
 
16n
 
Instrument cluster BMW X5 3.0i, 4.4i 
 
7 Indicator and warning 
lamps19 to 22
8 Reset button for trip odometer73
9 Indicator for Check Control77
10 Odometer and trip odometer7311 Computer display Ð
operation via the turn signal lever, 
refer to page 80: 
 
>
 
Outside temperature 
 
>
 
Average fuel consumption 
 
>
 
Cruising range 
 
>
 
Average speed 12 Service Interval Display76
13 Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission
 
* 
65
14 Indicator and warning 
lamps19 to 22
530us225 

65n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Manual transmission Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
Reverse Select Reverse only when the vehicle is 
completely stopped. Press the gearshift 
lever to the left to overcome the resis-
tance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will 
turn on automatically when the ignition 
key is in position 2. 
Do not hold the vehicle in place on 
slopes by slipping or riding the 
clutch. Use the parking brake instead, 
since a slipping clutch increases clutch 
wear.< 
You can drive as with a normal auto-
matic transmission. In addition, you can 
also shift manually. 
When you move the selector lever from 
the D position to the left into the M/S 
range, the performance-oriented shift 
programs of the automatic transmission 
are engaged. As soon as you tap the 
selector lever in the 
+ or 
Ð direction, 
Steptronic changes the gear. The 
manual mode is engaged. When you 
wish to use the automatic transmission 
mode again, move the selector lever to 
the right into the D position. 
Under normal operating conditions, fuel 
consumption is lowest when driving in 
position D.
530us040
Selector lever positions 
P R N D M/S 
The transmission range display varies 
according to the equipment of your 
vehicle, refer to the illustrations. 
Starting the engine The engine can only be started in 
selector lever positions Park or Neutral. 390us607 

74n
Tachometer Energy controlBMW X5 3.0i, 4.4iDo not operate the engine with the 
needle in the red overspeed zone of the 
gauge, refer to arrow.
To protect the engine, the engine man-
agement system automatically inter-
rupts the fuel supply in this range.530us227
BMW X5 4.6isThe orange pre-warning zone displays 
current permissible engine speeds, 
depending on the engine temperature. 
As the engine temperature increases, 
some of the sectors for this pre-warning 
zone will go out one after the other.
Avoid engine speeds in the pre-warning 
zone if possible.
Do not operate the engine with the 
needle in the red overspeed zone of the 
gauge, refer to arrow.
To protect the engine, the engine man-
agement system automatically inter-
rupts the fuel supply in this range.530us231
BMW X5 3.0i, 4.4iIndicates the current fuel consumption 
in mpg, on Canadian vehicles in liters/
100 km. This allows you to see whether 
your current driving style is conducive 
to fuel economy with minimum exhaust 
emissions. 
When the vehicle is stationary, the 
display goes to Maximum Ð zero on 
Canadian models.390us005 

80n
ComputerMode selection From ignition key position 1 and up, 
you can call up information from the 
computer using the button in the turn 
signal lever. By pressing the button 
briefly in the direction of the steering 
column, you can call up a new function 
for display. 
The displays appear in the following 
order: outside temperature, average 
fuel consumption, cruising range, 
average speed.
Starting with ignition key position 1, 
the last active setting is displayed.
The range of available displays varies 
according to your individual vehicle's 
equipment.530de228
Outside temperature and average 
fuel consumption You can change the units of measure-
ment Ð 6/7 Ð for the outside tempera-
ture display by
1. pressing and holding the trip odo-
meter reset button with the ignition 
key in position 1
2. and then turning the ignition key to 0. 
At the same time the units of mea-
surement in the temperature display 
of the automatic climate control will 
be changed, refer to page 105.
Refer also to page 73.390us126
Cruising range and average speed The computer bases its calculations 
of the cruising range on the previous 
driving style and conditions.
The computer ignores any time spent 
with the vehicle stationary and the 
engine switched off in its average 
speed calculations.To cancel the display If the button in the turn signal lever is 
pressed briefly while the average speed 
is displayed, the computer display can 
be masked out. To restart calculationsIf you continue to press the button in 
the turn signal lever, the average values 
which were just displayed for fuel con-
sumption and speed will be recalcu-
lated from that point. The engine must 
be running for this calculation.Computer with alphanumeric 
display
* 
If your vehicle has Check Control with 
alphanumeric display, the system's 
computer is described beginning on 
page 85 and in the Owner's Manual for 
the Onboard Computer.  

