2006 BMW X5 4.4I 4 wheel drive

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
PDC Park Distance Control
* Antilock Brake System
Signal tones The distance from an object is indicated
in front with a higher intermittent tone,
and at the rear with a lower intermittent
tone. As the distance between vehicle
and object decreases, the intervals
between the tones become shorter.
The signal tone becomes continuous
once the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. 3 seconds if you are moving
parallel to a wall. MalfunctionsThe LED flashes and a short steady sig-
nal tone is sounded
>if you activate PDC with the button
>when you select reverse for the first
time after switching on the ignition
>if a malfunction occurs while the PDC
system is active.
Switch the system off and have the
cause of the malfunction corrected by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle cen-
ter.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility
for estimating the distance
between the vehicle and any obstruc-
tions always remains with the driver.
Even when sensors are involved, there
is a blind spot in which objects cannot
be detected. This applies especially in
those cases where the system
approaches the physical constraints of
ultrasonic measurement, as occurs with
tow bars and trailer couplings, and in
the vicinity of thin or wedge-shaped
objects. It is also possible that low
objects already displayed, such as curb
edges, may come into the blind spot of
the sensors before a continuous signal
sounds or that higher, protruding
objects, such as ledges, will not be
detected.
Loud sources of sound, inside and out-
side the vehicle, could drown out the
PDC signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free
of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they will continue to operate effec-
tively.
When using high-pressure washers, do
not spray sensors for long periods and
keep the sprayer at least 4 in/10 cm
away from the sensors.<
The concept The ABS Antilock Brake System pre-
vents the wheel brakes from locking
during braking. Safe steering response
is maintained even during full braking.
This increases active safety.
The ABS is operational every time you
start the engine. Safe braking, refer to
page 140.EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV controls the brake system's appli-
cation pressure at the rear wheels to
ensure stable deceleration.DBC Dynamic Brake Control When the brake pedal is depressed
rapidly, this system automatically gen-
erates a maximum boost of braking
force and thus aids in keeping braking
distances as short as possible during
full braking. This system exploits all of
the benefits provided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal for the duration of the
brake application. DBC is deactivated
when you release the brake pedal.

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Antilock Brake System DSC Dynamic Stability Control MalfunctionsPlease be absolutely sure to follow
instructions regarding possible combi-
nations of indicator lights on page 20.
The concept DSC prevents the drive wheels from
slipping when starting off and acceler-
ating. DSC also identifies unstable driv-
ing conditions, such as a loss of trac-
tion at the rear of the vehicle or sliding
of the vehicle in its front wheels. Under
these circumstances, DSC helps the
vehicle maintain a safe course within
the physical limits by reducing the
engine output and by applying the
brakes in the individual wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you
start the engine.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. An
appropriate driving style always
remains the responsibility of the driver.
So please do not further limit the addi-
tional safety margin by taking unneces-
sary risks.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly
after the engine is started.
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC is active and is regulating drive
and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off using the
button and the stabilizing interventions
are no longer available.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
DSC Dynamic Stability ControlSwitching DSC offPress the button; the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.
Stabilizing interventions of the chassis
control system DSC are no longer avail-
able. However, the braking interven-
tions that simulate the function of the
differential lock continue to be active.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to switch off
the DSC for a short period:
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free
and when starting off in deep snow or
on loose road surfaces
>On sandy road surfaces
>On poor surfaces with deep ruts 530de414
>If the wheels churn on muddy sur-
faces
>When driving with snow chains.
When the DSC system is switched
off, braking maneuvers may sub-
ject the brakes to additional loads.
Automatic limitation of braking action
may briefly occur in order to limit brake
temperatures.
To maintain vehicle stability, always
drive with the system switched on when
possible.<
Switching DSC on Press the button a second time – the
indicator lamp goes out. DSC is now
activated.MalfunctionsPlease be sure to read the information
on the DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive warning lamp on page 22 and on
the possible lamp combinations that
can light up on page 20.530de414

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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.MalfunctionsPlease be sure to read the information
on the DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
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 LED lights up.
The LED flashes when the brakes are
applied automatically. Deactivating system Press the button again; the LED 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

