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
30n
Keys Central locking system The key set1 The master keys with remote control
determine the functions of the Key
Memory, refer to page 61.
You can mark individual keys for
subsequent identification by applying
the colored decals that you received
when accepting delivery of your
vehicle.
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key which is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is otherwise not used, use that
key approx. once every year while
driving for an extended period. This will
charge the battery, refer also to
page 32.< 463de023
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use
3 Door and ignition key
The lock for the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key.
This is recommended for valet
parking, for instance.
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 35.
When the system is actuated from
outside of the vehicle, the anti-theft
system is actuated simultaneously. The
alarm system is also armed or
disarmed.
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 35. In addition,
the hazard warning flashers and interior
lamps come on.
32n
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlThe conceptThe remote control offers you optimal
convenience in using your vehicle's
locking system while also providing
three exclusive supplementary features:
>Switch on the interior lamps, refer to
page 33.
With this function, you can also
"search for" your vehicle Ñ when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance
>Open the liftgate, refer to page 33.
The liftgate will open slightly, regard-
less of whether it was previously
locked or unlocked
>Panic mode, refer to page 33.
In case of danger, you can trigger an
alarm.
Whenever you unlock (lock) the vehicle,
you simultaneously deactivate (activate)
the anti-theft system, disarm (arm) the
alarm system and switch the interior
lamps on (off).
You can have an acknowledgment
signal set to confirm that the
vehicle is correctly closed.<
1 Unlock, convenience opening and
alarm system
2 Lock and secure, interior lamp activa-
tion, switching off tilt alarm sensor
and interior motion sensor
3 Open the liftgate, panic mode390de793
Master keys with remote control
unit
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this
reason, always take the vehicle's keys
with you so that the vehicle can be
opened again from the outside at any
time.<
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the key is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to lock the
vehicle via the remote control, the
battery is discharged. Use this key
while driving for an extended period in
order to charge the battery, refer also to
page 30.
To prevent unauthorized use of the
remote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key 3 or the spare key 2
(refer to page 30) when leaving the
vehicle for valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center. You can also
obtain replacement keys there.<
39n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Alarm system The concept The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the liftgate
is opened
>To movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor)
>To variations in the vehicle tilt angle
such as occur during attempts to
steal the wheels or tow the vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes
>The high beams flash on and off in
the same rhythm.
To arm and disarm the alarm
system When the vehicle is locked or unlocked
with the key or the remote control, the
alarm system is also simultaneously
armed or disarmed.
You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm
system arming and disarming.<
You can still open the liftgate after the
system has been armed by pressing the
button of the remote control, refer to
page 33. When you close the liftgate, it
is secured again.
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes during
arming: the door(s), the hood or lift-
gate are not completely closed. Even
if you do not close the alerted area,
the system begins to monitor the
remaining areas, and the indicator
lamp flashes continuously after
10 seconds. However, the interior
motion sensor is not activated
>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed: no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since the
system was armed530us018
63n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Starting the engine Do not press the accelerator pedal
while starting the engine.
BMW X5 3.0i:
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time. Do not turn it for more
than approx. 20 seconds. Release the
ignition key immediately as soon as the
engine starts.
BMW X5 4.4i, 4.6is:
Your BMW is equipped with the conve-
nience starting feature. Simply turn the
key to position 3 (starter) and then
release it immediately.
The starter actuation continues to
operate automatically for a certain
period of time and is stopped automati-
cally as soon as the engine has started.
The automatic starting mode will not
operate if the battery voltage is low.
The engine can be started by means of
jump-starting, refer to page 164.<
Do not allow the engine to warm up
by leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, begin to
drive immediately at a moderate engine
speed.
Should the engine fail to start on the
first attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at very low temperatures,
from approx. +5 7 (Ð15 6) and at alti-
tudes above 3,300 ft (1,000 meters):
>For the initial start attempt, allow the
starter to remain engaged somewhat
longer (approx. 10 seconds).
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at start-up are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharging,
always switch off electrical devices that
are not in use. Switch the ignition off
when the vehicle is not being driven.Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can lead to damage of the
catalytic converter.<
When driving, standing at idle,
and parking the vehicle, take care
to avoid contact between the hot
exhaust system and flammable mate-
rials (grass, hay, leaves, etc.). Such
contact could lead to a fire, resulting in
serious personal injury and property
damage.<
90n
Computer
** * * in the MID
After three incorrect code entries, or
three attempts to start the engine
without a code entry, the alarm will
sound for 30 seconds on vehicles fitted
with an alarm system.
Deactivating the alarm in an
emergency:
If you have forgotten the code, proceed
as follows:
1. Disconnect the battery, wait approx.
2 minutes, then reconnect it. Note
that on vehicles with an alarm
system, the alarm will sound
2. Set the ignition key to position 1:
The time display will count down for
the next ten minutes
3. After ten minutes, start the engine.
If the code becomes available
again in the meantime, it can be
entered during the waiting period after
pressing the CODE button.<
Remote control The button on the turn signal indicator
lever can be used to select the items of
computer information which are to
be displayed.
To do this, press:
>the button on the lever until PROG 1
shows on the display
>the MID buttons in the order in which
you wish the information to be
displayed.
Each time an entry is stored, the
program number appears on the
display.
To terminate the selection procedure:
Press the right side of the button.530de228
To have all the available information
displayed, press:
>the button on the lever until the
display shows PROG
>the SET button.
To obtain individual items of informa-
tion, press the button in briefly as often
as necessary.
102n
Interior lamps Reading lamps
*
The interior lamps operate automati-
cally. Switching the interior lamps on
and off manuallyPress the button (arrow) briefly.
If you want the interior lamps to remain
off all the time, press and hold the
button for approx. 3 seconds.
Press the button briefly to revert to
normal operation.
The button for the interior lamps in the
rear passenger area only switches
these lamps on and off. 530us056
Footwell and cargo area lampsThe lamps are controlled in the same
manner as the front interior lamps.Front area lighting
*
This lighting system in the two exterior
mirrors illuminates the ground in the
area near the two front doors. It is also
controlled in the same manner as the
front interior lamps, but it does not
function while the vehicle is moving.
Reading lamps are provided in the front
and rear
* near the interior lamp. They
can be switched on and off with the
button (arrows) next to each lamp.
In order to prevent battery
discharge, all of the lamps in the
vehicle are switched off automatically
approx. 15 minutes after the ignition
key is turned to position 0.<
530us057
110n
Automatic climate control
*
Residual heat mode
The heat which is stored in
the engine is utilized for
heating the interior when the engine
has been switched off (while waiting at
a railroad crossing, for instance). In
ignition key position 1, you can alter the
settings of the automatic climate
control. With the ignition key in posi-
tion 0, the system automatically directs
heated air to the windshield, side
windows and footwells.
This function may be activated
when the outside temperature is
below approx. +59 7 (+15 6), the
engine is at operating temperature, and
the battery is adequately charged. The
LED on the button will light up when all
conditions have been met.<
Draft-free ventilation You can adjust the vent outlets for the
upper body area to select the optimum
airflow rates and directions for your
personal comfort:
1 Rotary dials for opening and closing
the vent outlets through an infinitely-
variable range
2 Selector levers for airflow direction
3 With the rotary dial you can adjust the
temperature of the incoming air.
>Turn toward blue Ð colder
>Turn toward red Ð warmer. 530de270
Rear passenger area climate
control 1 Air supply
2 Temperature
3 Adjusting the direction of the airflow 530de272