Car battery replacement for BMW X5 five-door SUV (E53)
Model years: 1999 - 2006
Car battery is a primary component inside vehicular electrical system. Basically, it stores electricity, which makes electric mechanisms do work inside the car. Therefore, it's relevant to maintain the battery in a perfectly operating condition. As a matter of fact, car battery is not a permanent unit, which efficiency will be deteriorated in time. It means, chemical processes within the battery will terminate and no electricity will be produced. Battery's lifespan has a limit of roughly 3 - 5 years, subsequently, loosing the ability of being recharged. That is why installation of a new battery should be considered. There is an option, that battery will dry out, due to the soil concentrated on connection points. Eventually, battery terminals can get covered by white powder (corrosion), what explains poor contacts. This implies, that the battery will become incapable of being re-charged by alternator. Little by little, it will get exhausted and no longer be able to provide electricity. Soil removal from cable and battery connection points, might get the battery back to its normal operation and make it valid again. The battery may also get exhausted, if the vehicle was not used for a few weeks or so. When this happens, battery recharge will possibly restore its efficiency. To start a recharge, you will need a battery charger.
Important! Some BMW X5 (E53) vehicles might be equipped with an IBS (Intelligent Battery Sensor) system. That means, newly replaced battery must be registered by your Service center. Avoiding battery registration might cause power management system failure, as well as incorrect readings on the display of the on-board computer.
BMW X5 battery location: luggage compartment (trunk) below spare tyre.
Recommended batteries for BMW X5:
* Note: if case more than one battery type is applicable for your model, compare parameters of the battery, currently installed on your vehicle, with parameters in the table below, before choosing the right one.
| Body type | Model | Battery specs | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five-door SUV | X5 3.0d X5 3.0i X5 4.4i X5 4.6is X5 4.8is | Capacity: 90Ah (AGM) Cold Cranking Amp: 900cca Dimensions: 353x175x190 mm | £167.94 (Amazon.co.uk) |
Capacity: 90Ah Cold Cranking Amp: 720cca Dimensions: 353x175x190 mm | £112.73 (Amazon.co.uk) |
How to replace car battery:
1.
Before battery replacement, make sure:
- you wear sturdy gloves and safety goggles
- vehicle keys are out of ignition switch
2.
The following tools are usually enough for battery replacement procedure:
- 10 and 13 mm wrenches or sockets
- Flat-head and Phillips type screw drivers
3. BMW X5 battery is located in luggage compartment (trunk) below spare tyre.
4.
To start replacing battery, remove the old one by disconnecting the negative connection first. This will prevent accidental short-circuits between positive battery terminal and the body of the vehicle. Make sure the cable does not come into contact with battery terminals during battery replacement procedure. Negative battery terminal can be identified by minus (-) sign next to it (1):
5.
Remove brackets that hold the battery attached to the vehicle frame.
6.
Open positive terminal cover (1):
7.
Disconnect positive connector:
8.
If present, disconnect ventilation hose from the battery (1). Some vehicles utilize battery ventilation system to vent formed gasses (hydrogen) to the outside.
9.
Vacate battery compartment by lifting the old battery off (note, that the battery is heavy, incorrect lifting can result in back injuries):
10.
Do not remove plastic terminal caps from new battery, until it's placed in the battery compartment inside the vehicle.
11.
Place the new battery in.
12.
Connect ventilation hose.
13.
If necessary, clean battery cables from dirt or rust before connecting, to ensure excellent contact.
14.
Contrary to disconnecting the battery, connect cables, starting with positive terminal first.
15.
Re-attach brackets and make sure battery does not make any movements.
16.
Dispose the old battery only at authorized collecting point.
