Things to remember when driving
140
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contac
t between the tires and
the road surface, ultima tely undermining your
ability to steer and brake the vehicle. <
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread
depth of the tires decreases, also refer to Mini-
mum tread depth on page 255.
Driving through water
Maximum water depth:
>BMW X5 20 in/50 cm
> BMW X6 17 in/45 cm
Only drive through water up to the above-
mentioned depth at no greater than walk-
ing speed; otherwise, the engine, electrical sys-
tem, and transmission can be damaged. <
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pre ssure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the gear in which the least br
aking is required. Even
light but consistent pressure on the brake pedal
can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and
possibly even brake failure. <
The braking effect of the engine can be further
increased by downshifting in the manual mode
of the automatic transmis sion, if necessary into
first gear, refer to page 71. This prevents an
excessive strain on the brakes.
Do not drive in idle or with the engine
stopped, otherwise there will be no
engine braking action or support of the braking
force and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in op erating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to re spond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic climate
control system during operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page 57,
otherwise they could be damaged due to the
width of the vehicle.
Release the parking brake, particularly when
you have activated Auto matic Hold, refer to
page 67.
Driving tips
141Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
General information on the care of your BMW is
provided beginning on page265.
Mixed tires*
Before driving into a car wash, make sure
that the vehicle width is not too large for
the car wash, as otherwise the vehicle and the
car wash could be damaged. <
BMW X5: rear window wiper
The rear window wiper can be damaged in car
washes. Take appropriate protective measures;
ask the car wash operator if necessary.
With comfort access*
Insert the remote control into the ignition lock.
The engine can be switched off in transmission
position N, also refer to page41.
Loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overlo ading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tire s. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out. <
Make sure that no fluids leak in the cargo
bay; otherwise the vehicle could be dam-
aged. <
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
YYY lbs. or XXX kg. Otherwise, this could damage the vehicle and produce unstable
vehicle operating conditions.
<
2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from YYY lbs. or XXX kg.
4. The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lbs.
passengers in your ve hicle, the amount of
available cargo and lugga ge load capacity is
650 lbs.:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your tra iler will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the availa ble cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
BMW X5:
Mobility
245Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Fuel specifications
Gasoline engine: required fuel
Do not use leaded gasoline, otherwise
damage to the catalytic converter will
result.
Do not use E85, i.e. fuel that consists of 85 %
ethanol, or Flex Fuel, otherwise permanent
damage to the engine and the fuel supply sys-
tem will result. <
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is hi ghly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no affect on the engine life.
Do not use gasoline below the specified
minimum quality, otherwise engine dam-
age can result. <
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has in dicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among ga solines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight,
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void
the applicable warranti es with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
drivability, starting and stalling problems
especially under certai n environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter drivability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may also result in un scheduled maintenance. <
BMW X5 with BMW Advanced Diesel:
Required fuel
Ultra-low sulfur diesel
The engine of your BMW is designed for diesel
with a low sulfur content:
Ultra-low sulfur diesel ASTM D 975-07a.
Refuel only with ultra-low sulfur diesel.
The percentage of biodiesel in the fuel
must not exceed 5 Ξ, referred to as B5. Do not
refuel with gasoline. If the vehicle has been
refueled with incorrect fuel such as gasoline, do
not start the engine; otherwise, there is a dan-
ger of engine damage. <
After incorrect refueling, contact a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.
The fuel filling neck is designed for refuel-
ing with diesel nozzles.
If the nozzle cannot be inserted into the fuel
filler pipe of your BMW, please check to make
sure that you are refueling with a diesel fuel
pump and whether this is equipped with a diesel
nozzle. <
Winter diesel
In order to assure the operational reliability of
the diesel engine, during cold seasons, please
refuel with winter diesel, which is sold at fuel
stations during this time of year. The standard
fuel filter heating prevents the supply of fuel
from stalling during driving.
Do not mix in any additives or gasoline;
otherwise, there is the risk of engine dam-
age. <
BMW X5 with BMW Advanced
Diesel
The concept
BMW Advanced Diesel reduces nitrogen oxides
in the diesel exhaust of your vehicle by injecting
the reducing agent diesel exhaust fluid into the
exhaust line. In the cata lytic converter, a chem-
ical reaction occurs th at minimizes nitrogen
oxides.
Refueling
246
In order to be able to start the engine in the
usual way, there must be a sufficient supply of
diesel exhaust fluid in the separate reservoir.
System heating
In order to bring the system to operating tem-
perature after a cold start of the engine, the
automatic transmission
shifts into the next
higher gear at a later point.
Reserve display
A display in the instrument panel informs you
about the remaining distance can be covered
with the amount of fuel currently in the tank.
The reserve display appears approx.
1,000 miles/1,600 km before the end of the
tank.
As soon as the reserve display has
appeared in the inst rument panel, have
the diesel exhaust fluid refilled to prevent the
engine from being unable to restart. <
Diesel exhaust fluid at minimum
Even with a display of -- mls, the engine will
continue to run, provided that it is not switched
off, and all other operating requirements are
met, e.g. sufficient fuel. Do not drive until the displayed remaining
distance runs out. Otherwise, it may not
be possible to restart the engine. <
Incorrect fueling
The warning lamp lights up:
The reservoir has been filled with an
incorrect fluid.
