engine coolant BMW X5 4.8IS 2005 E53 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2005, Model line: X5 4.8IS, Model: BMW X5 4.8IS 2005 E53Pages: 200, PDF Size: 3.55 MB
Page 5 of 200

5n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Controls and features
Passenger safety systems: 
Airbags57
Transporting children safely59
Vehicle Memory, 
Key Memory63
Driving: 
Ignition lock64
Starting engine64
Switching off engine65
Handbrake66
Manual transmission66
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic67
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher70
Washer/wiper system/
rain sensor71
Cruise control74
Everything under control: 
Odometer, outside temperature 
display76
Tachometer77
Energy control77
Engine oil thermometer78
Fuel gage78
Coolant temperature gage79
Service Interval Display79
Check Control80
Computer82
MID Multi-Information 
Display84Digital clock in MID85
Computer in MID88
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience: 
PDC Park Distance Control 93
Antilock Brake System94
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control95
xDrive97
HDC Hill Descent Control97
Self-leveling suspension98
2-axle self-leveling 
suspension99
Brake Force Display101
Flat Tire Monitor101
Lamps: 
Parking lamps/low beams103
Adaptive Head Light104
High beams/roadside parking 
lamps104
Front fog lamps105
Instrument lighting105
Interior lamps105
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving: 
Air conditioner107
Automatic climate control110
Roller sun blinds115
Independent ventilation116Cabin convenience: 
Integrated universal remote 
control117 
Portable phone119
Glove compartment120 
Storage compartments120 
Cup holders121
Ashtray, front122 
Ashtray, rear122 
Cigarette lighter, rear123
Loading and transporting: 
Ski bag124 
Cargo area 
Folding rear backrests 
down126 
Roll-up cover126 
Partition net127 
Flaps in cargo area128 
Power outlets129 
Pull-out floor in cargo 
area130 
Cargo loading131 
Roof-mounted luggage rack133  
Page 6 of 200

ContentsOperation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Special operating instructions: 
Breaking-in136
General driving notes137
Driving your X5138
Safe braking140
Wheels and tires: 
Tire inflation pressure141
Tire identification marks143
Wheel/tire condition144
Replacing wheels/tires146
Snow chains147
Under the hood: 
Hood148
Engine compartment 
essentials149
Washer fluid150
Engine oil150
Coolant152
Brake fluid153Care and maintenance: 
The BMW Maintenance 
System154
OBD interface socket155Replacement procedures: 
Onboard tool kit158
Windshield wiper blades158
Lamps and bulbs159
Changing a tire163
Vehicle battery168
Fuses169
Assistance, giving and 
receiving: 
Receiving assistance170
Jump starting171
Tow-starting and towing172 
Page 18 of 200

18n
Instrument cluster X5 4.8is 1Fuel gage78
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals22
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning lamps19 
to22
5 Tachometer77
Engine oil thermometer
6 Coolant temperature gage797 Indicator and warning lamps19 
to22
8 Reset button for trip odometer76
9 Service Interval Display79
10 Indicator for
>Trip odometer/odometer76
>Outside temperature76
11 Indicator for Check Control8012 Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission67
13 CHECK button80
14 Indicator and warning lamps19 
to22
530us252 
Page 79 of 200

79n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Coolant temperature gage  Service Interval Display Blue The engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.Red When you switch on the ignition, the 
warning lamp
* comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational. 
If the warning lamp lights up during 
driving or the message COOLANT 
TEMPERATURE appears in the Check 
Control: the engine is overheated. 
Switch off the engine immediately and 
allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to 
page152. 
390de007
Between blue and red zones Normal operating range. The dial may 
wander up to the red field. 
The range of available displays varies 
according to your individual vehicle's 
equipment. 
Green lamps The number of illuminated lamps 
decreases as the time for your next 
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lamp This field appears together with 
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION. 
Maintenance is due. Please contact 
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle cen-
ter for an appointment.Red lamp The maintenance deadline has been 
passed.390us008 
Page 80 of 200

