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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
PDC Park Distance Control
*
The concept PDC provides extra safety and conve-
nience during parking maneuvers. Sig-
nal tones indicate the current distance
to an object behind or in front of your
vehicle. To do this, four ultrasonic sen-
sors in the front and rear bumpers each
measure the distance to the nearest
object. The detection range of the front
sensors and the two sensors located at
the ends of the rear bumper is approx.
2 ft/60 cm, while the rear center sen-
sors can detect objects to a distance
of approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can
indicate objects when they are
approached slowly, as is usually the
case when parking. Avoid approaching
objects too fast, otherwise the system
may give warning of physical obstacles
too late.<
Automatic operationThe system starts to operate automati-
cally approx. one second after you
select reverse or move the selector
lever into the R position with the ignition
key in position 2. Wait this short period
before backing up. The system
switches off when you shift back out
of reverse.
Manual activation Press the button, the indicator lamp
lights up. Manual deactivation Press the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.Automatic deactivationAfter driving a distance of more than
approx. 160 ft/50 m or exceeding a
speed of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the
system switches off and the indicator
lamp goes out. You may switch the sys-
tem on again manually as needed. 530de418
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
xDrive HDC Hill Descent Control xDrive is the 4-wheel drive system of
your X5. The combined effects of xDrive
and DSC further optimize the traction
and dynamic driving characteristics.
The 4-wheel drive system xDrive vari-
ably distributes the drive torque to the
front and rear axle depending on the
driving situation and prevailing road
conditions.MalfunctionPlease be sure to observe the informa-
tion on the DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol/xDrive warning lamp on page 22
and on the possible lamp combinations
that can light up on page 20.
The concept HDC is a system for driving downhill in
steep terrain. This system reduces vehi-
cle speed on steep downhill gradients,
thus allowing you to maintain even bet-
ter control of your BMW under these
conditions.
The vehicle moves at slightly more than
walking speed without active interven-
tion from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehi-
cle speeds below approx. 20 mph/
35 km/h. When driving down steep hills
with a speed below approx. 20 mph/
35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed
automatically down to slightly more
than walking speed, approx. 5 mph/
8 km/h, and then maintains this speed
at a constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes
to vary this automatically controlled
speed within a range extending from
approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to 15 mph/
25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within
the same range by using the +/– but-
tons of the cruise control.
HDC is automatically deactivated once
vehicle speed again exceeds approx.
35 mph/60 km/h.
Activating system Press the button, the indicator lamp
lights up.
The indicator lamp flashes when the
brakes are applied automatically. Deactivating system Press the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
HDC is deactivated automatically above
a road speed of approx. 35 mph/
60 km/h and when the ignition is
switched off. 530de416
102n
Flat Tire MonitorInitializing system
Perform the initialization immedi-
ately every time you correct the
inflation pressure, change a tire or
change a wheel or all wheels. A drive
is required for this purpose.<
1. Before the start of driving, start the
engine, but do not drive off
2. Press the button until the yellow indi-
cator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up for a few seconds
3. Drive off.
It takes a few minutes of driving before
the Flat Tire Monitor can detect and
report a flat tire.
When driving with snow chains,
do not initialize the system.<
530de419
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up yel-
low. There is a flat tire or exten-
sive inflation pressure loss.
1. Reduce speed and stop the vehicle
carefully. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers
2. Identify damaged tire
If identification is not possible,
contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.<
3. Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Wheel changes on page 163.
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Parking lamps/side marker lamps
The front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on. You can
use the parking lamps for park-
ing. For lighting on one side for parking
as an additional feature, refer to
page104.
Low beams
When the ignition is switched off
and the low beams are on, only
the parking lamps/side marker
lamps remain on.
530us215
Pathway lighting:
When you activate the headlamp
flasher after parking the vehicle and
switching off the lamps, the low beams
will come on for a brief period. You may
also have this function deactivated if
you wish.<
Lights on warning Whenever you open the driver's door,
after having turned the ignition key to
position 0, you will hear an acoustic sig-
nal for a few seconds to remind you that
the lamps have not been switched off.
