BMW Ultimate Service leads the industry in
providing owners with incredible value and peace
of mind. This service includes:
䉯 The BMW Maintenance Program: No-cost
factory-recommended maintenance for
4 years/50,000 miles from the original
in-service date, whichever comes first.
䉯 BMW Roadside Assistance: No-cost 24/7
on-the-road assistance for 4 years/unlimited
miles from the original in-service date. Also
includes trip-interruption benefits as well as
trip routing services.
䉯 New Vehicle Limited Warranty: Limited
coverage for defects in materials and
workmanship for 4 years/50,000 miles from
the original in-service date, whichever comes
first. Repairs will only be made at authorized
BMW SAV centers using Original BMW Parts.
䉯 Engine breaking-in: Prior to driving the first
approximately 1,250 miles, do not exceed an
engine speed of 3,500 rpm; avoid full-throttle
acceleration and using the “kick-down”
function of the transmission. After this
mileage, engine speeds can be gradually
increased.
䉯 The BMW Advanced Diesel engine is
designed to run only on Ultra-Low Sulfur
Diesel (ULSD). This fuel designation contains
a maximum of 15 parts per million (ppm) of
sulfur. Service stations which dispense this
fuel will have their pumps marked with this
label:
Special Notes on the Diesel
Engine
䉯 At ambient temperatures below approximately
32ºF, starting the engine of the X5 xDrive35d
may be delayed for a few seconds while the
automatic fuel preheating system is active. An
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster will
illuminate during this time. Start the engine
only after the indicator lamp goes out.
Automatic fuel preheating indicator lamp
䉯 The use of biodiesel fuel is acceptable as long
as the content is no higher than 5% (B5) which
meets ASTM D6751 specification. If a
biodiesel rated higher than B5 (such as B10 or
B20) is pumped into the vehicle, damage to
the fuel system components may occur.
1
䉯 If gasoline, B10 or higher biodiesel, or any
other improper fuel (i.e., low-sulfur diesel) is
pumped into your diesel vehicle: at the first
notion of the mistake, stop pumping and do
not start the vehicle, not even to drive it away
from the fuel pump. Serious engine damage
can occur! Contact your BMW SAV center or
Roadside Assistance immediately.
䉯 The BMW X5 xDrive35d is equipped with a
misfueling system which is intended to
prevent gasoline from being pumped into the
tank. Most automotive diesel fuel nozzles will
be of the recommended diameter (24mm).
When inserted into the fuel-filler neck, the fuel
nozzle simultaneously presses two safety tabs
located inside the fuel-filler neck; this will allow
the fuel nozzle to be fully inserted for refueling.
A gasoline fuel nozzle diameter is smaller
(21mm) than an automotive diesel fuel nozzle.
If a gasoline fuel nozzle is inserted into the
fuel-filler neck of your diesel vehicle, the
smaller diameter fuel nozzle will not be able to
simultaneously press the two safety tabs; this
will prevent the fuel nozzle from being fully
inserted into the fuel-filler neck.
䉯 To allow emergency filling of diesel fuel in
locations using a commercial (truck) size
diesel fuel filler nozzle which is larger than the
nozzle for passenger cars, and/or for filling
stations which dispense diesel fuel from a
non-conforming sized nozzle, a diesel
misfueling bypass adapter is included in your
vehicle.
䉯
The X5 xDrive35d’s engine oil is different than
the BMW gasoline engines. Use only “low-ash”
fully synthetic oils meeting BMW’s long-life
rating LL-04. One such oil is Castrol SLX
Professional OE SAE 5W-30 (Castrol #06070).
This oil is also available at BMW SAV centers
under BMW part number 07 51 0 037 195.
䉯 The X5 xDrive35d is equipped with a
traditional dipstick located in the engine
compartment.
To check the engine oil level:
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface with the
engine at operating temperature (i.e., after
driving continuously for at least 7 miles).
