2004 BMW X5 4.4I handbrake

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To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you
observe the following instructions.
Engine and differential Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km:
Drive at varying engine speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed
4,500 rpm and the following road
speeds during this initial period:
6-cylinder engines: 100 mph/160 km/h
8-cylinder engines: 106 mph/170 km/h
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of
the transmission's kickdown mode dur-
ing these initial miles.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles/
2,000 km, the engine and vehicle
speeds can be gradually increased.Tires Due to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
after an initial break-in period. There-
fore, drive reservedly during the first
200 miles/300 km. Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as hydroplaning and can
lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effec-
tiveness. Reduce your speed on wet
roads.<
Brake system Brakes require an initial break-in period
of approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve
optimal contact and wear patterns
between brake pads and rotors.
To break in the separate handbrake
drums, apply the handbrake lightly
when coasting to a standstill at a traffic
signal, for instance, provided that traffic
conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not light up
when the handbrake is applied.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine switched off,
when towing, for instance, substan-
tially higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle.<
ClutchThe function of the clutch is only at its
optimized level after a distance driven
of approx. 300 miles/500 km. During
this break-in period, engage the clutch
gently.Following component
replacementsObserve the break-in instructions again
if previously addressed components
must be replaced again during driving
later.
Break-in procedures

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Driving your X5 On bad roads When you are driving on bad roads,
there are a few points which you should
strictly observe — for your own safety,
for that of your passengers, and for the
safety of the vehicle:
Driving on unpaved terrain can
cause damage to the vehicle.<
>Always adapt the driving speed to the
road conditions. The rougher or
steeper the road surface is, the lower
the speed should be
>You can operate your vehicle on
uphill and downhill gradients with a
maximum slope of 50 %. If you want
to drive on uphill or downhill gradi-
ents of this kind, make sure before-
hand that the engine oil and coolant
levels are near the max mark. Refer
to pages 148 and 150.
Use the HDC Hill Descent Control on
steep downhill gradients, refer to
page 96.
It is possible to start off on gradients
of up to 32 %.
The permitted side tilt is also 50 %
>While driving, watch carefully for
obstacles such as rocks or holes. Try
to avoid these obstacles whenever
possible
>Please note that, for example on
crests and bumpy roads, the body
can make ground contact.
The ground clearance of the vehicle
is:
– 8 in/200 mm with up to four persons
– 7 in/180 mm fully loaded, without
self-leveling suspension
>Only drive through water up to a
maximum depth of 20 in/50 cm and
only at walking speed, making sure
not to stop in the process.
After leaving the water, press on the
footbrake gently several times while
driving at a low speed. The brake
applications will help to dry the
brakes, thus preventing a reduction in
braking performance caused by the
moisture.
Back onto paved road In recommending that you observe the
following points after driving on adverse
road surfaces, it is not as a beauty
treatment for your BMW. Instead, it is
intended for the maintenance of driving
safety:
>Clean the largest accumulations of
dirt from the body and check the
underbody for damage
>Clean mud, snow, ice etc. from the
wheels and tires and check the
wheels for damage
>Check to determine whether rocks,
gravel or accumulations of dirt on the
brake rotors and calipers could influ-
ence braking performance. Remove
all such foreign objects
>In order to clean the brake rotors,
apply the footbrake gently several
times while driving at a low speed.
Be sure that following traffic is not
endangered by this
>For cleaning the handbrake, apply
the lever slightly at approx. 25 mph/
40 km/h and continue to drive for
approx. 200 yards/200 meters, pro-
vided that traffic conditions allow you
to do so.

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Lamps and bulbs Changing a tire Light-emitting diodes LEDs Light-emitting diodes installed behind
translucent lenses serve as the light
source for many of the controls and dis-
plays in your vehicle. The concept
behind their operation is related to that
employed for lasers.
Do not remove the covers, and
never stare into the unfiltered light
several hours, as irritation of the iris
could result.<
Safety precautions to observe in
the event of a flat and during all
tire changes:
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat, sur-
face. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position, remove the key and
engage the steering lock. Shift into 1st
or reverse, selector lever in Park with
automatic transmission, and engage
the handbrake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area, behind a guardrail,
for instance.
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is required, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all safety guidelines and regula-
tions.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. The vehi-
cle or the jack could slip to the side if
you attempt to raise the vehicle on a
soft or slippery surface such as snow,
ice, tiles, etc.
Position the jack on a firm support sur-
face.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. If this is done,
the jack might not be able to reach its
full support capacity because of the
limited height. To avoid serious or fatal
injury: never lie under the vehicle, and
never start the engine while it is sup-
ported by the jack.<

Everything from A to Z
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Gear display 67
Gearshift lever
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 67
manual transmission 66
General driving notes 138
Glove compartment 119
Grills, refer to
Ventilation 108, 113
Gross weight, refer to
Weights 180
Ground clearance 137
H
Hand lamp, refer to Rechar-
geable flashlight 119
Handbrake 66
indicator lamp 19, 21
Hands-free microphone,
refer to Portable
phone 118
Hands-free system 118
Having vehicle towed 173
Hazard warning flashers 14
HDC Hill Descent Control 96
Head airbags 57
Head restraints 47
Headlamp control,
automatic 102
Headlamp cover, care, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochureHeadlamp flasher 70
indicator lamp 22
Headlamp washer fluid
tank 148
capacity, refer to Filling
capacities 181
Headlamp washer system
cleaning headlamps 72
washer fluid 148
Headlamps
bulb replacement 159
care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Heated mirrors 54
Heated rear window
air conditioner 107
automatic climate
control 112
Heated seats 52
Heated steering wheel 53
Heating
exterior mirror 54
rear window 107, 112
seats 52
steering wheel 53
Heating and
ventilation 106, 109
Heating while stopped 113
Heavy cargo 131
Height adjustment
seats 45, 46
steering wheel 52Height, refer to
Dimensions 179
High beams 103
bulb replacement 160
headlight flasher 70
indicator lamp 22
Hills 137, 139
Holder for cups 120
Horn 14
Hydroplaning 138, 143
I
Ice warning 75
Ignition 64
Ignition key 30
Ignition lock 64
Immobilizer function 90
Imprint 4
Independent ventilation 115
entering switch-on
times 86
switching on and off 86
switching on and off, also
refer to Owner's Manual
for Onboard Computer
Indicating
elements 15, 17, 18
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview 19Indicator/warning lamp
airbags 59
alarm system 38
coolant temperature 78
DSC 94
engine temperature 78
fasten safety belts 49
Flat Tire Monitor 101
front fog lamps 104
reserve 77
self-leveling
suspension 97
Individual air distribution 111
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 63
Inflation pressure
monitoring, refer to Flat
Tire Monitor 100
INSPECTION 78
Instrument cluster 15, 17, 18
Instrument illumination, refer
to Instrument lighting 104
Instrument lighting 104
Instrument panel lighting,
refer to Instrument
lighting 104
Instrument panel, refer to
Instrument
cluster 15, 17, 18
Integrated universal remote
control 116