Contents© 2004 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts,
only with the written consent of
BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 158 701
US English IX/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 defects11Cockpit14
Instrument cluster15
Indicator and warning lamps19
Buttons on steering wheel23
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling24
Fuel specifications26Locks and security systems:
Keys30
Central locking system30
Opening and closing:
from outside31
Opening and closing:
from inside34
Liftgate35
Tailgate36
Alarm system38
Windows39
Panorama glass sunroof41
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
38n
Alarm system The concept The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the liftgate
is opened
>To movement in the vehicle interior:
interior protection, refer to Tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion sensor
>To variations in the vehicle tilt angle
such as occur during attempts to
steal the wheels or tow the vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes
>The high beams flash on and off in
the same rhythm.
Arming and disarming alarm
system When you lock or unlock the vehicle,
either with the remote control or at the
door lock, the alarm system is armed or
disarmed at the same time.
You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm
arming and disarming.<
The liftgate can also be opened with the
system armed using the button on the
remote control, refer to page31. The
liftgate is locked again when closed.
Pressing the button longer triggers the
alarm: panic mode, refer to page32.
Indicator lamp displays >The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes when the
vehicle is locked: door(s) or liftgate
are not completely closed. Even if
you do not close the alerted area, the
system begins to monitor the remain-
ing areas, and the indicator lamp
flashes continuously after 10 sec-
onds. However, the interior motion
sensor is not activated
>The indicator lamp goes out when the
vehicle is unlocked: no manipulation
or attempted intrusions have been
detected in the period since the sys-
tem was armed530us241
51n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory
*
Calling up a stored setting
Do not call up a position from the
memory while the vehicle is mov-
ing. There is a risk of accident from
unexpected movement of the seat or
steering wheel.<
Convenience function:
1. Open the driver's door after unlock-
ing the vehicle or place the ignition
key in position 1
2. Briefly press memory button 1, 2
or 3, as desired.
Movement stops immediately when
one of the seat-adjustment or mem-
ory buttons is activated during the
adjustment process.
Security function:
1. With the driver's door closed and the
ignition key either removed or in
position 0 or 2
2. Maintain pressure on the desired
memory button 1, 2 or 3 until the
adjustment process is completed.
If you press the
M
EMORY button
accidentally: press the button a
second time – the indicator lamp goes
out.<
You can have your vehicle pro-
grammed to automatically dial in
your own individual adjustment settings
for the seat, mirrors and steering wheel
whenever you use your personal
remote control to unlock the vehicle.<
If you make use of this adjust-
ment, be sure that the footwell
behind the driver's seat is unobstructed
before unlocking the vehicle. If you fail
to do so, any persons or objects behind
the seat could be injured or damaged
by a rearward movement of the seat.<
Passenger-side exterior mirror
tilt function Automatic curb monitor
Activating:
1. Select the driver's mirror with the
mirror selection switch
2. When you engage reverse gear or
selector-lever position R, the exterior
mirror glass on the front passenger
side tilts downward slightly. This
allows the driver to see the area
immediately adjacent to the vehicle –
such as a curb – when parking, etc.
Deactivating:
Slide the mirror selection switch to the
passenger's side position.530us214
55n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
MirrorsInterior rearview mirror To reduce glare from vehicles behind
you when you are driving at night, tilt
the mirror by turning the button. 530us244
Compass interior rearview mirror
*
with automatic dimming action
1 Adjustment button
2Display
The display shows you the direction you
are currently driving.
The compass zone must be set accord-
ing to where you and your vehicle are
located. To do so, press the adjustment
button on the bottom edge of the inte-
rior rearview mirror for approximately
3 – 4 seconds. The display indicates the
number of the current compass zone.530de409
In order to change the zone setting,
keep pressing the adjustment button
until the display indicates the number of
the compass zone that corresponds to
your location, refer to the world map
below, with compass zones.
The compass will be operational again
after approximately 10 seconds.
For automatic dimming action, refer to
Interior and exterior mirrors, automati-
cally dimming.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
71n
Washer/wiper system/rain sensor
*
0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent mode or rain sensor
2Normal wipe
3Fast wipe
4Brief wipe
5 Windshield washing
6 Special wash program
*
7 Serrated dial for control of the wipe
interval or the sensitivity of the rain
sensor530de324
Fold-out positionThe left wiper is partially concealed by
the hood. In order to bring the wipers to
roughly a vertical position, this is impor-
tant for changing the wiper blades or to
fold the wipers out during frosty
weather, for example:
>With the lever in position 1, switch off
the ignition as soon as the wipers
come to a stop.
If equipped with a rain sensor:
1. Switch on the wipers with the lever in
position 1, 2 or 4
2. When the wipers are approx. vertical,
switch the ignition off.
For changing the wiper blades, refer to
page158.
Fold the wipers back down onto
the windshield before you turn the
ignition key to position 1 or 2 again. If
you do not, they could be damaged.<
Intermittent mode Not on vehicles with rain sensor.
You can set the wipe interval to four
stages with serrated dial 7.
In addition, the wipe interval is varied
automatically depending on road
speed. Rain sensor The rain sensor automatically controls
the wiper operation as a function of the
rain intensity. It is positioned on the
windshield, directly in front of the inte-
rior rearview mirror.
To activate the rain sensor:
Move the lever to position 1 as of igni-
tion key position 1. The wipers travel
once across the windshield, regardless
of the weather conditions.
You can leave the lever permanently in
position 1. It is then only necessary to
activate the rain sensor as of ignition
key position 1.