80n
Check Control Graphic display
* 
The following alerts or status messages 
are displayed with icons as of ignition 
key position 2 until the defects are cor-
rected: 
1 Check low beams 
2 Add washer fluid, goes out after 
approx. 1 minute 
3Door open 
4 Tailgate open 
5 Check brake and tail lamps. A defec-
tive center brake lamp is indicated by 
the upper symbol. 
When you open the door after stopping, 
a warning signal sounds without a 
visual indicator for: 
>LIGHTS ON
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK. 390de121
Alphanumeric display
* 
Text messages are used to alert the 
driver to system malfunctions as of igni-
tion key position 2. The alert is accom-
panied by an acoustic signal.
1 Status messages symbol
2Display
3CHECK button 
Messages concerning system faults are 
differentiated based on two priorities: 530de254
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by an acoustic signal and a flash-
ing warning symbol 1. Simultaneous 
defects will be displayed consecutively. 
These status messages remain in the 
display until the defects are corrected. 
They cannot be deleted by pressing the 
CHECK button 3: 
>RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE
>COOLANT TEMPERATURE
Temperature too high. Stop the vehi-
cle immediately and switch off the 
engine, refer to pages79 and152
>STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS
Oil pressure too low. Stop the vehicle 
immediately and switch off the 
engine, refer to pages19, 150 
Page 82 of 200

82n
Check Control Computer>TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG
* 
Please consult the nearest BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle center, refer to 
page69
>CHECK BRAKE LININGS
Have the brake pads inspected by 
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
center, refer to page140
>CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
Coolant too low, top off at the next 
opportunity, refer to page152
>ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG
Fault in the engine electronics. 
You can continue to drive with 
reduced engine output or engine 
speed. 
Please have the system inspected by 
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
center. 
Displays after completion of trip All of the malfunctions registered during 
the trip appear consecutively when the 
ignition key is turned to position 0. 
The following displays will appear when 
appropriate: 
>LIGHTS ON 
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK 
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV 
Top up engine oil at the next oppor-
tunity, e.g. while refueling, refer to 
page150. This display appears when you open 
the driver's door after parking the vehi-
cle. A supplementary acoustic signal is 
also heard. 
Status messages remain available with 
the CHECK button 3 for a period of 
approx. three minutes after the display 
goes out and the key is removed from 
the ignition lock. If there were multiple 
messages, press the CHECK button 
repeatedly to view them all in 
sequence. 
Checking Check Control Press the CHECK button 3 with the 
ignition key in position 2: 
CHECK CONTROL OK appears in the 
display. 
No malfunctions are present in the 
monitored systems. Computer You can find a description of the com-
puter on pages82 and88 as well as in 
the Owner's Manual for Onboard Com-
puter.
You can have the Check Control 
and computer messages dis-
played in a different language.< 
Mode selection As of ignition key position 1, you can 
call up information from the computer 
using the computer button in the turn 
signal lever. 
A new function appears each time you 
briefly press the computer button. 
The display sequence: 
>Outside temperature
>Average fuel consumption
>Cruising range
>Average speed.
As of ignition key position 1, the last 
active setting is displayed.
The range of available displays varies 
according to your individual vehicle's 
equipment.530de228 
Page 138 of 200

138n
General driving notes Driving your X5 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. When 
equipped with 2-axle self leveling sus-
pension
*, switch the vehicle into the 
Off-Road setting before driving through, 
refer to page100.<
Using handbrake on slopes
Do not hold the vehicle in place on 
slopes by slipping or riding the 
clutch; use the handbrake instead. Oth-
erwise, severe clutch wear will result.<
Interior and exterior mirrors, 
automatic dimming feature
* 
Two photocells serve to control the 
automatic dimming of the interior and 
exterior rearview mirrors. One photocell 
is in the mirror glass, refer to arrow, 
while the other is offset somewhat on 
the back of the mirror.
For trouble-free operation, keep the 
photocells clean and do not cover the 
area between the interior rearview mir-
ror and the windshield. Do not attach 
any kind of stickers on the windshield 
in front of the mirror, either. 530us245
On poor roads 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: 
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 
pages150 and152. 
Use the HDC Hill Descent Control 
when driving down steep grades, 
refer to page97. 
Starting off is possible on grades of 
up to 33 %. 
The permissible body roll is also 50 % 
>While driving, watch carefully for 
obstacles such as rocks or holes. 
Try to avoid these obstacles when-
ever possible  
Page 149 of 200

149n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
1Engine oil dipstick150
2 Brake fluid reservoir, located 
beneath the microfilter cover1533 Auxiliary terminal for jump 
starting171
4 Coolant expansion tank1525 Engine oil filler neck150
6 Reservoir for windshield and 
headlamp washer system150Engine compartment essentials 
530de341 
Page 152 of 200

152n
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 
Page 153 of 200

153n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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.<