2004 BMW X5 4.8IS tailgate

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Self-leveling suspension
*
2-axle self-leveling suspension
*
The warning lamp for the self-
leveling suspension comes on,
or the message "SELFLEVEL
SUSP.INACT" appears in the Check
Control: there is a malfunction in the
self-leveling suspension.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If the rear
of the vehicle is visibly lower than the
front, possibly accompanied by a tilt
noticeable when you compare the left
rear with the right rear, please respond
by immediately proceeding to the near-
est BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.
Drive with appropriate caution in the
meantime. The vehicle has reduced
ground clearance and driving comfort
may be noticeably reduced.
Even when the position of the vehicle is
normal, have the system checked as
soon as possible when a malfunction is
indicated.
The concept Your vehicle is equipped with 2-axle
self-leveling suspension acting on both
the front and rear suspension. This sys-
tem combines automatic self-leveling,
which compensates for variations in
front-to-rear load-distribution patterns,
with a selection feature allowing drivers
to choose from among several ride-
height options.
You may choose from among the fol-
lowing ride heights:
>Normal
The standard setting is intended for
most operating conditions, including
trailer towing
>Off-Road
Increased level for more ground
clearance
>Access
Lowers vehicle for more convenient
cargo handling or easier passenger
entries and exits.
Changes in ride height are initiated
either manually, using the control but-
ton, refer to page 98, or automatically in
response to specific speeds. When the
ride height is selected manually, the
driver has the additional option of revis-
ing the ride-height selection by entering a new command during the adjustment
process.
When the vehicle is stationary, the sys-
tem executes ride-height changes in
both directions – up and down – when-
ever the doors are closed. The liftgate/
tailgate may be open. The system
raises the vehicle only when the engine
is running.
The system's automatic self-leveling
feature automatically compensates for
variations in the vehicle's load.
Frequent changes in ride height
initiated at short intervals can
overheat the compressor, causing the
system to briefly suspend active opera-
tion.<

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Lamps and bulbs Lamps in the side panel:
1. Open the cover in the side panel
2. Lift the side panel if necessary
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
holder while turning it to the left for
removal and replacement
4. Remove the bulb. 530de305
Lamps in the tailgate:
1. Unclip the trim panel in the tailgate
with a screwdriver
2. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
holder while turning it to the left for
removal and replacement
3. Remove the bulb. Center brake lamp LED strip in the rear spoiler: please
contact a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center in case of a malfunction. 530de306
License plate lamps 5 watt bulb
1. Press the lamp out to the side with a
screwdriver
2. Remove the lamp and replace the
bulb. 530de307

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Changing a tire What you will need In order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are through
using them.
>Two wedges – wheel chocks
Open the liftgate and tailgate.
Raise floor panel flap or pull-out
cargo-area floor panel extension,
refer to pages 127, 128, 129.
Remove the chocks, refer to arrow,
next to the spare tire 530us117
>Lug wrench
Located beside the spare wheel 530us120
>Handle for the jack
Remove from its holder530de405

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel >Jack
Unhook the rubber band, refer to
arrow, and take out the jack.
When you have completed work,
screw the jack all the way back
down, remove the handle and insert it
into its holder. 530de404
Spare wheel 1. Loosen the wing nut 1
2. Remove the plate 2 to the side
3. Unscrew the threaded rod 3 com-
pletely. 530us118
Removal aid for spare wheel By using this device, you do not have to
lift the spare wheel out of the recess by
hand.
Its task is to help you to move the wheel
onto the tailgate, from where you can
easily lift it off.
1. Close the tailgate again
2. Grasp the handle of the removal aid
behind the spare wheel with both
hands and pull upward over the tail-
gate, refer to arrow 530de310

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Changing a wheel 3. Hook both buckles into the latch of
the tailgate, refer to arrow; the tail-
gate is released 530de311
4. Remove the support rod from the
bracket 530de312
5. Press the tailgate down and hold it
there. The spare wheel is now pulled
by means of the removal aid onto the
tailgate
Hold the tailgate in the opened
position and do not allow it to
retract sharply upward. If you do so,
there is a risk of personal injury and
vehicle damage.<530de313

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel 6. Insert the support rod in the tailgate
lock and press down until it engages,
refer to arrow 1; then lock hook of
rod in striker, refer to arrow 2
Be sure that the support rod is
locked firmly in place. If you fail to
do so, the tailgate could move upward
quickly and cause personal injury and
vehicle damage.<
7. You can now release the locked tail-
gate and take the spare wheel down
from the tailgate. It is recommended
that you leave the tailgate locked into
place until you have completed the
wheel change and placed the wheel
with the defective tire into the
removal aid. 530de314
Procedure1. Read carefully and comply with the
safety precautions on page 163
2. Secure the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling:
Place the wedges – chocks – behind
the wheels on the side opposite the
side you are lifting. If the vehicle is
parked on a downward slope, place
the wedges securely in front of the
wheels. If the wheel must be
changed on a surface with a more
severe slope, take additional precau-
tions to secure the vehicle from roll-
ing
3. Loosen the lug bolts 1/2-turn
4. Insert the jack handle into the jack,
refer to the illustration in the next col-
umn5. Position the jack at the jacking point
closest to the flat tire so that the jack
base is vertically below the jacking
point and the entire surface of the
head of the jack will move into the
square recess of the jacking point,
refer to the illustration detail, when
the jack is cranked
6. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel
you are changing is raised from the
ground
7. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove
the wheel
8. Remove accumulations of mud or
dirt from the mounting surfaces of
the wheel and hub. Clean the lug
bolts
9. Position the spare wheel. Secure the
wheel by turning at least two lug
bolts into opposite bolt holes
530de236

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Changing a wheel Battery 10. Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Tighten all the bolts securely in a
diagonal pattern
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.
After mounting the spare wheel or
correcting the inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
refer to page 100.
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 safety, always have the lug
bolts checked with a calibrated torque
wrench as soon as possible to ensure
that they are tightened to the speci-
fied torque. The tightening torque is
101 lb-ft/140 Nm.<
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 Genuine
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
Do not exceed a speed of
130 mph/210 km/h, as otherwise
accidents may occur due to tire dam-
age.<
With certain wheel-and-tire com-
binations the size of the spare
wheel differs from that of the other
wheels. However, to restore the original
state, the normal wheel should be
remounted as soon as possible.<
Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<
Battery care The battery is maintenance-free, that is,
the original electrolyte will normally last
for the service life of the battery under
moderate climatic conditions. Your
BMW Sport Activity Vehicle center will
be glad to advise in all matters con-
cerning the battery.Charging battery Only charge the battery in the vehicle
via the terminals in the engine compart-
ment with the engine off. For correct
connections, refer to Jump-starting on
page 171. Disposal
Following replacement, have old
batteries disposed of by your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center or
hand them in to a recycling center.
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Always
restrain the battery to prevent it from
tipping over during transport.<

Everything from A to Z
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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