2003 BMW X5 4.6IS ESP

9n

OverviewControlsRepairsDataIndex Maintenance

Status at time of printing

BMW pursues a policy of continuous,
ongoing development that is conceived
to ensure that our vehicles continue to
embody the highest quality and safety
standards combined with advanced,
state-of-the-art technology. For this
reason, it is possible that the features
described in this Owner's Manual could
differ from those on your vehicle. Nor
can errors and omissions be entirely
ruled out. You are therefore asked to
appreciate that no legal claims can be
entertained on the basis of the data,
illustrations or descriptions in this
manual.

For your own safety

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight Ð that is,
15 % MTBE or 3% methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent Ð will
not void the applicable warranties
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality Ð volatility, composition, addi-
tives, etc. Ð among gasolines offered for
sale in the United States and Canada.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result
in driveability, starting and stalling
problems especially under certain envi-
ronmental conditions such as high
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Obey pertinent relevant safety rules
when you are handling gasoline.

<



Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine
parts and accessories approved by
BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damages resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product on the
market to determine whether it can be
used on a BMW safely and without risk
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its
occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers.

AktualitŠt bei Drucklegung

Notes

19n

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

l

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for
different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this in the
following section.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

l

The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
drive belt is defective, increased
steering effort is also required.

<


Engine oil pressure

l

Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level; top off as
required. If the oil level is correct:
please contact the nearest BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.

<



Parking brake

*
/
Brake hydraulic system

l

Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 64.
Comes on although the parking brake
is released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before continuing your
journey, be sure to read the notes on
pages 132 and 144.
Also comes on in the Check Control
with the message CHECK BRAKE
LININGS.
Parking brake warning lamp

*
/
Brake hydraulic system warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor RDC

*


l

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a flat tire has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. As you steer the
vehicle, use caution and avoid overcor-
recting.
For additional information: refer to
page 96.

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Red or yellow: continue to drive;
drive cautiously

If the brake warning lamp
comes on red together with the
yellow warning lamps for ABS
and DSC:
Continue to drive; drive
cautiously and defensively and
avoid full brake applications.
Have the system checked by the
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 91 and 132.
If all three warning lamps come on
yellow:
Continue to drive; drive cautiously and
defensively and avoid full brake appli-
cations.
Have the system checked by your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center as
soon as possible.
Warning lamps for Canadian
models.

Red: an important reminder

Parking brake

*
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged.
For additional information: refer to
page 64.
Parking brake

*
warning lamp


for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts

l

Lights up either for a few
seconds or, depending on
model, until the belt is engaged.
Depending on model, together with an
acoustic signal

*
or a message

*
in the
Check Control.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 49.
Airbags

l

Please have the system
inspected by your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
For additional information: refer to
page 55.

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Antilock Brake System ABS

l

ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking performance
remains available with no loss of effi-
ciency. Please have the system
inspected by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center.
For additional information: refer to
page 132.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute
minimum; refill as soon as possible. Do
not drive more than approx. 30 miles/
50 km until you do.
For additional information: refer to
page 141.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at your earliest opportunity, e.g.
when you stop to refuel.
For additional information: refer to
page 141.

23n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Steering wheel with multifunction buttons
*
The buttons integrated in the steering
wheel are provided so that you can
operate a number of accessories
quickly and without being distracted
from traffic conditions. You may
operate:
>selected control functions for the
radio along with CD and cassette
player
>the recirculated-air mode of the air
conditioner
* or the steering-wheel
heating
*
>the cruise control
>selected phone functions and
>the voice entry
In order to operate a system, the
corresponding system must be
switched on.<
Press briefly:
Accept incoming call, start dialing,
terminate call.
Extended pressure:
Activate/deactivate voice entry.
Switch between phone and radio,
cassette and CD.
Forward:
>Radio
Press briefly: next stored station
Extended pressure: station search
function
>CD
Press briefly: jump to next track
Extended pressure: fast forward in
track
>Cassette
Press briefly: stop track scan or fast
forward
Extended pressure: fast forward
>Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Reverse: functions as for fast forward.
Volume
Cruise control: calling up.
Cruise control: store and accelerate
+
or decelerate and store
Ð.
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate.
Recirculated-air mode and automatic
recirculated-air control AUC or steering
wheel heating: switch on/off.

39n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Alarm system The concept The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the liftgate
is opened
>To movement inside the vehicle Ð
interior motion sensor
>To variations in the vehicle tilt angle
such as occur during attempts to
steal the wheels or tow the vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes
>The high beams flash on and off in
the same rhythm.
To arm and disarm the alarm
system When the vehicle is locked or unlocked
with the key or the remote control, the
alarm system is also simultaneously
armed or disarmed.
You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm
system arming and disarming.<
You can still open the liftgate after the
system has been armed by pressing the
button of the remote control, refer to
page 32. When you close the liftgate, it
is secured again.
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes during
arming: the door(s), the hood or lift-
gate are not completely closed. Even
if you do not close the alerted area,
the system begins to monitor the
remaining areas, and the indicator
lamp flashes continuously after
10 seconds. However, the interior
motion sensor is not activated
>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed: no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since the
system was armed530us018

