
 
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 

 
Contents
 
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
 
Under the hood: 
 
Hood141
Engine compartment 
essentials142
Washer fluid143
Engine oil143
Coolant145
Brake fluid146
 
Care and maintenance: 
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System147
 
Laws and regulations: 
 
Technical modifications148
California Proposition 
65 Warning148
OBD interface socket149
 
Replacement procedures: 
 
Onboard tool kit152
Windshield wiper blades152
Lamps and bulbs153
Changing a wheel156
Battery162
Fuses163
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving: 
 
Jump-starting164
Towing the vehicle166Engine specifications170
Dimensions171
Weights172
Capacities173 

76n
Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval Display Blue The engine is still cold. Drive at 
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.Red When you switch on the ignition, the 
warning lamp comes on briefly to 
confirm that the system is operational.
If the warning lamp comes on while 
driving or the message "COOLANT 
TEMPERATURE" appears in the Check 
Control
*: the engine is overheated. 
Switch off the engine immediately and 
allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level: refer to 
page 145. 
390de007
Between the blue and red zones Normal operating range. It is not 
unusual for the needle to rise as far as 
the edge of the red zone. 
The range of available displays varies 
according to your individual vehicle's 
equipment. 
Green lamps The number of illuminated lamps 
decreases as the time for your next 
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lamp This field appears together with 
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION. 
Maintenance is due. Please contact 
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
center for an appointment.Red lamp The maintenance deadline has been 
passed.390us008 

77n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control Graphic display
* 
The following alerts or status messages 
are displayed with icons from ignition 
key position 2 and up until the defects 
are corrected:
1 Check low beams
2 Add washer fluid (goes out after 
approx. 1 minute)
3 Door open
4 Tailgate open
5 Check brake and tail lamps. 
A defective center brake lamp is indi-
cated by the upper symbol.
When you open the door after stopping, 
a warning signal sounds without a 
visual indicator for: 
>LIGHTS ON and
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK. 390de121
Alphanumeric display
* 
Text messages are used to alert the 
driver to system malfunctions when the 
ignition key is turned to position 2. The 
alert is accompanied by a gong.
1 Status messages symbol
2 Display
3 CHECK button 
Messages concerning system faults are 
differentiated based on two priorities: 390us111
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by a gong and a flashing warning 
symbol 1. Simultaneous defects will be 
displayed consecutively. These status 
messages remain in the display until the 
defects are corrected. They cannot be 
deleted by pressing the CHECK 
button 3:
>RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE
>COOLANT TEMPERATURE
The coolant is overheated. Stop the 
vehicle immediately and switch off 
the engine, refer to pages 76 and 145
>STOP!ENGINE OILPRESS
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the 
vehicle immediately and switch off 
the engine, refer to pages 18 and 143 

79n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control >CHECK LOWBEAM LIGHTS
CHECK SIDE LIGHTS
CHECK REAR LIGHTS
CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS
CHECK LICPLATE LIGHT
CHECK HIGHBEAM LIGHT
CHECK BACK UP LIGHTS
Defective bulb or circuit, refer to 
page 153 or consult a BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle center 
>TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG
Please consult the nearest 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center, 
refer to page 68
>CHECK BRAKE LININGS
Have the brake pads inspected by 
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
center, refer to page 135
>CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
Coolant too low, top off at the next 
opportunity, refer to page 145
>ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG
There is a fault in the engine's elec-
tronic control system. 
You can continue to drive with 
reduced engine output or engine 
speed. Have the system checked by 
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
center. 
Displays after completion of trip All of the malfunctions registered during 
the trip appear consecutively when the 
ignition key is turned to position 0.
The following displays will appear when 
appropriate:
>LIGHTS ON
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
Add engine oil at the next opportunity 
(next stop to refuel), refer to 
page 143.
This display appears when you open 
the driver's door after parking the 
vehicle. A supplementary gong is also 
heard.
Status messages remain available for a 
period of approx. three minutes after 
the display goes out and the key is 
removed from the ignition lock. Press 
the CHECK button 3. If there were 
multiple messages, press the CHECK 
button repeatedly to view them all in 
sequence. 
To check the Check Control Press the CHECK button 3 with the 
ignition key in position 2: 
CHECK CONTROL OK appears in the 
display.
No malfunctions are present in the 
monitored systems.Computer You can find a description of the 
computer on pages 80 and 86 as well 
as in the Owner's Manual for the 
Onboard Computer.
You can have the Check Control 
and computer messages 
displayed in a different language.<  

133n
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.  

142n
1 Engine oil dipstick143
2 Reservoir for brake fluid 
(under the microfilter trim panel)146 3 Auxiliary terminal for jump 
starting164
4 Coolant expansion tank1455 Engine oil filler neck143
6 Reservoir for windshield and 
headlamp washer system
*
143
Engine compartment essentials
530de332 

145n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Coolant 
Do not add coolant to the cooling 
system when the engine is hot. If 
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant 
can cause burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later 
on, never use anything other than 
factory-approved, nitrite and amino-
free extended-duty antifreeze with 
corrosion inhibitor. Your BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle center is familiar with 
the factory specifications.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are 
hazardous to health. You should always 
store them in their original container 
and in a location which is inaccessible 
to children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor contains the flammable 
substance ethyleneÐglycol. For this 
reason, do not spill antifreeze with 
corrosion inhibitor on hot engine parts. 
It could ignite and cause serious 
burns.< 
Checking coolant level and 
adding coolant Correct coolant level when the engine 
is cold approx. +68 7(+20 6):
1. Start by turning the cap of the expan-
sion tank counterclockwise. Pause to 
allow any accumulated pressure to 
escape, then open
2. The coolant level is correct when the 
end of the red float is aligned with 
the upper edge of the filler opening 
(refer to the arrow in the illustration), 
or max. 0.8 in (2 cm) higher, i. e. up 
to the mark on the float (refer also to 
the schematic diagram, next to the 
cap)530us102
3. If necessary, add coolant. Slowly add 
coolant until the correct level is 
reached Ð do not overfill.
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the 
disposal of extended-duty antifreeze 
with corrosion inhibitor.<