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Wait at least 5 minutes.
4. Pull the dipstick out and wipe dry with a
lint-free cloth, paper towel or similar item.
5. Carefully push the dipstick fully into the tube,
then pull out again.
6. The oil level must be between the two marks.
䉯 The quantity of oil between the two marks is
approximately 1 quart.
2
䉯
The X5 xDrive35d is equipped with Selective
Catalyst Reduction (SCR) technology. Diesel
Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is injected into the exhaust
system to help reduce the emissions of
nitrogen oxides (NOx). DEF is designed to last
until your next oil change before it needs to be
refilled. However, depending on your vehicle
needs, you can run out of DEF before you
reach the interval. The instrument cluster
warning lamp will warn you before DEF is
depleted, starting at approximately 1,000 miles.
2012 X3, X5 and X6 vehicles purchased from an
authorized BMW SAV center in the United States
or Puerto Rico are covered by the BMW
Maintenance Program for 48 months or
50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Coverage
begins on the date of first retail sale or the date
the vehicle is first placed into service as a sales
demonstrator, Aftersales Mobility Program (AMP)
Vehicle or company vehicle, whichever is earlier.
Any authorized BMW SAV center in the United
States or Puerto Rico will perform the scheduled
or additional maintenance services on your
vehicle at no expense to you.
Refill DEF indicator lamp (yellow)
Note: If you continue to drive until the mileage
reaches 0, a new warning will appear (NO
STARTIN–––MILES). Once this warning
appears, you will only be able to restart the
engine one more time if this is done within
3 minutes of last shutting it off. Beyond this
time interval, the engine will not restart
until DEF is refilled!
Empty DEF indicator lamp (red)
DEF is available from your nearest BMW
Service Center. Or, refer to your vehicle
Owner’s Manual for refilling DEF yourself.
䉯 An additional warning lamp in the instrument
cluster may illuminate if the diesel particulate
filter requires service.
Diesel particulate filter indicator lamp
The BMW Maintenance Program
The BMW Maintenance Program is a benefit
designed to help reduce the cost of ownership.
The program has been devised with the following
objectives: to maximize vehicle safety, reliability,
and resale value by minimizing breakdowns
resulting from wear, and minimizing cost and
inconvenience by computing maintenance
intervals based upon the specific manner in
which each individual vehicle is driven.
Coverage
The BMW Maintenance Program covers all
factory-recommended maintenance, as
determined by the Condition Based Service
(CBS) system. Additional specific items that
need replacement due to normal wear and tear,
and that are not covered by the original New SAV
Limited Warranty - such as brake pads, brake
rotors and wiper blade inserts - are included,
provided wear and tear exceeds BMW
specifications. Any applicable adjustments
required due to normal operating conditions are
also included. See pages9-10ofthis booklet
for additional information.
Exclusions from coverage include the following:
䉯 Items reimbursable under your New SAV
Limited Warranty
䉯 Gasoline and diesel fuel
䉯 Gasoline and diesel fuel additive
䉯 Diesel glow plugs
䉯 Diesel particulate filter
䉯 Windshield washer additive (except when in
conjunction with scheduled maintenance)
䉯 Tires, wheel alignment, tire balance and
rotation
䉯 Wear and tear of soft trim items, such as:
seats, carpets, moldings, headliner, door
panels and all chrome trim
3
䉯 Damage which results from negligence,
improper operation of the vehicle, wear and
tear or deterioration due to driving habits or
conditions, improper repair, environmental
influences, flood, accident or fire damage, road
salt corrosion, alteration, installation of
non-genuine BMW accessories, or use of
improper, poor quality or contaminated fuel
䉯 Altered or unreadable Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) or odometer irregularities or
vehicles where the true mileage cannot be
determined
䉯 Maintenance or repair after the vehicle is
deemed a total loss
䉯 Maintenance or repairs performed by other
than an authorized BMW SAV center within
the United States or Puerto Rico
䉯 “Topping off” low fluids (e.g., engine oil,
antifreeze, washer fluid, etc.) except when
done in conjunction with a scheduled
maintenance or other required maintenance
work (as outlined in the customized
maintenance checklist printout) that is
performed during an applicable Maintenance
Program period
䉯 Vehicles used in competitive events
䉯 Oil changes performed outside the
recommended maintenance intervals as
indicated by the Condition Based Service
䉯 DEF changes performed outside the
recommended maintenance intervals as
indicated by the Service Interval Display
(X5 xDrive35d only)
Maintenance Upgrade Option
Please contact your authorized BMW center for
information and availability on the optional
Maintenance Program Upgrade for coverage up
to 6 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs
first.
