Driving tips
133Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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.
Do not drive on unpaved terrain, as other-
wise the vehicle may be damaged.<
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 page242.
>Use the HDC Hill Descent Control when
driving down extremely steep grades, refer
to page90. 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 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
page89.
>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.
Maintenance
246
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnostics interface
Components which are decisive for the
exhaust-gas composition can be checked via
the OBD socket with a device.
This socket is located to the left on the driver's
side, on the underside of the instrument panel
under a cover.
Exhaust-gas values
The warning lamp lights up.
The exhaust-gas values worsen.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction in Canadian models.
The lamp flashes under certain conditions. This
is a sign of excessive misfiring of the engine. In
this case you should reduce your speed and
proceed to the nearest BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center. Heavy engine misfiring causes
serious damage to the emission-relevant com-
ponents, especially the catalytic converter,
within a short time.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system will assume that
fuel vapor escapes. Then a display lights up. If
the cap is then tightened, the display will go out
within a few days.
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with
a device for recording or transmitting certain
vehicle data or information. If you have also sub-
scribed to BMW Assist, certain vehicle data can
be transmitted or recorded to enable corre-
sponding services.
Care
Important information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure.
Mobility
257Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
3.Attach the second end of the cable to the
positive terminal of the battery or to a start-
ing-aid terminal of the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one end of the jumper cable minus/–
to the negative terminal of the battery or to
an engine or body ground of the assisting
vehicle.
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground
or negative pole.
5.Attach the second end of the cable to the
negative terminal of the battery or to the
engine or body ground of the vehicle to be
started.
Starting engine
1.Start the engine on the assisting vehicle
and allow it to run at idle for several minutes
at slightly increased speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the connection sequence.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting and towing
Observe applicable laws and regulations
for tow-starting and towing.<
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.
Using tow fitting
The screw-on tow-fitting must always be car-
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the
front or rear of the BMW.
It is located in the toolkit under the floor panel
flap in the cargo bay, refer to page247.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing only on roads. Avoid lateral
loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehi-
cle by the tow fitting. Otherwise damage to the
tow fitting and the vehicle can occur.<
Access to screw thread
Cover panel in bumper: press on the arrow sym-
bol on the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Everything from A to Z
270
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions, and
indicates where to find them
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System88
Accessories6
Access to 3rd row seats48
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control78
Activated-charcoal filter111
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation114
Active seat51
Active seat ventilation50
Active steering96
– warning lamp96
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display97
Adaptive Drive91
Adaptive fastening
system124
Adaptive Head Light104
"Add digits" for mobile
phone216
"Address book" for navigation
system146
Address for navigation
– deleting147
– entering139,146
– selecting147
– storing146
– storing current position146
"Add to destination
list"141,143
Adjusting confirmation signals
for locking and unlocking31Adjusting temperature with
expanded-scope automatic
climate control108
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control163
Adjusting thigh
support43,44
"After door opened"45
"After unlocking"45
Airbags97
– sitting safely42
– warning lamp99
Air circulation, refer to Air
recirculation109
Air distribution
– automatic107,112
– manual108
Airing, refer to Ventilation110
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control109
– recirculated-air mode109
"Air recirculation on / off"
53
Air vents106
– refer to Ventilation110
Air vents of automatic climate
control106
Air volume108,112
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications233
Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional
alarms36
– interior motion sensor36
– switching off alarm35
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor36
– tilt alarm sensor36
"All channels", with satellite
radio173
"All doors"30All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires240
"All stations", displaying with
radio166
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive90
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
"AM", reception
range163,166
"Angle of view" for DVD
system in rear185,197
Antenna for mobile phone208
Antifreeze
– coolant244
– washer fluid68
Antilock Brake System
ABS88
Anti-theft system
– refer to Alarm system35
– refer to Central locking
system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights264
Approved engine oils243
