warning BMW X5 3.0I 2006 E53 Owner's Guide

74n
Tachometer Energy control X5 3.0i, 4.4i Do not operate the engine with the
needle in the red overspeed zone of the
gauge, refer to arrow.
In this range, the fuel supply is inter-
rupted to protect the engine.530us227
X5 4.8isThe orange warning sector gradually
moves upward as the engine warms to
its normal operating temperature. As
the engine temperature increases, an
increasing number of sectors in this
warning panel go out.
Avoid allowing the engine speed to rise
as far as the orange warning sector
whenever possible.
Do not operate the engine with the
needle in the red overspeed zone of the
gauge, refer to arrow.
In this range, the fuel supply is inter-
rupted to protect the engine.530us231
X5 3.0i, 4.4i Shows the current fuel consumption.
This allows you to see whether your
current driving style is conducive to fuel
economy with minimum exhaust emis-
sions. 390us005

76n
Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval Display Blue The engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.Red When you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp
* comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
If the warning lamp lights up during
driving or the message COOLANT
TEMPERATURE appears in the Check
Control; the engine is overheated.
Switch off the engine immediately and
allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to
page154.
390de007
Between blue and red zones Normal operating range. The dial may
drift up to the red field.
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.
Green lamps The number of illuminated lamps
decreases as the time for your next
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lamp This field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle cen-
ter for an appointment.Red lamp The maintenance deadline has been
passed.390us008

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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 defects
are differentiated based on two priori-
ties: 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 on 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 pages76 and154
>STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS
Oil pressure too low. Stop the vehicle
immediately and switch off the
engine, refer to pages19 and152

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Computer
* in MID
To avoid endangering yourself or
other road users, only make
entries when the vehicle is stationary.<
Computer calculations begin at the
start of the journey.
Information can also be called up on the
display by the remote control, refer to
page89.
Speed limit Speed limit entry:
You can enter the road speed at which
you wish to hear and see a reminder
signal: a signal will sound, the word
LIMIT will flash, and with the Check
Control with alphanumeric display
*, the
speed limit warning stored in the mem-
ory will appear on the instrument clus-
ter briefly: limit.
The speed limit reminder is only
repeated if road speed has fallen at
least 3 mph/5 km/h below the preset
speed limit since the last time the
speed limit reminder was triggered.
Press the right side of the button.
Press the button.
Press the right side of the button.
Display shows:
Enter the limit by pressing the function
buttons.
To correct an entry:
Press the left side of the button and
repeat the entry.
To store the entry:
Press the right side of the button.

90n
PDC Park Distance Control
*
The concept PDC provides extra safety and conve-
nience during parking maneuvers. Sig-
nal tones indicate the current distance
to an object behind or in front of your
vehicle. To do this, four ultrasonic sen-
sors in the front and rear bumpers each
measure the distance to the nearest
object. The detection range of the front
sensors and the two sensors located at
the ends of the rear bumper is approx.
2 ft/60 cm, while the rear center sen-
sors can detect objects up to a distance
of approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can
indicate objects when they are
approached slowly, as is usually the
case when parking. Avoid approaching
objects too quickly; otherwise the phys-
ical circumstances may cause the sys-
tem to issue the warning too late.<
Automatic operationWhen the engine is running or the igni-
tion is switched on, the PDC system
starts to operate automatically approx.
one second after you shift into reverse
or move the selector lever into the R
position. Wait this short period before
backing up.
Manual activation Press the button; the LED lights up. Manual deactivation Press the button again; the LED goes
out.Automatic deactivationAfter driving a distance of more than
approx. 95 ft/30 m or exceeding a
speed of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the
system switches off and the LED goes
out. You may switch the system on
again manually as needed. 530de418

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.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
DSC Dynamic Stability ControlSwitching DSC offPress the button; the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.
Stabilizing interventions of the chassis
control system DSC are no longer avail-
able. However, the braking interven-
tions that simulate the function of the
differential lock continue to be active.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to switch off
the DSC for a short period:
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free
and when starting off in deep snow or
on loose road surfaces
>On sandy road surfaces
>On poor surfaces with deep ruts 530de414
>If the wheels churn on muddy sur-
faces
>When driving with snow chains.
When the DSC system is switched
off, braking maneuvers may sub-
ject the brakes to additional loads.
Automatic limitation of braking action
may briefly occur in order to limit brake
temperatures.
To maintain vehicle stability, always
drive with the system switched on when
possible.<
Switching DSC on Press the button a second time – the
indicator lamp goes out. DSC is now
activated.MalfunctionsPlease be sure to read the information
on the DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive warning lamp on page 22 and on
the possible lamp combinations that
can light up on page 20.530de414

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xDrive HDC Hill Descent Control xDrive is the 4-wheel drive system of
your X5. The combined effects of xDrive
and DSC further optimize the traction
and dynamic driving characteristics.
The 4-wheel drive system xDrive vari-
ably distributes the drive torque to the
front and rear axle depending on the
driving situation and prevailing road
conditions.MalfunctionsPlease be sure to read the information
on the DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive warning lamp on page 22 and on
the possible lamp combinations that
can light up on page 20.
The concept HDC is a system for driving downhill in
steep terrain. This system reduces vehi-
cle speed on steep downhill gradients,
thus allowing you to maintain even bet-
ter control of your BMW under these
conditions.
The vehicle moves at slightly more than
walking speed without active interven-
tion from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehi-
cle speeds below approx. 20 mph/
35 km/h. When driving down steep hills
with a speed below approx. 20 mph/
35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed
automatically down to slightly more
than walking speed, approx. 5 mph/
8 km/h, and then maintains this speed
at a constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes
to vary this automatically controlled
speed within a range extending from
approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to 15 mph/
25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within
the same range by using the +/– but-
tons of the cruise control.
HDC is automatically deactivated once
vehicle speed again exceeds approx.
35 mph/60 km/h.
Activating system Press the button; the LED lights up.
The LED flashes when the brakes are
applied automatically. Deactivating system Press the button again; the LED goes
out.
HDC is deactivated automatically above
a road speed of approx. 35 mph/
60 km/h and when the ignition is
switched off. 530de416

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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.

99n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Flat Tire MonitorInitializing system
Perform the initialization immedi-
ately every time you correct the
inflation pressure, change a tire or
change a wheel or all wheels. The vehi-
cle must be driven during initialization.<
1. Start the engine, but do not begin to
drive immediately.
2. Press the button until the yellow indi-
cator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up for a few seconds.
3. Begin driving.
530de419
It takes a few minutes of driving before
the Flat Tire Monitor can detect and
report a flat tire.
When driving with snow chains,
do not initialize the system.<
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up yel-
low. There is a flat tire or exten-
sive inflation pressure loss.
1. Reduce speed and stop the vehicle
carefully. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers
2. Identify damaged tire
If identification is not possible,
contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center.<
3. Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Changing a wheel on page 165.