check engine light BMW X5 XDRIVE 48I 2009 E70 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2009, Model line: X5 XDRIVE 48I, Model: BMW X5 XDRIVE 48I 2009 E70Pages: 317, PDF Size: 9.56 MB
Page 15 of 317

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Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different combinations and colors.
Some lamps are tested for proper function by 
briefly lighting up during starting of the engine 
or when the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the dis-
played indicator and warning lamps.
Additional information, e.g. on the cause of a 
malfunction and on the corresponding need to 
take action can be disp layed via the Check Con-
trol, refer to page 85. In the case of corresponding urgency, this infor-
mation is displayed immediately when the 
related lamp lights up.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator la
mps indicate that cer-
tain functions are activated:
With parking brake set 67
With parking brake set for Canadian 
models
Fog lamps 112
High beams/headlamp flasher 112
Lamp flashes: 
DSC or DTC controls the drive and 
braking forces for maintaining vehicle 
stability 97
Exhaust-gas values 264
Exhaust values fo r Canadian models 
Page 42 of 317

Opening and closing
40
>
The engine can only be started if the vehicle 
detects that the remote  control is located in 
the vehicle.
Comparison with ordinary remote 
control
You can control the functions mentioned previ-
ously with the comfort access or by pressing 
the buttons on the remote control. Therefore, 
please familiarize yourself with the information 
on opening and closing beginning on page 28 
beforehand.
The special features when using comfort 
access are described in the following.
Should a short delay occur when opening 
or closing the windows or the glass sun-
roof
*/panorama glass sunroof*, the system 
checks whether a remote  control is located in 
the vehicle. Please repeat opening or closing if 
necessary. <
Releasing
Completely grasp a door handle, arrow 1. 
This corresponds to pressing the   button.
Locking
Touch the area highlighted in the picture, 
arrow 2, with your finger for approx. 1 second.
This corresponds to pressing the   but-
ton.
Please make sure that all electronic sys-
tems/consumers are sw itched off before 
locking to save the battery. <
Comfort closing
Hold a finger or the back of a hand on the sur-
face, arrow2.
The windows and the glass sunroof
*/panorama 
glass sunroof
* are closed.
Watch during the closing process to be 
sure that no one is injured. Removing the 
hand from the door handle immediately stops 
the closing process. <
Opening liftgate
Press the button on the liftgate. 
This corresponds to pr essing the   button.
If a remote control acci dentally left in the 
cargo bay is detected in the locked vehi-
cle after the liftgate is closed, then the liftgate 
opens again. The hazard warning flashers flash 
and a signal
* sounds. <
Switching on radio readiness
By briefly pressing the  Start/Stop button, you 
switch on the radio readiness, refer to page 65.
When doing so, do not depress the brake 
pedal, otherwise the engine will start.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine  or switch on the igni-
tion if a remote control is located in the interior 
of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 65.
As long as no remote co ntrol is detected in the 
vehicle, it is only possible to restart the engine 
within approx. 10 seconds after it is switched off 
if no door has been opened.
Switching off engine
> Remote control not in ignition lock:
After switching off the  engine, the transmis-
sion is automatically switched into trans-
mission position P.
> Remote control in ignition lock:
If transmission position N is engaged, the 
transmission remains in this position after 
the engine is switched off. 
Page 43 of 317

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Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle can roll if you proceed according to 
the following steps:
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2. Depress brake pedal.
3. Engage transmission position N.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Switch off the engine.
6. Leave the remote control in the ignition 
lock.
Malfunction
The comfort access function may malfunction 
due to local radio waves. Then open or close the 
vehicle with the buttons on the remote control 
or with a key. To start the engine following this, 
insert the remote control in the ignition lock.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when an attempt is 
made to start the engine: starting the 
engine is not possible. The remote control is 
not in the vehicle or has a malfunction. Take 
along the remote control into the vehicle or 
have it checked. Insert another remote control 
into the ignition lock if necessary.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when  the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer in the vehicle. After switching off the 
engine, the engine can only be started again 
within approx. 10 seconds if no door has been 
opened.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
Replace the battery of  the remote control.
Replacing battery
The remote control for comfort access contains 
a battery which must be replaced if necessary.
1.Remove integrated key from remote con-
trol, refer to page 28.
2. Remove cover. 3.
Lay in new battery with  positive side facing 
upward.
4. Press cover closed.
Dispose of used batteries at a collection 
point or at your BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center. <
Windows
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the windows and keep them in 
your field of vision until they are shut. 
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherw ise children could, for 
example, operate the windows and injure them-
selves. <
Opening, closing
>Press switch to resistance point: 
The window continues to open as long as 
you keep the switch pressed.
> Press switch beyond resistance point: 
The window opens automatically. Pressing 
the switch again stops the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch. 
Page 81 of 317

