2006 BMW X5 4.4I tailgate

96n
2-axle self-leveling suspension
*
The concept Your vehicle is equipped with 2-axle
self-leveling suspension acting on both
the front and rear suspension. This sys-
tem combines automatic self-leveling,
which compensates for variations in
front-to-rear load-distribution patterns,
with a selection feature allowing drivers
to choose from among several ride-
height options.
You may choose from among the fol-
lowing ride heights:
>Normal
The standard setting is intended for
most operating conditions, including
trailer towing
>Off-Road
Increased level for more ground
clearance
>Access
Lowers vehicle for more convenient
cargo handling or easier passenger
entries and exits.
Changes in ride height are initiated
either manually, using the control but-
ton, refer to page 97, or automatically in
response to specific speeds. When the
ride height is selected manually, the
driver has the additional option of revis-
ing the ride-height selection by entering a new command during the adjustment
process.
When the vehicle is stationary, the sys-
tem executes ride-height changes in
both directions – up and down – when-
ever the doors are closed. The tailgate/
liftgate may be open. The system raises
the vehicle only when the engine is run-
ning.
The system's automatic self-leveling
feature automatically compensates for
variations in the vehicle's load.
The ground clearance of the vehicle
6.5-9 in/16.5-22 cm, depending on the
level selected.
Frequent changes in ride height
initiated at short intervals can
overheat the compressor, causing the
system to briefly suspend active opera-
tion.<
Self-leveling suspension display 1 Off-Road
2Standard
3 Access
The LEDs not only show the current ride
height, but also indicate changes:
>LED on: indicates the vehicle's cur-
rent ride height
>Ride-height LED flashes while the
LED for the earlier level remains on:
the ride height is being adjusted to a
new level, either automatically or in
response to driver input at the button.
When the suspension reaches the new
ride height the flashing LED reverts to
continuous operation, and the LED for
the earlier level goes out.530de218

137n
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.<

164n
Lamps and bulbs Lamps in the side panel:
1. Open the cover in the side panel
2. Lift the side panel if necessary
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
holder while turning it to the left for
removal and replacement
4. Remove the bulb. 530de305
Lamps in the tailgate:
1. Unclip the trim panel in the tailgate
with a screwdriver
2. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
holder while turning it to the left for
removal and replacement
3. Remove the bulb. Center brake lamp LED strip in the rear spoiler: please
contact a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center in case of a malfunction. 530de306
License plate lamps 5 watt bulb
1. Press the lamp out to the side with a
screwdriver
2. Remove the lamp and replace the
bulb. 530de307

166n
Changing a wheel What you will need In order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are through
using them.
>Two wheel chocks
Open liftgate and tailgate.
Raise the floor panel flap or pull-out
cargo floor in the cargo area, refer to
page128 or129. On vehicles with a
compact wheel, remove the cover,
refer to page167.
Remove the wheel chocks, refer to
arrow, next to the spare wheel 530us117
>Lug wrench
Located beside the spare wheel 530us120
>Handle for the jack
Remove from its holder530de405

168n
Changing a wheel Removal aid for spare wheel By using this device, you do not have to
lift the spare wheel out of the recess by
hand.
Its task is to help you to move the wheel
onto the tailgate, from where you can
easily lift it off.
1. Close the tailgate again
2. Grasp the handle of the removal aid
behind the spare wheel with both
hands and pull upward over the tail-
gate, refer to arrow. 530de310
3. Hook both buckles into the latch of
the tailgate, refer to arrow; the tail-
gate is released. 530de311
4. Remove the support rod from the
bracket. 530de312

