
Controls
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Mobility
>Individual program
Selecting program
Press the button repeatedly until 
the desired program is shown on 
the Control Display.
Adjusting air distribution individually – 
individual program
The settings are stored in this program.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.
1. Press the  button. 
This opens the start menu.
2. Move the controller to  the left to open "Cli-
mate".
3. Select "Vent settings" and press the con-
troller.
The driver's and front passenger side can 
be adjusted separately  with the fields on the 
right or left side.
4. Select the driver's or  front passenger side 
if necessary.
Move the controller to  the right or left 
repeatedly until the driver's or front passen-
ger side is selected.
5. Select the desired field by moving the con-
troller.
6. Turn the controller to ad just the air distribu-
tion.
Driver's side:
1 Air toward the windshield and side windows
2 Air for the upper body
3 Air to footwell Front passenger side:
4
Air for the upper body
5 Air to footwell
Pressing the AUTO button cancels the 
manual air distribution settings. <
The automatic mode for the air volume remains 
effective with manual air distribution.Switching cooling function on and off
The cooling function cools and 
dehumidifies the incoming air 
before also reheating it as 
required, according to the temperature setting. 
This function is only available when the engine 
is running.
The cooling function helps to avoid condensa-
tion on the window surfaces or to quickly 
remove them.
Depending on the weathe r, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is switched on automati-
cally with the AUTO program.
Maximum cooling
Maximally cooled air is obtained as 
quickly as possible at an outside 
temperature above approx. 32 7/
0 6  and with the engine running.
The automatic climate cont rol switches into the 
recirculated-air mode at the lowest tempera-
ture. The maximum air volume flows out of the 
air vents for the upper body. Therefore, open 
these vents for maximum cooling.
AUC Automatic re circulated-air 
control/recirculated-air mode
You can respond to pollutants or 
unpleasant odors in the immediate 
environment by suspending the 
supply of outside air. The system 
then recirculates the air currently within the 
vehicle. During AUC operation, a sensor 
detects pollutants in the outside air and con-
trols the shut-off automatically. 

Mobility
 263Reference
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Maintenance
BMW maintenance system
The BMW maintenance system supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The service schedule also 
includes operations related to the vehicle's 
comfort and convenience features, such as 
replacement of the filters for the inside air. 
The ultimate objective is to ensure economical 
maintenance by providing the ideal service for 
your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell 
your BMW, a complete  dealer service history 
will prove to be an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algo rithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current  and future service 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen  that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Contro l Display to show 
remaining distances and times of selected 
maintenance intervals and legally mandated 
deadlines, refer to page 82:
> Engine oil
> Brake pads, front and rear separately
> Brake fluid
> Vehicle check >
Legally mandated inspections depending 
on local regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required for 
maintenance continuously  in the remote con-
trol during driving. After accessing the data 
stored in the remote co ntrol, your BMW Service 
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of 
service procedures for yo ur own individual vehi-
cle. You should therefore hand over the remote 
control you last used to drive to the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor when you take your vehicle in for 
service.
Make sure the date is  set correctly, refer 
to page 89, otherwise the effectiveness 
of CBS Condition Based Service is not 
ensured. <
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that  you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center. 
Take the time to ensure  that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by  entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.< 

Mobility
 265Reference
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Care
Car-care products
For the cleaning and care of your vehicle, BMW 
recommends using only products that BMW 
has approved for this purpose.
Regular cleaning and care make a significant 
contribution to retain ing your BMW's value.
The BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be 
happy to consult you on products and services 
for the cleaning and care of your BMW.
Genuine BMW Care Products are materi-
als tested, laboratory tested, and tested in 
actual use. They offer optimum care and pro-
tection for your vehicle. <
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol 
or solvents; they can damage your vehi-
cle. <
Cleaning agents can contain substances 
that are dangerous or  pose health risks. 
You should therefore heed the warnings and 
hazard indications on the packaging. Open the 
doors or windows on your vehicle whenever 
cleaning the interior. Make sure there is suffi-
cient ventilation in enclosed spaces. Use only 
products that are formul ated for vehicle clean-
ing. <
Exterior care
Washing your vehicle
In the winter months, it is especially 
important to ensure that the vehicle is 
washed on a regular basis. Otherwise, signifi-
cant soiling and road salt  can cause damage to 
the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry th em. Failure to do so 
may lead to a reduction in braking efficiency and 
also to corrosion of the brake rotors. <
Car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes.
Before driving into the car wash, make sure that 
it is suitable for your BMW. Pay attention to the 
following points:
> Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to 
page 287.
> If necessary: fold in door mirror, refer to 
page 57.
> Maximum permissible tire width.
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
> Deactivate rain sensor
* to prevent 
unwanted wiper activation.
> BMW X5: deactivate rear window wiper and 
protect it from damage. Take appropriate 
protective measures; inquiring with the car 
wash operator as needed.
> Remove additional add- on parts, e.g. spoil-
ers or phone antennas, if they could be 
damaged.
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic
Before driving into the car wash, observe the 
following so that the vehicle is able to roll:
1. Insert the remote cont rol into the ignition 
lock, even with comfort access.
2. Shift into transmission position N.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Deactivate Automatic Hold, refer to 
page 68.
5. Switch off the engine.
6. Leave the remote control in the ignition lock 
so that the vehicle can roll. 

