
11n
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
Lamps:
Side lamps/Low beams86
Instrument lightning86
High beams/Parking lamps87
Fog lamps87
Interior lamps87
Reading lamps88
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control90
Seat heating96
Steering wheel heating96
Roller sun blind97
Independent ventilation
system97
Cabin convenience:
BMW Universal Transmitter98
Glove compartment101
Storage compartments101
Cellular phone102
Cup holders102
Ashtray, front103
Cigarette lighter103
Ashtray, rear104
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag105
Cargo area
Fold the rear backrests
down107
Cargo area cover107
Partition net108
Cover panels in the cargo
area109
Power outlets110
Pull-out cargo floor111
Cargo loading112
Roof-mounted luggage rack113
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures116
Driving your BMW X5117
General driving notes118
Catalytic converter118
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)119
Disc brakes122
Brake system123
Winter operation123
Power steering125
Level control system125
Cellular phone126
Radio reception126
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure127
Tire condition127
Tire replacement128
Tire rotation129
Wheel and tire
combinations130
Winter tires131
Snow chains131
Approved wheel and tire
specifications132

22n
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "
l
" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
V-belt is defective, increased steering
effort is also required.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level; top up as re-
quired. If the oil level is correct: please
contact the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The en-
gine could be damaged because
of inadequate lubrication.
<
Parking brake
*/
Brake hydraulic system l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 65.
Comes on although the parking brake
is released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before continuing your jour-
ney, be sure to read the notes on
pages 123 and 141.
Also comes on in the Check Control
with the message "CHECK BRAKE
LININGS."
Parking brake warning lamp
*/
Brake hydraulic system for
Canadian models.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
65n
Switching off the engine Parking brake Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Never remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is rolling. If you
did so, the ignition lock would engage
when the steering wheel is turned.
Always remove the ignition key and en-
gage the steering lock before leaving
the vehicle.
Always engage the parking brake and
place the selector lever in "Park" when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces.<
The vehicle must be stationary and the
selector lever in "Park" before you can
remove the ignition key.
To engage The lever engages automatically and
the "PARK BRAKE" or "BRAKE" (in
Canada "P") indicator lamp comes on in
the instrument cluster in ignition key
position 2. Refer to pages 22 and 23. To release Pull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever.
The parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates against the rear
wheels. 530us039
If, in exceptional circumstances, it
should be necessary to engage
the parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull it with excessive
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed
against the release button while care-
fully pulling up the lever to apply mod-
erate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is applied.
Always engage the parking brake and
place the selector lever in "Park" when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces.<
To avoid corrosion, apply the parking
brake lightly from time to time when
coasting to a standstill (at a traffic sig-
nal, for instance), provided that it is safe
to do so.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
77n
Check Control Graphic display
*
The following alerts or status messages
are displayed with icons from ignition
key position 2 and up until the defects
are corrected:
1 Check low beams.
2 Add washer fluid (goes out after ap-
prox. 1 minute).
3 Door open.
4 Tailgate open.
5 Check brake and tail lamps.
A defective center brake lamp is indi-
cated by the upper symbol.
When you open the door after stopping,
a warning signal sounds without a vi-
sual indicator for:
>LIGHTS ON and
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK. 390de121
Alphanumeric display
*
Text messages are used to alert the
driver to system malfunctions when the
ignition key is turned to position 2. The
alert is accompanied by a gong.
1 Status report symbol
2 Display
3 CHECK button
Messages concerning system faults are
differentiated based on two priorities: 390us111
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by a gong and a flashing warning
symbol 1. Simultaneous defects will be
displayed consecutively. These status
messages remain in the display until the
defects are corrected. They cannot be
deleted by pressing the CHECK
button 3:
>RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE
>COOLANT TEMPERATURE
The coolant is overheated. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to pages 76
and 140.
>STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to page 22.

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.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
79n
Check Control >TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG
Please consult the nearest authorized
BMW center. Refer to page 68.
>CHECK BRAKE LININGS
Have the brake linings inspected by
your BMW center. Refer to page 123.
>CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
Coolant too low, top up at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 140.
>ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG
There is a fault in the engine's elec-
tronic control system. When braking,
higher brake application pressure
may be necessary and brake pedal
travel may be significantly longer.
Have the fault checked by your
authorized BMW center.
Displays after completion of trip All of the malfunctions registered during
the trip appear consecutively when the
key is turned to position 0.
The following displays will appear when
appropriate:
>LIGHTS ON
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
Add engine oil at the next opportunity
(next stop for fuel). Refer to
page 137.
These displays appear when you open
the driver's door after parking the vehi-
cle. A supplementary gong is also
heard.
Status reports remain available for a
period of approx. three minutes after
the display goes out and the key is
removed from the ignition. Press the
CHECK button 3. If there were multiple
reports, press the CHECK button re-
peatedly to view them all in sequence.
To check the Check Control Press the CHECK button 3 with the
ignition key in position 2: CHECK
CONTROL OK appears in the display.
No malfunctions are present in the
monitored systems. Onboard computer
*
You will find a description of the
onboard computer in the Owner's
Manual for the Radio and Information
System or the Owner's Manual for the
onboard monitor.
You can have the Check Control
and onboard computer messages
displayed in a different language.<

84n
DSC Hill Descent Control (HDC)
As a result of the traction interven-
tion, the brakes may be subjected
to additional loads when the system is
deactivated. For this reason, it is possi-
ble that the braking intervention will be
disabled automatically for a brief period
in order to limit brake temperature.
To maintain vehicle stability, always
drive with the system switched on when
possible.<
To reactivate the systemPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be re-
pealed, even with DSC. An appro-
priate driving style always remains the
responsibility of the driver. We there-
fore urge you to avoid using the addi-
tional safety margin of the system as an
excuse for taking risks.<
For additional details concerning DSC,
please refer to the chapter describing
"Advanced technology" on page 177.
The concept HDC is a system for driving downhill on
steep roads. This system reduces
vehicle speed on steep downgrades,
thus allowing you to maintain control of
your BMW under these conditions.
The vehicle moves at slightly more than
walking speed without active interven-
tion from the driver.
You can activate HDC below approx.
20 mph (35 km/h). When driving down
steep roads, the vehicle reduces speed
automatically down to slightly more
than walking speed (approx. 5 mph/
8 km/h) and then maintains this speed
at a constant.
By applications of the brakes or accel-
erator, you can alter this speed in the
range of approx. 3 mph (5 km/h) to ap-
prox. 20 mph (35 km/h).
HDC is deactivated automatically if you
exceed approx. 35 mph (60 km/h).
To activate the system
Press the button. The
green indicator lamp illumi-
nates.
The indicator lamp flashes when the
brakes are applied automatically.
To deactivate the system Press the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
HDC is deactivated automatically above
a road speed of approx. 35 mph
(60 km/h) and when the ignition is
switched off. 530us141

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
85n
HDC To use HDC You can use HDC in every drive
position. In the event of a fault The indicator lamp goes out in the HDC
mode or does not come on when HDC
is activated:
HDC is temporarily not available if
brake temperature is too high.
If the DSC indicator lamp also
lights up:
There is a fault in the HDC and
DSC systems. Have your BMW center
inspect this system as soon as possi-
ble.