Page 62 of 201
62n
Child seat security Child-safety locks To release the belt Release the buckle, remove the child-
restraint device and allow the belt
retractor to reel the belt completely in.
Slide the safety lever on the rear doors
downward:
The door can now be opened from the
outside only.
530us038
Page 78 of 201

78n
Check Control >CHECK BRAKE FLUID
Indicates that brake fluid is down to
approximately the minimum level.
Top up the brake fluid at the next op-
portunity. Refer to page 141. Have
the cause of the brake fluid loss diag-
nosed and corrected by your BMW
center.
>SELFLEVEL. SUSP. INACT
Please consult the nearest authorized
BMW center. Refer to page 125.
>SPEED LIMIT
*
You will see this message if the pro-
grammed speed limit has been ex-
ceeded.Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds
when the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 2. The warning symbols remain
after the message disappears. You can
call up the messages again for display
by pressing the CHECK button.
>TRUNKLID OPEN
This message appears only at the
start of a trip.
>DOOR OPEN
This message appears after a mini-
mal defined road speed has been
exceeded.
>FASTEN SEAT BELTS
*
In addition to this message, an indi-
cator lamp with the safety belt icon
appears and an acoustical signal is
sounded.
>WASHER FLUID LOW
The fluid level is too low; top up at
the next opportunity. Refer to
page 136.
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
Add engine oil as soon as possible.
Refer to page 137.>OUTSIDE TEMP. +23 7 (Ð5 6)
This display is only an example. The
current temperature is displayed at
outside temperatures of +37.5 7
(+3 6) and below. Refer also to
page 74.
>CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS
A lamp has failed or the electrical
circuit has a fault. Refer to pages 157
and 158 or consult an authorized
BMW center.
>CHECK LOWBEAM LIGHTS
CHECK SIDE LIGHTS
CHECK REAR LIGHTS
CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS
CHECK LICPLATE LIGHTS
CHECK HIGHBEAM LIGHTS
CHECK BACK UP LIGHTS
Defective bulb or circuit. Refer to
page 155 or consult an authorized
BMW center.
Page 107 of 201

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
107n
Cargo area Fold the rear backrests down Reach into the recess and pull forward
(arrow ).
The rear backrest is divided into two
sections (one-third and two-thirds of
the width of the seat). You can fold
either section of the backrest down
separately in order to increase the
capacity of the cargo area.
When you close the backrest, be
sure that the catch engages se-
curely. The red warning indicator disap-
pears in the recess when the retainer is
locked.
The center safety belt can be retracted
only when the larger backrest is en-
gaged.< 530us076
Cargo area cover Pull the cover out by the handle and
hook it in the rear holders.
You can carry light objects such as arti-
cles of clothing on the cover.
Do not place heavy or hard ob-
jects on the cover. If you do so,
they could pose a danger to vehicle
occupants during a braking or evasive
maneuver.<
Before you slide it back into position,
place the grip in the rear fold of the
cover. 530us079
When the cover is pulled out, it can be
opened behind the rear-seat backrest
to gain access to the cargo area from
the rear seats during a trip, for example.
For removing the cover: refer to the
next page. 530us154
Page 112 of 201

112n
Cargo loading Stowing cargo When transporting cargo in your BMW:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible Ð directly behind the back-
rests Ð and as low as possible.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest.
>Fasten the partition net
* (refer to
page 108) and ensure that carried
items cannot pass through the parti-
tion net.
>If you are transporting very heavy
loads when the rear seat is not occu-
pied, secure the outer safety belts in
the opposite buckles.
530de032
Securing the load >Secure smaller, light pieces with the
retaining straps or a luggage net
*, or
use elastic straps (refer to page 42).
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing de-
vices
*. The lashing eyes provided at
the corners of the cargo area serve
for mounting these load-securing
devices.
>Read and comply with the informa-
tion enclosed with the load-securing
devices.
530us090
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the permissible gross
vehicle weight and the permissible axle
loads (refer to page 186). If you do, the
operating safety of the vehicle is no
longer ensured and you are in violation
of the law.
Do not carry hard or heavy objects un-
secured in the passenger compartment.
If you do so, they may be projected
through the air during braking and
evasive maneuvers, thus endangering
vehicle occupants.<
Page 130 of 201