Care
266
Steam cleaners/high-pressure 
cleaning jets
When using steam cleaners or high-pres-
sure cleaning jets, make sure to maintain 
a sufficient distance and stay below a maximum 
temperature of 140 7/60 6.
Insufficient distance or excessive pressure or 
temperature can damage pa rts of the vehicle or 
can result in water pene tration. Follow the oper-
ating instructions for  the high-pressure clean-
ing jets. <
When using high-pressure cleaning jets, 
do not remain in one  place for a long time 
and be sure to maintain a distance of at least 
12 in/30 cm from sensors and cameras, e.g. 
Park Distance Control  sensors or rear view 
camera. <
Hand washing
When washing the vehicle by hand, use plenty 
of water and car washing shampoo. Clean the 
vehicle with gentle pressure using a sponge or a 
washing brush.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or  switch off the igni-
tion to prevent unwanted wiper operation. <
Follow local guidelines  for washing vehi-
cles by hand. <
Headlamps
Do not rub dry and never use abrasives or 
strong solvents to clean the covers.
Loosen dirt, e.g. insects, with shampoo or 
insect remover and wash away with plenty of 
water.
Use a window de-icer to remove accumulated 
ice and snow, not a scraper.
Windows
Use a glass cleaner to clean the inside and out-
side surfaces of the windows and the glass sur-
faces of the mirrors.
Do not use quartz-containing cleansers 
to clean glass surfaces of the mirrors. <
Wiper blades
Clean with soapy water and replace regularly to 
prevent streaking.
The presence of wax and sealant residues 
and dirt on the windows leads to streaking 
during wiper operation and results in premature 
wear on wiper blades as well as interference 
with the rain sensor. <
Caring for the vehicle finish
Regular care helps your vehicle retain its value 
and protects the paint from the long-term 
effects of aggressive substances.
Regionally occurring en vironmental factors can 
affect and damage vehicle  finish. It is therefore 
important to tailor the fr equency and extent of 
your car care accordingly.
Immediately remove particularly aggressive 
substances such as sp illed fuel, oil, grease, 
brake fluid, tree resin,  or bird droppings; other-
wise, they may damage your paint.
Repairing paint damage
Repair stone damage  or scratches imme-
diately, depending on  the severity of the 
damage, to prevent the formation of rust. <
BMW recommends having paint damage pro-
fessionally repaired us ing Genuine BMW finish 
materials in accordance  with factory guidelines.
Waxing
Sealant is required when  w a t e r  n o  l o ng e r  b e a ds  
on the clean surface of the paint. Use only prod-
ucts that contain carnauba wax or synthetic wax 
to seal your finish.
Rubber gaskets
Treat only with water or  a rubber care product.
To avoid noise or damage, do not use 
products that contain silicone to care for 
rubber gaskets. <
Chrome components
Particularly after exposure to road salt, thor-
oughly cleanse parts like  the radiator grille, door 
handles, or window frames with plenty of water  

