Refueling, Starting and Stopping the Engine

Refueling

(For fuel grades and their usage, refer to the Specifications.)

Refueling

(For fuel grades and their usage, refer to the Specifications.)


The fuel filler flap opens when pressing on its front edge.

Emergency release of the fuel filler flap

1. Grasp the handle at the top of the right luggage compartment side trim panel and pull it downward.

2. Pull out the button with the fuel pump symbol.

When handling fuel at filling stations, observe the safety rules posted there.

Insert the fuel cap into the holder on the back of the fuel filler flap cover.
When refueling, rest the fuel nozzle on the fuel tank filler neck. If the nozzle is lifted during refueling, this will result in:
- Interruption of fuel flow
- Reduced fuel vapor recovery, if the nozzle is equipped with a vapor recovery system

Ignition lock

0 — steering locked
The key can be inserted into or removed from the lock only in this position.
After removing the key, gently move the steering wheel from side to side so that it engages the lock.
1 — steering unlocked
Turning the key from position 0 to position 1 is often made easier by gently moving the steering wheel.
2 — ignition on / for BMW 525tds: glow plug preheating
All electrical consumers are ready for operation.
3 — starter engagement

Starting the Engine

Before starting
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Place the gear selector lever in Neutral, or on vehicles with AT, in position P or N.
3. In low outside temperatures, depress and hold the clutch pedal.

Vehicles with gasoline engine
Without depressing the accelerator pedal, start the engine.

Do not engage the starter too briefly, but do not keep it engaged for longer than 20 seconds. As soon as the engine starts, release the key immediately.

Do not warm up the engine at idle; drive off immediately at moderate engine speed.

BMW 535i, 540i:
Your BMW is equipped with a comfort engine start system. Simply turn the ignition key to position 3 (starter engagement) and release it immediately.

The starter operates automatically for a period of time and disengages automatically as soon as the engine starts.

If battery voltage is insufficient, automatic engine starting does not occur and does not stop. In this case the engine can be started using a battery from another vehicle (refer to Starting the Engine with an Auxiliary Power Source).

If the engine (cold or overheated) does not start on the first attempt, proceed as follows:
• To prevent flooding of the spark plugs, repeat the starting attempt only after a short pause.
• When starting the engine, hold the accelerator pedal depressed to approximately half of its travel.

Starting a cold engine at low temperatures (below -15°C) and at high altitudes (above 1000 m above sea level):
• On the first starting attempt, keep the starter engaged somewhat longer than usual (approximately 10 seconds).
• Hold the accelerator pedal depressed to approximately half of its travel.

If you frequently need to start the engine at low temperatures and at high altitudes, change the engine oil to a 5W-X viscosity oil.

Vehicles with diesel engine

With a cold engine:
• The ignition key must remain in position 2 until the glow plug indicator lamp or the corresponding message on the display goes out.
• Start the engine.

At extremely low outside temperatures, the starter must not be engaged for longer than 40 seconds.

With a warm engine:
• If the glow plug indicator lamp is not illuminated, start the engine immediately.

Depressing the accelerator pedal does not affect the engine starting process.

Do not warm up the engine at idle; drive off immediately at moderate engine speed.

Bleeding air from the diesel fuel system: if the fuel tank has been run empty, as a rule, bleeding air from the fuel system is not required.

If problems still occur when starting the engine:
• Keep the starter engaged for approximately 20 seconds.

Never operate the engine in an enclosed space. Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which is colorless, odorless, but highly poisonous. Inhaling exhaust gases is harmful to health and may cause loss of consciousness and death.

Since the vehicle is a potential source of danger, never leave it unattended with the engine running.

Stopping the Engine

To switch off the engine, turn the key to position 1 or 0.

Never remove the key from the ignition while the vehicle is moving. Otherwise, the steering column lock will engage when the steering wheel is turned. When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key from the ignition switch and lock the steering column lock.

Vehicles with MT: when parking on roads with a steep grade, apply the parking brake, since engaging first gear or reverse may, under certain circumstances, be insufficient to prevent the vehicle from rolling away. Vehicles with AT: move the AT selector lever to position P.