
Under the hood
242 3."Engine oil level"
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level OK"
>"Measuring engine oil level...": 
This process can take approx. 3 minutes 
when stopped on a level surface and 
approx. 5 minutes while driving.
>"Engine oil level below minimum. Add 
1quart!": 
At the next opportunity, add 1 US quart/liter 
of engine oil.
If the oil level displayed is below mini-
mum, add engine oil immediately. 
Failure to do so may lead to engine dam-
age.<
>"Engine oil level too high! Have this 
checked.":
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, otherwise engine damage may 
result if too much oil has been added.<
>"Measurement inactive. Have this 
checked.": 
Do not add engine oil. Before continuing to 
drive, note the recalculated remaining mile-
age until the next oil change service, refer to 
Service requirements on page74. Have the 
system checked as soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
BMW X5
BMW X6
Do not add 1 US quart/liter of oil until a corre-
sponding message is shown on the Control Dis-
play.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km, 
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Continuous exposure to used oil has 
caused cancer in laboratory testing. 
For this reason, any skin areas that come into 
contact with oil should be thoroughly washed 
with soap and water.
Keep oil, grease etc. out of reach of children and 
observe the warnings on the containers to pre-
vent health risks.<
Oil change
Only have an oil change carried out by a BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop 
that works in accordance with BMW guidelines 
and uses appropriately trained personnel.
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Mobility
 243Reference
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Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical 
significance for the operation and service life of 
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-
cific oils after confirming their suitability for use 
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center 
will be happy to answer more detailed 
questions about approved oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at 
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Do not use oil additives, as these may 
result in engine damage.<
Alternative oil grades
If none of the approved oils is available at a 
given time, you can also use smaller quantities 
of other oils between oil changes. The packag-
ing must include one of the following indica-
tions of oil specifications.
Gasoline engines
>Preferred: BMW Longlife-01, 
BMW Longlife-01 FE
>Alternative: BMW Longlife-98, API SM or 
higher
Diesel engines
>BMW Longlife-04
Viscosity grades
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and 
is specified in SAE grades.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on 
the climatic conditions in the region in which 
you normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the SAE classi-
fications 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 and 
5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside 
temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system 
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant is composed of equal parts water and a 
coolant additive. Not all commercially available 
additives are suitable for your BMW. Your BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center can recommend 
suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise 
engine damage may result. The additives 
present a health hazard; observe the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Do not open the hood until the engine has 
cooled down.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to 
open.
3.The coolant level is correct when the cool-
ant level is between the MIN and MAX 
marks, refer to the diagram adjacent to the 
filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to 
the specified level; do not overfill.
5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.
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Maintenance
244
Maintenance
BMW maintenance system
The BMW maintenance system supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The service schedule also 
includes operations related to the vehicle's 
comfort and convenience features, such as 
replacement of the filters for the inside air. 
The ultimate objective is to ensure economical 
maintenance by providing the ideal service for 
your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell 
your BMW, a complete dealer service history 
will prove to be an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current and future service 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Control Display to show 
remaining distances and times of selected 
maintenance intervals and legally mandated 
deadlines, refer to page74:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads, front and rear separately
>Brake fluid
>Vehicle check>Legally mandated inspections depending 
on local regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required for 
maintenance continuously in the remote con-
trol during driving. After accessing the data 
stored in the remote control, your BMW Service 
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of 
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. You should therefore hand over the remote 
control you last used to drive to the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor when you take your vehicle in for 
service.
Make sure the date is set correctly, refer 
to page80, otherwise the effectiveness 
of CBS Condition Based Service is not 
ensured.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center. 
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<
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Mobility
 245Reference
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Socket for OBD Onboard 
Diagnostics interface
Components which are decisive for the 
exhaust-gas composition can be checked via 
the OBD socket with a device.
This socket is located to the left on the driver's 
side, on the underside of the instrument cluster 
under a cover.
Exhaust-gas values
The warning lamp lights up:
The vehicle is producing an elevated 
amount of exhaust emissions. Contin-
ued driving is possible. Have the vehicle 
checked as soon as possible.