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Tachometer
Do not operate the engine with the needle in the 
red overspeed zone of the gauge, refer to arrow. 
At high revs in this range, the flow of fuel is 
interrupted to protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
Should the coolant, and with it the engine 
become too hot, a warning lamp lights up. In 
addition, a message appears on the Control 
Display.
Checking coolant level, refer to page262.
Engine oil temperature*
When the engine is at operating temperature, 
the engine oil temperature is between approx. 
170 7/80 6 and approx. 250 7/120 6.
When the engine oil temperature is too high, a 
warning lamp lights up in  the instrument panel.
Energy control*
Displays the current fuel consumption. This 
allows you to see whethe r your current driving 
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions. 
Page 93 of 317

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Technology for comfort, convenience and 
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking. 
Acoustic signals and an optical displays
 alert 
you to the approach of an object in front of
* or 
behind your vehicle. To  measure the distance, 
there are four ultrasonic sensors in each 
bumper. The range of these sensors is approx. 
7 ft/2 m. But an acoustic warning only sounds at 
approx. 24 in/60 cm for the sensors at the 
front
* and at the two rear corners and at approx. 
5 ft/1,50 m for the middle sensors at the rear.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually th e case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an obje ct  a t  h i g h s p e e d ,  o t h -
erwise the physical circumstances would mean 
that the system warning was too late. <
Automatic activation
Whenever the engine is running or the ignition 
i s  o n ,  e a c h  t i m e  y o u  m o v e the selector lever into 
position R, the PDC syst em is activated after 
approx. 1 second.
Wait this short period before driving off.
Manual activation
Press the button, the LED lights up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Automatic deactivation
After driving approx. 165 ft/50 m or at over 
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system is 
switched off and the LED goes out. You can 
reactivate the system manually as needed.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, the position is corre-
spondingly indicated by  an interval tone. Thus, 
an object detected to the  left rear of the vehicle 
will be indicated by a sign al tone from the left 
rear speaker, etc. As the distance between 
vehicle and object decreases, the intervals 
between the tones become  shorter. If the dis-
tance to the nearest ob ject falls to below 
roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then  a continuous tone 
sounds.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds:
> if you remain in front  of an object that was 
only detected by one of the corner sensors
> if you drive parallel to a wall
Adjusting
You can adjust the volume  of the warning tones 
if the vehicle is equipped with a single drive, 
refer to page 90.
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a message 
appears on the Control Display. PDC is mal-
functioning. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors 
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure 
that they will continue to  operate effectively. Do 
not spray the sensors with high-pressure clean-
ers for long periods and maintain a distance of 
at least 4 in/10 cm to them. 
Page 103 of 317

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5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "FTM" is  selected and press 
the controller.
6. Start the engine, but do not start driving.
7. Select "Reset" and press the controller.
8. Select "Yes" and press the controller. The 
message "resetting FTM …" is displayed.
9. Start to drive.
The initialization finishes during driving.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red. A 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, an acoustic signal 
sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation 
pressure loss.
If you have deactivated DS C, it will be activated 
automatically.
1. Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h.
In case of further air loss of the defective 
wheel, its position will be indicated to you 
on the Control Display.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires as provided at the factory,  refer to page
256, do not continue driving. 
Continuing to drive with a flat tire could 
cause severe accidents. <
2. At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If the tire inflation pressure in all four 
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor 
may not have been initialized. The system 
must then be initialized. <
3. In the event of complete  tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guide values:
> With a light load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km
> With a medium load: 
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 
4 persons without luggage: 
approx. 95 miles/150 km
> With a full load: 
4 or more persons, cargo bay full: 
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed 
speeds of 50 mph/80 km/h or else you 
run the risk of causing an accident. In the event 
of pressure loss, vehicl e handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distance and altered natural 
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations or  loud noises occur while 
the vehicle is being driven , this can indicate final 
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and 
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible, 
otherwise pieces of the tire could become 
detached and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact the BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. <
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
The concept
TPM checks the tire inflation pressure in the 
four mounted tires. The system reports when  
Page 105 of 317

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6.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
7. Select "Reset" and press the controller.
8. Select "Yes" and press the controller.
9. Start to drive.
The tires are shown in gray and "Resetting 
TPM..." is displayed.
After a few minutes of driving, the set tire infla-
tion pressures in the tire s are applied as the set 
values to be monitored.  Resetting finishes dur-
ing driving. The tires ar e shown in green on the 
Control Display.
If a flat tire is detected during resetting 
and applying the tire inflation pressures, 
all tires are shown in yellow on the Control Dis-
play. The message "Tir e low!" is displayed.<
Message with low tire inflation 
pressure
The warning lamp lights up yellow. A 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, an acoustic signal 
sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation 
pressure loss.
1. Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h. If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires as provided at the factory, 
refer to page 256, do not continue driving. 
Continuing to drive with a flat tire could 
cause severe accidents. <
2. In the event of complete  tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guide values:
> With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
> With a medium load:
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km
> With a full load:
4 or more persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed 
speeds of 50 mph/80 km/h or else you 
run the risk of causing an accident. In the event 
of pressure loss, vehicl e handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distance and altered natural 
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations or  loud noises occur while 
the vehicle is being driven , this can indicate final 
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and 
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible, 
otherwise pieces of the tire could become 
detached and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact the BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. <
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and 
then lights up continuously. The tires 
are shown in gray on the Control Dis-
play and a message is displayed. No flat tire can 
be detected.
A message like this is displayed in the following 
situations:
> In case of a malfunction:
Have the system checked 
Page 146 of 317

Things to remember when driving
144
Driving on poor roads
Your BMW is at home on all roads and surfaces. 
It combines a 4-wheel drive system with the 
advantages of a normal passenger car.Do not drive on unpaved terrain, as other-
wise the vehicle may be damaged. <
When you are driving on poor roads, there are a 
few points which you shou ld strictly observe for 
your own safety, for that  of your passengers, 
and for the safety of the vehicle:
> Familiarize yourself wi th the vehicle before 
driving off and avoid taking risks at all costs.
> Adapt your driving spee d to the road condi-
tions. The steeper and rougher the road 
surface is, the lower  the speed should be.
> If you want to drive on very steep uphill or 
downhill gradients, ma ke sure beforehand 
that the engine oil and coolant levels are 
near the MAX mark, refer to page 259.
BMW X5: you can operate your vehicle on 
uphill and downhill gradients with a maxi-
mum slope of 50 %.
> On very steep downhill slopes, use Hill 
Descent Control HDC, refer to page 98. 
BMW X5: it is possible to start off on inclines 
of up to 33 %. The permissible body roll is 
50 %.
> While driving, watch carefully for obstacles 
such as rocks or holes. Try to avoid these 
obstacles whenev er possible.
> Make sure that the undercarriage does not 
touch the ground, for example on crests and 
bumpy roads. The ground clearance of the 
vehicle is a maximum of approx. 8 in/20 cm. 
Please note that the ground clearance can 
vary depending on lo ading and the driving 
conditions of the vehicle.
> Only drive through road  surface water up to 
a maximum water depth of
> BMW X5 20 in/50 cm
> BMW X6 17 in/45 cm
and only drive at walking speed; do not 
remain stationary. >
After driving through water at low speed, 
lightly press the brake pedal several times 
to dry the brakes and to prevent the braking 
effect from being  reduced by wetness.
> Depending on the condition of the surface, 
it may be practical to briefly activate DTC, 
refer to DTC Dynamic Traction Control on 
page 97.
> If the drive wheels spin on one side, depress 
the accelerator pedal su fficiently so that the 
driving stability control systems can distrib-
ute the drive forces to the individual wheels.
Please note the following points after driving on 
poor roads to maintain the driving safety of your 
BMW:
> Clean the coarsest dirt from the body.
> Clean mud, snow, ice etc. from the wheels 
and tires and check the tires for damage. 
Page 266 of 317