To do this, turn serrated dial 7 briefly.
138n
General driving notes Driving your X5 Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 20 in/
50 cm, and then only at walking speed
at the most. Otherwise, the vehicle's
engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged. When
equipped with 2-axle self leveling sus-
pension
*, switch the vehicle into the
Off-Road setting before driving through,
refer to page100.<
Using handbrake on slopes
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or riding the
clutch; use the handbrake instead. Oth-
erwise, severe clutch wear will result.<
Interior and exterior mirrors,
automatic dimming feature
*
Two photocells serve to control the
automatic dimming of the interior and
exterior rearview mirrors. One photocell
is in the mirror glass, refer to arrow,
while the other is offset somewhat on
the back of the mirror.
For trouble-free operation, keep the
photocells clean and do not cover the
area between the interior rearview mir-
ror and the windshield. Do not attach
any kind of stickers on the windshield
in front of the mirror, either. 530us245
On poor roads When you are driving on poor roads,
there are a few points which you should
strictly observe — for your own safety,
for that of your passengers, and for the
safety of the vehicle:
Driving on unpaved terrain can
cause damage to the vehicle.<
>Always adapt the driving speed to the
road conditions. The rougher or
steeper the road surface is, the lower
the speed should be
>You can operate your vehicle on
uphill and downhill gradients with a
maximum slope of 50 %. If you want
to drive on uphill or downhill gradi-
ents of this kind, make sure before-
hand that the engine oil and coolant
levels are near the max mark, refer to
pages150 and152.
Use the HDC Hill Descent Control
when driving down steep grades,
refer to page97.
Starting off is possible on grades of
up to 33 %.
The permissible body roll is also 50 %
>While driving, watch carefully for
obstacles such as rocks or holes.
Try to avoid these obstacles when-
ever possible
Everything from A to ZCargo loading131
Cargo-area partition net127
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system137
CD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
CD operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
Center armrest, refer to
Storage
compartments120
Center brake lamp, replacing
bulbs162
Central locking system30
interior34
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety9
Changing a wheel163
Changing gears with
automatic transmission
with Steptronic68Changing tires143
Charge-current indicator
lamp19
Charging battery168
CHECK button80
Check Control80
Checking oil level150
Child's seat, refer to Child-
restraint systems59
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH62
Child-restraint systems59
Child-safety locks62
Chocks164
Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Chrome parts, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter122,123
Cigarette lighter socket, refer
to Power socket122
Circulation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode108,113
Cleaning rear window73
Cleaning, vehicle, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Climate control in the rear
passenger area114Clock85
12 or 24-hour mode85
hour signal86
setting85
setting time and date85
setting, also refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
Closing
from inside34
from outside31
Clothes hooks121
Clutch136
breaking-in136
Cockpit14
Code
activating91
deactivating92
establishing91
Cold starting, refer to
Starting engine65
Combination of wheels/
tires146
Comfort seat46
Comfort starting, refer to
Starting engine65
Compact Disc operation,
refer to Owner's Manual
for Radio/Onboard
ComputerCompartments, refer to
Storage
compartments120
Compass interior rearview
mirror55
Computer82,88
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
Condensation, refer to
Air conditioning108,113
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Power sockets129
Consumption display, refer
to Energy control77
Consumption indicator, refer
to Fuel gage78
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption83
Fuel consumption90
Contents4
Controls, refer to Cockpit14
Convenience opening mode
panorama glass
sunroof31
windows31
Convenience operation
from outside33
panorama glass
sunroof33
windows33
Everything from A to Z
189n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
For information on breaking
in the differential, refer to
Engine and differential136
Front airbags57
Front fog lamps105
replacing bulbs161
Fuel
average
consumption83,90
display78
quality26
volume, refer to
Capacities181
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gage78
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gage78
Fuel filler door24
manual operation24
Fuel tank capacity, refer to
Capacities181
Fuel-saving driving, refer to
Energy control77
Fuses169
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal
remote control117
Gasoline display, refer to
Fuel gage78Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality26
Gear display67
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission66
General driving notes137
Glove compartment120
Grills, refer to
Ventilation109,114
Gross weight, refer to
Weights180
Ground clearance139
H
Hand lamp, refer to
Rechargeable
flashlight120
Handbrake66
indicator lamp19,21
Hands-free microphone,
refer to Portable
phone119
Hands-free system119
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control97
Head airbags57
Head restraints47
Headlamp control,
automatic103
Headlamp cover, care, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochureHeadlamp flasher70
indicator lamp22
Headlamp washer
reservoir150
volume, refer to Filling
capacities181
Headlamp washing system
headlamp washing72
washer fluid150
Headlamps
care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
replacing bulbs159
Heated mirrors54
Heated rear window
air conditioner108
automatic climate
control113
Heated seats52
Heated steering wheel53
Heating
exterior mirror54
rear window108,113
seats52
steering wheel53
Heating and
ventilation107,110
Heating while stationary113
Heavy cargo, refer to
Loading132
Heavy-duty cargo straps,
refer to Cargo loading132Height adjustment
seats45,46
steering wheel52
Height, refer to
Dimensions179
High beams104
headlamp flasher70
indicator lamp22
replacing bulbs160
High temperatures137
Hill Descent Control HDC97
Hills138,140
Holder for cups121
Hood148
Horn14
Hot exhaust system137
Hotel function30
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC94
Hydraulic system, brakes19
Hydroplaning137,145
I
Ice warning76
Identification, tire143
Ignition64
Ignition key30
Ignition lock64
Immobilizer function91
Imprint4