2006 BMW X5 4.8IS ESP

44n
Sitting safely Seatsfrontal impact and injure the abdomen.
Avoid wearing clothing that prevents
the belt from fitting properly and pull
the belt in the upper body area periodi-
cally to readjust the tension in order to
avoid a reduction in the restraint of the
safety belt.<
If the middle safety belt in the rear is
used, the wider seatback must be
locked, refer to page124, otherwise the
safety belt has no restraining action.
Fasten safety belt, refer to page49.
Note before adjusting
Never try to adjust your seat while
operating the vehicle. The seat
could respond with unexpected move-
ment and the ensuing loss of vehicle
control could lead to an accident. On
the front passenger side as well, do not
tilt the backrest too far toward the rear
while driving. Failure to observe this
precaution can prevent the belt from
providing effective protection against
injury, as the passenger could slide
under the belt in an accident.<
Also observe the information on the
safety belts on page49 and on the
head restraints on page47.
Seat adjustment>Mechanical seat adjustment, refer to
following columns
>Power seat adjustment, refer to
page46
>Head restraints, refer to page47
>Power rear-seat backrest adjustment,
refer to page48

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.

56n
AirbagsAutomatically deactivating front
passenger airbagsThe occupation of the seat is detected
by evaluating the imprint on the occu-
pied seat surface of the front passenger
seat. The front and side airbag on the
front passenger side are activated or
deactivated accordingly by the system.
The current status of the front
passenger airbag, i.e. deactivated
or activated, is indicated by the indica-
tor lamp over the interior rearview mir-
ror, refer to Status of front passenger
airbags in the following.<
Before transporting a child on the
front passenger seat, observe the
safety information and handling instruc-
tions under Transporting children
safely, refer to page57.
The front and side airbag on the front
passenger side can be deactivated for
teenagers and adults in certain seat
positions; then the indicator lamp for
the front passenger airbags lights up. In
these cases, change the seat position
so that the front passenger airbags are
activated and the indicator lamp goes
out. If the desired status cannot be pro-
duced by changing the seat position,
transport the corresponding person on
the rear seat. Do not install protective
covers, seat cushions, ball mats or
other objects on the front passenger
seat which are not specially recom-
mended by BMW. Do not lay objects
under the seat which could press
against the seat from below. Otherwise
a correct evaluation of the occupied
seat surface cannot be ensured.<
Status of front passenger airbagOne of the illustrated indicator lamps is
located above the interior rearview mir-
ror.
The indicator lamp for the front passen-
ger airbags indicates the operating sta-
tus of the front and side airbag on the
front passenger side depending on the
seat occupation. The indicator lamp
shows whether the front passenger air-
bags are activated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a
child in a child restraint system
intended for the purpose is properly
detected on the seat.
The front and side airbag on the front
passenger side are not activated530ue260

57n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags Transporting children safely >The indicator lamp does not light up
when, for example, a correctly seated
person of sufficient height is detected
on the seat. The front and side airbag
on the front passenger side are acti-
vated
>The indicator lamp does not light up
when the seat is empty.
The front and side airbag on the front
passenger side are not activated.Operational readiness of airbag
system
As of ignition key position 1, the
warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up for a short time,
thus indicating the operational readi-
ness of the entire airbag system and the
safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction:
>Warning lamp does not light up as of
ignition key position 1
>Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked
immediately if a malfunction
occurs, as otherwise there is a danger
of the system failing to respond in the
expected manner in an accident of cor-
responding severity.<
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, as otherwise they
could endanger themselves and other
persons, e.g. by opening the doors.<
In principle, all seats in your BMW
except the driver's seat are suitable for
mounting universal child restraint sys-
tems for all ages which are approved
for the respective age group.
Children always in the rear:
Accident research shows that the saf-
est place for children is on the back
seat.
Only transport children under
13 years of age or less than 5 ft/
150 cm tall in the rear in child restraint
systems intended for the respective
age, weight and height of the child.
Otherwise there is an increased danger
of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must
wear a safety belt as soon as a suitable
child restraint system can no longer be
used due to their age, size and weight.
All rear seat positions in your vehicle
comply with the recommendations of
the standard SAE J1819 for the safe
securing of child restraint systems in
motor vehicles.
Exception for front passenger seat:
Should it be necessary to use a
child-restraint system on the front
passenger seat, the front and side air-
bags must be deactivated. Otherwise,
there is an increased risk of injury for
the child when the airbags are trig-
gered, even with a child-restraint sys-
tem. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center will be happy to advise you.<
More information on automatic deacti-
vation of the front passenger airbags,
refer to page56.

