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
19n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps Technology that monitors itself Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by
+ are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of the
monitored systems, the corresponding
lamp does not go out after the engine is
started or it lights up while the vehicle is
moving. You will see how to react to
this in the following section.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
+
The battery is not being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Have
the system checked immediately.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
drive belt is defective, increased steer-
ing effort is also required.<
Engine oil pressure
+
Stop immediately and switch off
the engine. Check the engine oil
level; top up as required. If the oil level
is correct: have the system checked
immediately.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.<
Handbrake
*/
brake hydraulic system
+
Lights up with handbrake
engaged.
For additional information, refer to
page66
Comes on although the handbrake is
released: stop immediately. The brake
fluid in the reservoir has fallen to below
the minimum level. At the same time, a
considerably longer brake pedal travel
may be noticeable. Have the system
checked immediately.
During continued driving
increased brake pedal pressure
may be necessary, and considerably
longer braking distances may result.
Please remember to adapt your driving
style accordingly.<
Before continuing your journey, be sure
to read the notes on pages140
and153.
Also comes on in the Check Control
with the message CHECK BRAKE
LININGS.
Indication of the malfunction in
Canadian models described
above.
80n
Check Control Graphic display
*
The following alerts or status messages
are displayed with icons as of ignition
key position 2 until the defects are cor-
rected:
1 Check low beams
2 Add washer fluid, goes out after
approx. 1 minute
3Door open
4 Tailgate open
5 Check brake and tail lamps. A defec-
tive center brake lamp is indicated by
the upper symbol.
When you open the door after stopping,
a warning signal sounds without a
visual indicator for:
>LIGHTS ON
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK. 390de121
Alphanumeric display
*
Text messages are used to alert the
driver to system malfunctions as of igni-
tion key position 2. The alert is accom-
panied by an acoustic signal.
1 Status messages symbol
2Display
3CHECK button
Messages concerning system faults are
differentiated based on two priorities: 530de254
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by an acoustic signal and a flash-
ing warning symbol 1. Simultaneous
defects will be displayed consecutively.
These status messages remain in the
display until the defects are corrected.
They cannot be deleted by pressing the
CHECK button 3:
>RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE
>COOLANT TEMPERATURE
Temperature too high. Stop the vehi-
cle immediately and switch off the
engine, refer to pages79 and152
>STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS
Oil pressure too low. Stop the vehicle
immediately and switch off the
engine, refer to pages19, 150
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.<
152n
Engine oil Coolant Viscosity ratings Viscosity is the oil flow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in
the area where you typically drive your
BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
Do not open the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping
coolant can cause burns.<
Coolant is comprised of water and
coolant additive. Not all commercially
available additives are suitable for your
BMW. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle center knows which additives are
suitable.
Use only suitable additives, other-
wise you could damage your
engine. The additives can be harmful
to your health.<
Always observe all applicable
environmental rules and regula-
tions when disposing of coolant addi-
tives.<
Checking coolant level 1. The engine must be at ambient tem-
perature
2. Start by turning the cap of the expan-
sion tank counterclockwise. Pause to
allow any accumulated pressure to
escape, then open
3. The coolant level is correct when the
end of the red float is aligned with
the upper edge of the filler opening,
refer to the arrow in the illustration,
or max. 0.8 in/2 cm higher, i. e. up to
the mark on the float, refer also to the
schematic diagram, next to the cap530us102
162n
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
ascrewdriver
2. Remove the lamp and replace the
bulb. 530de307
Everything from A to ZE
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution94
Electric steering wheel
adjustment52
Electrical malfunction
automatic transmission
with Steptronic69
door lock33
driver's door33
fuel filler door24
liftgate35
panorama glass
sunroof42
tailgate36
Electronic brake-force distri-
bution EBV94
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control95
Emergency call170
Emergency operation, refer
to Manual operation
driver's door33
fuel filler door24
liftgate35
panorama glass
sunroof42
tailgate36
Emergency Service, refer to
Roadside Assistance170Energy control77
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy control77
Engine
breaking-in136
data178
electronic circuitry22
speed77
switching off65
Engine compartment149
Engine coolant152
Engine oil150
additives, refer to
Specified engine oils151
filling capacity181
indicator/warning lamp19
specified engine oils151
Engine oil level150
indicator/warning lamp21
Engine oil pressure,
indicator/warning lamp19
Engine oil thermometer78
Engine output, refer to
Engine specifications178
Engine specifications178
Engine speed, refer to
Engine specifications178
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
control77ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control95
Event Data Recorders155
Exhaust system137
Extended immobilizer
function91
Exterior mirrors54
automatic dimming
feature138
folding in and out54
External air, automatic
climate control113
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control80
Failure of a current
consumer169
False alarms, refer to
Avoiding unintentional
alarms39
Fasten safety belts
refer to Safety belts49
warning lamp21,49
Fault displays, refer to Check
Control80
Fill pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure141Filter, refer to
Microfilter109
Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter115
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit24
First-aid kit24
Flashlight120
Flat tire163
Flat Tire Monitor101
refer to Tire inflation
pressure141
refer to Wheel
changes163
spare wheel165
Flat Tire Monitor101
initializing102
warning lamp102
Flooding, refer to Driving
through water138
Floor mats, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Fluid level, indicator lamp21
Fog lamps, indicator lamp22
Folding floor cover up129
Folding rear backrest126
Folding rear seat back126
Footbrake, refer to General
driving notes137
Footwell lamps106
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