BMW 5 Series: Loading

BMW 5 Series: Loading

• Vehicle equipment
• General information
• Determining the load limit
• Load
• Stowing cargo
• Securing cargo
• Roof-mounted luggage rack

Vehicle equipment

All standard, country-specific and optional equipment that is offered in the model series is described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment is also described that is not available in a vehicle, e. g., because of the selected optional equipment or country variant. This also applies for safety-related functions and systems.

General information

Overloading the vehicle
To avoid exceeding the approved carrying capacity of the tires, never overload the vehicle.

Overloading can lead to overheating and increases the rate at which damage develops inside the tires. This could result in a sudden loss of tire inflation pressure.◀

No fluids in the trunk
Make sure that fluids do not leak into the trunk; otherwise, the vehicle may be damaged.◀

Determining the load limit

Determining the load limit

1. Locate the following statement on your vehicle’s placard:

▷ The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, damage to the vehicle and unstable driving situations may result.
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 kilograms or YYY pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals 1,000 lbs and there will be four 150 lbs passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 400 lbs: 1,000 lbs minus 600 lbs = 400 lbs.
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.

Load

The maximum load is the sum of the weight of the occupants and the cargo.

The greater the weight of the occupants, the less cargo that can be transported

Stowing cargo

▷ Heavy cargo: stow as far forward and as low as possible, ideally directly behind the cargo area separating wall.
▷ Very heavy cargo: when the rear seat is not occupied, secure each of the outer safety belts in the opposite buckle.
▷ Cover sharp edges and corners.
▷ If necessary, fold down the rear backrests to stow cargo.
▷ Do not stack cargo above the top edge of the backrests.
▷ Place protective material around any sharpedged or pointed objects that could bump against the rear window while the vehicle is in motion.

Securing cargo

Lashing eyes in the cargo area

Lashing eyes in the cargo area

To secure the cargo, there are four lashing eyes in the cargo area

Securing cargo

▷ Smaller and lighter items: secure with retaining straps or with a cargo net or draw straps.
▷ Larger and heavy objects: secure with cargo straps.

Cargo straps, cargo netting, retaining straps or draw straps on the lashing eyes in the cargo area.

Securing cargo
Always position and secure the cargo as described above; otherwise, it can endanger the car's occupants if sudden braking or swerving becomes necessary.

Heavy or hard objects should not be carried loose inside the car; otherwise, they could be thrown around as a result of hard braking, sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occupants.◀

Roof-mounted luggage rack

Note

Roof racks are available as special accessories.

Attachment

Follow the installation instructions of the roof rack.

Roof drip rail with flaps

The anchorage points are located in the roof drip rail above the doors.

Fold the cover outward.

Loading

Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on vehicle handling and steering response.

Therefore, note the following when loading and driving:

▷ Do not exceed the approved roof/axle loads and the approved gross vehicle weight.

▷ Distribute the roof load uniformly.
▷ The roof load should not be too large in area.
▷ Always place the heaviest pieces on the bottom.
▷ Secure the roof luggage firmly, e.g., tie with ratchet straps.
▷ Do not let objects project into the opening path of the trunk lid.
▷ Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.

Things to remember when drivingSaving fuel