Controls and features -> Handbrake for your BMW X5 2000-2006

66nHandbrake  
Manual transmission  
If exceptional circumstances  
should make it necessary to  
engage the handbrake while the vehicle  
is in motion, do not pull it too strongly.  
In doing so, continuously press the but-  
ton of the handbrake lever.  
Excessive pressure can lead to over-  
braking and loss of traction – fishtailing  
– at the rear axle.  
The brake lamps do not light up when  
the handbrake is applied.  
Vehicles with manual transmission:  
Always engage the handbrake when  
parking on slopes and inclined sur-  
faces. Even placing the gearshift lever  
in 1st gear or reverse may not provide  
adequate resistance to rolling.  
Press the clutch pedal all the way down  
each time you shift, pressing the gear-  
shift lever into its proper end position.  
The handbrake is primarily intended to  
prevent the vehicle from rolling while  
parked; it brakes the rear wheels.  
Depress the clutch when starting the  
vehicle, too, otherwise, the interlock will  
prevent the engine from starting if the  
clutch is not depressed.  
Engaging  
Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
Place the selector lever in Park.<  
The lever engages automatically when  
you pull it up and the indicator lamp  
comes on in the instrument cluster in  
ignition key position 2, refer to  
pages 19, 21.  
To avoid corrosion, apply the hand-  
brake lightly from time to time when  
coasting to a standstill at a traffic signal,  
for instance, provided that it is safe to  
do so.  
While shifting in the 5th/6th gear  
lane, press the selector lever  
toward the right, as otherwise acciden-  
tal shifting into the 3rd or 4th gear could  
result in engine damage.<  
Releasing  
Pull up slightly on the lever, press the  
button and lower the lever.