Switches in the car interior (BMW X5 E53)

Central panel keys

The central panel keys are located under the control unit of the heating and ventilation unit/air conditioner and are arranged in one row, there are seven of them (from left to right), which perform the following functions:

• — driver's seat heating regulator;
• - HDC system activation (exchange rate stability);
• - activation of the DSC system;
• - opening the trunk lid;
• - activation of the PDC (parking) system;
• - inclusion of the RPA system (tire pressure);
• — turning on the front passenger seat heating.

There is a spare space between keys (6) and (7). All keys and switches function only when the ignition is on. Seat heating is switched on only if they are occupied by the driver or passenger. Outside mirror heating is switched on simultaneously with rear window heating. In cars equipped with air conditioning, rear window heating is automatically switched off after 10 minutes

The heating of the backrests and seats of the second row of the passenger compartment is switched on using similar controls located on the center console at the rear.

Switches are of the three-stage type, the transition between stages is carried out by briefly pressing the key. Holding the key down for a long time turns off the heating.

Changing the angle of the headlights

Changing the headlight angle is directly related to the vehicle load. The adjustment ensures optimal illumination of the road and does not blind oncoming drivers. The BMW X5 E53 headlight angle adjuster is located on the front panel, to the left of the steering column (Fig. 1.21).





The switch position corresponds to the following vehicle load:

• "O" - driver and one passenger, no luggage;
• "1" - driver and four passengers, no luggage;
• "1" - driver and four passengers, with luggage;
• "2" - driver and full trunk. If the car is moving with a trailer, then:
• "1" - driver and one passenger, no luggage;
• "1" - driver, four passengers without luggage;
• "2" - driver and four passengers with luggage;
• "2" - driver and full trunk.

On a car with adjustable ground clearance at any level of loading - position "O". The exception is the option with one driver, a full trunk and driving with a trailer - position "1". All this with strict observance of the norms of permissible load on the rear axle, no more than 1630 kg.

When installing xenon headlights, an automatic dynamic headlight leveling system is provided, which is an additional function and is installed upon request.

Switches

The vehicle control system uses packet, lever and push-button (key) switches, as well as rheostat-type regulators.

Parking lights and low beam

The lighting and headlights are controlled by a rotary switch (Fig. 1.22), located to the left of the instrument panel and has three positions (modes):

• the lights are off,
• parking lights;
• low beam:
• "take me home".

The headlights only light when the ignition is on. When the engine is started and after the ignition is turned off, the lights automatically switch to the parking lights.

Parking lights

Lights on all sides of the vehicle are switched on. Parking lights are used when parking. Parking lights can be switched on on only one side to produce parking lights (see below).

Low beam

If you turn off the ignition with the low beam on, only the parking lights will remain on.

"Take me home"

If you turn on the intermittent light signal after turning off the ignition and headlights, the low beam headlights will turn on for a while. At your request, this function can be disabled at the service station.

Warning about lights not turned off

If, after turning the key to position "0", you open the driver's door without turning off the lights first, a short sound signal will sound to remind you of this.

On a vehicle with a text display, the reminder is reinforced by the message SAD - "Check Lowbeam Lights" (Check the low beam headlights).

Constant low beam

If desired, the light switch can be left in the low beam position. When the ignition is turned off, the external lighting will go out.



If necessary, you can turn on the parking lights as described above.

Automatic headlight control

In this switch position, the low beam headlights turn on and off automatically, depending on the ambient light (tunnel, twilight, snow, rain). If you turn on the fog lights in addition to the automatically switched on external lighting, the external lighting will not switch off automatically.

Automatics are not able to assess the level of illumination better than the driver, because the sensors do not react to fog. In such cases, you must turn on the headlights yourself.