oil level BMW X5 4.8I 2008 E70 Owner's Manual

Driving tips
133Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Driving on poor roads
Your X5 is at home on all roads and surfaces.
It combines a 4-wheel drive system with the
advantages of a normal passenger car.
Do not drive on unpaved terrain, as other-
wise the vehicle may be damaged.<
When you are driving on poor 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:
>Familiarize yourself with the vehicle before
driving off and avoid taking risks at all costs.
>Adapt your driving speed to the road condi-
tions. The steeper and rougher 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 down-
hill gradients of this kind, make sure before-
hand that the engine oil and coolant levels
are near the MAX mark, refer to page242.
>Use the HDC Hill Descent Control when
driving down extremely steep grades, refer
to page90. It is possible to start off on
grades of up to 33 %.
The permissible body roll is 50 %.
>While driving, watch carefully for obstacles
such as rocks or holes. Try to avoid these
obstacles whenever possible.
>Please make sure that the undercarriage
does not touch the ground, for example on
crests and bumpy roads. The ground clear-
ance of the vehicle is a maximum of approx.
8 in/20 cm. Please note that the ground
clearance can vary depending on loading
and the driving conditions of the vehicle.
>Only drive through water on roads up to a
maximum depth of 20 in/50 cm and only at
walking speed, making sure not to stop in
the process.
>After driving through water at low speed,
lightly press the brake pedal several times
to dry the brakes and to prevent the braking
effect from being reduced by wetness.>Depending on the condition of the surface,
it may be practical to briefly activate DTC,
refer to DTC Dynamic Traction Control on
page89.
>If the drive wheels spin on one side, depress
the accelerator pedal sufficiently so that the
driving stability control systems can distrib-
ute the drive forces to the individual wheels.
Please note the following points after driving on
poor roads to maintain the driving safety of your
BMW:
>Clean the coarsest dirt from the body.
>Clean mud, snow, ice etc. from the wheels
and tires and check the tires for damage.

Wheels and tires
240
Wheels with electronics for
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics, otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor cannot detect a flat tire,
refer to page94. Your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center will be happy to advise you on
this subject.
Recommended tire brands
Certain tire makes are recommended by BMW
depending on the tire size. You can recognize
these from the clearly visible BMW marking on
the tire sidewall.
When used properly, these tires comply with
the most demanding standards for safety and
vehicle response.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Paying attention to speed
Always observe the maximum permissi-
ble speed for the winter tires, otherwise
tire damage may occur, which can result in acci-
dents.<
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible. Always
protect tires against all contact with oil, grease
and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum tire
inflation pressure indicated on the side wall of
the tire.
Rotating wheels between axles
BMW does not recommend moving the front
wheels to the rear or vice versa, as otherwise
the handling characteristics may be impaired.
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain fine-link snow chains,
classifies them as road-safe and recommends
them. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
can provide you with this information.
Use is only permissible in pairs on the rear
wheels.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph/50 km/h with the chains mounted.
After mounting snow chains, do not ini-
tialize the Flat Tire Monitor
*, as otherwise
incorrect displays can occur.
When you are driving with snow chains, it can
be beneficial to activate DTC briefly, refer to
page89.<

Under the hood
242
Engine compartment
1Filler neck for washer fluid of the headlamp
and windshield cleaning systems, refer to
page68
2Starting-aid terminal, refer to page2563Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page244
4Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding
engine oil on page243
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking engine oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil
level check.
The condition for the most accurate indication
of the oil level possible is measurement with the
engine at operating temperature, i.e. following
an uninterrupted drive of at least 6 miles/10 km.
You can display the oil level while driving or
when stopped on a level surface with the engine
running.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.3.Select "Info sources" and press the control-
ler.
4.Select "Service Info" and press the control-
ler.

Mobility
243Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Service requirements" is
selected and press the controller.
6.Change to the second field from the top if
necessary. Turn the controller until "Engine
oil level" is selected and press the control-
ler. The oil level is displayed.
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level O.K."
>"No measurement available: Updating
engine oil level measurement...":
Engine oil level is being measured. This
process can take approx. 3 minutes when
stopped on a level surface and approx.
5 minutes while driving.
>"Oil level at the minimum! Refill with 1 quart
of engine oil.":
Add 1 US quart/liter of engine oil at the next
opportunity.
>"Engine oil level too high":
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, otherwise engine damage may
result if too much oil has been added.<
>"Please observe recalculated service inter-
val for engine oil":
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 page75. Have the
system checked as soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
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.
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.
Do not use oil additives, as these may
result in engine damage.<
Only use approved BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is
unavailable, you can add small quantities of
other synthetic oils between oil changes. Only
use oils of the specification API SM or higher.

Under the hood
244 Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
will be happy to answer detailed ques-
tions on BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil
or approved synthetic 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.
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 grades
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.

