2001 BMW X5 3.0I wipers

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
71nWasher/Wiper system
0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent mode or rain sensor
*
2 Normal wipe
3 Fast wipe
4 Brief wipe
5 Clean the windshield
6 Special wash program
*
7 Rotary dial for control of the wipe interval or the sensitivity of the rain
sensor
*
530us044
0 Wipers retracted (home position)
The left wiper is partially concealed by
the hood. In order to bring the wipers to
roughly a vertical position (this is impor-
tant for changing the wiper blades or to
fold the wipers out during frosty
weather, for example):
> With the lever in position 1, switch off
the ignition as soon as the wipers
come to a stop.
If equipped with a rain sensor
*:
1 Switch on the wipers with the lever in position 1, 2 or 4.
2 When the wipers are approx. vertical, switch the ignition off.
For changing the wiper blades, refer to
page 174.
Fold the wipers back down onto
the windshield before you turn the
ignition key to position 1 or 2 again. If
you do not, they could be damaged. <
1 Intermittent mode or rain
sensor
*
Intermittent wipe:
You can set the wipe interval to four
stages with rotary dial 7.
In addition, the wipe interval is varied
automatically depending on road
speed.
Rain sensor:
When the rain sensor is activated, the
windshield wiper is controlled automati-
cally, depending on the degree of
wetness of the windshield (in both snow
and rain). You do not have to be
concerned with switching the wind-
shield wiper on or off or adjusting the
wipe interval between intermittent and
full wipe. Instead, you can concentrate
fully on the traffic conditions. This is
especially important under adverse
weather conditions.
The rain sensor is positioned on the
windshield, directly in front of the inte-
rior rearview mirror.
To activate the rain sensor:
Move the lever to position 1 with the
ignition key in position 1 or higher. The
wipers travel once across the wind-
shield, regardless of the weather
conditions.

72nWasher/Wiper system
You can leave the lever permanently in
position 1. It is then only necessary to
activate the rain sensor from ignition
key position 1 and up. To do this,
>turn rotary dial 7 briefly or
> clean the windshield 5 or use the
special wash program 6.
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain
sensor:
Turn rotary dial 7.
Deactivating the rain sensor:
Move lever to position 0.
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-
matic car washes. If you do not,
damage may occur if the wipers switch
on unintentionally. <
530us044
2 Normal wiper speed
The system switches automatically to
intermittent operation when the vehicle
is not moving (not on vehicles with rain
sensor
*).
3 Fast wiper speed
The wipers operate at normal speed
when the vehicle is not moving (not on
vehicles with rain sensor
*).
5 Clean the windshield
The system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period.
If you pull the lever only briefly, the
system sprays washer fluid onto the
windshield without activating the
wipers.
6 Special wash program*
As at 5; there are also several additional
wash cycles, and the headlamps are
cleaned
*.
This program is recommended after you
have driven on extremely dirty roads.
Clean the headlamps*
> With the special wash program 6.
> With every fifth actuation of clean the
windshield 5 when the vehicle's
lighting is switched on.
Do not use the washers if there is
any danger that the fluid will
freeze on the windshield. If you do so,
your vision could be obscured. For this
reason, use an antifreeze agent. Refer
to page 156.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty. This could cause damage
to the washer pump. <
Windshield washer jets
The windshield washer jets are warmed
automatically when the ignition key is in
position 2.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
163n
Caring for your vehicleWashing 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
mirrors 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.
Deactivate the rain sensor in auto-
matic car washes. If you do not,
damage may occur if the wipers switch
on unintentionally.<
Parts of the vehicle that are inacces-
sible to the automatic car wash — such
as door sills, door and hood edges, etc.
— 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
surface. Inadequate distance and
excessive pressure can damage or
weaken the finish, making it more
susceptible to subsequent attack. In
addition, moisture could penetrate to
vehicle components, leading to long-
term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not wipe dry (scratches). 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 – 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.<

174n
Under the cargo area floor in a pocket.
530us106
Front 1 Move the wiper to a fold-out position
(refer to page 71).
2 Lift the wiper arm and press the
securing spring (arrow).
3 Pull the wiper blade off toward the
wiper arm.
4 Insert the new blade and snap it into
place.
Fold the wipers back down onto
the windshield before you turn the
ignition key to position 1 or 2 again. If
you do not, they could be damaged.< 360de114
Rear

