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
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.<
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.