Maintenance
264
Socket for OBD Onboard 
Diagnostics interface
Components which are decisive for the 
exhaust-gas composition can be checked via 
the OBD socket with a device.
This socket is located to  the left on the driver's 
side, on the underside of the instrument cluster 
under a cover.
Exhaust-gas values
The warning lamp lights up:
The vehicle is producing an elevated 
amount of exhaust emissions. Contin-
ued driving is possible. Have it checked at your 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center as soon as 
possible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction in Canadian models.
The lamp flashes under ce rtain conditions. This 
is a sign of excessive misfiring of the engine. In 
this case, you should reduce your speed and 
proceed to the nearest  BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center. Heavy engine misfiring causes 
serious damage to the emission-relevant com-
ponents, especially th e catalytic converter, 
within a short time.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system will assume that 
fuel vapor escapes. Then a display lights up. If 
the cap is then tightened,  the display will go out 
within a few days. <
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with 
a device for recording or transmitting certain 
v e hi c l e  d a t a  o r  i n f o r m a t i o n .  I f  y o u h a v e  a l s o  s u b -
scribed to BMW Assist, ce rtain vehicle data can 
be transmitted or reco rded to enable corre-
sponding services. 
Page 279 of 317

Mobility
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2.Guide the jack head into the rectangular 
recess of the jacking point when cranking 
up, refer to illustration detail.
3. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are 
changing is raised from the ground.
Mounting a wheel
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the 
wheel.
2. Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from 
the mounting surfaces  of the wheel and 
hub. Also clean the lug bolts.
3. Position the new wheel or compact wheel. 
Secure the wheel by sc rewing at least two 
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes.
When you mount wheels other than Genu-
ine BMW light-alloy wheels, different lug 
bolts may also be required.
4. Screw in the remaining  lug bolts. Tighten all 
the bolts securely in a diagonal pattern.
5. Lower the vehicle and remove the jack from 
beneath the vehicle.
After mounting
1.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
To ensure safety,  always have the 
lug bolts checked with a calibrated 
torque wrench as soon as possible to 
ensure that they are  tightened to the speci-
fied torque. Otherwis e, incorrectly tight-
ened lug bolts are a hidden safety risk. The 
tightening torque is 101 lb ft/140 Nm. <
2. Stow the defective wheel in the cargo bay.
The defective wheel cannot be stored 
under the floor panel flap due to its 
size. < 3.
Check and correct the ti re inflation pressure 
at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems  with valve screw 
caps against dirt and contamination. 
Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source of 
gradual air loss. <
4. Initialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to 
page 100, or reset the Tire Pressure Moni-
tor, refer to page 102.
5. Replace the damaged tire  as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. Otherwise, 
changes in the driving characteristics could 
result, for example reduced track stability on 
braking, extended brakin g distance, and altered 
self-steering characterist ics in the limit range. 
In conjunction with wint er tires, these charac-
teristics are more pronounced. <
Only one compact wheel may be 
mounted. Restore the wheels and tires to 
their original size as quickly as possible. Failure 
to do so is a safety risk. <
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % main tenance-free, i.e., the 
electrolyte will last for  the life of the battery 
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center 
will be glad to advise in  all matters concerning 
the battery.
Charging battery
Only charge the battery  in the vehicle via the 
terminals in the engine compartment with the 
engine switched off. Connections, refer to 
Jump starting on page 280.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of following 
replacement at your BMW Sports Activity