139n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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.
165n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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.
Everything from A to Z
187n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
interlock62
selector lever interlock66
shiftlock66
towing176
tow-starting176
warning lamp20,21
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution
and supply109
Average fuel
consumption80,87
Average speed80,88
Avoiding alarms39
Axle loads, refer to
Weights182
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support46
Backrests, refer to Adjusting
seats45,46
Backup lamps65
replacing bulbs163
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit24
Bar, towing176Battery171
disposal171
indicator lamp19
jump starting174
power failure171
remote control30
Belts, refer to Safety belts49
Beverage can holders, refer
to Cup holders120
Beverage holder, refer to
Cup holders120
Blower
air conditioner105
automatic climate
control109
refer to Air supply105,109
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil153
BMW Maintenance
System156
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders120
Brake fluid155
adding155
level155
replacing155
warning lamp
19
Brake force display98
Brake hydraulic system140
warning lamp19,20
Brake lamps, replacing
bulbs163Brake lights, refer to Brake
lamps163
Brake pads140
breaking-in136
warning lamp19,21
Brake rotors
brake system140
breaking-in136
Brakes140
ABS91
brake fluid155
brake pads140
breaking-in136
handbrake64
indicator/warning
lamp19,20
Brake system
brake fluid155
brake fluid level140,155
brake pads140
breaking-in136
disk brakes140
warning lamp19
Brake wear warning
warning lamp19,21
Breakdown, Flat Tire
Monitor98
Breakdown assistance,
refer to Roadside
Assistance173
Breaking-in136Break wear warning, refer to
Brake pads140
Buttons on steering wheel23
C
California Proposition
65 Warning9
Calling, refer to telephone
Owner's Manual
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders120
Capacities183
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Care of paintwork, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Everything from A to Z
191n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Fastening seat belts
refer to Safety belts49
Fasten safety belts
warning lamp21,49
Fault displays, refer to Check
Control77
Filter, refer to
Microfilter106
Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter112
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit24
First-aid kit24
Flashlight119
Flat, compact wheel167
Flat tire165
compact wheel167
Flat Tire Monitor98
refer to Changing a
wheel165
refer to Tire inflation
pressure141
spare wheel167
Flat Tire Monitor98
false alarms98
initializing system99
limits of system98
show chains149
warning lamp99
Flooding, refer to Driving
through water138Floor mats, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Fluid level, indicator lamp21
Fog lamps, indicator lamp22
Folding floor cover up128
Folding rear backrest124
Folding rear seat back124
Footbrake, refer to General
driving notes137
Footwell lamps103
For information on breaking
in the differential, refer to
Engine and differential136
Four-wheel drive system,
refer to xDrive94
Front airbags55
Front fog lamps102
replacing bulbs163
Fuel
average
consumption80,87
display75
quality26
volume, refer to
Capacities183
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge75
Fuel filler door24
manual operation24
Fuel gauge75Fuel-saving driving, refer to
Energy control74
Fuel tank capacity, refer to
Capacities183
Full preparation package
mobile phone, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Fuses172
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal
remote control114
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality26
Gasoline display, refer to
Fuel gauge75
Gear display65
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission64
General driving notes137
Glove box, refer to Glove
compartment119
Glove compartment119
Grills, refer to
Ventilation106,111
Gross weight, refer to
Weights182
Ground clearance139H
Handbrake64
indicator lamp19,21
Hand lamp, refer to
Rechargeable
flashlight119
Hands-free microphone,
refer to Telephone116
Hands-free system116
refer to Microphone116
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control94
Head airbags55
Headlamp control,
automatic100
Headlamp cover, care, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Headlamp flasher68
indicator lamp22
Headlamps
care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
replacing bulbs161
Headlamp washer
reservoir152
volume, refer to Filling
capacities183
Headlamp washer system
headlamp washing70
washer fluid152
Everything from A to Z
195n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Parking brake, refer to
Handbrake64
Parking lamps100
replacing bulbs162
Parking lamps/low
beams100
Parts and accessories, refer
to For your own safety9
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function51
Pathway lighting100
PDC Park Distance
Control90
Permissible axle load, refer
to Weights182
Permissible gross weight,
refer to Weights182
Plastic, care, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Pollen, refer to
Microfilter106
Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter112
Power electric seat46
Power failure171
Power rear seat backrest48
Power windows39
safety switch40
Pressure, tires141
Pressure monitoring, tires98
Flat Tire Monitor98Programming settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory61
Protective function,
panorama glass roof42
Pull-out cargo floor128
R
Radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Radio-control key, refer to
Master key with remote
control30
Radio navigation, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Rain sensor69
Reading lamps
front103
rear103
Real wood, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Rear backrests, power48
Rear climate control111
air supply112
temperature112
Rear lamps
refer to Tail lamps163
replacing bulbs163
Rear seat back, folding124Rear seat backrest,
electric48
Rear-seat backrest, folding
down124
Rear seats, heating
52
Rearview mirror53
Rear window blinds, refer to
Roller sun blinds113
Rear window defroster
air conditioner105
automatic climate
control110
Rear window safety
switch40
Rear window wiper71
replacing bulbs160
Rechargeable flashlight119
Recirculated-air mode
air conditioner105
automatic climate
control110
Reflectors, refer to Tail
lamps163
Refueling24
fuel filler door24
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range80,87
Remaining distance for
service, refer to Service
Interval Display76Remote control31
garage door opener, refer
to Integrated universal
remote control114
liftgate31
malfunction32
Removal aid for spare
wheel168
Removing condensation,
windows
air conditioner106
automatic climate
control109
Replacement fuses172
Replacement keys30
Replacement tire167
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs161
Replacing light bulbs161
Replacing tires
changing a wheel165
tire replacement145
Reporting an accident, refer
to Initiating an emergency
call173
Reporting safety defects11
Residual heat110
Restraint systems, refer to
Safety belts49
Restraint systems for
children57