Page 6 of 200
ContentsOperation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Special operating instructions:
Breaking-in136
General driving notes137
Driving your X5138
Safe braking140
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure141
Tire identification marks143
Wheel/tire condition144
Replacing wheels/tires146
Snow chains147
Under the hood:
Hood148
Engine compartment
essentials149
Washer fluid150
Engine oil150
Coolant152
Brake fluid153Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System154
OBD interface socket155Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit158
Windshield wiper blades158
Lamps and bulbs159
Changing a tire163
Vehicle battery168
Fuses169
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Receiving assistance170
Jump starting171
Tow-starting and towing172
Page 96 of 200

96n
DSC Dynamic Stability ControlSwitching DSC offPress the button; the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.
Stabilizing interventions of the chassis
control system DSC are no longer avail-
able. However, the braking interven-
tions that simulate the function of the
differential lock continue to be active.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to switch off
the DSC for a short period:
>When rocking the vehicle and starting
off in deep snow or on loose road
surfaces
>On sandy road surfaces
>On poor surfaces with deep ruts 530de414
>If the wheels churn on muddy sur-
faces
>When driving with snow chains.
As a result of the braking inter-
ventions, the brakes may be sub-
jected to additional loads when the sys-
tem is switched off. In order to limit the
brake temperature, brief automatic
masking of the brake activation is pos-
sible.
To maintain vehicle stability, always
drive with the system switched on when
possible.<
Switching DSC on Press the button a second time – the
indicator lamp goes out. DSC is now
activated.MalfunctionPlease be sure to observe the informa-
tion on the DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol/xDrive warning lamp on page 22
and on the possible lamp combinations
that can light up on page 20.530de414
Page 101 of 200

101n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Brake Force Display Flat Tire MonitorThe Brake Force Display lights up in
two stages, depending on how force-
fully you apply the brakes.
The display has two levels:
>Normal braking:
The brake lamp 1 and the center
brake lamp light up
>Heavy braking and braking with ABS:
The brake lamps 1 and 2 light up
together with the center brake lamp.530de400
The concept The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the
inflation pressures in the four fitted tires
as you drive. The system provides an
alert whenever the inflation pressure
drops significantly in relation to the
pressure another tire.
The check of the tire inflation pressure
is based on monitoring the relative
speeds of the wheels. A flat is detected
and reported on the basis of a deviation
in certain speed ratios.Functional requirementTo ensure reliable operation, the sys-
tem should have been initialized with
the correct tire inflation pressure.
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indi-
cate sudden severe tire damage
caused by outside factors and does not
detect a natural, even pressure drop in
all four tires.<
In the following situations, the system
could be delayed or malfunction:
>When driving on snow-covered or
slippery road surfaces
>In the case of performance-oriented
driving: slip on the drive wheels, high
lateral acceleration
>False alarms and undetected loss of
pressure may occur when you are
driving with snow chains fitted.
Page 102 of 200
102n
Flat Tire MonitorInitializing system
Perform the initialization immedi-
ately every time you correct the
inflation pressure, change a tire or
change a wheel or all wheels. A drive
is required for this purpose.<
1. Before the start of driving, start the
engine, but do not drive off
2. Press the button until the yellow indi-
cator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up for a few seconds
3. Drive off.
It takes a few minutes of driving before
the Flat Tire Monitor can detect and
report a flat tire.
When driving with snow chains,
do not initialize the system.<
530de419
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up yel-
low. There is a flat tire or exten-
sive inflation pressure loss.
1. Reduce speed and stop the vehicle
carefully. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers
2. Identify damaged tire
If identification is not possible,
contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.<
3. Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Wheel changes on page 163.
Page 147 of 200

147n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Replacing wheels/tires Snow chains
*
Storage Store wheels or tires in a cool, dry
place, protecting them against light
whenever possible. Always protect tires
against all contact with oil, grease and
fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire infla-
tion pressure indicated on the side wall
of the tire.Only certain snow chains have been
tested by BMW and classified and
approved as safe. Consult your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center for
details. BMW recommends only using
these approved, narrow-link snow
chains. Use is only permitted in pairs on
the rear wheels with the following tire
sizes:
X5 4.8is: 255/55 R 18
All other models: 235/65 R 17
Observe the manufacturer's instruc-
tions when installing snow chains.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
30 mph/50 km/h.
After mounting snow chains, do
not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor.
When you are driving with snow chains,
it can be beneficial to switch off DSC
briefly, refer to page96.<
Page 194 of 200

Everything from A to ZSelector lever positions,
automatic transmission
with Steptronic67
Selector lever, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic68
Self-leveling suspension98
2-axle self-leveling
suspension99
inactive98
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models154
Service Interval
Display79,154
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance170
Setting interior
temperature108,112
Setting time, refer to Prese-
lecting switch-on times87
Shifting
automatic transmission
with Steptronic68
manual transmission66
Shiftlock68
Shoulder support47
Side airbags57
Side Impact Head Protection
System57Side tilt, permissible138
Side turn signals, replacing
bulbs160
Side window blinds, refer to
Rear window blind115
Signaling briefly70
Sitting safely43
with airbags43
with safety belts43
Ski bag124
Snow chains147
Sockets129
Soft closure aid for liftgate,
refer to Automatic Soft
Close function36
Spare fuses169
Spare key30
Spare wheel165
removal aid165
Special wash program72
Specified engine oils151
Speed
with spare wheel168
with winter tires146
Speed limit88
Speedometer, refer to
Instrument
cluster15,17,18
Sport Program, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic69Sports seat45
Stability control, refer to
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control95
xDrive97
Starting engine64
Starting problems
at very low
temperatures65
jump starting171
Status of this Owner's
Manual at time of
printing9
Steering lock64
Steering wheel
adjustment52
adjustment, automatic53
lock64
Steering wheel heater53
Steering wheel memory50
Steering wheel with multi-
function buttons23
Steptronic, refer to Manual
mode69
Stopwatch86
Storage compartments120
in the cargo area128
Storage space, refer to
Cargo area126Storing desired speed, refer
to Cruise control.74
Storing sitting position, refer
to Seat, mirror and
steering wheel memory50
Storing the seat
adjustment50
Storing tires147
Supply reservoir
washing systems150
Switches, refer to Cockpit14
Switching air conditioner
mode on and off
manually108,113
Switching off engine65
Switching on hour signal86
Switch-on times input87
Symbols8
Synthetic oil151
T
Tachometer77
Tail lamps, replacing
bulbs161
Tailgate36
unlocking manually36
Taking time, refer to
Stopwatch86
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel
tank capacity181
Technical data178
Technical modifications9