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
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
19n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by
+
are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of the
monitored 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
+
The battery is not being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Have
the system checked immediately.
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 steer-
ing effort is also required.<
Engine oil pressure +
Stop immediately and switch off
the engine. Check the engine oil
level; top up as required. If the oil level
is correct: have the system checked
immediately.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.<
Handbrake
*
/
Brake hydraulic system
+
Lights up with handbrake
engaged.
For additional information, refer to
page 66
Comes on although the handbrake is
released: stop immediately. The brake
fluid in the reservoir has fallen to below
the minimum level. At the same time, a
considerably longer brake pedal travel
may be noticeable. Have the system
checked immediately.
During continued driving
increased brake pedal pressure
may be necessary, and considerably
longer braking distances may result.
Please remember to adapt your driving
style accordingly.<
Before continuing your journey, be
sure to read the notes on pages 139
and 151.
Also comes on in the Check Control
with the message "CHECK BRAKE
LININGS".
Display of the previously
described malfunction on Cana-
dian models.
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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
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
24n
Warning triangle
*
First-aid kit
*
Refueling
1. Open the cover on the left in the
cargo area: lift the handle on the
cover
2. Pull the tab of the retaining strap,
refer to arrow, and remove the haz-
ard warning triangle from the support
bracket
3. To install: slide the hazard warning
triangle into the support bracket and
press on the retaining strap.
Comply with legal requirements
requiring you to carry a hazard
warning triangle in the vehicle.< 530us005
The first-aid kit is located under the
front passenger's seat.
To open: pull the handle and fold the
cover down.
To close: fold the cover up.
Some of the articles in the first-aid
kit may be used within a limited
time only. Therefore, check the expira-
tion dates of the contents regularly and
replace the contents concerned in good
time if necessary. You can find replace-
ments in any pharmacy.
Comply with legal requirements requir-
ing you to carry a first-aid kit in the
vehicle.< 530de242
Fuel filler door
Before filling the tank, switch off
the engine. If you do not, fuel can-
not be filled into the tank and the Ser-
vice Engine Soon lamp may come on.<
To open the fuel filler door, press on the
front edge.
In the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can also open the fuel filler door
manually:
1. Open the cover on the right in the
cargo area: lift the handle on the
cover
2Pull the knob with the fuel pump sym-
bol.
530de243
25n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Refueling
When handling fuels always
observe any safety guidelines
posted at the service station. Never
carry spare fuel containers in your vehi-
cle. Whether empty or full, these con-
tainers can leak, cause an explosion, or
lead to fire in the event of a collision.<
Observe the following when
refueling
Open the filler cap carefully to
prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.
Do not top off. Topping off may cause
fuel spillage.<
Keep the filler cap in the bracket
attached to the fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refuel-
ing
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effect of the vapor
recovery system on the pump.
The fuel tank is full when the filler noz-
zle clicks off the first time.
530us008
To close the fuel filler cap:
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until
you clearly hear a click.
Close the filler cap carefully after
refueling until a click is heard.
While closing, be sure not to squeeze
the strap which is fastened to the cap.
A loose or missing cap will activate the
message "CHECK GAS CAP" in the
Check Control
* or the Check Gas Cap
lamp
*.<
Tank capacity:
Approx. 24.6 gal./approx. 93 liters, with
a reserve capacity of
6-cylinder engine: approx. 2.0 gal./
approx. 8 liters
8-cylinder engine: approx. 2.5 gal./
approx. 10 liters.
Never attempt to continue driving
until the tank is completely empty,
as engine functions could be affected,
and the vehicle could sustain damage
as a result.<
69n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic transmission with SteptronicSport program and M/S manual
operation Move the selector lever from position D
to the left into gearshift gate M/S: the
sport program is activated and D S
appears in the instrument cluster. This
position is recommended for a perfor-
mance-oriented driving style.
When the selector lever is moved
slightly towards + or –, the Steptronic
shifts gear and manual operation is
activated. The following appears in the
instrument cluster depending on the
model
>1 to 5 or 1 to 6
>M1 to M5 or M1 to M6. 530de264
Upshifts and downshifts are executed
only when they will result in a plausible
combination of engine and vehicle
speed; thus, for example, a downshift
that would cause the engine to overrev
will not be executed by the system. The
gear selected will appear briefly in the
instrument cluster followed by the cur-
rent gear.
To use the automatic function again,
move the selector lever to the right into
position D.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up or
the message "TRANS.FAILSAFE
PROG" appears in the Check
Control. A malfunction has occurred in
the transmission system. Avoid heavy
loads.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the
transmission selector lever to P. Set the
handbrake and turn the engine off, igni-
tion key to position 0.
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. You may
continue to drive as usual. If the indica-
tor lamp does not go out, you can place
the selector lever in all positions. How-
ever, the vehicle will now only drive for-
ward with limited gear selection.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Information on jump-starting, tow-start-
ing and towing begins on page 171.