5n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Controls and features
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags55
Transporting children safely57
Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory61
Driving:
Ignition lock62
Starting engine62
Switching off engine63
Handbrake64
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher68
Washer/wiper system/
rain sensor69
Cruise control71
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature
display73
Tachometer74
Energy control74
Engine oil temperature gauge75
Fuel gauge75
Coolant temperature gauge76
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Computer79
MID Multi-Information
Display81Digital clock in MID82
Computer in MID85
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
PDC Park Distance Control 90
Antilock Brake System91
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control92
xDrive94
HDC Hill Descent Control94
Self-leveling suspension95
2-axle self-leveling
suspension96
Brake force display98
Flat Tire Monitor98
Lamps:
Parking lamps/low beams100
Adaptive Head Light101
High beams/roadside parking
lamps101
Front fog lamps102
Instrument lighting102
Interior lamps103
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioner104
Automatic climate control107
Roller sun blinds113
Parked car ventilation113Cabin convenience:
Integrated universal remote
control114
Telephone116
Interior rearview mirror with
digital compass117
Glove compartment119
Storage compartments119
Cup holders120
Ashtray, front121
Ashtray, rear121
Cigarette lighter, rear122
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag123
Cargo area
Folding rear backrests
down124
Roll-up cover125
Partition net125
Covers in cargo area127
Sockets128
Pull-out cargo floor128
Cargo loading130
Roof-mounted luggage rack132
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
530us252
19n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps Technology that monitors itself Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by
+ are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a malfunction should occur in one of
the monitored systems, the corre-
sponding lamp will not go out after the
engine is started or it will light up while
the vehicle is moving. The section
below will instruct you on what to do in
this situation.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
+
The battery is not being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Have
the system checked immediately.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. When
the drive belt is defective, you will also
have to exert increased steering
effort.<
Engine oil pressure
+
Stop immediately and switch off
the engine. Check the engine oil
level; top up as required. If the oil level
is correct: have the system checked
immediately.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could be damaged due to
inadequate lubrication.<
Handbrake
*/
brake hydraulic system
+
Lights up with handbrake
engaged.
For additional information, refer to
page64
Lights up although the handbrake is
released: stop immediately. The brake
fluid in the reservoir has fallen to below
the minimum level. At the same time, a
considerably longer brake pedal travel
may be noticeable. Have the system
checked immediately.
During continued driving,
increased brake pedal pressure
may be necessary and considerably
longer braking distances may result.
Please remember to adapt your driving
style accordingly.<
Before continuing your journey, be sure
to read the notes on pages140
and155.
Also lights up in the Check Control with
the message CHECK BRAKE LININGS.
Display of the previously
described malfunction in Cana-
dian models.
21n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps Red: an important reminder
Handbrake
*
Lights up with handbrake
engaged.
For additional information, refer to
page64
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 reminder is activated when the
safety belt on the driver's side has not
yet been fastened.
The belt reminder is also active at
speeds greater than 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
page55
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 page91
Display of the previously
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
page152
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
page152
Automatic transmission
*
The automatic transmission
switches into the emergency
program due to a malfunction. Have the
system checked as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page67
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
page95
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
24n
Warning triangle
*
First-aid kit
*
Refueling
1. Open the cover on the left in the
cargo area by lifting the handle on
the cover
2. Pull the tab of the retaining strap,
refer to arrow, and remove the haz-
ard warning triangle from the support
bracket
3. To install: slide the hazard warning
triangle into the support bracket and
press on the retaining strap.530us005
The first-aid kit is located under the
front passenger's seat.
To open: pull the handle and fold the
cover down.
To close: fold the cover up.
Some of the articles in the first-aid kit
may be used within a limited time only.
Therefore, check the expiration dates of
the contents regularly and replace the
contents concerned in good time as
needed.530de242
Fuel filler door
Before filling the tank, switch off
the engine. If you do not, fuel can-
not be added to the tank and the Ser-
vice Engine Soon lamp may come on.<
To open the fuel filler door, press on the
front edge.
In the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can also open the fuel filler door
manually:
1. Open the cover on the right in the
cargo area by lifting the handle on
the cover
2. Pull the knob with the fuel pump
symbol.
530de243
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.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
67n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
Sport Program and manual
operation M/S 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.
Briefly pressing the selector lever
toward the front or rear activates man-
ual operation and Steptronic changes
gears. The following display 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 and then the current
gear will reappear.
To return to automatic mode, move the
selector lever toward the right into posi-
tion 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
parking brake and switch the engine off
by turning the 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, but
the vehicle will now only drive forward
with limited gear selection.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Information on jump starting, tow-
starting and towing begins on
page174.