Please contact your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.
Have diesel exhaust fluid refilled
Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center refills
the diesel exhaust fluid as part of the regular
maintenance. If you adhe re to this maintenance
schedule, it is usually no t necessary to refill any
fluids between the maintenance dates.
Under certain circumstances, e.g. due to a par-
ticularly sporty driving st yle or operation of the
vehicle at high altitudes, it may be necessary to
refill fluids betwee n maintenance dates.
As soon as the reserve display has appeared in
the instrument panel, have the diesel exhaust
fluid refilled to prevent the engine from being
unable to restart.
You can have the fluid refilled by a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.
Diesel exhaust fluid at low
temperatures
Due to its physical properties, at temper-
atures below +23 7/–5 6, it may also be
necessary to refill the diesel exhaust fluid
between the regular maintenance dates.
If the fluid needs to be re filled, this will be indi-
cated with the reserve display in the instrument
panel, refer to page 246.<
Short commands of voice activation system
294
Climate menu
FunctionCommand
To adjust temperature distribution for front seat
heating 56 {
Seat heater distribution }
To open "Vent settings" 117{Vent settings }
To open "Automatic programs" 115{Automatic programs }
To open "Parked car ventilation" 121{Parked car operation }
To open "Automatic ventilation" 121{Automatic ventilation }
To display activation times 122{Activation time }
FunctionCommand
To open the menu {Settings menu }
"Display off" 21 {Display off }
To open "Info sources" {Info sources }
To open "Settings" {Settings }
To open "Door locks" 29 {Door locks }
To open "Steering wheel buttons" 59{Steering wheel buttons }
To open "Lighting" 73 {Lighting }
To open "Service requirements" 82{Service requirements }
To open "Service" 82 {Service }
To open "BMW Service" 236{BMW service settings }
To display "Check Control messages" 86{Check Control messages }
To open "Head-Up Display" 107{Head-up display }
To set brightness of Control Display 89{Brightness }
To open "Units" 89 {Units }
To open "Language" 90, 165 {Language }
To open "Time" 89 {Time }
To open "Date" 89 {Date }
To open "PDC" 91 {PDC }
To open "FTM" 100 {FTM }
To open "TPM" 102 {TPM }
To display "Bluetooth" 225 {B
luetooth}
To open "HDC" 98 {HDC }
Everything from A to Z
302
Dynamic Performance
Control 97
"Dynamic route" in navigation 161
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 96
Dynamic Traction Control DTC 97
E
Easy entry/exit 58
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD player 174
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic 72
– door lock 32
– driver's door 32
– fuel filler door 244
– glass sunroof, electric 46
– liftgate 33
– panorama glass sunroof 44
– parking brake 69
Electric seat 49
Electronic brake-force distribution 96
Electronic oil level check 260
Emergency operation, refer to Manual operation
– door lock 32
– driver's door 32
– fuel filler door 244
– liftgate 33
– transmission lock, automatic transmission 72
Emergency request 279
Emergency services, refer to Roadside Assistance 280
"Enabled services" 241
"Enabled TeleServices" 238
"End call" 228 Engine
– breaking-in
138
– data 286
– oil temperature 79
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature 79
– speed 286
– starting 66
– starting, with comfort access 40
– switching off 66
Engine compartment 259
Engine coolant 262
Engine oil
– adding 261
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils 262
– approved engine oil 262
– checking oil level 260
– electronic oil level check 260
– temperature 79
Engine oil temperature 79
Engine output, refer to Engine data 286
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature 79
Engine speed 286
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine 66
E
ntering country of destination 151
Entering destination 151
Entering house number or intersection 152
Entering intersection 152
Entering street 152
"Entertainment" 174
Entertainment sound output on/off 175
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control 177
Equalizer, refer to Tone control 177
"ESN" 184
ESP Electronic Stability Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control 96 Event Data Recorders
264
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system 139
Exterior mirrors 57
– adjusting 57
– automatic dimming feature 58
– automatic heating 58
– folding in and out 57
– tilting down passenger-side exterior mirror 58
External audio device 127
– refer to AUX-In
connection 200
Eye for tow-starting and towing, refer to Tow
fitting 281
F
Fader, refer to Tone
control 176
Failure messages, refer to Check Control 85
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms 39
Fastening safety belts, refer to Safety belts 54
– warning lamp 55
Fastest route for navigation 160
Fast forward
– CD changer 190
– CD player 190
– DVD changer 195
"Fast route" in navigation 160
Fault displays, refer to Check
Control 85
Filler neck for washer fluid 75
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit 279
First-aid kit 279
Fixing system, adaptive 133
Flashing during locking/ unlocking, refer to Setting
confirmation signals 31
Reference 303
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Flat tire
– changing wheels275
– compact wheel 275
– Flat Tire Monitor 100
– run-flat tires 101,103, 256
– TPM Tire Pressure Monitor 101
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 100
