2000 BMW X5 4.4I sensor

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
177n
The transmission of power to the four
drive wheels is provided permanently
through a transfer box. The distribution
of torque between the front and rear
axles is 38% to 62%.
Traditional differential locks at the front
and rear axles and in the transfer box
are not required. Their function is taken
over by automatic braking intervention
at all four wheels. These traction inter-
ventions are governed by Automatic
Differential Brake (ADB), a sub-function
of DSC.
If a wheel tends to slip, it is braked
automatically by ADB until it once again
gains traction, and drive force can be
transmitted to that wheel. In addition,
the drive force is distributed to the
remaining wheels during this system
530us133
intervention. Engine output is also re-
duced if necessary.
When the DSC is deactivated, the ADB
traction intervention is set for the maxi-
mum drive force. However, the engine
intervention and the stability controls
are no longer available. For this reason,
DSC should only be deactivated in the
exceptional circumstances described
on page 83.
The BMW X5 is a vehicle for all types of
roads. The permanent four-wheel drive
provides a significant degree of vehicle
stability and tractive power under all
road conditions. It assists in critical sit-
uations such as driving in extreme win-
ter conditions or on bad roads. Precision sensors monitor the wheel
speeds, the steering angle, lateral
acceleration, brake pressure and the
movement of the vehicle around its
vertical axis.
If differences in wheel speeds occur,
the system recognizes the danger of
wheelspin and reduces the engine's
drive torque. If necessary, the system
also responds with additional braking
intervention at all four wheels.
In addition, DSC permanently monitors
the vehicle's current operating condi-
tion and compares it with an ideal con-
dition that is calculated from the sensor
signals. If discrepancies from this ideal
condition (understeering or oversteer-
ing, for example) occur, DSC stabilizes
the vehicle in fractions of a second by
reducing engine power output and with
the assistance of braking intervention at
individual wheels. Dangerous skids are
thus prevented from the very beginning.
You may need some time to become
accustomed to this system intervention.
However, it provides optimum drive
force and vehicle stability.
The braking intervention may be ac-
companied by certain sounds specific
to the system.
Four-wheel drive DSC

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
179n
DSP sound system
*
Rearview mirrors with automatic dimmer
*
The DSP Professional premium sound
system features a special amplifier
combined with Digital Sound Process-
ing (DSP) and integrated speakers to
surround you with crisp, true-to-life
sound reproduction. The speaker sys-
tem's subwoofers, woofers, midrange
speakers and tweeters furnish you with
an impressively full-bodied listening ex-
perience. The individual components
are oriented so as to produce the aural
sensation that you would experience
facing the stage in a concert hall. The
system also automatically adjusts the
bass and treble settings to compensate
for changes in volume and vehicle
speed. 530us142
The interior and exterior rearview mir-
rors with automatic dimming feature
reduce glare from following traffic by
adapting the intensity of the reflected
images to correspond to levels of light
registered by the unit's sensors. The
mirrors revert to their undimmed setting
as soon as the light source disappears.
A forward facing sensor is mounted on
the front of the interior mirror housing
and is designed to monitor light levels
in the area forward of the vehicle.
A second sensor is integrated within
the mirror's glass. The electronic con-
trol system operates by comparing the
respective levels of luminous intensity
in front of and behind the vehicle. 390de113
The difference provides the basic pa-
rameter used to modulate an electrical
current and induce chemical changes in
a semisolid layer incorporated in the
lenses.
The semisolid reacts chemically to this
electrical current, thus providing dim-
ming of the mirrors through an infi-
nitely-variable range (electrochromic
technology).
As a result, it is no longer necessary to
dim the interior mirror manually, and the
driver can concentrate completely on
traffic conditions.

180n
Rain sensor
*
Integrated rear suspension
The rain sensor controls windshield
wiper operation, depending on how wet
the windshield is.
Infrared light is carried along the sur-
face of the windshield in an optical con-
ductor in such a manner that it is re-
flected completely when the windshield
is dry. The quantity of reflected light is
measured.
If the window is covered with beads of
water, the amount of light that is re-
flected is decreased since the infrared
light at the surface of the windshield
can then escape. The quantity of re-
flected light is thus a means of gauging
the degree of wetness on the wind-
shield. 390de133
When the system is set to the "Intermit-
tent" wiper speed, the wipers react im-
mediately Ñ if water is splashed onto
the windshield by vehicles traveling
ahead of you, for example. As a result,
the rain sensor provides a contribution
to driving safety and comfort.
This axle is based on the same multi-
link principle as that in series-7 vehi-
cles. The axle's kinematics and elastic
kinematics are critical for wheel control
Ñ a significant prerequisite for achieving
the objective of exceptional onroad
handling characteristics with this vehi-
cle concept.
In order to reduce unsprung mass, the
wheel carriers and the swing arm are
made of aluminum.
For an outstanding quality in acoustics
and vehicle oscillation characteristics,
the differential is isolated with double
elasticity through a chassis sub-frame
toward the vehicle body.
530us131

