139n
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.
140n
Safe braking Emergency stops You brake most effectively when you
apply maximum pedal pressure in situa-
tions requiring it: emergency stops.
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can nevertheless
avoid possible obstacles with a mini-
mum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.Brake fluid level If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become longer,
there may be a malfunction in one of
the two brake system's hydraulic cir-
cuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center.
In so doing, increased pressure on the
brake pedal may be required, and slight
pulling to the side and longer braking
distances may result. Please remember
to adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.<
Disk brakes When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, and in
operating conditions where brake appli-
cations are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to
form on rotors, while contaminants
accumulate on the brake pads. This
occurs because the minimal pressure
that the pads must exert to clean the
rotors during brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
application will fail to cure.
When driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is advisable to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal from time
to time. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not
endanger other road users. The heat
generated in this process helps dry the
pads and rotors to ensure that the brak-
ing force is then immediately available
when required.
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear in which
only minimal periodic brake application
is required. This avoids excessive strain on the brakes and possible impairment
of braking action.
Do not drive with the clutch pedal
depressed, at idle or with the
engine switched off, as otherwise there
will be no engine braking effect or
power assistance for braking and steer-
ing.
BMW recommends having brake
inspections performed at a BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center only. If
you do not, parts of the 4-wheel drive
system could be damaged.
No floor mats, carpets or other objects
may lie in the area of pedal travel, as
otherwise pedal operation may be
impaired.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
approved for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
Everything from A to Z
187n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
interlock62
selector lever interlock66
shiftlock66
towing176
tow-starting176
warning lamp20,21
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution
and supply109
Average fuel
consumption80,87
Average speed80,88
Avoiding alarms39
Axle loads, refer to
Weights182
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support46
Backrests, refer to Adjusting
seats45,46
Backup lamps65
replacing bulbs163
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit24
Bar, towing176Battery171
disposal171
indicator lamp19
jump starting174
power failure171
remote control30
Belts, refer to Safety belts49
Beverage can holders, refer
to Cup holders120
Beverage holder, refer to
Cup holders120
Blower
air conditioner105
automatic climate
control109
refer to Air supply105,109
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil153
BMW Maintenance
System156
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders120
Brake fluid155
adding155
level155
replacing155
warning lamp
19
Brake force display98
Brake hydraulic system140
warning lamp19,20
Brake lamps, replacing
bulbs163Brake lights, refer to Brake
lamps163
Brake pads140
breaking-in136
warning lamp19,21
Brake rotors
brake system140
breaking-in136
Brakes140
ABS91
brake fluid155
brake pads140
breaking-in136
handbrake64
indicator/warning
lamp19,20
Brake system
brake fluid155
brake fluid level140,155
brake pads140
breaking-in136
disk brakes140
warning lamp19
Brake wear warning
warning lamp19,21
Breakdown, Flat Tire
Monitor98
Breakdown assistance,
refer to Roadside
Assistance173
Breaking-in136Break wear warning, refer to
Brake pads140
Buttons on steering wheel23
C
California Proposition
65 Warning9
Calling, refer to telephone
Owner's Manual
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders120
Capacities183
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Care of paintwork, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Everything from A to Z
189n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Compartments, refer to
Storage
compartments119
Compass interior rearview
mirror117
Computer79,85
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
Condensation, refer to
Air conditioning105,110
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Sockets121,128
Consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption80
Fuel consumption87
Consumption display, refer
to Energy control74
Consumption indicator, refer
to Fuel gauge75
Contents4
Controls, refer to Cockpit14
Convenience opening mode
panorama glass roof31
windows31
Convenience operation
from outside33
panorama glass roof33
windows33Coolant154
level154
temperature gauge76
warning lamp76
Coolant temperature76
Coolant temperature
gauge76
Cooling, maximum110
Cooling, refer to
Air conditioning105,110
Temperature105,109
Copyright4
Cornering light, refer to
Adaptive Head Light101
Correct tires
wheel/tire
replacement148
winter tires149
Courtesy illumination, refer
to Courtesy lighting103
Courtesy lighting103
Cruise control71
buttons on steering
wheel23
indicator lamp22
Cruising range80
,87
Cup holders120
Curb weight, refer to
Weights182
Current consumption, refer
to Energy control74Cylinders, refer to Engine
data180
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit14
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting102
Data, technical180
dimensions181
engine180
filling capacities183
weights182
Date
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
changing82
displaying82
Daytime driving lamps100
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control91
indicator lamp21
Deactivating the alarm in an
emergency89
Defective lamp161
Defrosting windows106,109
air conditioner106
automatic climate
control109Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
air conditioner106
automatic climate
control109
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting
windows106,109
Digital clock82
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
Digital compass117
Dimensions181
Dimming feature, interior
mirror138
Dipstick, engine oil152
Directional indicators, refer
to Turn signals68
Disk brakes140
Displacement, refer to
Engine specifications180
Display, refer to Instrument
cluster15,17,18
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting102
Disposal, vehicle battery171
Distance to destination86
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control90
Everything from A to ZHead restraints47
adjusting47
installing in front48
removing and installing in
rear48
removing in front48
sitting safely43
Heated mirrors54
Heated rear window
air conditioner105
automatic climate
control110
Heated seats52
Heated steering wheel53
Heater
rear window105,110
steering wheel53
Heating
exterior mirror54
residual heat
utilization110
seats52
Heating and
ventilation104,107
Heating while stationary110
Heavy cargo, refer to Cargo
loading131
Heavy-duty cargo straps,
refer to Cargo loading131
Height, refer to
Dimensions181Height adjustment
seats45,46
steering wheel52
High beams101
headlamp flasher68
indicator lamp22
replacing bulbs162
High temperatures137
Hill Descent Control HDC94
Hills138,140
Holder for cups120
Hood150
Horn14
Hotel function30
Hot exhaust system137
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC91
Hydraulic system, brakes19
Hydroplaning137,147
I
Ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning
73
Identification, tire145
Ignition62
Ignition key30
Ignition key positions, refer
to Ignition lock62
Ignition lock62
Immobilizer function88
Imprint4Independent ventilation,
refer to Parked car
ventilation113
Indicating
elements15,17,18
Indicator/warning lamp
airbags57
alarm system38
automatic transmission
with Steptronic67
brakes155
coolant temperature76
DSC92
engine temperature76
fasten safety belts49
Flat Tire Monitor99
front fog lamps102
reserve75
self-leveling
suspension95
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview19
Indicator lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting102
Individual air distribution109
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory61
Inflation pressure, tires, refer
to Tire inflation
pressure141Initializing, refer to Power
loss42
INSPECTION76
Instrument cluster15,17,18
refer to Cockpit14
Instrument lighting102
Instrument panel14
Integrated universal remote
control114
Interface socket for Onboard
Diagnostics157
Interior lamps103
remote control31
Interior mirror, automatic
dimming feature138
Interior motion sensor
39
switching off31,39
Interior rearview mirror54
compass117
Interlock, refer to Steering
lock engaged62
Intermittent operation of
wipers69,71
Interval Display, Service76
J
Jacking points for vehicle
jack170
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting174
Jump starting174