
 
Contents
 © 2002 Bayerische Motoren Werke 
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 157 098
US English IX/2002
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper Ð
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling. 
Notes
Overview
Controls and features
 
About this Owner's Manual 8
Symbols used 8
The individual vehicle 8
Status at time of printing 9
For your own safety 9
Symbol on vehicle parts 10
Service and Warranty 10
Reporting safety defects 10Cockpit
14 
Instrument cluster 15 
Indicator and warning lamps 19 
Steering wheel with multifunction  buttons 23
Warning triangle 24
First-aid kit 24
Refueling 24
Fuel specifications 26
Tire inflation pressures 26
 
Locks and security systems: 
 
Keys30
Central locking system 30
Opening and closing  Ð via the remote control 31 
Opening and closing  Ð via the door lock 34
Opening and closing  Ð from the inside 35 
Liftgate 36
Tailgate 37
Alarm system 39
Electric power windows 40
Sliding/tilt sunroof with glass  moonroof 42
 
Adjustments: 
 
Safe seating position 44
Seats 44
Mechanical seat 45
Power seat 46
Head restraints 47
Power rear-seat backrest  adjustment 48
Safety belts 49
Seat, mirror and steering wheel 
memory 50
Seat heating 51
Steering wheel 52
Steering wheel heating 53
Mirrors 53
 
Inhalt 

 
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  

 
Contents
 
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
 
Special operating instructions: 
 
Break-in procedures130
Driving your BMW X5131
General driving notes132
Antilock Brake System132
Brake system132
 
Wheels and tires: 
 
Tire inflation pressures134
Tire condition134
Tire replacement135
Wheel and tire 
combinations137
Winter tires138
Snow chains138
 
Under the hood: 
 
Hood139
Engine compartment 
essentials140
Washer fluid141
Engine oil141
Coolant143
Brake fluid144
 
Care and maintenance: 
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System145
 
Laws and regulations: 
 
Technical modifications146
California Proposition 
65 Warning146
OBD interface socket147
 
Replacement procedures: 
 
Onboard tool kit150
Windshield wiper blades150
Lamps and bulbs151
Changing a wheel154
Battery160
Fuses160
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving: 
 
Jump-starting162
Towing the vehicle164 

 
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. 

 
21n
 
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. 

26n
Fuel specifications  Tire inflation pressures The engine uses lead-free gasoline 
only. 
Required fuel: 
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline, 
min. 91 AKI. 
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use 
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen 
sensor and the catalytic converter.< 
Check tire pressures All pressure specifications are indicated 
in psi/kilopascal for tires at ambient 
temperature, refer also to the table on 
the next page. 
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor 
RDC:
After correcting the inflation pressures, 
reactivate the system, refer to page 97.530de225
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 poor handling, tire damage 
and accidents.
Check the tire inflation pressure of the 
spare tire. Inflate the spare tire to 
the highest inflation pressure 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. A 
different inflation pressure may be 
required for tire makes not approved by 
BMW.
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 144. Have 
the cause of the brake fluid loss diag-
nosed and corrected by your BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle center
>TIRE LOW/FLAT
*
Reduce vehicle speed immediately 
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard 
brake applications. Do not oversteer, 
refer to page 98
>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
>LIMIT
*
You will see this message if the pro-
grammed speed limit has been 
exceeded, refer to page 85.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 min-
imal 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 141
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
The oil level is at the absolute min-
imum; refill as soon as possible, refer 
to page 141. 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 25
>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 73
>TIRE PRESSURE SET
*
The RDC has imported the current 
inflation pressure in the tires as the 
target values which the system will 
monitor, refer to page 97
>CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
*
Check and correct the tire inflation 
pressure to specifications at the ear-
liest opportunity, e.g. next stop to 
refuel, refer to page 97
>TIRECONTROL INACTIVE
*
A temporary interference of the RDC 
or a system fault, refer to page 98
>CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS
A lamp has failed or the electrical 
circuit has a fault, refer to page 153 
or consult a BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle center