IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
135n
Engine compartment Ð BMW X5 4.4i 1 Reservoir for brake fluid
(under the microfilter
trim panel)141
2 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting170
3 Coolant expansion tank140
4 Engine oil dipstick137
5 Engine oil filler neck137
6 Reservoir for windshield and
headlamp washer system
*
136
136n
Washer fluid Washer nozzles Headlamp
* and windshield
washer system
Capacity in US quarts (liters).
Approx. 8.2 (7.8)
Fill with water and Ñ if required Ñ with a
washer antifreeze (according to manu-
facturer's recommendations).
It is more convenient to mix the
washer fluid before adding it to
the reservoir.< 530us098
Windshield washer Windshield:
The nozzles are directed so as to
ensure effective cleaning, even at high
speeds.
Rear window:
Have this system adjusted by your
BMW center as required. Headlamp washer
*
Have the nozzles adjusted by your
BMW center as required.
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
143n
Caring for your vehicle Washing your vehicle You can have your new BMW washed
in an automatic car wash. Car wash
systems that do not employ brushes
are preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the vehicle.
To prevent spots, avoid washing when
the hood is still warm, or immediately
after and during exposure to strong
sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle.
Before washing the vehicle in a
car wash, fold in the exterior mir-
rors manually, otherwise they may be
damaged on account of the width of the
vehicle.<
>No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). If you are
uncertain, consult the manager of the
car wash.
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system.
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.
Vehicles with rain sensor
*:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects,
for example, can cause malfunctions in
the function of the rain sensor.
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-
matic car washes. If you do not,
damage may occur if the wipers switch
on unintentionally.<
Parts of the vehicle that are inaccessi-
ble to the automatic washer Ñ such as
door sills, door and hood edges, etc. Ñ
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially
important to ensure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also cause damage to
the vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face. Inadequate distance and exces-
sive pressure can damage or weaken
the finish, making it more susceptible to
subsequent attack. In addition, mois-
ture could penetrate to vehicle compo-
nents, leading to long-term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not clean by wiping with a dry
cloth. Never use abrasives or strong
solvents to clean the covers.
>Remove dirt and contamination (such
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty
of water.
>Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never
use a scraper.<
After washing the vehicle, apply
the brakes briefly to dry them.
Braking efficiency might otherwise be
reduced by the moisture and the brake
rotors could also be corroded.<
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
155n
Lamps and bulbs The lamps and bulbs are essential fac-
tors contributing to the safety of your
vehicle. For this reason, follow the in-
structions below carefully when replac-
ing a bulb. If you are not familiar with
any of the procedures, consult your au-
thorized BMW center.
Do not touch the glass portion of a
new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn into the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic
base.<
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.
Whenever working on the electri-
cal system, switch off the electri-
cal accessory you are working on or
disconnect the cable from the negative
terminal of the battery. Failure to do this
could result in short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage, com-
ply with any instructions provided by
the bulb manufacturer.<
The illustration shows the right-hand
engine compartment.
For checking and adjusting head-
lamp aim, please contact your
BMW center.< 1 Low beams H7 bulb, 55 watts
The bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and pro-
tective gloves. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to injury if the
bulb is accidentally damaged during re-
placement.<
1 Turn the bulb holder to the left (arrow)
and remove.
2 Remove and replace the bulb. 530us107
2 High beams HB3 bulb, 60 watts
The bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and pro-
tective gloves. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to injury if the
bulb is accidentally damaged during re-
placement.<
1 Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove.
2 Disconnect the plug.
3 Plug the new bulb holder with bulb
into the plug connector. Be sure that
it is securely engaged.
4 Install in the opposite order.
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not clean by wiping with a dry
cloth (scratches). Never use abra-
sives or strong solvents to clean the
covers.
>Remove dirt and contamination (such
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty
of water.
>Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never
use a scraper.<
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
181n
Level control system
Xenon lamps
*
The level control system for the rear
axle maintains constant ground clear-
ance of your vehicle, even when carry-
ing a load.
For this purpose, the vehicle is
equipped with air springs instead of
steel springs at the rear axle. With the
help of two sensors, an electronic
control unit calculates the height of the
body at all times and, if it is required, it
allows air which is generated in a com-
pressor to flow into the air springs.
As a result of the pressure increase in
the air springs, the level control system
ensures not only constant ride height,
but also ride comfort which is indepen-
dent of the load the vehicle is carrying. 530us132
Xenon lamps illuminate the side and
front areas of the vehicle with signifi-
cantly more brightness and uniformity
than traditional halogen lamps.
In a xenon lamp, an electric arc re-
places the filament in order to generate
intense illumination. A gas mixture in a
quartz glass tube with metal vapor is
ignited by a high electric voltage. The
arc that is generated is then sustained
by a lower voltage. When the lamp is
turned on there is a brief period of high
intensity. Maximum brightness is
attained in approx.15 seconds. 390de134
Xenon lamps provide significantly-im-
proved visibility, especially during ad-
verse weather conditions and driving
situations (driving at night in heavy rain
or through road repair areas where
there are no lane markers, for instance).
