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.
144n
Engine oil To add oilWhile you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower mark
before adding oil, you should never
allow the oil level to fall below this
marking.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential, and the
power steering system.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center. 530de326
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing. For this reason, any skin areas
that come into contact with oil should
be thoroughly washed with soap and
water.
Always store oils, grease and similar
materials so that they are inaccessible
to children. Comply with warning labels
and information on containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of used oil.<
Specified engine oils The quality of the engine oil selected
has critical significance for the opera-
tion and service life of an engine. Based
on extensive testing, BMW has
approved only certain engine oils.
Use only approved "BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil."
If you are unable to obtain "BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil," you can
add small amounts of synthetic oil in
between oil changes. Use only oils with
the API SH specification or higher.
Ask your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center for details
concerning the specific "BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil" or
"synthetic oils" which have been
approved.<
You can also call BMW of North
America at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this
website: www.bmwusa.com to obtain
this information.
Viscosity ratings Viscosity is the oil flow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in
the area where you typically drive your
BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
147n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and oper-
ating safety Ð 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. 390us008
Service Interval Display Conventional systems rely solely on
distance traveled to determine when
service is due. The BMW Maintenance
System, on the other hand, began many
years ago to take the actual conditions
under which the vehicle is driven into
consideration. 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 Ð significantly
less than 6,000 miles (10,000 km) annu-
ally Ð 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 Sports Activity
Vehicle center do the mainte-
nance and repair.
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
156n
Lamps and bulbs Changing a wheel Lamps in the tailgate:
1. Unclip the trim panel in the tailgate
with a screwdriver
2. Press gently on the bulb holder and
turn it to the left to remove it
3. Remove the bulb. Center (high-mount) brake lamp LED strip in the rear spoiler: please
contact a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center in case of a malfunction. 530de306
License plate lamps 5 watt bulb
1. Press the lamp out to the side with a
screwdriver
2. Remove the lamp and replace the
bulb. 530de307
Safety measures in the event of a
flat tire or wheel change: stop the
vehicle as far as possible from passing
traffic. Park on a firm, flat, surface.
Switch on the hazard warning flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position, remove the key and
engage the steering lock. Shift into 1st
or reverse (selector lever in "Park" with
automatic transmission) and engage
the parking brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail,
for instance).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is required, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle.
Comply with all safety guidelines and
regulations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the vehicle up on a soft or slip-
pery surface (snow, ice, very smooth
surfaces, etc.), since it could slide side-
ways.
173n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 24.6 (approx. 93)
approx. 2.0 (approx. 8) Ð
BMW X5 3.0i
approx. 2.5 (approx. 10) Ð
BMW X5 4.4i, 4.6isFuel specification: page 25
Windshield washer system
with headlamp washer system quarts (liters) approx. 8.2 (approx. 7.8) For details: page 143
Cooling system including
heater circuit quarts (liters) 11.1 (10.5) Ð BMW X5 3.0i
13.7 (13.0) Ð BMW X5 4.4i, 4.6isFor details: page 145
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) 8.0 (7.5) Ð BMW X5 3.0i
8.5 (8.0) Ð BMW X5 4.4i, 4.6is"BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil"
For details: page 144
Manual and automatic transmission,
transfer box and differential Ð Ð Lifetime fluid, no fluid
change required
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