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
18n
Instrument cluster X5 4.8is 1Fuel gage78
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals22
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning lamps19
to22
5 Tachometer77
Engine oil thermometer
6 Coolant temperature gage797 Indicator and warning lamps19
to22
8 Reset button for trip odometer76
9 Service Interval Display79
10 Indicator for
>Trip odometer/odometer76
>Outside temperature76
11 Indicator for Check Control8012 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission67
13 CHECK button80
14 Indicator and warning lamps19
to22
530us252
21n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps Red: an important reminder
Handbrake
*
Lights up with handbrake
engaged.
For additional information, refer to
page66
Handbrake warning lamp
* for
Canadian models
Please fasten safety belts +
Indicator lamp flashes or lights
up. In addition, a signal sounds
and, depending on the equipment, a
message* appears in the Check Con-
trol. Please check safety belts for cor-
rect placement.
The belt memory is activated when the
safety belt on the driver's side has not
yet been fastened.
The belt memory is also active from a
speed of approx. 5 mph/8 km/h when
the passenger belt has not yet been
fastened, heavy objects are placed on
the front passenger seat or passengers
sitting in the front remove their safety
belts.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page49
Airbags
+
Malfunction in airbag system.
Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page57
Yellow: check as soon as possible
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
+
Malfunction in the DBC system.
Please have the system
checked as soon as possible.
For details on DBC, refer to page94
Indication of the above-
described malfunction in Cana-
dian models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving: the oil
level is at the absolute minimum;
refill as soon as possible. Do not drive
more than approx. 30 miles/50 km until
you do.
For additional information, refer to
page150
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
page150
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
page69
Brake pads
* +
Have the condition of the brake
pads checked.
For additional information, refer to
page140
Self-leveling suspension
* +
The self-leveling suspension is
inactive. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page98
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 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
Everything from A to ZSelector lever positions,
automatic transmission
with Steptronic67
Selector lever, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic68
Self-leveling suspension98
2-axle self-leveling
suspension99
inactive98
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models154
Service Interval
Display79,154
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance170
Setting interior
temperature108,112
Setting time, refer to Prese-
lecting switch-on times87
Shifting
automatic transmission
with Steptronic68
manual transmission66
Shiftlock68
Shoulder support47
Side airbags57
Side Impact Head Protection
System57Side tilt, permissible138
Side turn signals, replacing
bulbs160
Side window blinds, refer to
Rear window blind115
Signaling briefly70
Sitting safely43
with airbags43
with safety belts43
Ski bag124
Snow chains147
Sockets129
Soft closure aid for liftgate,
refer to Automatic Soft
Close function36
Spare fuses169
Spare key30
Spare wheel165
removal aid165
Special wash program72
Specified engine oils151
Speed
with spare wheel168
with winter tires146
Speed limit88
Speedometer, refer to
Instrument
cluster15,17,18
Sport Program, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic69Sports seat45
Stability control, refer to
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control95
xDrive97
Starting engine64
Starting problems
at very low
temperatures65
jump starting171
Status of this Owner's
Manual at time of
printing9
Steering lock64
Steering wheel
adjustment52
adjustment, automatic53
lock64
Steering wheel heater53
Steering wheel memory50
Steering wheel with multi-
function buttons23
Steptronic, refer to Manual
mode69
Stopwatch86
Storage compartments120
in the cargo area128
Storage space, refer to
Cargo area126Storing desired speed, refer
to Cruise control.74
Storing sitting position, refer
to Seat, mirror and
steering wheel memory50
Storing the seat
adjustment50
Storing tires147
Supply reservoir
washing systems150
Switches, refer to Cockpit14
Switching air conditioner
mode on and off
manually108,113
Switching off engine65
Switching on hour signal86
Switch-on times input87
Symbols8
Synthetic oil151
T
Tachometer77
Tail lamps, replacing
bulbs161
Tailgate36
unlocking manually36
Taking time, refer to
Stopwatch86
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel
tank capacity181
Technical data178
Technical modifications9