Vehicles with xenon lamps
are
equipped with automatic headlamp
range control. As a result, the highway
is always optimally lighted, regardless
of load conditions, and drivers in on-
coming traffic are not blinded.
Xenon lamps make a significant contri-
bution to highway safety since other
highway users, or bicyclists and motor-
cyclists in the right lane, and pedestri-
ans are more easily detected.
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
187n
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters) approx. 24.2 (approx. 92)
approx. 2.6 (approx. 10) Fuel specification: page 30
Windshield washer system
with headlamp washer system quarts (liters) approx. 8.2 (approx. 7.8) For details: page 136
Cooling system including
heater circuit quarts (liters) 12.7 (12.0) For details: page 140
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) 8.5 (8.0) "BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil".
For details: page 138
Automatic transmission, transfer box
and differential Ð Ð Lifetime fluid, no fluid
change required
Everything from A to ZFuel filler door release after
electrical fault168
Fuel gauge75
Fuel quality30
Fuel tank capacity187
Fuses167GGarage-door opener98
Gasoline30
General driving notes118
Glasses compartment102
Glove compartment101
Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement159
Gross vehicle weight186
Ground clearance117HHandbrake65
Handsfree system102
Hazard warning flashers28
Hazard warning triangle28
HDC (Hill Descent
Control)84
Head restraints49
Headlamp covers,
care143, 155
Headlamp flasher69
Headlamp washer
system136Headlamp washers70
Heated steering wheel96
Heating and ventilation90
Heating while stopped94
Heavy cargo112
Height185
Height adjustment, seats48
Height adjustment, steering
wheel51
HiFi system179
High beams25, 87
Bulb replacement155
Hill Descent Control
(HDC)84
Hood release133
Horn26, 27
Hydraulic Brake Assistant
refer to DBC24, 120
IIce warning74
Identification number141
Identification, tires130
Ignition key34
Ignition lock63
Independent ventilation97
Indicator lamps22
Inflation pressure31, 127
INSPECTION76
Instrument cluster18, 20
Instrument lighting86Instrument panel20
Instruments18
Integrated rear axle180
Interference indicators77
Interference, cellular
phone126
Interior and exterior rearview
mirrors, automatic
dimming feature53
Interior lamps87
Bulb replacement158
Remote control38
Interior mirror53
Interior motion sensor44
Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature179
Interlock63
Intermittent switch69
JJump-starting170KKey Memory55
Keys34
Keys with radio remote
control34
Kickdown67
LLashing eyes42, 112
Leather care147
Length185
Level control
system24, 125, 181
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement158
Liftgate42, 168
Light switch86
Light-alloy wheel132
Lighter103
Lights-on warning86
Load-securing devices112
Louvers90
Low beams86
Bulb replacement155
Low-fuel warning lamp75
Lug bolts163
Lug wrench160
Luggage net42
Luggage space42
Luggage straps42
Lumbar support49MM+S tires131
Maintenance76, 142
Manual operation
Doors36
Liftgate168
Sliding/Tilt sunroof168
Tailgate169
Owner service proceduresAAdding brake fluid141
Adding coolant140
Adding engine oil137
Adding washer fluid136
Adjusting washer
nozzles136
Air pressure30, 127
Avoiding unintentional
alarms44BBattery, discharged170
Brakes, brake faults123CChanging a wheel160
Charging the battery166
Check Control77
Check oil level137
Checking tire pressure30DDeactivating the interior
motion sensor38, 44
Deactivating the tilt sensor
alarm system38, 44
Defrosting the windows93
Difficult steering125
Doors, manual operation36
EElectrical malfunction
Fuel filler door168
Liftgate168
Sliding/Tilt sunroof168
Tailgate169
Emergency operation
Doors36
Fuel filler door168
Liftgate168
Sliding/Tilt sunroof168
Tailgate169
Engine oil grades138FFailure messages77
Failure of an electrical
accessory167
Fault displays77
Filling the windshield washer
reservoir136
First-aid kit28
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing171
Flat tire160
Fog lamp, bulb
replacement156
Footwell lamps, bulb
replacement158
GGlove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement158HHazard warning flashers28
Hazard warning triangle28
Headlamp covers,
care143, 155
High beams, bulb
replacement155
Hood release133IIndicator lamps22
Interior lamps, bulb
replacement158JJump-starting170LLevel control system,
inactive125
License plate lamps, bulb
replacement158
Liftgate
Release following an
electrical malfunction168Low beams, bulb
replacement155
Lug wrench160
MMaintenance76, 142
Malfunction displays77
Manual operation
Doors36
Liftgate168
Sliding/Tilt sunroof168
Tailgate169OOil grades138
Onboard tool kit154PPressure, tires30, 127RRear window wiper, wiper
blade replacement154
Releasing the fuel filler door
following an electrical
malfunction168
Releasing the hood133
Releasing the tailgate
following an electrical
malfunction169