"check brake lights" warning

[babyduke]

No one's around to assist me so it's hard to see which bulbs are out. When it gives me this warning:

1) how many brake lights are there in each side for me to check?

2) manual says it recommends BMW special bulbs with neutral color so do I have to go to the dealer?

3) is it easy simple to replace them?

[admranger]

Back your X up to a wall or building at night. Look in your mirror as you press on the brakes. Should see a reflection of each working light off the wall.

You have one bulb in each corner. Not sure how many are in the center high mounted brake light.

You can get generic bulbs from the parts store (at least I did anyway). They are pretty easy to replace but you need small hands to get in there, twist the bulb holder to release it and then pull it out (there's a hatch by each corner brake light -- look at it closely and you'll see the release). I managed to drop the bulb holder pulling it out and added a few minutes figuring out where it went.

[FSETH]

You can also just pull open both housings and look at the bulbs. The filiment should be broken on the burnt out bulb and you may see a burned looking mark on the glass.

I agree that bulbs from the local parts store will work just fine.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by FSETH

You can also just pull open both housings and look at the bulbs. The filiment should be broken on the burnt out bulb and you may see a burned looking mark on the glass.

Meh! That's too much of a brute force option for me.

My hands barely fit in that housing so I just want to reach in and replace the one that is out.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by admranger

Meh! That's too much of a brute force option for me.

My hands barely fit in that housing so I just want to reach in and replace the one that is out.

Just giving another option.

I am a fan of backing up to something to see the reflection like you suggested if you don't have anyone around that can look for you.

[babyduke]

Thank you. I for some reason thought there were also brake lamps in the main reflector where the backup lamps are.

[X5Sport]

That area is where some models have high intensity rear fog lights. In the UK that's where ours are installed - one each side. Some countries only have one on their driver's side.

For the brake lights there are two each side in the corner units (one above the other, one for normal braking, and a second one which only comes in under extreme or emergency braking conditions - aka 'Brake Force Display'