2003 BMW X5 4.4I tow

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.<

102n
1 Airflow directed toward the wind-
shield and side windows
2 Airflow for the upper body104
3 Front footwell ventilation 4 Rear footwell ventilation
5 Airflow for the upper body in the rear
seat104
6 Temperature103
7 Air distribution1038 Air supply103
9 Rear window defroster103
10 Air conditioning103
11 Recirculated-air mode103
Air conditioner
530us222

103n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Air conditioner Temperature
The graduations on the dial
provide general reference
values for the interior temper-
ature. We recommend
+70 7/+22 6 as a comfortable
setting. When you start the vehicle, the
system adjusts the air to the selected
temperature as quickly as possible, and
then maintains that temperature
constantly.
Air distribution
You can direct air to flow onto
the windows , toward the
upper body and into the
footwell . All intermediate
settings are possible. In the setting,
there is a low flow of air onto the
windows to keep them free of conden-
sation.
Air supply
You can adjust the air supply
through an infinitely-variable
range. The heating and venti-
lation become more and more
effective as the air supply settings are
increased. In the 0 setting, the blower
and climate control are switched off
and the outside air supply is blocked.
Rear window defroster
When the rear window
defroster is activated, the
indicator lamp comes on. The rear
window defroster switches off automat-
ically.
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehu-
midified and Ñ depending on
the temperature setting Ñ warmed
again. Depending on the weather, the
windshield may fog over briefly when
the engine is started. You can reduce
condensation forming on the windows
by switching on the air conditioning.
During air conditioning condensa-
tion forms, which then exits under
the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
of this kind are thus normal.<
Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleas-
ant odors outside the vehicle
by temporarily switching off the outside
air supply. The system then recirculates
the air currently within the vehicle.
If you have a steering wheel with multi-
function buttons with the button for the
recirculated-air mode, you can also use
this button to switch to the recirculated-
air mode, refer to page 23.
If the windows fog over in the
recirculated-air mode, switch the
recirculated-air mode off and increase
the air supply as required.<

104n
Air conditionerDraft-free ventilation You can adjust the vent outlets for the
upper body area completely for your
personal comfort:
1 Rotary dials for opening and closing
the vent outlets through an infinitely-
variable range
2 Levers for adjusting airflow direction
3 With the rotary dial you can adjust the
temperature of the incoming air:
>Turn toward blue Ð colder
>Turn toward red Ð warmer. 530de270
Rear passenger area ventilation1 Rotary dial for opening and closing
the vent outlets through an infinitely-
variable range
2 Levers for adjusting airflow direction.
The air that flows out here is somewhat
cooler than the air delivered to the foot-
well. Particle filter The particle filter removes dust and
pollen from the incoming air. It is
replaced by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center during regular mainte-
nance. A substantial reduction in air
supply indicates that the filter must be
replaced before normal maintenance.530de271
To defrost windows and remove
condensation 1. You can specify an interior tempera-
ture that is comfortable for you with
the rotary temperature dial. A good
starting point is +70 7/+22 6
2. Set the air distribution rotary dial
to
3. Set the blower/air supply rotary dial
completely to the right
4. Close the vent outlets in the rear
seating area
5. Switch on the rear window defroster
to defrost the rear window. 530us149

105n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
1 Airflow directed toward the wind-
shield and side windows
2 Airflow for the upper body109
3 Front footwell ventilation4 Rear footwell ventilation
5 Airflow for the upper body in the rear
seat109
6 Automatic air distribution and air
supply1077 Individual air distribution107
8 Temperature control Ð
left-hand side107
9 Display for temperature and air
supply107Automatic climate control
*
530us223