On vehicles with alphanumeric Check
Control
*:
The reminder is given through the
Check Control.
Daytime driving lamps
*
The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daytime driving at igni-
tion key position 2.
Automatic headlamp control
*
When you set the switch to this
position, the system activates
and switches on and off the low
beams in response to changes in ambi-
ent light conditions, for instance, in tun-
nels, at dawn and dusk, and in rain and
snow.
The low beams remain switched
on regardless of the ambient light
when you switch on the front fog
lamps.<
Automatic headlamp control can-
not serve as a substitute for the
driver's judgment in determining when
the vehicle lamps should be switched
on. For example, the system cannot
detect fog. To avoid safety risks, you
should always switch on the lamps
manually under these conditions.<
You can have the sensitivity of the
headlamp control system adjusted
on your vehicle.<
Parking lamps/low beams
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Coolant Brake fluid4. When necessary, slowly add coolant
until the correct level is reached; do
not overfill
5. Close the cap and tighten snugly
6. Have the cause of the coolant loss
corrected as soon as possible.
Brake fluid level
If the warning lamp lights up or
the message CHECK BRAKE
FLUID appears in the Check
Control: stop immediately.
The brake fluid in the reservoir
has fallen to below the minimum
level.
Add brake fluid The brake fluid reservoir is located
under the microfilter housing trim panel
on the driver's side of the vehicle. For
adding brake fluid or for determining
and correcting the cause of brake fluid
loss, consult your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center. Your BMW Sports Activ-
ity Vehicle center is familiar with the
specifications for factory-approved
DOT 4 brake fluids.
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. For this situation,
refer to the notes on page140.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years by
a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.
Refer also to the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or
the Warranty and Service Guide Book-
let for Canadian models.
Brake fluid is toxic and also damages
vehicle paintwork. Always store these
agents in tightly-closed original con-
tainers kept well away from the reach
of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not refill the
brake fluid reservoir to beyond the MAX
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and cause
serious burns.<
Always observe all applicable
environmental rules and regula-
tions when disposing of used brake
fluid.<
Everything from A to ZIndependent ventilation116
activating/deactivating
switch-on times87
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
entering switch-on
times87
switching on and off
directly87
Indicating
elements15,17,18
Indicator lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting105
Indicator/warning lamp
airbags59
alarm system38
automatic transmission
with Steptronic69
brakes153
coolant temperature79
DSC95
engine temperature79
fasten safety belts49
Flat Tire Monitor102
front fog lamps105
reserve78
self-leveling
suspension98
Indicator/warning lamps,
overview19Individual air distribution112
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory63
Inflation pressure
monitoring, refer to Flat
Tire Monitor101
Inflation pressure, tires141
INSPECTION79
Instrument cluster15,17,18
Instrument lighting105
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit14
Integrated universal remote
control117
Interface socket for Onboard
Diagnostics155
Interior lamps105
remote control31
Interior mirror, automatic
dimming feature138
Interior motion sensor39
switching off31,39
Interior rearview mirror55
compass55
Interlock, refer to Locking
steering64
Intermittent operation of
wipers71,73J
Jacking points167
Jump starting171
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting171
K
Key Memory63
Keys30
Kick-down68
L
Lamps and bulbs159
Lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams103
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing load132
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system62
LEDs light-emitting
diodes163
Length, refer to
Dimensions179
License plate lamp
replacing bulbs162
Liftgate35
emergency operation,
refer to Unlocking
manually35
opening, remote
control31
remote control31Liftgate/tailgate
emergency operation,
refer to Unlocking
manually35,36
opening from inside35
opening from outside35
unlocking manually35,36
Light switch103
Light-alloy wheels, care,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs163
Lighter122,123
Lighting of instruments105
Lights on warning103
Limit88
Limit speed, refer to Speed
limit88
Load, refer to Cargo
loading131
Lock buttons, doors, refer to
Locking34
Locking
from inside34
from outside31
Locking and unlocking doors
from inside34
from outside31
Locking, vehicle
from inside34
from outside31