98n
Tire Pressure Monitor RDC
*
Adaptive brake light
Flat tireIf there is a tire failure with a loss of
inflation pressure, the red indicator
lamp comes on or the message Ð TIRE
LOW/FLAT Ð appears in the Check
Control. In addition, an acoustic signal
sounds.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed
immediately and stop the vehicle in a
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the flat
tire.
The spare tire which is available in
your vehicle as standard equip-
ment is equipped with the electronics
required for RDC and, following activa-
tion of the system, is also monitored
after it is mounted.<
RDC cannot alert you to severe
and sudden tire damage caused
by external factors.<
Have the tires changed at your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center.
Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center has the information needed for
working with RDC and is equipped with
the necessary special tools.<
System malfunctionDuring the period of the malfunction,
the yellow indicator lamp comes on or
the message Ð TIRECONTROL INAC-
TIVE Ð appears in the Check Control.
You will also see the same message
>in the event of a system malfunction
>if a wheel is mounted without the
RDC electronics
>if, in addition to the spare tire, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics
are on board
>after installation of one or several
wheels with an electronics system
still unknown to the system.
It takes a few minutes to learn the
new wheel electronics ID numbers
after system activation. Only then can
RDC detect and report a flat tire.
Please contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center for additional
information.The adaptive brake light provides
drivers of following vehicles with an
indication of the intensity with which
the brakes are being applied in your
own vehicle.
The display occurs in two stages:
>Normal braking:
The brake light units within the tail
lamps and the high-mount brake
lamp integrated within the rear
spoiler both light up with normal
intensity
>Hard braking or braking with ABS
active:
The tail lamps also come on, lighting
up with the same intensity as the
brake lamps to provide a more con-
spicuous warning.
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.
108n
Automatic climate control
*
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and
dehumidified 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.<
Maximum cooling
You will get maximum
cooling capacity using this
program if the engine is running and
the outside temperature is above
approx. +41 7/+5 6.
The temperature display 9 jumps to
+60 7/+16 6, the system switches
over to the recirculated-air mode, and
the air streams out of the ventilation grill
with the maximum air supply. That is
why you need to keep these open if you
select this program.
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC
If there are unpleasant
odors or pollutants in the
outside air, you can temporarily block
the air supply from the outside. The
system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle. Press the
button repeatedly to run through the
following control sequence
>Indicator lamps off: outside air supply
operational
>Left-hand indicator lamp on Ð AUC
mode: the system recognizes pollut-
ants in the outside air and blocks the
flow of air when necessary. The
system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle.
Depending on the air quality, the
automatic system then switches back
and forth between outside air supply
and recirculation of the air within the
vehicle
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the
outside air supply into the vehicle is
completely blocked. The system then
recirculates the air currently within
the vehicle.
If you have a steering wheel with multi-
function buttons with the button for
recirculated-air mode, refer to page 23,
you can also use this button to switch
between Off and the recirculated-air
mode or AUC and the recirculated-air
mode.
If the windows fog over in the
recirculated-air mode, switch the
recirculated-air mode off and increase
the air supply as required.< Rear window defroster
When the rear window
defroster is activated,
the indicator lamp comes on. The
rear window defroster switches off
automatically.
111n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Roller sun blinds
* Independent ventilation system
*
Roller sun blinds for rear side
windows
*
Use the strap to pull out the blinds, then
hook them in the provided attachment.
With roller sun blinds attached, do
not open the windows during
travel. The blinds may otherwise be
damaged by the wind.<
You can use this system to ventilate the
interior and lower its temperature, using
the blower of the independent ventila-
tion or of the automatic climate control.
The independent ventilation system is
operated via the Multi-Information
display MID, refer to page 84 or via the
onboard computer, refer to the sepa-
rate Owner's Manual.
You can set two different times for the
system to start; it will remain active for
30 minutes. You can also switch it on
and off directly. Since the system uses
a substantial amount of electrical
current, you should refrain from
switching it on twice in succession
without allowing the battery to be
recharged in normal operation between
use. When a preselected activation time is
set, the independent ventilation system
is operational at outside temperatures
above +60 7/+16 6, or by direct
switch activation.
The air emerges via the vent outlets for
the upper body. Therefore, the vent
outlets must be open for the system to
operate.
138n
Winter tires Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tire BMW recommends winter tires Ð M+S
radial tires Ð for operation under
inclement winter driving conditions.
While so-called all-season tires with
M+S designation provide better winter
traction than summer tires with the load
ratings H, V, W, Y and ZR, they gener-
ally do not achieve the performance of
winter tires.
In the interests of safe tracking and
steering response, install radial tires
made by the same manufacturer and
with the same tread configuration on all
four wheels if you elect to mount winter
tires.
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center will be glad to
assist you with both their expertise and
the proper equipment for your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire pressureWinter tires display a perceptible loss in
their ability to cope with winter driving
conditions once the tread wears to
below 0.16 in/4 mm, and should thus
be replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures Ñ and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
Only certain snow chains have been
tested by BMW and classified and
approved as safe. Consult your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center for
details. The use of narrow-link BMW
snow chains is approved only in pairs
on the rear wheels and only with the
following tire sizes.
BMW X5 4.6is: 255/55 R18
All other models: 235/65 R 17.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety
precautions when mounting the chains.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
30 mph/50 km/h.
145n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and oper-
ating safety Ð and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle. 390us008
Service Interval Display Conventional systems rely solely on
distance traveled to determine when
service is due. The BMW Maintenance
System, on the other hand, began many
years ago to take the actual conditions
under which the vehicle is driven into
consideration. After all, different drivers
can accumulate mileage in very
different ways.
From the point of view of maintenance,
62,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated
in short-distance urban driving are not
the equivalent of the same distance
covered at moderate speeds in long-
distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. However, even those who
drive only short distances Ð significantly
less than 6,000 miles/10,000 km annu-
ally Ð should have the engine oil
changed at least every 2 years since oil
deteriorates over time, regardless of
use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet Ð US models/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet Ð
Canadian models For additional information on mainte-
nance intervals and procedures, please
refer to the Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models.
As a precaution against corrosion, it is
advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
Have your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center do the mainte-
nance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or
the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
These entries will constitute your proof
that the vehicle has received regular
maintenance. They are also required for
warranty claims.
The BMW Maintenance System
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