The lamp flashes under certain conditions. This 
is a sign of excessive misfiring of the engine. In 
this case, you should reduce your speed and 
proceed to the nearest BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center. Heavy engine misfiring causes 
serious damage to the emission-relevant com-
ponents, especially the catalytic converter, 
within a short time.
The warning lamp lights up if the fuel 
cap has not been properly tightened 
and the OBD system detects the 
escape of fuel vapors. Check that the fuel cap is 
correctly seated and tighten it until you hear a 
clearly audible click.
Data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with 
a device for recording or transmitting certain 
vehicle data or information. If you have also sub-
scribed to BMW Assist, certain vehicle data can 
be transmitted or recorded to enable corre-
sponding services.
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Care
246
Care
Car-care products
For the cleaning and care of your vehicle, BMW 
recommends using only products that BMW 
has approved for this purpose.
Regular cleaning and care make a significant 
contribution to retaining your BMW's value.
The BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be 
happy to consult you on products and services 
for the cleaning and care of your BMW.
Genuine BMW Care Products are materi-
als tested, laboratory tested, and tested in 
actual use. They offer optimum care and pro-
tection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol 
or solvents; they can damage your vehi-
cle.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances 
that are dangerous or pose health risks. 
You should therefore heed the warnings and 
hazard indications on the packaging. Open the 
doors or windows on your vehicle whenever 
cleaning the interior. Make sure there is suffi-
cient ventilation in enclosed spaces. Use only 
products that are formulated for vehicle clean-
ing.<
Exterior care
Washing your vehicle
In the winter months, it is especially 
important to ensure that the vehicle is 
washed on a regular basis. Otherwise, signifi-
cant soiling and road salt can cause damage to 
the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them. Failure to do so 
may lead to a reduction in braking efficiency and 
also to corrosion of the brake rotors.<
Car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes.
Before driving into the car wash, make sure that 
it is suitable for your BMW. Pay attention to the 
following points:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to 
page269.
>If necessary, fold in exterior mirrors, refer to 
page52.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Avoid car washes with guide rail heights 
over 4 in/10 cm, otherwise there is dan-
ger of damaging chassis parts.<
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Deactivate rain sensor
* to prevent 
unwanted wiper activation.
>BMW X5: deactivate rear window wiper and 
protect it from damage. Take appropriate 
protective measures; inquiring with the car 
wash operator as needed.
>Remove add-on parts such as spoilers or 
phone antennas if they risk being damaged.
Before driving into the car wash, observe the 
following so that the vehicle is able to roll:
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock, even with comfort access.
2.Shift into transmission position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Deactivate Automatic Hold, refer to 
page62.
5.Switch off the engine.
6.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock 
so that the vehicle can roll.
Mixed tires*
Before driving into a car wash, make sure 
that the vehicle width is not too large for 
the car wash, as otherwise the vehicle and the 
car wash could be damaged.<
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Mobility
 257Reference
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ground. Switch on the hazard warning flashers.
Set the parking brake and engage transmission 
position P.
Have all vehicle occupants get out of the vehicle 
and ensure that they remain outside the imme-
diate area in a safe place, such as behind a 
guardrail. 
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 vehi-
cle. Comply with all safety guidelines and regu-
lations. 
Change the wheel only on a level, firm surface 
which 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 surface. 
Do not use a wooden block or similar object as a 
support base for the jack, as this would prevent 
it from extending to its full support height and 
reduce its load-carrying capacity. 
To avoid serious or fatal injury: never lie under 
the vehicle, and never start the engine while it is 
supported by the jack.<
What you will need
To avoid rattling noises later on, note the posi-
tions of the tools before removing them, then 
return them to their initial positions after com-
pleting work.
The tools are located in the mount under the 
floor panel flap.
1Vehicle jack
*
2Vehicle jack crank*
3Lug wrench*
Removing compact wheel
The compact wheel is located in the cargo bay 
under the floor panel.
1.Remove the tool mount.
2.Unscrew the wing nut 1.
3.Remove the washer 2 laterally.
4.Remove the compact wheel.
Preparing wheel change
1.Observe the safety precautions above.
2.Loosen the lug bolts a half turn.
Jacking up vehicle
1.Position the vehicle jack at the jacking point 
closest to the wheel so that the entire sur-
face of the jack base rests on the ground 
perpendicularly beneath the jacking point.
