brakes BMW X5 3.0I 2004 E53 Owner's Manual

66n
Handbrake Manual transmissionThe handbrake is primarily intended to
prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked; it brakes the rear wheels.EngagingThe lever engages automatically when
you pull it up and the indicator lamp
comes on in the instrument cluster in
ignition key position 2, refer to
pages 19, 21.Releasing Pull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever. 530de262
If exceptional circumstances
should make it necessary to
engage the handbrake while the vehicle
is in motion, do not pull it too strongly.
In doing so, continuously press the but-
ton of the handbrake lever.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction – fishtailing
– at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not light up when
the handbrake is applied.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the handbrake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Even placing the gearshift lever
in 1st gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in Park.<
To avoid corrosion, apply the hand-
brake lightly from time to time when
coasting to a standstill at a traffic sig-
nal, for instance, provided that it is safe
to do so.
Press the clutch pedal all the way down
each time you shift, pressing the gear-
shift lever into its proper end position.
Depress the clutch when starting the
vehicle, too, otherwise, the interlock
will prevent the engine from starting if
the clutch is not depressed.
While shifting gear in the 5th/
6th gear level, be sure to press
the gearshift lever to the right to pre-
vent inadvertently engaging a gear in
the 3rd/4th gear level. Do not hold the
vehicle in place on slopes by slipping or
riding the clutch. Use the handbrake
instead, since a slipping clutch
increases clutch wear.< 380de044

95n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
DSC Dynamic Stability Control xDriveSwitching off DSCPress the button; the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.
Stabilizing interventions of the chassis
control system DSC are no longer avail-
able. However, the braking interven-
tions that simulate the function of the
differential lock continue to be active.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to switch
off the DSC for a short period:
>When rocking the vehicle and starting
off in deep snow or on loose road
surfaces
>On sandy road surfaces
>On poor surfaces with deep ruts 530de372
>If the wheels churn on muddy sur-
faces
>When driving with snow chains.
As a result of the braking interven-
tions, the brakes may be sub-
jected to additional loads when the sys-
tem is switched off. In order to limit the
brake temperature, brief automatic
masking of the brake activation is pos-
sible.
To maintain vehicle stability, always
drive with the system switched on when
possible.<Switching DSC on Press the DSC button again; the indica-
tor lamp goes out. DSC is now acti-
vated.MalfunctionPlease be sure to observe the informa-
tion on the DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol/xDrive warning lamp on page 22
and on the possible lamp combinations
that can light up on page 20.
xDrive is the 4-wheel drive system of
your X5. The combined effects of xDrive
and DSC further optimize the traction
and dynamic driving characteristics.
The 4-wheel drive system xDrive vari-
ably distributes the drive torque to the
front and rear axle depending on the
driving situation and prevailing road
conditions.MalfunctionPlease be sure to observe the informa-
tion on the DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol/xDrive warning lamp on page 22
and on the possible lamp combinations
that can light up on page 20.

96n
HDC Hill Descent Control The concept HDC is a system for driving downhill in
steep terrain. This system reduces vehi-
cle speed on steep downhill gradients,
thus allowing you to maintain control of
your BMW under these conditions.
The vehicle moves at slightly more than
walking speed without active interven-
tion from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehi-
cle speeds below approx. 20 mph/
35 km/h. When driving down steep hills
with a speed below approx. 20 mph/
35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed
automatically down to slightly more
than walking speed, approx. 5 mph/
8 km/h, and then maintains this speed
at a constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes
to vary this automatically controlled
speed within a range extending from
approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to 15 mph/
25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within
the same range by using the +/– but-
tons of the cruise control.
HDC is automatically deactivated once
vehicle speed again exceeds approx.
35 mph/60 km/h.
Activating system Press the button, the indicator lamp
lights up.
The indicator lamp flashes when the
brakes are applied automatically. Deactivating system Press the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
HDC is deactivated automatically
above a road speed of approx. 35 mph/
60 km/h and when the ignition is
switched off. 530de231
Using HDC With manual transmission:
Use HDC in first gear and in Reverse
since the engine's braking effect is
diminished in the higher gears.
With automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive posi-
tion. In case of a malfunction The indicator lamp in the button goes
out in the HDC mode or does not come
on when HDC is switched on:
HDC is temporarily not available as
brake temperature is too high.

