
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92
Brake force display
The brake lamps light up in two stages depend-
ing on how strongly you brake.>Normal braking
The brake lamps and the center brake lamp
light up.
>Heavy breaking
The brake lamps in the liftgate also light up.
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags
3Side airbags in backrests
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
please observe the adjustment instructions on
page40.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The
head air bag supports the head.The airbags are deliberately not triggered in
every impact situation, e. g. less severe acci-
dents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way. Do not attempt to
remove the airbag restraint system from the
vehicle. Do not modify or tamper with either the
wiring or the individual components in the air-
bag system. This category includes the uphol-
stery in the center of the steering wheel, on the
instrument panel, the doors and the roof pillars
along with the sides of the headliner. Do not
attempt to remove or dismantle the steering
wheel. Do not touch the individual components
immediately after the system has been trig-
gered, because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW Sports

Things to remember when driving
122
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. To ensure that your vehicle contin-
ues to provide optimized economy of operation
throughout an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing section.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and vehicle speeds,
however do not exceed 4,500 rpm or 100 mph/
160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kick-down mode during these
initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during
this break-in period.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if com-
ponents mentioned above must be replaced
after subsequent driving operation.
General driving notes
Closing liftgate/tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the tail-
gate and liftgate are completely closed.
Otherwise, exhaust fumes could enter into the
passenger compartment.<
However, if special circumstances should make
it absolutely necessary to operate the vehicle
with the liftgate/tailgate open:
1.Close all windows and the panorama glass
sunroof.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic
climate control to a high level, refer to
page103.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to
them. When driving, standing at idle and while
parking take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it
the risk of serious property damage as well as
personal injury. Do not touch hot tailpipes, as
otherwise there is a danger of burns.<
Mobile communications devices in
vehicle
BMW discourages the use of mobile
communications devices, e. g. mobile
phones, inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the
vehicle electronics and mobile communication
device can influence one another. In addition,
there is no assurance that the radiation which
results from transmission will be dissipated
from the vehicle interior.<

Things to remember when driving
126
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option
for your BMW. Please comply with the precau-
tions included with the installation instructions.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
its handling and steering response. You should
therefore always remember not to exceed the
approved roof load capacity, the approved
gross vehicle weight or the axle loads when
loading the rack.
You can find the specified weights under
Weights on page244.
The load on the roof must be evenly distributed
and must not extend outward beyond the limits
of the loading surface. Always stow the heaviest
pieces on the bottom. Be sure that adequate
clearance is maintained for raising the pan-
orama glass sunroof, and that objects do not
project into the opening path of the liftgate.
Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and
braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.
Driving on poor roads
Your X5 is at home on all roads and surfaces.
It combines a 4-wheel drive system with the
advantages of a normal passenger car.
Driving on unpaved terrain can cause
damage to the vehicle.<
When you are driving on poor roads, there are a
few points which you should strictly observe for
your own safety, for that of your passengers,
and for the safety of the vehicle:
>Familiarize yourself with the vehicle before
driving off and avoid taking risks at all costs.
>Adapt your driving speed to the road condi-
tions. The steeper and rougher the road
surface is, the lower the speed should be.>You can operate your vehicle on uphill and
downhill gradients with a maximum slope of
50 %. If you want to drive on uphill or down-
hill gradients of this kind, make sure before-
hand that the engine oil and coolant levels
are near the MAX mark, refer to page225.
>Use the HDC Hill Descent Control when
driving down extremely steep grades, refer
to page85. It is possible to start off on
grades of up to 33 %.
The permissible body roll is 50 %.
>While driving, watch carefully for obstacles
such as rocks or holes. Try to avoid these
obstacles whenever possible.
>Please make sure that the undercarriage
does not touch the ground, for example on
crests and bumpy roads. The ground clear-
ance of the vehicle is a maximum of approx.
8.0 in/20 cm. Please note that the ground
clearance can vary depending on loading
and the driving conditions of the vehicle.
>Only drive through water on roads up to a
maximum depth of 20 in/50 cm and only at
walking speed, making sure not to stop in
the process.
>After driving through water at low speed,
lightly press the brake pedal several times
to dry the brakes and to prevent the braking
effect from being reduced by wetness.
>Depending on the condition of the surface,
it may be practical to briefly activate DTC,
refer to DTC Dynamic Traction Control on
page85.
>If the drive wheels spin on one side, depress
the accelerator pedal sufficiently so that the
driving stability control systems can distrib-
ute the drive forces to the individual wheels.
Please note the following points after driving on
poor roads to maintain the driving safety of your
BMW:
>Clean the coarsest dirt from the body.
>Clean mud, snow, ice etc. from the wheels
and tires and check the tires for damage.

