138n
General driving notes Driving your X5 Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 20 in/
50 cm, and then only at walking speed
at the most. Otherwise, the vehicle's
engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged. When
equipped with 2-axle self leveling sus-
pension
*, switch the vehicle into the
Off-Road setting before driving through,
refer to page100.<
Using handbrake on slopes
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or riding the
clutch; use the handbrake instead. Oth-
erwise, severe clutch wear will result.<
Interior and exterior mirrors,
automatic dimming feature
*
Two photocells serve to control the
automatic dimming of the interior and
exterior rearview mirrors. One photocell
is in the mirror glass, refer to arrow,
while the other is offset somewhat on
the back of the mirror.
For trouble-free operation, keep the
photocells clean and do not cover the
area between the interior rearview mir-
ror and the windshield. Do not attach
any kind of stickers on the windshield
in front of the mirror, either. 530us245
On poor roads When you are driving on poor 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
pages150 and152.
Use the HDC Hill Descent Control
when driving down steep grades,
refer to page97.
Starting off is possible on grades of
up to 33 %.
The permissible body roll is also 50 %
>While driving, watch carefully for
obstacles such as rocks or holes.
Try to avoid these obstacles when-
ever possible
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Driving your X5>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/20 cm with up to four persons
– 7 in/18 cm fully loaded, without
level control
>Only drive through water up to a max-
imum depth of 20 in/50 cm and only
at walking speed, making sure not to
stop in the process. When equipped
with 2-axle self leveling suspension
*,
switch the vehicle to the Off-Road
setting before driving through, refer
to page100.
After leaving the water, apply the
footbrake lightly several times while
driving at low speeds so as to dry
the brakes by braking and to prevent
decreased braking action due to wet-
ness.
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 worst of the dirt from the
body and inspect the undercarriage
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.
163n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Lamps and bulbs Changing a tire LEDs light-emitting diodes Light-emitting diodes installed behind
translucent lenses serve as the light
source for many of the controls and
displays 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
185n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
B
Backrests, refer to Adjusting
seats45,46
Backup lamps67
replacing bulbs161
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit24
Bar, towing173
Battery168
disposal168
indicator lamp19
jump starting171
power failure169
remote control30
Belts, refer to Safety belts49
Beverage holder, refer to
Cup holders121
Black ice, refer to Ice
warning76
Blower
air conditioner108
automatic climate
control112
refer to Air
supply108,112
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil151
BMW Maintenance
System154Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders121
Brake fluid153
adding153
level153
replacing153
warning lamp19
Brake Force Display101
Brake hydraulic system140
warning lamp19,20
Brake lamps, replacing
bulbs161
Brake pads140
breaking-in136
warning lamp19,21
Brake rotors
brake system140
breaking-in136
Brake system
brake fluid153
brake fluid level140,153
brake pads140
breaking-in136
disc brakes140
warning lamp19
Brake wear warning
brake pads140
indicator lamp19,21Brakes140
ABS94
brake fluid153
brake pads140
breaking-in136
handbrake66
indicator/warning
lamp19,20
Breakdown assistance, refer
to Roadside
Assistance170
Breakdown, Flat Tire
Monitor101
Breaking-in136
Buttons on steering
wheel23
C
California Proposition
65 Warning9
Calling, refer to telephone
Owner's Manual
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders121
Capacities181
cargo area180
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys30
Car radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
ComputerCar telephone
preparation119
Car telephone, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner,
connecting, refer to
Power socket122
Car wash, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care of paintwork, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo area126
capacity180
cover, refer to Roll-up
cover126
emergency operation,
refer to Unlocking
manually35,36
floor cover129
increasing capacity126
lamps106
lid, refer to Liftgate/
tailgate35,36
opening, remote
control31
Cargo floor, pull-out130
Everything from A to Z
189n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
For information on breaking
in the differential, refer to
Engine and differential136
Front airbags57
Front fog lamps105
replacing bulbs161
Fuel
average
consumption83,90
display78
quality26
volume, refer to
Capacities181
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gage78
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gage78
Fuel filler door24
manual operation24
Fuel tank capacity, refer to
Capacities181
Fuel-saving driving, refer to
Energy control77
Fuses169
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal
remote control117
Gasoline display, refer to
Fuel gage78Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality26
Gear display67
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission66
General driving notes137
Glove compartment120
Grills, refer to
Ventilation109,114
Gross weight, refer to
Weights180
Ground clearance139
H
Hand lamp, refer to
Rechargeable
flashlight120
Handbrake66
indicator lamp19,21
Hands-free microphone,
refer to Portable
phone119
Hands-free system119
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control97
Head airbags57
Head restraints47
Headlamp control,
automatic103
Headlamp cover, care, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochureHeadlamp flasher70
indicator lamp22
Headlamp washer
reservoir150
volume, refer to Filling
capacities181
Headlamp washing system
headlamp washing72
washer fluid150
Headlamps
care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
replacing bulbs159
Heated mirrors54
Heated rear window
air conditioner108
automatic climate
control113
Heated seats52
Heated steering wheel53
Heating
exterior mirror54
rear window108,113
seats52
steering wheel53
Heating and
ventilation107,110
Heating while stationary113
Heavy cargo, refer to
Loading132
Heavy-duty cargo straps,
refer to Cargo loading132Height adjustment
seats45,46
steering wheel52
Height, refer to
Dimensions179
High beams104
headlamp flasher70
indicator lamp22
replacing bulbs160
High temperatures137
Hill Descent Control HDC97
Hills138,140
Holder for cups121
Hood148
Horn14
Hot exhaust system137
Hotel function30
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC94
Hydraulic system, brakes19
Hydroplaning137,145
I
Ice warning76
Identification, tire143
Ignition64
Ignition key30
Ignition lock64
Immobilizer function91
Imprint4
Everything from A to ZO
OBD interface socket155
Odometer76
Oil
additives, refer to
Specified engine oils151
consumption150
dipstick150
filling capacity181
specified engine oil
grades151
Oil change interval, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, US
models or Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet,
Canadian models
Oil consumption150
Oil level150
Oil pressure, indicator/
warning lamp19
Oil temperature78
OILSERVICE79
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal168
Onboard computer, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Onboard tool kit158Opening and closing
from inside34
from outside31
using door lock33
using remote control31
Output, refer to Engine
specifications178
Outside air, automatic
climate control108
Outside temperature
display76
changing unit of
measure76,83
in computer83
P
Package shelf, refer to Roll-
up cover126
Panorama glass sunroof41
automatic opening and
closing41
closing in the event of an
electrical malfunction42
comfort operation33
comfort position41
initializing42
power failure42
remote control31
Park Distance Control
PDC93Parking aid, refer to PDC
Park Distance Control93
Parking brake, refer to
Handbrake66
Parking lamps103
replacing bulbs160
Parking lamps/low
beams103
Parking, vehicle65
Parts and accessories, refer
to For your own safety9
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function51
Pathway lighting103
PDC Park Distance
Control93
Permissible axle load, refer
to Weights180
Permissible gross weight,
refer to Weights180
Plastic care, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Plastic, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Pollen, refer to
Microfilter109
Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter115
Portable phone, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Power electric seat46Power failure169
Power rear backrests48
Power socket122
Power windows39
safety switch40
Pressure monitoring, tires
Flat Tire Monitor101
Pressure, tires141
Programming settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory63
Protective function,
panorama glass
sunroof42
Pull-out cargo floor130
R
Radio navigation, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Radio-control key, refer to
Master key with remote
control30
Rain sensor71
Reading lamps
front106
rear106
Real wood, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure