Operation, maintenance -> General driving notes for your BMW X5 2000-2006

General driving notes  
137n  
Otherwise there is a danger of ignition  
and of a fire with the risk of serious inju-  
ries and damage.<  
Closing liftgate/tailgate  
Road hazards  
Operate the vehicle only when the  
tailgate and liftgate are completely  
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes  
could enter into the passenger com-  
partment.<  
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  
Portable phone in vehicle  
BMW advises against using  
mobile radio devices such as por- low profile tires, can be damaged.<  
table phones inside the vehicle unless  
However, if special circumstances  
should make it absolutely necessary  
to operate the vehicle with the liftgate/  
tailgate open:  
they are directly connected to the  
external antenna. Otherwise, it is  
For more information on wheels and  
tires, refer to page 144.  
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 vehicle.<  
Before driving into a car wash  
1. Close all windows and the panorama  
glass sunroof  
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to  
page 54, as otherwise they could be  
damaged due to the width of the vehi-  
cle.  
2. Increase the air supply for the air  
conditioner or automatic climate  
control to a high level, refer to  
page 108 or 112.  
When vehicle is parked  
Hydroplaning  
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.  
Hot exhaust system  
When driving on wet or slushy  
roads, reduce road speed. If you  
Extreme temperatures occur at  
the catalytic converter on this and  
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-  
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  
Brakes  
Do not drive with your foot resting cle.<  
on the brake pedal. Even light but  
possible contact between a hot exhaust consistent pedal pressure can lead to  
system and any highly flammable mate- excessively high temperatures, brake  
rials such as hay, leaves, grass etc.  
wear and possibly even brake failure.<