107n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic climate control
*
Tips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic system; that is press
AUTO button 6. Select an interior
temperature that is comfortable for you.
Detailed setting options are described
for you in the following section.
Your BMW center can program
the settings of your vehicle in such
a manner that, when you unlock the
vehicle with your individualized key,
your own personalized setting for the
automatic climate control is initiated.< Automatic air distribution
The AUTO program
assumes the adjustment of
the air distribution and the air supply for
you and also adapts the temperature to
external influences Ð summer, winter Ð
to meet preferences you can specify.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO
program by selecting
specific air distribution
patterns for your personal
comfort, the automatic air
supply remains in operation. You can
direct air to flow onto the windows ,
toward the upper body , and into the
footwell . You can reactivate the
automatic air distribution mode by
selecting the AUTO button.
Temperature
You can make individual
temperature settings on the
driver's side or the front
passenger side. Your settings will be
shown in the display 9. The displayed
temperatures are reference values for
the interior temperature. We recom-
mend +70 7/+22 6 as a comfortable
setting, whether the air conditioner is
operating or not. When you start the
vehicle, this system ensures that the
selected temperature is achieved as
quickly as possible. It then maintains this
temperature, regardless of the season.
To change the units of measurement Ð
6/7 Ð of the display, refer to page 73
or 80.
Air supply
In the AUTO program, the
air supply is controlled
automatically. AUTO will appear in the
display 9, refer to the overview on
page 105. Press the left or right side of
the button to vary the air supply. When
your setting is displayed by bars, the
automatic air supply is switched off.
Automatic air distribution maintains its
setting. You can reactivate the auto-
matic air supply by pressing the AUTO
button.
When you press the left side of the but-
ton during operation at minimum blower
speed all displays are canceled: the
blower, heating and air conditioner are
switched off. The outside air supply is
closed. You can switch the system
back on by pressing any button of the
automatic climate control, except the
MAX button 16.
To defrost windows and remove
condensation
This program quickly
removes ice and conden-
sation from the windshield and the side
windows.

109n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic climate control
*
Residual heat mode
The heat which is stored in
the engine is utilized for
heating the interior when the engine
has been switched off (while waiting at
a railroad crossing, for instance).
In ignition key position 1, you can alter
the settings of the automatic climate
control. With the ignition key in posi-
tion 0, the system automatically directs
heated air to the windshield, side
windows and footwells.
This function may be activated
when the outside temperature is
below approx. 59 7/15 6, the engine
is at operating temperature, and the
battery is adequately charged. The LED
on the button will light up when all
conditions have been met.<
Draft-free ventilation You can adjust the vent outlets for the
upper body area to select the optimum
airflow rates and directions for your
personal comfort:
1 Rotary dials for opening and closing
the vent outlets through an infinitely-
variable range
2 Selector levers for airflow direction
3 With the rotary dial you can adjust the
temperature of the incoming air.
>Turn toward blue Ð colder
>Turn toward red Ð warmer. 530de270
Rear passenger area climate
control 1 Air supply
2 Temperature
3 Adjusting the direction of the airflow 530de272

110n
Automatic climate control
*
Air supply 0 Blower off
I Maximum blower speed
You can adjust the air supply for the
vent outlets through an infinitely-vari-
able range between the 0 and I
settings.
In the 0 setting, the blower is switched
off and the supply of air through the
vent outlets is blocked.
Individual adjustments on the front-seat
control elements influence the air
supply for rear passenger area climate
control. 530de273
Temperature Passengers in the rear seating area can
adjust their own temperature for the
vent outlets:
>Turn toward blue Ð colder
>Turn toward red Ð warmer
When you start the vehicle, this system
ensures that the selected temperature
is achieved as quickly as possible. It
then maintains this temperature,
regardless of the season.
A temperature setting is only
possible when the blower is
switched on, not in the 0 setting.< 530de274
Particle filter,
activated-charcoal filter The particle filter removes dust and
pollen from the incoming air. The acti-
vated-charcoal filter provides additional
protection by filtering gaseous pollut-
ants from the outside air. Your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center
replaces this combined filter as a stan-
dard part of your scheduled mainte-
nance. A substantial reduction in air
supply indicates that the filter must be
replaced before normal maintenance.