OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
65n
Starting engine Switching off engineDo not allow the engine to warm up
by leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, begin to
drive immediately at a moderate engine
speed.
X5 3.0i:
Do not end the starting procedure
too soon, however at the latest after
approx. 20 seconds. Release the igni-
tion key immediately as soon as the
engine starts.
X5 4.4i, 4.8is:
Your BMW is equipped with the conve-
nience starting feature. Here, it is suffi-
cient to turn the ignition key only briefly
to position 3 'Start engine' and to let go
of it right away. The starter actuation
continues to operate automatically for a
certain period of time and is stopped
automatically as soon as the engine has
started.
The automatic starting mode will not
operate or will be canceled if the bat-
tery voltage is insufficient. The engine
can be jump started, refer to page171.Should the engine fail to start on the
first attempt, if it is very hot or cold, for
instance:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at altitudes above 3,300 ft/
1,000 meters and at very low tempera-
tures, from approx. +57/–156:
>For the initial starting attempt, allow
the starter to remain engaged some-
what longer, approx. 10 seconds.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at startup are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharg-
ing, always switch off electrical devices
that are not in use. Switch the ignition
off when the vehicle is not being driven.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can lead to damage of the
catalytic converter.<
Manual transmission:
1. Turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0.
2. Shift into first gear or reverse.
Automatic transmission:
1. Shift into selector lever position P.
2. Turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
when the vehicle is moving, as
otherwise the steering could lock.
When leaving the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and lock the
steering.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the handbrake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Even placing the gearshift lever
in 1st gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in Park.<
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
The vehicle must be stationary and the
selector lever in Park before you can
remove the ignition key.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
69n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
M/S manual operation and
Sport Program Shift selector lever from position D
toward the left into the shifting slot M/S:
the Sport Program is activated and D S
appears in the instrument cluster. This
position is recommended for a perfor-
mance-oriented driving style.
When you briefly press the selector
lever in the + or – direction, manual
operation is activated and Steptronic
changes the gear The following appears
in the instrument cluster depending on
the model
>1 to 5 or 1 to 6
>M1 to M5 or M1 to M6. 530de264
Upshifts and downshifts are executed
only when they will result in a plausible
combination of engine and vehicle
speed; thus, for example, a downshift
that would cause the engine to overrev
will not be executed by the system. The
gear selected will appear briefly in the
instrument cluster followed by the cur-
rent gear.
In order to go back to using automatic,
move the selector lever toward the right
into position D.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up or
the message TRANS.FAILSAFE
PROG appears in the Check
Control. A malfunction has occurred in
the transmission system. Avoid heavy
loads.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the
transmission selector lever to P. Set the
handbrake and switch the engine off,
ignition key to position 0.
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. You may
continue to drive as usual. If the indica-
tor lamp does not go out, you can place
the selector lever in all positions. How-
ever, the vehicle will now only drive for-
ward with limited gear selection.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Information on jump starting, tow-start-
ing and towing begins on page171.
168n
Changing a wheel Vehicle 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 page102.
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 specified
torque. The tightening torque is
101 ft-lb/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, otherwise tire
damage could lead to accidents.<
With certain wheel-and-tire com-
binations the size of the spare
wheel differs from that of the other
wheels. 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 Sports 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
page171. 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.<
171n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Jump starting When your battery is discharged you
can used two jumper cables to start
your vehicle with power from the bat-
tery in a second vehicle. You can also
use the same method to help start
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables
with fully-insulated clamp handles.
To avoid the risk of potentially
fatal injury, always avoid all con-
tact with electrical components while
the engine is running. Carefully observe
the following instructions to avoid per-
sonal injury and/or damage to one or
both vehicles.<
Preparing1. Check whether the battery of the
other vehicle has a voltage of
12 Volts and approximately the same
capacitance in Ah. This information
can be found on the battery
2. Switch off the engine of the support
vehicle
3. Switch off any electrical systems and
components in both vehicles.
Ensure that no contact exists
between the bodywork on the two
vehicles, otherwise there is a danger of
short circuits.
sparks, always observe this
sequence when connecting jumper
cables.<
On your BMW the so-called jump-start
connection point in the engine com-
partment acts as the battery positive
terminal, also refer to the engine com-
partment overview on page149. The
cover cap is marked with +.
1. Fold up the cap of the BMW auxiliary
terminal for jump starting, refer to
arrow
2. Connect one terminal clamp of the
positive/+ jumper cable to the posi-
tive terminal of the battery or an aux-
iliary terminal for jump starting of the
vehicle providing starting assistance
3. Connect the second terminal clamp
of the positive/+ jumper cable to the
positive terminal of the battery or to
an auxiliary terminal for jump starting
of the vehicle to be started530de325
174n
Tow-starting and towing>The freedom of movement is
restricted during cornering
>The angled position of the tow bar
creates lateral forces.
Only secure the tow bar on the
tow fittings. Otherwise, damage
could result on other vehicle compo-
nent.<
With tow-rope:
When starting off in the towing vehicle,
make sure that the tow-rope is taut.
Use nylon ropes or nylon straps
for towing, and avoid all too sud-
den jerking movements. Only secure
tow-ropes on the tow fitting. Otherwise,
damage could result on other vehicle
component.<
With tow truck:
Do not tow the X5 with the front
or rear axle raised individually, as
otherwise the wheels may block and
the transfer case may be damaged.<
The X5 may only be transported on a
truck bed.530de403
Tow-starting
Do not tow-start vehicles with an
automatic transmission.
For information on jump starting, refer
to page171.<
Only tow-start vehicles with a catalytic
converter with the engine cold. It is bet-
ter to jump start the engine, refer to
page171.
1. Switch on the hazard warning flash-
ers and observe local regulations
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Engage the 3rd gear
4. Tow-start with the clutch pedal com-
pletely depressed and slowly release
the clutch pedal. After the engine
starts, immediately depress the
clutch pedal again completely
5. Stop at a suitable location, remove
the tow bar or rope and switch off the
hazard warning flashers
6. Have the vehicle checked.
Do not activate the HDC Hill
Descent Control during tow-
starting, refer to page97.<