Intervals
Time intervals should be followed using the
maintenance interval as indicated by the
Condition Based Service (CBS) display.
Maintenance intervals on motor vehicles have
conventionally been specified based upon
accumulated mileage. However, driving
conditions have a major influence on routine
maintenance requirements; distance traveled is
only one of the significant factors. A vehicle
driven for 50,000 miles of short trips in the city
with numerous cold starts, prolonged periods of
idling, stop-and-go driving, and high engine
speeds during acceleration requires more
frequent maintenance intervals than a vehicle
driven for 50,000 miles for long distances at low
engine speeds primarily at operating
temperature.
The advanced technologies at BMW have led to
the development of the unique BMW Condition
Based Service (CBS) system which computes
the actual optimum maintenance requirements
based not only upon the accumulated mileage,
but taking into account important factors such as
high or low engine speeds, short or long trip
driving.
4
Condition Based Service (CBS)
CBS is a further development of the Service
Interval Indicator System. Sensors and
sophisticated algorithms take even more detailed
account of the various conditions of vehicle use.
The remaining times for selected maintenance
tasks as well as any legally prescribed dates are
displayed to you individually:
䉯 Engine oil
䉯 Brakes - front and rear separately
䉯 Brake fluid
䉯 Vehicle check
䉯 Required State Inspection(s)
CBS thus determines the current and future
maintenance requirements. This data can also be
read from the vehicle key by your BMW Service
Advisor and used to propose the optimum scope
of maintenance.
Disconnecting the battery during periods of
long-term storage will interrupt the
calculation of time-based services. Have all items
requiring time-based maintenance, such as
brake fluid and coolant, and possibly also the
engine oil, brought up to date by your BMW SAV
center. Also see the section on battery care on
page 11 of this Booklet.
X5 and X6
The distance remaining until your next service
briefly appears when you switch on the ignition.
The Info Display immediately switches to its
compute mode when you press one of the
two buttons in the turn signal indicator lever.
The distance remaining until your next service
briefly appears when you switch on the ignition.
For certain maintenance operations, you can
view the respective distance remaining or due
date individually in the instrument cluster (X5 and
X6 only; see page 6) or in the Control Display (For
all models see page 7).
Info Display screens in the instrument
cluster (X5 and X6 only)
Service Required Display
Info Display screen contents
X3 only
Display the remaining distance or the service
date for the various maintenance operations by
pressing the knob in the instrument cluster for
approximately five seconds. Then press the knob
quickly and repeatedly to display the successive
maintenance operations.
5
Possible displays (X5 and X6 only)
1. Button for selecting display
2. Service requirements
3. Engine oil
4. State-required safety inspection*
5. Front brake pads
6. Rear brake pads
7. Brake fluid
*Note: The display icons for the state-required safety and emissions inspections may be deactivated
by your BMW SAV center if the state in which your BMW is registered does not require them.
The sequence of displayed service items may vary. The data for the next service appointment is shown
first.
6
Control Display screen contents
Symbols
For models equipped with iDrive, the current
Status of Service items determined by the CBS
are shown in the Control Display.
You can also view additional information on the
service and maintenance requirements.
