2000 BMW X5 4.4I stop start

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.

68n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic engine speed is too high, for instance,
the downshift will not be executed. The
gear selected will appear briefly in the
instrument cluster followed by the
current gear.
If you are driving in the manual
mode and wish to accelerate rap-
idly Ð to pass another vehicle, for exam-
ple Ð shift down manually or with the
kickdown function.<
You can only change from M/S to se-
lector lever positions "P," "R" and "N"
via the "D" position.
In the following situations, the Step-
tronic "thinks" for you in the manual
mode:
>In order to prevent engine over-
speeding, the transmission shifts
automatically to the next higher gear
shortly before the RPM cutoff point.
>At low speeds, the transmission
shifts down automatically Ð you do
not have to act.
>In the "Kickdown" mode, the trans-
mission shifts down to the lowest
possible gear based on the engine
speed.
>Depending on the situation Ð when
driving in adverse winter conditions,
for example Ð you may also start out
in 2nd or 3rd gear.
Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on
or the message "TRANS.FAIL-
SAFE PROG" appears in the
Check Control
*, there is a fault in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the
transmission selector lever to "P." Set
the parking brake and turn the engine
off (ignition key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the en-
gine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. You may
continue to drive as usual. If the indica-
tor lamp does not go out, you can place
the selector lever in all positions. How-
ever, the vehicle will now only drive for-
ward with limited gear selection.
If this should occur, avoid extreme en-
gine loads and consult the nearest au-
thorized BMW center.
Do not work in the engine com-
partment when a drive gear (for-
ward or reverse) is engaged. If you do
this, the vehicle could move.<
Information on jump-starting, tow-start-
ing and towing begins on page 170.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
83n
PDC
*
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
The PDC system does not remove
the driver's personal responsibility
for evaluating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstacles. Even when
sensors are involved, there is a blind
spot in which objects cannot be de-
tected. This applies especially in those
cases where the system approaches
the physical constraints of ultrasonic
measurement, as occurs with tow bars
and trailer couplings, and in the vicinity
of thin and painted objects.
Certain sources of sound, such as a
loud radio, could drown out the PDC
signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free
of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they continue to operate effectively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Maintain an adequate distance of more
than 4 inches (10 cm).<
The concept DSC maintains vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability
during acceleration and when starting
from a full stop, as well as optimizing
traction. In addition, the system recog-
nizes unstable vehicle conditions (un-
dersteering or oversteering, for exam-
ple) and helps to keep the vehicle on a
sure course by intervening via the en-
gine and by braking intervention at the
individual wheels.
The system starts up automatically
each time you start the engine. Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly
after you switch on the ignition.
Refer to page 24.
Indicator lamp ßashes:
The system is active and governs drive
force and braking force.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or comes on dur-
ing normal driving and stays on:
There is a system malfunction or the
system was deactivated with the but-
ton. You can continue to drive the vehi-
cle normally, but without DSC. Consult
your authorized BMW center to have
the system repaired.
To deactivate the system Press the button (arrow); the indicator
lamp comes on and stays on.
Traction intervention remains active;
that is, braking intervention will con-
tinue. Refer also to Four-wheel drive on
page 177.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to deacti-
vate the DSC for a short period:
>when rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose
surfaces.
>on sandy road surfaces.
>on poor surfaces with deep ruts.
>if the wheels "churn" on muddy
surfaces.
>or when driving with snow chains. 530us048

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
117n
Driving your BMW X5 Your BMW is right at home on all roads
and byways Ð even where the pavement
ends. It combines permanent four-
wheel drive with the agility of a typical
passenger car. On bad roads When you are driving on bad roads,
there are a few points which you should
strictly heed Ñ for your own safety, for
that of your passengers, and for the
safekeeping of the vehicle:
>Familiarize yourself with the vehicle
before you begin driving. Do not take
risks with the vehicle under any cir-
cumstances.
>Always adapt vehicle speed to road
conditions Ð the steeper and more
uneven the road surface is, the
slower the vehicle's speed should be.
>You can operate your vehicle on up-
hill and downhill gradients with a
maximum slope of 50 %. If you intend
to drive on either an uphill or downhill
gradient of this steepness, check to
be sure in advance that the engine oil
and coolant levels are both near the
"max" mark. Refer to page 137
and 140.
When driving down steep slopes, use
the Hill Descent Control (HDC). Refer
to page 84. Starting from a full stop is possible on
uphill gradients of up to 32 %.
The permitted side tilt is also 50 %.
>While driving, watch carefully for ob-
stacles such as rocks or holes. Try to
avoid these obstacles whenever pos-
sible.
>On hill crests and bumpy roads, for
example, be careful to prevent the
body from "bottoming" (contact be-
tween the body and the ground).
The ground clearance of the vehicle
is:
Ð 8 inches (200 mm) with up to four
passengers
Ð 7 inches (180 mm) fully loaded.
>Do not drive in water that is deeper
than 20 inches (50 cm). If you must
drive through water up to that depth,
drive at a walking speed and do not
stop.
After leaving the water, press on the
footbrake gently several times while
driving at a low speed. The brake ap-
plications will help to dry the brakes,
thus preventing a reduction in brak-
ing performance caused by the mois-
ture.
Back onto the paved road In recommending that you observe the
following points after driving on adverse
road surfaces, it is not as a "beauty
treatment" for your BMW. Instead, it is
intended for the maintenance of driving
safety:
>Clean accumulations of dirt from the
body and check the undercarriage for
damage.
>Clean mud, snow, ice and other ma-
terials from the wheels and tires.
Check the tires for damage.
>Check to determine whether rocks,
gravel or accumulations of dirt on the
brake rotors and calipers could influ-
ence braking performance. Remove
all such foreign objects.
>In order to clean the brake rotors,
apply the footbrake gently several
times while driving at a low speed. Be
sure that following traffic is not en-
dangered by this.
>For cleaning the parking brake, apply
the lever slightly at approx. 25 mph
(40 km/h) and continue to drive for
approx. 200 yards (200 meters), pro-
vided that traffic conditions allow you
to do so.

