2001 BMW X5 3.0I snow chains

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC) 93
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 94
Hill Descent Control (HDC) 95

Lamps:

Side lamps/Low beams97
Instrument lighting 97
High beams/Parking lamps 98
Fog lamps 98
Interior lamps 98
Reading lamps 99

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Air conditioner100
Automatic climate control 106
Seat heating 112
Steering wheel heating 113
Roller sun blind 113
Independent ventilation system 114

Cabin convenience:

BMW Universal Transmitter 115
Glove compartment 117
Storage compartments 118
Cellular phone 118
Cup holders 119
Glasses compartment 119
Ashtray, front 120
Cigarette lighter, front 120
Ashtray, rear 121
Cigarette lighter, rear 121

Loading and transporting:

Ski bag122
Cargo area Fold the rear backrests
down 124
Cargo area cover 124
Partition net 125
Cover panels in the cargo
area 126
Power outlets 127
Pull-out cargo floor 128
Cargo loading 129
Roof-mounted luggage rack 130

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures134
Driving your BMW X5 135
General driving notes 136
Catalytic converter 136
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 137
Disc brakes 140
Brake system 141
Winter operation 141
Power steering 143
Level control system 143
Cellular phone 144
Radio reception 144

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure 145
Tire condition 145
Tire replacement 146
Tire rotation 147
Wheel and tire combinations 148
Special features of winter tires 149
Snow chains 149
Approved wheel and tire
specifications 150

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
95n
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Hill Descent Control
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
continue. Refer also to "Four-wheel
drive" on page 197.
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.
>When driving with snow chains. 530us048
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
possible that the braking intervention
will be disabled automatically for a brief
period in order to limit brake tempera-
ture.
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
repealed, even with DSC. An
appropriate driving style always
remains the responsibility of the driver.
We therefore urge you to avoid using
the additional safety margin of the
system as an excuse for taking risks.
Do not make any modifications to the
DSC system. Service procedures on
the system are to be performed by
authorized technicians only.<
For additional details concerning DSC,
please refer to the chapter describing
"Advanced technology" on page 197.
The concept HDC is a system for driving downhill in
steep terrain. This system reduces
vehicle speed on steep downhill gradi-
ents, 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 (30 km/h). When driving down
steep hills, 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
approx. 20 mph (30 km/h).
HDC is deactivated automatically if you
exceed approx. 35 mph (60 km/h).

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
133n
Under the hood:
Hood151
Engine compartment152
Washer fluid156
Washer nozzles156
Engine oil157
Coolant160
Brake fluid161
Vehicle Identification
Number161
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System162
Caring for your vehicle163
Airbags168
Vehicle storage168
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications169
California Proposition
65 Warning169
OBD interface socket170
Car care Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures134
Driving your BMW X5135
General driving notes136
Catalytic converter136
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)137
Disc brakes140
Brake system141
Winter operation141
Power steering143
Level control system143
Cellular phone144
Radio reception144
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure145
Tire condition145
Tire replacement146
Tire rotation147
Wheel and tire
combinations148
Special features of winter
tires149
Snow chains149
Approved wheel and tire
specifications150

138n
Antilock Brake System (ABS)should adapt road speed to the road
conditions.
On road surfaces that have a loose
surface layer on a firm base with good
traction (on gravel, deep sand or snow,
for example), braking distances may be
longer than with locked wheels.This is
also true if snow chains are mounted.
However, ABS continues to provide
enhanced vehicle stability and steering
response under these conditions. Information for your safety Not even ABS can suspend the laws of
physics. ABS alone cannot prevent
accidents when the brakes are applied
without an adequate safety distance
between vehicles, if the vehicle is
driven with excessive speed, or if aqua-
planing occurs. Responsibility for these
types of situations remains in the hands
(and at the feet) of the driver. You
should never allow the added safety of
ABS to lull you into a false sense of
security, or mislead you into taking
increased risks that could affect your
own safety and that of others.
Do not make any modifications to
the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be
performed by authorized technicians
only.<
Cornering Brake Control (CBC) CBC is an advanced engineering
design of the ABS. When braking
during cornering with high lateral accel-
eration, or when braking during a lane
change, vehicle stability is further
improved and the steering response is
enhanced. Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBV) EBV governs brake application pres-
sure at the rear wheels to achieve
stable brake response.
If the EBV fails (refer to the next
page), avoid full or "panic" brake
applications. Full or panic brake appli-
cations can result in overbraking at the
rear axle, and braking stability is no
longer ensured.<
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

If you apply the brakes rapidly, this
system automatically produces the
maximum braking force boost and thus
helps to achieve the shortest possible
braking distance during "panic stops."
All of the benefits of the ABS system
are exploited under these circum-
stances.
Do not reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal for the duration of the
brake application. When the brake
pedal is released, the DBC is deacti-
vated.
In the event of a malfunction,
the yellow warning lamp comes
on. Have the system checked
and repaired at your BMW
center as soon as possible.
Refer to the "Information for your
safety" covering the ABS system.
This information also applies in general
for DBC.<

