Service BMW X5 4.8IS 2005 E53 User Guide

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Refueling
When handling fuels always
observe any safety guidelines
posted at the service station. Never
carry spare fuel containers in your vehi-
cle. Whether empty or full, these con-
tainers can leak, cause an explosion, or
lead to fire in the event of a collision.<
Observe the following when
refueling
Open the filler cap carefully to
prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.
Do not top off. Topping off may cause
fuel spillage.<
Keep the filler cap in the bracket
attached to the fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refuel-
ing
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effect of the vapor
recovery system on the pump.
The fuel tank is full when the filler noz-
zle clicks off the first time.
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To close the fuel filler cap:
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until
you clearly hear a click.
Close the filler cap carefully after
refueling until a click is heard.
While closing, be sure not to squeeze
the strap which is fastened to the cap.
A loose or missing cap will activate the
message CHECK GAS CAP in the
Check Control
* or the Check Gas Cap
lamp
*.<
Tank capacity:
approx. 24.6 gal./approx. 93 liters,
including reserve
6-cylinder engine: approx. 2.0 gal./
approx. 8 liters
8-cylinder engine: approx. 2.5 gal./
approx. 10 liters.
Never attempt to continue driving
until the tank is completely empty,
as engine functions could be affected,
and the vehicle could sustain damage
as a result.<

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

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags1 Front airbags for driver and front pas-
senger
2 Side Impact Head Protection System
for front and rear
3 Side airbags for front and rear
*
Protective action
Comply with the instructions on
page43. Failure to do so could
result in diminished personal safety.<
The front airbags supplement the safety
belts by helping to provide additional
protection for the front-seat occupants
in the event of a severe frontal impact
in which the protection afforded by the
safety belts alone may no longer be suf-
ficient. The head airbag and side airbag
help provide protection in the event of
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a side impact. The side airbag is
designed to help support the body at
the side of the chest region. The Side
Impact Head Protection System pro-
tects the head.
The airbags are intentionally not trig-
gered in every impact situation, e.g. in
minor accidents, certain rollover situa-
tions or rear-end collisions.
For information on the correct sitting
position, refer to page43.
Do not apply adhesive materials
to the cover panels of the airbags,
cover them or modify them in any other
way.
Do not attempt to remove the airbag
restraint system from the vehicle. Do
not modify or tamper with either the
wiring or the individual components in
the airbag system. These include the
padded steering wheel hub, the instru-
ment panel, the side trim panels, the
doors and the roof pillars or the sides
of the headliner. Do not remove or dis-
mantle the steering wheel yourself.
Do not touch the individual components
directly after the system has been trig-
gered, as otherwise there is a danger
of burns. In case of faults, decommis-
sioning or after triggering of the airbag
restraint system, only commission a
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center or
a workshop that works according to
BMW repair procedures with corre-
spondingly trained personnel and is
equipped with the required explosives
permits for testing, repair, dismantling
or scrapping of the airbag generators.
Unprofessional attempts to service the
system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal
injury.<
At all times, occupants should sit
upright and be properly restrained
– infants and small children in appropri-
ate child-restraint systems; larger chil-
dren and adults using the safety belts.
Never let an occupant's head rest near
or on a side airbag because the inflating
airbag could cause a serious injury.
Please note that the word Airbag
imprinted on the door trim panel indi-
cates the airbag's location.
Accident research shows that the saf-
est place for children in an automobile
is in the rear seat.
If your vehicle is equipped with rear
side airbags, do not allow children to
lean towards the door trim, as serious
injuries could occur if the side airbags
were deployed and children are too
close to the airbags.

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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Starting engine Switching off engineDo not allow the engine to warm up
by leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, begin to
drive immediately at a moderate engine
speed.
X5 3.0i:
Do not end the starting procedure
too soon, however at the latest after
approx. 20 seconds. Release the igni-
tion key immediately as soon as the
engine starts.
X5 4.4i, 4.8is:
Your BMW is equipped with the conve-
nience starting feature. Here, it is suffi-
cient to turn the ignition key only briefly
to position 3 'Start engine' and to let go
of it right away. The starter actuation
continues to operate automatically for a
certain period of time and is stopped
automatically as soon as the engine has
started.
The automatic starting mode will not
operate or will be canceled if the bat-
tery voltage is insufficient. The engine
can be jump started, refer to page171.Should the engine fail to start on the
first attempt, if it is very hot or cold, for
instance:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at altitudes above 3,300 ft/
1,000 meters and at very low tempera-
tures, from approx. +57/–156:
>For the initial starting attempt, allow
the starter to remain engaged some-
what longer, approx. 10 seconds.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at startup are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharg-
ing, always switch off electrical devices
that are not in use. Switch the ignition
off when the vehicle is not being driven.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can lead to damage of the
catalytic converter.<
Manual transmission:
1. Turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0.
2. Shift into first gear or reverse.
Automatic transmission:
1. Shift into selector lever position P.
2. Turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
when the vehicle is moving, as
otherwise the steering could lock.
When leaving the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and lock the
steering.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the handbrake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Even placing the gearshift lever
in 1st gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in Park.<
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
The vehicle must be stationary and the
selector lever in Park before you can
remove the ignition key.

