
 
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  

 
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 

 
17n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Instrument cluster BMW X5 3.0i, 4.4i
 
* 
1 Fuel gauge75
2 Indicator lamp for turn signal 
indicators22
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning 
lamps19 to 22
5 Tachometer and Energy Control74
6 Coolant temperature gauge767 Indicator and warning 
lamps19 to 22
8 Reset button for trip odometer73
9 Service Interval Display76
10 Display for
 
>
 
Trip odometer73
 
>
 
Outside temperature display7311 Indicator for Check Control77
12 Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission
 
* 
65
13 CHECK button77
14 Indicator and warning 
lamps19 to 22
530us226530us226 

 
18n
 
Instrument cluster BMW X5 4.6is
 
1 Fuel gauge75
2 Indicator lamp for turn signal 
indicators22
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning 
lamps19 to 22
5 Tachometer and Energy Control74
6 Coolant temperature gauge767 Indicator and warning 
lamps19 to 22
8 Reset button for trip odometer73
9 Service Interval Display76
10 Display for
 
>
 
Trip odometer73
 
>
 
Outside temperature display7311 Indicator for Check Control77
12 Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission
 
* 
65
13 CHECK button77
14 Indicator and warning 
lamps19 to 22
530us226530us230 

 
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. 

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