BMW 5 Series: Washing in automatic car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes or those that use soft brushes in order to avoid paint damage.
Notes
Note the following:
▷ Make sure that the wheels and tires are not damaged by the transport mechanisms.
▷ Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they may be damaged, depending on the width of the vehicle.
▷ Deactivate the rain sensor, to avoid unintentional wiper activation.
▷ In some cases, an unintentional alarm can be triggered by the interior motion sensor of the alarm system. Follow the instructions on avoiding an unintentional alarm
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged.◀
Before driving into a car wash
In order to ensure that the vehicle can roll in a car wash, take the following steps:
Manual transmission:
1. Release the parking brake.
2. Drive into the car wash.
3. Shift to neutral.
4. Switch the engine off.
5. Switch on the ignition.
Automatic transmission:
1. Release the parking brake, and deactivate Automatic Hold.
2. Drive into the car wash.
3. Depress the brake pedal as needed.
4. Engage transmission position N.
5. Switch the engine off. In this way, the ignition
remains switched on, and a Check-Control
message is displayed.
Transmission position P with the ignition
off
When the ignition is switched off, position P
is engaged automatically. When in an automatic
car wash, for example, ensure that the
ignition is not switched off accidentally.◀
The vehicle cannot be locked from the outside when in transmission position N.
A signal is sounded when an attempt is made to lock the vehicle.
Transmission position
Transmission position P is engaged automatically:
▷ When the ignition is switched off.
▷ After approx. 15 minutes.
Car washes
Notes
Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of 140 ℉/
60 ℃.
Holdi ...
Headlamps
▷ Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
caustic cleansers.
▷ Soak areas that have been soiled e.g. due to
insects, with shampoo and wash off with
water.
▷ Thaw ice with d ...
See also:
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stopping
and steering) during severe braking conditions by limiting brake lockup. When the
system "senses" impending ...
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine performance and long life, careful attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but important steps will help protect your investment:
► Always use eng ...
Blower Control
For full automatic operation or for
automatic blower operation, turn the
knob to the AUTO position. In manual
mode there are seven blower speeds
that can be individual selected. In off
pos ...