139n
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.
140n
Safe braking Emergency stops You 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.<
Disc 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
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
187n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Coolant152
level152
temperature gage79
warning lamp79
Coolant temperature
gage79
Cooling, maximum113
Cooling, refer to
Air conditioning108,113
Temperature108,112
Copyright4
Cornering light, refer to
Adaptive Head Light104
Correct tires
wheel/tire
replacement146
winter tires146
Courtesy lighting106
Cruise control74
buttons on steering
wheel23
indicator lamp22
Cruising range83,90
Cup holders121
Curb weight, refer to
Weights180
Current consumption, refer
to Energy control77
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data178D
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting105
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit14
Data, technical178
dimensions179
engine178
filling capacities181
weights180
Date
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
calling up85
changing85
Daytime driving lamps103
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control94
indicator lamp21
Deactivating the alarm in an
emergency92
Defective lamp159
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting
windows109,112
Defrosting
windows109,112
air conditioner109
automatic climate
control112Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
air conditioner109
automatic climate
control112
Defrosting windshield, refer
to Defrosting
windows109,112
Digital clock85
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
Dimensions179
Dipstick, engine oil150
Directional indicators, refer
to Turn signals70
Disc brakes140
Displacement, refer to
Engine specifications178
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting105
Display, refer to Instrument
cluster15,17,18
Disposal, vehicle battery168
Distance to destination89
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control93
Divided rear seat backrest,
refer to Folding rear seat
back126
Door keys30Door lock33
DOT Quality Grades143
Draft-free
ventilation109,114
Driving lamps, refer to
Parking lamps/low
beams103
Driving notes
breaking-in136
driving hints137,138
Driving on poor roads138
Driving stability control95
Driving your X5138
Dry air, refer to Air
conditioning108,113
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control95
warning lamp22
DVD changer, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC94
indicator lamp21
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC95
warning lamp22
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 ZIndependent ventilation116
activating/deactivating
switch-on times87
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
entering switch-on
times87
switching on and off
directly87
Indicating
elements15,17,18
Indicator lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting105
Indicator/warning lamp
airbags59
alarm system38
automatic transmission
with Steptronic69
brakes153
coolant temperature79
DSC95
engine temperature79
fasten safety belts49
Flat Tire Monitor102
front fog lamps105
reserve78
self-leveling
suspension98
Indicator/warning lamps,
overview19Individual air distribution112
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory63
Inflation pressure
monitoring, refer to Flat
Tire Monitor101
Inflation pressure, tires141
INSPECTION79
Instrument cluster15,17,18
Instrument lighting105
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit14
Integrated universal remote
control117
Interface socket for Onboard
Diagnostics155
Interior lamps105
remote control31
Interior mirror, automatic
dimming feature138
Interior motion sensor39
switching off31,39
Interior rearview mirror55
compass55
Interlock, refer to Locking
steering64
Intermittent operation of
wipers71,73J
Jacking points167
Jump starting171
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting171
K
Key Memory63
Keys30
Kick-down68
L
Lamps and bulbs159
Lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams103
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing load132
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system62
LEDs light-emitting
diodes163
Length, refer to
Dimensions179
License plate lamp
replacing bulbs162
Liftgate35
emergency operation,
refer to Unlocking
manually35
opening, remote
control31
remote control31Liftgate/tailgate
emergency operation,
refer to Unlocking
manually35,36
opening from inside35
opening from outside35
unlocking manually35,36
Light switch103
Light-alloy wheels, care,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs163
Lighter122,123
Lighting of instruments105
Lights on warning103
Limit88
Limit speed, refer to Speed
limit88
Load, refer to Cargo
loading131
Lock buttons, doors, refer to
Locking34
Locking
from inside34
from outside31
Locking and unlocking doors
from inside34
from outside31
Locking, vehicle
from inside34
from outside31