General Driving Notes - BMW X5 2005 Owner's Manual

General driving notes

Closing liftgate/tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the
tailgate and liftgate are completely
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes
could enter into the passenger com-
partment.<
However, if special circumstances
should make it absolutely necessary
to operate the vehicle with the liftgate/
tailgate open:
1. Close all windows and the panorama
glass sunroof
2. Increase the air supply for the air
conditioner or automatic climate
control to a high level, refer to
page 108 or 112.
Hot exhaust system
Extreme temperatures occur at
the catalytic converter on this and
every catalyst-equipped vehicle. Do not
remove the heat shields installed adja-
cent to various sections of the exhaust
system, and never apply undercoating
to them. When driving, standing at idle
and while parking take care to avoid
possible contact between a hot exhaust
system and any highly flammable mate-
rials such as hay, leaves, grass etc.
Otherwise there is a danger of ignition
and of a fire with the risk of serious inju-
ries and damage.<
Portable phone in vehicle
BMW advises against using
mobile radio devices such as por-
table phones inside the vehicle unless
they are directly connected to the
external antenna. Otherwise, it is
impossible to prevent a mutual interfer-
ence of the vehicle electronics with the
portable phone device. Also, there is no
guarantee that the radiation generated
by the transmission will be conveyed
out from the interior of the
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air condi-
tioner system during operation, and
then exits under the vehicle. Traces of
water on the ground are therefore nor-
mal.
Brakes
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light but
consistent pedal pressure can lead to
excessively high temperatures, brake
wear and possibly even brake
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 158 701 - © 10/04 BMW AG
Road hazards
If road hazards, obstacles or curbs
are unavoidable, only drive over
them very slowly and carefully, as oth-
erwise the wheels and suspension
parts, especially on vehicles fitted with
low profile tires, can be
For more information on wheels and
tires, refer to page 144.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to
page 54, as otherwise they could be
damaged due to the width of the vehi-
vehicle.<
cle.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy
roads, reduce road speed. If you
do not, a wedge of water can form
between tires and road surface. This
state can cause a partial or total loss of
contact with the road surface, of brak-
ing control and of control over the vehi-
cle.<
failure.<
137n
damaged.<