2002 BMW X5 4.4I brake light

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.

132n
Break-in proceduresTo ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you
observe the following instructions: Engine and axle drive Up to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed
4,500 rpm and the following road
speeds during this initial period:
6-cylinder engines: 100 mph (160 km/h)
8-cylinder engines: 106 mph (170 km/h)
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles
(2,000 km), engine and vehicle speeds
can gradually be increased.
You should also comply with these
break-in procedures if the engine or
one of the axle drives is replaced later
in the course of the vehicle service life.
TiresDue to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
For this reason, drive with extra care
during the initial 200 miles (300 km).
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or
complete loss of traction, vehicle
control and braking effectiveness.
Reduce your speed on wet roads.<
Brake systemApprox. 300 miles (500 km) must
elapse before the brake pads and
rotors achieve the optimal pad-surface
and wear patterns required for trouble-
free operation and long service life later
on.
To break in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that
traffic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not light up
when the parking brake is applied.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine switched off Ð
when towing, for instance Ð substan-
tially higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle.<

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.

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.

135n
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.<

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

Everything from A to Z
177n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control77
Check tire pressures26t
Checking
engine oil level144
Child's seat58
Child-restraint systems58
Child-safety locks60
Cigarette lighter
front118
rear119
socket119t
Clean the windshield70
Climate control in the rear
passenger area110
Clock83
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
Cockpit14
Code89
activating89
deactivating89
selecting89
Comfort seat46
Compartments116
Computer80, 82, 86
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
remote control90Configuring individual
settings via Vehicle and
Key Memory61
Consumption, fuel88
Convenience operation of
windows and sliding/tilt
sunroof31
Convenience starting
feature63
Coolant145
temperature gauge76
Copyright notice4
Correct sitting posture44
seat adjustment44
Cruise control71
Cruising range80, 88
Cup holder117
Curb weight172
DData link connector for On-
board Diagnostics149
Date
calling up83
changing83
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
Daytime driving lamp100
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)20, 93Deactivating the interior
motion
sensor33t, 40t
Deep water133
Defrosting the
windows105t, 108t
Digital clock83
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
Dimensions171
Dipstick, engine oil144t
Disc brakes135
Displacement170
Display lighting101
Displays15, 17
Disposal
used batteries162
used oil144t
Distance from
destination87
Distance warning91
Divided rear backrest122
Door keys30
Doors
manual operation31
remote control33
unlocking and locking31
DOT Quality Grades137
Drink holder, refer to
beverage holder117
Driving notes134Driving through water133
Driving your BMW X5133
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)20, 92
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)20, 93
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)20, 92
EElectric power seat46
Electric power windows40
Electrical malfunction
liftgate36t
sliding/tilt sunroof43t
tailgate38t
Elements of operation14
Emergency operation
doors31t
liftgate36t
sliding/tilt sunroof43t
tailgate38t
Energy Control75
Engine
output170
power rating170
specifications170
Engine compartment
essentials142
Engine coolant145

Everything from A to ZEngine oil143t, 144
consumption143
grades144
level19
pressure18
Estimated time of arrival88
Exterior mirrors53
Exterior rearview mirrors,
automatic dimming
feature54FFailure of an electrical
accessory163t
Filling the windshield washer
reservoir143t
First-aid kit23t
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing166t
Flashlight116
Flat tire99, 136, 157t
Fog lamps101
bulb replacement155t
Folding rear backrest122
Footbrake135
Front area lighting102
Front fog lamps101
Front seat adjustment44Frost protection,
radiator145
Fuel25
capacity173
display75
gauge75
quality25
specifications25
Fuel consumption88
average88
Fuel filler door24
electrical malfunction24
Fuses163t
GGarage-door opener113
Gasoline25
General driving notes134
Glasses compartment118
Glove compartment116
Gross vehicle weight172
Ground clearance133HHandbrake64
Hands-free system117
Hazard warning flashers14
Hazard warning triangle23HDC (Hill Descent
Control)94
Head restraints47
Headlamp covers,
care154t
Headlamp flasher69
Headlamp washer
system70, 143
Heated seats51
Heated steering wheel53
Heating and
ventilation103, 106
Heating while stopped110
Heavy cargo127
Height171
Height adjustment
seats46
steering wheel52
High beams21, 101
bulb replacement153t
High-mount brake lamp156
Hill Descent Control
(HDC)94
Holder for cans, refer to
beverage holder117
Hood141t
Hood release141t
Hydraulic Brake Assistant
refer to DBC20
IIce warning74
Identification, tires139
Ignition key30
Ignition lock62
Imprint4
Independent ventilation
system85, 112
switching on and off85
Indicator lamps18
Inflation pressures,
tires136
monitoring98
INSPECTION76
Instrument cluster15, 17
Instrument lighting101
Instrument panel15, 17
Intensive cleaning
system70
Interior lamps102
remote control33
Interior mirror54
Interior motion sensor40
Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature54
Interlock62
Intermittent wipe69