Mobility
 267Reference
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with shampoo added to it. For additional treat-
ment, use chrome polish.
Alloy wheels
Depending on your syst em, braking can gener-
ate dust, which settles on the light-alloy wheels. 
Remove this dust regula rly with acid-free wheel 
cleaner.
Do not use aggressive, acid-containing, 
strongly alkaline, or coarse cleansers and 
do not use steam cleaners at temperatures 
greater than 140 7/60 6; otherwise you may 
damage your vehicle. <
Aluminum running boards
A rust film on the aluminum running boards can 
be removed with a special cleaning agent.
Outside sensors/cameras
Keep the sensors and cameras outside 
the vehicle, e.g. the Park Distance Control 
or rear view camera, clean and free of ice to 
ensure their full operability. <
Interior care
Upholstery materials/cloth-covered 
paneling
Clean regularly with a vacuum cleaner in order 
to remove surface dirt.
In the event of more serious soiling such as bev-
erage stains, use a soft sponge or a lint-free 
microfiber cloth in combination with suitable 
interior cleaners. Follow the instructions on the 
packaging.
Clean upholstery material over a large 
area extending out to  the seams. Avoid 
intense friction. <
Open Velcro fasteners on pants or other 
items of clothing can cause damage to 
the seat covering. Make sure that the Velcro 
fasteners are closed. <
Leather/leather-covered paneling
The leather used by BM W is a high quality 
natural product. Slight patterns in the 
grain are part of the typical properties of a natu-
ral leather. <
Dust and dirt from the road chafe in pores and 
folds and result in considerable wear and cause 
the leather surface to become prematurely brit-
tle. We therefore suggest that you clean the 
leather with a dust cloth or vacuum cleaner at 
regular intervals.
Particularly with light-c olored leather, make 
sure to clean it regularly since it has a greater 
tendency to become soiled.
Treat the leather twice a year with a leather 
lotion since dirt and grease harm the protective 
layer of the leather.
Carpets/cargo bay
Floor carpets and floor mats can be vacuumed 
or cleaned with interior cleaner when they are 
more heavily soiled.
Floor mats can be remo ved for cleaning. When 
inserting into place, make sure that the seat 
rails do not protrude over the floor mats; other-
wise floor mats can be damaged.
Fluff on new floor mats is a result of the produc-
tion process and can be  removed by repeated 
vacuuming.
Plastic components inside
> Vinyl upholstery surfaces
> Lamp lenses
> Cover glass of instrument cluster
> Matt parts
should be cleaned with water and, if necessary, 
solvent-free plastic cleaner.
Fine wooden components
Use a damp cloth to clean fine wooden trim 
panels and components. Follow up by drying 
with a soft cloth. 

Care
268
Safety belts
Do not use cleansers to clean the safety 
belts since this can destroy the web-
bing. <
Inside sens ors/cameras
Clean inside sensors and cameras, such as 
those of the high-beam assistant, using a lint-
free cloth moistened  with glass cleaner.
Displays
Clean displays like the ra dio or the instrument 
cluster using a display-cleaning cloth or a soft, 
nonabrasive lint-free cloth.
Avoid using excessive pressure when 
cleaning displays; otherwise, you could 
damage them. <
Never use chemical-based cleansers or 
household scouring products. Keep all 
liquids away from the equipment. Otherwise 
surfaces or electrical components could be 
attacked or damaged. <
CD/DVD-player
Do not use cleaning CDs; they can dam-
age parts of the player. <
Storing your vehicle
When storing your vehicle for longer than three 
months, please seek the advice of your BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop 
that works in accordance with BMW guidelines. 

Everything from A to Z
296
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 System 96
Accessories 6
Access to 3rd row seats 54
Acoustic signal, refer to Check  Control 85
Activated-charcoal filter 119
"Activation time" for parked- car ventilation 122
Active seat 57
Active seat ventilation 56
Active steering 104
– malfunction 104
– warning lamp 104
Adaptive brake lamp, brake  force display 105
Adaptive Drive 99
Adaptive fixing system 133
Adaptive Head Light 112
"Add digits" for mobile  phone 228
Address for navigation
– deleting 159
– entering 151,158
– selecting 159
– storing 158
– storing current position 158
"Add to destination list" 153
Adjusting confirmation signals  for locking and unlocking 31
Adjusting opening 
height 34,36, 37 Adjusting temperature with 
expanded-scope automatic 
climate control 116
Adjusting the tone during  audio operation, refer to 
Tone control 175
Adjusting thigh  support 49,50
"After door opened" 51
"After unlocking" 51
Airbags 105
– sitting safely 48
– warning lamp 107
Air distribution
– automatic 115,120
– manual 116
Airing, refer to Ventilation 118
Air recirculation 117
– AUC Automatic  recirculated-air control 117
– recirculated-air mode 117
"Air recirculation on / off" 59
Air vents 11
 4
– refer to Ventilation 118
Air vents of automatic climate  control 114
Air volume 116,120
AKI, refer to Fuel  specifications 245
Alarm system 38
– avoiding unintentional  alarms 39
– interior motion sensor 39
– switching off alarm 38
– switching off tilt alarm  sensor and interior motion 
sensor 39
– tilt alarm sensor 39
"All channels" in Satellite 
radio 185
"All doors" 30
Alloy wheels 267 All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires 257
"All stations" displaying in 
radio mode, 178
All-wheel drive, refer to  xDrive 97
Alterations, tech nical, refer to 
For your own safety 5
"AM", reception 
range 175,178
"Angle of view"
– DVD changer 197
– DVD system in rear 209
Antenna for mobile phone 220
Antifreeze
– coolant 262
– washer fluid 75
Antilock Brake System 
ABS 96
Anti-theft system
– refer to Alarm system 38
– refer to Central locking  system 29
Approved axle weights, refer 
to Weights 289
Approved engine oils 262
Approved gross vehicle 
weight, refer to Weights 289
Armrest, refer to Center  armrest, front 127
Around the center console 14
Around the steering wheel 10
Arrival time
– refer to Computer 80
– refer to Starting destination  guidance 162
"Arrow display" in  navigation 163
"Arrow display pop-up 
instructions" 149
Arrow view for navigation  system 163 

Everything from A to Z
298
"BMW 
Assist" 236,237, 238, 239
BMW Assist
– activating 240
– concierge service 239
– contacting BMW Customer  Relations 238
– offered services 235
– roadside assistance 236
– TeleServices 237
"BMW Contact" 230
"BMW Contact  Numbers" 230
BMW homepage 4
BMW maintenance  system 263
"BMW Service settings" 241
BMW Teleservice call
– automatic 237
– manual 237
BMW TeleServices 237
BMW TeleServices services
– displaying 238
– updating 238
BMW website 4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup  holders 127
Brake assistant 96
Brake force display 105
Brake lamps
– brake force display 105
– replacing bulbs 270,273
Brake rotors 140
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake  System 96
– brake assistant 96
– brake force display 105
– breaking-in 138
– CBC Cornering Brake 
Control 96
– electronic brake-force  distribution 96
– parking brake 67
– refer to Braking safely 140
– warning lamp 13 Brake system
138
– brake pads 138
– breaking-in 138
– disk brakes 140
Braking safely 140
Breakdown, Flat Tire  Monitor 100
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance 280
Breaking-in brake pads 138
Breaking-in d
ifferential 138
Break-in period 138
"Brightness" 89
– DVD changer 196
– DVD system in rear 208
Brightness
– of Control Display 89
– of the rear view camera 95
– on Head-Up Display 108
"Brightness / Position" 108
Button for starting engine 65
Buttons on steering wheel 11
Bypassing traffic  congestion 169
C
Calibrating driver's seat 55
California Proposition 65  Warning 6
"Call" 228,239
Call
– accepting 226
– displaying accepted 229
– ending 227
– in absence 229
– starting 227
Calling
– from phone book 228
– from Top 8 list 229
– redialing 229
– refer to telephone operating  instructions
Camera, refer to Rear view  camera 93
"Camera picture and PDC" 95"Camera view
– full screen"
95
– main window" 95
Can holder, refer to Cup  holders 127
Capacities 290
Capacity of cargo bay 289
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery 277
"Car Data" 81
Care 265
– car-care products 265
– carpets 267
– car washes 265
– CD/DVD-player 268
– chrome components 266
– displays 268
– exterior 265
– fine wooden 
components 267
– hand washing 266
– headlamps 266
– high-pressure cleaning  jets 266
– interior 267
– leather 267
– light-alloy wheels 267
– paint 266
– plastic components 267
– rubber gaskets 266
– running boards 267
– safety belts 268
– sensors and  cameras 267,268
– upholstery materials and  cloth-covered paneling 267
– windows 266
–
  wiper blades 266
Cargo
– refer to Loading 141
– securing 143
– securing with ski bag 134
Cargo area, refer to Cargo 
bay 130
Cargo area cover, refer to Roll- up cover 130