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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.
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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

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Index Technical data
Mainte-

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Moving parts should be allowed to
break in. To ensure that your vehicle
provides maximum economy through-
out a long service life, we request that
you observe the following instructions:
Engine and differential Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km:
Drive at varying engine speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed
4,500 rpm and the following road
speeds during this initial period:
6-cylinder engines: 100 mph/160 km/h
8-cylinder engines: 106 mph/170 km/h
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of
the transmission's kick-down mode
during these initial miles.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles/
2,000 km, the engine and vehicle
speeds can be gradually increased.Tires Due to technical factors associated with
their manufacture, tires do not achieve
their full traction potential until after an
initial break-in period. Therefore, drive
reservedly during the first 200 miles/
300 km. Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as hydroplaning and can
lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effec-
tiveness. Reduce your speed on wet
roads.<
Brake system Brakes require an initial break-in period
of approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve
optimal contact and wear patterns
between brake pads and rotors.
To break in the separate handbrake
drums, apply the handbrake lightly
when coasting to a standstill at a traffic
signal, for instance, provided that traffic
conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not light up
when the handbrake is applied.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine switched off,
when towing, for instance, substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle.<
ClutchThe function of the clutch is only at its
optimized level after a distance driven
of approx. 300 miles/500 km. During
this break-in period, engage the clutch
gently.Following component
replacementsObserve the break-in instructions again
if previously addressed components
must be replaced again during driving
later.
Breaking-in

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Information for your safety It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and – to a great
extent – driving safety that depend on
the condition of the tires and the main-
tenance of the specified tire pressure. Checking inflation pressureOnly check tire inflation pressure when
the tires are cold. i.e. after driving a
maximum of 1.25 miles/2 km or when
the vehicle has been parked for at least
2 hours. When tires are warm, the tire
inflation pressure increases.
Regularly check the tire inflation
pressure and correct as needed,
including the spare tire: at least every
two weeks and before beginning a
longer trip. If this is not done, incorrect
tire pressures can cause driving insta-
bility and tire damage, ultimately result-
ing in an accident. Do not drive with a
depressurized, i.e. flat, tire. A flat tire
greatly impairs steering and braking
response, and can lead to complete
loss of control over the vehicle.<
After correcting the inflation pres-
sure(s), always reinitialize the Flat
Tire Monitor, refer to page102.<
Inflation pressure for original
equipment tiresYou will find tire inflation pressures on
the inside door pillar.Inflation pressure for other tire
sizesThe tire pressure table below gives all
of the tire pressure specifications for
the tire sizes indicated, with the ambi-
ent temperature.
In order to clearly identify the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure for your
tires, be sure to note the specifications
for the appropriate tire sizes.<530de225
Tire inflation pressure

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Tire identification marksKnowledge of the labeling on the side
of the tire makes it easier to identify and
choose the right tires.Tire sizeSpeed code letter:
Q = up to 105 mph/160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/hTire Identification Number Tires with DOT codes meet the guide-
lines of the U.S. Department of Trans-
port. e.g.
Nominal width
in mm
Cross-sectional ratio
in Ξ
Belted construction radial
Rim diameter in inches
Load index,
not with ZR tires
Speed code letter,
with ZR tires before the R
235/65 R
17104H
DOT code:Tire age The manufacturer of your BMW recom-
mends that all tires, i.e. including the
spare wheel, be replaced regardless of
the actual wear after 6 years at the lat-
est.
The tire's date of manufacture is indi-
cated on the sidewall:
DOT... 3603 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 36 of 2003. Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example: e.g.
Manufacturer's code
for tire brand
Tire size and tire model
Tire age
DOT xxxx xxx 3603
DOT Quality Grades Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must con-
form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades.< Tread wear The tread wear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half, 1γ, times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.

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Replacing wheels/tires
Have new wheels and tires
installed only by your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center or a tire special-
ist workshop that works according to
BMW guidelines with appropriately
trained personnel. If this work is not
carried out properly, there is a danger
of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the
use of retread tires, as otherwise
driving safety may be reduced. The rea-
son for this is that possible variations in
the design and aging – which could be
substantial – of the tire casing can
result in a limited service life.<
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 fac-
tors such as manufacturing tolerances
mean that even wheels and tires with
identical official size ratings could actu-
ally 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.<
You can ask your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center for the correct wheel/tire
combination.
The correct wheel/tire combination also
affects various systems whose function
would otherwise be impaired, e.g. ABS,
DSC, xDrive.
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.
Recommended tire sizes and makes:
For each tire size, certain tire makes
have been tested by BMW and classi-
fied and approved as safe. You can find
out about them at a specialized store,
preferably your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center. Follow any national reg-
ulations, e. g. listed in the vehicle docu-
ments.
The factory-approved radial ply tires are
matched to your vehicle and with
proper use, offer both optimal driving
safety and the desired driving comfort.
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,
page144, 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.<