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 control74
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature
display76
Tachometer77
Energy control77
Engine oil thermometer78
Fuel gage78
Coolant temperature gage79
Service Interval Display79
Check Control80
Computer82
MID Multi-Information
Display84Digital clock in MID85
Computer in MID88
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
PDC Park Distance Control 93
Antilock Brake System94
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control95
xDrive97
HDC Hill Descent Control97
Self-leveling suspension98
2-axle self-leveling
suspension99
Brake Force Display101
Flat Tire Monitor101
Lamps:
Parking lamps/low beams103
Adaptive Head Light104
High beams/roadside parking
lamps104
Front fog lamps105
Instrument lighting105
Interior lamps105
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioner107
Automatic climate control110
Roller sun blinds115
Independent ventilation116Cabin convenience:
Integrated universal remote
control117
Portable phone119
Glove compartment120
Storage compartments120
Cup holders121
Ashtray, front122
Ashtray, rear122
Cigarette lighter, rear123
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag124
Cargo area
Folding rear backrests
down126
Roll-up cover126
Partition net127
Flaps in cargo area128
Power outlets129
Pull-out floor in cargo
area130
Cargo loading131
Roof-mounted luggage rack133
79n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Coolant temperature gage Service Interval Display Blue The engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.Red When you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp
* comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
If the warning lamp lights up during
driving or the message COOLANT
TEMPERATURE appears in the Check
Control: the engine is overheated.
Switch off the engine immediately and
allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to
page152.
390de007
Between blue and red zones Normal operating range. The dial may
wander up to the red field.
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.
Green lamps The number of illuminated lamps
decreases as the time for your next
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lamp This field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle cen-
ter for an appointment.Red lamp The maintenance deadline has been
passed.390us008
82n
Check Control Computer>TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG
*
Please consult the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center, refer to
page69
>CHECK BRAKE LININGS
Have the brake pads inspected by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center, refer to page140
>CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
Coolant too low, top off at the next
opportunity, refer to page152
>ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG
Fault in the engine electronics.
You can continue to drive with
reduced engine output or engine
speed.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center.
Displays after completion of trip All of the malfunctions registered during
the trip appear consecutively when the
ignition key is turned to position 0.
The following displays will appear when
appropriate:
>LIGHTS ON
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
Top up engine oil at the next oppor-
tunity, e.g. while refueling, refer to
page150. This display appears when you open
the driver's door after parking the vehi-
cle. A supplementary acoustic signal is
also heard.
Status messages remain available with
the CHECK button 3 for a period of
approx. three minutes after the display
goes out and the key is removed from
the ignition lock. If there were multiple
messages, press the CHECK button
repeatedly to view them all in
sequence.
Checking Check Control Press the CHECK button 3 with the
ignition key in position 2:
CHECK CONTROL OK appears in the
display.
No malfunctions are present in the
monitored systems. Computer You can find a description of the com-
puter on pages82 and88 as well as in
the Owner's Manual for Onboard Com-
puter.
You can have the Check Control
and computer messages dis-
played in a different language.<
Mode selection As of ignition key position 1, you can
call up information from the computer
using the computer button in the turn
signal lever.
A new function appears each time you
briefly press the computer button.
The display sequence:
>Outside temperature
>Average fuel consumption
>Cruising range
>Average speed.
As of ignition key position 1, the last
active setting is displayed.
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.530de228
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
152n
Engine oil Coolant Viscosity ratings Viscosity is the oil flow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in
the area where you typically drive your
BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
Do not open the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping
coolant can cause burns.<
Coolant is comprised of water and
coolant additive. Not all commercially
available additives are suitable for your
BMW. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle center knows which additives are
suitable.
