
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
153n
Engine compartment – BMW X5 3.0i1 Engine oil dipstick157
2 Reservoir for brake fluid 
(under the microfilter 
trim panel)161
3 Auxiliary terminal for jump 
starting190
4 Coolant expansion tank160
5 Engine oil filler neck157
6 Reservoir for windshield and 
headlamp washer system
*
156 

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
155n
Engine compartment – BMW X5 4.4i 1 Reservoir for brake fluid 
(under the microfilter 
trim panel)161
2 Auxiliary terminal for jump 
starting190
3 Coolant expansion tank160
4 Engine oil dipstick157
5 Engine oil filler neck157
6 Reservoir for windshield and 
headlamp washer system
*
156 

156n
Washer fluid  Washer nozzlesHeadlamp
* and windshield 
washer system 
Capacity in US quarts (liters):
Approx. 8.2 (7.8). 
Fill with water and — if required — 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.< 
Antifreeze agent for the washer 
systems is inflammable. For this 
reason, keep it away from sources of 
flame and store it only in its original 
containers. Store it so that it is inacces-
sible to children. Comply with the 
instructions on the containers.<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 washerHave the nozzles adjusted by your 
BMW center as required. 

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.<  

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
175n
Lamps and bulbsThe lamps and bulbs are essential 
factors contributing to the safety of your 
vehicle. For this reason, follow the 
instructions below carefully when 
replacing a bulb. If you are not familiar 
with any of the procedures, consult 
your 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 elec-
trical system, switch off the elec-
trical 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, 
comply 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 
protective gloves. Failure to comply 
with this precaution could lead to injury 
if the bulb is accidentally damaged 
during replacement.< 
1 Turn the bulb holder to the left (arrow) 
and remove.
2 Remove and replace the bulb. 530us107
2 High beamsHB3 bulb, 60 watts
The bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and 
protective gloves. Failure to comply 
with this precaution could lead to injury 
if the bulb is accidentally damaged 
during replacement.< 
1 Turn the bulb to the left and remove.
2 Disconnect the plug.
3 Plug the new 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 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.<  

202nXenon lamps* 
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  
replaces the filament 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 warm-up 
period. Maximum brightness is attained 
in approx. 15 seconds.
390de134
Xenon lamps provide significantly  
improved visibility, especially during 
adverse 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 dynamic headlamp  
range control. As a result, the highway 
is always optimally lighted, regardless 
of load conditions, and drivers in 
oncoming 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 pedes-
trians are more easily detected.  

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 

Everything from A to Z
E
EBV (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) 138
Electric power windows 45
Electrical malfunction fuel filler door 188t
liftgate 188t
sliding/tilt sunroof 188t
tailgate 189t
Electrical system 210
Electronic Brake Force  Distribution (EBV) 138
Electronic immobilizer 35
Elements of operation 16
Emergency operation doors 36t
fuel filler door 188t
liftgate 188t
sliding/tilt sunroof 188t
tailgate 189t
Energy Control 77
Engine 24
Engine compartment 152
Engine coolant 160
Engine oil 157
consumption 157
grades 158
level 24
pressure 22
Engine output 206
Engine specifications 206Error indicators
79
Estimated time of arrival 90
Exterior finish 164
Exterior mirrors 53
Exterior rearview mirrors,  automatic dimming  
feature 54
F
Failure messages 79t
Failure of an electrical  accessory 187t
Filling the windshield washer  reservoir 156t
First-aid kit 28
Fittings, tow-starting and  towing 191t
Flashlight 118
Flat tire 145, 180 t
Fog lamps 98
bulb replacement 176t
Folding rear backrest 124
Footbrake 140
Footwell lamps 99
bulb replacement 178t
Four-wheel drive 197
Front area lighting 99
Front axle 200
Front fog lamps 98
Front seat adjustment 48Frost protection, 
radiator 160
Fuel 30
capacity 209
display 77
gauge 77
quality 30
specifications 30
Fuel consumption 90
average 90
Fuel filler door 29
Fuses 187t
G
Garage-door opener 115
Gasoline 30
General driving notes 136
Glasses compartment 119
Glove compartment 117
bulb replacement 179t
Gross vehicle weight 208
Ground clearance 135
H
Handbrake66
Handsfree system 118
Hazard warning flashers 28
Hazard warning triangle 28
HDC (Hill Descent  Control) 95
Head restraints 49Headlamp covers, 
care 163t, 175 t
Headlamp flasher 70
Headlamp washer  system 156
Headlamp washers 72
Heated seats 112
Heated steering wheel 113
Heating and  ventilation 100, 106
Heating while stopped 110
Heating, rapid 105
Heavy cargo 129
Height 207
Height adjustment seats 48
steering wheel 52
HiFi system 199
High beams 25, 98
bulb replacement 175t
High-mount brake lamp 177
Hill Descent Control  (HDC) 95
Holder for cans, refer to cup  holder 119
Hood release 151t
Horn 26, 27
Hydraulic Brake Assistant refer to DBC 24, 138