6n
For your own safety
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (that is,
15 % MTBE or 3% methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will
not void the applicable warranties
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality (volatility, composition, addi-
tives, etc.) among gasolines offered for
sale in the United States and Canada.
The use of poor quality fuels may result
in driveability, starting and stalling
problems especially under certain envi-
ronmental conditions such as high
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.
<
Important safety information.
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product from
other manufacturers to verify if it can be
used on a BMW safely and without risk
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its
occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (for instance, CBs,
walkie-talkie, ham radio or similar
accessories) may cause extensive
damage to the vehicle, compromise its
safety, interfere with the vehicle's elec-
trical system or affect the validity of the
BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW
center for additional information.
<
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
<
Symbol on vehicle parts
Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.
For your own safety
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
26nMultifunction steering wheel
The controls integrated in the multi-
function steering wheel (MFL) are
provided so that you can operate a
number of accessories quickly and
without being distracted from traffic
conditions. You may operate:
>Selected functions of the radio as
well as the CD and cassette modes,
> recirculated air control of the air
conditioner system
or
> the steering wheel heating,
> the cruise control,
> selected cellular phone
* functions
and
> voice recognition
*.
In order to operate a system via
the MFL, the corresponding
system controls must be activated. <
The illustration shows the maximum
possible number of controls, corre-
sponding to a full range of optional
equipment. Refer to the individual
accessory manuals for more detailed
descriptions.
1 Press briefly: Receive a phone call, initiate dialing,
terminate a call.
Press longer:
Turn voice recognition on and off
2 Radio/Telephone: select
3 Radio/Telephone: scan backward or scan station buttons or scroll in the
phone listings.
Reverse scan in the CD mode and
rewind in the cassette operation
4 Radio/Telephone: volume
380de702
5 Radio/Telephone: scan forward or scan station buttons or scroll in the
phone listings
Forward scan in the CD mode and
fast forward in the cassette operation
6 Horn: the entire surface
7 Cruise control: activate stored setting (resume)
8 Cruise control: store and accelerate (+); decelerate
and store (–)
9 Cruise control: activate/interrupt/ deactivate
10 Recirculated air mode and AUC or steering wheel heating: activate and
deactivate
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
27nSports steering wheel*
The controls integrated in the sports
steering wheel are provided so that you
can operate a number of accessories
quickly and without being distracted
from traffic conditions.
You may operate:
>Selected radio functions as well as
the CD and cassette modes,
> the cruise control,
> selected cellular phone
* functions
and
> voice recognition
*.
In order to operate a system via
the sport steering wheel, the
corresponding system controls must be
activated. <
Refer to the individual accessory
manuals for more detailed descriptions.
1 Radio/Telephone: select
2 Press briefly: Receive a phone call, initiate dialing,
and terminate a call.
Press longer:
Turn voice recognition on and off
3 Radio/Telephone: volume
4 Radio/Telephone: scan backward or scan station buttons or scroll in the
phone listings.
Reverse scan in the CD mode and
rewind in the cassette operation
463de057
5 Radio/Telephone: scan forward or scan station buttons or scroll in the
phone listings
Forward scan in the CD mode and
fast forward in the cassette operation
6 Horn: the entire surface
7 Cruise control: activate stored setting (resume)
8 Cruise control: store and accelerate (+); decelerate
and store (–)
9 Cruise control: activate/interrupt/ deactivate
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
Overview
Controls and features Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical dataIndex
Advanced technology
33
n
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 beams 97
Instrument lighting 97
High beams/Parking lamps 98
Fog lamps 98
Interior lamps 98
Reading lamps 99
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioner 100
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 bag 122
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
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
39nOpening and closing – from the outside
To open the liftgate
Press button 3.
Before and after a trip, be sure
that the tailgate/liftgate was not
opened unintentionally. <
Panic mode
By pressing and holding button 3 for
more than two seconds, you can trigger
the alarm system if there is an
impending danger (the alarm system
must be armed).
To switch off the alarm: press button 1.
463de026
System interference
The remote control system's func-
tioning may be affected by other units
or equipment operating in the imme-
diate vicinity of your vehicle.
If this should occur, you can unlock and
lock the vehicle via the door lock with a
master key.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
> This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
> this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or
changes to these devices could
void the user's authority to operate this
equipment. <
42nLiftgate
To close
You can pull the liftgate down by
placing both hands in the handle
recesses (arrows).
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the liftgate is clear
when it is closed, as with all closing
procedures. <
530us017
When the liftgate is open, the
dimension from the ground to
the upper edge is more than 6.5 ft
(two meters). Please keep this in mind
when opening the liftgate (in a garage,
for example). <
Operate the vehicle only when
both gates are completely closed.
Otherwise, exhaust fumes could pene-
trate the interior of the vehicle. Should it
be absolutely necessary to operate the
vehicle with an open gate:
> Close all windows. Shut the sliding/
tilt sunroof.
> Increase the air supply for the air
conditioner or automatic climate
control to a high level. Refer to
page 102 or page 109.<
Luggage straps
Use the retaining straps on the cargo
area floor to secure smaller items of
luggage.
Movement is reduced when objects are
placed on the straps.
The lashing eyes located at the corners
of the cargo area provide you with a
convenient means of attaching luggage
nets
* or flexible straps for securing
suitcases and luggage.
Refer also to "Cargo loading" on
page 129.
394de302
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
69nAutomatic transmission with Steptronic*
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard. <
P — Park
Select "Park" only when the vehicle is
completely stopped. The transmission
locks to prevent the rear wheels from
turning.
R — Reverse
Select "Reverse" only when the vehicle
is completely stopped.
N — Neutral
Select "Neutral" only if your journey is
interrupted for a longer period.
D — Drive
(automatic shift program)
This position is designed for driving
under all normal operating conditions.
All forward gears are available.
"Kickdown"
In the "Kickdown" mode, you achieve
maximum performance.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-
throttle position.
M/S Manual mode and
Sport Program
When you change from D to M/S, the
Sport Program is activated. This is indi-
cated by "D S" in the gear selection
display. The Sport Program is designed
for performance-oriented driving.
With the first brief touch, the automatic
transmission shifts from the Sport
Program to the manual mode. When
you move the selector lever forward in
the "+" direction, the transmission shifts
up. When the lever is moved back in the
"–" direction, the transmission shifts
down. Depending on the equipment
version, 1 to 5 or M1 to M5 is indicated
in the transmission range display.
Upshifts or downshifts will only be
carried out by the ATC at appropriate
engine speeds and road speeds. If the
530us042
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
rapidly – to pass another vehicle, for
example – shift down manually or with
the kickdown function. <
You can only change from M/S to
selector 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 – 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 – when
driving in adverse winter conditions,
for example – you may also start out
in 2nd or 3rd gear.