Page 18 of 202
18n
Instrument cluster X5 4.8is 1 Fuel gauge75
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals22
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning lamps19
to22
5 Tachometer74
Engine oil temperature gauge6 Coolant temperature gauge76
7 Indicator and warning lamps19
to22
8 Reset button for trip odometer73
9 Service Interval Display76
10 Display for
>Trip odometer/odometer73
>Outside temperature7311 Display for Check Control77
12 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission65
13 CHECK button77
14 Indicator and warning lamps19
to22
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22n
Indicator and warning lamps
DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive
+
The warning lamp lights up con-
tinuously and a warning signal sounds:
DSC and HDC or the xDrive 4-wheel
drive system have failed.
The stabilizing interventions of DSC or
the xDrive 4-wheel drive system are no
longer available. Drive may be being
exerted exclusively via the rear axle.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
For additional information, refer to
page92
Proceed cautiously and defen-
sively. When driving on poor
roads, avoid using full throttle or press-
ing the accelerator beyond the kick-
down point and also avoid forceful
braking or full braking. Otherwise, the
drive train may be damaged or acci-
dents can occur.<
Engine electronics
*
Malfunction in the engine elec-
tronics. You can continue to
drive with reduced engine output or
engine speed. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
Service Engine Soon
+
If the indicator lamp lights up
continuously or intermittently,
there is a malfunction in the exhaust-
relevant electronic systems. Although
the vehicle remains operable, the sys-
tem must be checked as soon as possi-
ble.
For additional information, refer to
page157
Display of the previously
described malfunction in Cana-
dian models.
Check Gas Cap
* +
Warning lamp lights up. Fuel
filler cap is not properly closed
or is missing. Check whether the fuel
filler cap is properly closed. For addi-
tional information, refer to page25
Green: for your information
Turn signals
Flashes when the turn signals
are operated. Rapid flashing
indicates a system malfunction.
For additional information, refer to
page68
Cruise control
*
Lights up when system is
switched on: ready for operation
using the buttons on the steering
wheel.
For additional information, refer to
page71
Fog lamps
Lights up when fog lamps are
switched on. For additional
information, refer to page102
Blue: for your information
High beams
Lights up when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information, refer to
pages68, 101
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25n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Refueling
When handling fuels, always
observe any safety guidelines
posted at the service station. Never
carry spare fuel containers in your vehi-
cle. Whether empty or full, these con-
tainers can leak, cause an explosion, or
lead to fire in the event of a collision.<
Observe the following when
refueling
Open the filler cap carefully to
prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.
Do not top off. Topping off may cause
fuel spillage.<
Keep the filler cap in the bracket
attached to the fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refuel-
ing
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effect of the vapor
recovery system on the pump.
The fuel tank is full when the filler noz-
zle clicks off the first time.
530us008
To close the fuel filler cap:
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until
you clearly hear a click.
Close the filler cap carefully after
refueling until a click is heard.
While closing, be sure not to jam the
strap attached to the cap between the
gas cap and the vehicle. A loose or
missing cap will activate the message
CHECK GAS CAP in the Check Con-
trol
* or the Check Gas Cap lamp
*.<
Tank capacity:
approx. 24.6 gal./93 liters,
including a reserve of:
6-cylinder engine: approx. 2.0 gal./
8 liters:
8-cylinder engine: approx. 2.5 gal./
10 liters.
Never attempt to continue driving
until the tank is completely empty,
as engine functions could be affected,
and the vehicle could sustain damage
as a result.<
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29n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Index Technical data
Controls
Owner service procedures
Page 55 of 202

55n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags1 Front airbags
2 Head airbags
3 Side airbags for front and rear
*
Protective action
Comply with the instructions on
page43. Failure to do so could
result in diminished personal safety.<
The front airbags supplement the safety
belts by helping to provide additional
protection for the front-seat occupants
in the event of a severe frontal impact in
which the protection afforded by the
safety belts alone may no longer be suf-
ficient. The head airbag and side airbag
help provide protection in the event of a
side impact. The respective side airbag
is designed to help support the body at
530us035
the side of the chest region. The Side
Impact Head Protection System pro-
tects the head.
The airbags are intentionally not trig-
gered in every impact situation, e.g. not
in minor accidents or rear-end colli-
sions.
Stickers on the rear door frame
indicate the status of the rear side
airbags. If the status cannot be clearly
recognized, or if you want to have the
airbags activated/deactivated, please
contact your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle center.<
For information on the correct sitting
position, refer to page43.
Do not apply adhesive materials to
the cover panels of the airbags,
cover them or modify them in any other
way.
Do not attempt to remove the airbag
restraint system from the vehicle. Do
not modify or tamper with either the
wiring or the individual components in
the airbag system. These include the
padded steering wheel hub, the instru-
ment cluster, the side trim panels, the
doors and the roof pillars or the sides of
the headliner. Do not remove or dis-
mantle the steering wheel yourself.
Do not touch the individual components
directly after the system has been trig-
gered, otherwise there is a danger of
burns. If the airbag restraint system
malfunctions, needs to be decommis-
sioned, or has been triggered, only
entrust the necessary repair work to a
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center or a
workshop that works according to
BMW repair procedures with corre-
spondingly trained personnel and has
the required explosives permits for test-
ing, repair, dismantling or scrapping of
the airbag generators. Unprofessional
attempts to service the system could
lead to failure in an emergency or
undesired airbag activation, either of
which could result in personal injury.<
Warnings and information on the air-
bags is also provided on the sun visors.
Page 63 of 202

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
63n
Starting engine Switching off engineDo not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, begin to
drive immediately at a moderate engine
speed.
X5 3.0i:
Do not end the starting procedure too
soon, but do not continue for longer
than approx. 20 seconds. Release the
ignition key immediately as soon as the
engine starts.
X5 4.4i, 4.8is:
Your BMW is equipped with the conve-
nience starting feature. With this fea-
ture, it is sufficient to turn the ignition
key only briefly to position 3 'Start
engine' and to let go of it right away.
The starter actuation continues to oper-
ate automatically for a certain period of
time and is stopped automatically as
soon as the engine has started.
The automatic starting mode will not
operate or will be canceled if the bat-
tery voltage is insufficient. The engine
can be jump started, refer to page174.Should the engine fail to start on the
first attempt, if it is very hot or cold, for
instance:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at altitudes above 3,300 ft/
1,000 meters and at very low tempera-
tures, from approx. +57/–156:
>For the initial starting attempt, allow
the starter to remain engaged some-
what longer, approx. 10 seconds.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at startup are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from being
drained, always switch off electrical
devices that are not in use. Switch the
ignition off when the vehicle is not
being driven.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can lead to damage of the
catalytic converter.<
Manual transmission:
1. Turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0
2. Shift into first gear or reverse.
Automatic transmission:
1. Shift into selector lever position P
2. Turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
when the vehicle is moving, other-
wise, the steering could lock.
When leaving the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and lock the
steering.
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.
Automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in the P posi-
tion.<
Automatic transmission:
The vehicle must be stationary and the
selector lever in Park before you can
remove the ignition key.
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76n
Coolant temperature gauge 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
page154.
390de007
Between blue and red zones Normal operating range. The dial may
drift 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
Page 135 of 202
135n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Index Technical data
Maintena