Get Driving tips -> Things to remember when driving Guide for BMW M5 4 Door Fourth Generation (2004-2010)

Things to remember when driving

Brake system

Break-in period

Brakes require an initial break-in period of

Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to

each other. To ensure that your vehicle contin-

ues to provide optimized economy of operation

throughout an extended service life, we request

that you devote careful attention to the follow-

ing section.

approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized

contact and wear patterns between brake pads

and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during

this break-in period.

Clutch

Do not use the driving programs 5 and 6, refer

to Drivelogic on page 57, during break-in.

The function of the clutch is only at its opti-

mized level after a distance driven of approx.

300 miles/500 km.

Engine and differential

Always obey all official speed limits.

Following part replacement

Observe the break-in instructions again if com-

ponents mentioned above must be replaced

after subsequent driving operation.

Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km

Drive at changing engine and driving speeds,

however do not exceed 5,500 rpm or 105 mph/

170 km/h.

Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the

transmission's kick-down mode during these

initial miles.

General driving notes

Closing luggage compartment lid

Operate the vehicle only when the lug-

gage compartment lid is completely

closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could enter

the interior of the vehicle.<

From 1,200 miles/2,000 km to

3,000 miles/5,000 km

The engine and driving speed can gradually be

increased up to a continuous vehicle speed of

135 mph/220 km/h. Only drive at top speed

briefly, e.g. when passing.

If special circumstances should make it abso-

lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the

luggage compartment lid open:

1. Close all windows and the glass sunroof.

Transmission

2. Increase the air volume of the automatic cli-

mate control to a high level, refer to

page 89.

The function of the transmission is only at its

optimized level after driving a distance of

approx. 300 miles/500 km. Do not exceed

engine speeds of 5,500 rpm during this time.

Hot exhaust system

As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-

atures are generated on the exhaust sys-

Tires

Due to technical factors associated with their

manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-

tion potential until after an initial break-in

period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the

first 200 miles/300 km.

tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed

adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to

them. When driving, standing at idle and while

parking take care to avoid possible contact

between the hot exhaust system and any highly

flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,

etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it

104

the risk of serious property damage as well as

personal injury.<

The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread

depth of the tires decreases, refer also to Mini-

mum tire tread on page 178.

Mobile communications devices in

vehicle

Driving through water

BMW discourages the use of mobile

communications devices, e.g. mobile

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.<

phones, inside the vehicle without a direct con-

nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the

vehicle electronics and mobile communication

device can influence one another. In addition,

there is no assurance that the radiation which

results from transmission will be dissipated

from the vehicle interior.<

Starting off

On slopes

The starting assistant enables starting off on

slopes virtually without rolling back.

Interior and exterior mirrors,

automatic dimming feature*

1. Hold the vehicle with the footbrake.

2. Make sure that the handbrake is released.

3. Release the footbrake and immediately

drive off quickly.

The starting assistant holds the vehicle

for approx. 1 second after releasing the

footbrake. Depending on the load, the vehicle

may also roll back slightly during this time. After

releasing the footbrake, immediately start

quickly, otherwise the starting assistant no

longer holds the vehicle after approx. 1 second

and it begins to roll back.<

This feature is controlled by two photocells in

the inside rearview mirror. One is integrated into

the glass of the mirror, while the other is located

at an offset position on the rear of the mirror

housing.

Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold

the vehicle on a hill by pressing the accel-

erator, but apply the footbrake or handbrake

instead. Otherwise overheating and heavy wear

can result in the area of the Sequential Manual

Transmission.<

For trouble-free operation, keep the photocells

clean and do not cover the area between the

interior rearview mirror and the windshield. Do

not attach stickers of any kind to the windshield

in front of the mirror, either.

To protect the clutch of the Sequential Manual

Transmission from overheating, the starting-off

behavior is changed under heavy loading, e.g. a

rapid succession of starts on slopes. This can

be noticed from shaking during starting off.

Hydroplaning

When driving on wet or slushy roads,

reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge

of water can form between tires and road sur-

face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-

planing, and is characterized by a partial or

complete loss of contact between the tires and

the road surface, ultimately undermining your

ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<

On a slippery surface

1. Select program "P 400" of M Engine

Dynamic Control, refer to page 58.

