tailgate BMW X5 3.0I 2005 E53 Owner's Manual
Page 4 of 200
Contents© 2004 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, 
only with the written consent of 
BMW AG, Munich. 
Order No. 01 41 0 158 701
US English IX/04
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper, 
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.Notes
Overview
Controls and features
About this Owner's Manual8
Symbols used8
Your individual vehicle8
Status at time of printing9
For your own safety9
Symbol on vehicle parts10
Service and Warranty10
Reporting safety defects11Cockpit14 
Instrument cluster15
Indicator and warning lamps19 
Buttons on steering wheel23
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling24
Fuel specifications26Locks and security systems: 
Keys30
Central locking system30
Opening and closing: 
from outside31
Opening and closing: 
from inside34 
Liftgate35
Tailgate36
Alarm system38
Windows39
Panorama glass sunroof41
Adjustments: 
Sitting safely43
Seats44
Mechanical seat adjustment45
Power seat adjustment46
Head restraints47
Power rear-seat backrest 
adjustment48
Safety belts49
Seat, mirror and steering wheel 
memory50
Heated seats52
Steering wheel52
Steering wheel heater53
Mirrors54 
Page 30 of 200
30n
Keys Central locking system The key set 1 Each master key with remote control 
contains a long-life battery as power 
supply, which is automatically 
recharged in the ignition lock while 
driving. It is therefore necessary to 
use each master key at least twice 
per year in order to maintain the 
charge. Depending on which master 
key the vehicle detects during 
unlocking, different settings will be 
requested and executed in the vehi-
cle, refer to Vehicle and Key memory 
on page63.530de367
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place, 
such as in your wallet.
This key does not fit in the lock of the 
glove compartment. This is an advan-
tage in a hotel, for example. The key 
is not intended for continuous use.Replacement keys Additional or replacement keys are 
available at your BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle center.
The concept The central locking system is ready for 
operation as soon as you close the front 
doors. The system engages or releases 
the locks on the 
>doors 
>liftgate/tailgate 
>fuel filler door. 
The central locking system can be 
operated 
>from outside via the remote control 
as well as via the driver's door lock
>from inside via the button for the cen-
tral locking system. 
If the system is locked from inside, the 
fuel filler door remains unlocked, refer 
to page34.
When the system is actuated from out-
side of the vehicle, the anti-theft system 
is actuated simultaneously. This pre-
vents the doors from being unlocked via 
lock buttons or door handles. The alarm 
system is also armed or disarmed. 
In an accident of sufficient severity the 
central locking system automatically 
unlocks, but only doors which have not 
been locked separately with the lock 
buttons, refer to page34. In addition, 
the hazard warning flashers and the 
interior lamps are switched on.  
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Opening and closing: from outsideUsing remote control When you engage/release the vehicle 
locks, you also activate/deactivate the 
anti-theft system, arm/disarm the alarm 
system, and switch the interior lamps 
on/off. 
Protect the remote control against 
unauthorized use by handing over 
only the spare key, for example when 
using hotel valet parking.<
You can find more detailed information 
on the alarm system on page38.
Since passengers or animals 
remaining in the vehicle might be 
able to lock the doors from the inside, 
take the vehicle's keys with you so that 
the vehicle can be opened again from 
the outside at any time.<
Unlocking vehiclePress button. 
Press the button once to unlock the 
driver's door and the fuel filler door 
only; press a second time to unlock all 
remaining doors as well as the tailgate/
liftgate. Convenience opening modePress the button briefly and then hold 
down. 
The windows and the panorama glass 
sunroof open. Locking and securing Press button. 
As a confirmation that the vehicle is 
correctly locked, the hazard warning 
flashers light up.
If you so desire, you can have this 
function deactivated if your vehi-
cle is not equipped with an alarm sys-
tem.< 
Switching on interior lamps If the vehicle is locked, press button. 
With this function, you can also search 
for your vehicle, e.g. when parked in an 
underground garage.Switching off tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
 
Press button once again directly after 
locking. 
For more detailed information, refer to 
page39. Opening liftgate Briefly press the button. 
The liftgate will open slightly, regardless 
of whether it was previously locked or 
unlocked. 
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32n
Opening and closing: from outside
If the vehicle is locked, the tail-
gate/liftgate is also locked again 
when closed. 
Before and after a trip, be sure that the 
tailgate/liftgate was not opened unin-
tentionally.< 
Panic modeBy pressing and holding the button for 
more than two seconds, you can start 
the alarm system if there is an impend-
ing danger if it is armed. 
To switch off the alarm
Press button.
Malfunction The remote control can be subjected 
to malfunctions by local radio waves.
Should the remote control fail to oper-
ate owing to interference of this kind, 
unlock and lock the vehicle via the door 
lock using the master key. 
If it is no longer possible to lock the 
vehicle via the remote control, the bat-
tery is discharged. Use this remote con-
trol during an extended drive; this will 
recharge the battery, refer to page30.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units com-
ply with part 15 of the FCC/Federal 
Communication Commission regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the fol-
lowing:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the 
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful 
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference 
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications 
to these devices could void the 
user's authority to operate this equip-
ment.<  
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Opening and closing: from outsideUsing door lock One turn of the key in the driver's door 
lock unlocks the driver's door only. 
Turning the key a second time unlocks 
all of the remaining doors, the liftgate/
tailgate and the fuel filler door. 
As a confirmation that the vehicle is 
correctly locked, the hazard warning 
flashers light up.
If you so desire, you can deacti-
vate this function if your vehicle is 
not equipped with an alarm system.< 530de244
Convenience operation You also have the option of operating 
the windows and the panorama glass 
sunroof from the door lock. 
>To open: with the door closed, turn 
the key to the Unlock position and 
hold it. 
>To close: with the door closed, turn 
the key to the Lock position and hold 
it.
Watch during the closing process 
to be sure that no one is injured. 
Releasing the key stops the operation.< Manual operation In the event of an electrical malfunction, 
turn the key to the extreme left or right 
to unlock/lock the door.  
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34n
Opening and closing: from insideWhen the front doors are closed, this 
button unlocks or locks the doors and 
liftgate, but does not engage the anti-
theft system. The fuel filler door remains 
unlocked. 
You have the option of setting the 
central locking system to lock 
automatically as soon as you move off. 
This can be adjusted to be key-spe-
cific.<530de220
If only the driver's door was 
unlocked from the outside and 
you press the button 
>all other doors, the tailgate/liftgate 
and the fuel filler door will be 
unlocked when the driver's door is 
opened
>the driver's door will be locked again 
when it is closed.< 
Unlocking and opening doors >Either unlock the doors together with 
the button for the central locking sys-
tem and then pull the door handle 
above the armrest or 
>pull the release handle for each door 
twice: the first pull unlocks the door, 
and the second one opens it. 
Locking >Use the central locking button to lock 
all of the doors simultaneously, or 
>press down the individual lock but-
tons. As an added design feature to 
prevent the driver from being inad-
vertently locked out of the vehicle, 
the driver's lock button will not 
engage as long as the door is open. 
When the vehicle is moving, do 
not lock the doors with the lock 
buttons. Doors locked in this manner 
would not unlock automatically in the 
event of an accident.
Since passengers or animals remaining 
in the vehicle might be able to lock the 
doors from the inside, take the vehicle's 
keys with you so that the vehicle can be 
opened again from the outside at any 
time.<  
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36n
Liftgate TailgateClosing You can pull the liftgate down by plac-
ing both hands in the handle recesses, 
refer to arrows.Automatic Soft Close function To close the liftgate, merely press it 
down gently. The closing process will 
then be carried out automatically.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the 
travel path of the liftgate is clear 
when it is closed, as with all closing 
procedures.< 530us017
Opening Press button:
You can fold the tailgate down. 
When opened, the tailgate can 
accept loads of up to 440 lbs./
200 kg. When the vehicle is stationary 
you may, for example, utilize the tail-
gate as a seat or as a loading platform 
for luggage or recreation gear.< 530de246
Manual release In the event of an electrical malfunction, 
you can release the tailgate manually: 
1. Unfasten the trim panel clip with the 
vehicle key or with a screwdriver, 
refer to arrow 1, and remove it 
toward the top, refer to arrow 2530de317 
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37n
Tailgate2. Using the same tool, press the latch 
in the direction of the arrow; the tail-
gate is released 
3. Reinstall the trim panel. 530de241
Luggage straps Use the retaining straps on the cargo 
floor cover to secure smaller items of 
luggage.
Movement is reduced when objects are 
placed on the straps.
The lashing eyes located at the corners 
of the cargo area provide you with a 
convenient means of attaching luggage 
nets
* or flexible straps for securing lug-
gage. 
Refer also to Cargo loading on 
page131.
394de302 
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80n
Check Control Graphic display
* 
The following alerts or status messages 
are displayed with icons as of ignition 
key position 2 until the defects are cor-
rected: 
1 Check low beams 
2 Add washer fluid, goes out after 
approx. 1 minute 
3Door open 
4 Tailgate open 
5 Check brake and tail lamps. A defec-
tive center brake lamp is indicated by 
the upper symbol. 
When you open the door after stopping, 
a warning signal sounds without a 
visual indicator for: 
>LIGHTS ON
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK. 390de121
Alphanumeric display
* 
Text messages are used to alert the 
driver to system malfunctions as of igni-
tion key position 2. The alert is accom-
panied by an acoustic signal.
1 Status messages symbol
2Display
3CHECK button 
Messages concerning system faults are 
differentiated based on two priorities: 530de254
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by an acoustic signal and a flash-
ing warning symbol 1. Simultaneous 
defects will be displayed consecutively. 
These status messages remain in the 
display until the defects are corrected. 
They cannot be deleted by pressing the 
CHECK button 3: 
>RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE
>COOLANT TEMPERATURE
Temperature too high. Stop the vehi-
cle immediately and switch off the 
engine, refer to pages79 and152
>STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS
Oil pressure too low. Stop the vehicle 
immediately and switch off the 
engine, refer to pages19, 150 
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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 100, 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.
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 out530de218