169n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel 5. Press the tailgate down and hold it
there. The spare wheel is now pulled
by means of the removal aid onto the
tailgate.
Hold the tailgate in the opened
position and do not allow it to
spring upward abruptly. If you do so,
there is a risk of vehicle damage and
injury.<530de313
6. Insert the support rod in the tailgate
lock and press down until it engages,
refer to arrow 1; then lock hook of
rod in striker, refer to arrow 2.
Make sure that the support rod is
locked firmly in place. If you fail to
do so, the tailgate could move upward
quickly and cause personal injury and
vehicle damage.<
7. You can now release the locked tail-
gate and take down the spare wheel.
It is recommended that you leave the
tailgate locked into place until you
have completed the wheel change
and placed the wheel with the defec-
tive tire into the removal aid. 530de314
Procedure1. Read carefully and comply with the
safety precautions on page165.
2. Secure the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling:
Place the wedges – chocks – behind
the wheels on the side opposite the
side you are lifting. If the vehicle is
parked on a downward slope, place
the wedges securely in front of the
wheels. If the wheel must be
changed on a surface with a more
severe slope, take additional precau-
tions to secure the vehicle from roll-
ing.
3. Loosen the lug bolts 1/2-turn.
4. Insert the jack handle into the jack,
refer to the illustration in the next col-
umn.

170n
Changing a wheel5. Position the jack at the jacking point
closest to the flat tire so that the jack
base is vertically below the jacking
point and the entire surface of the
head of the jack will move into the
square recess of the jacking point,
refer to the illustration detail, when
the jack is cranked.
6. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel
you are changing is raised from the
ground.
7. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove
the wheel.
8. Remove accumulations of mud or dirt
from the mounting surfaces of the
wheel and hub. Clean the lug bolts.
9. Move the spare wheel into position.
Secure the wheel by turning at least
two lug bolts into opposite bolt
holes. 530de236
10. Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Tighten all the bolts securely in a
diagonal pattern.
11. Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the vehicle.
12. Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal
pattern.
13. Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportunity.
After mounting the spare wheel or
correcting the inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
refer to page99.
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in
the valve stems frequently leads to slow
leaks.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure safety, always have the lug
bolts checked with a calibrated torque
wrench as soon as possible to ensure
that they are tightened to the specified
torque. The tightening torque is
101 lb ft/140 Nm.<
Store the wheel and the tools in the
order opposite that for removal.
Before removing the support rod,
be sure that the tailgate is held
down firmly. If you fail to do so, it could
spring upward abruptly and cause per-
sonal injury and vehicle damage.
After you remove the rod, close the tail-
gate carefully. Continue to hold it firmly
until it is completely closed.<
If light-alloy wheels other than Genuine
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced. Driving with compact wheelDrive reservedly and do not exceed a
maximum speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
Altered handling characteristics, such
as reduced track stability during brak-
ing, longer braking distances and
altered self-steering properties at the
driving limit can occur. These proper-
ties are more apparent in conjunction
with winter tires.

Everything from A to ZCargo area124
capacity182
cover, refer to Roll-up
cover125
emergency operation,
refer to Unlocking
manually35,36
enlarging124
floor cover127
lamps103
lid, refer to Liftgate/
tailgate35,36
opening, remote control31
opening/closing, refer to
Liftgate35
opening/closing, refer to
Tailgate36
opening from inside35
opening from outside35
Cargo-area partition net125
Cargo bay, refer to Cargo
area124
Cargo floor, pull-out128
Cargo loading130
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys30Car phone, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Car phone provision116
Car radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Car wash, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
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
compartments119
Center brake lamp, replacing
bulbs164
Central locking system30
interior34
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety9
Changing a wheel165
Changing gears with
automatic transmission
with Steptronic66
Changing tires145Changing wheels
compact wheel167
spare wheel167
Charge-current indicator
lamp19
Charging battery171
CHECK button77
Check Control77
Child's seat, refer to Child-
restraint systems57
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH59
Child-restraint systems57
Child-safety locks60
Chocks166
Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter121,122
Cigarette lighter socket, refer
to Socket121
Circulation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode105,110
Cleaning, vehicle, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning rear window71
Climate control in the rear
passenger area111Clock82
12 or 24-hour mode82
hour signal83
setting82
setting, also refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
setting time and date82
Closing
from inside34
from outside31
Clothes hooks120
Clutch136
breaking-in136
Cockpit14
Code
activating88
deactivating89
establishing88
Cold starting, refer to
Starting engine63
Combination of wheels/
tires148
Comfort seat46
Comfort starting, refer to
Starting engine63
Compact Disc operation,
refer to Owner's Manual
for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Compact wheel, changing
wheels167