177
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 178
Engine compartment 136
Washer fluids 138
Washer nozzles 138
Engine oil 139
Safety belt tensioner 178
DSP sound system 179
Mirrors with
Coolant 141
Fuses 168
Brake fluid 142
Vehicle Identification
Number 143
In case of electrical
malfunction:
automatic dimmer 179
Integrated rear suspension 180
Rain sensor 180
Fuel filler door 170
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 170
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System 144
Xenon lamps 181
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Caring for your vehicle 145
Airbags 151
Vehicle storage 151
Jump-starting 171
Towing the vehicle 172
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications 152
California Proposition
65 Warning 152
OBD interface socket 153
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Engine data 184
Dimensions 185
Weights 186
Everything from A to Z 192
Capacities 186
Electrical system 188
Drive belts 188
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