2004 BMW X5 4.4I brake pads

21n

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Indicator and warning lamps

Red: an important reminder

Handbrake

*
Lights up with handbrake
engaged.
For additional information, refer to
page 66
Handbrake warning lamp

*
for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts +

Lights up for a few seconds or
until driver fastens safety belt.
Depending on model, together with an
acoustic signal

*
or a message

*
in the
Check Control.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 49
Airbags
+

A fault has occurred in the air-
bag system. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page 57

Yellow: check as soon as possible

DBC Dynamic Brake Control
+

Fault in the DBC system. Please
have the system checked as
soon as possible.
For details on DBC, refer to page 93
Display of the previously
described malfunction on Cana-
dian models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving: the oil
level is at the absolute mini-
mum; refill as soon as possible. Do not
drive more than approx. 30 miles/50 km
until you do.
For additional information, refer to
page 148
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at your earliest opportunity, e.g.
when you stop to refuel.
For additional information, refer to
page 148
Automatic transmission
*
The automatic transmission
switches into the emergency
program due to a fault. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page 69
Brake pads
* +
Have the condition of the brake
pads checked.
For additional information, refer to
page 139
Self-leveling suspension
* +
The self-leveling suspension is
inactive. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page 97

Maintenance
81n
OverviewControlsRepairsDataIndex
Check Controltive, refer to page 159 or consult a
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center
>TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG
*
Please consult the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center, refer
to page 69
>CHECK BRAKE LININGS
Have the brake pads inspected by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center, refer to page 139
>CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
Coolant too low, top off at the next
opportunity, refer to page 150
>ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG
Fault in the engine electronics.
You can continue to drive with
reduced engine output or engine
speed.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center.
Displays after completion of trip All of the malfunctions registered during
the trip appear consecutively when the
ignition key is turned to position 0.
The following displays will appear when
appropriate:
>LIGHTS ON
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK >CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
Top up engine oil at the next opportu-
nity, e.g. while refueling, refer to
page 148.
This display appears when you open
the driver's door after parking the vehi-
cle. A supplementary acoustic signal is
also heard.
Status messages remain available with
the CHECK button 3 for a period of
approx. three minutes after the display
goes out and the key is removed from
the ignition lock. If there were multiple
messages, press the CHECK button
repeatedly to view them all in
sequence.
Checking Check Control Press the CHECK button 3 with the
ignition key in position 2:
"CHECK CONTROL OK" appears in the
display.
No malfunctions are present in the
monitored systems. Computer You can find a description of the com-
puter on pages 82 and 87 as well as in
the Owner's Manual for Onboard Com-
puter.You can have the Check Control
and computer messages dis-
played in a different language.<

136n
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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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Safe braking Emergency stopsYou brake most effectively when you
apply maximum pedal pressure in situa-
tions requiring it: emergency stops.
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can nevertheless
avoid possible obstacles with a mini-
mum of steering effort.
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 level If 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 pull-
ing to the side and longer braking dis-
tances may result. Please remember to
adapt your driving style accordingly.<
Disk brakes When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, and in
operating conditions where brake appli-
cations are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to
form on rotors, while contaminants
accumulate on the brake pads. This
occurs because the minimal pressure
which must be exerted by the pads dur-
ing brake applications to clean the
rotors is not reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect which even extended
application will fail to cure.
When driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is advisable to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal from time
to time. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not
endanger other road users. The heat
generated in this process helps dry the
pads and rotors to ensure that the brak-
ing force is then immediately available
when required.
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear in which
only minimal periodic brake application
is required. This avoids excessive strain on the brakes and possible impairment
of the braking effect.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in neutral. Do not
drive with the engine switched off. The
engine provides no braking effect when
the clutch is depressed or the transmis-
sion is in neutral, and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
BMW recommends having brake
inspections performed at a BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center only. If
you do not, parts of the 4-wheel drive
system could be damaged.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
released for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<

Everything from A to Z
185n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Average fuel
consumption 82, 89
Average speed 82, 90
Avoiding alarms 39
Avoiding fire damage 138
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 180
B
Backrests, refer to Adjusting
seats 45, 46
Backup lamps 67
bulb replacement 161
Battery 168
disposal 168
indicator lamp 19
jump-starting 171
power failure 169
remote control 30
Belts, refer to Safety belts 49
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders 120
Black ice, refer to Ice
warning 75
Blower
air conditioner 107
automatic climate
control 111
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil 149BMW Maintenance
System 152
Bore, refer to Engine
specifications 178
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders 120
Brake fluid 151
adding 151
indicator/warning lamp 19
level 151
replacing 151
Brake Force Display 99
Brake hydraulic system 139
indicator/warning
lamp 19, 20
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement 161
Brake pads 139
breaking-in 136
indicator lamp 19, 21
Brake rotors
brake system 139
breaking-in 136
Brake system 139
brake fluid level 139
brake pads 139
breaking-in 136
disk brakes 139
Brake wear warning
brake pads 139
indicator lamp 19, 21Brakes 139
ABS 93
brake fluid 151
breaking-in 136
indicator/warning
lamp 19, 20
Break-in procedures 136
Breaking-in differential 136
C
California laws
Event Data Recorders 153
Proposition 65
Warning 153
California Proposition 65
Warning 153
Capacities 181
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car jack points 167
Car keys, refer to Keys 30
Car radio, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Car wash, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochureCargo area 124
capacity 180
cover, refer to Roll-up
cover 125
emergency operation,
refer to Unlocking
manually 35, 37
floor cover 127
increasing volume 124
lamps 105
lid, refer to Liftgate/
tailgate 35, 36
opening from inside 35
opening from outside 35
opening, remote
control 31
opening/closing, refer to
Liftgate 35
opening/closing, refer to
Tailgate 36
volume 180
volume, refer to
Weights 180
Cargo area lamps 105
Cargo bay, refer to Cargo
area 124
Cargo floor, pull-out 128
Cargo loading 131
Cargo-area partition net 125
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure