warning light BMW X5 4.4I 2000 Owners Manual

22n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "

l

" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

l

The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
V-belt is defective, increased steering
effort is also required.

<


Engine oil pressure

l

Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level; top up as re-
quired. If the oil level is correct: please
contact the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The en-
gine could be damaged because
of inadequate lubrication.

<
Parking brake
*/
Brake hydraulic system l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 65.
Comes on although the parking brake
is released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before continuing your jour-
ney, be sure to read the notes on
pages 123 and 141.
Also comes on in the Check Control
with the message "CHECK BRAKE
LININGS."
Parking brake warning lamp
*/
Brake hydraulic system for
Canadian models.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
25n
Indicator and warning lamps Green: for your information
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signals
are operated. Rapid flashing
indicates a system malfunction.
For additional information: refer to
page 69.
Cruise control
Comes on when the cruise con-
trol is activated: available for
operation via the multifunction steering
wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 72.
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to
page 87.
Blue: for your information
High beam
Lights up when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information: refer to
pages 69 and 87.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
63n
0 Steering lock engaged The key can only be inserted and
removed in this position.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until
you hear the lock engage.
An acoustic warning is sounded when
you fail to remove the ignition key after
opening the driver's door.
Do not move the selector lever
from the "Park" position until the
engine is running (ignition key in posi-
tion 2).
In order to turn the key to position 0 or
to remove it, first move the selector
lever to the "Park" position (Interlock).< 390de010
1 Steering lock disengaged You will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the
lock.2 Ignition on All electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use. 3 Starting the engine
Steering/Ignition lock

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
77n
Check Control Graphic display
*
The following alerts or status messages
are displayed with icons from ignition
key position 2 and up until the defects
are corrected:
1 Check low beams.
2 Add washer fluid (goes out after ap-
prox. 1 minute).
3 Door open.
4 Tailgate open.
5 Check brake and tail lamps.
A defective center brake lamp is indi-
cated by the upper symbol.
When you open the door after stopping,
a warning signal sounds without a vi-
sual indicator for:
>LIGHTS ON and
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK. 390de121
Alphanumeric display
*
Text messages are used to alert the
driver to system malfunctions when the
ignition key is turned to position 2. The
alert is accompanied by a gong.
1 Status report symbol
2 Display
3 CHECK button
Messages concerning system faults are
differentiated based on two priorities: 390us111
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by a gong and a flashing 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
The coolant is overheated. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to pages 76
and 140.
>STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to page 22.

78n
Check Control >CHECK BRAKE FLUID
Indicates that brake fluid is down to
approximately the minimum level.
Top up the brake fluid at the next op-
portunity. Refer to page 141. Have
the cause of the brake fluid loss diag-
nosed and corrected by your BMW
center.
>SELFLEVEL. SUSP. INACT
Please consult the nearest authorized
BMW center. Refer to page 125.
>SPEED LIMIT
*
You will see this message if the pro-
grammed speed limit has been ex-
ceeded.Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds
when the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 2. The warning symbols remain
after the message disappears. You can
call up the messages again for display
by pressing the CHECK button.
>TRUNKLID OPEN
This message appears only at the
start of a trip.
>DOOR OPEN
This message appears after a mini-
mal defined road speed has been
exceeded.
>FASTEN SEAT BELTS
*
In addition to this message, an indi-
cator lamp with the safety belt icon
appears and an acoustical signal is
sounded.
>WASHER FLUID LOW
The fluid level is too low; top up at
the next opportunity. Refer to
page 136.
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
Add engine oil as soon as possible.
Refer to page 137.>OUTSIDE TEMP. +23 7 (Ð5 6)
This display is only an example. The
current temperature is displayed at
outside temperatures of +37.5 7
(+3 6) and below. Refer also to
page 74.
>CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS
A lamp has failed or the electrical
circuit has a fault. Refer to pages 157
and 158 or consult an authorized
BMW center.
>CHECK LOWBEAM LIGHTS
CHECK SIDE LIGHTS
CHECK REAR LIGHTS
CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS
CHECK LICPLATE LIGHTS
CHECK HIGHBEAM LIGHTS
CHECK BACK UP LIGHTS
Defective bulb or circuit. Refer to
page 155 or consult an authorized
BMW center.

86n
Side lamps (side marker lamps)
With the switch in this position,
the front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on. For
lighting on one side for parking: refer to
page 87.
Low beams
When the ignition is switched off
and the low beams are on, only
the side lamps (side marker
lamps) remain on.
530us051
LIGHTS ON warning In ignition key position 0, a buzzer
sounds for a few seconds after the
driver's door is opened if the head-
lamps have not been switched off
.
On vehicles with alphanumeric Check
Control
*:
The reminder is given through the
Check Control.
Daytime-driving lamp
*
The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daylight driving at
ignition key position 2. Turn the rotary dial to adjust the illumi-
nation intensity.
530us052
Side lamps/Low beams Instrument lightning

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
107n
Cargo area Fold the rear backrests down Reach into the recess and pull forward
(arrow ).
The rear backrest is divided into two
sections (one-third and two-thirds of
the width of the seat). You can fold
either section of the backrest down
separately in order to increase the
capacity of the cargo area.
When you close the backrest, be
sure that the catch engages se-
curely. The red warning indicator disap-
pears in the recess when the retainer is
locked.
The center safety belt can be retracted
only when the larger backrest is en-
gaged.< 530us076
Cargo area cover Pull the cover out by the handle and
hook it in the rear holders.
You can carry light objects such as arti-
cles of clothing on the cover.
Do not place heavy or hard ob-
jects on the cover. If you do so,
they could pose a danger to vehicle
occupants during a braking or evasive
maneuver.<
Before you slide it back into position,
place the grip in the rear fold of the
cover. 530us079
When the cover is pulled out, it can be
opened behind the rear-seat backrest
to gain access to the cargo area from
the rear seats during a trip, for example.
For removing the cover: refer to the
next page. 530us154

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
125n
Winter operation Power steering Level control system

Skid control Release the accelerator pedal. Coun-
tersteer carefully and attempt to regain
control of the vehicle.Parking Place the selector lever in "Park." and
apply the parking brake when parking
on inclined surfaces. In order to prevent
the parking brake linings from locking
due to frost or corrosion, dry them by
gently applying the parking brake as the
vehicle is coming to a stop. Make sure
that following traffic is not endangered.
The brake lamps do not light up
when the parking brake is ap-
plied.<
If there is a change in steering response
(difficult steering, for example) or, espe-
cially on vehicles with Servotronic
*, if
the steering "drifts" or "floats" at in-
creasing speeds:
Have your authorized BMW center in-
spect this system as soon as possible.
If the power steering fails, in-
creased effort will be required to
steer the vehicle.<
The warning lamp for the level
control system comes on, or the
message LEVEL CONTROL IN-
ACTIVE appears in the Check Control
*:
There is a malfunction in the level con-
trol system.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If it is
riding significantly lower in the rear than
in the front, or if it is sitting at an incline
(left rear compared to right rear), con-
sult the nearest authorized BMW cen-
ter. Drive with appropriate caution in
the meantime, especially if you are driv-
ing under poor road-surface conditions.
The vehicle has reduced ground clear-
ance or driving comfort is noticeably re-
duced.
Even if the attitude of the vehicle is nor-
mal, you should consult the nearest au-
thorized BMW center if the warning
lamp indicates a system fault.

150n
OBD interface socket The Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) inter-
face socket is located on the left of the
driver's side at the bottom of the instru-
ment panel and under a cover.
The cover has the letters "OBD" on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to
ensure proper operation of the emis-
sion control system for the vehicle's
lifetime. The system monitors emission-
related components and systems for
deterioration and malfunction. 530us105
An illuminated lamp informs you
of the need for service, not of
the need to stop the vehicle.
However, the systems should be
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
Under certain conditions, the indicator
will blink or flash. This indicates a rather
severe level of engine misfire. When
this occurs, you should reduce speed
and consult the nearest BMW center as
soon as possible. Severe engine misfire
over only a short period of time can
seriously damage emission control
components, especially the catalytic
converter.
Warning lamp, Service Engine
Soon for Canadian models.
When the filler cap is not properly
tightened, the OBD system can
detect the vapor leak and the indicator
will light up. If the filler cap is subse-
quently tightened, the indicator should
go out within a few days.<

172n
Towing the vehicle
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it is no longer
possible to control vehicle response.<
Tow-starting It is not possible to start the engine of a
vehicle equipped with automatic trans-
mission by towing or pushing.
For instructions on jump starting: refer
to page 170.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another car. If you do so, damage
to the energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.
Towing 1 Place the selector lever in "Neutral".
2 Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph (70 km/h).
3 Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km).
4 Leave the ignition key at position 1 to
ensure that the brake lamps, turn sig-
nals, horn and windshield wipers re-
main operative, and to prevent the
steering lock detent from engaging.
5 Switch on the hazard-warning system
(comply with country-specific regula-
tions).
Find some means of identifying the ve-
hicle in tow, for instance, place a sign
or warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key re-
mains in position 1 even when the
electrical system has failed. This will
prevent the steering lock from engag-
ing. The steering and brakes are with-
out power assist when the engine is not
running. This means that increased ef-
fort is required for steering and brak-
ing.<
Towing with a commercial tow
truck >Do not tow with sling-type equip-
ment.
>Use a wheel lift or flat bed carrier.
>Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.< 530us138