136n
To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you
observe the following instructions.
Engine and differential Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km:
Drive at varying engine speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed
4,500 rpm and the following road
speeds during this initial period:
6-cylinder engines: 100 mph/160 km/h
8-cylinder engines: 106 mph/170 km/h
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of
the transmission's kickdown mode dur-
ing these initial miles.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles/
2,000 km, the engine and vehicle
speeds can be gradually increased.Tires Due to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
after an initial break-in period. There-
fore, drive reservedly during the first
200 miles/300 km. Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as hydroplaning and can
lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effec-
tiveness. Reduce your speed on wet
roads.<
Brake system Brakes require an initial break-in period
of approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve
optimal contact and wear patterns
between brake pads and rotors.
To break in the separate handbrake
drums, apply the handbrake lightly
when coasting to a standstill at a traffic
signal, for instance, provided that traffic
conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not light up
when the handbrake is applied.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine switched off,
when towing, for instance, substan-
tially higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle.<
ClutchThe function of the clutch is only at its
optimized level after a distance driven
of approx. 300 miles/500 km. During
this break-in period, engage the clutch
gently.Following component
replacementsObserve the break-in instructions again
if previously addressed components
must be replaced again during driving
later.
Break-in procedures

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Driving your X5 On bad roads When you are driving on bad roads,
there are a few points which you should
strictly observe — for your own safety,
for that of your passengers, and for the
safety of the vehicle:
Driving on unpaved terrain can
cause damage to the vehicle.<
>Always adapt the driving speed to the
road conditions. The rougher or
steeper the road surface is, the lower
the speed should be
>You can operate your vehicle on
uphill and downhill gradients with a
maximum slope of 50 %. If you want
to drive on uphill or downhill gradi-
ents of this kind, make sure before-
hand that the engine oil and coolant
levels are near the max mark. Refer
to pages 148 and 150.
Use the HDC Hill Descent Control on
steep downhill gradients, refer to
page 96.
It is possible to start off on gradients
of up to 32 %.
The permitted side tilt is also 50 %
>While driving, watch carefully for
obstacles such as rocks or holes. Try
to avoid these obstacles whenever
possible
>Please note that, for example on
crests and bumpy roads, the body
can make ground contact.
The ground clearance of the vehicle
is:
– 8 in/200 mm with up to four persons
– 7 in/180 mm fully loaded, without
self-leveling suspension
>Only drive through water up to a
maximum depth of 20 in/50 cm and
only at walking speed, making sure
not to stop in the process.
After leaving the water, press on the
footbrake gently several times while
driving at a low speed. The brake
applications will help to dry the
brakes, thus preventing a reduction in
braking performance caused by the
moisture.
Back onto paved road In recommending that you observe the
following points after driving on adverse
road surfaces, it is not as a beauty
treatment for your BMW. Instead, it is
intended for the maintenance of driving
safety:
>Clean the largest accumulations of
dirt from the body and check the
underbody 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.

138n
General driving notesHot exhaust system
Extreme temperatures occur at
the catalytic converter on this and
every catalyst-equipped vehicle. Do not
remove the heat shields installed adja-
cent to various sections of the exhaust
system, and never apply undercoating
to them. When driving, standing at idle
and while parking take care to avoid
possible contact between a hot exhaust
system and any highly flammable mate-
rials such as hay, leaves, grass etc.
Such contact could lead to a fire, and
with it the risk of serious property dam-
age as well as personal injury.<
Parking vehicle Condensation forms in the air condi-
tioner system during operation, and
then exits under the vehicle. Traces of
condensed water under the vehicle are
thus normal.Brakes
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light but
consistent pedal pressure can lead to
excessively high temperatures, brake
wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Road hazards
If road hazards, obstacles or
curbs are unavoidable, only drive
over them very slowly and carefully, as
otherwise the wheels and suspension
parts, especially on vehicles fitted with
low profile tires, can be damaged.<
For more information on wheels and
tires, refer to page 143.
Before driving into a car washFold in the door mirrors, refer to
page 54, as otherwise they could be
damaged due to the width of the vehi-
cle.Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy
roads, reduce road speed. If you
do not, a wedge of water can form
between tires and road surface. This
state can cause a partial or total loss of
contact with the road surface, of brak-
ing control and of control over the vehi-
cle.<
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on
the road if it is deeper than 20 in/
50 cm, and then only at walking speed
at the most. Otherwise, the vehicle's
engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<

