2005 BMW X5 4.8IS tow

62n
Transporting children safelyThe figure shows the fastening of the
tether strap in the center seating posi-
tion.
Routing of the tether strap:
Route the tether strap through the cen-
ter between the head restraint and the
rear backrest.
When using the cargo area roll-up
cover, also route the tether strap
between the rear backrest and the cas-
ing of the roll-up cover.
Adjust the tether strap according
to the child-restraint manufac-
turer's instructions.<530ue256
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for
CHildren.
The rear outer seating positions are
provided with anchors for a LATCH
child-restraint fixing system.
The figure shows the left rear seat as an
example. The mounts for attachment of
the LATCH child-restraint fixing system
are located behind the cover panels:
Remove cover panels by pulling them
toward the front.
To remount, simply slide into place.
Follow the manufacturer's operat-
ing and safety instructions for
attachment of the LATCH child-restraint
fixing system.<530us255
Child-safety locks of rear doorsSlide the safety lever on the rear doors
downward:
The door can now be opened from the
outside only. Safety switch for power windowsPress the safety switch for the power
windows, refer to page40, when chil-
dren ride on the back seat530de226

66n
Handbrake Manual transmissionThe handbrake is primarily intended to
prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked; it brakes the rear wheels.EngagingThe lever engages automatically when
you pull it up and the indicator lamp
comes on in the instrument cluster in
ignition key position 2, refer to
pages19, 21.Releasing Pull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever. 530de262
If exceptional circumstances
should make it necessary to
engage the handbrake while the vehicle
is in motion, do not pull it too strongly.
In doing so, continuously press the but-
ton of the handbrake lever.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction – fishtailing
– at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not light up when
the handbrake is applied.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the handbrake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Even placing the gearshift lever
in 1st gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in Park.<
To avoid corrosion, apply the hand-
brake lightly from time to time when
coasting to a standstill at a traffic signal,
for instance, provided that it is safe to
do so.
Press the clutch pedal all the way down
each time you shift, pressing the gear-
shift lever into its proper end position.
Depress the clutch when starting the
vehicle, too, otherwise, the interlock will
prevent the engine from starting if the
clutch is not depressed.
While shifting in the 5th/6th gear
lane, press the selector lever
toward the right, as otherwise acciden-
tal shifting into the 3rd or 4th gear could
result in engine damage.< 380de044

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
69n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
M/S manual operation and
Sport Program Shift selector lever from position D
toward the left into the shifting slot 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 you briefly press the selector
lever in the + or – direction, manual
operation is activated and Steptronic
changes the gear 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.
In order to go back to using automatic,
move the selector lever toward 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 switch the engine off,
ignition 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 page171.

70n
Turn signals/headlamp flasher1High beams
2 Headlamp flasher
3Turn signalsSignaling briefly Press lever to resistance point and hold
for as long as you wish to signal.
Atypically rapid flashing of the turn
signal indicator light indicates the
failure of a turn signal lamp and when
towing a trailer, indicates the failure of
one of the trailer's turn signal lamps.
After switching off the ignition, make
sure the roadside parking lamps have
not been left on.<530de265

94n
PDC Park Distance Control
* Antilock Brake System
Signal tones The distance from an object is indicated
in front with a higher intermittent tone,
and at the rear with a lower intermittent
tone. As the distance between vehicle
and object decreases, the intervals
between the tones become shorter.
The signal tone becomes continuous
once the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. 3 seconds if you are moving
parallel to a wall. MalfunctionThe indicator lamp flashes and a short
steady signal tone is sounded
>if you activate PDC with the button
>when you select reverse for the first
time after switching on the ignition
>if a malfunction occurs while the PDC
system is active.
Switch the system off and have the
cause of the malfunction corrected by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle cen-
ter.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility
for estimating the distance
between the vehicle and any obstruc-
tions always remains with the driver.
Even when sensors are involved, there
is a blind spot in which objects cannot
be detected. This applies especially
in those cases where the system
approaches the physical constraints of
ultrasonic measurement, as occurs with
tow bars and trailer couplings, and in
the vicinity of thin or wedge-shaped
objects. Low objects already displayed,
e.g. a curb, can also disappear from the
detection area of the sensors again
before a continuous tone sounds.
Loud sources of sound, inside and out-
side the vehicle, could drown out the
PDC signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free of ice
or snow in order to ensure that they will
continue to operate effectively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Keep the spray at least 4 in/10 cm away
from the sensors.
The concept The ABS Antilock Brake System pre-
vents the wheel brakes from locking
during braking. Safe steering response
is maintained even during full braking.
This increases active safety.
The ABS is operational every time you
start the engine. Safe braking, refer to
page 140.EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV controls the brake system's appli-
cation pressure at the rear wheels to
ensure stable deceleration.DBC Dynamic Brake Control When the brake pedal is depressed
rapidly, this system automatically gen-
erates a maximal boost of braking force
and thus aids in keeping braking dis-
tances as short as possible during full
braking. This system exploits all of the
benefits provided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal for the duration of the
brake application. DBC is deactivated
when you release the brake pedal.

99n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
2-axle self-leveling suspension
*
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 100, 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 tailgate/
liftgate may be open. The system raises
the vehicle only when the engine is run-
ning.
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.<
Self-leveling suspension display 1 Off-Road
2Standard
3 Access
The LEDs not only show the current ride
height, but also indicate changes:
>LED on: indicates the vehicle's cur-
rent ride height
>Ride-height LED flashes while the
LED for the earlier level remains on:
the ride height is being adjusted to a
new level, either automatically or in
response to driver input at the button.
When the suspension reaches the new
ride height the flashing LED reverts to
continuous operation, and the LED for
the earlier level goes out530de218

104n
Adaptive Head Light
*
High beams/roadside parking lamps
The concept Adaptive Head Light is a variable head-
lamp control system that enables better
illumination of the road surface.
Depending on the steering angle and
other assumptions, the light from the
headlamp follows the course of the
road.Activating Adaptive Head Light
In ignition key position 2, turn
the light switch to the position
'Automatic headlamp control',
refer to page103.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the
Adaptive Head Light
>is not active when driving in reverse
>is active only when pointing toward
the passenger side.
MalfunctionThe LED next to the symbol for auto-
matic headlamp control flashes. Adap-
tive Head Light is faulty or has failed.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
1High beams
2 Headlamp flasher
3 Roadside parking lamps Roadside parking lamps,
left or right
*
As an additional feature, you can illu-
minate your vehicle on either side for
parking, if you wish to do so:
With the ignition key in position 0,
engage the lever in the appropriate turn
signal position.
The roadside parking lamps
drain the battery. Avoid use for
extended periods of time, otherwise, it
will no longer be possible to start the
engine.<530de265

107n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
1 Airflow directed toward the
windshield and side windows
2 Airflow for the upper body109
3 Front footwell ventilation 4 Rear footwell ventilation
5 Airflow for the upper body in the
rear seat109
6Temperature108
7 Air distribution1088 Air supply108
9 Rear window defroster108
10 Air conditioning108
11 Recirculated-air mode108Air conditioner
530us222