1. Open the start menu.
2. Press the controller to select the i-menu.
3. Select “vehicle info” and press the controller.
4. Select “vehicle status” and press the
controller.
A list of selected maintenance operations and, if
applicable, inspections required by law is
displayed.
You can request more detailed information on
every entry.
Select the entry and press the controller.
No service is currently required.
The deadline for service or a state
inspection is approaching. Please contact
your BMW SAV center for an appointment.
The service deadline has already passed.
You can request more detailed information on
every entry.
Turn the controller to scroll through the list, then
confirm the selected entry.
Confirm to exit the list.
The current service status is automatically saved
in the vehicle’s ignition key. The Service Advisor
at your BMW SAV center has a device called a
key reader. When your Service Advisor inserts
your key into the key reader, all pertinent vehicle
and servicing data will be available, and a
customized maintenance checklist is printed out
based on the specific operations called for by the
Condition Based Service.
To exit from the menu:
Select the
arrow and press the controller.
Special Note – Maintenance Intervals
The maintenance requirements for your vehicle
are determined dynamically by the Condition
Based Service (CBS) system. The maintenance
items stated herein reflect the latest information
available at the time of the printing of this
Booklet, and are subject to change.
7
The completion of certain subsequent
maintenance items or services, as required by
the New SAV Limited Warranty, will be specified
at intervals computed by the BMW Condition
Based Service system as follows:
䉯 Oil Service: Engine oil should be changed with
the engine at operating temperature.
All 2012 model year X3, X5 (except X5 xDrive35d
see below) and X6 vehicles are factory-filled with
BMW High Performance Synthetic oils. For these
models we recommend BMW High Performance
5W-30 Synthetic Oil (BMW part number
07 51 0 017 866) for regular scheduled engine oil
changes.
For gasoline engines: The synthetic oils listed
below meet BMW’s Long-life rating LL-01:
䉯 Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
䉯 Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
䉯 Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra
SAE 5W-30
䉯 Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30
All 2012 model year X5 xDrive35d vehicles are
factory-filled with a different BMW High
Performance Synthetic oil than on gasoline
engines. For this model we recommend BMW
High Performance 5W-30 Diesel Synthetic Oil
(BMW part number 07 51 0 037 195) for regular
scheduled engine oil changes.
For diesel engines (X5 xDrive35d only): the
synthetic oil listed below meets BMW’s Long-life
rating LL-04:
䉯 Castrol SLX Professional OE SAE 5W-30 Fully
Synthetic
BMW recommends that you check your engine
oil level whenever you add fuel to your vehicle. If
you need to add oil between oil changes and
BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is
unavailable, you may top up the oil level with one
of the following approved synthetic oils. For
information on checking your engine oil level
refer to your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on
the climatic conditions in the region in which you
normally drive your BMW. To best determine
which SAE grade is best suited for your vehicle,
contact an authorized BMW center.
If you are unable to obtain the BMW approved
synthetic oil from the list above, use only a
synthetic oil with an API rating of SM or higher.
The following maintenance services must be
performed at the mileage/time stated (time
intervals begin from the vehicle’s production date):
䉯 Brake Fluid Service: Change brake fluid every
two years, or when specified by CBS.
䉯 Oxygen Sensor Service: The oxygen sensor
deteriorates strictly on a mileage basis and
must therefore be replaced at the following
intervals to maximize vehicle fuel economy and
minimize exhaust pollution - replace at
120,000 miles (replace every 150,000 miles
for the X3 xDrive28i if it is eligible for the
California Emissions Warranty).
䉯 Spark Plug Service (not shown in CBS): All
models - replace at 60,000 miles or at every
4th Engine Oil Service.
䉯 The engine coolant has a long-term rating and
does not need to be changed except for
system repairs.
䉯 The fluids in the automatic transmission as
well as in the all-wheel drive transfer case have
a long-term rating and do not need to be
changed except for repairs.
