2003 BMW X5 3.0I air suspension

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Controls and features

Passenger safety systems:

Airbags55
Transporting children safely58
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory61

Driving:

Ignition lock62
Starting the engine62
Switching off the engine63
Parking brake64
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
Indicator/Headlamp flasher68
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor68
Cruise control71

Everything under control:

Odometer, outside temperature
display73
Tachometer74
Energy control74
Temperature gauge75
Fuel gauge75
Coolant temperature gauge76
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Computer80
Multi-Information Display
MID81
Digital clock in the MID82
Computer in the MID85

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control PDC90
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC91
Hill Descent Control HDC93
Self-leveling suspension94
2-axle self-leveling
suspension94
Tire Pressure Monitor RDC97
Adaptive brake light98

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams99
Instrument lighting100
High beams/Standing
lamps100
Fog lamps100
Interior lamps101

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Air conditioner102
Automatic climate control105
Roller sun blinds111
Independent ventilation
system111

Cabin convenience:

BMW Universal Transmitter112
Glove compartment115
Storage compartments116
Cellular phone116
Beverage holder116
Glasses compartment117
Ashtray, front117
Ashtray, rear118
Cigarette lighter, rear118

Loading and transporting:

Ski bag119
Cargo area
Fold the rear backrests
down120
Cargo area cover121
Partition net122
Cover panels in the cargo
area123
Power outlets124
Pull-out cargo floor124
Cargo loading126
Roof-mounted luggage rack127

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Notes

Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones Ð including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna Ð or trans-
ceiver equipment such as CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar accessories,
may cause extensive damage to the
vehicle, compromise its safety, interfere
with the vehicle's electrical system or
affect the validity of the BMW Limited
Warranty. Contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center for additional
information.

<


Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.

<



Symbol on vehicle parts

Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.

Service and Warranty

This manual is supplemented by a Ser-
vice and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models or a Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide Booklet for Canadian
models.
We recommend that you read this
publication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following
warranties:

>

New Vehicle Limited Warranty

>
Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
> Federal Emissions System Defect
Warranty >
Federal Emissions Performance War-
ranty

>

California Emissions Control System
Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these
warranties is listed in the Service and
Warranty Information Booklet for US
models or in the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models.

Reporting safety defects

The following only applies to vehicles
owned and operated in the US.
If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTSA in addition to notifying BMW of
North America, LLC, P.O. Box 1227,
Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227,
Telephone 800-831-1117.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it
finds that a safety defect exists in a
group of vehicles, it may order a recall
and remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved in indi-
vidual problems between you, your
dealer, or BMW of North America, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call
the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-800-424-9393 Ð or 366-0123 in
Washington, D.C. area Ð or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transpor-
tation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You
can also obtain other information about
motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.

For your own safety

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Indicator and warning lamps

Automatic transmission

*
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
For additional information: refer to
page 67.
Brake pads

*
l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 132.
Self-leveling suspension
* l
Self-leveling suspension is inac-
tive. Please consult the nearest
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.
For additional information: refer to
page 94.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC l
Fault in the DBC system.
Conventional braking perfor-
mance remains available with no loss of
efficiency.
Please have the system checked and
repaired by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center.
For additional information: refer to
page 92.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
l
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive
and braking force.
The warning lamp comes on and stays
on while driving:
DSC has been switched off with the
button. If, after repeatedly pressing the
DSC button, the warning lamp still does
not go off, then that means that the
DSC, HDC and the vehicle's road-
holding ability are defective.
Please have the system checked by the
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 91 and 93.
Engine electronics
*
There is a fault in the engine's
electronic control system. You
can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system checked by your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.
Tire Pressure Monitor RDC
* l
Check tire inflation pressures,
refer to pages 26, 97.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the
emissions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center at the earliest possible
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 147.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Check Filler Cap
* l
This indicator lamp comes on
when the fuel filler cap is loose
or missing.
Close the filler cap tightly: refer to
page 25.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
2-axle self-leveling suspension
*
Ride-height display1 Off-Road
2 Standard
3 Access
The LEDs not only show the current
ride height, but also indicate changes:
>LED on: indicates the vehicle's cur-
rent ride height
>Ride-height LED flashes while the
LED for the earlier level remains on:
the ride height is being adjusted to a
new level, either automatically or in
response to driver input at the button.530de218
When the suspension reaches the
new ride height the flashing LED
reverts to continuous operation, and
the LED for the earlier level goes out
>LED for current ride height flashes for
roughly 3 seconds when you press
the button: change in ride height is
not possible.
RaisingAvailable only when the engine is run-
ning.
From Standard to Off-Road:
Press button 1 while traveling at a
speed of less than approx. 30 mph/
50 km/h.
From Access to Standard:
>Press button 1 or
>The setting automatically reverts to
the standard setting once the vehicle
exceeds a speed of roughly 20 mph/
35 km/h.530de219

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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 observe Ñ for your own safety,
for that of your passengers, and for the
safety of the vehicle:
>Familiarize yourself with the vehicle
before you begin driving. Do not take
risks with the vehicle under any cir-
cumstances
>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 141
and 143.
When driving down steep slopes, use
the Hill Descent Control HDC, refer to
page 93. 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 Ð 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 Ð without
self-leveling suspension
>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, pro-
vided that traffic conditions allow you
to do so.

Everything from A to ZPPark Distance Control
PDC90
Parking aid90
Parking brake20, 64
Parking lamps99
Particle filter104, 110
Passenger side mirror tilt
function51
PDC Park Distance
Control90
Please fasten safety belts
warning lamp20
Poor driving conditions131
Power loss
sliding/tilt sunroof43
Power outlets
flashlight124
other appliances124
vacuum cleaner124
Power rating168
Power rear-seat
backrests48
Power seat46
Power windows40
safety switch41
Pull-out cargo floor124
RRain sensor68
RDC Tire Pressure
Monitor97
warning lamp19, 21
Rear backrests, folding
down120
Rear lamps153
Rear passenger area climate
control109
Rear seats, power48
Rear window
defroster103, 108
Rear window wiper70
blade replacement150
Rear-seat backrest, folding
down120
Rear-seat backrests,
power48
Rearview mirrors
exterior53
interior54
Rechargeable flashlight115
Recirculated-air
mode103, 108
Reclining seat44
Refueling24, 181
Releasing
hood139
tailgate following an
electrical malfunction38Reminder signal Ð Memo83
Remote control31
computer89
Removal aid for the spare
wheel156
Removing condensation
from the
windows104, 107
Replacing
antifreeze, radiator143
bulbs151
fuses160
windshield wiper
blades150
Reporting safety defects10
Reservoir, washer
system141
Residual heat106, 109
Reverse65
Rims137
Roller sun blinds111
Roof load capacity170
Roof-mounted luggage
rack127
SSafe seating position44
with airbags44
with safety belts44
Safety belts49
height adjustment49Safety defects, reporting10
Safety lock buttons35
Seat adjustment44
Seat belts49
Seat, electric power46
Seat heating51
Seat, mechanical45
Seat memory50
Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory50
Securing cargo38, 126
Selector lever, automatic
transmission66
Self-leveling
suspension94, 131
inactive94
warning lamp21
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models145
Service Engine Soon
indicator lamp21
Service Interval
Display76, 145
Set temperature107
Shiftlock66
Shoulder support47
Side airbags55
Side Impact Head Protection
System55