towing BMW X5 4.4I 2006 E53 User Guide

176n
Tow-starting and towingAccess to screw thread Front:
Use a screwdriver to press the right or
left cover out, refer to arrows. 530de370
Rear:
Pull the cover off. Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is
in position 1, otherwise the steer-
ing lock could engage and it would not
be possible to steer the vehicle. When
the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. This requires increased
braking and steering effort.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers
depending on the local regulations.
If the electrical system fails, mark the
vehicle to be towed, e.g. with a sign or
warning triangle in the rear window.
530de318
Do not exceed a towing speed of
30 mph/50 km/h and a towing dis-
tance of 95 miles/150 km, otherwise
the automatic transmission may be
damaged.<
Manual transmission:
Gearshift lever in idle position
Automatic transmission:
Selector lever in N.
Towing methodsIn some countries, towing with a tow
bar or rope on public roads is not per-
mitted.
Familiarize yourself with all regulations
on towing in the respective country.
With tow bar:
The towing vehicle may not be
lighter than the vehicle to be
towed, otherwise handling will be
uncontrollable.<
The tow fitting of both vehicles should
be on the same side. If an angled posi-
tion of the bar cannot be avoided, be
aware of the following:

177n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tow-starting and towing>The freedom of movement is
restricted during cornering
>The angled position of the tow bar
creates lateral forces.
Only attach the tow bar to the tow
fittings, as attachment to other
vehicle parts can lead to damage.<
With tow-rope:
When starting off in the towing vehicle,
make sure that the tow-rope is taut.
Use nylon ropes or nylon straps
for towing, and avoid all exces-
sively sudden jerking movements. Only
attach tow ropes to the tow fittings, as
attachment to other vehicle parts can
lead to damage.<
With tow truck:
Do not tow the X5 with the front or
rear axle raised individually, other-
wise the wheels may lock and the
transfer case may be damaged.<
The X5 may only be transported on a
flat bed.530de403
Tow-starting
Do not tow-start vehicles with an
automatic transmission.
For information on jump starting, refer
to page174.<
Only tow-start vehicles with a catalytic
converter with the engine cold. It is bet-
ter to jump start the engine, refer to
page174.
1. Switch on the hazard warning flash-
ers and observe local regulations.
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2.
3. Shift into 3rd gear.
4. Tow-start with the clutch completely
depressed and slowly release the
clutch. After the engine starts, imme-
diately depress the clutch again
completely.
5. Stop at a suitable location, remove
the tow bar or rope and switch off the
hazard warning flashers.
6. Have the vehicle checked.
Do not activate the HDC Hill
Descent Control during tow-
starting, refer to page94.<

Everything from A to Z
187n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
interlock62
selector lever interlock66
shiftlock66
towing176
tow-starting176
warning lamp20,21
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution
and supply109
Average fuel
consumption80,87
Average speed80,88
Avoiding alarms39
Axle loads, refer to
Weights182
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support46
Backrests, refer to Adjusting
seats45,46
Backup lamps65
replacing bulbs163
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit24
Bar, towing176Battery171
disposal171
indicator lamp19
jump starting174
power failure171
remote control30
Belts, refer to Safety belts49
Beverage can holders, refer
to Cup holders120
Beverage holder, refer to
Cup holders120
Blower
air conditioner105
automatic climate
control109
refer to Air supply105,109
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil153
BMW Maintenance
System156
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders120
Brake fluid155
adding155
level155
replacing155
warning lamp
19
Brake force display98
Brake hydraulic system140
warning lamp19,20
Brake lamps, replacing
bulbs163Brake lights, refer to Brake
lamps163
Brake pads140
breaking-in136
warning lamp19,21
Brake rotors
brake system140
breaking-in136
Brakes140
ABS91
brake fluid155
brake pads140
breaking-in136
handbrake64
indicator/warning
lamp19,20
Brake system
brake fluid155
brake fluid level140,155
brake pads140
breaking-in136
disk brakes140
warning lamp19
Brake wear warning
warning lamp19,21
Breakdown, Flat Tire
Monitor98
Breakdown assistance,
refer to Roadside
Assistance173
Breaking-in136Break wear warning, refer to
Brake pads140
Buttons on steering wheel23
C
California Proposition
65 Warning9
Calling, refer to telephone
Owner's Manual
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders120
Capacities183
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Care of paintwork, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure

Everything from A to ZMemory, refer to
Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory50
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory61
Microfilter
air conditioner106
automatic climate
control112
Microphone for telephone,
refer to Car phone116
MID Multi-Information
Display
displays and controls81
information display81
Mirror dimming feature138
Mirrors53
automatic curb monitor51
mirror heating54
mirror memory, refer to
Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory50
Mobile communications
devices in vehicle137
Mobile phone, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Monitoring pressure of tires,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor98
Multi-function steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
steering wheel23Multifunction switch
turn signals/headlamp
flasher68
washer/wiper system69
Multi-Information Display
MID81
N
Navigation system, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints47
Nozzles, refer to
Ventilation106,111
Nylon rope, refer to Tow-
starting and towing177
O
OBD interface socket157
Odometer73
Oil
additives, refer to
Specified engine oils153
consumption152
consumption, refer to
Engine oil, checking152
dipstick152
filling capacity183
level152
refilling, refer to Engine oil,
adding153
specified engine oils153Oil change interval, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, US
models or Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet,
Canadian models
Oil consumption
152
Oil level152
checking152
Oil pressure, indicator/
warning lamp19
OILSERVICE76
Oil temperature75
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal171
Onboard tool kit160
Opening and closing
from inside34
from outside31
using the door lock33
using the remote
control31
Output, refer to Engine
specifications180
Outside air, air
conditioner105
Outside temperature
display73
changing unit of
measure73,80
on onboard computer80P
Package shelf, refer to Roll-
up cover125
Panorama glass roof41
automatic opening and
closing41
closing in the event of an
electrical malfunction42
comfort operation33
comfort position42
initializing42
power failure42
remote control31
Park Distance Control
PDC90
Parked car ventilation113
activating/deactivating
switch-on times84
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
entering switch-on
times84
switching on and off
directly84
Parking, vehicle63
Parking aid, refer to PDC
Park Distance Control90
Parking assistant, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control90

Everything from A to ZReverse gear
automatic transmission
with Steptronic66
manual transmission65
Roadside Assistance173
Roadside parking lamps101
replacing bulbs162
Roller blind for cargo area,
refer to Roll-up cover125
Roller sun blinds113
Roll-up cover125
Roof-mounted luggage
rack132
Rope, refer to Tow-starting
and towing177
Rotating coin holder, refer to
Storage
compartments119
S
Safe braking140
Safety belt height
adjustment49
Safety belts49
adjusting belt height49
care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
sitting safely43
warning lamp21,49
Safety belt tensioners, refer
to Safety belts50
Safety defects11Safety feature, power
windows40
Safety systems, refer to
Airbags55
Antilock Brake System91
Brake system140
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control92
xDrive94
Screw thread for tow
fitting176
Seat heating52
Seat memory, refer to Seat,
mirror and steering wheel
memory50
Seats44
adjusting comfort seat46
adjusting electrically46
adjusting sports seat45
heating52
memory, refer to Seat,
mirror and steering wheel
memory50
sitting safely43
storing adjustment50
Securing cargo, refer to
Cargo loading130
Securing load131
Selector lever, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic66Selector lever interlock, refer
to Changing selector lever
positions66
Selector lever positions,
automatic transmission
with Steptronic65
Self-leveling suspension95
2-axle self-leveling
suspension96
inactive95
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance173
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models156
Service Interval
Display76,156
Setting interior
temperature105,109
Setting time, refer to Prese-
lecting switch-on times84
Shifting
automatic transmission
with Steptronic66
manual transmission64
Shiftlock66
Shoulder support47
Side airbags55
Side Impact Head Protection
System55
Side tilt, permissible138Side turn signals, replacing
bulbs162
Side window blinds, refer to
Roller sun blinds113
Signal horn, refer to Horn14
Signaling briefly68
Sitting safely43
with airbags43
with head restraint43
with safety belts43
Ski bag123
Sliding sunroof, refer to
Panorama glass roof41
Snow chains149
Sockets121
Sockets in cargo area128
Soft closure aid for liftgate,
refer to Automatic Soft
Close function36
Spare fuses172
Spare key30
Spare wheel167
removal aid168
Special wash program70
Specified engine oils153
Speed
with compact wheel
170
with spare wheel171
with winter tires149
Speed limit85

Everything from A to ZTires
age145
breaking-in136
changing148,165
condition146
damage146
DOT Quality Grades145
flat165
inflation pressure141
size145
storage149
traction146
tread147
tread wear145
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading145
wear indicators, refer to
Tire tread147
winter tires149
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit160
Torque
engine180
lug bolts170
Tow bar176
Tow fittings175
Towing the vehicle175,176
with automatic
transmission176
Tow-rope177
Tow sockets for tow
fitting176Tow-starting175
Track width, refer to
Dimensions181
Traction146
Traction aid, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control92
Traction control, refer to
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control92
Transmission
automatic transmission
with Steptronic65
manual transmission64
Transmission lockout, refer
to P Park66
Transmission malfunction,
refer to Malfunction67
Transporting children
safely57
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing load131
Tread depth, refer to Tire
tread147
Tread wear145
Trip-distance counter, refer
to Trip odometer
73
Trip odometer73
Trunk lamps, refer to Cargo
area lamps103Trunk lid, refer to
Liftgate35
Tailgate36
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions181
Turn signals68
indicator lamp22
replacing bulbs162,163
Turn signals, side, replacing
bulbs162
TV function, refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
TV set, refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
Two-axle self-leveling
suspension
display96
lowering97
raising97
U
Underbody protection, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading145
Units,
temperature73,80,109Universal garage door
control, refer to Integrated
universal remote
control114
Universal remote control114
Unlocking
from inside34
from outside31
hood150
Using antifreeze152,154
V
Vacuum cleaner,
connecting, refer to
Sockets121,128
Valve
inserts170
screw caps170
Vehicle
battery171
breaking-in136
care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
cargo loading130
measurements, refer to
Dimensions181
parking63
storage, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
washing, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
weight182