2009 BMW 5 Series Owner's Manual - Page 241

Care Car-care products Regular cleaning and care make a significant contribution to retaining your BMW's value. For the cleaning and care of your vehicle, BMW recommends using only products that BMW has approved for this purpose. Your BMW center will be glad to advise you about products and services for the cleaning and care of your BMW. Genuine BMW Care Products are materials tested, laboratory tested, and tested in actual use. They offer optimum care and protection for your vehicle.< Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol or solvents; they can damage your vehicle.< Cleaning agents can contain substances that are dangerous or pose health risks. You should therefore heed the warnings and hazard indications on the packaging. Open the doors or windows on your vehicle whenever cleaning the interior. Make sure there is sufficient ventilation in enclosed spaces. Use only products that are formulated for vehicle cleaning.< Before driving into the car wash, make sure that it is suitable for your BMW. Pay attention to the following points: > Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to page 261. > If necessary, fold in the outside rearview mirrors, refer to page 55. > Maximum permissible tire width. > Deactivate rain sensor to prevent unwanted wiper activation. > Deactivate rear window wiper* and protect it from damage. Take appropriate protective measures; inquiring with the car wash operator as needed. > Remove additional add-on parts, e.g. spoilers or phone antennas, if they could be damaged. Preparations for driving into the car wash: Automatic transmission Before driving into the car wash, make sure the vehicle is able to roll by making sure to: 1. Insert the remote control into the ignition lock, even with comfort access. 2. Shift into transmission position N. 3. Release the parking brake. 4. Switch off the engine. 5. Leave the remote control in the ignition lock so that the vehicle can roll. Exterior care Washing your vehicle In the winter months, it is especially important to ensure that the vehicle is washed on a regular basis. Otherwise, significant soiling and road salt can cause damage to the vehicle.< After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes briefly to dry them. Failure to do so may lead to a reduction in braking efficiency and also to corrosion of the brake rotors.< Steam cleaners/high-pressure cleaning jets When using steam jets or high-pressure washers, ensure that you maintain sufficient clearance to the vehicle and do not exceed a temperature of 1407/606. Insufficient distance or excessive pressure or temperature can damage parts of the vehicle or can result in water penetration. Follow the operating instructions for the high-pressure cleaning jets.< 239 Give preference to cloth car washes. Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 2 600 721 - © 08/08 BMW AG Reference Car washes Mobility Communications Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance