BMW X5: Chassis components, Two-axle self-leveling suspension

Chassis components

The chassis components are optimized for the vehicle and its application range and thereby ensure the best possible Driving Dynamics.

Two-axle self-leveling suspension

Principle

Air suspension ensures best possible driving comfort under all load conditions. Due to a variable adjustment of the front and rear axles, the damping is adjusted to the vehicle state.

General information

Regardless of the load, the vehicle will be maintained at the configured vehicle level.

Depending on the driving situation, the vehicle level can be set to five levels.

• Entry level:
  Lowest vehicle level setting.

  The entry level can be set when the vehicle is stationary with the following features:

  • With the rocker switch in the center console.
  • With the BMW display key.
  • With the button in the lower section of the tailgate.

The vehicle will adjust according to the selected driving mode at drive-off.

• Sport level:
  Lowest vehicle level, for driving at higher speeds.
• Normal level:
  Standard level for normal roads and speeds.
• High level 1:
  Slightly elevated vehicle level for easy terrain at reduced speed.

  If necessary, the vehicle will be lowered at higher speeds.

• High level 2:
  Highest vehicle level, for terrains with major uneven surfaces in the lowest speed range.

  If necessary, the vehicle will be lowered at higher speeds.

Level adjustment takes place when all doors are closed.

Safety information

Warning

Adjusting the vehicle height may result in trapped body parts or damaged vehicle parts.

There is a risk of injury or risk of damage to property. When adjusting the vehicle height, make sure that the areas of movement around the vehicle and at the wheel housing are free.

Overview

Rocker switch in the vehicle

Setting the level

With the rocker switch in the center console

Setting the level

Up:
Push the rocker switch forward.

In the low speed range, the vehicle is raised to next higher level when the rocker switch is pressed.

Down:
Pull the rocker switch backward.

The vehicle will lower by one level.

Display

• LED on the rocker switch lights up: display of the current level.
• LED on the rocker switch is flashing: adjustment procedure active. The vehicle raises or lowers itself.
• LED on the rocker switch flashes fast: the selected level is not possible at this time.
• All LEDs on the rocker switch are flashing: system is initializing. The selected level will be adjusted after the initialization where required.

Automatic

While driving

In the SPORT driving mode, SPORT+ driving mode or at higher speeds, the vehicle lowers itself automatically.

When a set vehicle level is exited due to the speed, the vehicle level will be adjusted according to the selected driving mode.

In the event of a flat tire

When a loss of the tire inflation pressure is detected on a wheel, the wheel load will be reduced automatically to increase the possible range of travel. In this situation, only the normal level is available.

With the BMW display key

Principle

The vehicle level can be adjusted with the BMW display key when the vehicle is stationary, for instance for easier loading or as an entry aid.

Setting the level

1. Apply parking brake and switch drive-ready state off using the Start/Stop button.

2. Closing the doors.

3. If necessary, switch on the display on the BMW display key and cancel the display lock.

4. On the BMW display key, change to the following menu: "Entry level".

5. "Height control"

6.

• "Lower": tap the button. The vehicle lowers itself to the entry level.

  For safety reasons, lowering is only possible from the normal level or the Sport level.

• "Raise": tap the button. The vehicle will raise itself from the entry level according to the selected driving mode.

Terminating the adjustment procedure

An adjustment procedure that was started on the BMW display key can be terminated with the BMW display key.

"Cancel": tap the button. The vehicle raises or lowers itself back to the starting level.

With the button in the lower tailgate

When the tailgate is opened, the vehicle can be lowered to the entry level and raised again by pressing the button. The flashing of the LED in the button indicates the level change.

During the raising procedure, the vehicle raises itself from the entry level to the level that was selected last or the normal level.

Terminating the adjustment procedure

An adjustment procedure that was started with the button in the lower tailgate can be terminated with this button.

Press the button again. The vehicle raises or lowers itself back to the starting level.

System limits

• It is not possible to change the level during sporty driving.
• It may not be possible to change the level if the axles are limited.
• It may only be possible to lift the vehicle level while the engine is running.
• If the state of charge of the vehicle battery is too low, a level change may not be possible.
• If level adjustment is activated frequently in quick succession, the system switches off to prevent overheating and is temporarily unavailable or operates with a delay. Let the system cool down, if needed.

  The rapidly flashing LED on the rocker switch indicates that the system is unavailable.

• If the load is increased, the highest driving level may be disabled or automatically exited in order to protect the system.
• When the trailer power socket is in use or when trailer towing is activated, only the normal level is available.

Wheel change

Before a wheel change, deactivate the system: Press the rocker switch forward or pull it backward for approx. 7 seconds. After the rocker switch is released, the LED indicator on the rocker switch will go out.

Activating the system: press the rocker switch forward or pull it backward for approx. 7 seconds.

After the rocker switch is released, the LED indicator will reactivate.

Malfunction

A Check Control message is displayed. The system is impaired. Vehicle handling may be altered and driving comfort may be noticeably reduced.

Visit the nearest dealer's service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.

Long periods when vehicle is parked

During long periods when the vehicle is parked, it can lower itself. This is not a malfunction.

When the drive-ready state is switched on with the doors closed, the vehicle is raised to the normal level automatically.

Depending on the state of the vehicle, raising to normal level may take several minutes.

READ NEXT: