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
139n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Safe braking Emergency stopsYou brake most effectively when you
apply maximum pedal pressure in situa-
tions requiring it: emergency stops.
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can nevertheless
avoid possible obstacles with a mini-
mum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.Brake fluid level If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become longer,
there may be a defect in one of the two
brake system's hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center.
Here increased pressure on the brake
pedal may be required, and slight pull-
ing to the side and longer braking dis-
tances may result. Please remember to
adapt your driving style accordingly.<
Disk brakes When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, and in
operating conditions where brake appli-
cations are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to
form on rotors, while contaminants
accumulate on the brake pads. This
occurs because the minimal pressure
which must be exerted by the pads dur-
ing brake applications to clean the
rotors is not reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect which even extended
application will fail to cure.
When driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is advisable to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal from time
to time. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not
endanger other road users. The heat
generated in this process helps dry the
pads and rotors to ensure that the brak-
ing force is then immediately available
when required.
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear in which
only minimal periodic brake application
is required. This avoids excessive strain on the brakes and possible impairment
of the braking effect.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in neutral. Do not
drive with the engine switched off. The
engine provides no braking effect when
the clutch is depressed or the transmis-
sion is in neutral, and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
BMW recommends having brake
inspections performed at a BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center only. If
you do not, parts of the 4-wheel drive
system could be damaged.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
released for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
169n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Battery FusesPower failure Following a temporary power failure,
e.g. in the case of a flat battery, some
equipment is subject to restricted use
and must be reinitialized. Individual set-
tings are also lost and must be updated
again:
>Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory
The position must be newly stored,
refer to page 50
>Time and date
Have to be updated, refer to page 84
>Activation time for independent venti-
lation
Must be updated again, refer to
page 86.
In glove compartment Open the fuse cover in the glove com-
partment at the recesses on the right
and left.530us121
In cargo area Open the right cover by pulling the han-
dle.
Never attempt to repair a blown
fuse, and do not replace a defec-
tive fuse with a substitute of another
color or amperage rating, as this could
lead to a circuit overload, ultimately
resulting in a fire in the vehicle.< 530us122
173n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Towing and tow-starting vehicle Using tow fitting The screw-in tow fitting is stored
beneath the cargo floor cover. Carry it
with you at all times. It can be screwed
in at the front or rear of the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the tow fit-
ting and the vehicle, observe the
following: only use the tow fitting that
comes with the vehicle and screw it in
as far as it will go. Only use the tow fit-
ting to tow on roads. Avoid lateral load-
ing of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the
vehicle by the tow fitting.<
Access to screw thread Front:
Use a screwdriver to press the right or
left cover out, refer to arrows. 530de370
Rear:
Pull the cover off. Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is
in position 1, as otherwise the
steering lock will engage, making it
impossible to steer the vehicle. When
the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. This requires increased
braking and steering effort.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers
depending on the local regulations.
If the electrical system fails, mark the
vehicle to be towed, e.g. with a sign or
warning triangle in the rear window.
530de318
Everything from A to ZA
Ability to climb, refer to
Driving on bad roads 137
ABS Antilock Brake
System 93
Accessories 9
refer to Your individual
vehicle 8
Accident, refer to
Emergency call 170
Roadside Assistance 170
Activated-charcoal filter 114
Adaptive Head Light 103
Adjusting cooling capacity of
rear climate control 114
Adjusting seats 44
electric 46
electric comfort seat 46
mechanical 45
mechanical sports seat 45
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 107
Air conditioner 106
Air conditioning
air conditioner 107
automatic climate
control 112
switching on and off
manually 107, 112Air distribution
air conditioner 107
automatic climate
control 111
individual 111
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation 108, 113
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 140
Air recirculation, refer to
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 112
Air supply
air conditioner 107
automatic climate
control 111
rear climate control 113
Air vents, refer to
Ventilation 106, 109
Air, drying, refer to Air
conditioning 107, 112
Airbags 57
indicator lamp 21
sitting safely 43
Airing, refer to
Ventilation 108, 113
Alarm system 38
avoiding unintentional
alarms 39All-season tires, refer to
Special features of winter
tires 145
Antenna, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Antifreeze
coolant 150
washer fluid 148
