2006 BMW X5 3.0I Brake

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.

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 malfunction in one of
the two brake system's hydraulic cir-
cuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center.
In so doing, increased pressure on the
brake pedal may be required, and slight
pulling to the side and longer braking
distances may result. Please remember
to adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.<
Disk 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
that the pads must exert to clean the
rotors during brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that 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 braking action.
Do not drive with the clutch pedal
depressed, at idle or with the
engine switched off, as otherwise there
will be no engine braking effect or
power assistance for braking and steer-
ing.
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.
No floor mats, carpets or other objects
may lie in the area of pedal travel, as
otherwise pedal operation may be
impaired.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
approved 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.<

151n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
1Engine oil dipstick152
2 Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath
the microfilter cover1553 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting174
4 Coolant expansion tank1545 Engine oil filler neck152
6 Reservoir for windshield and
headlamp washer system152Engine compartment essentials
530de341

155n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Coolant Brake fluid4. When necessary, slowly add coolant
until the correct level is reached; do
not overfill.
5. Close the cap and tighten snugly.
6. Have the cause of the coolant loss
corrected as soon as possible.
Brake fluid level
If the warning lamp lights up
or
the message CHECK BRAKE
FLUID appears in the Check
Control: stop immediately. The
brake fluid in the reservoir has
fallen to below the minimum
level.
Add brake fluid The brake fluid reservoir is located
under the microfilter housing trim panel
on the driver's side of the vehicle. For
adding brake fluid or for determining
and correcting the cause of brake fluid
loss, consult your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center. Your BMW Sports Activ-
ity Vehicle center is familiar with the
specifications for factory-approved
DOT 4 brake fluids.
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. For this situation,
refer to the notes on page140.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years by
a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.
Refer also to the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or
the Warranty and Service Guide Book-
let for Canadian models.
Brake fluid is toxic and also damages
vehicle paintwork. Always store these
agents in tightly-closed original con-
tainers kept well away from the reach of
children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not refill the
brake fluid reservoir to beyond the MAX
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and cause
serious burns.<
Always observe all applicable
environmental rules and regula-
tions when disposing of used brake
fluid.<

163n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Lamps and bulbs Front fog lamps H11 bulb, 55 watts
The bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and pro-
tective gloves. Otherwise there is a
danger of injury if the bulb is acciden-
tally damaged during replacement.<
1. Pull the cover in front of the fog lamp
forward.
2. Loosen the two screws, refer to
arrows, and remove the fog lamp.
When pulling out, overcome initial
resistance and turn the headlamp
slightly to the left.
3. Pull the cable connector off the bulb.
4. Turn the bulb to the left and remove.530de356
5. Insert a new bulb in the headlamp
and turn as far to the right as possi-
ble.
6. Connect the plug connector to the
bulb, ensuring proper engagement.
Tail lamps 21 watt bulbs: P 21 W and PY 21 W,
recommendation: BMW special bulbs
with neutral coloration
1 Turn signal
2 Rear lamp/side marker lamp
3 Backup lamp
4Brake lamp
5Reflector 530us235

164n
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 a
screwdriver
2. Remove the lamp and replace the
bulb. 530de307

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 ZA
Ability to climb, refer to
Driving on poor roads138
ABS Antilock Brake
System91
warning lamp20
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety9
Accident, refer to
Emergency call173
Roadside Assistance173
Activated-charcoal filter112
Adaptive Head Light101
Adjusting cooling capacity of
rear climate control112
Adjusting seats44
electric46
electric comfort seat46
mechanical45
mechanical sports seat45
Air, drying, refer to Air
conditioning105,110
Airbags55
sitting safely43
warning lamp21
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode105
Air conditioner104
Air conditioning
air conditioner105
automatic climate
control110Air distribution
air conditioner105
automatic climate
control109
individual109
Airing, refer to
Ventilation106,111
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation106,111
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure141
Air recirculation, refer to
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control110
Air supply
air conditioner105
automatic climate
control109
rear climate control112
Air vents, refer to
Ventilation104,107
Alarm system38
avoiding unintentional
alarms39
All-season tires, refer to
Special features of winter
tires149
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive94
Antenna, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochureAntifreeze
coolant154
washer fluid152
Antilock Brake System
ABS91
warning lamp20
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system38
Anti-theft system30
Anti-trapping
mechanism40,42
panorama glass roof42
power windows40
Armrest, refer to Storage
compartments119
Artificial leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Artificial wood trim, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray121
front121
rear121
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control110Automatic
air distribution109
air supply109
cruise control71
headlamp control100
recirculated-air control
AUC110
steering wheel
adjustment53
Automatic car wash, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate
control107
Automatic cruise control71
Automatic curb monitor51
Automatic headlamp
control100
Automatic rear window
washer71
Automatic Soft Close
function, liftgate36
Automatic speed reduction
for descents, refer to HDC
Hill Descent Control94