99n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
Adaptive brake light
Flat tireIf there is a tire failure with a loss of
inflation pressure, the red indicator
lamp comes on or the message "TIRE
DEFECTIVE" appears in the Check
Control. In addition, a gong sounds.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed
immediately and stop the vehicle in a
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the flat
tire.
The spare tire which is available in
your vehicle as standard equip-
ment is equipped with the electronics
required for RDC and, following activa-
tion of the system, is also monitored
after it is mounted.<
RDC cannot alert you to severe
and sudden tire damage caused
by external factors.<
Have the tires changed at your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center.
Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center has the information needed for
working with RDC and is equipped with
the necessary special tools.<
System malfunctionDuring the period of the malfunction,
the yellow indicator lamp comes on or
the message "TIRECONTROL INAC-
TIVE" appears in the Check Control.
You will also see the same message
>in the event of a system malfunction
>if a wheel is mounted without the
RDC electronics
>if, in addition to the spare tire, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics
are on board.
Please contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center for additional
information.The adaptive brake light (in preparation)
provides drivers of following vehicles
with an indication of the intensity with
which the brakes are being applied in
your own vehicle.
The display occurs in two stages:
>Normal braking:
The brake light units within the tail-
light clusters and the high-mount
brake light integrated within the rear
spoiler both light up with normal
intensity
>Hard braking or braking with ABS
active:
The taillights also come on, lighting
up with the same intensity as the
brake lights to provide a larger a
more conspicuous warning.
134n
General driving notes
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light but
consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and
possibly even brake failure.
Aquaplaning:
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce vehicle speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water may form between the
tires and the road surface. This
phenomenon is referred to as aqua-
planing or hydroplaning. It is character-
ized by a partial or complete loss of
contact between the tires and the road
surface. The ultimate results are loss of
steering and braking control.
Cargo area cover:
Do not place heavy or hard objects on
the cargo area cover. These objects
could endanger vehicle occupants
during heavy brake applications or
evasive maneuvers.
Clothes hooks:
When suspending articles of clothing
from the hooks, be sure that they will
not obstruct the driver's vision. Do not
hang heavy objects on the hooks. If you
do so, they could cause personal injury
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
The conceptThe Antilock Brake System (ABS) keeps
the wheels from locking during braking,
thereby enhancing active driving safety.Braking with ABSIf you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply
maximum pedal pressure ("panic stop").
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort, despite the full brake application.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.
136n
Information for your safety The factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort on your vehicle.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else
Ð driving safety which depend on the
condition of the tires and the mainte-
nance of the specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a frequent
cause of tire damage. It also signifi-
cantly influences the roadholding ability
of your BMW.
Check tire inflation pressures Ð
including the spare wheel Ð regu-
larly (refer to page 26), at least every
two weeks and before beginning a
longer trip. If this is not done, incorrect
tire pressures can cause driving insta-
bility and tire damage, ultimately
resulting in an accident.<
Tire tread Ð Tire damage Inspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread pattern depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to
go below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though
the legally specified minimum tread
depth is 0.063 in (1.6 mm). Tread wear
indicators (arrow) are embedded in the
base of the tire's tread. Their locations
are indicated by the legend TWI Ð Tread
Wear Indicator Ð at various points on
the tire's shoulder. When the tread
reaches a depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm),
these indicators appear to signal that
the tires have worn to the minimum
legal level. Below 0.12 in (3 mm) tread
depth, there is an increased risk of
aquaplaning, even at relatively 390de331
moderate speeds and with only small
amounts of water on the road.
Do not drive on a deflated (flat)
tire. A flat tire greatly impairs
steering and braking response, and can
lead to complete loss of control over
the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading leads to over-
heating and causes damage inside the
tires. The ultimate result can assume
the form of a sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate a
flat tire or some other vehicle malfunc-
tion. The type of problem can be
caused by contact with curbs, etc. This
is also true for irregularities in the
vehicle's handling characteristics, such
as a pronounced tendency to pull to the
left or right. Should this occur, respond
by immediately reducing your speed.
Tire inflation pressures Tire condition
140n
Winter tires Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tire BMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for operation under
inclement winter driving conditions.
While so-called all-season tires (M+S
designation) provide better winter trac-
tion than summer tires with the load
ratings H, V, W, Y and ZR, they gener-
ally 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 Sports
Activity Vehicle 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 Ñ 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. Do not exceed a
maximum speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
161n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel5. Position the jack at the jacking point
closest to the flat tire so that the jack
base is vertically below the jacking
point and the entire surface of the
head of the jack will move into the
square recess of the jacking point
(refer to the illustration detail) when
the jack is cranked
6. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel
you are changing is raised from the
ground
7. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove
the wheel
8. Remove accumulations of mud or
dirt from the mounting surfaces of
the wheel and hub. Clean the lug
bolts 530de236
9. Position the spare wheel. Secure
the wheel by turning at least two
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes
10. Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Tighten all the bolts securely
11. Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the vehicle
12. Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal
pattern
13. Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportunity.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC):
After mounting the spare tire or
correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reactivate the system, refer to
page 98.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
tightness of the lug bolts checked with
a calibrated lug wrench [torque specifi-
cation: 101 lb-ft (140 Nm)] at the
earliest opportunity.<
Store the wheel and the tools in the
order opposite that for removal.
Before removing the support rod,
be sure that the tailgate is held
down firmly. If you fail to do so, it could
retract sharply upward and cause
personal injury and vehicle damage.