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights264
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest119
Around the center console14
Around the steering wheel10
Arrival time
– refer to Computer73
– refer to Starting destination
guidance150
"Arrow display" for navigation
system151
Arrow view for navigation
system151
Ashtray
– front120
– rear121
Reference 273
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system129
"Categories", with satellite
radio173
CBC Cornering Brake
Control88
CBS Condition Based
Service245
"CD"163,175
– for DVD system in rear194
CD, refer to Playing audio
tracks, DVD system in
rear198
CD/DVD player, DVD system
in rear193
CD changer175
– compressed audio files175
– controls162
– fast forward/reverse178
– random sequence178
– repeating a track177
– sampling tracks177
– selecting a CD175
– selecting a track176
– switching on/off162
– tone control163
– volume163
CD player175
– compressed audio files175
– controls162
– fast forward/reverse178
– random sequence178
– repeating a track177
– sampling tracks177
– selecting a track176
– switching on/off162
– tone control163
– volume163
Cell phone, refer to Mobile
phone
Center armrest119
Center brake lamp250
Center console14
"Central locking"30
Central locking system29
– comfort access36
– from inside vehicle32Changes, technical
– refer to For your own
safety5
– refer to Parts and
accessories6
Changing language on
Control Display83
Changing tires239
Changing units of measure on
Control Display
82
Changing wheels251
Check Control78
"Check Control
messages"79
Checking the air pressure,
refer to Tire inflation
pressure234
Children, transporting55
Child restraint fixing system
LATCH56
Child restraint systems55
Child-safety locks58
Child seats55
Chime, refer to Check
Control78
Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter, refer to
Lighter121
Cleaning, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
"Climate"50
Clock71
– 12h/24h mode82
– setting time81
Closing
– from inside32
– using remote control29
Closing fuel filler cap232
Clothes hooks119
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting
engine60
"Color" for DVD system in
rear196
Comfort access36
– observe in car wash37
– replacing battery38Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
Comfort start, refer to Starting
engine60
"Communi-
cation"214,224,225,226
Compact Disc
– refer to CD changer175
– refer to CD player175
Compact wheel
– inflation pressure235
– wheel change251
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock59
Compartments, refer to
Storage compartments119
Compass, digital117
Computer73
– displays in instrument
panel73
– displays on Control
Display73
– trip computer74
"Concierge"226
Concierge service226
Condition Based Service
CBS245
"Confirmation"31
Connecting car vacuum
cleaner, refer to Connecting
electrical devices121
Connecting headphones193
Consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption73
Consumption indicator,
Energy Control72
Consumption statistics, refer
to Average fuel
consumption73
"Continue guidance to
destination?"151
"Contrast"
– for DVD system in rear196
– in TV mode184
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Everything from A to Z
274 Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– setting brightness82
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Controls of DVD system in
rear192
Convenient operation
– panorama glass
sunroof30,32
– panorama glass sunroof with
comfort access37
– windows30,32
– windows with comfort
access37
– with comfort access37
Coolant244
– checking level244
– temperature72
Cooling, maximum109
Cornering Brake Control
CBC88
Courtesy lamps, refer to
Interior lamps105
Cradle for telephone or mobile
phone119
Cruise control69
Cruising range73
Cup holders120
Curb weight, refer to
Weights264
Current fuel consumption72
"Current position"157
Current position
– displaying157
– entering146
– storing146
"Customer
Relations"218,226
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data262
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Data262
– capacities264
– dimensions263
– engine262
– technical data262
– weights264
"Date"82
Date71
– display format82
– retrieving71
– setting82
"Date format"82
"Daytime running lamps"103
Daytime running lamps103
"Deactivated"45
Decommissioning the vehicle,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Defrosting windows108
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation108
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows108
"Delete address book" for
navigation system147
"Delete all numbers" on the
mobile phone217
"Delete data" for navigation
system147
"Delete" for mobile
phone217
Destination address
– deleting147
– entering139,141
Destination for navigation
– destination list145
– entry138
– selecting from address
book147
– selecting using
information144
– selecting using voice141
– storing146Destination guidance150
– canceling voice
instructions54
– changing specified
route148
– displaying route151
– distance and arrival150
– ending/continuing150
– starting150
– voice instructions153
– volume of voice
instructions154
Destination list for navigation
system
145
Destinations recently driven
to145
"Details"
– DVD system in the rear200
– in audio mode190
"Dial" for mobile phone215
"Dial number"215
"Diamond button"54
Digital clock71
Digital compass117
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio169
Dimensions263
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals66
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions153
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book146
Direct selection buttons21
Displacement, refer to Engine
data262
"Display"82
Display, refer to iDrive16
Displaying images200
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting105
"Display off"21
