BMW 2007X5 3.0si Owner's Handbook Manual page 134

immediately. Only attempt to steer out of the
situation if this is absolutely essential, and make
any steering movements as cautiously as pos-
sible and without endangering other road users.
Trailer Stability Control*
The system helps you to neutralise a trailer's
tendency to swing from side to side. It detects
snaking and automatically brakes the car
promptly so that the car is no longer in a critical
road-speed range and the trailer is stabilised.
The system functions whenever the car is tow-
ing a trailer and the power socket for the trailer
is connected, starting at a speed of approx.
65 km/h, approx. 40 mph.
If the power socket for the trailer is in use but no
trailer is attached, due to the use of a bicycle
carrier with lights, for example, the system may
still be operational in extreme driving situations.
The system is unable to intervene if the trailer
jack-knifes, e.g. on roads that are slippery or on
loose ground. Trailers with a high centre of
gravity can tip over before a swinging motion is
detected.
The system is not operational if DSC is deacti-
vated or malfunctioning, see page 83.
Uphill gradients
In the interest of safety and to avoid holding up
other traffic, do not attempt to climb gradients
steeper than 12Ξ when towing a trailer. If a
supplementary permit for heavier trailer loads
has been obtained, the limit is 8Ξ, see
page 242.
Downhill gradients
Special care must be taken when descending
gradients, where a trailer is more susceptible to
snaking.
Before starting to descend in the automatic
transmission's manual mode, always change
down to the next-lower gear, if necessary as far
as 1st gear, and drive down the hill slowly.
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Driving on rough tracks
Your X5 will feel at home on all kinds of roads
and tracks. It combines four-wheel drive with
the benefits of a conventional passenger car.
Do not drive over rough terrain, otherwise
the vehicle could incur
For your own safety and that of your passen-
gers, and to protect your car against damage,
observe the following points carefully when
driving on rough tracks:
> Familiarise yourself with the vehicle before
setting out in it, and never consciously take
risks.
> Adapt your speed to the road conditions.
The steeper and more uneven the road, the
slower you should drive.
> The car can handle ascents and descents at
gradients of up to 50%. If you wish to drive
on such steep gradients, first check that the
engine oil and coolant levels are close to the
MAX mark, see page 220.
>
Use Hill Descent Control HDC for steep
descents, see page 84. It is possible to drive
off on uphill gradients of up to 33%.
The maximum lateral incline is 50%.
> Watch out for obstructions such as stones
and potholes, and try to drive round them if
possible.
>
When driving over crests and on bumpy
roads, avoid causing the car's underbody to
make contact with the surface. The car's
maximum ground clearance is approx.
20 cm, approx. 8 in. Please note that the
ground clearance may vary according to the
car's load and operating conditions.
> Do not drive through water on roads deeper
than 50 cm, approx. 20 in; proceed at walk-
ing pace, but do not stop.
On cars with an auxiliary heater
drive through water deeper than 25 cm,
approx. 10 in.
> After driving through water, press the foot-
brake several times at low speed; this will
generate enough heat to dry the brakes off
damage.<
*
, do not