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
19n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by
l
are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for
different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this in the
following section.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
drive belt is defective, increased
steering effort is also required.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level; top off as
required. If the oil level is correct:
please contact the nearest BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.
<
Parking brake
*
/
Brake hydraulic system
l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 64.
Comes on although the parking brake
is released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before continuing your
journey, be sure to read the notes on
pages 132 and 144.
Also comes on in the Check Control
with the message CHECK BRAKE
LININGS.
Parking brake warning lamp
*
/
Brake hydraulic system warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor RDC
*
l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a flat tire has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. As you steer the
vehicle, use caution and avoid overcor-
recting.
For additional information: refer to
page 96.
77n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control Graphic display
*
The following alerts or status messages
are displayed with icons from ignition
key position 2 and up until the defects
are corrected:
1 Check low beams
2 Add washer fluid (goes out after
approx. 1 minute)
3 Door open
4 Tailgate open
5 Check brake and tail lamps. A defec-
tive center brake lamp is indicated by
the upper symbol.
When you open the door after stopping,
a warning signal sounds without a
visual indicator for:
>LIGHTS ON
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK. 390de121
Alphanumeric display
*
Text messages are used to alert the
driver to system malfunctions when the
ignition key is turned to position 2. The
alert is accompanied by an acoustic
signal.
1 Status messages symbol
2 Display
3 CHECK button
Messages concerning system faults are
differentiated based on two priorities: 390us111
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by an acoustic signal and a
flashing warning symbol 1. Simulta-
neous defects will be displayed con-
secutively. These status messages
remain in the display until the defects
are corrected. They cannot be deleted
by pressing the CHECK button 3:
>RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE
>COOLANT TEMPERATURE
The coolant is overheated. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine, refer to pages 76 and 143
>STOP!ENGINE OILPRESS
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine, refer to pages 19 and 141
78n
Check Control>CHECK BRAKE FLUID
Indicates that brake fluid is down to
approximately the minimum level.
Top off the brake fluid at the next
opportunity, refer to page 144. Have
the cause of the brake fluid loss diag-
nosed and corrected by your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center
>TIRE LOW/FLAT
*
Reduce vehicle speed immediately
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer,
refer to page 98
>SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT
*
Please consult the nearest
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center
>SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT
*
max. 35 mph/max. 60 km/h
*
These displays appear consecutively.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
35 mph/60 km/h.
Please consult the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center
>LIMIT
*
You will see this message if the pro-
grammed speed limit has been
exceeded, refer to page 85.Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds
when the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 2. The warning symbols remain
after the message disappears. You can
call up the messages again for display
by pressing the CHECK button.
>TRUNKLID OPEN
This message appears only at the
start of a trip
>DOOR OPEN
This message appears after a min-
imal defined road speed has been
exceeded
>FASTEN SEAT BELTS
*
In addition to this message, an indi-
cator lamp with the safety belt icon
appears and an acoustical signal is
sounded
>WASHER FLUID LOW
The fluid level is too low; top off at
the next opportunity, refer to
page 141
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
The oil level is at the absolute min-
imum; refill as soon as possible, refer
to page 141. Do not drive more than
approx. 30 miles/50 km until you add
oil >CHECK FILLER CAP
Check to see whether the fuel filler
cap has been closed properly, refer
to page 25
>OUTSIDE TEMP. +23 7/Ð5 6
This display is only an example. The
current temperature is displayed at
outside temperatures of +37.5 7/
+3 6 and below, refer also to
page 73
>TIRE PRESSURE SET
*
The RDC has imported the current
inflation pressure in the tires as the
target values which the system will
monitor, refer to page 97
>CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
*
Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure to specifications at the ear-
liest opportunity, e.g. next stop to
refuel, refer to page 97
>TIRECONTROL INACTIVE
*
A temporary interference of the RDC
or a system fault, refer to page 98
>CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS
A lamp has failed or the electrical
circuit has a fault, refer to page 153
or consult a BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center
132n
General driving notes
Antilock Brake System
Brake system
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.
Hydroplaning:
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 phe-
nomenon is referred to as hydroplaning
or aquaplaning. It is characterized 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.<
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 max-
imum pedal pressure Ð panic stop.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.
Brake fluid levelIf the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become longer,
there may be a defect in one of the two
brake system's hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center. Here increased pressure on the
brake pedal may be required, and slight
pulling to the side and longer braking
distances may result. Please remember
to adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.<
140n
1 Engine oil dipstick141
2 Reservoir for brake fluid Ð under the
microfilter trim panel144 3 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting162
4 Coolant expansion tank1435 Engine oil filler neck141
6 Reservoir for windshield and
headlamp washer system141
Engine compartment essentials
530de341
144n
Brake fluidBrake fluid level
If the indicator lamp for the
brake hydraulic system appears
or if the CHECK BRAKE FLUID
warning appears in the Check
Control: the brake fluid level is
too low.
Add brake fluidThe brake fluid reservoir is located
under the microfilter housing trim panel
on the driver's side of the vehicle. For
adding brake fluid or for determining
and correcting the cause of brake fluid
loss, consult your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center. Your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center is familiar with
the specifications for factory-approved
brake fluids Ð DOT 4.
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. For this situation,
refer to the notes on page 132.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years by
a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.
Refer also to the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or
the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion which is out of reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the
MAX mark. The brake fluid could ignite
upon contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of brake fluid.<
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