After you remove the rod, close the tail-
gate carefully. Continue to hold it firmly
until it is completely closed.<
If light-alloy wheels other than original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
Everything from A to Z
177n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control77
Check tire pressures26t
Checking
engine oil level144
Child's seat58
Child-restraint systems58
Child-safety locks60
Cigarette lighter
front118
rear119
socket119t
Clean the windshield70
Climate control in the rear
passenger area110
Clock83
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
Cockpit14
Code89
activating89
deactivating89
selecting89
Comfort seat46
Compartments116
Computer80, 82, 86
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
remote control90Configuring individual
settings via Vehicle and
Key Memory61
Consumption, fuel88
Convenience operation of
windows and sliding/tilt
sunroof31
Convenience starting
feature63
Coolant145
temperature gauge76
Copyright notice4
Correct sitting posture44
seat adjustment44
Cruise control71
Cruising range80, 88
Cup holder117
Curb weight172
DData link connector for On-
board Diagnostics149
Date
calling up83
changing83
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
Daytime driving lamp100
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)20, 93Deactivating the interior
motion
sensor33t, 40t
Deep water133
Defrosting the
windows105t, 108t
Digital clock83
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
Dimensions171
Dipstick, engine oil144t
Disc brakes135
Displacement170
Display lighting101
Displays15, 17
Disposal
used batteries162
used oil144t
Distance from
destination87
Distance warning91
Divided rear backrest122
Door keys30
Doors
manual operation31
remote control33
unlocking and locking31
DOT Quality Grades137
Drink holder, refer to
beverage holder117
Driving notes134Driving through water133
Driving your BMW X5133
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)20, 92
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)20, 93
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)20, 92
EElectric power seat46
Electric power windows40
Electrical malfunction
liftgate36t
sliding/tilt sunroof43t
tailgate38t
Elements of operation14
Emergency operation
doors31t
liftgate36t
sliding/tilt sunroof43t
tailgate38t
Energy Control75
Engine
output170
power rating170
specifications170
Engine compartment
essentials142
Engine coolant145
Everything from A to ZEngine oil143t, 144
consumption143
grades144
level19
pressure18
Estimated time of arrival88
Exterior mirrors53
Exterior rearview mirrors,
automatic dimming
feature54FFailure of an electrical
accessory163t
Filling the windshield washer
reservoir143t
First-aid kit23t
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing166t
Flashlight116
Flat tire99, 136, 157t
Fog lamps101
bulb replacement155t
Folding rear backrest122
Footbrake135
Front area lighting102
Front fog lamps101
Front seat adjustment44Frost protection,
radiator145
Fuel25
capacity173
display75
gauge75
quality25
specifications25
Fuel consumption88
average88
Fuel filler door24
electrical malfunction24
Fuses163t
GGarage-door opener113
Gasoline25
General driving notes134
Glasses compartment118
Glove compartment116
Gross vehicle weight172
Ground clearance133HHandbrake64
Hands-free system117
Hazard warning flashers14
Hazard warning triangle23HDC (Hill Descent
Control)94
Head restraints47
Headlamp covers,
care154t
Headlamp flasher69
Headlamp washer
system70, 143
Heated seats51
Heated steering wheel53
Heating and
ventilation103, 106
Heating while stopped110
Heavy cargo127
Height171
Height adjustment
seats46
steering wheel52
High beams21, 101
bulb replacement153t
High-mount brake lamp156
Hill Descent Control
(HDC)94
Holder for cans, refer to
beverage holder117
Hood141t
Hood release141t
Hydraulic Brake Assistant
refer to DBC20
IIce warning74
Identification, tires139
Ignition key30
Ignition lock62
Imprint4
Independent ventilation
system85, 112
switching on and off85
Indicator lamps18
Inflation pressures,
tires136
monitoring98
INSPECTION76
Instrument cluster15, 17
Instrument lighting101
Instrument panel15, 17
Intensive cleaning
system70
Interior lamps102
remote control33
Interior mirror54
Interior motion sensor40
Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature54
Interlock62
Intermittent wipe69
Everything from A to Z
179n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
JJack157, 158, 160
Jump-starting164tKKey Memory61
Keys30
Keys with radio remote
control30
Kickdown mode67LLamps and bulbs153
Lashing eyes38, 127
LATCH child-restraint
system60
Lead-free gasoline25
Length171
License plate lamps
bulb replacement156t
Liftgate36
opening from the
inside36
radio control operation33
release following an
electrical
malfunction36t, 38t
Lighter118
LIGHTS ON warning100
Load-securing devices127
Louvers103, 106Low beams100
automatic100
bulb replacement153t
Low-fuel warning lamp75
Lug bolts160
Lug wrench157t
Luggage net38
Luggage straps38
Lumbar support46
MM+S radial tires140
Maintenance76t, 147t
Maintenance System147
Malfunction displays77t
Manual operation
doors31t
fuel filler door24
liftgate36t
sliding/tilt sunroof43t
tailgate38t
Manual transmission65
Master key30
Maximum cooling109
Mechanical seat45
Memory50
driver's seat50
mirrors50
steering wheel50
Messages concerning
system malfunctions77Microfilter105, 111
MID (Multi-Information
Display)82
digital clock83
Mirror defrosting53
Mirror memory50
Mirrors53
Modifications,
technical10, 148
Monitoring inflation
pressure, tires98
Moonroof42
Multifunction buttons,
steering wheel22
Multi-Information Display
(MID)82
digital clock83
NNavigation system, refer to
the separate Owner's
ManualOOBD interface socket149
Odometer74
Oil
additives144
consumption144t
dipstick144t
grades144Oil change interval, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or to the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil level19
indicator lamp19
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp18
OILSERVICE76
Onboard computer, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Onboard Diagnostic (OBD)
system149
Onboard tool kit152t
Opening and closing
from the inside35
from the outside31
using the key31
using the remote
control32
Outlets, ventilation103, 106
Outside temperature
display74
in the computer80