Reference 275
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Disposal
– battery of remote control
with comfort access38
– remote control battery194
– vehicle battery253
Distance, refer to
Computer73
"Distance to dest."74
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer73
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control84
Door entry lighting105
Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Door lock31
Door locking, confirmation
signals31
"Door locks"30,31,76
Doors
– manual operation32
– remote control29
DOT Quality Grades237
Downhill driving assistance,
refer to HDC90
Draft-free ventilation110
Drinks holder, refer to Cup
holders120
"Driver's door only"30
Driver's seat, calibrating49
"Driver's seat climate"51
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams102
Driving on poor roads133
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route151
Driving stability control
systems88
Driving through water129
Driving tips, refer to General
driving notes128
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function109
Drying the air, refer to Cooling
function109DSC Dynamic Stability
Control89
– indicator lamp13,89
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control89
– activating89
– indicator lamp90
"DVD"182
– for DVD system in rear194
DVD changer
– fast forward183
– reverse
183
– skip chapter183
"DVD format" for DVD system
in rear197
DVD for navigation136
DVD system in rear192
– CD/DVD player193
– connecting headphones193
– controls192
– displaying images from CD/
DVD200
– DVD country codes195
– external device203
– information on CD/DVD
player202
– playing audio tracks from
CD/DVD198
– playing video from CD/
DVD195
– remote control193
– switching on/off194
"Dynamic route" for
navigation149
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC89
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC89
E
Easy entry/exit53
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door232
– liftgate33
– panorama glass sunroof40
– parking brake63
Electric seat43
Electric steering wheel
adjustment52
Electronic brake-force
distribution88
Electronic oil level check242
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door232
– liftgate33
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission65
Emergency request255
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance256
"Enabled services"229
"Enable services"229
"End call"216
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control72
Energy Control72
Engine
– breaking-in128
– data262
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature72
– speed262
– starting60
– starting, with comfort
access37
– switching off60
Engine compartment242
Engine coolant244

Everything from A to Z
276 Engine oil
– adding243
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils243
– approved engine oil243
– checking oil level242
– electronic oil level check242
"Engine oil level"243
Engine output, refer to Engine
data262
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature72
Engine speed262
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine60
"Enter address"139
Entering country of
destination139
Entering destination139
Entering house number or
intersection140
Entering intersection140
Entering street140
"Entertainment"162
Entertainment sound output
on/off163
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control165
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control165
"ESN"172
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control89
Event Data Recorders246
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system129
Exterior mirrors51
– adjusting51
– automatic dimming
feature52
– automatic heating52
– folding in and out51
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror52External audio device119
– refer to AUX-In
connection188
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting257
F
Fader, refer to Tone
control164
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control78
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms36
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts48
– warning lamp49
Fastening system,
adaptive124
Fastest route for
navigation148
Fast forward
– CD changer178
– CD player178
– DVD changer183
"Fast route" for
navigation148
Fault displays, refer to Check
Control78
Filler neck for washer fluid68
First-aid kit256
Flashing during locking/
unlocking, refer to Setting
confirmation signals31
Flashlight119
Flat tire
– changing wheels251
– compact wheel251
– Flat Tire Monitor92
– run-flat tires93,95,239
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor94
Flat Tire Monitor FTM92
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid68
"FM", reception
range163,166FM, waveband166
Fog lamps105
– indicator lamp13,105
Folding display screen open/
closed, DVD system in
rear192
Folding rear seat backrest123
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely129
Footwell lamps105
For your own safety5
4-wheel drive system, refer to
xDrive90
Fresh-air nozzles, refer to Air
vents106
Front airbags97
Front passenger airbags97
– deactivating98
– refer to Exception of front
passenger seat55
Front seat adjustment43
FTM Flat Tire Monitor92
– false alarms92
– indicating a flat tire93
– initializing the system92
– malfunction96
– snow chains240
– system limits92
– warning lamp93
Fuel233
– capacity264
– display72
– high-quality brands233
– quality233
– saving128
– specifications233
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge72
Fuel consumption display,
computer, average fuel
consumption73
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge72
Fuel filler door232
– closing232
– opening232
– releasing manually232
Fuses253

Everything from A to Z
280 Mobile phone
– accepted calls217
– adjusting volume214
– calling215
– ending call215
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest119
– missed calls217
– operation via iDrive214
– redialing217
– refer to separate operating
instructions
– Top 8217
– touch tone dialing218
Monitor, refer to iDrive16
Monitoring tire pressure, refer
to FTM Flat Tire Monitor92
"Monitor on / off"53
MP3, refer to Compressed
audio files175
Multifunction steering wheel,
refer to Buttons on steering
wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher/high
beams66
– refer to Washer/wiper
system67
Music track, refer to
Tracks176
"Mute on / off"53
N
"Navigation"73,138,144
Navigation destination
– entering manually139,141
– home address148
– selecting via map143
Navigation drive, installation
location136
Navigation DVD136
Navigation instructions, refer
to Switching voice
instructions on/off153Navigation system136
– address book146
– changing route154
– destination entry138
– destination guidance in
assistance window136
– destination list145
– displaying current
position157
– displaying route151
– ending/continuing
destination guidance150
– entering a destination
manually139,141
– last destinations145
– navigation DVD136
– opening138
– route list152
– searching for a special
destination144
– selecting destination using
information144
– selecting destination via
map143
– selecting route criteria148
– starting destination
guidance150
– switching off, refer to
Ending/continuing
destination guidance150
– voice instructions153
– volume adjustment154
"Navigation voice
instructions"53,137
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints46
"New address" for navigation
system146
"New destination"139,143
New remote control28
"New route"154
New wheels and tires239
"Next entertainment
source"53
"No video signal" for DVD
system in rear203
Nozzles, refer to Windshield
washer nozzles68"NTSC color" for DVD system
in rear204
Nylon rope, refer to Tow-
starting and towing257
O
OBD socket246
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications233
Odometer71
Oil
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils243
– approved engine oils243
– consumption, refer to
Checking engine oil
level242
– level242
– refilling, refer to Adding
engine oil243
Oil change interval, refer to
Service requirements75
"On a new destination" for
navigation system144
Onboard computer, refer to
iDrive16
"Onboard info"73
Onboard toolkit247
"On destination"144
"On location"144
Opening and closing
– comfort access36
– from inside32
– panorama glass sunroof39
– using remote control29
– using the door lock31
Operation by voice for mobile
phone219
– adjusting volume220
– canceling219
– correcting phone
number220
– dialing phone number220
– placing a call220
– redialing221
– voice commands219
– voice phone book220