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler neck for washer fluid 75
"FM", reception
range 175,178
FM, waveband 178
Fog lamps 112
– indicator lamp 13,112
Folding display screen open/
closed, DVD system in
rear 204
Folding rear seat backrest 132
Footbrake, refer to Braking safely 140
Footwell lamps 113
For your own safety 5
4-wheel drive system, refer to xDrive 97
Front airbags 105
Front passenger airbags 105
– deactivating 106
– refer to Exception of front passenger seat 61
Front seat adjustment 49
FTM Flat Tire Monitor 100
– false alarms 100
– indicating a flat tire 101
– initializing the system 100
– snow chains 257
– system limits 100
– warning lamp 101
Fuel 245
– capacity 290
– display 80
– high-quality brands 245
– quality 245
– saving 138
– specifications 245
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge 80 Fuel consumption display
– computer, average fuel
consumption 80
Fuel display, refer to Fuel gauge 80
Fuel filler door 244
– closing 24
4
– opening 244
– releasing manually 244
Fuses 278
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control 123
Gasoline, refer to Required fuel 245
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge 80
Gearshifts, automatic transmission with
Steptronic 71
General driving notes 138,139
Glass sunroof
– convenience operation from outside 32
– convenience operation with comfort access 40
– remote control 30
Glass sunroof, electric 45
– moving manually 46
– opening, closing 45
– power interruption 46
– raising 45
Glove compartment 126
– lighting 126
GPS navigation, refer to Navigation system 148
Grills, refer to Ventilation 118
Grills of the automatic climate control 114
Gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights 289
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 67
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone 14
Hand washing 266
Have diesel exhaust fluid
refilled 246
Hazard warning flashers 15
HDC Hill Descent Control 98
"HD radio" 181
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio 181
Head airbags 105
Headlamp control,
automatic 110
Headlamp flasher 73
Headlamps 110
– cleaning, refer to Washer/ wiper system 74
– replacing bulbs 269
Head Light, refer to Adaptive Head Light 112
Head restraints 52
– sitting safely 48
"Head-Up Display" 108
Head-Up Display 107
Heated
– mirrors 58
– rear window 116
– seats 55,56
– steering wheel 59
Heating 114
– exterior mirrors 58
– interior 114
– rear window 116
– residual heat 118
– seats 55,56
– steering wheel 59
Heating with engine switched off, refer to Residual
heat 118
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing cargo 143
Height, refer to
Dimensions 287
Everything from A to Z
306
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control 85
Manual air distribution 116
Manual BMW Teleservice call 237
"Manual" in radio mode 179
Manually releasing transmission lock 72
Manual mode, automatic transmission with
Steptronic 71
Manual operation
– door lock 32
– driver's door 32
– fuel filler door 244
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission 72
Map
– changing scale 164
– destination entry 155
"Map direction of travel" 164
"Map facing north" 164
Map facing north 164
Master key, refer to Keys/ remote control 28
Maximum cooling 117
Maximum speed
– for winter tires 257
– with compact wheel 277
Memory, refer to Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory 50
"Menu"
– for DVD system in
rear 207,209
– in DVD changer 195,197
Menus, refer to iDrive 16
Message list for traffic information 167
Microfilter 119
Microphone
– for mobile phone 14
– for telephone 14
– for voice activation system 14
Mirror dimming feature 58Mirrors
57
– automatic curb monitor 58
– exterior mirrors 57
– folding in and out 57
– heating 58
– interior rearview mirror 58
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory 50
"Missed calls" 228
Missed calls 229
Mobile phone
– accepted calls 229
– adjusting volume 226
– calling 227
– e
nding call 227
– installation location, refer to Center armrest, front 127
– missed calls 229
– operation via iDrive 226
– redialing 229
– refer to separate operating
instructions
– Top 8 229
– touch tone dialing 230
Monitor, refer to iDrive 16
Monitoring tire pressure, refer to FTM Flat Tire
Monitor 100
"Monitor on / off" 59
MP3, refer to Compressed
audio files 187
Multifunction steering wheel, refer to Buttons on steering
wheel 11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher/high
beams 73
– refer to Washer/wiper
system 74
Music track, refer to Tracks 188
"Mute on / off" 59
N
"Navigation"80,156
Navigation destination
– entering manually 151,153
– home address 160
– selecting via map 155
Navigation drive, installation
location 148
Navigation DVD 148
– player 174
Navigation instructions, refer to Switching voice
instructions on/off 165
Navigation system 148
– address book 158
– changing route 166
– destination entry 150
– destination guidance in
assistance window 148
– destination list 157
– displaying current
position 169
– displaying route 163
– ending/continuing
destination guidance 162
– entering a destination manually 151,153
– last destinations 157
– navigation DVD 148
– opening 150
– route list 164
– searching for a special destination 156
– selecting destination using information 156
– selecting destination via
map 155
– selecting route criteria 160
– starting destination
guidance 162
– switching off, refer to Ending/continuing
destination guidance 162
– voice instructions 165
– volume adjustment 166
"Navigation voice instructions" 59