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
79n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control Computer>TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG
*
Please consult the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center, refer to
page67
>CHECK BRAKE LININGS
Have the brake pads inspected by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center, refer to page140
>CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
Coolant too low, top off at the next
opportunity, refer to page154
>ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG
Fault in the engine electronics.
You can continue to drive with
reduced engine output or engine
speed.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center.
Displays after completion of trip All of the malfunctions registered during
the trip appear consecutively when the
ignition key is turned to position 0.
The following displays will appear when
appropriate:
>LIGHTS ON
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
Replenish engine oil at the next
opportunity, e.g. while refueling, refer
to page152. This display appears when you open
the driver's door after parking the vehi-
cle. A supplementary acoustic signal
also sounds.
Status messages remain available with
the CHECK button 3 for a period of
approx. three minutes after the display
goes out and the key is removed from
the ignition lock. If there are multiple
messages, press the CHECK button
repeatedly to view them all in
sequence.
Checking Check Control Press the CHECK button 3 with the
ignition key in position 2:
CHECK CONTROL OK appears on the
display.
No malfunctions are present in the
monitored systems. Computer You can find a description of the com-
puter below and on page85 as well as
in the Owner's Manual for Onboard
Computer.
You can have the Check Control
and computer messages dis-
played in a different language.<
Mode selection As of ignition key position 1, you can
request information from the computer
using the computer button in the turn
signal lever.
A new function appears each time you
briefly press the computer button.
The display sequence:
>Outside temperature
>Average fuel consumption
>Cruising range
>Average speed.
As of ignition key position 1, the last
active setting is displayed.
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.530de228
136n
Moving parts should be allowed to
break in. To ensure that your vehicle
provides maximum economy through-
out a long service life, we request that
you comply with the following instruc-
tions:
Engine and differential Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km:
Drive at varying engine speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed
4,500 rpm and the following road
speeds during this initial period:
>6-cylinder engine
100 mph/160 km/h
>8-cylinder engine
106 mph/170 km/h
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of
the transmission's kick-down mode
during these initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km:
The engine and vehicle speed can
gradually be increased.
Tires Due to technical factors associated with
their manufacture, tires do not achieve
their full traction potential until after an
initial break-in period. Therefore, drive
reservedly during the first 200 miles/
300 km.
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as hydroplaning and can
lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effec-
tiveness. Reduce your speed on wet
roads.< Brake system Brakes require an initial break-in period
of approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve
optimal contact and wear patterns
between brake pads and rotors.
To break in the separate handbrake
drums, apply the handbrake lightly
when coasting to a standstill at a traffic
signal, for instance, provided that traffic
conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not light up
when the handbrake is applied.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine switched off,
when towing, for instance, substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle.< ClutchThe function of the clutch is only at its
optimized level after a distance driven
of approx. 300 miles/500 km. During
this break-in period, engage the clutch
gently.Following component
replacementsObserve the break-in instructions again
if previously addressed components
must be replaced again during subse-
quent driving.
Breaking-in
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