81n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Multi-Information Display MID
 
Central displayThe MID serves as the central display 
and operation for the following onboard 
systems:
>Digital clock, e. g. time display, date
>Audio systems Ð radio, cassette, CD
>Computer, e.g. fuel consumption, 
cruising range 
>Cellular phone,  e.g. dialing.
You will find explanations and notes 
for operating the digital clock and the 
computer on the following pages. 
Please refer to the separate Owner's 
Manuals for operating the audio sys-
tems, the cellular phone and the 
onboard computer.
Any unrealistic numerical entries 
will not be accepted. 
All stored data will be lost if the power 
supply is interrupted. Time display, 
switch-on times for independent 
heating and ventilation, distance and 
cruise control speed limit may have to 
be reset once the power supply has 
been re-established.<
1 Function button for audio systems
2 Function button for the cellular phone
3 Indicator lamp for independent venti-
lation
>remains on if switch-on time is 
active
>flashes while operating
4 Function button for the digital clock 
and computer
5 Indicator display for the various 
onboard systems390us705
6 Display for the entry and query but-
tons. Depending on the operating 
mode, the functions and alternatives 
that can be selected at the buttons 
are displayed here
7 Entry and query buttons for operating 
the various onboard systems 

87n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Computer
** * * in the MID
Estimated time of arrival When you have entered the distance to 
your destination, you can obtain an 
estimated time of arrival display which 
is continuously updated by the com-
puter as your average driving period 
varies.
Press the right side of the button.
Press the right side of the button:
The estimated time of arrival is dis-
played.
Cruising rangeThe distance which the vehicle should 
cover on the remaining fuel in the tank 
is displayed.
Press the right side of the button.
Press:
The display shows the probable range. 
When you have only enough fuel 
left to drive fewer than 30 miles/ 
50 km, then refuel, as otherwise engine 
functions are not ensured and damage 
can occur.<
The computer will only register fuel 
amounts over 1.8 gal/6 liters.
Fuel consumptionYou can have the average fuel con-
sumption displayed for two different 
distances, for example a complete 
journey and part of the journey . 
To start the calculation, select the 
CONS function with the engine running.
Press the right side of the button.
Press the left or right side of the button:
The display will show the average fuel 
consumption.
To restart the fuel consumption 
calculation: 
Press the left or right side of the button.
Press the right side of the button. 

141n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Washer fluid  Engine oil Windshield and headlamp washer 
system Approximate capacity is 8.2 US quarts/
7.8 liters.
Fill with water and Ñ if required Ñ with a 
washer antifreeze, according to manu-
facturer's recommendations. 
It is more convenient to mix the 
washer fluid before adding it to 
the reservoir.< 
Antifreeze agent for the washer 
systems is inflammable. For this 
reason, keep it away from sources of 
flame and store it only in its original 
containers. Store it so that it is inacces-
sible to children. Comply with the 
instructions on the containers.< 530de298
Checking oil level 1. Park the vehicle on a level surface 
2. Switch the engine off after it has 
reached normal operating tempera-
ture 
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the 
dipstick out and wipe it off with a 
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or 
similar material
4. Push the dipstick carefully all the way 
into the guide tube and pull it out 
again 
5. The oil level should be in between 
the two marks on the dipstick. 
As with fuel economy, oil consumption 
is directly influenced by your driving 
style and vehicle operating conditions. 530us100
The oil volume between the two marks 
on the dipstick corresponds to approx. 
1.1 US quarts/1 liter. Do not fill beyond 
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess 
oil will damage the engine
BMW X5 4.6is:
If the vehicle's performance reserves 
are used extensively Ð high-perfor-
mance driving Ð the oil level should be 
maintained at the upper mark on the 
dipstick.530us205 

Everything from A to ZAABS Antilock Brake 
System20, 132
Accessories9
Activated-charcoal 
filter110
Adaptive brake light98
Adding
brake fluid144
coolant143
engine oil141
washer fluid141
Adjusting
head restraints47
mirrors53
seats44
steering wheel52
thigh support45
Air conditioner102
Air distribution103, 107
Air outlets102, 105
Air supply103, 107
Airbags20, 55
Alarm system39
Antifreeze143
Antilock Brake System 
ABS20, 132
Anti-theft system31
Approved gross vehicle 
weight170
Aquaplaning132, 134Arrival time87
Ashtray
front117
rear118
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control108
Automatic climate 
control105
removing condensation 
from the windows107
Automatic cruise control71
Automatic curb monitor51
Automatic dimming
exterior rearview 
mirrors54
interior rearview mirror54
Automatic headlamp 
control99
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC108
Automatic steering wheel 
adjustment52
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic65
Average fuel 
consumption80
Average speed80, 88
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms40
Axle loads170
BBackup lamps65
bulb replacement153
Battery160
charge160
discharged163
Battery charge indicator 
lamp19
Battery, disposal160
Belts49
Beverage holder116
Blower103, 107
BMW comfort seat46
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil142
BMW Maintenance 
System145
BMW sports seat45
BMW Universal 
Transmitter112
Brake fluid144
Brake fluid level144
Brake lamps
bulb replacement153
Brake light, adaptive98Brake system132
brake fluid144
brake fluid level133
brake pads indicator21
disc brakes133
hydraulic system 
indicator19
malfunctions132
Break-in procedures130
Bulbs and lamps151
CCalifornia Proposition
65 Warning146
Can holder, refer to 
beverage holder116
Capacities171
Cargo area38, 120
capacity170
cover120
lamps101
partition net122
Cargo floor, pull-out124
Cargo loading126
Cellular phone116
hands-free system116
Center Ð high-mount Ð brake 
lamp153
Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp153