2004 BMW X5 4.4I ECU

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Self-leveling suspension
*
2-axle self-leveling suspension
*
The warning lamp for the self-
leveling suspension comes on,
or the message "SELFLEVEL
SUSP.INACT" appears in the Check
Control: there is a malfunction in the
self-leveling suspension.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If the rear
of the vehicle is visibly lower than the
front, possibly accompanied by a tilt
noticeable when you compare the left
rear with the right rear, please respond
by immediately proceeding to the near-
est BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.
Drive with appropriate caution in the
meantime. The vehicle has reduced
ground clearance and driving comfort
may be noticeably reduced.
Even when the position of the vehicle is
normal, have the system checked as
soon as possible when a malfunction is
indicated.
The concept Your vehicle is equipped with 2-axle
self-leveling suspension acting on both
the front and rear suspension. This sys-
tem combines automatic self-leveling,
which compensates for variations in
front-to-rear load-distribution patterns,
with a selection feature allowing drivers
to choose from among several ride-
height options.
You may choose from among the fol-
lowing ride heights:
>Normal
The standard setting is intended for
most operating conditions, including
trailer towing
>Off-Road
Increased level for more ground
clearance
>Access
Lowers vehicle for more convenient
cargo handling or easier passenger
entries and exits.
Changes in ride height are initiated
either manually, using the control but-
ton, refer to page 98, or automatically in
response to specific speeds. When the
ride height is selected manually, the
driver has the additional option of revis-
ing the ride-height selection by entering a new command during the adjustment
process.
When the vehicle is stationary, the sys-
tem executes ride-height changes in
both directions – up and down – when-
ever the doors are closed. The liftgate/
tailgate may be open. The system
raises the vehicle only when the engine
is running.
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.<

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Ski bag
*
Cargo area
Securing load After loading, secure the ski bag and its
contents. To do so, tighten the retaining
belt at the buckle.
Secure the ski bag in this way. If
you fail to do so, it could endanger
occupants during braking or evasive
maneuvers.<
Please be sure that the skis are clean
before loading them into the bag. Be
careful to avoid damage from sharp
edges. 530de284
If the cover in the cargo area is
concealed by the pull-out cargo
floor, do not fold the larger rear back-
rest down. If you do so, it will damage
the cover.<
Folding rear backrests down Reach into the recess and pull forward,
refer to arrow.
When you fold back the backrest,
be sure that the catch engages
securely. The red warning indicator dis-
appears in the recess when the catch is
engaged.
The center safety belt can be retracted
only when the larger backrest is
engaged.<530de285

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Cargo area 2. Remove the partition net from the
bag, unroll it half way and hook it into
the retaining strap on both sides,
refer to arrow
Note how the partition net is
stored in the bag and secured in
the vehicle so that you can return
everything to its proper place again
after use.
If your vehicle has a pull-out cargo
floor, observe the note on page 128.<530de350
3. Slide back the covers on the retain-
ers for the partition net on both sides
of the roof, refer to arrow
4. Insert the curved ends of the parti-
tion net rod in the retainers on both
sides
5. Now you can slide the covers toward
the front again, refer to arrow530de289
6. Pull down the partition net downward
on both sides by the loop, refer to
arrow, and hook the hook into the
eye on the backrest
The case with the roll-up cover is
not shown in the illustration. With
the case removed it is easier to hook
the hooks of the partition net onto the
backrest.<530de351

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cargo area 7. When the rear backrests are folded
down, you can unhook the partition
net from the retaining straps, com-
pletely unroll it, insert it in the front
retainers on the roof and attach the
three hooks into the eyes on the
backrests.
The illustration shows securing at the
bottom right as an example.530de352
Side covers Pull the handle to open the side covers.530de290
Floor cover To access the spare wheel.
To open: press the recess in the han-
dle, refer to arrow, and raise the cover
with the handle. 530de291

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Cargo area Folding floor cover upDisengage the loop end on the lower
side of the floor cover and hook it in
with the catch no the upper frame of the
liftgate cutout.
Before swinging down the floor cover,
reengage the loop end in the retainer
on the underside of the floor cover.530de355
Power outlets When you fold the cover caps up, you
have access to additional power out-
lets.
You can use the power outlets for flash-
lights, car vacuum cleaners or other
automotive appliances with up to
approx. 200 watts at 12 volts. Avoid
damage to the socket caused by insert-
ing plugs of a different shape or size.
Also refer to page 121. 530us084
Pull-out cargo floor
*
To release, pull the handle recess
upward. Then pull the floor out.
Do not drive when the cargo floor
is pulled out.
Do not release the cargo floor on steep
grades. If you do, it could extend auto-
matically and cause personal injuries.
A load which is not properly secured
could begin to slide if the floor extends
automatically and then drop to the
ground as a result of the rapid braking
of the cargo floor at the limit stop.<530de292

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cargo areaWhen it is extended, you can load the
cargo floor:
>With up to 990 Ibs./450 kg, distrib-
uted evenly across the entire surface
>With up to 330 Ibs./150 kg on the
rear edge.
Do not overload the cargo floor
when it is extended. If you do so, it
could cause damage.
When you slide the cargo floor back in,
do not grasp it on the bottom. If you do
so, there is a risk of personal injury.<
Raising cargo floor For access to the spare wheel or other
stored items:
Swing the cargo floor up and secure it
with the rod, refer to illustration.
If your vehicle has a partition net:
Take the bag with the partition net
out of the retainer, refer to page 125,
before you raise the cargo floor panel.
Otherwise, the bag could slide down-
ward.<530de240

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cargo loadingLoad:
The permitted load is the total of the
weight of occupants and cargo/lug-
gage. The greater the weight of occu-
pants, the less cargo/luggage can be
transported.530us249
Stowing cargo >Position heavy cargo as far forward
as possible directly behind the back-
rests and as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
>Fasten the partition net, refer to
page 125, and ensure that carried
items cannot pass through the parti-
tion net
>If you are transporting very heavy
loads when the rear seat is not occu-
pied, secure the outer safety belts in
the opposite buckles. 530de032
Securing cargo >Secure smaller, light pieces with the
retaining straps or a luggage net
*, or
use elastic straps, refer to page 37
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for secur-
ing larger and heavier objects are
available at your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center. The lashing eyes pro-
vided at the corners of the cargo area
serve for mounting these load-secur-
ing devices
>Read and comply with the informa-
tion enclosed with the load-securing
devices.
530us090

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Cargo loading Roof-mounted luggage rack
*
Always position and secure the
load as described above. If you do
not, it can even endanger the passen-
gers during braking or evasive maneu-
vers.
Do not exceed the permissible gross
vehicle weight and the permissible axle
loads, refer to page 180. If you do, the
operating safety of the vehicle is no
longer ensured and you are in violation
of the law.
You should never transport heavy or
hard objects unsecured in the passen-
ger compartment, as they could fly
around and pose a safety hazard to the
vehicle's occupants even during abrupt
braking or evasive maneuvers.<
A special rack system is available as an
option for your BMW. Please comply
with the precautions included with the
installation instructions.Mounting pointsAccess to the mounting points:
To fold up the cover, refer to arrow,
please use the tool which is provided
with the rack system.530de293
Cargo loading and driving hintsRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the
center of gravity of the vehicle when
they are loaded. For this reason, they
exercise a major effect on the vehicle's
handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof
weight, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the axle loads when loading
the rack.
You will find the specifications under
Technical data on page 180.
Make sure that the load is not too
heavy, and attempt to distribute it
evenly. Always load the heaviest pieces
on the bottom. Be sure that adequate
clearance is maintained for raising the
panorama glass roof, and that objects
do not project into the opening path of
the liftgate.
Always ensure that roof-mounted
loads are tightly secured, as loose
loads can shift or even fly off the roof,
posing a serious hazard for following
traffic.<
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden accelera-
tion and braking maneuvers. Take cor-
ners gently.