93n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)To switch the system offPress the button; the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.
Traction intervention remains active;
that is, braking intervention will
continue.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to switch
off 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. 530de230
As a result of the traction interven-
tion, the brakes may be subjected
to additional loads when the system is
switched off. 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 switch the system on againPress 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repealed, even with DSC.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.<
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)DBC is an integral component of the
DSC system.
The system responds to sudden, high-
intensity applications of force to the
brake pedal by automatically braking
the vehicle with maximum boost to
achieve the shortest-possible braking
distances during "panic stops." This
system exploits all the benefits of ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure exerted
against the brake pedal until the
braking maneuver has been completed.
DBC is deactivated when you release
the brake pedal.
94n
Hill Descent Control (HDC) 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.
HDC is available for activation at
vehicle speeds below approx. 20 mph
(35 km/h). When driving down steep
hills with a speed below approx.
20 mph (35 km/h), 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.
You can use the accelerator or brakes
to vary this automatically controlled
speed within a range extending from
approx. 3 mph (5 km/h) to 15 mph
(25 km/h).
You can use the +/Ð button to set the
cruise control to a target speed in the
range from approx. 3 mph (5 km/h) to
15 mph (25 km/h).
HDC is automatically deactivated once
vehicle speed again exceeds approx.
35 mph (60 km/h).
To switch the system onPress the button. The indicator lamp
comes on.
The indicator lamp flashes when the
brakes are applied automatically. To switch the system offPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
HDC is deactivated automatically above
a road speed of approx. 35 mph
(60 km/h) and when the ignition is
switched off. 530de231
To use HDC With manual transmission:
Use HDC in first gear and in Reverse
since the engine's braking effect is
diminished in the higher gears.
With automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive
position. In the event of a faultThe indicator lamp goes out in the HDC
mode or does not come on when HDC
is switched on:
HDC is temporarily not available if
brake temperature is too high.
If the DSC indicator lamp also
lights up:
There is a fault in the HDC and
DSC systems. Have your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center inspect this
system as soon as possible.
99n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
Adaptive brake light
Flat tireIf there is a tire failure with a loss of
inflation pressure, the red indicator
lamp comes on or the message "TIRE
DEFECTIVE" appears in the Check
Control. In addition, a gong sounds.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed
immediately and stop the vehicle in a
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the flat
tire.
The spare tire which is available in
your vehicle as standard equip-
ment is equipped with the electronics
required for RDC and, following activa-
tion of the system, is also monitored
after it is mounted.<
RDC cannot alert you to severe
and sudden tire damage caused
by external factors.<
Have the tires changed at your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center.
Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center has the information needed for
working with RDC and is equipped with
the necessary special tools.<
System malfunctionDuring the period of the malfunction,
the yellow indicator lamp comes on or
the message "TIRECONTROL INAC-
TIVE" appears in the Check Control.
You will also see the same message
>in the event of a system malfunction
>if a wheel is mounted without the
RDC electronics
>if, in addition to the spare tire, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics
are on board.
Please contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center for additional
information.The adaptive brake light (in preparation)
provides drivers of following vehicles
with an indication of the intensity with
which the brakes are being applied in
your own vehicle.
The display occurs in two stages:
>Normal braking:
The brake light units within the tail-
light clusters and the high-mount
brake light integrated within the rear
spoiler both light up with normal
intensity
>Hard braking or braking with ABS
active:
The taillights also come on, lighting
up with the same intensity as the
brake lights to provide a larger a
more conspicuous warning.
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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 vehicle. On bad roadsWhen 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
circumstances
>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
uphill 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 pages 143
and 145.
When driving down steep slopes, use
the Hill Descent Control (HDC), refer
to page 94. 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
obstacles such as rocks or holes. Try
to avoid these obstacles whenever
possible
>On hill crests and bumpy roads, for
example, be careful to prevent the
body from "bottoming" (contact
between the body and the ground).
The ground clearance of the vehicle
is:
8 in (200 mm) with up to four
passengers
7 in (180 mm) fully loaded (without
Variable Ride Height)
>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
applications will help to dry the
brakes, thus preventing a reduction in
braking performance caused by the
moisture.
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
materials 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
endangered 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),
provided that traffic conditions allow
you to do so.
134n
General driving notes
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light but
consistent 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
phenomenon is referred to as aqua-
planing or hydroplaning. It is character-
ized by a partial or complete loss of
contact between 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
during 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 conceptThe Antilock Brake System (ABS) keeps
the wheels from locking during braking,
thereby enhancing active driving safety.Braking with ABSIf you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply
maximum pedal pressure ("panic stop").