1 Hold the wiper blade on the window
and remove/unclip the wiper arm at
the articulated joint (arrow).
2 Insert a new wiper blade and press it
on/clip it into the wiper arm.
Use only wiper blades approved
by BMW.< 392de173
Onboard tool kit Windshield wiper blades

192n
Towing the vehicle
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it is no longer
possible to control vehicle response.<
Tow-starting It is not possible to start the engine of a
vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission by towing or pushing.
For instructions on jump starting: refer
to page 190.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another car. If you do so, damage
to the energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.
Towing a vehicle with automatic
transmission1 Place the selector lever in position N.
2 Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph (70 km/h).
3 Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km).
4 Leave the ignition key at position 1 to
ensure that the brake lamps, turn
signals, horn and windshield wipers
remain operative, and to prevent the
steering lock from engaging.
5 Switch on the hazard warning
flashers (comply with country-
specific regulations).
Find some means of identifying the
vehicle in tow, for instance, place a sign
or warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even when
the electrical system has failed. This will
prevent the steering lock from
engaging. The steering and brakes are
without power assist when the engine is
not running. This means that increased
effort is required for steering and
braking.<
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Do not tow with sling-type equip-
ment.
>Use a wheel lift or flat bed carrier.
>Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.< 530us138

200nRain sensor* Front axle
The rain sensor controls windshield
wiper operation, depending on how wet
the windshield is.
Infrared light is carried along the
surface of the windshield in an optical
conductor in such a manner that it is
reflected completely when the wind-
shield is dry. The quantity of reflected
light is measured.
If the window is covered with beads of
water, the amount of light that is
reflected is decreased since the
infrared light at the surface of the wind-
shield can then escape. The quantity of
reflected light is thus a means of
gauging the degree of wetness on the
windshield.
390de133
When the system is set to the "Intermit-
tent" wiper speed, the wipers react
immediately — if water is splashed onto
the windshield by vehicles traveling
ahead of you, for example. As a result,
the rain sensor provides a contribution
to driving safety and comfort.
The double-jointed suspension strut
axle is based on the same concept as
the one in the 7 Series, but was totally
re-developed because of the require-
ments for all-wheel drive. Parts
subjected to particularly high stress
levels for guiding the wheels are
designed as steel-forged parts to meet
the demands made by rougher roads.
The load-bearing front axle has large-
volume, hydraulically cushioned rubber
bearings that allow the axle to absorb
the reactive forces from the engine and
the braking forces from the front
wheels. An integrated rigid plate over
the load-bearing front axle provides
superb support against the lateral
forces introduced by the control arm
(wishbone), and also serves as an
effective protective barrier for the oil
pan and steering.
530de035

Everything from A to Z
renewal146
rotation between front and
rear 147
specifications 150
tread 145
Tire Quality Grading 146
Tools 174t
Torque 206
Tow fittings 191t
Towing the vehicle 191t
Tow-starting 192t
Track width 207
Traction Control System, refer to DSC 94
Transmission 67, 68
Transporting children safely 61
Tread depth, tires 145
Trip odometer 76
Turn signal indicator 70
bulb replacement 176t
Turning circle 207
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQR) 146
Universal Transmitter 115
Used batteries, disposal 186t
Used oil, disposal 159t
V
Vacuum cleaner
power outlet 127t
socket 121t
Valve caps 148
Vanity mirror 54
Vehicle battery 185, 210
Vehicle care, interior 166
Vehicle Identification Number 161
Vehicle immobilizer 35
Vehicle removal from service 168
Vehicle storage 168
Ventilation 100, 104 , 111
draft-free 103, 111
in the rear 103, 111
while parked 114
Ventilation while parked
Vinyl care 166
Viscosity 158
Voice recognition 26, 27
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
W
Warm feet – cool head 103
Warning lamps 22
Warning messages 79t
Warning triangle 28Warnings
79
Warranty and Service Guide (Canadian models) 162
Washer fluid 156
Washer reservoir, filling 156t
Washer/wiper system 71
Washing your vehicle 163
Waxing, paintwork 165
Weights 208
Wheelbase 207
Wheels and tires 148, 150
Width 207
Windows 45
care 166t
convenience operation 36
remote control 38
Windshield cleaning 72
intensive cleaning
program 71
special wash program 71
Windshield washer filling reservoir 156t
nozzle adjustment 156t
Windshield wiper 71
blade replacement 174t
Winter driving 142
Winter operation 141
Winter tires 148, 149 Wiper blade
replacement 174t
Wipers 71
Work in the engine compartment 151t
X
Xenon lamps 176, 202