2002 BMW X5 4.4I ground clearance

36n
LiftgateTo open from the outside Press the button (arrow):
The liftgate opens slightly.
The cargo area is illuminated whenever
the liftgate is opened, refer also to
page 102.
When the liftgate is opened, the
clearance from the ground to the
upper edge is more than 6.6 ft (2 m).
Please keep this in mind when opening
the tailgate (in a garage, for example).<530de245
Opening from inside the vehiclePress this button to open the liftgate
when the vehicle is stationary.
If pointed or sharp-edged objects
could strike the rear window while
driving, be sure to provide protection
around all edges. If you do not do this,
the heating conductors of the rear
window could be damaged.<
For information on the cargo area cover
and on other details in the cargo area,
refer to "Cargo area", beginning on
page 122.530de221
Manual release In the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can release the liftgate manually:
1. Remove the plastic plug from inside
the cargo area and pull toward the
interior (arrow). The liftgate will be
released
2. Reinstall the plug. 530de316

95n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Variable Ride Height
*
Variable Ride Height on both axles
*
The warning lamp for the Vari-
able Ride Height comes on, or
the message "SELFLEVEL
SUSP.INACT" appears in the Check
Control: there is a malfunction in the
Variable Ride Height.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If it is
riding significantly lower in the rear than
in the front, or if it is sitting at an incline
(left rear compared to right rear),
consult the nearest BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center. Drive with
appropriate caution in the meantime.
The vehicle has reduced ground clear-
ance or driving comfort is noticeably
reduced.
Even if the attitude of the vehicle is
normal, you should consult the nearest
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center if
the warning lamp indicates a system
malfunction.
The conceptYour vehicle is equipped with Variable
Ride Height acting on both the front
and rear suspension. This system
combines automatic self-leveling,
which compensates for variations in
front-to-rear load-distribution patterns,
with a selection feature allowing drivers
to choose from among several ride-
height options.
You may choose from among the
following ride heights:
>Standard
The "standard" setting is intended for
most operating conditions, including
trailer towing
>Off-Road
Higher ride height for increased
ground clearance
>Access
Lowers vehicle for more convenient
cargo handling and easier passenger
ingress and exitsChanges in ride height are initiated
either manually, using the control
button (refer to page 96), or automati-
cally in response to specific speeds.
When the ride height is selected manu-
ally, the driver has the additional option
of revising the ride-height selection by
entering a new command during the
adjustment process.
When the vehicle is stationary, the
system executes ride-height changes in
both directions (up and down) when-
ever the doors are closed. The tailgate/
liftgate may be open. The system raises
the vehicle only when the engine is
running.
The system's automatic self-leveling
feature automatically compensates for
variations in the vehicle's load.
Frequent changes in ride height
initiated at short intervals can
overheat the compressor, causing the
system to briefly suspend active opera-
tion.<

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.

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