2. Gently press accelerator pedal to prevent

wheels from spinning when starting off.

105

Braking safely

Corrosion on brake rotors

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.

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.

The pulsing of he brake pedal indicates that the

ABS is controlling braking.

In certain braking situations the perforated

brake rotors can cause operating noises which,

however, have not effect on the performance

and operating safety of the brake system.

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.

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.<

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.

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.

Before driving into a car wash

Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page 46,

otherwise they could be damaged due to the

width of the vehicle.

General information on the care and mainte-

nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring

for your vehicle brochure.

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 pedal

can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and

possibly even brake failure.<

Ground clearance

Ensure that sufficient ground clearance

is available. To drive down curbs, select

the "Sport" program of the EDC Electronic

Damping Control, refer to page 76, to keep the

ground clearance as uniform as possible.

Otherwise the vehicle may be damaged.<

Do not drive in idle or with the engine

switched off, otherwise 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.<

Cargo loading

To avoid loading the tires beyond their

approved carrying capacity, never over-

load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-

heating and increases the rate at which damage

develops inside the tires. The ultimate result

can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<

106

Determining loading limit

Load

1. Locate the following statement on your

The permissible load is the total of the weight of

occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the

weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage

can be transported.

vehicle's placard*:

The combined weight of occupants

and cargo should never exceed

XXX lbs. or YYY kg. Otherwise, this could

damage the vehicle and produce unstable

vehicle operating conditions.<

Stowing cargo

2. Determine the combined weight of the

driver and passengers that will be riding in

your vehicle.

3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver

and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.

4. The resulting figure equals the available

amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.

For example, if the XXX amount equals

1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-

sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-

able cargo and luggage load capacity is

650 lbs.:

>

Load heavy cargo as far forward and as low

as possible, placing it directly behind the

seat back.

>

Cover sharp edges and corners.

1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.

For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is

not occupied, secure each safety belt in the

opposite buckle.

5. Determine the combined weight of luggage

and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That

weight may not safely exceed the available

cargo and luggage load capacity calculated

in step 4.

>

Do not pile objects higher than the top edge

of the backrest.

6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of

the load from your trailer will be transferred

to your vehicle. Consult the manual for

transporting a trailer to determine how this

may reduce the available cargo and luggage

load capacity of your vehicle.

107

Securing cargo

Roof-mounted luggage rack*

A special rack system is available as an option

for your BMW. Please comply with the precau-

tions included with the installation instructions.

Mounting points

>

Use the luggage net*, luggage straps, or

securing straps to hold down small and

lightweight luggage and cargo.

Heavy-duty cargo straps* for securing

larger and heavier objects are available at

your BMW center. Four lashing eyes

mounted in the luggage compartment or

cargo area are used to secure these heavy-

duty cargo straps, refer to illustration.

The mounting points are located in the door

openings.

Loading roof-mounted luggage rack

>

Please observe the special instructions

supplied with the heavy-duty cargo straps.

Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of

gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on

its handling and steering response.

You should therefore always remember not to

exceed the approved roof load capacity, the

approved gross vehicle weight or the axle loads

when loading the rack.

Always position and secure the load as

described above. If you do not, it can

endanger the passengers during braking or

evasive maneuvers.

Use only the lashing eyes to secure heavy-duty

cargo straps, refer to illustration, otherwise the

cargo straps could become detached or the

vehicle could be damaged.

You can find the specified weights under

Weights on page 204 ff.

The load on the roof must be evenly distributed

and must not extend outward beyond the limits

of the loading surface. Always stow the heaviest

pieces at the bottom. Be sure that adequate

clearance is maintained for raising the glass

sunroof, and that objects do not project into the

opening path of the luggage compartment lid.

Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle

weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer

to page 204 ff., as excessive loads can pose a

safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-

tion of traffic safety laws.

You should never transport heavy or hard

objects unsecured in the passenger compart-

ment, as they could fly around and pose a safety

hazard to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt

braking or evasive maneuvers.<

Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and

securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off

during the trip.

Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and

braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.

108

109

Driving tips -> Things to remember when driving for Your BMW M5 4 Door Fourth Generation (2004-2010)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals