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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
PDC Park Distance Control
*
The concept PDC provides extra safety and conve-
nience during parking maneuvers. Sig-
nal tones indicate the current distance
to an object behind or in front of your
vehicle. To do this, four ultrasonic sen-
sors in the front and rear bumpers each
measure the distance to the nearest
object. The detection range of the front
sensors and the two sensors located at
the ends of the rear bumper is approx.
2 ft/60 cm, while the rear center sen-
sors can detect objects to a distance
of approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can
indicate objects when they are
approached slowly, as is usually the
case when parking. Avoid approaching
objects too fast, otherwise the system
may give warning of physical obstacles
too late.<
Automatic operationThe system starts to operate automati-
cally approx. one second after you
select reverse or move the selector
lever into the R position with the ignition
key in position 2. Wait this short period
before backing up. The system
switches off when you shift back out
of reverse.
Manual activation Press the button, the indicator lamp
lights up. Manual deactivation Press the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.Automatic deactivationAfter driving a distance of more than
approx. 160 ft/50 m or exceeding a
speed of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the
system switches off and the indicator
lamp goes out. You may switch the sys-
tem on again manually as needed. 530de418

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xDrive HDC Hill Descent Control xDrive is the 4-wheel drive system of
your X5. The combined effects of xDrive
and DSC further optimize the traction
and dynamic driving characteristics.
The 4-wheel drive system xDrive vari-
ably distributes the drive torque to the
front and rear axle depending on the
driving situation and prevailing road
conditions.MalfunctionPlease be sure to observe the informa-
tion on the DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol/xDrive warning lamp on page 22
and on the possible lamp combinations
that can light up on page 20.
The concept HDC is a system for driving downhill in
steep terrain. This system reduces vehi-
cle speed on steep downhill gradients,
thus allowing you to maintain even bet-
ter control of your BMW under these
conditions.
The vehicle moves at slightly more than
walking speed without active interven-
tion from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehi-
cle speeds below approx. 20 mph/
35 km/h. When driving down steep hills
with a speed below approx. 20 mph/
35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed
automatically down to slightly more
than walking speed, approx. 5 mph/
8 km/h, and then maintains this speed
at a constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes
to vary this automatically controlled
speed within a range extending from
approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to 15 mph/
25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within
the same range by using the +/– but-
tons of the cruise control.
HDC is automatically deactivated once
vehicle speed again exceeds approx.
35 mph/60 km/h.
Activating system Press the button, the indicator lamp
lights up.
The indicator lamp flashes when the
brakes are applied automatically. Deactivating system Press the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
HDC is deactivated automatically above
a road speed of approx. 35 mph/
60 km/h and when the ignition is
switched off. 530de416

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2-axle self-leveling suspension
*
The concept Your vehicle is equipped with 2-axle
self-leveling suspension acting on both
the front and rear suspension. This sys-
tem combines automatic self-leveling,
which compensates for variations in
front-to-rear load-distribution patterns,
with a selection feature allowing drivers
to choose from among several ride-
height options.
You may choose from among the fol-
lowing ride heights:
>Normal
The standard setting is intended for
most operating conditions, including
trailer towing
>Off-Road
Increased level for more ground
clearance
>Access
Lowers vehicle for more convenient
cargo handling or easier passenger
entries and exits.
Changes in ride height are initiated
either manually, using the control but-
ton, refer to page 100, or automatically
in response to specific speeds. When
the ride height is selected manually, the
driver has the additional option of revis-
ing the ride-height selection by entering a new command during the adjustment
process.
When the vehicle is stationary, the sys-
tem executes ride-height changes in
both directions – up and down – when-
ever the doors are closed. The tailgate/
liftgate may be open. The system raises
the vehicle only when the engine is run-
ning.
The system's automatic self-leveling
feature automatically compensates for
variations in the vehicle's load.
Frequent changes in ride height
initiated at short intervals can
overheat the compressor, causing the
system to briefly suspend active opera-
tion.<
Self-leveling suspension display 1 Off-Road
2Standard
3 Access
The LEDs not only show the current ride
height, but also indicate changes:
>LED on: indicates the vehicle's cur-
rent ride height
>Ride-height LED flashes while the
LED for the earlier level remains on:
the ride height is being adjusted to a
new level, either automatically or in
response to driver input at the button.
When the suspension reaches the new
ride height the flashing LED reverts to
continuous operation, and the LED for
the earlier level goes out530de218

