BMW X5 4.4I 2005 E53 Owner's Manual
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Engine oil The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts/1 liter.
Do not fill beyond the upper mark
on the dipstick. Excess oil will
damage the engine.<
X5 4.8is:
With a very sporty driving style, the
engine oil level should be at the upper
mark on the dipstick.530us205
Adding engine oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark on the dipstick
before adding oil.
Add oil within the next 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise, the engine
could be damaged.<
Always store oils, grease and
similar materials so that they are
inaccessible to children. Comply with
warning labels and information on con-
tainers.<
Oil change:
Have oil changed only by your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center or by a
repair shop that works according to 530de326
BMW guidelines with appropriately
trained personnel.Specified engine oils The quality of the engine oil selected
has critical significance for the opera-
tion and service life of an engine.
Based on extensive testing, BMW has
approved only certain engine oils.
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil, you can
add small amounts of synthetic oil in
between oil changes. Use only oils with
the API SH specification or higher.
Ask your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center for details concern-
ing the specific BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil or synthetic oils which
have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North Amer-
ica at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this web-
site: www.bmwusa.com to obtain this
information.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without additives, and
their use could even lead to damage
in some cases.<
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Engine oil Coolant Viscosity ratings Viscosity is the oil flow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in
the area where you typically drive your
BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
Do not open the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping
coolant can cause burns.<
Coolant is comprised of water and
coolant additive. Not all commercially
available additives are suitable for your
BMW. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle center knows which additives are
suitable.
Use only suitable additives, other-
wise you could damage your
engine. The additives can be harmful
to your health.<
Always observe all applicable
environmental rules and regula-
tions when disposing of coolant addi-
tives.<
Checking coolant level 1. The engine must be at ambient tem-
perature
2. Start by turning the cap of the expan-
sion tank counterclockwise. Pause to
allow any accumulated pressure to
escape, then open
3. The coolant level is correct when the
end of the red float is aligned with
the upper edge of the filler opening,
refer to the arrow in the illustration,
or max. 0.8 in/2 cm higher, i. e. up to
the mark on the float, refer also to the
schematic diagram, next to the cap530us102
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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.<
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The BMW Maintenance System helps
maintain the road and driving safety of
your BMW.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.
Service Interval Display Conventional systems rely solely on
distance traveled to determine when
service is due. The BMW Maintenance
System, on the other hand, began many
years ago to take the actual conditions
under which the vehicle is driven into
consideration. After all, different drivers
can accumulate mileage in very differ-
ent ways.390us008
From the point of view of maintenance,
62,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated
in short-distance urban driving are not
the equivalent of the same distance
covered at moderate speeds in long-
distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. However, even those who
drive only short distances, significantly
less than 6,000 miles/10,000 km annu-
ally, should have the engine oil changed
at least every 2 years since oil deterio-
rates over time, regardless of use. Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models For additional information on mainte-
nance intervals and procedures, please
refer to the Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models. As a precaution against corrosion, it is
advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
Have your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center do the mainte-
nance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or
the Warranty and Service Guide Book-
let for Canadian models.
These entries will constitute your proof
that the vehicle has received regular
maintenance. They are also required for
warranty claims.<
Car careFor all information on this subject, refer
to the Caring for your vehicle brochure.
The BMW Maintenance System
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OBD interface socketThe interface socket for the Onboard
Diagnostic is located on the left of the
driver's side at the bottom of the instru-
ment panel and under a cover. The
cover has the letters OBD on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to
ensure proper operation of the emission
control system for the vehicle's lifetime.
The system monitors emission-related
components and systems for deteriora-
tion and malfunction.
An illuminated indicator lamp
informs you of the need for ser-
vice, not of the need to stop the
vehicle. However, the systems should
be checked by your BMW Sports Activ-
ity Vehicle center at the earliest possi-
ble opportunity. 530us105
Indication of the above-
described malfunction in Cana-
dian models.
Under certain conditions, the indicator
lamp will blink or flash. This indicates
a rather severe level of engine misfire.
