Page 6 of 183
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
Page 92 of 183

92n
Dynamic Stability Control DSCTo switch the system offPress the button; the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.
Traction intervention remains active;
that is, braking intervention will con-
tinue.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to switch
off the DSC for a short period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>On sandy road surfaces
>On poor surfaces with deep ruts
>If the wheels churn on muddy
surfaces
>When driving with snow chains. 530de230
As a result of the traction interven-
tion, the brakes may be subjected
to additional loads when the system is
switched off. For this reason, it is pos-
sible that the braking intervention will
be disabled automatically for a brief
period in order to limit brake tempera-
ture.
To maintain vehicle stability, always
drive with the system switched on when
possible.<
To switch the system on againPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. An
appropriate driving style always
remains the responsibility of the driver.
We therefore urge you to avoid using
the additional safety margin of the
system as an excuse for taking risks.
Do not make any modifications to the
DSC system. Service procedures on
the system are to be performed by
authorized technicians only.<
Dynamic Brake Control DBCDBC is an integral component of the
DSC system.
The system responds to sudden, high-
intensity applications of force to the
brake pedal by automatically braking
the vehicle with maximum boost to
achieve the shortest-possible braking
distances during panic stops. This
system exploits all the benefits of ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure exerted
against the brake pedal until the
braking maneuver has been completed.
DBC is deactivated when you release
the brake pedal.
Page 138 of 183

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.
Page 179 of 183

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