Use only suitable additives, other-
wise you could damage your
engine. The additives can be harmful
to your health.<
Always observe all applicable
environmental rules and regula-
tions when disposing of coolant addi-
tives.<
Checking coolant level 1. The engine must be at ambient tem-
perature
2. Start by turning the cap of the expan-
sion tank counterclockwise. Pause to
allow any accumulated pressure to
escape, then open
3. The coolant level is correct when the
end of the red float is aligned with
the upper edge of the filler opening,
refer to the arrow in the illustration,
or max. 0.8 in/2 cm higher, i. e. up to
the mark on the float, refer also to the
schematic diagram, next to the cap530us102
153n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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 Z
187n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Coolant152
level152
temperature gage79
warning lamp79
Coolant temperature
gage79
Cooling, maximum113
Cooling, refer to
Air conditioning108,113
Temperature108,112
Copyright4
Cornering light, refer to
Adaptive Head Light104
Correct tires
wheel/tire
replacement146
winter tires146
Courtesy lighting106
Cruise control74
buttons on steering
wheel23
indicator lamp22
Cruising range83,90
Cup holders121
Curb weight, refer to
Weights180
Current consumption, refer
to Energy control77
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data178D
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting105
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit14
Data, technical178
dimensions179
engine178
filling capacities181
weights180
Date
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
calling up85
changing85
Daytime driving lamps103
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control94
indicator lamp21
Deactivating the alarm in an
emergency92
Defective lamp159
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting
windows109,112
Defrosting
windows109,112
air conditioner109
automatic climate
control112Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
air conditioner109
automatic climate
control112
Defrosting windshield, refer
to Defrosting
windows109,112
Digital clock85
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
Dimensions179
Dipstick, engine oil150
Directional indicators, refer
to Turn signals70
Disc brakes140
Displacement, refer to
Engine specifications178
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting105
Display, refer to Instrument
cluster15,17,18
Disposal, vehicle battery168
Distance to destination89
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control93
Divided rear seat backrest,
refer to Folding rear seat
back126
Door keys30Door lock33
DOT Quality Grades143
Draft-free
ventilation109,114
Driving lamps, refer to
Parking lamps/low
beams103
Driving notes
breaking-in136
driving hints137,138
Driving on poor roads138
Driving stability control95
Driving your X5138
Dry air, refer to Air
conditioning108,113
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control95
warning lamp22
DVD changer, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC94
indicator lamp21
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC95
warning lamp22
Everything from A to ZE
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution94
Electric steering wheel
adjustment52
Electrical malfunction
automatic transmission
with Steptronic69
door lock33
driver's door33
fuel filler door24
liftgate35
panorama glass
sunroof42
tailgate36
Electronic brake-force distri-
bution EBV94
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control95
Emergency call170
Emergency operation, refer
to Manual operation
driver's door33
fuel filler door24
liftgate35
panorama glass
sunroof42
tailgate36
Emergency Service, refer to
Roadside Assistance170Energy control77
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy control77
Engine
breaking-in136
data178
electronic circuitry22
speed77
switching off65
Engine compartment149
Engine coolant152
Engine oil150
additives, refer to
Specified engine oils151
filling capacity181
indicator/warning lamp19
specified engine oils151
Engine oil level150
indicator/warning lamp21
Engine oil pressure,
indicator/warning lamp19
Engine oil thermometer78
Engine output, refer to
Engine specifications178
Engine specifications178
Engine speed, refer to
Engine specifications178
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
control77ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control95
Event Data Recorders155
Exhaust system137
Extended immobilizer
function91
Exterior mirrors54
automatic dimming
feature138
folding in and out54
External air, automatic
climate control113
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control80
Failure of a current
consumer169
False alarms, refer to
Avoiding unintentional
alarms39
Fasten safety belts
refer to Safety belts49
warning lamp21,49
Fault displays, refer to Check
Control80
Fill pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure141Filter, refer to
Microfilter109
Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter115
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit24
First-aid kit24
Flashlight120
Flat tire163
Flat Tire Monitor101
refer to Tire inflation
pressure141
refer to Wheel
changes163
spare wheel165
Flat Tire Monitor101
initializing102
warning lamp102
Flooding, refer to Driving
through water138
Floor mats, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Fluid level, indicator lamp21
Fog lamps, indicator lamp22
Folding floor cover up129
Folding rear backrest126
Folding rear seat back126
Footbrake, refer to General
driving notes137
Footwell lamps106