5n
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
19n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by
l
are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for
different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this in the
following section.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
drive belt is defective, increased
steering effort is also required.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level; top off as
required. If the oil level is correct:
please contact the nearest BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.
<
Parking brake
*
/
Brake hydraulic system
l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 64.
Comes on although the parking brake
is released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before continuing your
journey, be sure to read the notes on
pages 132 and 144.
Also comes on in the Check Control
with the message CHECK BRAKE
LININGS.
Parking brake warning lamp
*
/
Brake hydraulic system warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor RDC
*
l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a flat tire has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. As you steer the
vehicle, use caution and avoid overcor-
recting.
For additional information: refer to
page 96.
20n
Indicator and warning lamps
Red or yellow: continue to drive;
drive cautiously
If the brake warning lamp
comes on red together with the
yellow warning lamps for ABS
and DSC:
Continue to drive; drive
cautiously and defensively and
avoid full brake applications.
Have the system checked by the
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 91 and 132.
If all three warning lamps come on
yellow:
Continue to drive; drive cautiously and
defensively and avoid full brake appli-
cations.
Have the system checked by your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center as
soon as possible.
Warning lamps for Canadian
models.
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
*
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged.
For additional information: refer to
page 64.
Parking brake
*
warning lamp
for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts
l
Lights up either for a few
seconds or, depending on
model, until the belt is engaged.
Depending on model, together with an
acoustic signal
*
or a message
*
in the
Check Control.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 49.
Airbags
l
Please have the system
inspected by your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
For additional information: refer to
page 55.
Yellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System ABS
l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking performance
remains available with no loss of effi-
ciency. Please have the system
inspected by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center.
For additional information: refer to
page 132.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute
minimum; refill as soon as possible. Do
not drive more than approx. 30 miles/
50 km until you do.
For additional information: refer to
page 141.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at your earliest opportunity, e.g.
when you stop to refuel.
For additional information: refer to
page 141.
62n
Ignition key positions0 Steering lock engaged
1 Steering lock disengaged
2 Ignition on
3 Starting the engineSteering lock engaged The key can only be inserted or
removed in this position.
After removing the key, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the left or right
until you hear the lock engage.
Once the ignition has been switched off
Ð ignition key in position 0 or removed Ð
the radio functions are still available for
approx. 20 minutes. Turn the radio back
on to use it.390de010
An acoustic warning is sounded when
you fail to remove the ignition key after
opening the driver's door.
Vehicles with automatic trans-
mission:
Do not move the selector lever from the
Park position until the engine is running
Ð ignition key in position 2.
In order to turn the key to position 0 or
to remove it, first move the selector
lever to the Park position Ð Interlock.< Steering lock disengaged You will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the
lock.
Individual electrical devices are ready
for operation. Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: depress the clutch when
starting the engine. If you do not, a lock
prevents the engine from starting.<
Before starting >Engage the parking brake
>Be sure that the gearshift lever is in
Neutral or the selector lever in Park if
the vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic transmission
>Depress the clutch pedal.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. Breathing the
exhaust gases poses an extreme health
risk, and can lead to unconsciousness
and death. The exhaust gases contain
carbon monoxide, an odorless and col-
orless, but highly toxic gas.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running, since an unat-
tended vehicle with a running engine
represents a safety hazard.<
When driving, standing at idle,
and parking the vehicle, take care
to avoid contact between the hot
exhaust system and flammable mate-
rials, e.g. grass, hay, leaves, etc. Such
contact could lead to a fire, resulting in
serious personal injury and property
damage.<
Ignition lock Starting the engine
63n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Starting the engine Switching off the engineDo not press the accelerator pedal
while starting the engine.
BMW X5 3.0i:
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time. Do not turn it for more
than approx. 20 seconds. Release the
ignition key immediately as soon as the
engine starts.
BMW X5 4.4i, 4.6is:
Your BMW is equipped with the conve-
nience starting feature. Simply turn the
ignition key to position 3 Ð starter Ð and
then release it immediately.
The starter actuation continues to
operate automatically for a certain
period of time and is stopped automati-
cally as soon as the engine has started.
The automatic starting mode will not
operate if the battery voltage is low.
The engine can be started by means of
jump-starting, refer to page 162.<
Do not allow the engine to warm up
by leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, begin to
drive immediately at a moderate engine
speed.
Should the engine fail to start on the
first attempt, if it is very hot or cold, for
instance:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at altitudes above 3,300 ft/
1,000 meters and at very low tempera-
tures, from approx. +5 7/Ð15 6:
>For the initial start attempt, allow the
starter to remain engaged somewhat
longer, approx. 10 seconds.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at start-up are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharging,
always switch off electrical devices that
are not in use. Switch the ignition off
when the vehicle is not being driven.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can lead to damage of the
catalytic converter.<
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is still moving. If
you do so, the steering will lock.
Always remove the ignition key and
engage the steering lock before leaving
the vehicle.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Even placing the gearshift lever
in 1st gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in Park.<
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
The vehicle must be stationary and the
selector lever in Park before you can
remove the ignition key.
64n
Parking brake Manual transmissionThe parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates against the rear
wheels.To engage The lever engages automatically when
you pull it up and the indicator lamp
comes on in the instrument cluster in
ignition key position 2, refer to
pages 19 and 20.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever. 530de262
If, in exceptional circumstances, it
should be necessary to engage
the parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull it with excessive
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed
against the release button while care-
fully pulling up the lever to apply mod-
erate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction Ð fishtailing
Ð at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Even placing the gearshift lever
in 1st gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in Park.<
To avoid corrosion, apply the parking
brake lightly from time to time when
coasting to a standstill at a traffic
signal, for instance, provided that it is
safe to do so.
Press the clutch pedal all the way down
each time you shift, pressing the gear-
shift lever into its proper end position.
Depress the clutch when starting the
vehicle, too, otherwise, the interlock
will prevent the engine from starting if
the clutch is not depressed. 360de044
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
66n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
Range selection A detent prevents inadvertent shifts to
the Reverse or Park selector lever posi-
tions. To disengage the detent, press
the button on the front side of the
selector lever knob, refer to arrow.
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of Park or Neu-
tral, depress the footbrake in order to
disengage the selector lever's lock
mechanism Ð Shiftlock.
Hold the footbrake down until starting
off. The vehicle will otherwise creep
when a drive position is engaged.< 530de263
If you leave the vehicle with the
engine running, move the selector
lever to the Park position and engage
the parking brake. If you fail to do this,
the vehicle could move.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running, since an unat-
tended vehicle with a running engine
represents a safety hazard.<
P Park Select only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary. The transmission locks to pre-
vent the rear wheels from turning.R Reverse Select only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary. N Neutral Ð IdleSelect only if your journey is interrupted
for a longer period.
D Drive Ð Automatic shift
program This position is designed for driving
under all normal operating conditions.
All forward gears are available. Kickdown In the kickdown mode, you achieve
maximum acceleration and in posi-
tion D top speed.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-
throttle position.