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Brake force display Flat Tire MonitorThe brake lamps light up in two stages,
depending on how forcefully you apply
the brakes.
>Normal braking:
The brake lamp 1 and the center
brake lamp light up
>Heavy braking:
The brake lamps 1 and 2 light up
together with the center brake lamp.530de400
The concept The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the
inflation pressures in the four fitted tires
as you drive. The system provides an
alert whenever the inflation pressure in
one tire drops significantly in relation to
the pressure in another tire.
The check of the tire inflation pressure
is based on monitoring the relative
speeds of the wheels. A flat is detected
and reported on the basis of a deviation
in certain speed ratios.Functional requirementTo ensure reliable operation, the sys-
tem should have been initialized with
the correct tire inflation pressure.
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indi-
cate sudden severe tire damage
caused by outside factors and does not
detect a natural, even pressure drop in
all four tires.<
In the following situations, the system
could be delayed or malfunction:
>When driving on snow-covered or
slippery road surfaces
>In the case of performance-oriented
driving: slip in the drive wheels, high
lateral acceleration
>False alarms and undetected loss of
pressure may occur when you are
driving with snow chains fitted.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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. The vehi-
cle must be driven during initialization.<
1. Start the engine, but do not begin to
drive immediately.
2. Press the button until the yellow indi-
cator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up for a few seconds.
3. Begin driving.
530de419
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.<
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
Changing a wheel on page 165.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
General driving notesClosing liftgate/tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the
tailgate and liftgate are completely
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes
could enter into the passenger com-
partment.<
However, if special circumstances
should make it absolutely necessary to
operate the vehicle with the liftgate/tail-
gate open:
1. Close all windows and the panorama
glass roof
2. Increase the air supply for the air
conditioner or automatic climate
control to a high level, refer to
page105 or109.
Hot exhaust system
Extreme temperatures occur on
the exhaust system on any vehi-
cle. Do not remove the heat shields
installed adjacent to it, and never apply
undercoating to them. When driving,
standing at idle and while parking, take
care to avoid possible contact between
a hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay,
leaves, grass etc. Otherwise, there is a
danger of ignition and fire, with the risk
of serious injuries and damage.<
Mobile communications devices
in vehicle
BMW advises against using
mobile communications devices
such as mobile phones inside the vehi-
cle unless they are directly connected
to the external antenna. Otherwise, it is
impossible to prevent a mutual interfer-
ence of the vehicle electronics with the
mobile phone device. Also, there is no
guarantee that the radiation generated
by the transmission will be conveyed
out from the interior of the vehicle.<
When vehicle is parked Condensation forms in the air condi-
tioner system during operation and then
exits under the vehicle. Traces of water
on the ground are therefore normal.Brakes
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light but
consistent pedal pressure can lead to
excessively high temperatures, brake
wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Road hazards
If road hazards, obstacles or curbs
are unavoidable, only drive over
them very slowly and carefully, other-
wise the wheels and suspension parts,
especially on vehicles fitted with low
profile tires, can be damaged.<
For more information on wheels and
tires, refer to page146.
Before driving into a car washFold in the exterior mirrors, refer to
page53, otherwise they could be dam-
aged due to the width of the vehicle.Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy
roads, reduce road speed. If you
do not, a wedge of water can form
between tires and road surface. This
state can cause a partial or total loss
of contact with the road surface, of
braking control and of control over the
vehicle.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Driving your X5>Please note that it is possible for the
undercarriage to touch the ground,
for example on crests and bumpy
roads. The ground clearance of the
vehicle is:
– without self-leveling suspension
X5 3.0i, 4.4i: 8 in/20 cm
X5 3.0d: 7 in/17.5 cm
– with 2-axle self-leveling suspen-
sion
*
6.5-9 in/16.5-22 cm, depending on
the level selected.
>Only drive through water up to a max-
imum depth of 20 in/50 cm and only
at walking speed, making sure not to
stop in the process. When equipped
with 2-axle self leveling suspension
*,
switch the vehicle to the Off-Road
setting before driving through, refer
to page97.
After leaving the water, apply the
footbrake lightly several times while
driving at low speeds so as to dry the
brakes by braking and to prevent
decreased braking action due to wet-
ness.
Back onto paved road Our recommendation that you observe
the following points after driving on
adverse road surfaces is not intended
as a beauty treatment for your BMW.
Instead, it is intended to maintain driv-
ing safety:
>Clean the worst of the dirt from the
body and inspect the undercarriage
for damage.
>Clean mud, snow, ice etc. from the
wheels and tires and check the
wheels for damage.
>Check to determine whether rocks,
gravel or accumulations of dirt on the
brake rotors and calipers could influ-
ence braking performance. Remove
all such foreign objects.
>In order to clean the brake rotors,
apply the footbrake gently several
times while driving at a low speed.
Be sure that following traffic is not
endangered by this.
>For cleaning the handbrake, apply the
lever slightly at approx. 25 mph/
40 km/h and continue to drive for
approx. 200 yards/200 meters, pro-
vided that traffic conditions allow you
to do so.