Antilock Brake System
ABS 93
Anti-theft alarm system 31
refer to Alarm system 38
Anti-trapping mechanism
panorama glass roof 42
power windows 40
Armrest, refer to Storage
compartments 119
Artificial leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Artificial wood trim, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front 121
rear 121
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control 112AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution
and air flow 111
Automatic
air distribution 111
air supply 111
climate control 109
cruise control 73
curb monitor 51
headlamp control 102
rear window washer 73
steering wheel
adjustment 53
Automatic car wash, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC 112
Automatic speed reduction
for descents, refer to HDC
Hill Descent Control 96
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 67
ignition 64
indicator lamp 20, 21
interlock 64
selector lever interlock 68
shiftlock 68
towing 174
tow-starting 174
Everything from A to Z
191n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Microphone for telephone,
refer to Telephone 118
Microphone, refer to
Telephone 118
MID Multi-Information
Display 83
Mirror
automatic curb monitor 51
mirror heating 54
mirror memory, refer to
Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory 50
Mirror dimming feature 55
Mirrors 54
Multifunction switch
turn signals/headlamp
flasher 70
washer/wiper system 71
Multi-Information Display
MID 83
N
Navigation system, refer to
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer/Radio
and Navigation System
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints 47
Nozzles, refer to
Ventilation 108, 113O
OBD interface socket 153
Odometer 75
Oil
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 149
consumption 148
dipstick 148
filling capacity 181
specified engine oil
grades 149
Oil change interval, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, US
models or Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet,
Canadian models
Oil pressure, indicator/
warning lamp 19
OILSERVICE 78
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal 168
Onboard computer, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Onboard tool kit 158
Opening and closing
from inside 34
using the door lock 33
using the remote
control 31
Output, refer to Engine
specifications 178Outside temperature
display 75
changing unit of
measure 75, 82
in computer 82
P
Panorama glass roof 41
automatic opening and
closing 41
closing in the event of an
electrical defect 42
comfort position 41
convenience operation 33
initializing 42
power failure 42
remote control 31
Park Distance Control
PDC 92
Parking aid, refer to PDC
Park Distance Control 92
Parking lamps 102
bulb replacement 160
Parking lamps/low
beams 102
Parking, vehicle 65
Parts and accessories, refer
to Your individual vehicle 8
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function 51
Pathway lighting 102PDC Park Distance
Control 92
Permissible axle load, refer
to Weights 180
Permissible gross weight,
refer to Weights 180
Plastic, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Pollen, refer to
Microfilter 108
Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter 114
Power failure, battery 169
Power rear-seat
backrests 48
Power seat 46
Power windows 39
safety switch 40
Pressure monitoring,
tires 100
Flat Tire Monitor 100
Pressure, tires 140
Producing tire inflation
pressure 140
Programming settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 63
Protective function
panorama glass roof 42
Pull-out cargo floor 128
Everything from A to ZR
Radio navigation, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Radio-control key, refer to
Master key with remote
control 30
Rain sensor 71
Reading lamps
front 104
rear 105
Real wood, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Rear climate control 113
air supply 114
temperature 114
Rear lamps
bulb replacement 161
refer to Tail lamps 161
Rear seats, heating 52
Rear window blind, refer to
Roller sun blinds 115
Rear window defroster
air conditioner 107
automatic climate
control 112
Rear window safety
switch 40
Rear window wiper 73
blade replacement 158Rear-seat backrest
electric 48
folding down 124
power 48
Rearview mirror 54
Recirculated-air mode
air conditioner 107
automatic climate
control 112
Refueling 24
fuel filler door 24
Remaining distance for
service, refer to Service
Interval Display 78
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range 82, 89
Remote control 31
garage door opener, refer
to Integrated universal
remote control 116
liftgate 31
malfunctions 32
Removal aid for spare
wheel 165
Removing condensation,
windows
air conditioner 108
automatic climate
control 111
Replacement fuses 169
Replacement keys 30Replacement of tires
tire replacement 142
wheel changes 163
Replacement tire 165
Replacing light bulbs, refer
to Lamps and bulbs 159
Reporting safety defects 10
Reservoir, washer
system 148
Residual heat 113
Restraint systems for
children 59
Restraint systems, refer to
Safety belts 49
Reverse gear
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 68
manual transmission 67
Roadside Assistance 170
Roadside parking lamps 103
bulb replacement 160
Roller sun blinds 115
Roll-up cover 125
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 132
Rotating coin holder, refer to
Storage
compartments 119S
Safety belt height
adjustment 49
Safety belt tensioners, refer
to Safety belts 49
Safety belts 49
adjusting belt height 49
care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
sitting safely 43
warning lamp 21, 49
Safety feature, power
windows 40
Safety systems, refer to
Antilock Brake System 93
Brake system 139
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 94
xDrive 95
Screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit 158
Seats 44
seat heating 52
seat memory, refer to Seat,
mirror and steering wheel
memory 50
Securing cargo, refer to
Cargo loading 131
Selector lever interlock, refer
to Changing selector lever
positions 68