134n
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 when
used correctly.
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 significantly influences the road-
holding ability of your BMW. Check tire
inflation pressures Ð including the spare
wheel Ð regularly, 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 instability 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, for example in Europe, is only
0.063 in/1.6 mm. Below a tread depth
of 0.12 in/3 mm there is an increased
risk of hydroplaning, even at relatively
moderate speeds and with only small
amounts of water on the road.
Tread wear indicators, refer to arrow,
are embedded around the tire circum-
ference in the base of the tire tread.
Their locations are indicated on the tire
sidewall with TWI Ð Tread Wear Indi-390de331
cator. At a tread depth of 0.063 in/
1.6 mm these indicators, signal that the
tires have reached the legally permis-
sible wear limit.
Do not drive on a deflated Ð flat Ð
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, e.g. caused
by contact with curbs, etc., can indicate
a flat tire or some other vehicle mal-
function. This is also true for irregulari-
ties in the vehicle's handling character-
istics, 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
138n
Winter tires Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tire BMW recommends winter tires Ð M+S
radial tires Ð for operation under
inclement winter driving conditions.
While so-called all-season tires with
M+S designation provide better winter
traction 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.
Only certain snow chains have been
tested by BMW and classified and
approved as safe. Consult your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center for
details. The use of narrow-link BMW
snow chains is approved only in pairs
on the rear wheels and only with the
following tire sizes.
BMW X5 4.6is: 255/55 R18
All other models: 235/65 R 17.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety
precautions when mounting the chains.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
30 mph/50 km/h.
159n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel9. 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 wheel or
correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reactivate the system, refer to
page 97.
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in
the valve stems frequently leads to slow
leaks.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 Ð torque speci-
fication: 101 lb-ft/140 Nm Ð 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 per-
sonal 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. Driving with spare wheel
With certain wheel-and-tire com-
binations the size of the spare
wheel differs from that of the other
wheels. The spare wheel is equivalent
to these in all speed and load ranges.
However, to restore the original state,
the normal wheel should be remounted
as soon as possible.
When the spare wheel is mounted, the
maximum speed rating is 130 mph/
210 km/h.<
Everything from A to ZEngine compartment
essentials140
Engine coolant143
Engine oil141, 142
consumption141
grades142
level20
pressure19
Estimated time of arrival87
Exterior mirrors53
Exterior rearview mirrors,
automatic dimming
feature54FFailure of an electrical
accessory160
Filling the windshield washer
reservoir141
First-aid kit24
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing164
Flashlight115
Flat tire98, 134, 155
Fog lamps100
bulb replacement152
Folding rear backrest120
Footbrake133
Front area lighting101
Front fog lamps100
Front seat adjustment44Frost protection,
radiator143
Fuel26
capacity171
display75
gauge75
quality26
specifications26
Fuel consumption87
average87
Fuel filler door24
electrical malfunction24
Fuses160
GGarage-door opener112
Gasoline26
General driving notes132
Glasses compartment117
Glove compartment115
Gross vehicle weight170
Ground clearance131HHandbrake64
Hands-free system116
Hazard warning flashers14
Hazard warning triangle24
HDC Hill Descent
Control93Head restraints47
Headlamp flasher68
Headlamp washer
system69, 141
Heated seats51
Heated steering wheel53
Heating and
ventilation102, 105
Heating while stopped109
Heavy cargo126
Height169
Height adjustment
seats46
steering wheel52
High beams22, 100
bulb replacement151
High-mount brake lamp153
Hill Descent Control
HDC93
Holder for cans, refer to
beverage holder116
Hood139
Hood release139
Hydraulic Brake Assistant
refer to DBC21
Hydroplaning132, 134
IIce warning73
Identification, tires137
Ignition key30
Ignition lock62
Imprint4
Independent ventilation
system84, 111
switching on and off84
Indicator lamps19
Inflation pressures,
tires134
monitoring97
INSPECTION76
Instrument
cluster15, 16, 17, 18