142n
Winter operation Rubber seals and components In order to prevent the weather-strip-
ping from freezing, apply BMW rubber
treatment or silicone spray to the seals
on the doors, hood and liftgate/tailgate.
A full range of car care products is
available from your BMW center.< Snow chains Mount BMW snow chains
* only on tire
size 235/65 R 17. Always mount chains
in pairs and on the rear wheels only.
Read and comply with the chain manu-
facturer's safety precautions. Do not
exceed a maximum speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h).
Starting offWhen starting in deep snow or
"rocking" the vehicle free, it may be
advisable to deactivate the DSC system
briefly. Refer to page 94.
Driving on low-traction road
surfaces Use smooth, gentle pressure to control
the accelerator pedal. Avoid excessive
engine speeds and shift to the next
higher gear at an early point. Also shift
to the next lower gear at an early point
when approaching grades or slopes.
Maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the car ahead. BrakingWinter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface.
The resulting increases in braking
distance are considerable and should
be kept in mind at all times.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response. If the ABS does not respond in a critical
braking situation and the wheels lock:
Reduce the pressure on the brake
pedal until the wheels just start to roll
again while still maintaining enough
force to continue braking. Following
that, increase pedal pressure again.
Reduce the pressure as the wheels
lock, then reapply pressure. Repeat this
braking sequence.
This type of staggered braking will
reduce the braking distance, and the
vehicle still remains responsive to
steering.
You can then attempt to steer around
hazards after you have reduced pres-
sure on the brake pedal.
Do not shift down on slick road
surfaces if you want to decelerate.
Doing so could cause the wheels to
lose traction and skid, thus resulting in
the loss of vehicle control.<
Depress the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces that
provide only poor or uneven traction.<

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
149n
Special features of winter tires Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for operation under inclem-
ent winter driving conditions. While
so-called all-season tires (M+S desig-
nation) provide better winter traction
than summer tires with the load ratings
H, V, W, Y and ZR, they generally do
not achieve the performance of winter
tires.
In the interests of safe tracking and
steering response, install radial tires
made by the same manufacturer and
with the same tread configuration on all
four wheels if you elect to mount winter
tires.
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Your BMW center
will be glad to assist you with both their
expertise and the proper equipment for
your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire pressureWinter tires display a perceptible loss in
their ability to cope with winter driving
conditions once the tread wears to
below 0.16 in (4 mm), and should thus
be replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures — and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
The use of narrow-link BMW snow
chains is approved only in pairs on the
rear wheels and only with tire size
235/65 R 17. Comply with all manufac-
turer's safety precautions when
mounting the chains.

150n
Approved wheel and tire specifications Observe the specifications for tires and
wheels in the vehicle's documents. If
sizes not approved by the manufacturer
are mounted, an entry in the vehicle's
documents may be necessary. Snow chains
*
It is only possible to mount snow
chains on the rear wheels with tire
size 235/65 R 17. BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire size, classifies them as road-safe and
approves them. Consult your BMW center for more information.
Observe any regulations applicable in the country of use, e.g. requiring entry in
the vehicle documents.
Tire specifications Light-alloy wheel
BMW X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i
All-season/all-terrain
235/65 R 17 104 H M+S 7.5Jx17 SEH2
255/55 R 18 105 H M+S 8.5Jx18 EH2
Summer
255/55 R 18 105 V 8.5Jx18 EH2
Front: 255/50 R 19 103 V
Rear: 285/45 R 19 107 V9Jx19 EH2
10Jx19 EH2
Winter
235/65 R 17 104 Q/T/H M+S 7.5Jx17 SEH2
The use of rims and lug bolts that
do not meet the specifications of
the original factory-installed equipment
will affect the safe operation of your
vehicle and may cause an accident and
personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle
control.<

Everything from A to Z219n
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
Safety defects, reporting 7
Safety lock buttons 40
Seat adjustment 48
Seat belts 57
Seat heating 112
Seat memory 55
Seat, mechanical 49
Seat, power 48
Securing cargo 42, 129
Selector lever, automatic transmission 68
Service and Warranty Information Booklet (US
models) 162
Service Interval Display 78, 162
Servotronic 143
Shiftlock 68
Shoulder support 50
Shutting off the engine 65
Side airbags 58
Side Impact Head Protection System 58
Side lamps 97
bulb replacement 176t
Ski bag 122
Skid control 143
Sliding 188 Sliding/tilt sunroof
46
closing following an
electrical
malfunction 188t
convenience operation 36
power loss 47t
remote control 38
Slippery roads 142
Snow chains 142, 149 t
Socket power supplies 121t
vacuum cleaner 121t
Sound system 199
Spare key 34
Spare tire 181t
Spare wheel 181
removal aid 182t
Spark plugs 210
Speaker 118
Special features of winter tires 149
Special wash program 72
Speed 91
Speed control 74
Speed limit 88, 89
Speedometer 18, 20
Sports seat 51
Starting assistance 190t
Starting problems 65t , 136 t, 190 t
Starting the engine 64, 65
Steering 143 Steering wheel
adjustment 52
heating 113
lock 64
memory 55
Steering wheel, refer also to Multifunction steering
wheel 26
Steptronic 68
Stopwatch 86
Storage compartments 118
in the cargo area 126
Storing the vehicle 168
Summer tires 148
Sun visors 54
Sunroof 46
Switching off the vehicle 65
Switch-on times input 87
Symbols 4
Synthetic oils 158
T
Tachometer77
Tail lamps 177t
bulb replacement 177t
Tailgate 41, 189
opening from the
inside 41
opening from the
outside 41
radio control operation 39release following an
electrical
malfunction
189t
Tank capacity 209
Technical modifications 6, 169
Telephone hookup 118
Telephone, refer to the separate Owner's Manual
Temperature display, outside
temperature 76, 82
Temperature gauge 78
Temperature layering 103, 111
Thigh support adjustment 51
Third brake lamp 177
Tilt alarm 38, 44
Tilt function, passenger side mirror 55
Time calling up 85
changing 85
of arrival, estimated 90
Timer 86
refer also to the onboard
monitor Owner's Manual
Tire 145
code 148
damage 145t
inflation
pressure 30t , 145 t