ground clearance BMW X5 4.4I 2005 E53 Owner's Manual

98n
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 effect 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 warning lamp in the button goes
out during HDC operation or does not
light up when the HDC is activated:
HDC is temporarily not available as
brake temperature is too high. 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
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

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Driving your X5>Please note that, for example on
crests and bumpy roads, the body
can make ground contact.
The ground clearance of the vehicle
is:
– 8 in/20 cm with up to four persons
– 7 in/18 cm fully loaded, without
level control
>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 page100.
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 In recommending that you observe the
following points after driving on adverse
road surfaces, it is not as a beauty
treatment for your BMW. Instead, it is
intended for the maintenance of driving
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.

Everything from A to Z
189n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
For information on breaking
in the differential, refer to
Engine and differential136
Front airbags57
Front fog lamps105
replacing bulbs161
Fuel
average
consumption83,90
display78
quality26
volume, refer to
Capacities181
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gage78
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gage78
Fuel filler door24
manual operation24
Fuel tank capacity, refer to
Capacities181
Fuel-saving driving, refer to
Energy control77
Fuses169
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal
remote control117
Gasoline display, refer to
Fuel gage78Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality26
Gear display67
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission66
General driving notes137
Glove compartment120
Grills, refer to
Ventilation109,114
Gross weight, refer to
Weights180
Ground clearance139
H
Hand lamp, refer to
Rechargeable
flashlight120
Handbrake66
indicator lamp19,21
Hands-free microphone,
refer to Portable
phone119
Hands-free system119
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control97
Head airbags57
Head restraints47
Headlamp control,
automatic103
Headlamp cover, care, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochureHeadlamp flasher70
indicator lamp22
Headlamp washer
reservoir150
volume, refer to Filling
capacities181
Headlamp washing system
headlamp washing72
washer fluid150
Headlamps
care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
replacing bulbs159
Heated mirrors54
Heated rear window
air conditioner108
automatic climate
control113
Heated seats52
Heated steering wheel53
Heating
exterior mirror54
rear window108,113
seats52
steering wheel53
Heating and
ventilation107,110
Heating while stationary113
Heavy cargo, refer to
Loading132
Heavy-duty cargo straps,
refer to Cargo loading132Height adjustment
seats45,46
steering wheel52
Height, refer to
Dimensions179
High beams104
headlamp flasher70
indicator lamp22
replacing bulbs160
High temperatures137
Hill Descent Control HDC97
Hills138,140
Holder for cups121
Hood148
Horn14
Hot exhaust system137
Hotel function30
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC94
Hydraulic system, brakes19
Hydroplaning137,145
I
Ice warning76
Identification, tire143
Ignition64
Ignition key30
Ignition lock64
Immobilizer function91
Imprint4