The vehicle jack is designed for 
changing wheels only. Do not attempt 
to raise another vehicle model with it or to 
raise any load of any kind. To do so could 
cause accidents and personal injury.<
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Replacing components
258 2.Guide the jack head into the rectangular 
recess of the jacking point when cranking 
up, refer to illustration detail.
3.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are 
changing is raised from the ground.
Mounting a wheel
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the 
wheel.
2.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from 
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and 
hub. Also clean the lug bolts.
3.Position the new wheel or compact wheel. 
Secure the wheel by screwing at least two 
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes.
When you mount wheels other than Genu-
ine BMW light-alloy wheels, different lug 
bolts may also be required.
4.Screw in the remaining lug bolts. Tighten all 
the bolts securely in a diagonal pattern.
5.Lower the vehicle and remove the jack from 
beneath the vehicle.
After mounting
1.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
To ensure safety, always have the 
lug bolts checked with a calibrated 
torque wrench as soon as possible to 
ensure that they are tightened to the speci-
fied torque. Otherwise, incorrectly tight-
ened lug bolts are a hidden safety risk. The 
tightening torque is 101 lb ft/140 Nm.<
2.Stow the defective wheel in the cargo bay.
The defective wheel cannot be stored 
under the floor panel flap due to its 
size.<3.Check and correct the tire inflation pressure 
at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems with valve screw 
caps against dirt and contamination. 
Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source of 
gradual air loss.<
4.Initialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to 
page93, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor, 
refer to page94.
5.Replace the damaged tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. Otherwise, 
changes in the driving characteristics could 
result, for example reduced track stability on 
braking, extended braking distance, and altered 
self-steering characteristics in the limit range. 
In conjunction with winter tires, these charac-
teristics are more pronounced.<
Only one compact wheel may be 
mounted. Restore the wheels and tires to 
their original size as quickly as possible. Failure 
to do so is a safety risk.<
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the 
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery 
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center 
will be glad to advise in all matters concerning 
the battery.
Charging battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the 
terminals in the engine compartment with the 
engine switched off. Connections, refer to 
Jump starting on page262.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of following 
replacement at your BMW Sports Activity 
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Giving and receiving assistance
262
First-aid kit*
Some of the articles contained in the first-aid kit 
have a limited service life. Therefore, check the 
expiration dates of the contents regularly and 
replace the contents concerned in good time if 
necessary.
The first-aid kit is stored in the cargo bay, 
depending on the vehicle's equipment,
>on the right in a storage tray or
>behind the left side panel
Roadside Assistance*
The BMW Roadside Assistance offers you 
assistance in the event of a breakdown around 
the clock, including on weekends and public 
holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the 
Contact brochure.
With BMW Assist or BMW TeleServices, you 
can contact BMW Roadside Assistance directly 
via iDrive to request assistance in the event of a 
breakdown, refer to page216.
Jump starting
When your battery is discharged, you can use 
two jumper cables to start your BMW with 
power from the battery in a second vehicle. You 
can also use the same method to help start 
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables with 
fully-insulated clamp handles.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury, 
always avoid all contact with electrical 
components while the engine is running. Care-
fully adhere to the following sequence, both to 
prevent damage to one or both vehicles, and to 
guard against possible personal injuries.<
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other 
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and 
approximately the same capacitance in Ah. 
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any electrical systems and com-
ponents in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between 
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise 
there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
To avoid personal injury from sparks, fol-
low this sequence when connecting 
jumper cables.<
On your BMW the so-called starting-aid termi-
nal in the engine compartment acts as the bat-
tery positive terminal, also refer to the engine 
compartment overview on page240. The cover 
cap is marked with +.
1.Fold open the cover of the BMW starting-
aid terminal. To do so, pull the tab.
2.Attach one end of the jumper cable plus/+ 
to the positive terminal of the battery or a 
starting-aid terminal of the vehicle provid-
ing assistance.
3.Attach the second end of the cable to the 
positive terminal of the battery or to a start-
ing-aid terminal of the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one end of the jumper cable minus/– 
to the negative terminal of the battery or to 
an engine or body ground of the assisting 
vehicle.
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