2003 BMW X5 4.4I tailgate

94n
Self-leveling suspension
*
2-axle self-leveling suspension
*
The warning lamp for the self-
leveling suspension comes on,
or the message Ð SELFLEVEL
SUSP.INACT Ð appears in the Check
Control: there is a malfunction in the
self-leveling suspension.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If it is
riding significantly lower in the rear than
in the front, or if it is sitting at an incline
Ð left rear compared to right rear - con-
sult the nearest BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center. Drive with appropriate
caution in the meantime. The vehicle
has reduced ground clearance or
driving comfort is noticeably reduced.
Even if the attitude of the vehicle is
normal, you should consult the nearest
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center if
the warning lamp indicates a system
malfunction.
The conceptYour vehicle is equipped with 2-axle
self-leveling suspension acting on both
the front and rear suspension. This
system combines automatic self-lev-
eling, which compensates for variations
in front-to-rear load-distribution pat-
terns, with a selection feature allowing
drivers to choose from among several
ride-height options.
You may choose from among the fol-
lowing ride heights:
>Standard
The standard setting is intended for
most operating conditions, including
trailer towing
>Off-Road
Higher ride height for increased
ground clearance
>Access
Lowers vehicle for more convenient
cargo handling or easier passenger
ingress and exitsChanges in ride height are initiated
either manually, using the control
button, refer to page 95, or automati-
cally in response to specific speeds.
When the ride height is selected manu-
ally, the driver has the additional option
of revising the ride-height selection by
entering a new command during the
adjustment process.
When the vehicle is stationary, the
system executes ride-height changes in
both directions (up and down) when-
ever the doors are closed. The tailgate/
liftgate may be open. The system raises
the vehicle only when the engine is run-
ning.
The system's automatic self-leveling
feature automatically compensates for
variations in the vehicle's load.
Frequent changes in ride height
initiated at short intervals can
overheat the compressor, causing the
system to briefly suspend active opera-
tion.<

153n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Lamps and bulbs Tail lamp assembly Tail lamp 2: 21/5 watt bulb
Remaining bulbs: 21 watts
1 Turn signal indicator
2 Rear lamps/Side marker lamps
3 Backup lamps
4 Brake lamps
5 Reflector 530de212
Lamps in the side panel:
1. Open the cover in the side panel
2. Lift the side panel if necessary
3. Press gently on the bulb holder and
turn it to the left to remove it
4. Remove the bulb. 530de305
Lamps in the tailgate:
1. Unclip the trim panel in the tailgate
with a screwdriver
2. Press gently on the bulb holder and
turn it to the left to remove it
3. Remove the bulb. Center Ð high-mount Ð brake lamp LED strip in the rear spoiler: please
contact a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center in case of a malfunction. 530de306

155n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel What you will need In order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are through
using them.
>Two wedges Ð wheel chocks
Open the liftgate and tailgate.
In the cargo area, fold up the floor
cover or pull-out cargo floor, refer to
pages 123, 124 or 125.
Take out the wedges, refer to arrow,
next to the spare wheel 530us117
>Lug wrench
Is located next to the spare wheel 530us120
>Handle for the jack
Remove from its holder530de213

156n
Changing a wheel >Jack
Remove the rubber band from the
holder, refer to arrow, and take out
the jack.
When you have completed work,
screw the jack all the way back
down, remove the handle and insert it
into its holder. 530de333
Spare wheel1. Loosen the wing nut 1
2. Remove the plate 2 to the side
3. Unscrew the threaded rod 3
completely. 530us118
Removal aid for the spare wheelBy using this device, you do not have to
lift the spare wheel out of the recess by
hand.
Its task is to help you to move the wheel
onto the tailgate, from where you can
easily lift it off.
1. Close the tailgate again
2. Grasp the handle of the removal aid
behind the spare wheel with both
hands and pull upward over the
tailgate, refer to arrow 530de310

157n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel 3. Hook both buckles into the latch of
the tailgate, refer to arrow; the tail-
gate is released530de311
4. Remove the support rod from the
bracket 530de312
5. Press the tailgate down and hold it
there. The spare wheel is now pulled
by means of the removal aid onto the
tailgate
Hold the tailgate in the opened
position and do not allow it to
retract sharply upward. If you do so,
there is a risk of personal injury and
vehicle damage.< 530de313

