Page 77 of 223

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
77nTachometer Energy control Fuel gauge
Do not operate the engine with the
needle in the red overspeed zone of the
gauge.
To protect the engine, the engine
management system automatically
interrupts the fuel supply in this range;
the resulting effect resembles that
associated with a sudden loss of
power.
390us004
Indicates the current fuel consumption
in mpg (in liters/100 km on Canadian
vehicles). This allows you to see
whether your current driving style is
conducive to fuel economy with
minimum exhaust emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the
display goes to "Maximum" (zero on
Canadian models).
390us005
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the indicator lamp comes on and
stays on, there are approx.
>2.0 gallons (8 liters) – BMW X5 3.0i
> 2.5 gallons (10 liters) – BMW X5 4.4i
of fuel still in the tank.
Tank capacity: refer to page 209.
Certain operating conditions (such as
those encountered in mountainous
areas) may cause the needle to fluc-
tuate slightly.
Please refuel early, as driving to
the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter. <
390us006
Page 78 of 223

78nCoolant temperature gauge Service Interval Display
Blue
The engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.
Red
When you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the warning lamp comes on while
driving or the message "COOLANT
TEMPERATURE" appears in the Check
Control
*: the engine is overheated.
Shut off the engine immediately and
allow it to cool down.
390de007
Between the blue and red zones
Normal operating range. It is not
unusual for the needle to rise as far as
the edge of the red zone in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.
Checking coolant level: refer to
page 160.
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.
Green lamps
The number of illuminated lamps
decreases as the time for your next
maintenance visit approaches.
Yellow lamp
This field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact
your BMW center for an appointment.
Red lamp
The maintenance deadline has been
passed.
390us008
Page 79 of 223

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
79nCheck 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
approx. 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
visual 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 78
and 160.
> STOP!ENGINE OILPRESS
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to page 22.
Page 81 of 223

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
81nCheck Control
>TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG
Please consult the nearest BMW
center. Refer to page 70.
> CHECK BRAKE LININGS
Have the brake linings inspected by
your BMW center. Refer to page 141.
> CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
Coolant too low, top up at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 160.
> ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG
There is a fault in the engine's elec-
tronic control system.
You can continue to drive with
reduced engine output or engine
speed. Have the system checked by
your BMW center. Displays after completion of trip
All of the malfunctions registered during
the trip appear consecutively when the
ignition 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 157.
This display appears when you open
the driver's door after parking the
vehicle. 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
repeatedly 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.
Computer
You will find a description of the
computer in the Owner's Manual for
the Radio and Information System or
the Owner's Manual for the Onboard
Computer.
You can have the Check Control
and computer messages
displayed in a different language. <
Page 82 of 223

82n
Computer Mode selectionFrom ignition key position 1 and up,
you can call up information from the
computer using the button in the turn
signal lever. By pressing the button
briefly in the direction of the steering
column, you can call up a new function
for display.
The displays appear in the following
order: outside temperature, average
fuel consumption, cruising range,
average speed.
Starting with ignition key position 1,
the last active setting is displayed.
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.530us047
Outside temperature and average
fuel consumption You can change the units of measure-
ment (6/7) for the outside tempera-
ture display by
1 pressing and holding the trip
odometer reset button (in ignition
key position 1).
2 and then turning the ignition key to 0.
Refer also to page 76.390us126
Cruising range and average speed The computer bases its calculations of
the cruising range on the previous
driving style and conditions.
This computer ignores any time spent
when the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is not running in its average
speed calculations.390us703
Page 84 of 223

84n
Multi-Information Display (MID)
*
Central displayThe MID serves as the central display
and operation for the following onboard
systems:
>Digital clock (e. g. time display, date)
>Audio systems (radio, cassette, CD)
>Computer ( e.g. fuel consumption,
cruising range)
>Cellular phone ( e.g. dialing).
You will find explanations and notes
for operating the digital clock and the
computer on the following pages.
Please refer to the separate Owner's
Manuals for operating the audio
systems, the cellular phone and the
Onboard Computer.
Any unrealistic numerical entries
will not be accepted.
All stored data will be lost if the power
supply is interrupted. Time display,
switch-on times for independent
heating and ventilation, distance and
cruise control speed limit may have to
be reset once the power supply has
been re-established.<
1 Function button for audio systems
2 Function button for the cellular
phone
*
3 Indicator lamp for independent
ventilation
*
>remains on if switch-on time is
active
>flashes while operating
4 Function button for the digital clock
and computer
5 Indicator display for the various
computer systems390us705
6 Display for the entry and query but-
tons. Depending on the operating
mode, the functions and alternatives
that can be selected at the buttons
are displayed here
7 Entry and query buttons for operating
the various computer systems
Page 85 of 223

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
85n
Digital clock in the MID
*
Only make inputs when the vehi-
cle is standing still – to avoid
endangering yourself or other road
users.<
To call up time or datePress the left side of the button.
Display shows:
You can have the time displayed in
12 or 24 hours.
To change the display:
Press the left side of the button.
If the 12-hour time display is in use, AM
or PM appears after the time.
Changing the time displayPress the left side of the button.
Press the right side of the button:
The dots flash in the display.
To alter the setting:
Press on the left or right, or hold the
button down.
To store the input:
Press the right side of the button.
To change the datePress the left side of the button.
Press.
Press the right side of the button:
The dots and the DATE display flash.
To alter the setting:
Press on left or right, or hold the button
down.
To store the input:
Press the right side of the button.
The clock takes leap years into account
and therefore does not have to be reset
manually.
Page 86 of 223
86n
Digital clock in the MID
*
Reminder signalYou can program a reminder signal
(Memo) to be heard every hour, so that
you are sure not to miss a news
broadcast .
Press the left side of the button.
Press.
MEMO OFF appears in the display for
entry and query buttons, and the tone
symbol will appear in the upper right of
the display.
A signal is then heard 15 seconds be-
fore each hour.
Timer Press the left side of the button.
Press.
Display shows:
To start the stopwatch function:
Press the right side of the button.
To take an intermediate time reading:
Press.
Press.
The stopwatch display can be seen
counting up; the stopwatch continues
to run.
To halt the stopwatch:
Press the right side of the button.
The stopwatch is halted when the
ignition switch is turned back to 0,
but starts to run again when the ignition
key is turned to 1.<