108n
Air conditioner Temperature
The graduations on the dial
provide general reference val-
ues for the interior tempera-
ture. 707/226 is recom-
mended as a comfortable setting. After
the start of driving the selected temper-
ature is reached as quickly as possible
and held constant by the control sys-
tem.
Air distribution
You can direct air to flow onto
the windows , toward the
upper body and into the
footwell . All intermediate
settings are possible. In the setting,
there is a low flow of air onto the win-
dows to keep them free of condensa-
tion.
Air supply
You can adjust the air supply
through an infinitely-variable
range. The heating and venti-
lation become more and more
effective as the air supply settings are
increased. In the 0 setting, the blower
and climate control are switched off
and the outside air supply is blocked.
Rear window defroster
When the rear window
defroster is activated, the
indicator lamp comes on. The rear win-
dow defroster switches off automati-
cally.
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehu-
midified and — depending on
the temperature setting — warmed
again. Depending on the weather, the
windshield may fog over briefly when
the engine is started. You can reduce
condensation forming on the windows
by switching on the air conditioning.
During air conditioning condensa-
tion forms, which then exits under
the vehicle. Traces of water on the
ground are therefore normal.<
Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleas-
ant odors outside the vehicle
by temporarily switching off the outside
air supply. The system then recirculates
the air currently within the vehicle.
With the button on the steering wheel
you can also switch over to the recircu-
lated-air mode, refer to page 23.
If the windows fog over in the
recirculated-air mode, switch the
recirculated-air mode off and increase
the air supply as required.<

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Automatic climate control
*
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and
dehumidified and —
depending on the temperature setting —
warmed again. Depending on the
weather, the windshield may fog over
briefly when the engine is started. You
can reduce condensation forming on
the windows by switching on the air
conditioning.
During air conditioning condensa-
tion forms, which then exits under
the vehicle. That traces of water on the
ground are therefore normal.<
Maximum cooling
You will get maximum cool-
ing capacity using this pro-
gram if the engine is running and the
outside temperature is above approx.
417/56.
The temperature display 9 jumps to
607/166, the system switches over
to the recirculated-air mode, and the
maximum air supply flows from the ven-
tilation grills only. That is why you need
to keep these open if you select this
program.
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control
You can respond to
unpleasant odors or pollut-
ants in the immediate environment by
shutting off the supply of outside air.
The system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle. In AUC
operating mode, a sensor detects pol-
lutants in the external air and controls
the shut-off automatically.
Press the button repeatedly to run
through the following control sequence
>Indicator lamps off: outside air supply
operational
>Left indicator lamp on, AUC mode:
the system recognizes pollutants in
the outside air and blocks the flow of
air when necessary. The system then
recirculates the air currently within
the vehicle.
Depending on the air quality, the
automatic system then switches back
and forth between outside air supply
and recirculation of the air within the
vehicle
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the
outside air supply into the vehicle is
completely blocked. The system then
recirculates the air currently within
the vehicle.
With the button on the steering wheel
you can also switch between Off and
recirculated-air mode or AUC and recir-
culated-air mode, refer to page23.
If the windows fog over in the
recirculated-air mode, switch the
recirculated-air mode off and increase
the air supply as required.< Rear window defroster
When the rear window
defroster is activated, the
indicator lamp comes on. The rear win-
dow defroster switches off automati-
cally.
Residual heat
Press button when the motor
is switched off, but warm.
The heat which is stored in the engine
is utilized for heating the interior when
the engine has been switched off –
while waiting at a railroad crossing, for
instance.
This function may be activated when
the outside temperature is below
approx. 597/156, the engine is at
operating temperature, and the battery
is adequately charged. The LED on the
button will light up when all conditions
have been met.

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Storage compartments Cup holders Clothes hooks
When suspending clothing from
the hooks ensure that it will not
obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang
heavy objects on the hooks. If you do
so, they could cause endanger passen-
gers during braking or evasive maneu-
vers.<
Front Below the sliding cover, refer to illustra-
tion.530de277
RearAt the end of the center console under
the lighter.
Briefly press to open; push back inward
to close.
Do not place glass containers in
the cup holders, as otherwise
there is a danger of injury in an acci-
dent.< 530de278

125n
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Ski bag
*
Securing load After loading, secure the ski bag and its
contents. To do so, tighten the retaining
belt at the buckle.
Secure the ski bag in this way. If
you fail to do so, it could endanger
occupants during braking or evasive
maneuvers.<
When stowing the ski bag, proceed in
the reverse order from loading.530de284
If the cover in the cargo area is
concealed by the pull-out cargo
floor, do not fold the larger rear back-
rest down. If you do so, it will damage
the cover.<

130n
Cargo area Pull-out cargo floor
*
To release, pull the handle recess
upward. Then pull the floor out.
Do not drive when the cargo floor
is pulled out.
Do not release the cargo floor on steep
grades. If you do, it could extend auto-
matically and cause personal injuries.
A load which is not properly secured
could begin to slide if the floor extends
automatically and then drop to the
ground as a result of the rapid braking
of the cargo floor at the limit stop.< 530de292
When it is extended, you can load the
cargo floor:
>With up to 990 Ibs./450 kg, distrib-
uted evenly across the entire surface
>With up to 330 Ibs./150 kg on the
rear edge.
Do not overload the cargo floor
when it is extended. If you do so,
it could cause damage.
When you slide the cargo floor back in,
do not grasp it on the bottom. If you do
so, there is a risk of personal injury.<
Raising cargo floor For access to the spare wheel or other
stored items:
Swing the cargo floor up and secure it
with the rod, refer to illustration.
If your vehicle has a partition net:
Take the bag with the partition net
out of the retainer, refer to page127,
before you raise the cargo floor. Other-
wise, the bag could slide downward.< 530de240