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Driving your X5>Please note that it is possible for the
undercarriage to touch the ground,
for example on crests and bumpy
roads. The ground clearance of the
vehicle is:
– without self-leveling suspension
X5 3.0i, 4.4i: 8 in/20 cm
X5 3.0d: 7 in/17.5 cm
– with 2-axle self-leveling suspen-
sion
*
6.5-9 in/16.5-22 cm, depending on
the level selected.
>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 page97.
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 Our recommendation that you observe
the following points after driving on
adverse road surfaces is not intended
as a beauty treatment for your BMW.
Instead, it is intended to maintain driv-
ing 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.
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Replacing wheels/tires Snow chains
*
Special features of winter tires BMW recommends winter tires for use
in cold winter driving conditions.
Although all-season M+S tires provide
better winter traction than summer
tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather perfor-
mance as winter tires.
When switching to winter tires, observe
the description under Tire condition,
page146, and Replacing wheels/tires.
Observing speed ratings:
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated. Unprofessional attempts by
laymen to service tires can lead to dam-
age and accidents. Have this work per-
formed by skilled professionals only.
The technicians at your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center will be glad to
assist you with the required profes-
sional knowledge and specialized
equipment.<
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 fine-link snow chains are
tested, classified as road-safe, and rec-
ommended by BMW. Consult your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center for
details. 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
Follow the manufacturer's instructions
when installing snow chains. Do not
exceed a maximum speed of 30 mph/
50 km/h.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Moni-
tor after mounting snow chains, as
the monitor may then incorrectly indi-
cate flat tires.
When you are driving with snow chains,
it can be beneficial to switch off DSC
briefly, refer to page93.<
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Lamps and bulbs Changing a wheel Light-emitting diodes LEDs Light-emitting diodes installed behind
translucent lenses serve as the light
source for many of the controls and dis-
plays 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 retina
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 that is not slippery. The vehicle
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.<
Your BMW has either a compact wheel
for temporary use to ensure your mobil-
ity, or a spare wheel of the size 235/
65 R 17. Please observe the differences
in handling when removing the wheel
from the cargo area.
Page 196 of 202

Everything from A to ZReverse gear
automatic transmission
with Steptronic66
manual transmission65
Roadside Assistance173
Roadside parking lamps101
replacing bulbs162
Roller blind for cargo area,
refer to Roll-up cover125
Roller sun blinds113
Roll-up cover125
Roof-mounted luggage
rack132
Rope, refer to Tow-starting
and towing177
Rotating coin holder, refer to
Storage
compartments119
S
Safe braking140
Safety belt height
adjustment49
Safety belts49
adjusting belt height49
care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
sitting safely43
warning lamp21,49
Safety belt tensioners, refer
to Safety belts50
Safety defects11Safety feature, power
windows40
Safety systems, refer to
Airbags55
Antilock Brake System91
Brake system140
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control92
xDrive94
Screw thread for tow
fitting176
Seat heating52
Seat memory, refer to Seat,
mirror and steering wheel
memory50
Seats44
adjusting comfort seat46
adjusting electrically46
adjusting sports seat45
heating52
memory, refer to Seat,
mirror and steering wheel
memory50
sitting safely43
storing adjustment50
Securing cargo, refer to
Cargo loading130
Securing load131
Selector lever, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic66Selector lever interlock, refer
to Changing selector lever
positions66
Selector lever positions,
automatic transmission
with Steptronic65
Self-leveling suspension95
2-axle self-leveling
suspension96
inactive95
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance173
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models156
Service Interval
Display76,156
Setting interior
temperature105,109
Setting time, refer to Prese-
lecting switch-on times84
Shifting
automatic transmission
with Steptronic66
manual transmission64
Shiftlock66
Shoulder support47
Side airbags55
Side Impact Head Protection
System55
Side tilt, permissible138Side turn signals, replacing
bulbs162
Side window blinds, refer to
Roller sun blinds113
Signal horn, refer to Horn14
Signaling briefly68
Sitting safely43
with airbags43
with head restraint43
with safety belts43
Ski bag123
Sliding sunroof, refer to
Panorama glass roof41
Snow chains149
Sockets121
Sockets in cargo area128
Soft closure aid for liftgate,
refer to Automatic Soft
Close function36
Spare fuses172
Spare key30
Spare wheel167
removal aid168
Special wash program70
Specified engine oils153
Speed
with compact wheel
170
with spare wheel171
with winter tires149
Speed limit85