78n
Check Control >CHECK BRAKE FLUID
Level has dropped approx. to mini-
mum. Have the brake fluid replen-
ished as soon as possible, refer to
page155. Have the reason for the
brake fluid loss eliminated by your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center
>DSC/4x4 INACTIVE
DSC and/or four-wheel drive system
xDrive has failed.
The stabilizing interventions of DSC
and/or the four-wheel drive system
xDrive are no longer available. Drive
may be being exerted exclusively via
the rear axle.
Have the system checked at the
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center.
For additional information, refer to
page94
>SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT
*
Please consult the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center
>SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT*
MAX. 35 MPH/MAX. 60 KM/H
*
These messages are displayed con-
secutively.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
35 mph/60 km/h.
Please consult the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center>TRANSMISS'N OVERHEAT
*
Reduce speed immediately and stop
at a suitable location so that the sys-
tem can cool down again. Please
contact the nearest BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.
>LIMIT
*
Display when the programmed road-
speed limit is exceeded, refer to
page85.
Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds
as of ignition key position 2. The warn-
ing symbols remain after the message
disappears. You can open the mes-
sages again for display by pressing the
CHECK button.
>TRUNKLID OPEN
This message only appears when
starting off
>DOOR OPEN
This message appears after a minimal
defined road speed has been
exceeded
>FASTEN SEAT BELTS
*
In addition, the indicator lamp with
the belt symbol lights up and an
acoustic signal sounds
>WASHER FLUID LOW
Too low, top up at the next opportu-
nity, refer to page152>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
The oil level is at the absolute mini-
mum point. Therefore, have the
engine oil replenished as soon as
possible, refer to page152. Until
then, do not drive more than approx.
30 miles/50 km.
>CHECK GAS CAP
Check to see whether the fuel filler
cap has been closed properly, refer
to page25
>OUTSIDE TEMP. +237/–56
This display is only an example. The
current temperature is displayed at
outside temperatures of +37.57/
+36 and below, refer also to
page73
>CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS
A lamp has failed or the electrical
circuit has a malfunction, refer to
page163 or consult a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center
>CHECK LOWBEAM LIGHTS
CHECK SIDE LIGHTS
CHECK REAR LIGHTS
CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS
CHECK LICPLATE LIGHT
CHECK HIGHBEAM LIGHT
CHECK BACK UP LIGHTS
The respective lamp may have failed
or the electrical circuit may be defec-
tive, refer to page161 or consult a
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center

91n
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.

92n
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.

95n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
HDC Hill Descent Control Self-leveling suspension
*
Using HDC With manual transmission:
Use HDC in first gear and in Reverse
since the engine's braking action is
diminished in the higher gears.
With automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive posi-
tion. In case of a malfunction If the LED in the button goes out during
HDC operation or does not light up
when the HDC is activated:
HDC is temporarily unavailable due to
excessive brake temperature. The warning lamp for the self-
leveling suspension comes on,
or the message SELFLEVEL
SUSP.INACT appears in the Check
Control: there is a malfunction in the
self-leveling suspension.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If the rear
of the vehicle is visibly lower than the
front, possibly accompanied by a tilt
noticeable when you compare the left
rear with the right rear, please respond
by immediately proceeding to the near-
est BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center.
Drive with appropriate caution in the
meantime. The vehicle has reduced
ground clearance and driving comfort
may be noticeably reduced.
Even when the position of the vehicle is
normal, have the system checked as
soon as possible when a malfunction is
indicated.