158n
Changing a wheel 6. Insert the support rod in the tailgate
lock and press down until it engages,
refer to arrow 1; then lock hook of
rod in striker, refer to arrow 2
Be sure that the support rod is
locked firmly in place. If you fail to
do so, it could retract sharply upward
and cause personal injury and vehicle
damage.<
7. You can now release the locked tail-
gate and take the spare wheel down
from the tailgate. It is recommended
that you leave the tailgate locked into
place until you have completed the
wheel change and placed the wheel
with the defective tire into the
removal aid. 530de314
Procedure1. Read carefully and comply with the
safety precautions on page 154
2. Secure the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling:
Place the wedges (chocks) behind
the wheels on the side opposite the
side you are lifting. If the vehicle is
parked on a downward slope, place
the wedges securely in front of the
wheels. If the wheel must be
changed on a surface with a more
severe slope, take additional precau-
tions to secure the vehicle from
rolling
3. Loosen the lug bolts 1/2-turn
4. Insert the jack handle into the jack,
refer to the illustration in the next
column5. Position the jack at the jacking point
closest to the flat tire so that the jack
base is vertically below the jacking
point and the entire surface of the
head of the jack will move into the
square recess of the jacking point,
refer to the illustration detail, when
the jack is cranked
6. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel
you are changing is raised from the
ground
7. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove
the wheel
8. Remove accumulations of mud or
dirt from the mounting surfaces of
the wheel and hub. Clean the lug
bolts
530de236

159n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel9. Position the spare wheel. Secure
the wheel by turning at least two
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes
10. Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Tighten all the bolts securely
11. Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the vehicle
12. Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal
pattern
13. Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportunity.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
RDC
*:
After mounting the spare wheel or
correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reactivate the system, refer to
page 97.
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in
the valve stems frequently leads to slow
leaks.The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
tightness of the lug bolts checked with
a calibrated lug wrench Ð torque speci-
fication: 101 lb-ft/140 Nm Ð at the
earliest opportunity.<
Store the wheel and the tools in the
order opposite that for removal.
Before removing the support rod,
be sure that the tailgate is held
down firmly. If you fail to do so, it could
retract sharply upward and cause per-
sonal injury and vehicle damage.
After you remove the rod, close the tail-
gate carefully. Continue to hold it firmly
until it is completely closed.<
If light-alloy wheels other than original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced. Driving with spare wheel
With certain wheel-and-tire com-
binations the size of the spare
wheel differs from that of the other
wheels. The spare wheel is equivalent
to these in all speed and load ranges.
However, to restore the original state,
the normal wheel should be remounted
as soon as possible.
When the spare wheel is mounted, the
maximum speed rating is 130 mph/
210 km/h.<

Everything from A to Z
175n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Central locking system30
button35
Changing a wheel155
CHECK button77
Check Control77
Check tire pressures26
Checking
engine oil level142
Child-safety locks60
Cigarette lighter
front117
rear118
socket118
Clean the windshield69
Climate control in the rear
passenger area109
Clock82
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
Cockpit14
Code88
activating88
deactivating88
selecting88
Comfort seat46
Compartments116
Computer80, 81, 85
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
remote control89Configuring individual
settings via Vehicle and
Key Memory61
Consumption, fuel87
Convenience operation of
windows and sliding/tilt
sunroof34
Convenience starting
feature63
Coolant143
temperature gauge76
Copyright notice4
Correct sitting posture44
seat adjustment44
Cruise control71
Cruising range80, 87
Cup holder116
Curb weight170
DData link connector for On-
board Diagnostics147
Date
calling up82
changing82
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
Daytime driving lamp99
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control21, 92Deactivating the interior
motion sensor32, 40
Deep water131
Defrosting the
windows104, 107
Digital clock82
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
Dimensions169
Dipstick, engine oil142
Disc brakes133
Displacement168
Display lighting100
Displays15, 16, 17, 18
Disposal
used batteries160
used oil142
Disposal of battery160
Distance from
destination86
Distance warning90
Divided rear backrest120
Door keys30
Doors
convenience operation34
manual operation34
remote control32
unlocking and locking34
DOT Quality Grades135Drink holder, refer to
beverage holder116
Driving notes132
Driving through water131
Driving with spare
wheel159
Driving your BMW X5131
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control21, 91
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC21, 92
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC21, 91
EElectric power windows40
Electrical malfunction
liftgate36
sliding/tilt sunroof43
tailgate38
Elements of operation14
Emergency operation
doors34
liftgate36
sliding/tilt sunroof43
tailgate38
Energy control74
Engine
output168
power rating168
specifications168