Page 30 of 223

30nFuel specifications Tire inflation pressure
The engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter. <
You will find tire inflation pressures on
the inside door pillar.
Check tire pressures
All pressure specifications are indicated
in psi (kilopascal) for tires at ambient
temperature (refer also to the next
page).
530us009
Check tire inflation pressures
regularly — at least every two
weeks and before beginning a longer
trip. Incorrect tire pressure can other-
wise lead to tire damage and accidents.
Check the tire inflation pressure of the
spare wheel. Inflate the spare tire to
the highest inflation of any tire on your
vehicle. <
Comply with tire approval
specifications
The inflation pressures in the table
apply to tires from BMW-approved
manufacturers. Your BMW center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
from other manufacturers. You will find
a list of approved tires beginning on
page 150.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW-approved
tires.
Page 32 of 223

32n
Locks and security systems:
Keys 34
Electronic vehicle immobilizer 35
Central locking system 36
Opening and closing – from the outside 36
Using the key 36
Using the remote control 37
Opening and closing – from the inside 40
Liftgate 41
Tailgate 41
Alarm system 43
Electric power windows 45
Sliding/Tilt sunroof with glass moonroof 46
Adjustments:
Seats 48
Steering wheel 52
Mirrors 53
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory 55
Car Memory, Key Memory 56
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts 57
Airbags 58
Transporting children safely 61Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock
64
Starting the engine 64
Switching off the engine 65
Parking brake 66
Manual transmission 67
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 68
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp flasher 70
Washer/Wiper system/Rain sensor 71
Rear window defroster 73
Cruise control 74
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature display 76
Tachometer 77
Energy control 77
Fuel gauge 77
Coolant temperature gauge 78
Service Interval Display 78
Check Control 79
Computer 82
Multi-Information Display
(MID) 84
Digital clock in the MID 85
Computer in the MID 88
Controls
Page 35 of 223

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
35nElectronic vehicle immobilizer
The key to security
Your BMW is equipped with a passive
anti-theft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce
the susceptibility of the vehicle to theft
by making it impossible to start the
engine using any means other than the
special keys furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for indi-
vidual keys (in the event of loss, for
instance). A deactivated key can no
longer be used to start the engine.
463de042
How the electronics work
At the heart of this system is an
electronic chip that is integrated into
the key. The lock mechanism itself is
actually a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will not release the ignition, fuel
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can
damage the integrated electronic
circuitry. A damaged key can no longer
be used to start the engine. <
Page 36 of 223

36nCentral locking system Opening and closing – from the outside
The concept
The central locking system is ready for
operation as soon as you close the front
doors. The system engages and
releases the locks on the
>doors
> liftgate/tailgate
> fuel filler door.
The central locking system can be
operated
> from outside via the driver's door lock
as well as via the remote control.
> from inside via the button for the
central locking system.
If the system is locked from inside, the
fuel filler door remains unlocked. Refer
to page 40.
When the system is actuated from
outside of the vehicle, the anti-theft
protection is actuated simultaneously.
The alarm system is also activated or
deactivated.
In the event of an accident, the central
locking system unlocks automatically
(only those doors which were not
locked separately with the safety lock
buttons). Refer to page 40. In addition,
the hazard warning flashers and interior
lamps come on.
Using the key
One turn of the key in the driver's door
lock unlocks the driver's door only.
Turning the key a second time unlocks
all of the remaining doors, the liftgate/
tailgate and the fuel filler door.
You can have an acknowledgment
signal set to confirm that the
vehicle is correctly closed. <
530us010
Convenience operation
You can also operate the windows and
sliding/tilt sunroof via the door lock.
> To open: with the door closed, turn
the key to the "Unlock" position and
hold it.
> To close: with the door closed, turn
the key to the "Lock" position and
hold it.
Watch during the closing process
to be sure that no one is inadvert-
ently injured. Releasing the key stops
the operation. <
Manual operation
(in the event of an electrical malfunction)
Turn the key to the extreme left or right
to unlock/lock the door.
Page 38 of 223
38nOpening and closing – from the outside
To unlock
Press button 1.
Press the button once to unlock the
driver's door only; press a second time
to unlock all remaining doors as well as
the tailgate/liftgate and fuel filler door.
Convenience opening mode
Press and hold button 1. The power
windows and sliding/tilt sunroof are
opened.
463de025
To lock and secure
Press button 2.
463de027
To switch on the interior lamps
After locking the vehicle, press button 2
again.
To deactivate the tilt sensor alarm
system and interior motion sensor
Press button 2 a second time immedi-
ately after locking.
For additional information: refer to
page 43.
463de027
Page 40 of 223

40nOpening and closing – from the inside
You can operate the central locking
system with this button (arrow) when
the driver's door is closed. The doors
and tailgate/liftgate are unlocked or
locked only. However, the antitheft
alarm system is not activated. Also, the
fuel filler door remains unlocked to
allow refueling.
If only the driver's door was
unlocked from the outside and
you press the button
> all other doors, the tailgate/liftgate
and the fuel filler door will be
unlocked when the driver's door is
opened.
> the driver's door will be locked again
when it is closed. <
530us012
To unlock and open the doors
> Either unlock the doors together with
the button for the central locking
system and then pull the door handle
above the armrest or
> pull the release handle for each door
twice: the first pull unlocks the door,
and the second one opens it.
To engage the locks
> Use the central locking button to lock
all of the doors simultaneously,
or
> press down the individual door lock
buttons. The fuel filler door remains
unlocked. As an added design
feature to prevent the driver from
being inadvertently locked out of the
vehicle, the driver's door lock button
will not engage as long as the door is
open.
When the vehicle is moving, do
not lock the doors with the safety
lock buttons. Doors locked in this
manner would not open automatically in
the event of an accident.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this reason,
you should always remove the key and
take it with you to be sure that you will
be able to unlock the vehicle from the
outside at all times. <
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 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. <