service BMW X5 3.0I 2004 E53 Owner's Guide

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Wheel/tire condition Replacing wheels/tiresTire treadThe tread depth should not fall below
e in/3 mm.
At tread depths below e in/3 mm there
is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small
amounts of water are present on the
road surface.
As winter tires display a noticeable loss
in their ability to cope with cold-
weather driving conditions once the
tread wears to below k/K in/4 mm, to
ensure continued safety you should
always have such tires replaced.Wear indicators at the tread-groove
base, arrow, are distributed over the
tire's circumference and are marked on
the side of the tire with TWI – Tread
Wear Indicator. These indicators signal
at a tread depth of k/FK in/1.6 mm that
the legally permitted wear limit has
been reached.
390de331
Unprofessional attempts by lay-
men to service tires can lead to
damage and accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. The technicians at
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle cen-
ter will be glad to assist you with the
required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment.<
The correct wheel and tire combination
also affects various systems whose
function would otherwise be impaired,
e.g. ABS, DSC, xDrive.
Have the wheel and tire assemblies bal-
anced every time either a wheel or a tire
is replaced.
BMW does not recommend the
use of retread tires, as otherwise
driving safety may be reduced. Possible
variations in the design and the age –
which could be substantial – of the car-
casses can lead to unusually rapid
wear.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Replacing wheels/tires Snow chains
*
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use
only wheel and tire combinations
that BMW has tested and approved for
your particular vehicle. Variations in
factors such as manufacturing toler-
ances mean that even wheels and tires
with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than
the approved units – these differences
could lead to body contact, and with it
the risk of severe accidents. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used,
BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for
driving safety.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer. After a flat tire, always remem-
ber to have the original wheel and tire
combination remounted on the vehicle
as soon as possible.
Special features 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 perfor-
mance as winter tires.
When switching to winter tires, observe
the description under Tire condition,
page 143, and Replacing wheels/tires.
Observing speed ratings:
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated. Unprofessional attempts by
laymen to service tires can lead to dam-
age and accidents. Have this work per-
formed by skilled professionals only.
The technicians at your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center will be glad to
assist you with the required profes-
sional knowledge and specialized
equipment. place, protecting them against light
whenever possible. Always protect tires
against all contact with oil, grease and
fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire infla-
tion pressure indicated on the side wall
of the tire.
Only certain snow chains have been
tested by BMW and classified and
approved as safe. Consult your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center for
details. BMW recommends only using
these approved, narrow-link snow
chains. Use is only permitted in pairs on
the rear wheels with the following tire
sizes:
X5 4.8is: 255/55 R 18
All other models: 235/65 R 17
Observe the manufacturer's instruc-
tions when installing snow chains.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
30 mph/50 km/h.
After mounting snow chains, do
not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor.
When you are driving with snow chains,
it can be beneficial to switch off DSC
briefly, refer to page 95.<

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Engine oil Adding engine oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
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.
Always store oils, grease and similar
materials so that they are inaccessible
to children. Comply with warning labels
and information on containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of used oil.< 530de326
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 Perfor-
mance 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.<
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.

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Brake fluidBrake fluid level
If the warning lamp lights up
or the message "CHECK
BRAKE FLUID" appears in the
Check Control: stop immedi-
ately. The brake fluid in the res-
ervoir 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
Activity 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 page 139.
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 is
designed in such a way that it reliably
ensures the road safety and operating
reliability of the vehicle, keeping the
cost for you as low as possible.
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 390us008
can accumulate mileage in very differ-
ent ways:
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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Proposition 65 Warning California laws require us to state the
following warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety
of automobile components and
parts, including components found in
the interior furnishings in a vehicle, con-
tain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects and reproductive harm. In
addition, certain fluids contained in
vehicles and certain products of com-
ponent wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Battery posts, ter-
minals and related accessories contain
lead and lead compounds. Wash your
hands after handling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory ani-
mals. Always protect your skin by
washing thoroughly with soap and
water.<
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 Agreement
for the BMW Assist system, certain
vehicle information may be transmitted
or recorded in order to provide such
services.
The interface socket for the Onboard
Diagnostic is located on the left of the
driver's side at the bottom of the instru-
ment cluster 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 emis-
sion control system for the vehicle's
lifetime. The system monitors emission-
related components and systems for
deterioration and malfunction.
530us105
California laws OBD interface socket

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Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Index Technical data
Repairs

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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 changing bulbs, observe
any instructions provided by the bulb
manufacturer.<
Releasing lamp cover The illustration shows the right-hand
side of the engine compartment.
1Halogen low beams
Turn cover cap to left, refer to arrow
2High 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 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 fail-
ure very low, provided that they are not
switched on and off a very great num-
ber 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

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Changing a wheel Battery 10. Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Tighten all the bolts securely in a
diagonal pattern
11. Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the vehicle
12. Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal
pattern
13. Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportunity.
After mounting the spare wheel or
correcting the inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
refer to page 100.
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in
the valve stems frequently leads to slow
leaks.
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.
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. The tightening torque is
101 lb-ft/140 Nm.<
Store the wheel and the tools in the
order opposite that for removal.
Before removing the support rod,
be sure that the tailgate is held
down firmly. If you fail to do so, it could
retract sharply upward and cause per-
sonal injury and vehicle damage.
After you remove the rod, close the tail-
gate carefully. Continue to hold it firmly
until it is completely closed.<
If light-alloy wheels other than Genuine
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
Driving with spare wheel
Do not exceed a speed of
130 mph/210 km/h, as otherwise
accidents may occur due to tire dam-
age.<
With certain wheel-and-tire com-
binations the size of the spare
wheel differs from that of the other
wheels. However, to restore the original
state, the normal wheel should be
remounted as soon as possible.<
Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<
Battery care The battery is maintenance-free, that is,
the original electrolyte will normally last
for the service life of the battery under
moderate climatic conditions. Your
BMW Sport Activity Vehicle center will
be glad to advise in all matters con-
cerning the battery.Charging battery Only charge the battery in the vehicle
via the terminals in the engine compart-
ment with the engine off. For correct
connections, refer to Jump-starting on
page 171. Disposal
Following replacement, have old
batteries disposed of by your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center or
hand them in to a recycling center.
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Always
restrain the battery to prevent it from
tipping over during transport.<