139n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Safe braking Emergency stopsYou 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 defect in one of the two
brake system's hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center.
Here increased pressure on the brake
pedal may be required, and slight pull-
ing to the side and longer braking dis-
tances may result. Please remember to
adapt your driving style accordingly.<
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
which must be exerted by the pads dur-
ing brake applications to clean the
rotors is not reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect which 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 the braking effect.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in neutral. Do not
drive with the engine switched off. The
engine provides no braking effect when
the clutch is depressed or the transmis-
sion is in neutral, and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
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.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
released 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.<

Everything from A to Z
185n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Average fuel
consumption 82, 89
Average speed 82, 90
Avoiding alarms 39
Avoiding fire damage 138
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 180
B
Backrests, refer to Adjusting
seats 45, 46
Backup lamps 67
bulb replacement 161
Battery 168
disposal 168
indicator lamp 19
jump-starting 171
power failure 169
remote control 30
Belts, refer to Safety belts 49
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders 120
Black ice, refer to Ice
warning 75
Blower
air conditioner 107
automatic climate
control 111
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil 149BMW Maintenance
System 152
Bore, refer to Engine
specifications 178
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders 120
Brake fluid 151
adding 151
indicator/warning lamp 19
level 151
replacing 151
Brake Force Display 99
Brake hydraulic system 139
indicator/warning
lamp 19, 20
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement 161
Brake pads 139
breaking-in 136
indicator lamp 19, 21
Brake rotors
brake system 139
breaking-in 136
Brake system 139
brake fluid level 139
brake pads 139
breaking-in 136
disk brakes 139
Brake wear warning
brake pads 139
indicator lamp 19, 21Brakes 139
ABS 93
brake fluid 151
breaking-in 136
indicator/warning
lamp 19, 20
Break-in procedures 136
Breaking-in differential 136
C
California laws
Event Data Recorders 153
Proposition 65
Warning 153
California Proposition 65
Warning 153
Capacities 181
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car jack points 167
Car keys, refer to Keys 30
Car radio, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Car wash, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochureCargo area 124
capacity 180
cover, refer to Roll-up
cover 125
emergency operation,
refer to Unlocking
manually 35, 37
floor cover 127
increasing volume 124
lamps 105
lid, refer to Liftgate/
tailgate 35, 36
opening from inside 35
opening from outside 35
opening, remote
control 31
opening/closing, refer to
Liftgate 35
opening/closing, refer to
Tailgate 36
volume 180
volume, refer to
Weights 180
Cargo area lamps 105
Cargo bay, refer to Cargo
area 124
Cargo floor, pull-out 128
Cargo loading 131
Cargo-area partition net 125
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure

Everything from A to Z
187n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Courtesy lighting 105
Cruise control 73
buttons on steering
wheel 23
indicator lamp 22
Cruising range 82, 89
Cup holders 120
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 180
Current consumption, refer
to Energy Control 76
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data 178
D
Data, technical 178
dimensions 179
engine 178
filling capacities 181
weights 180
Date
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
calling up 84
changing 84
Daytime driving lamps 102
Deactivating the alarm in an
emergency 91Defect
door lock 33
driver's door 33
fuel filler door 24
liftgate 35
panorama glass roof 42
tailgate 37
Defective lamp 159
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting
windows 108, 111
Defrosting
windows 108, 111
air conditioner 108
automatic climate
control 111
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
air conditioner 108
automatic climate
control 111
Defrosting windshield, refer
to Defrosting
windows 108, 111
Digital clock 84
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
Dimensions 179
Dipstick, engine oil 148Directional indicators, refer
to Turn signals 70
Disk brakes 139
Displacement, refer to
Engine specifications 178
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 104
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster 15, 17, 18
Disposal
used oil 149
vehicle battery 168
Distance 88
Distance to destination 88
Distance warning 92
Divided rear seat backrest,
refer to Folding rear seat
back 124
Door keys 30
Door lock 33
DOT Quality Grades 142
Draft-free
ventilation 108, 113
Driving lamps, refer to
Parking lamps/low
beams 102
Driving notes
break-in procedures 136
driving hints 137, 138
Driving on bad roads 137
Driving stability control 94Driving your X5 137
Dry air, refer to Air
conditioning 107, 112
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 94
indicator lamp 22
E
Electric steering wheel
adjustment 52
Electrical malfunction
door lock 33
driver's door 33
fuel filler door 24
liftgate 35
panorama glass roof 42
tailgate 37
Electronic transmission
control module 69
Emergency call 170
Emergency operation, refer
to Manual operation
driver's door 33
fuel filler door 24
liftgate 35
panorama glass roof 42
tailgate 37
Energy Control 76
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control 76