Instrument lighting100
Instrument
panel15, 16, 17, 18
Intensive cleaning
system69
Interior lamps101
remote control32
Interior mirrors54
Interior motion sensor40
Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature54
Interlock62
Intermittent wipe68
Everything from A to Z
177n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
JJack155, 156, 158
Jump-starting162KKey Memory61
Keys30
Keys with radio remote
control30
Kickdown mode66LLamps and bulbs151
Lashing eyes38, 126
LATCH Ð Lower Anchors and
Tethers for CHildren Ð
child-restraint system60
Lead-free gasoline26
Length169
License plate lamps
bulb replacement154
Liftgate36
opening from the
inside36
release following an
electrical
malfunction36, 38
remote control
operation32
Lighter117
LIGHTS ON warning99
Load-securing devices126Louvers102, 105
Low beams99
automatic99
bulb replacement151
Low-fuel warning lamp75
Lug bolts158
Lug wrench155
Luggage net38
Luggage straps38
Lumbar support46
MM+S radial tires138
Maintenance76, 145
Maintenance System145
Malfunction displays77
Manual operation
doors34
fuel filler door24
liftgate36
sliding/tilt sunroof43
tailgate38
Manual transmission64
Master key30
Maximum cooling108
Mechanical seat45
Memory50
driver's seat50
mirrors50
steering wheel50
Messages concerning
system malfunctions77MID Multi-Information
Display81
digital clock82
Mirror defrosting53
Mirror memory50
Mirrors53
Modifications,
technical9, 146
Monitoring inflation
pressure, tires97
Moonroof42
Multifunction buttons,
steering wheel23
Multi-Information Display
MID81
digital clock82
NNavigation system, refer to
the separate Owner's
ManualOOBD interface socket147
Odometer73
Oil
additives142
consumption142
dipstick142
grades142
temperature gauge75Oil change interval, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models or to the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
for Canadian models
Oil level20
indicator lamp20
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp19
OILSERVICE76
Onboard computer, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Onboard Diagnostic
system147
Onboard tool kit150
Opening and closing
from the inside35
from the outside34
using the key34
using the remote
control31
Outlets, ventilation102, 105
Outside temperature
display73
in the computer80
Everything from A to Z
179n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Side lamps99
bulb replacement152
Sitting safely with
airbags44
Sitting safely with safety
belts44
Ski bag119
Sliding/tilt sunroof42
closing following an
electrical malfunction43
convenience operation34
power loss43
remote control32
Snow chains138
Socket
power supplies118
vacuum cleaner118
Spare key30
Spare tire156
Spare wheel156
removal aid156
Spare wheel, driving159
Speaker116
Special features of winter
tires138
Special wash program69
Speed88
Speed control71
Speed limit85, 86
Speedometer15, 17, 18Sports seat45
Standing lamps100
Starting assistance163
Starting problems63, 163
Starting the engine62, 63
Steering lock62
Steering wheel
adjustment52
adjustment, automatic52
heating53
lock62
memory50
Steering wheel with
multifunction buttons23
Steptronic65
Stopwatch83
Storage compartments116
in the cargo area123
Summer tires137
Sunroof42
Sunshades111
Switching off the engine63
Switch-on times
input84
Symbols8
Synthetic oils142
System malfunction
indicators77
TTachometer74
Tail lamps153
bulb replacement153
Tailgate37
opening from the
outside36
release following an
electrical malfunction38
remote control
operation32
Tank capacity171
Technical
modifications9, 146
Telephone preparation116
Temperature display,
outside
temperature73, 80
Temperature gauge75, 76
Temperature
layering104, 109
Temperature setting107
Thigh support
adjustment45
Third brake lamp153
Tilt alarm32
Tilt alarm sensor40
Tilt function, passenger side
mirror51Time
calling up82
changing82
of arrival, estimated87
Timer
refer to Stopwatch
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
Tire134
damage134
pressure monitoring97
replacement135
tread134
Tire condition134
Tire inflation
pressures26, 134
monitoring97
table27
Tire Pressure Monitor
RDC97
warning lamp19, 21
Tire Quality Grading136
Tools150
Torque168
Tow fittings164
Towing the vehicle164
Tow-starting164
Track width169
So that you will have important specifi-
cations available when you stop to
refuel, we recommend that you supple-
ment this table with data which apply to
your vehicle.
Consult the index for individual
specifications.
Fuel Please enter your preferred fuel here. Engine oil The oil volume between the two marks
on the oil dipstick corresponds to
approx. 1.1 US quarts/1 liter. Designation
QualityTire inflation pressures
Summer Winter
Front Rear Front Rear
4 persons
5 persons or 4 plus luggage
Refueling