Contents
© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order no. 01 41 0 156 416
US English IX/2001
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling).
Overview
Controls and features
Cockpit14
Instrument cluster15
Indicator and warning lamps18
Steering wheel with multifunction
buttons22
Warning triangle23
First-aid kit23
Refueling24
Fuel specifications25
Tire inflation pressures26
Locks and security systems:
Keys30
Central locking system30
Opening and closing
Ð via the door lock31
Opening and closing
Ð via the remote control32
Opening and closing
Ð from the inside35
Liftgate36
Tailgate37
Alarm system39
Electric power windows40
Sliding/tilt sunroof with glass
moonroof42
Adjustments:
Correct sitting posture44
Seats44
Mechanical seat45
Power seat46
Head restraints47
Power rear-seat backrest
adjustment48
Safety belt49
Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory50
Seat heating51
Adjusting steering wheel52
Steering wheel heating53
Mirrors53
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags55
Transporting children safely58
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory61
Driving:
Ignition lock62
Starting the engine62
Switching off the engine64
Parking brake64
Manual transmission65
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic66
Indicator/Headlamp flasher68
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor69
Cruise control71
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature
display74
Tachometer75
Energy control75
Fuel gauge75
Coolant temperature gauge76
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Computer80
Multi-Information Display
(MID)82
Digital clock in the MID83
Computer in the MID86
Inhalt
5n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)91
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)92
Hill Descent Control (HDC)94
Variable Ride Height95
Variable Ride Height on both
axles95
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)98
Adaptive brake light99
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams100
Instrument lighting101
High beams/Standing
lamps101
Fog lamps101
Interior lamps102
Reading lamps102
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioner103
Automatic climate control106
Sunshades
Independent ventilation
system112
Cabin convenience:
BMW Universal Transmitter113
Glove compartment116
Storage compartments116
Cellular phone117
Beverage holder117
Glasses compartment118
Ashtray, front118
Cigarette lighter, front118
Ashtray, rear119
Cigarette lighter, rear119
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag120
Cargo area
Fold the rear backrests
down122
Cargo area cover122
Partition net123
Cover panels in the cargo
area124
Power outlets125
Pull-out cargo floor126
Stowing cargo127
Roof-mounted luggage rack128
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures132
Driving your BMW X5133
General driving notes134
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)134
Brake system135
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressures136
Tire condition136
Tire replacement137
Wheel and tire
combinations139
Winter tires140
Snow chains140
18n
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by "
l
" are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for
different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this in the
following section.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
drive belt is defective, increased
steering effort is also required.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level; top off as
required. If the oil level is correct:
please contact the nearest BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.
<
Parking brake
* /
Brake hydraulic system
l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake. For additional informa-
tion: refer to page 64.
Comes on although the parking brake
is released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before continuing your
journey, be sure to read the notes on
pages 135 and 146.
Also comes on in the Check Control
with the message "CHECK BRAKE
LININGS".
Parking brake warning lamp
*
/
Brake hydraulic system warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a flat tire has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. As you steer the
vehicle, use caution and avoid overcor-
recting.
For additional information: refer to
page 98
20n
Indicator and warning lamps
Automatic transmission
*
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
For additional information: refer to
page 68.
Brake pads
*
l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 135.
Variable Ride Height
*
l
Variable Ride Height is inactive.
Please consult the nearest
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.
For additional information: refer to
page 95
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
l
Fault in the DBC system.
Conventional braking perfor-
mance remains available with no loss of
efficiency. Please have the system
checked and repaired by your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.
For additional information: refer to
page 93
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
l
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive
and braking force.
The warning lamp comes on and stays
on while driving:
DSC has been switched off with the
button. If, after repeatedly pressing the
DSC button, the warning lamp still does
not go off, then that means that the
DSC, HDC and the vehicle's road-
holding ability are defective.
Please have the system checked by the
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 92 and 94.
Engine electronics
*
There is a fault in the engine's
electronic control system. You
can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system inspected by your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
l
Check tire inflation pressures,
refer to pages 26, 98
Service Engine Soon
l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the
emissions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center at the earliest possible
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 149.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Check Filler Cap
*
l
If the indicator lamp comes on
although the fuel cap is secured
correctly: this indicates a malfunction in
the fuel system. Have the system
inspected by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center at the earliest opportu-
nity.
