82n
Computer Mode selectionFrom ignition key position 1 and up,
you can call up information from the
computer using the button in the turn
signal lever. By pressing the button
briefly in the direction of the steering
column, you can call up a new function
for display.
The displays appear in the following
order: outside temperature, average
fuel consumption, cruising range,
average speed.
Starting with ignition key position 1,
the last active setting is displayed.
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.530us047
Outside temperature and average
fuel consumption You can change the units of measure-
ment (6/7) for the outside tempera-
ture display by
1 pressing and holding the trip
odometer reset button (in ignition
key position 1).
2 and then turning the ignition key to 0.
Refer also to page 76.390us126
Cruising range and average speed The computer bases its calculations of
the cruising range on the previous
driving style and conditions.
This computer ignores any time spent
when the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is not running in its average
speed calculations.390us703
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
85n
Digital clock in the MID
*
Only make inputs when the vehi-
cle is standing still – to avoid
endangering yourself or other road
users.<
To call up time or datePress the left side of the button.
Display shows:
You can have the time displayed in
12 or 24 hours.
To change the display:
Press the left side of the button.
If the 12-hour time display is in use, AM
or PM appears after the time.
Changing the time displayPress the left side of the button.
Press the right side of the button:
The dots flash in the display.
To alter the setting:
Press on the left or right, or hold the
button down.
To store the input:
Press the right side of the button.
To change the datePress the left side of the button.
Press.
Press the right side of the button:
The dots and the DATE display flash.
To alter the setting:
Press on left or right, or hold the button
down.
To store the input:
Press the right side of the button.
The clock takes leap years into account
and therefore does not have to be reset
manually.
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
87n
Digital clock in the MID
*
Enter the switch-on times for the
independent ventilation*You can enter two different switch-on
times.
The ventilation will shut off
automatically after 30 minutes.
Please follow the instructions for
operating the independent ventila-
tion that start on page 114.<
Press the left side of the button.
Press on the left/right.
Display shows:
Press the right side of the button:
Display flashes, e. g. TIMER 1.
To input the time:
Press on the left or right, or hold the
button down.
To confirm the input:
Press the right side of the button.
The activated time is marked with an
asterisk.
The switch-on times remain memorized
until new inputs are made.
You can change switch-on times that
have already been memorized by
making a new time input as described
above.
When the switch-on time is active, the
LED comes on in the MID. During actual
operation of the ventilation, the LED
flashes. The LED goes out when the
system is switched off.
To activate/deactivate the time:
Press twice.Directly switching the indepen-
dent ventilation* on and off
The independent ventilation func-
tion can only be called up in igni-
tion key position 1.<
Press the left side of the button.
Press.
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
143n
Winter operation Power steering Level control system
*
Skid control Release the accelerator pedal and
depress the clutch pedal. Countersteer
carefully and attempt to regain control
of the vehicle.Parking Engage 1st or reverse gear. If your
vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, place the selector lever in
"Park." On vehicles with manual trans-
mission, also apply the parking brake
when parking on inclined surfaces. In
order to prevent the parking brake pads
from locking due to frost or corrosion,
dry them by gently applying the parking
brake as the vehicle is coming to a
stop. Make sure that following traffic is
not endangered.
The brake lamps do not light up
when the parking brake is
applied.<
If there is a change in steering response
(difficult steering, for example) or, espe-
cially on vehicles with Servotronic
*, if
the steering "drifts" or "floats" at
increasing speeds:
Have your BMW center inspect this
system as soon as possible.
If the power steering fails,
increased effort will be required to
steer the vehicle.<
The warning lamp for the level
control system comes on, or the
message SELFLEVEL
SUSP.INACT appears in the Check
Control: There is a malfunction in the
level control system.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If it is
riding significantly lower in the rear than
in the front, or if it is sitting at an incline
(left rear compared to right rear),
consult the nearest BMW center. Drive
with appropriate caution in the mean-
time, especially if you are driving under
poor road-surface conditions. The
vehicle has reduced ground clearance
or driving comfort is noticeably
reduced.