For your convenience, you may also wish to have
your BMW SAV center perform any necessary
operations to fulfill any state inspection
requirements in your area, concurrent with the
maintenance services specified above during
other repairs. Should you request more
frequent maintenance service, the cost of
these services will not be covered by the
Maintenance Program.
BMW has applied the most modern
technological advances not only to the design
and production of your vehicle, but also to
computing of the optimum maintenance interval
for your type of operations and driving style. Your
BMW SAV center has made a substantial
investment in unique BMW special service tools
to enable BMW factory trained service
technicians to perform quality repairs on your
BMW in minimal time, to help maximize your
satisfaction with your BMW, its longevity, and
resale value.
8
Quality Certification I
Maintenance services are performed as outlined
in this section, based on intervals of either time,
mileage or after performing a specified number
of previous services. These intervals correspond
to the latest information available when this
booklet was printed. Maintenance intervals are
subject to change with newer vehicles or may
also apply retroactively. Your BMW SAV center
will advise and perform maintenance services as
required by the most recent information that
applies to your vehicle.
For a detailed list of items inspected, refer to the
Quality Certification I form provided to the Owner
at time of delivery. A copy of the form is on file at
the selling BMW SAV center.
Fuel Quality – Gasoline
Only use fuels advertised to have adequate
detergency and low alcohol (such as ethanol)
content. Please refer to your owner’s manual for
important information on the fuel recommended
for use in your vehicle. Use of fuels with
insufficient detergent and/or excess alcohol can
cause driveability problems that necessitate
cleaning intake valves and fuel injection valves,
and, when applicable, adjusting the engine idle.
We suggest having this work performed by your
authorized BMW center, perhaps while regular
maintenance is performed. Your BMW center can
also recommend a gasoline additive that will
provide sufficient detergency. While this
recommended unscheduled maintenance is not
required in order to maintain the emission
warranty, cleaning of intake valves or, when
applicable, fuel injection valves, or adjustment of
engine idle, necessitated by use of inappropriate
fuel, it is not covered by warranty because no
defect in material or workmanship or component
failure is involved.
Maintenance service summary
The Condition Based Service (CBS) system will
determine the requirement for performing the
maintenance services described on this page
and ending on page 10 (excluding items noted as
“not shown in CBS”). These services may be
required either individually or in conjunction with
other maintenance services.
Standard operations
Maintenance work:
䉯 Verify Check Control messages.
䉯 Check indicator and warning lights.
䉯 Reset CBS display.
䉯 Inspect tires, check tire pressure and reset
Tire Pressure Monitor.
Engine oil
Maintenance work:
䉯 Change the engine oil and oil filter. We
recommend BMW High Performance 5W-30
Synthetic Oil P/N 07 51 0 017 866 (gasoline
engines only) or P/N 07 51 0 037 195 (diesel
engines only).
䉯 At every 3rd engine oil change: Intake air
cleaner: replace air filter element (reduce
replacement interval in dusty operating
conditions).
䉯 At every 3rd engine oil change: Replace diesel
fuel filter (X5 xDrive35d only).
䉯 Top off Diesel Exhaust Fluid (X5 xDrive35d
only).
Microfilter (not shown in CBS)
Maintenance work:
䉯 Replace ventilation microfilter every 2 years
based on the vehicle production date, or in
connection with scheduled brake fluid change.
9
Front brake
Maintenance work:
䉯 Replace brake pads, clean brake pad contact
points in calipers.
䉯 Brake discs: Check surface and thickness, if
necessary replace at extra charge*.
Rear brake
Maintenance work:
䉯 Replace brake pads, clean brake pad contact
points in calipers.
䉯 Brake discs: Check surface and thickness, if
necessary replace at extra charge*.
䉯 Parking brake: Check condition and brake
lining thickness, if necessary replace at extra
charge*.
*Unless covered by Maintenance Program.
Vehicle check
Maintenance work:
䉯 Check operation of horn, headlight flasher and