2004 BMW X5 4.8IS lights

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.

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Transmission temperature

*
+

The transmission is overheated.
Reduce speed immediately and
stop at a suitable location so that the
system can cool down again. Have the
system checked immediately.

Yellow: stop immediately

Flat Tire Monitor
+

An acoustic signal also sounds:
there is a flat tire or extensive
inflation pressure loss. Reduce speed
immediately for stopping while avoiding
extreme braking and steering maneu-
vers.
For additional information, refer to
page 101

Red or yellow: continue to drive
cautiously

The red brake warning lamp
lights up together with the warn-
ing lamps for ABS and DSC/
xDrive. In addition, a warning
signal sounds:
ABS, DSC, HDC and xDrive
have failed. 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 93, 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.<


If the brake warning lamp lights up yel-
low in the described combination, the
EBV Electronic brake-force distribution
is still available.

Display of the previously
described malfunction on Cana-
dian models.

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

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

39n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Alarm system Windows>The indicator lamp flashes for
10 seconds after the vehicle is
unlocked: an attempted entry has
been detected in the period since the
system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the
indicator lamp will flash continuously. Tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor Tilt alarm sensor:
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The
alarm system reacts, for example, if
someone attempts to steal the wheels
or tow the vehicle.
Interior motion sensor:
In order for the interior motion sensor to
function properly, the windows and
panorama glass roof ‹must be com-
pletely closed.
Avoiding unintentional alarms The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor may be switched off at the same
time. This prevents unintentional
alarms, e.g. in the following situations:
>In duplex garages
>When transporting on car-carrying
trains
>If animals are to remain in the vehicle.
Switching off the tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor:
Press the button on the remote control
twice consecutively.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor
are switched off up to the next unlock-
ing and locking actions.
Opening and closing windows As of ignition key position 1:
>Press the switch up to the resistance
point:
The window continues to move as
long as you continue to hold the
switch
>Press the switch beyond the resis-
tance point:
The window moves downward auto-
matically. Briefly press the switch
again to stop the opening movement.
You can close the windows in the same
manner by pulling the switch.530us020

49n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Safety beltsPut on the safety belt before each trip,
as the airbags supplement the safety
belts as an additional restraint device,
however do not replace them.Locking Make sure you hear the latch plate
engage in the belt buckle.
Lights up for a few seconds or
until driver's safety belt is fas-
tened. Depending on model,
together with an acoustic signal
* or a
message
* in the Check Control.
530us034
Unlocking1. Press the red button in the belt
buckle
2. Hold the belt firmly
3. Guide the belt back into its reel.
In the rear the center safety belt
buckle is intended exclusively for
the center passenger.
If it is not possible to extract the center
belt, this indicates that the larger back-
rest is not securely locked, refer to
page 124.<
Safety belt height adjustment You can adjust the safety belts to fit
your own physical dimensions by using
the safety belt height adjustment:
Slide the button up or down as
required.
Also observe the instructions on adjust-
ing the seats on page 43.
In the event of loads caused by
accidents or other damage: have
the belt system, including the belt ten-
sioners and any child restraint systems,
replaced by a BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center and have the belt anchor
points checked.c530de259

53n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Steering wheel Steering wheel heater
*
Automatic steering wheel
adjustmentonly in conjunction with seat, mirror and
steering wheel memory
In order to make it easier to get into and
out of the vehicle, the steering wheel
automatically moves into the top posi-
tion and returns to the driving or mem-
ory position.
This automatic feature is controlled by
the position of the ignition key and by
the driver's door.
Steering wheel heater functions in igni-
tion key position 2.
Press the button to activate or deacti-
vate this system.
The indicator lamp within the button
lights up when the steering wheel
heater is in operation.
If your vehicle is not equipped with
steering wheel heater, the switch for
the recirculated-air mode is located
here, refer to page 23.
530de235

59n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags Transporting children safely Airbag system operational
The warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster indicates the oper-
ational readiness of the entire
airbag system and the safety belt ten-
sioners as of ignition key position 1.
The warning lamp goes out after a few
seconds.
Airbag system malfunction
Have the airbag system checked
immediately if a malfunction
occurs, as otherwise there is a danger
of the system failing to respond in the
expected manner to an impact occur-
ring within its normal response range.<
A fault has occurred in the air-
bag system:
>Warning lamp does not light up as of
ignition key position 1
>Warning lamp lights up continuously
>Warning lamp lights up while the
vehicle is being driven.
The right place for children Children always in the rear:
Accident research shows that the saf-
est place for children in a vehicle is in
the rear seat.
Older children should be tightly secured
with a safety belt, after they have out-
grown a booster seat that is appropri-
ate for their age, height and weight.
A child sitting in the rear seat and
not properly restrained may place
his or her head on or near the airbag, if
so equipped. For example, a child –
even though belted – may fall asleep
with his or her head against the side air-
bag. It may be difficult for a driver to
ensure that children in the rear seat will
remain properly positioned at all times
and do not place their heads on or near
the side airbag. Therefore, we recom-
mend that the rear side airbags, if pro-
vided, be deactivated if you plan to
transport children in the rear seat.<
Child-restraint systems in the rearChild-restraint systems appropriate for
every age group and weight are avail-
able at your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle center.
Children under 13 years of age
and children less than 5 ft/150 cm
tall should always ride in the rear and
the restraint systems should be secured
with the vehicle's safety belts.<
No universal child-restraint sys-
tems facing the rear of the vehicle
may be mounted on the rear seats.
If you want to use a rearward-facing
child-restraint system in the rear, then
the BMW Baby Seat with or without the
LATCH child-restraint fixing is suitable
for this purpose.<
Younger children should be secured in
an appropriate forward-facing child-
restraint system that has first been
properly secured with a safety belt.
All rear sitting positions in your
vehicle meet the recommendations of
SAE J1819, an industry-recommended
practice for securing child-restraint sys-
tems in motor vehicles.