
 
Contents
 
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
 
Special operating instructions: 
 
Break-in procedures130
Driving your BMW X5131
General driving notes132
Antilock Brake System132
Brake system132
 
Wheels and tires: 
 
Tire inflation pressures134
Tire condition134
Tire replacement135
Wheel and tire 
combinations137
Winter tires138
Snow chains138
 
Under the hood: 
 
Hood139
Engine compartment 
essentials140
Washer fluid141
Engine oil141
Coolant143
Brake fluid144
 
Care and maintenance: 
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System145
 
Laws and regulations: 
 
Technical modifications146
California Proposition 
65 Warning146
OBD interface socket147
 
Replacement procedures: 
 
Onboard tool kit150
Windshield wiper blades150
Lamps and bulbs151
Changing a wheel154
Battery160
Fuses160
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving: 
 
Jump-starting162
Towing the vehicle164 

31n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlThe conceptThe remote control makes opening and 
locking the doors of your vehicle very 
convenient. Furthermore it provides 
three additional functions that can only 
be executed via the remote control: 
>Switch on the interior lamps, refer to 
page 32.
With this function, you can also 
search for your vehicle Ñ when 
parked in an underground garage, for 
instance
>Open the liftgate, refer to page 32.
The liftgate will open slightly, regard-
less of whether it was previously 
locked or unlocked
>Panic mode, refer to page 32.
In case of danger, you can trigger an 
alarm. 
Whenever you unlock or lock the 
vehicle, you simultaneously deactivate/ 
activate the anti-theft system, disarm/ 
arm the alarm system and switch the 
interior lamps on/off.
You can have an acknowledgment 
signal set to confirm that the 
vehicle is correctly locked.< 
Since passengers or animals 
remaining in the vehicle might be 
able to lock the doors from the inside, 
take the vehicle's keys with you so that 
the vehicle can be opened again from 
the outside at any time.< 
If it is no longer possible to lock 
the vehicle via the remote control, 
the battery is discharged. Use this key 
while driving for an extended period in 
order to charge the battery. To prevent 
unauthorized use of the remote control, 
surrender only the door and ignition key 
or the spare key when leaving the 
vehicle for valet parking, for example, 
refer to page 30.
In the event of a system malfunction, 
please contact your BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle center. You can also 
obtain replacement keys there.< 
1 Unlock and convenience opening 
2 Lock and secure, switching on inte-
rior lamps, switching off tilt alarm 
sensor and interior motion sensor
3 Open the liftgate, panic mode390de793 

151n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Lamps and bulbsThe lamps and bulbs make essential 
contributions 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 Sports Activity Vehicle 
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 Sports Activity Vehicle 
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. 
Comply with any instructions provided 
by the bulb manufacturer. If you do not, 
injuries and damages during the bulb 
replacement can occur.< 
The right side of the engine compart-
ment. 
1 Low beams
2 High beams
For checking and adjusting head-
lamp aim, please contact your 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.< 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.< 530de302
1. Turn the bulb holder to the left, refer 
to arrow, and remove 
2. Remove and replace the bulb. High beams HB3 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 holder 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. 

Everything from A to ZAABS Antilock Brake 
System20, 132
Accessories9
Activated-charcoal 
filter110
Adaptive brake light98
Adding
brake fluid144
coolant143
engine oil141
washer fluid141
Adjusting
head restraints47
mirrors53
seats44
steering wheel52
thigh support45
Air conditioner102
Air distribution103, 107
Air outlets102, 105
Air supply103, 107
Airbags20, 55
Alarm system39
Antifreeze143
Antilock Brake System 
ABS20, 132
Anti-theft system31
Approved gross vehicle 
weight170
Aquaplaning132, 134Arrival time87
Ashtray
front117
rear118
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control108
Automatic climate 
control105
removing condensation 
from the windows107
Automatic cruise control71
Automatic curb monitor51
Automatic dimming
exterior rearview 
mirrors54
interior rearview mirror54
Automatic headlamp 
control99
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC108
Automatic steering wheel 
adjustment52
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic65
Average fuel 
consumption80
Average speed80, 88
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms40
Axle loads170
BBackup lamps65
bulb replacement153
Battery160
charge160
discharged163
Battery charge indicator 
lamp19
Battery, disposal160
Belts49
Beverage holder116
Blower103, 107
BMW comfort seat46
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil142
BMW Maintenance 
System145
BMW sports seat45
BMW Universal 
Transmitter112
Brake fluid144
Brake fluid level144
Brake lamps
bulb replacement153
Brake light, adaptive98Brake system132
brake fluid144
brake fluid level133
brake pads indicator21
disc brakes133
hydraulic system 
indicator19
malfunctions132
Break-in procedures130
Bulbs and lamps151
CCalifornia Proposition
65 Warning146
Can holder, refer to 
beverage holder116
Capacities171
Cargo area38, 120
capacity170
cover120
lamps101
partition net122
Cargo floor, pull-out124
Cargo loading126
Cellular phone116
hands-free system116
Center Ð high-mount Ð brake 
lamp153
Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp153 

Everything from A to ZTraction Control System, 
refer to DSC91
Transmission64, 65
Transporting children 
safely58
Tread depth, tires134
Trip odometer73
Turn signal indicator68
bulb replacement152
Turning circle169
Two-axle self-leveling 
suspension94
display95
lowering96
raising95UUniform Tire Quality 
Grading136
Universal Transmitter112
Used batteries, 
disposal160
Used oil, disposal142VVacuum cleaner
power outlet124
socket118Valve caps159
Variable Ride Height94
Vehicle battery160
Vehicle jack155
Vehicle keys30
Vehicle Memory61
Vehicle vacuum cleaner
power outlet124
socket118
Ventilation102, 104, 109
draft-free104, 109
in the rear104, 109
while parked111
Viscosity142
Voice entry23
WWarm feet Ð cool head104
Warning lamps19
Warning messages77
Warning triangle24
Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian 
models145
Washer fluid141
Washer reservoir, filling141
Washer/wiper system68
Weights170Wheel and tire 
combinations137
Wheel, changing155
Wheelbase169
Wheels and tires137
Width169
Windows40
convenience operation34
remote control32
Windshield
intensive cleaning 
program68
special wash program68
Windshield washer
filling reservoir141
Windshield wiper68
blade replacement150
Winter tires138
Wiper blade 
replacement150
Wipers68
Work in the engine 
compartment139
XXenon lamps152