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
181n
Level control system

Xenon lamps
*
The level control system for the rear
axle maintains constant ground clear-
ance of your vehicle, even when carry-
ing a load.
For this purpose, the vehicle is
equipped with air springs instead of
steel springs at the rear axle. With the
help of two sensors, an electronic
control unit calculates the height of the
body at all times and, if it is required, it
allows air which is generated in a com-
pressor to flow into the air springs.
As a result of the pressure increase in
the air springs, the level control system
ensures not only constant ride height,
but also ride comfort which is indepen-
dent of the load the vehicle is carrying. 530us132
Xenon lamps illuminate the side and
front areas of the vehicle with signifi-
cantly more brightness and uniformity
than traditional halogen lamps.
In a xenon lamp, an electric arc re-
places the filament in order to generate
intense illumination. A gas mixture in a
quartz glass tube with metal vapor is
ignited by a high electric voltage. The
arc that is generated is then sustained
by a lower voltage. When the lamp is
turned on there is a brief period of high
intensity. Maximum brightness is
attained in approx.15 seconds. 390de134
Xenon lamps provide significantly-im-
proved visibility, especially during ad-
verse weather conditions and driving
situations (driving at night in heavy rain
or through road repair areas where
there are no lane markers, for instance).
Vehicles with xenon lamps
are
equipped with automatic headlamp
range control. As a result, the highway
is always optimally lighted, regardless
of load conditions, and drivers in on-
coming traffic are not blinded.
Xenon lamps make a significant contri-
bution to highway safety since other
highway users, or bicyclists and motor-
cyclists in the right lane, and pedestri-
ans are more easily detected.

Everything from A to ZFuel filler door release after
electrical fault168
Fuel gauge75
Fuel quality30
Fuel tank capacity187
Fuses167GGarage-door opener98
Gasoline30
General driving notes118
Glasses compartment102
Glove compartment101
Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement159
Gross vehicle weight186
Ground clearance117HHandbrake65
Handsfree system102
Hazard warning flashers28
Hazard warning triangle28
HDC (Hill Descent
Control)84
Head restraints49
Headlamp covers,
care143, 155
Headlamp flasher69
Headlamp washer
system136Headlamp washers70
Heated steering wheel96
Heating and ventilation90
Heating while stopped94
Heavy cargo112
Height185
Height adjustment, seats48
Height adjustment, steering
wheel51
HiFi system179
High beams25, 87
Bulb replacement155
Hill Descent Control
(HDC)84
Hood release133
Horn26, 27
Hydraulic Brake Assistant
refer to DBC24, 120
IIce warning74
Identification number141
Identification, tires130
Ignition key34
Ignition lock63
Independent ventilation97
Indicator lamps22
Inflation pressure31, 127
INSPECTION76
Instrument cluster18, 20
Instrument lighting86Instrument panel20
Instruments18
Integrated rear axle180
Interference indicators77
Interference, cellular
phone126
Interior and exterior rearview
mirrors, automatic
dimming feature53
Interior lamps87
Bulb replacement158
Remote control38
Interior mirror53
Interior motion sensor44
Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature179
Interlock63
Intermittent switch69
JJump-starting170KKey Memory55
Keys34
Keys with radio remote
control34
Kickdown67
LLashing eyes42, 112
Leather care147
Length185
Level control
system24, 125, 181
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement158
Liftgate42, 168
Light switch86
Light-alloy wheel132
Lighter103
Lights-on warning86
Load-securing devices112
Louvers90
Low beams86
Bulb replacement155
Low-fuel warning lamp75
Lug bolts163
Lug wrench160
Luggage net42
Luggage space42
Luggage straps42
Lumbar support49MM+S tires131
Maintenance76, 142
Manual operation
Doors36
Liftgate168
Sliding/Tilt sunroof168
Tailgate169

Owner service proceduresAAdding brake fluid141
Adding coolant140
Adding engine oil137
Adding washer fluid136
Adjusting washer
nozzles136
Air pressure30, 127
Avoiding unintentional
alarms44BBattery, discharged170
Brakes, brake faults123CChanging a wheel160
Charging the battery166
Check Control77
Check oil level137
Checking tire pressure30DDeactivating the interior
motion sensor38, 44
Deactivating the tilt sensor
alarm system38, 44
Defrosting the windows93
Difficult steering125
Doors, manual operation36
EElectrical malfunction
Fuel filler door168
Liftgate168
Sliding/Tilt sunroof168
Tailgate169
Emergency operation
Doors36
Fuel filler door168
Liftgate168
Sliding/Tilt sunroof168
Tailgate169
Engine oil grades138FFailure messages77
Failure of an electrical
accessory167
Fault displays77
Filling the windshield washer
reservoir136
First-aid kit28
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing171
Flat tire160
Fog lamp, bulb
replacement156
Footwell lamps, bulb
replacement158
GGlove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement158HHazard warning flashers28
Hazard warning triangle28
Headlamp covers,
care143, 155
High beams, bulb
replacement155
Hood release133IIndicator lamps22
Interior lamps, bulb
replacement158JJump-starting170LLevel control system,
inactive125
License plate lamps, bulb
replacement158
Liftgate
Release following an
electrical malfunction168Low beams, bulb
replacement155
Lug wrench160
MMaintenance76, 142
Malfunction displays77
Manual operation
Doors36
Liftgate168
Sliding/Tilt sunroof168
Tailgate169OOil grades138
Onboard tool kit154PPressure, tires30, 127RRear window wiper, wiper
blade replacement154
Releasing the fuel filler door
following an electrical
malfunction168
Releasing the hood133
Releasing the tailgate
following an electrical
malfunction169