130n
Wheel and tire combinations The right choice Use only tires approved by BMW. Refer
to page 132.
Due to the high speeds this vehicle can
reach, the use of specific brands, spec-
ifications and sizes is mandatory. Con-
sult any BMW center for details.
Comply with all local/national regula-
tions.
The correct wheel-tire combina-
tion affects different systems such
as ABS, ATC and DSC. The function of
these systems is impaired if improper
wheel-tire combinations are used.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same brand and tread pattern. If you
have mounted winter tires and must use
the spare wheel following a flat tire, for
example, remount the approved wheel-
tire combination as soon as possible.<
Codes on the tires and wheels The tire codes will aid you in selecting
the correct tire.
Codes on radial tires:
The speed rating indicates the ap-
proved maximum speed for the tire.
Summer tires:
S = up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V = up to 150 mph (240 km/h)
W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y = up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR= over 150 mph (240 km/h) Example:
Nominal width
in mm
Aspect ratio in X
Belt rating code for
radial tires
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating
Speed rating
235/65 R 17 104 H
All-Season, All-Terrain and Winter tires:
Q M+S = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T M+S = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H M+S = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
Codes stamped on light-alloy wheels:
Protect valve stems from dirt by using
screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in the
valves frequently leads to slow leaks. Rim width
in inches
Code letter for
flange type
Symbol for full-drop
center rim
Rim diameter in inches
Special Extended Hump
on the 2 rim shoulders
7.5 x 17 SEH 2
J
Page 132 of 201

132n
Approved wheel and tire specifications Observe the specifications for tires and
wheels in the vehicle's manuals. If sizes
not approved by the manufacturer are
mounted, an entry in the vehicle's doc-
uments may be necessary. Snow chains
*
It is only possible to mount snow chains
on the rear wheels with tire size
235/65 R 17. Tire specifications Light-alloy wheels
BMW X5 4.4i
All-Season/All-Terrain
235/65 R 17 104 H M+S 7.5J x 17 SEH2
255/55 R 18 105 H M+S 8.5J x 18 EH2
Summer
255/55 R 18 105 V 8.5J x 18 EH2
Front: 255/50 R 19 103 V
Rear: 285/45 R 19 107 V9J x 19 EH2
10J x 19 EH2
Winter
235/65 R 17 104 Q/T/H M+S 7.5J x 17 SEH2
The use of rims and lug bolts that
do not meet the specifications of
the original factory-installed equipment
will affect the safe operation of your ve-
hicle and may cause an accident and
personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle con-
trol.<
Page 146 of 201

146n
Caring for your vehicle Window care You can use window and glass cleaner
to clean inside window surfaces and
mirrors without smearing and streaking.
Never use polishing pastes or abrasive
(quartz) cleansers on mirror lenses.
Clean the wiper blades with soapy wa-
ter. The wiper blades should be re-
placed twice a year, before and after
the cold season.
Use only wiper blades that have
been approved by BMW.<
Caring for other vehicle
components and materials Light-alloy wheels should be treated
with alloy wheel cleaner, especially dur-
ing the winter months. However, do not
use aggressive products containing
acids, strong alkalis or abrasives. Do
not use steam cleaners operating at
temperatures above 140 7 (60 6).
Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
If your vehicle has chrome parts
* such
as window moldings, door handles or
other items, clean these parts carefully
with ample clean water, especially if
they have an accumulation of road salt.
Use chrome polish as an additional
treatment.
Plastic components, vinyl upholstery,
headliners, lamp lenses, the clear cover
of the instrument panel and compo-
nents with a sprayed dull black surface
can be cleaned with water (add plastic
cleaner as required). Do not allow mois-
ture to soak through the seats or head-
liner. Never use solvents such as lac-
quer thinner, heavy-duty grease
remover, fuels, etc. Rubber components should be cleaned
with water only; a rubber treatment or
silicone spray may also be applied.
The safety belts should be cleaned with
a mild soap and water solution without
being removed from the vehicle. Never
attempt chemical or dry cleaning, as
damage to the belt fabric could result.
After cleaning, never allow the inertia
reel to retract the belts until they are
completely dry. Dirty safety belts pre-
vent the inertia reel mechanism from re-
tracting the strap properly, and thus
constitute a safety hazard.
Heavily soiled floor carpets and mats
*
can be cleaned with an interior cleaner.
The floor mats can be removed from
the vehicle for cleaning.
Please use only a damp cloth to clean
wooden fascia panels and components.
Follow up by drying with a soft cloth.
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW center.<
Page 175 of 201
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
175n
Airbags176
Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC)176
Four-wheel drive177
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)177
Radio reception178
Safety belt tensioner178
DSP sound system179
Rearview mirrors with automatic
dimmer179
Rain sensor180
Integrated rear suspension180
Level control system181
Xenon lamps181
Technol-