Operation, maintenance -> Safe braking for your BMW X5 2000-2006

140nSafe braking  
on the brakes and possible impairment  
of the braking effect.  
Emergency stops  
Disc brakes  
You brake most effectively when you When the vehicle is driven only occa-  
apply maximum pedal pressure in situa- sionally, during extended periods when  
Do not coast with the clutch  
depressed or with the transmis-  
sion or selector lever in neutral. Do not  
drive with the engine switched off. The  
engine provides no braking effect when  
the clutch is depressed or the transmis-  
sion is in neutral, and there is no power-  
assist for braking or steering when the  
engine is not running.  
BMW recommends having brake  
inspections performed at a BMW  
Sports Activity Vehicle center only. If  
you do not, parts of the 4-wheel drive  
system could be damaged.  
tions requiring it: emergency stops.  
Since the vehicle maintains steering  
responsiveness, you can nevertheless  
avoid possible obstacles with a mini-  
mum of steering effort.  
the vehicle is not used at all, and in  
operating conditions where brake appli-  
cations are less frequent, there is an  
increased tendency for corrosion to  
form on rotors, while contaminants  
accumulate on the brake pads. This  
occurs because the minimal pressure  
which must be exerted by the pads dur-  
ing brake applications to clean the  
rotors is not reached.  
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined  
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits  
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its  
active mode.  
If the brake rotors are corroded, they  
will tend to respond to braking with a  
pulsating effect which even extended  
application will fail to cure.  
Brake fluid level  
If the brake fluid level is too low and  
brake pedal travel has become longer,  
there may be a defect in one of the two  
brake system's hydraulic circuits.  
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any  
other objects to protrude into the area  
around the accelerator, clutch and  
brake pedals and obstruct their move-  
ment.<  
When driving in wet conditions and in  
heavy rain, it is advisable to apply light  
pressure to the brake pedal from time  
to time. Monitor traffic conditions to  
ensure that this maneuver does not  
Proceed to the nearest BMW  
Sports Activity Vehicle center.  
Here increased pressure on the brake  
pedal may be required, and slight pull- endanger other road users. The heat  
ing to the side and longer braking dis- generated in this process helps dry the  
tances may result. Please remember to pads and rotors to ensure that the brak-  
Brake pads  
For your own safety: use only  
brake pads that BMW has  
adapt your driving style accordingly.<  
ing force is then immediately available  
when required.  
released for your particular vehicle  
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-  
approved brake pads to determine if  
they are suited for use, and therefore  
cannot ensure the operating safety of  
the vehicle if they are installed.<  
Extended or steep mountain descents  
should be driven in the gear in which  
only minimal periodic brake application  
is required. This avoids excessive strain