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort, despite the full brake application.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Brake system Brake fluid levelIf the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become longer,
there may be a defect in one of the two
brake system's hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center. Here increased pressure on the
brake pedal may be required, and slight
pulling to the side and longer braking
distances may result. Please remember
to adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.<
Disc brakesWhen the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, and in
operating conditions where brake appli-
cations are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion of the
rotors and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs
because the minimal pressure which
must be exerted by the pads to clean
the discs by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect which even extended
application will fail to cure.
When driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is advisable to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal from time
to time. Watch traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not
endanger other road users. The heat
which is generated by the brake appli-
cations helps to dry the brake pads and
rotors. The braking force is then imme-
diately available when required.
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear in which
only minimal periodic brake application
is required. This avoids excessive strain on the brakes and possible impairment
of the braking effect.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in neutral. Do not
drive with the engine switched off. The
engine provides no braking effect when
the clutch is depressed or the transmis-
sion is in neutral, and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
Have brake inspections performed at a
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center
only. If you do not, parts of the four-
wheel drive system could be damaged.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
released for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
167n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Towing the vehicle Towing a vehicle with automatic
transmission1. Place the selector lever in position N
2. Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph (70 km/h)
3. Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km)
4. Leave the ignition key at position 1 to
ensure that the brake lamps, turn
signals, horn and windshield wipers
remain operative, and to prevent the
steering lock from engaging
5. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers (comply with country-
specific regulations).
Find some means of identifying the
vehicle in tow, for instance, place a sign
or warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even when
the electrical system has failed. This will
prevent the steering lock from
engaging. The steering and brakes are
without power assist when the engine is
not running. This means that increased
effort is required for steering and
braking.<
Towing with a commercial tow
truck >Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use a wheel-lift or flatbed carrier
>Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.< 530us138
Towing with a raised axle 1. Place the gearshift lever or selector
lever in "Neutral"
2. Turn the ignition key to position 0 or
take it out
3. Towing speed:
Maximum 30 mph (50 km/h)
4. Towing distance:
Maximum 95 miles (150 km).
Remove the rear driveshaft for
longer towing distances with the
front axle lifted; remove the front drive-
shaft for towing over longer distances
with the rear axle lifted. Failure to
comply with this will result in damage to
the transfer box.<
Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake
System)19, 134
Accessories10
Activated-charcoal
filter111
Adaptive brake light99
Adding
brake fluid146t
coolant145t
engine oil143t
washer fluid143t
Adjusting
head restraints47
mirrors53
seats44
steering wheel52
thigh support45
Air conditioner103
Air distribution104, 108
Air outlets103, 106
Air supply104, 108
Airbags19, 55
Alarm system39
Antifreeze145
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)19, 134
Anti-theft system32
Approved gross vehicle
weight172
Aquaplaning134, 136Arrival time88
Ashtray
front118
rear119
AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control)109
Automatic climate
control106
removing condensation
from the windows108
Automatic cruise control71
Automatic curb monitor51
Automatic dimming
exterior rearview
mirrors54
interior rearview mirror54
Automatic headlight
control100
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)109
Automatic steering wheel
adjustment52
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic66
Average fuel
consumption80
Average speed80, 89
Avoiding unintentional
alarms40t
Axle loads172
BBackup lamps65
bulb replacement155t
Battery162
charge162
discharged164t
Battery charge indicator
lamp18
Belts49
Beverage holder117
Blower104, 108
BMW comfort seat46
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil144
BMW Maintenance
System147
BMW sports seat45
BMW Universal
Transmitter113
Brake fluid146
Brake lamps
bulb replacement155t
Brake light, adaptive99
Brake system135
brake fluid146
brake fluid level135
brake pads indicator20
disc brakes135
hydraulic system
indicator18
malfunctions135tBreak-in procedures132
Bulbs and lamps153
CCalifornia Proposition
65 Warning148
Can holder, refer to
beverage holder117
Capacities173
Car care, refer to the "Caring
for your vehicle" manual
Car wash systems, refer to
the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Care of upholstery materials,
refer to the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Cargo area38, 122
capacity172
cover122
lamps102
Cargo floor, pull-out126
Cargo loading127
Cellular phone117
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp156
Central locking system30
button35
Changing a wheel157t
CHECK button77