Additional information: refer to page 25
26n
Tire inflation pressures 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).
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC)
*:
After correcting the inflation pressures,
reactivate the system, refer to page 98.
530de225
Check tire inflation pressures
regularly Ñ 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 tire. Inflate the spare tire to
the highest inflation of any tire on your
vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to tire sizes and tires from BMW-
approved manufacturers. Your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
from other manufacturers.
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.
27n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire inflation pressures BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi
(kilopascal) with cold tires
(cold = ambient temperature)
X5 All sizes 32 (220) 32 (220) 32 (220) 39 (270)
78n
Check Control>CHECK BRAKE FLUID
Indicates that brake fluid is down to
approximately the minimum level.
Top off the brake fluid at the next
opportunity, refer to page 146. Have
the cause of the brake fluid loss diag-
nosed and corrected by your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center
>TIRE DEFECTIVE
*
Reduce vehicle speed immediately
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer,
refer to page 99
>SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT
*
Please consult the nearest
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center
>SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT
*
"max. 35 mph/max. 60 km/h
*"
These displays appear consecutively.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
35 mph (60 km/h).
Please consult the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center
>SPEED LIMIT
*
You will see this message if the
programmed speed limit has been
exceeded, refer to page 86.Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds
when the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 2. The warning symbols remain
after the message disappears. You can
call up the messages again for display
by pressing the CHECK button.
>TRUNKLID OPEN
This message appears only at the
start of a trip
>DOOR OPEN
This message appears after a
minimal defined road speed has been
exceeded
>FASTEN SEAT BELTS
*
In addition to this message, an indi-
cator lamp with the safety belt icon
appears and an acoustical signal is
sounded
>WASHER FLUID LOW
The fluid level is too low; top off at
the next opportunity, refer to
page 143
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
The oil level is at the absolute
minimum; refill as soon as possible,
refer to page 143. Do not drive more
than approx. 30 miles (50 km) until
you add oil >CHECK FILLER CAP
Check to see whether the fuel filler
cap has been closed properly, refer
to page 24. A fuel filler cap that has
not been closed all the way will set
off the Service Engine Soon lamp
>OUTSIDE TEMP. +23 7 (Ð5 6)
This display is only an example. The
current temperature is displayed at
outside temperatures of +37.5 7
(+3 6) and below, refer also to
page 74
>SET TIRE PRESSURE
*
The RDC has imported the current
inflation pressure in the tires as the
target values which the system will
monitor, refer to page 98
>CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
*
Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure to specifications at the
earliest opportunity (next stop to
refuel), refer to page 99
>TIRECONTROL INACTIVE
*
A temporary interference of the RDC
or a system fault, refer to page 99
>CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS
A lamp has failed or the electrical
circuit has a fault, refer to pages 155
and 156 or consult a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
98n
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)*The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressures at all
four wheels, even when the vehicle is
moving. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure drops
significantly below the specified pres-
sure in one or more tires.
In order for the system to "learn" the
correct tire inflation pressure, check the
inflation pressures in all tires, refer to
the table on page 27 and make any
necessary corrections. Then activate
the system.
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster or the Check
Control will inform you if the tire
pressure is not correct.
To switch the system on1. Turn the ignition key to position 2 (do
not start the engine)
2. Maintain pressure on the button until
the yellow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on for
several seconds or the message
"SET TIRE PRESSURE" appears in
the Check Control
3. After you have driven for a few
minutes, the RDC will import the
current inflation pressure in the tires
as the reference values which the
system will monitor.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure if the tire inflation pressure must
be corrected. Otherwise, the RDC func-
tions automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2, and thus operates
whenever the vehicle is driven.530de232
Loss of tire pressureIf, after a certain period of time, the
inflation pressure has gone down
significantly (which is normal for any
tire), the yellow indicator lamp comes
on or the message "CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE" appears in the Check
Control.
This alerts you that you should have the
tires inflated to the specified pressures
as soon as possible.
If you are prompted to check the
tire pressure shortly after a
correction has been made, this indi-
cates that the corrected values were
not accurate. Please check the inflation
pressure again and make corrections
according to the inflation pressure
table.<