2003 BMW X5 4.4I height

45n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Mechanical seatSeat adjustment1 Backward/forward adjustment
Pull the lever and slide the seat to the
desired position.
After you release the lever, move the
seat forward or backward slightly so
that it engages fully
2 Cushion height
Pull the lever and apply weight to or
remove weight from the seat as
required 530us211
3 Backrest angle
Pull the lever and apply weight to or
remove weight from the backrest as
required.
Comply with the adjustment
instructions on page 44. Failure
to do so could result in diminished
personal safety.< 530us212
Adjusting the BMW sports seat
*
You can adjust the thigh support addi-
tionally:
Pull the lever and adjust the position of
the thigh support for your personal
comfort. 530de253

46n
Power seat
*
Seat adjustment1 Tilt angle Ð driver's seat only
2 Backward/forward adjustment
3 Cushion height
4 Backrest angle
Adjust the head restraint manually, refer
to page 47.
Comply with the adjustment
instructions on page 44. Failure to
do so could result in diminished
personal safety.< 530us024
Adjusting the BMW comfort seat
*
This seat allows you to make additional
adjustments for
1 Lumbar support
2 Shoulder support
3 Head restraint height
Lumbar support:
You can adjust the backrest's contour
for additional support in the curvature
of your spine's lumbar region.
The upper hips and spinal column
receive supplementary support to help
you maintain a relaxed, upright seating
position.530de251
>Press the front or rear of the switch:
Increase or decrease curvature
>Press the upper or lower end of the
switch:
Increase the upper or lower curva-
ture.

47n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Power seat
*
Head restraints
Shoulder support:
Move the switch in the direction of the
arrow to adjust the tilt angle of the
shoulder support.
You can use the adjustable upper back-
rest for supplementary support in the
shoulder region. This provides a
relaxed seating position and helps
relieve stress on the shoulder muscles.
To obtain the optimal shoulder support
position, we recommend:
Driver and front passenger:
1. Adjust the upper backrest section to
its extreme rear position
2. Adjust for the optimal sitting position
as described on page 44
3. Bring the upper backrest section
further forward until your shoulders
are well supported.530de252
Front passenger's seat adjusted for
relaxed traveling:
1. Adjust the upper backrest section to
its extreme rear position
2. Tilt the backrest down to a slightly
more horizontal angle
3. Bring the upper backrest section
forward until your shoulders are well
supported.
Make corrections in the forward/
backward adjustment of the seat
to ensure that the safety belt still fits
firmly against your body. If you do not
do this, the protection provided by the
safety belt may be reduced.<
Head restraint height:
Move the switch in the desired direc-
tion.
Adjustments To adjust the angle of the front head
restraints, tilt the head restraint to the
desired angle.
To adjust the height of the front or rear
head restraints, pull the head restraint
up or push it down.
Power height adjustment, refer to
page 46.
Adjust the head restraint so that
its center is approximately level
with your ears, otherwise the risk of
spinal injury in the event of an accident
will increase.< 530de250

49n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Safety beltsDrive with your safety belt on Even though there is an airbag, wear a
safety belt every time you get in the
vehicle, because airbags enhance
safety by providing added protection.To lockMake sure you hear the lock engage in
the belt buckle.
Please fasten safety belts
warning lamp
Lights up either for a few
seconds or until the belt is engaged.To unlock1. Press the red button in the buckle
2. Hold the belt
3. Guide the belt back into its reel.530us034
In the rear, the belt buckle with
the word CENTER is intended
exclusively for passengers sitting in the
middle.
If it is not possible to extract the center
belt, this indicates that the larger back-
rest is not securely locked, refer to
page 120.<
Safety belt height adjustmentYou can adjust the safety belts to fit
your own physical dimensions by using
the safety belt height adjustment:
Slide the button up or down as
required.
Also observe the instructions on
adjusting the seats on page 44.
If the safety belt system has been
subjected to the stresses involved
in an accident or otherwise damaged:
Have the entire safety belt system
replaced by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center. In addition, have your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center
inspect the safety belt anchors. Other-
wise, the safety function can no longer
be ensured.c530de259

59n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Transporting children safely

Center seating position:
The head restraint must be adjusted
into the lowest possible position. Pass
the tether strap over the head restraint.
Adjust the tether strap according to the
child restraint manufacturer's instruc-
tions.530au002
Before installing any child-
restraint device or child seat,
please read the following:
Never install a rearward-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger
seat of this vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag
supplemental restraint system for the
front passenger. Because the backrest
on any rearward-facing child-restraint
system, of the kind designed for infants
under 1 year and 20 Ibs/9 kg, would be
within the airbag's deployment range,
you should never mount such a device
in the front passenger seat, since the
impact of the airbag against the child
restraint's backrest could lead to
serious or fatal injuries.
If it is necessary for a child, not an
infant, to ride in the front seat, certain
precautions should be taken. First,
move the passenger seat as far away
from the instrument panel as possible.
This important precaution is intended to
maximize the distance between the
airbag and the child. Older children
should be tightly secured with a safety
belt, after they have outgrown a booster
seat that is appropriate for their age,
height and weight.
Younger children should be secured in
an appropriate forward-facing child-
restraint system that has first been
properly secured with a safety belt.
Never install a rearward-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger
seat.
We strongly urge you to carefully read
and comply with the instructions for
installation and use provided by the
child restraint's manufacturer when-
ever you use such a device.
Be sure that all occupants, of all ages,
remain properly and securely restrained
at all times.<
All rear seating positions in your
vehicle meet the recommendations of
SAE J1819, an industry-recommended
practice for securing child-restraint sys-
tems in motor vehicles.

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.<

95n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
2-axle self-leveling suspension
*
Ride-height display1 Off-Road
2 Standard
3 Access
The LEDs not only show the current
ride height, but also indicate changes:
>LED on: indicates the vehicle's cur-
rent ride height
>Ride-height LED flashes while the
LED for the earlier level remains on:
the ride height is being adjusted to a
new level, either automatically or in
response to driver input at the button.530de218
When the suspension reaches the
new ride height the flashing LED
reverts to continuous operation, and
the LED for the earlier level goes out
>LED for current ride height flashes for
roughly 3 seconds when you press
the button: change in ride height is
not possible.
RaisingAvailable only when the engine is run-
ning.
From Standard to Off-Road:
Press button 1 while traveling at a
speed of less than approx. 30 mph/
50 km/h.
From Access to Standard:
>Press button 1 or
>The setting automatically reverts to
the standard setting once the vehicle
exceeds a speed of roughly 20 mph/
35 km/h.530de219

139n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
HoodTo unlock Pull the lever located under the left-
hand side of the instrument panel.
Do not work on your vehicle
without appropriate skills. Failure
to work in an informed, professional
manner when servicing components
and materials constitutes a safety
hazard for vehicle occupants and other
road users. If you are not familiar with
the guidelines, please have the opera-
tions performed by your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.< 530de295
To open Pull the release handle and open the
hood. 530de296
To close Allow the hood to fall from a height of
about 12 in/30 cm so that it audibly
engages.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the hood is clear
when it is closed, as with all closing
procedures
.
If it is determined that the hood is not
completely closed while driving, stop
immediately and close it securely.< 530de297