
53n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Steering wheel Steering wheel heater
* 
Automatic steering wheel 
adjustmentonly in conjunction with seat, mirror and 
steering wheel memory 
In  or der  to m a ke it  e asie r t o get  in to an d  
out of the vehicle, the steering wheel 
automatically moves into the top posi-
tion and returns to the driving or mem-
ory position.
This automatic feature is controlled by 
the position of the ignition key and by 
the driver's door.
Steering wheel heater functions in igni-
tion key position 2. 
Press the button to activate or deacti-
vate this system. 
The indicator lamp within the button 
lights up when the steering wheel 
heater is in operation.
If your vehicle is not equipped with 
steering wheel heater, the button for 
the recirculated-air mode is located 
here, refer to page23.
530de235 

59n
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Airbags Transporting children safely Operational readiness of airbag 
system 
As of ignition key position 1, the 
warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up for a short time, 
thus indicating the operational readi-
ness of the entire airbag system and the 
safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
A fault has occurred in the air-
bag system:
>Warning lamp does not light up as of 
ignition key position 1
>Warning lamp lights up permanently.
Have the airbag system checked 
immediately if a malfunction 
occurs, as otherwise there is a danger 
of the system failing to respond in the 
expected manner to an impact occur-
ring within its normal response range.<
The right place for children Children always in the rear:
Accident research shows that the saf-
est place for children in a vehicle is in 
the rear seat.
Older children should be tightly secured 
with a safety belt, after they have out-
grown a booster seat that is appropriate 
for their age, height and weight.
If your vehicle is equipped with 
rear side airbags, do not allow 
children to lean towards the door trim, 
as serious injuries could occur if the 
side airbags were deployed and chil-
dren are too close to the airbags.< 
Deactivate rear side airbags:
Labels in the rear door opening should 
indicate the status of your rear seat side 
airbags. If you are uncertain of their sta-
tus, or wish to have the airbags acti-
vated or deactivated, please contact 
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle cen-
ter.
Child-restraint systems in the rear
Children under 13 years of age 
and children less than 5 ft/150 cm 
tall should always ride in the rear and 
the restraint systems should be prop-
erly restraint.< 
Younger children should be secured in 
an appropriate child-restraint system 
that has been first properly secured to 
the vehicle.
All rear sitting positions in your vehi-
cle meet the recommendations of 
SAE J1819, an industry-recommended 
practice for securing child-restraint sys-
tems in motor vehicles.
Exception for front passenger 
seat
Should it become necessary to 
use a child-restraint system on the 
front passenger seat, the front passen-
ger airbags must be deactivated. Your 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center will 
be happy to advise you on this sub-
ject.<  

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Vehicle Memory, Key Memory How the system functions You have probably frequently wished 
that you could configure individual 
functions of your vehicle to reflect your 
own personal requirements. In engi-
neering your vehicle, BMW has 
included several user-defined func-
tions in the vehicle's design. Your 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center can 
make these settings for you. 
There are vehicle and person-related 
adjustments: Vehicle Memory and Key 
Memory. You can have up to four differ-
ent basic positions configured for four 
different persons. The only requirement 
is that each person uses his or her own 
remote control key. 
When your vehicle is unlocked with the 
remote control, the vehicle recognizes 
the individual user by means of a data 
exchange with the key, and makes 
adjustments accordingly.
In order for you to distinguish between 
the master keys with remote control, 
color-coded decals are supplied 
together with the keys.
What the system can doYour BMW Sports Activity Vehicle cen-
ter can provide you with details on the 
capabilities of the Vehicle Memory and 
Key Memory systems.
You will see this symbol through-
out the Owner's Manual. It is to 
remind you at appropriate places of the 
settings that are available to you.<
Following configuration of the 
memory functions, vehicle opera-
tion may differ from the description in 
the Owner's Manual. Should you want 
to sell your BMW some day, please 
remember to have the memory func-
tions reset to the default state.<
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Various signals that can serve as 
acknowledgment for locking and 
unlocking the vehicle, refer to 
pages31, 33
>Deactivating/activating the Pathway 
lighting function, refer to page103.
Examples for Key Memory:
>Automatic adjustment of the driver's 
seat, exterior mirror and steering 
wheel with settings stored in the 
memory for the individual driver when 
the vehicle is unlocked, refer to 
page51
>Calling up customized settings for 
the automatic climate control when 
unlocking the vehicle, refer to 
page112. 

64n
Ignition lock  Starting engine Ignition key positions 0 Steering lock engaged
1Steering lock disengaged
2 Ignition on
3Starting engineSteering lock engaged The key can only be inserted or 
removed in this position. 
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until 
you hear the lock engage. 
If the key is not removed, an acoustic 
signal sounds after the driver's door is 
opened.390de010
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion: 
Only move the selector lever from posi-
tion P with the engine running. 
To turn the key back to position 0 or to 
remove it, first place the selector lever 
in position P: interlock.< 
Steering lock disengaged Slightly moving the steering often 
makes it easier to turn the key from 0 
to 1. 
Individual current consumers are ready 
for operation. Starting engine 
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: 
Depress the clutch pedal when starting 
the engine. If you do not, a lock pre-
vents the engine from starting.< 
Before starting >Engage the handbrake 
>Be sure that the gearshift lever is in 
Neutral or the selector lever in Park if 
the vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic transmission
>Press the clutch pedal. 
If the clutch pedal is not depressed, 
the engine cannot be started
>In vehicles with automatic transmis-
sions, depress the footbrake.
Do not run the engine in closed 
rooms, as otherwise the inhaling 
of toxic exhaust gases can cause 
unconsciousness and death. The 
exhaust gases contain carbon monox-
ide, an odorless and colorless, but 
highly toxic gas. 
Never leave an unattended vehicle with 
the engine running, as such a vehicle 
represents a potential safety hazard.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, 
always select neutral or the position P 
and engage the handbrake before leav-
ing the vehicle with the engine run-
ning.< 
When starting the engine, do not press 
the accelerator pedal.  