Displays, refer to Instrument
panel12
"Display settings"82,99
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-Up Display99
Reference 275
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Disposal
– battery of remote control
with comfort access38
– remote control battery194
– vehicle battery253
Distance, refer to
Computer73
"Distance to dest."74
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer73
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control84
Door entry lighting105
Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Door lock31
Door locking, confirmation
signals31
"Door locks"30,31,76
Doors
– manual operation32
– remote control29
DOT Quality Grades237
Downhill driving assistance,
refer to HDC90
Draft-free ventilation110
Drinks holder, refer to Cup
holders120
"Driver's door only"30
Driver's seat, calibrating49
"Driver's seat climate"51
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams102
Driving on poor roads133
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route151
Driving stability control
systems88
Driving through water129
Driving tips, refer to General
driving notes128
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function109
Drying the air, refer to Cooling
function109DSC Dynamic Stability
Control89
– indicator lamp13,89
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control89
– activating89
– indicator lamp90
"DVD"182
– for DVD system in rear194
DVD changer
– fast forward183
– reverse
183
– skip chapter183
"DVD format" for DVD system
in rear197
DVD for navigation136
DVD system in rear192
– CD/DVD player193
– connecting headphones193
– controls192
– displaying images from CD/
DVD200
– DVD country codes195
– external device203
– information on CD/DVD
player202
– playing audio tracks from
CD/DVD198
– playing video from CD/
DVD195
– remote control193
– switching on/off194
"Dynamic route" for
navigation149
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC89
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC89
E
Easy entry/exit53
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door232
– liftgate33
– panorama glass sunroof40
– parking brake63
Electric seat43
Electric steering wheel
adjustment52
Electronic brake-force
distribution88
Electronic oil level check242
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door232
– liftgate33
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission65
Emergency request255
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance256
"Enabled services"229
"Enable services"229
"End call"216
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control72
Energy Control72
Engine
– breaking-in128
– data262
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature72
– speed262
– starting60
– starting, with comfort
access37
– switching off60
Engine compartment242
Engine coolant244
Everything from A to Z
276 Engine oil
– adding243
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils243
– approved engine oil243
– checking oil level242
– electronic oil level check242
"Engine oil level"243
Engine output, refer to Engine
data262
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature72
Engine speed262
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine60
"Enter address"139
Entering country of
destination139
Entering destination139
Entering house number or
intersection140
Entering intersection140
Entering street140
"Entertainment"162
Entertainment sound output
on/off163
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control165
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control165
"ESN"172
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control89
Event Data Recorders246
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system129
Exterior mirrors51
– adjusting51
– automatic dimming
feature52
– automatic heating52
– folding in and out51
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror52External audio device119
– refer to AUX-In
connection188
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting257
F
Fader, refer to Tone
control164
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control78
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms36
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts48
– warning lamp49
Fastening system,
adaptive124
Fastest route for
navigation148
Fast forward
– CD changer178
– CD player178
– DVD changer183
"Fast route" for
navigation148
Fault displays, refer to Check
Control78
Filler neck for washer fluid68
First-aid kit256
Flashing during locking/
unlocking, refer to Setting
confirmation signals31
Flashlight119
Flat tire
– changing wheels251
– compact wheel251
– Flat Tire Monitor92
– run-flat tires93,95,239
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor94
Flat Tire Monitor FTM92
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid68
"FM", reception
range163,166FM, waveband166
Fog lamps105
– indicator lamp13,105
Folding display screen open/
closed, DVD system in
rear192
Folding rear seat backrest123
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely129
Footwell lamps105
For your own safety5
4-wheel drive system, refer to
xDrive90
Fresh-air nozzles, refer to Air
vents106
Front airbags97
Front passenger airbags97
– deactivating98
– refer to Exception of front
passenger seat55
Front seat adjustment43
FTM Flat Tire Monitor92
– false alarms92
– indicating a flat tire93
– initializing the system92
– malfunction96
– snow chains240
– system limits92
– warning lamp93
Fuel233
– capacity264
– display72
– high-quality brands233
– quality233
– saving128
– specifications233
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge72
Fuel consumption display,
computer, average fuel
consumption73
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge72
Fuel filler door232
– closing232
– opening232
– releasing manually232
Fuses253