When this occurs, you should reduce
speed and consult the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center as soon
as possible. Severe engine misfire over
only a short period of time can seriously
damage emission control components,
especially the catalytic converter.
When the filler cap is not properly
tightened, the OBD system can
detect the vapor leak and the indicator
will light up. If the filler cap is subse-
quently tightened, the indicator lamp
should extinguish within a few days.<
Event Data Recorders Your vehicle may be equipped with one
or more sensing and diagnostic mod-
ules or a recording device capable of
recording or transmitting certain vehicle
data or information. In addition, if you
have a Subscription Service Agree-
ment for the BMW Assist system, cer-
tain vehicle information may be trans-
mitted or recorded in order to provide
such services.
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Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Index Technical data
Repairs
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Under the cargo floor cover in a pocket.
530us106
Front 1. Move the wiper to a fold-out position,
refer to page71
2. Lift the wiper arm and press the
securing spring, refer to arrow
3. Pull the wiper blade off toward the
wiper arm
4. Insert the new blade and snap it into
place.
Fold the wipers back down onto
the windshield before you turn the
ignition key to position 1 or 2 again. If
you do not, they could be damaged.< 530de300
Rear 1. Hold the wiper blade on the window
and remove/unclip the wiper arm at
the articulated joint, refer to arrow
2. Insert a new wiper blade and press
it on/clip it into the wiper arm.
Use only wiper blades approved
by BMW.< 530de301
Onboard tool kit Windshield wiper blades
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Lamps and bulbs The lamps and bulbs make essential
contributions to the safety of your vehi-
cle. For this reason, follow the instruc-
tions below carefully when replacing
a bulb. If you are not familiar with any
of the procedures, consult your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center.
Never touch the glass on new
bulbs with your bare fingers, as
even minute amounts of contamination
will burn into the bulb's surface and
reduce its service life. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic
base.<
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle cen-
ter.
To prevent short circuits, before
working on any electrical system,
equipment or accessory you should
always switch it off and disconnect the
cable from the battery's negative termi-
nal before starting.
To avoid possible injury or equipment
damage when replacing bulbs, observe
any instructions provided by the bulb
manufacturer.<
Releasing lamp cover The illustration shows the right-hand
side of the engine compartment.
1 Halogen low beams
Turn cover cap to left, refer to arrow
2 High beams and parking lamps
Press tab downward, refer to arrow
For checking and adjusting head-
lamp aim, please contact your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.< 530de357
1 Halogen low beams H7 bulb, 55 watts
The bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and pro-
tective gloves. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to injury if the
bulb is accidentally damaged during
replacement.<
1. Remove the cover
2. Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove
3. Pull bulb out of bulb holder by base
and replace.530de358
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Lamps and bulbs 2 Halogen high beams H1 bulb, 55 watts
The bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and pro-
tective gloves. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to injury if the
bulb is accidentally damaged during
replacement.<
1. Remove the cover
2. Disconnect the plug
3. Unhook wire spring
4. Remove and replace the bulb. 530de359
3 Parking lamps and roadside
parking lamps 10 watt bulb: H 10 W
1. Remove the cover
2. Disconnect the plug
3. Turn reflector module with bulb to
left and remove
4. Replace module with bulb.Xenon lamps
*
The operating life of these lamp units
is extremely long and the likelihood of
failure very low, provided that they are
not switched on and off a very great
number of times. If one of these bulbs
should nevertheless fail, it is possible
to continue driving with great caution
using the fog lamps, provided traffic
laws in your area do not prohibit this.
To avoid risk of potentially fatal
injuries: owing to the extremely
high voltages at which these units oper-
ate, service work should always be
entrusted to qualified personnel.< Front turn signals/side-marker
lamps S 8 bulb
Please contact a BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center in case of a malfunction.
Side turn signals 5 watt bulb: W 5 W or WY 5 W
*
1. Use finger pressure against the rear
end of the lamp, refer to arrow, to
press it forward for removal
2. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
while turning it to the left and pull it
out
3. Replace the bulb.530de304