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
65n
Starting engine Switching off engineDo not allow the engine to warm up 
by leaving it running while the vehicle 
remains stationary. Instead, begin to 
drive immediately at a moderate engine 
speed. 
X5 3.0i:
Do not end the starting procedure 
too soon, however at the latest after 
approx. 20 seconds. Release the igni-
tion key immediately as soon as the 
engine starts. 
X5 4.4i, 4.8is: 
Your BMW is equipped with the conve-
nience starting feature. Here, it is suffi-
cient to turn the ignition key only briefly 
to position 3 'Start engine' and to let go 
of it right away. The starter actuation 
continues to operate automatically for a 
certain period of time and is stopped 
automatically as soon as the engine has 
started. 
The automatic starting mode will not 
operate or will be canceled if the bat-
tery voltage is insufficient. The engine 
can be jump started, refer to page171.Should the engine fail to start on the 
first attempt, if it is very hot or cold, for 
instance:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter. 
Cold starts at altitudes above 3,300 ft/
1,000 meters and at very low tempera-
tures, from approx. +57/–156: 
>For the initial starting attempt, allow 
the starter to remain engaged some-
what longer, approx. 10 seconds. 
Engine idle speed is controlled by the 
engine computer system. Increased 
speeds at startup are normal and 
should decrease as the engine warms 
up. If engine speed does not decrease, 
service is required. 
To prevent the battery from discharg-
ing, always switch off electrical devices 
that are not in use. Switch the ignition 
off when the vehicle is not being driven.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent 
or long periods with the starter 
engaged, can lead to damage of the 
catalytic converter.<
Manual transmission:
1. Turn the ignition key to position 1 
or 0.
2. Shift into first gear or reverse.
Automatic transmission:
1. Shift into selector lever position P.
2. Turn the ignition key to position 1 
or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key 
when the vehicle is moving, as 
otherwise the steering could lock.
When leaving the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key and lock the 
steering.
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. 
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in Park.< 
Vehicles with automatic transmission: 
The vehicle must be stationary and the 
selector lever in Park before you can 
remove the ignition key. 

66n
Handbrake Manual transmissionThe handbrake is primarily intended to 
prevent the vehicle from rolling while 
parked; it brakes the rear wheels.EngagingThe 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 
pages19, 21.Releasing Pull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button and lower the lever. 530de262
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. 
Vehicles with automatic transmission: 
Place the selector lever in Park.< 
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. 
Press the clutch pedal all the way down 
each time you shift, pressing the gear-
shift lever into its proper end position. 
Depress the clutch when starting the 
vehicle, too, otherwise, the interlock will 
prevent the engine from starting if the 
clutch is not depressed. 
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.< 380de044 

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67n
Manual transmission Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
Reverse Select only when the vehicle is station-
ary. Press the gearshift lever to the left 
to overcome the resistance. 
As you do this, the backup lamps will 
turn on automatically when the ignition 
key is in position 2. 
In addition to fully automatic operation, 
you can also manually shift with the 
Steptronic, refer to page69.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel 
consumption is lowest when driving in 
position D.
530us238
Selector lever positions 
P R N D M/S 
The transmission range display varies 
according to the equipment of your 
vehicle. 
Starting engine The engine can only be started in the 
selector lever position Park or Neutral. 530us239 

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69n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
M/S manual operation and 
Sport Program Shift selector lever from position D 
toward the left into the shifting slot M/S: 
the Sport Program is activated and D S 
appears in the instrument cluster. This 
position is recommended for a perfor-
mance-oriented driving style.
When you briefly press the selector 
lever in the + or – direction, manual 
operation is activated and Steptronic 
changes the gear The following appears 
in the instrument cluster depending on 
the model
>1 to 5 or 1 to 6
>M1 to M5 or M1 to M6. 530de264
Upshifts and downshifts are executed 
only when they will result in a plausible 
combination of engine and vehicle 
speed; thus, for example, a downshift 
that would cause the engine to overrev 
will not be executed by the system.  The 
gear selected will appear briefly in the 
instrument cluster followed by the cur-
rent gear.
In order to go back to using automatic, 
move the selector lever toward the right 
into position D.
Malfunction 
The warning lamp lights up or 
the message TRANS.FAILSAFE 
PROG appears in the Check 
Control. A malfunction has occurred in 
the transmission system. Avoid heavy 
loads. 
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the 
transmission selector lever to P. Set the 
handbrake and switch the engine off, 
ignition key to position 0. 
Wait a few seconds, then start the 
engine. 
If the indicator lamp goes out after a 
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. You may 
continue to drive as usual. If the indica-
tor lamp does not go out, you can place 
the selector lever in all positions. How-
ever, the vehicle will now only drive for-
ward with limited gear selection.
Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Information on jump starting, tow-start-
ing and towing begins on page171.