Page 6 of 200

Contents
© 2004 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts,
only with the written consent of
BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 158 286
US English III/04
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper,
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.
Notes
Overview
Controls and features
About this Owner's Manual8
Symbols used8
Your individual vehicle8
Status at time of printing9
For your own safety9
Symbol on vehicle parts10
Service and Warranty10
Reporting safety defects10Cockpit14
Instrument cluster15
Indicator and warning lamps19
Buttons on steering wheel23
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling24
Fuel specifications26
Locks and security systems:
Keys30
Central locking system30
Opening and closing:
from outside31
Opening and closing:
from inside34
Liftgate35
Tailgate36
Alarm system38
Windows39
Panorama glass roof41
Adjustments:
Sitting safely43
Seats44
Mechanical seat adjustment45
Power seat adjustment46
Head restraints47
Power rear-seat backrest
adjustment48
Safety belts49
Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory50
Heated seats52
Steering wheel52
Steering wheel heater53
Mirrors54
Contents
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5n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Controls and features
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags57
Transporting children safely59
Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory63
Driving:
Ignition lock64
Starting engine64
Switching off engine65
Handbrake66
Manual transmission66
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic67
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher70
Washer/wiper system/
rain sensor71
Cruise control73
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature
display75
Tachometer76
Energy control76
Engine oil thermometer77
Fuel gauge77
Temperature gauge78
Service Interval Display78
Check Control79
Computer82
MID Multi-Information
Display83Digital clock in MID84
Computer in MID87
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
PDC Park Distance Control92
Antilock Brake System93
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control94
xDrive95
HDC Hill Descent Control96
Self-leveling suspension97
2-axle self-leveling
suspension97
Brake Force Display99
Flat Tire Monitor100
Lamps:
Parking lamps/low beams102
Adaptive Head Light103
High beams/roadside parking
lamps103
Front fog lamps104
Instrument lighting104
Interior lamps104
Controlling climate for pleasant
driving:
Air conditioner106
Automatic climate control109
Roller sun blinds115
Independent ventilation115
Cabin convenience:
Integrated universal remote
control116
Telephone118
Glove compartment119
Storage compartments119
Cup holders120
Ashtray, front121
Ashtray, rear121
Cigarette lighter, rear122
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag123
Cargo area
Folding rear backrests
down124
Roll-up cover125
Partition net125
Cover panels in cargo
area127
Power outlets128
Pull-out cargo floor128
Cargo loading130
Roof-mounted luggage rack132
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15n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
1Fuel gauge77
2Indicator lamp for turn signals223Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps19
to 225Tachometer76
Energy control76
6Coolant temperature gauge78
Instrument cluster X5 3.0i, 4.4i
530us233
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16n
Instrument cluster X5 3.0i, 4.4i
7Indicator and warning lamps19
to 22
8Reset button for trip odometer75
9Indicator for Check Control79
10 Odometer and trip odometer7511 Display for computer; operation via
turn signal lever, refer to page 82:
>
Outside temperature
>
Average fuel consumption
>
Cruising range
>
Average speed12 Service Interval Display78
13 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission
*
67
14 Indicator and warning lamps19
to 22
530us234
Page 19 of 200
17n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Instrument cluster X5 3.0i, 4.4i
*
1Fuel gauge77
2Indicator lamp for turn signals22
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps19
to 22
5Tachometer76
Energy control76
6Coolant temperature gauge787Indicator and warning lamps19
to 22
8Reset button for trip odometer75
9Service Interval Display78
10 Indicator for
>
Trip odometer/odometer75
>
Outside temperature75
11 Indicator for Check Control7912 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission
*
67
13 CHECK button79
14 Indicator and warning lamps19
to 22
530us251
Page 20 of 200
18n
Instrument cluster X5 4.8is
1Fuel gauge77
2Indicator lamp for turn signals22
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps19
to 22
5Tachometer76
Engine oil thermometer
6Coolant temperature gauge787Indicator and warning lamps19
to 22
8Reset button for trip odometer75
9Service Interval Display78
10 Indicator for
>
Trip odometer/odometer75
>
Outside temperature75
11 Indicator for Check Control7912 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission67
13 CHECK button79
14 Indicator and warning lamps19
to 22
530us252
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21n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Red: an important reminder
Handbrake
*
Lights up with handbrake
engaged.
For additional information, refer to
page 66
Handbrake warning lamp
*
for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts +
Lights up for a few seconds or
until driver fastens safety belt.
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
+
A fault has occurred in the air-
bag system. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page 57
Yellow: check as soon as possible
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
+
Fault in the DBC system. Please
have the system checked as
soon as possible.
For details on DBC, refer to page 93
Display of the previously
described malfunction on Cana-
dian models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving: the oil
level is at the absolute mini-
mum; refill as soon as possible. Do not
drive more than approx. 30 miles/50 km
until you do.
For additional information, refer to
page 148
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 148
Automatic transmission
*
The automatic transmission
switches into the emergency
program due to a fault. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page 69
Brake pads
* +
Have the condition of the brake
pads checked.
For additional information, refer to
page 139
Self-leveling suspension
* +
The self-leveling suspension is
inactive. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page 97
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22n
Indicator and warning lamps
DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive
+
The warning lamp lights up con-
tinuously and a warning signal sounds:
DSC and HDC or the xDrive all-wheel
system has failed.
The stabilizing interventions of DSC or
the xDrive all-wheel drive system are no
longer available. Drive may then only be
carried out via the rear axle.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
For additional information, refer to
page 94
Proceed cautiously and defen-
sively. When driving on poor
roads, refrain from using full throttle
and avoid pressing the accelerator
beyond the kickdown point, heavy and
panic braking. Otherwise the drive train
may be damaged or accidents can
occur.<
Engine electronics
*
Fault in the engine electronics.
You can continue to drive with
reduced engine output or engine
speed. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
Service Engine Soon
+
If the indicator lamp lights up
continuously or intermittently,
there is a fault in the exhaust-relevant
electronic systems. Although the vehi-
cle continues to be operational, have
the systems checked as soon as possi-
ble.
For additional information: refer to
page 153
Display of the previously
described malfunction on Cana-
dian models.
Check Gas Cap
* +
Warning lamp lights up. Fuel
filler cap is not properly closed
or is missing. Check whether the fuel
filler cap is properly closed. For addi-
tional information, refer to page 25
Green: for your information
Turn signals
Flashes when the turn signals
are operated. Rapid flashing
indicates a system malfunction.
For additional information, refer to
page 70
Cruise control
*
Lights up when system is
switched on: ready for operation
using the buttons on the steering
wheel.
For additional information, refer to
page 73
Fog lamps
Lights up when fog lamps are
switched on. For additional
information, refer to page 104
Blue: for your information
High beams
Lights up when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information, refer to
page 70, 103