Even if the attitude of the vehicle is
normal, you should consult the nearest
BMW center if the warning lamp indi-
cates a system fault.
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
149n
Special features of winter tires Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for operation under inclem-
ent winter driving conditions. While
so-called all-season tires (M+S desig-
nation) provide better winter traction
than summer tires with the load ratings
H, V, W, Y and ZR, they generally do
not achieve the performance of winter
tires.
In the interests of safe tracking and
steering response, install radial tires
made by the same manufacturer and
with the same tread configuration on all
four wheels if you elect to mount winter
tires.
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Your BMW center
will be glad to assist you with both their
expertise and the proper equipment for
your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire pressureWinter tires display a perceptible loss in
their ability to cope with winter driving
conditions once the tread wears to
below 0.16 in (4 mm), and should thus
be replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures — and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
The use of narrow-link BMW snow
chains is approved only in pairs on the
rear wheels and only with tire size
235/65 R 17. Comply with all manufac-
turer's safety precautions when
mounting the chains.
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
161n
Brake fluid Vehicle Identification
If the indicator lamp for the
brake hydraulic system appears
or if the CHECK BRAKE FLUID
warning appears in the Check
Control: the brake fluid level is
too low in the reservoir.
The brake fluid reservoir is located
under the microfilter housing trim panel
on the driver's side of the vehicle. For
adding brake fluid or for determining
and correcting the cause of brake fluid
loss, consult your BMW center. Your
BMW center is familiar with the specifi-
cations for factory-approved brake
fluids (DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. For this situation,
refer to the notes on page 141.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years by
a BMW center. Refer also to the Service
and Warranty Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion which is out of reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the "MAX"
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of brake fluid.<
Vehicle Identification NumberIn the engine compartment, stamped
on the right-hand strut dome (arrow)
and on the upper edge of the instru-
ment panel on the left-hand side. 530us103
162n
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and oper-
ating safety – and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.
Service Interval DisplayAdvanced technology is employed to
calculate the optimal maintenance
intervals, which are then indicated in
the Service Interval Display. Conven-
tional systems rely solely on distance
traveled to determine when service is
due. The BMW Maintenance System,
on the other hand, began many years 390us008
ago to take the actual conditions under
which the vehicle is driven into consid-
eration. After all, different drivers can
accumulate mileage in very different
ways.
From the point of view of maintenance,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) accumulated
in short-distance urban driving are not
the equivalent of the same distance
covered at moderate speeds in long-
distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. However, even those who
drive only short distances – significantly
less than 6,000 miles (10,000 km) annu-
ally – should have the engine oil
changed at least every 2 years since oil
deteriorates over time, regardless of
use.Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)For additional information on mainte-
nance intervals and procedures, please
refer to the Service and Warranty Infor-mation Booklet (US models) or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
As a precaution against corrosion, it is
advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
Have your BMW center do the
maintenance and repair.
Your BMW center is always informed on
the latest maintenance work and repair
techniques and equipped with the
required special tools. In addition,
checking parts known from experience
to be subject to wear is a permanent
part of the maintenance specifications.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
These entries will constitute your proof
that the vehicle has received regular
maintenance. They are also required for
warranty claims.<
The BMW Maintenance System
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
209nCapacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 24.6 (approx. 93)
approx. 2.0 (approx. 8) – BMW X5 3.0i
approx. 2.5 (approx. 10) – BMW X5 4.4i Fuel specification: page
30
Windshield washer system
with headlamp washer system quarts (liters) approx. 8.2 (approx. 7.8) For details: page
156
Cooling system including
heater circuit quarts (liters) 11.1 (10.5) – BMW X5 3.0i
12.7 (12.0) – BMW X5 4.4i For details: page
160
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) 7.9 (7.5) – BMW X5 3.0i 8.5 (8.0) – BMW X5 4.4i"BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil"
For details: page
158
Manual and automatic transmission,
transfer box and differential – – Lifetime fluid, no fluid
change required