Telephoning
200
Selecting an entry
The connection to the phone number of the
selected entry is established.
Redialing
The {Redial} command opens "Redial".
Notes
The commands in English were available
as of this printing. Other languages are
currently not available. To operate the mobile
phone via the voice command system, refer to
page23.<
Important for voice commands
For voice commands, keep the following in
mind:
>Issue the commands smoothly and at nor-
mal volume, avoiding excessive emphases
and pauses.
>Keep the doors, windows and glass sunroof
closed to prevent interference from ambi-
ent noise.
>Avoid making other noise in the vehicle
while speaking.
Mounting/removing snap-in
adapter
1.Press the area 1 around the button and
remove the cover.
2.Insert the snap-in adapter at the front and
press down until it engages.
To remove the snap-in adapter:
Press the area 1 around the button. 1.{Dial name}.
The dialog for selecting an entry is
opened.
2.Say the name when prompted.
3.Confirm the prompt with {Yes}.

Technical data
244
Weights
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Capacities
X5 3.0siX5 4.8i
Vehicle weight empty with 3rd row seats
lbs./kg 4,982/2,260 5,335/2,420
Approved gross vehicle weight
without 3rd row seatslbs./kg
lbs./kg6,327/2,870
5,963/2,7056,537/2,965
6,173/2,800
Load
without 3rd row seatslbs./kg
lbs./kg1,345/610
1,113/5051,202/545
970/440
Approved front axle load
without 3rd row seatslbs./kg
lbs./kg2,767/1,255
2,756/1,2502,965/1,345
2,965/1,345
Approved rear axle load
without 3rd row seatslbs./kg
lbs./kg3,770/1,710
3,417/1,5503,781/1,715
3,428/1,555
Approved roof load capacity lbs./kg 220/100 220/100
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/l 21.9-61.8/
620-1,75021.9-61.8/
620-1,750
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters approx. 22.5/85 Fuel grade: page213
of that reserve
X5 3.0si
X5 4.8iUS gal/liters
US gal/litersapprox. 2.1/8
approx. 2.6/10
Windshield washer
with headlamp washer system US quarts/liters approx. 6.9/6.5 For more details: page64

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Categories" with satellite
radio163
CBC Cornering Brake
Control84
CBS Condition Based
Service226
"CD"155,165
CD, refer to Playing audio
tracks, DVD system in
rear178
CD/DVD player, DVD system
in rear173
CD changer165
– compressed audio files165
– controls154
– fast forward/reverse169
– random sequence168
– repeating a track168
– sampling tracks167
– selecting a CD166
– selecting a track166
– switching on/off154
– tone control155
– volume155
"CD" for DVD system in
rear174
CD player165
– compressed audio files165
– controls154
– fast forward/reverse169
– random sequence168
– repeating a track168
– sampling tracks167
– selecting a track166
– switching on/off154
– tone control155
– volume155
Cell phone, refer to Mobile
phone
Center armrest113
Center brake lamp231
Center console14
"Central locking"30
Central locking system29
– comfort access35
– from inside vehicle32Changes, technical
– refer to For your own
safety5
– refer to Parts and
accessories6
Changing language on
Control Display79
Changing tires220
Changing units of measure on
Control Display79
Changing wheels
232
CHECK button75
Check Control74
"Check Control
messages"75
Checking the air pressure,
refer to Tire inflation
pressure214
Children, transporting52
Child restraint fixing system
LATCH54
Child restraint systems52
Child-safety locks55
Child seats52
Chime, refer to Check
Control74
Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter115
Cleaning, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
"Climate"47
Clock67
– 12h/24h mode78
– setting time77
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside30
Closing fuel filler cap212
Clothes hooks114
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting
engine56
"Color" for DVD system in
rear176Comfort access35
– observe in car wash36
– replacing battery37
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
Comfort operation
– panorama glass
sunroof30,32
– panorama glass sunroof with
comfort access36
– windows30,32
– windows with comfort
access36
– with comfort access36
Comfort seat41
Comfort start, refer to Starting
engine56
"Communi-
cation"193,203,205
Compact Disc
– refer to CD changer165
– refer to CD player165
Compact wheel
– inflation pressure216
– wheel change232
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock56
Compartments, refer to
Storage compartments113
Compass, digital111
Computer69
– displays in instrument
cluster69
– displays on Control
Display69
– trip computer70
"Concierge"205
Condition Based Service
CBS226
"Confirmation"31
Connecting car vacuum
cleaner, refer to Connecting
electrical devices115
Connecting headphones173

Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-Up Display94
Disposal
– battery of remote control
with comfort access37
– remote control battery174
– vehicle battery234
Distance, refer to
Computer69
"Distance to dest."70
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer69
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control80
Door entry lighting100
Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Door lock31
Door locking, confirmation
signals31
"Door locks"30,31,72
Doors
– manual operation32
– remote control30
DOT Quality Grades218
Draft-free ventilation106
Drinks holder, refer to Cup
holders114
"Driver's door only"30
Driver's seat, calibrating46
"Driver's seat climate"48
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams97
Driving on poor roads126
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route144
Driving stability control
systems84
Driving through water123
Driving tips, refer to General
driving notes122
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function104
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control84
– indicator lamp13,84DTC Dynamic Traction
Control85
– activating85
– indicator lamp13,85
"DVD" DVD system in
rear174
"DVD format" for DVD system
in rear177
DVD for navigation130
DVD system in rear172
– CD/DVD player
173
– connecting headphones173
– controls172
– displaying images from CD/
DVD181
– DVD country codes174
– external device183
– information on CD/DVD
player182
– playing audio tracks from
CD/DVD178
– playing video from CD/
DVD174
– remote control173
– switching on/off174
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC84
"Dynamic route" for
navigation142
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC84
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC85
E
Easy entry/exit50
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door212
– liftgate33
– panorama glass sunroof39
Electric steering wheel
adjustment49
Electronic brake-force
distribution84Electronic oil level check223
Emergency call236
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door212
– liftgate33
– panorama glass sunroof39
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission61
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance237
"Enable services"208
"End call"194
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control68
Energy Control68
Engine
– breaking-in122
– data242
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature68
– speed242
– starting56
– starting, comfort access36
– starting difficulties57
– switching off57
Engine compartment223
Engine coolant225
Engine oil
– adding224
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils224
– approved engine oil224
– checking oil level223
– electronic oil level check223
"Engine oil level"224
Engine output, refer to Engine
data242
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature68
Engine speed242
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine56
"Enter address"132

Everything from A to Z
256 Entering country of
destination132
Entering destination132
Entering house number or
intersection133
Entering intersection133
Entering street133
"Entertainment"154
Entertainment sound output
on/off155
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control157
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control157
"ESN"162
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control84
Event Data Recorders227
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system122
Exterior mirrors48
– automatic dimming
feature49
– automatic heating49
– folding in and out48
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror49
External audio
device113,171
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting238
F
Fader, refer to Tone
control156
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control74
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts45
– warning lamp46Fastest route for
navigation141
Fast forward
– CD changer169
– CD player169
"Fast route" for
navigation141
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit237
First-aid kit237
Fixing system, adaptive117
Flashing during locking/
unlocking, refer to Setting
confirmation signals31
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight113
Flat tire
– changing wheels232
– compact wheel232
– Flat Tire Monitor87
– run-flat tires88,90,220
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor89
Flat Tire Monitor87
– false alarms87
– initializing system87
– show chains221
– system limits87
– warning lamp88
"FM", reception
range155,158
FM, waveband158
Fog lamps99
– indicator lamp13,99
Folding display screen open/
closed, DVD system in
rear172
Folding rear seat back117
Fold-over rear seat
backrest117
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely123
Footwell lamps100
For your own safety5
4-wheel drive system, refer to
xDrive85Fresh-air nozzles, refer to Air
vents101
Front airbags92
Front passenger airbags
– deactivating93
– refer to Exception of front
passenger seat52
Front seat adjustment41
"FTM"88
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor87
Fuel213
– capacity244
– display68
– high-quality brands213
– quality213
– specifications213
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel consumption display,
computer, average fuel
consumption69
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel filler door212
– closing212
– opening212
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction212
Fuses234
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control110
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel213
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
General driving notes122
Glass sunroof, electric
– comfort operation from
outside32
– comfort operation with
comfort access36
– remote control30