2003 BMW X5 4.6IS sport

90n
The concept PDC provides extra safety and conve-
nience during parking maneuvers by pro-
viding an acoustic signal to indicate the
distance between your front and rear
bumpers and the nearest object. To do
this, four ultrasonic sensors in the front
and rear bumpers each measure the dis-
tance to the nearest object. The detection
range of the front sensors and the two
sensors located at the ends of the rear
bumper is approx. 2 ft/60 cm, while the
rear center sensors can detect objects to
a distance of approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid which regis-
ters objects when approaching
slowly, as is the case during usual
parking maneuvers. Avoid approaching
objects too fast, otherwise the system
may give warning of physical obstacles
too late. cally approx. one second after you
select reverse or move the selector
lever into the R position with the igni-
tion key in position 2.
Wait for this brief period before
you start reversing.<
Manual activation Press the button; the indicator lamp
comes on. Manual deactivationPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.Automatic deactivationAfter driving a distance of more than
approx. 160 ft/50 m or exceeding a
speed of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the
system switches off and the indicator
lamp goes out. Switch the system on
again as required. 530de229
Acoustical signals The distance from an object is indicated
in front with a higher intermittent tone,
and at the rear with a lower intermittent
tone. As the distance between vehicle
and object decreases, the intervals
between the tones become shorter.
A continuous tone indicates the pres-
ence of an object less than approx. 1 ft/
30 cm away.
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. 3 seconds if you are moving
parallel to a wall.
If there is a malfunction of the system:
The indicator lamp flashes and a short
steady signal tone is sounded
>if you activate PDC with the button
>when you select reverse for the first
time after switching on the ignition
>if a malfunction occurs while the PDC
system is active.
Switch the system off and have the
cause of the malfunction corrected by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center.
Park Distance Control PDC
*

91n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
PDC
* Dynamic Stability Control DSC
The PDC system does not remove
the driver's personal responsibility
for evaluating the distance between the
vehicle and any objects. Even when
sensors are involved, there is a blind
spot in which objects cannot be
detected. This applies especially in
those cases where the system
approaches the physical constraints of
ultrasonic measurement, as occurs with
tow bars and trailer couplings, and in
the vicinity of thin or wedge-shaped
objects. Similarly, low objects that have
already been detected - e.g. a curb-
stone - may disappear out of the range
of the sensors before a continuous tone
is emitted.
Loud sources of sound, inside and out-
side the vehicle, could drown out the
PDC signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free
of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they continue to operate effectively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Maintain an adequate distance of more
than 4 in/10 cm.<
The concept DSC maintains vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability
during acceleration and when starting
from a full stop, as well as optimizing
traction. In addition, it recognizes
unstable vehicle conditions, such as
understeering or oversteering, and, as
far as is possible within the laws of
physics, keeps the vehicle on a steady
course by adapting the rpms and brake
applications to the individual wheels.
The system starts up automatically
each time you start the engine.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly
after you switch on the ignition,
refer to page 21.
Indicator lamp ßashes:
The system is active and governs drive
and braking force.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or comes on
during normal driving and stays on:
The system is either defective or was
switched off with the button: the stabi-
lizing applications described to the left
are no longer available. The vehicle will
remain completely operational, how-
ever, without DSC.
Consult your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center to have the system
repaired.

93n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Hill Descent Control HDC The concept HDC is a system for driving downhill in
steep terrain. This system reduces
vehicle speed on steep downhill gradi-
ents, thus allowing you to maintain con-
trol of your BMW under these condi-
tions.
The vehicle moves at slightly more than
walking speed without active interven-
tion from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at
vehicle speeds below approx. 20 mph/
35 km/h. When driving down steep hills
with a speed below approx. 20 mph/
35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed
automatically down to slightly more
than walking speed (approx. 5 mph/
8 km/h) and then maintains this speed
at a constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes
to vary this automatically controlled
speed within a range extending from
approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to 15 mph/
25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed
within the same range by using the
+/Ð buttons of the cruise control.
HDC is automatically deactivated once
vehicle speed again exceeds approx.
35 mph/60 km/h.
To switch the system onPress the button. The indicator lamp
comes on.
The indicator lamp flashes when the
brakes are applied automatically. To switch the system offPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
HDC is deactivated automatically above
a road speed of approx. 35 mph/
60 km/h and when the ignition is
switched off. 530de231
To use HDC With manual transmission:
Use HDC in first gear and in Reverse
since the engine's braking effect is
diminished in the higher gears.
With automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive
position. In the event of a faultThe indicator lamp goes out in the HDC
mode or does not come on when HDC
is switched on:
HDC is temporarily not available if
brake temperature is too high.
If the DSC indicator lamp also
lights up:
There is a fault in the HDC and
DSC systems. Have your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center inspect this
system as soon as possible.

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.<

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.

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

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.

113n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
BMW Universal TransmitterChecking for the conversion code To determine whether the original
hand-held transmitter is provided with
a conversion-code system, you may
either read the instructions for the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter or program a
channel key as described on the next
page Ð left-hand column under
Programming.
Then press and hold the programmed
channel key of the BMW Universal
Transmitter. If the indicator lamp of the
BMW Universal Transmitter flashes for
two seconds and then comes on
steadily, the original hand-held trans-
mitter is provided with a conversion-
code system. With a conversion-code
system, program the channel keys as
described on the next page Ð right-hand
column under Programming a hand-
held transmitter with conversion code.
If you have additional questions,
please consult your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center or call
1-800-355-3515.
You can also visit this website:
www.bmwusa.com.<
Programming 1 Channel keys
2 Indicator lamp
3 Receiver for programming
Read and comply with the safety
precautions on the previous
page.<
1. Turn the ignition key to position 2
2. For initial use:
Press and hold both outside keys 1
until the indicator lamp 2 flashes, and
then release them. The three channel
keys are cleared 530us136
3. Hold the original hand-held trans-
mitter toward the receiver 3 a
maximum of 2 in/5 cm away
4. Press the transmission key of the
original hand-held transmitter, refer
to arrow 2, and the desired channel
key of the Integrated BMW Universal
Transmitter, refer to arrow 1, simulta-
neously. Release both keys as soon
as the indicator lamp flashes rapidly
5. To program other original hand-held
transmitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.
The corresponding channel key is now
programmed with the signal of the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter. 530us137