118n
General driving notes Catalytic converter
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.
Aquaplaning:
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce vehicle speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water may form between the
tires and the road surface. This phe-
nomenon is referred to as aquaplaning
or hydroplaning. It is characterized by a
partial or complete loss of contact be-
tween the tires and the road surface.
The ultimate results are loss of steering
and braking control.
Cargo area cover:
Do not place heavy or hard objects on
the cargo area cover. These objects
could endanger vehicle occupants dur-
ing heavy brake applications or evasive
maneuvers.
Clothes hooks:
When suspending articles of clothing
from the hooks, be sure that they will
not obstruct the driver's vision. Do not
hang heavy objects on the hooks. If you
do so, they could cause personal injury
during braking or evasive maneuvers.< The catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions.
It is designed for use with unleaded fuel
only. Even minute quantities of lead
would be enough to permanently dam-
age both the catalytic converter and the
system oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and avoid potential damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements.
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty.
>When the battery is discharged, start
the engine with an outside starting
aid.
>Avoid other situations in which the
fuel is not burned, or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start (stopping and
restarting an engine which is running
properly does not present a problem).
Never allow the engine to run with
any of the spark plug cables discon-
nected.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
145n
Caring for your vehicle Caring for the vehicle finish Regular washing is a preventive mea-
sure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the vehi-
cle's finish, especially if you drive your
vehicle in areas with high levels of air
pollution or aggressive natural sub-
stances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive sub-
stances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled
during refueling, oil, grease and brake
fluid should always be cleaned away
immediately, as should bird droppings
(finish damage).
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use clean-
ing fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth or
cotton pad to remove these stains. Re-
move tar spots with tar remover. After
cleaning, the affected areas should be
waxed to ensure continued protection.
Waxing your vehicle Protect the finish using carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes only.
The best way to determine when the
finish needs to be waxed is by noting
when water stops beading on the sur-
face.
You can use a glass cleaner to remove
any wax or silicone that may have been
left on the windows during waxing.
Paint damageYou can touch up small areas of dam-
age with BMW spray paint or a BMW
touchup stick.
The color code of your vehicle is pro-
vided on a tag on the right-hand panel
under the hood and on the first page of
the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet.
Damage caused by flying stones,
scratches, etc., must be touched up
without delay to prevent rust from
forming.
If corrosion has started to form in an
area with paint damage, remove all rust
and clean the area. Then prime the area
with a BMW Primer Stick. Finally, apply
the finish coat. After a few days, polish
and protect the touched-in areas.
More extensive paint damage should
be professionally repaired in accor-
dance with the manufacturer's instruc-
tions. Your BMW center uses original
BMW finish materials in accordance
with factory repair procedures.
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW center.<

160n
Changing a wheel
Safety measures in the event of a
ßat tire or wheel change:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing trafÞc. Park on a Þrm, ßat, sur-
face. Switch on the hazard ßashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position, remove the key and en-
gage the steering lock. Select ÒParkÒ po-
sition and engage the parking brake. All
passengers should be outside the vehi-
cle and well away from your immediate
working area (behind a guardrail, for in-
stance). If a warning triangle or portable
hazard warning lamp is available, set it
up on the roadside at an appropriate
distance from the rear of the vehicle.
Comply with all safety guidelines and
regulations. Change the wheel only on a
level, Þrm surface which is not slippery.
Avoid jacking the vehicle up on a soft or
slippery surface (snow, ice, very smooth
surfaces, etc.), since it could slide side-
ways. Position the jack on a Þrm support
surface. Do not place wooden blocks or
similar objects under the jack. If this is
done, the jack might not be able to
reach its full support capacity because
of the limited height. Do not lie under
the vehicle or start the engine when the
vehicle is supported by the jack. Failure
to comply with this creates a risk of fatal
injury.<
What you will need In order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are through
using them.
>Two wedges (wheel chocks)
Open the liftgate and tailgate.
In the cargo area, fold up the floor
cover or pull-out cargo floor (refer to
page 110 or 111).
Take out the wedges (arrow) next to
the spare wheel. 530us117
>Lug wrench
Is located next to the spare wheel.
>Vehicle jack
Refer to page 162.530us120

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