41n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Electric power windows After the ignition has been switched off:
>You can still operate the windows as
long as neither of the front doors has
been opened. To open the windows,
press the switch beyond the pressure
point.
Remove the key from the ignition
lock and close the doors when
you leave the vehicle so that children
cannot operate the power windows and
possibly injure themselves.<
For the convenience mode via the
remote control or the door lock, refer to
pages 32 and 34. Safety featureA contact strip is integrated into the
inner side of each of the upper window
frame sections. If pressure is exerted
against this contact strip while a
window is being raised, the system will
respond by stopping the window and
then retracting it a small distance.
Despite this safety feature, be
extremely careful that the closing
path of the window is not obstructed
whenever it is closed. Otherwise, an
object might not touch the contact strip
in some situations, with very thin
objects, for instance.
You can override this safety feature by
pulling the switch beyond the pressure
point and holding it.
Because the power windows are sealed
at high pressure to prevent wind noise
when closed, a powerful motor is
required for efficient closing. When
closing the windows, always ensure
that they are not obstructed in any way.
Unsupervised use of these systems can
result in serious personal injury.
Remove the ignition key to deactivate
the electric power windows whenever
you leave the vehicle. Never leave the
keys in the vehicle with unsupervised
children. Never place anything that
could obstruct the driver's vision on or
next to the windows.<
Safety switch With the safety switch, you can prevent
the rear windows from being opened or
closed via the switches in the rear
passenger area, by children, for
example. You can also prevent adjust-
ments of the power rear-seat backrests
from the rear passenger area, refer to
page 48.
Press the safety switch whenever
children are riding in the rear of
the vehicle. Careless use of the power
windows can lead to injury.< 530us209

43n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Sliding/tilt sunroof with glass moonroof
*
Safety featureIf the sliding/tilt sunroof encounters
resistance when it is
>closing from the raised position
>closing at a point roughly past the
middle of its travel
the closing cycle is interrupted and the
sliding/tilt sunroof will open again
slightly.
Despite this safety feature, be
extremely careful that the closing
path of the sunroof is not obstructed
whenever it is closed. Otherwise, trig-
gering the closing-force limitation may
not be ensured in some situations, with
very thin objects, for instance. You can
disable this safety feature by pressing
the switch beyond the pressure point
and holding it.<
Power lossWhen the battery is disconnected, for
instance, the sunroof may only lift. To
reinitialize the mechanism:
1. Raise the sliding/tilt sunroof fully
2. Press and hold the switch for approx.
twenty seconds. 530de248
Manual operationIn the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can operate the sliding/tilt sunroof
manually:
1. Open the glasses compartment, refer
to page 117
2. Insert the Allen wrench from the
vehicle tool kit, refer to page 150, in
the opening provided and turn the
sliding/tilt sunroof in the desired
direction. 530us124

44n
The condition for relaxed, fatigue-free
driving is a seating position adjusted to
your needs. Together with the safety
belts and the airbags, the seating posi-
tion is very important for the passive
safety of the occupants in the case of
an accident. Therefore, observe the
following instructions, as otherwise the
protective function of the safety
systems may be impaired.
For additional information on trans-
porting children safely, refer to
page 58.
Sitting safely with airbags
Maintain a distance to the airbags.
Always hold the steering wheel by
the rim with the hands at the 9 and
3-o'clock positions to keep any chance
of injury to hands or arms to an abso-
lute minimum, should the airbag be
deployed. No one and nothing is to
come between the airbags and the seat
occupant. Do not use the cover of the
front airbag on the front passenger side
as a storage area for objects, or as a
rest for feet or legs.<
For the location of the airbags and
additional information, refer to page 55.
Sitting safely with safety belts
Never allow more than one person
to wear a single safety belt. Never
allow infants or small children to ride in
a passenger's lap. Avoid twisting the
belt while routing it firmly across the
pelvis and shoulder, wear it as snugly
against your body as possible. Do not
allow the belt to rest against hard or
fragile objects in your pockets. Never
route the belt across your neck, do not
run it across sharp edges and ensure
that the belt does not become caught
or jammed. Avoid wearing bulky
clothing and pull on the lap belt periodi-
cally to retension it over your shoulders.
In the event of a frontal impact, a loose
lap belt could slide over your hips,
leading to abdominal injury. In addition,
the safety belt's restraint effectiveness
is reduced if the belt is worn loosely.
Expectant mothers should always wear
their safety belts, taking care to position
the lap belt against the lower hips,
where it will not exert pressure against
the abdominal area.<
For instructions on operating the safety
belts, refer to page 49.
Observe the following before
adjusting
Never try to adjust your seat while
operating the vehicle. The seat
could respond with unexpected move-
ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle
control could lead to an accident. Never
ride with the backrest reclined to an
extreme horizontal angle Ð especially
important for front passengers to
remember.
If you do so there is a risk that you will
slide under the safety belt in an acci-
dent, thus reducing the protection
provided by the safety belt
.<
Seat adjustment>Mechanical seat adjustment, refer to
page 45
>Power seat adjustment, refer to
page 46
>Head restraints, refer to page 47
>Power rear-seat backrest adjustment,
refer to page 48
Safe seating position Seats