Page 26 of 185

26n
Tire inflation pressures You will find tire inflation pressures on
the inside door pillar. Check tire pressures All pressure specifications are indicated
in psi (kilopascal) for tires at ambient
temperature (refer also to the next
page).
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC)
*:
After correcting the inflation pressures,
reactivate the system, refer to page 98.
530de225
Check tire inflation pressures
regularly Ñ at least every two
weeks and before beginning a longer
trip. Incorrect tire pressure can other-
wise lead to tire damage and accidents.
Check the tire inflation pressure of the
spare tire. Inflate the spare tire to
the highest inflation of any tire on your
vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to tire sizes and tires from BMW-
approved manufacturers. Your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
from other manufacturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW-approved
tires.
Page 27 of 185
27n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire inflation pressures BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi
(kilopascal) with cold tires
(cold = ambient temperature)
X5 All sizes 32 (220) 32 (220) 32 (220) 39 (270)
Page 139 of 185

139n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Wheel and tire combinations The right choice
Use only wheels and tires
approved by BMW for the corre-
sponding vehicle model, as otherwise
the tires may make contact with the
body as the result of tolerances despite
the same nominal size being used,
resulting in serious accidents. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used,
BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for
driving safety.<
BMW tests certain tire brands for each
tire size, classifies them as road-safe
and approves them. Consult your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center for
more information. Observe any regula-
tions applicable in the country of use,
e.g. requiring entry in the vehicle docu-
ments.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects different systems
such as ABS, ATC and DSC. The func-
tion of these systems is impaired if
improper wheel and tire combinations
are used.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same brand and tread pattern on the
vehicle and, for example, restore the
approved wheel and tire combination
following a flat tire as soon as
possible.<
The use of rims and lug bolts that
do not meet the specifications of
the original factory-installed equipment
will affect the safe operation of your
vehicle and may cause an accident and
personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle
control.<
Storage Store tires in a cool, dry place,
protecting them against light when-
ever possible. Protect the tires against
contact with oil, grease and fuel.
Page 140 of 185

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).
Page 162 of 185

162n
Changing a wheel Battery
The spare wheel has a size
235/65 R 17 tire. If you have
mounted tires on your vehicle with a
different size, have wheels and tires of
the same size and specification rein-
stalled as soon as possible.
When the spare wheel is mounted, the
maximum speed rating is 130 mph
(210 km/h).<
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in
the valve stems frequently leads to slow
leaks.
Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<
MaintenanceThe battery is maintenance-free, that is,
the original electrolyte will normally last
for the service life of the battery under
moderate climatic conditions.
For all questions that regard the
battery, please consult your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.
Since the battery is maintenance-free,
the following is for your information
only.<
Do not disconnect the battery
when the engine is running. If
you do so, the ensuing voltage surge
will damage the vehicle's onboard elec-
tronics.<
Charging the battery Charge the battery in the vehicle only
when the engine is not running. Use the
connections provided in the engine
compartment (for correct connections,
refer to "Jump-starting" on page 164).
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center. Maintain the
battery in an upright position for trans-
port and storage. Secure the battery
against tilting during transport.<