2003 BMW X5 4.6IS maintenance

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.

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

97n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire Pressure Monitor RDC*The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressures at all
four tires, even when the vehicle is
moving. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure drops
significantly below the specified pres-
sure in one or more tires.
In order for the system to learn the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure, check the
inflation pressures in all tires, refer to
the table on page 27 and make any
necessary corrections. Then activate
the system.
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster or the Check Con-
trol will inform you if the tire
pressure is different from the learned
values.
To switch the system on1. Turn the ignition key to position 2, do
not start the engine
2. Maintain pressure on the button until
the yellow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on for sev-
eral seconds or the message Ð TIRE
PRESSURE SET Ð appears in the
Check Control
3. After you have driven for a few min-
utes, the RDC will import the current
inflation pressure in the tires as the
reference values which the system
will monitor.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure if the tire inflation pressure must
be corrected. Otherwise, the RDC func-
tions automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2, and thus operates
whenever the vehicle is driven.530de232
Loss of tire pressureIf, after a certain period of time, the
inflation pressure has gone down sig-
nificantly, which is normal for any tire,
the yellow indicator lamp comes on or
the message Ð CHECK TIRE PRES-
SURE Ð appears in the Check Control.
This alerts you that you should have the
tires inflated to the specified pressures
as soon as possible.
If you are prompted to check the
tire pressure shortly after a cor-
rection has been made, this indicates
that the corrected values were not
accurate. Please check the inflation
pressure again and make corrections
according to the inflation pressure
table. After that reactivate the system.<

99n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Parking lamps Ð side marker
lamps
The front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on. You can
use the parking lamps for
parking. For lighting on one side for
parking as an additional feature, refer to
page 100.
Low beams
When the ignition is switched off
and the low beams are on, only
the parking lamps Ð side marker
lamps Ð remain on.
530us215
Follow me home lamps:
When you activate the headlamp
flasher after parking the vehicle and
switching off the lamps, the low beams
will come on for a brief period. You may
also have this function deactivated if
you wish.<
LIGHTS ON warningWhenever you open the driver's door,
after having turned the ignition key to
position 0, you will hear an acoustic
signal for a few seconds to remind you
that the lamps have not been switched
off.
On vehicles with alphanumeric Check
Control
*:
The reminder is given through the
Check Control.
Daytime driving lamps
*
The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daylight driving at
ignition key position 2.
Automatic headlamp control
*
When the switch is set to this
position the system automati-
cally activates or deactivates the
low beams in response to changes in
ambient light, e. g. in tunnels, at dusk,
as well as rain and snow.
The vehicle's external lamps
remain on constantly when you
switch on the fog lamps after the head-
lamps have come on automatically.<
Automatic headlamp control
cannot serve as a substitute for
the driver's judgement in determining
when the vehicle lamps should be
switched on. For example, the sensors
are not able to detect fog. To avoid
safety risks, you should respond to
these kinds of low-visibility situations
by switching the headlamps on manu-
ally.<
You can have the sensitivity of
your vehicle's automatic head-
lamp control adjusted.<
Parking lamps/Low beams

101n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Interior lamps The interior lamps operate automati-
cally. Switching the interior lamps on
and off manuallyPress the button briefly.
If you want the interior lamps to remain
off all the time, press and hold the
button for approx. 3 seconds.
Press the button briefly to revert to
normal operation.
The button for the interior lamps in the
rear passenger area only switches
these lamps on and off. Front reading lamps
*
Switched on and off with the button 2
next to each lamp.530de337
Rear reading lamps
*
Switched on and off with the button
next to each lamp, refer to arrows.530us057
Footwell and cargo area lampsThe lamps are controlled in the same
manner as the front interior lamps.Front area lighting
*
This lighting system in the two exterior
mirrors illuminates the ground in the
area near the two front doors. It is also
controlled in the same manner as the
front interior lamps, but it does not
function while the vehicle is moving.
In order to prevent battery dis-
charge, all of the lamps in the
vehicle are switched off automatically
approx. 15 minutes after the ignition
key is turned to position 0.<

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