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Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening
the doors. <
Children alwa ys in rear
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children is on the rear seat.
Children younger than 13 years of age or
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only
be transported on the 2nd row seats in child
restraint devices which correspond to the age,
weight and height of the child. Otherwise there
is an increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint
device can no longer be used due to their age,
weight and size.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessa ry to use a child
restraint device on the front passenger
seat, the front and side airbags on the passen-
ger side must be deactivated. Otherwise, there
is an increased risk of in jury for the child if the
airbags are triggered, even with a child restraint
device. <
For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags, refer to
page 106.
Installing child restraint
devices
Follow the child restraint device manufac-
turer's instructions fo r selection, installa-
tion, and use of child restraint devices. Other-
wise, the degree of protection may be
reduced. <
BMW X5: for equipment with 3rd row
seats
*, make sure that the seat of the 2nd row seats on which the ch
ild restraint device is
mounted is properly locked. Otherwise there is
an increased risk of inju ry for the child in an
accident.
Do not mount child rest raint devices on the
3rd row seats, as otherwise the protection pro-
vided by these child restraint devices may be
reduced. <
On front passenger seat
After mounting a child restraint device on
the front passenger seat, make sure that
the front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side are deactivated; otherwise, there is an
increased risk of injury if the airbags are trig-
gered. <
Backrest width*
The backrest width adjustment of the
front passenger seat must be completely
open. After installing th e child's seat, no mem-
ory position may be called up; otherwise, the
stability of the child's se at on the front passen-
ger seat is reduced.<
1. Open backrest width adjustment com-
pletely, refer to page 50.
2. Install child's seat.
Child seat security
The rear safety belts, in the BMW X5 all of the
safety belts of the 2nd and 3rd
* row seats and
the passenger safety belt can be locked to pre-
vent them from being pulled out in order to
secure child restraint devices.
Transporting children safely
62
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restra int device with the
belt.
2. Pull out the belt we bbing completely.
3. Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and
pull taut against the child restraint device.
The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2. Remove the child restraint device.
3. Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com-
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fixing
system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
Follow the system manufacturer's
instructions on inst allation and use of
LATCH child restraint devi ces; otherwise, their
protective function may be reduced. <
Before attaching the child 's seat, pull the belt
away from the region of the child restraint fixing
system.
BMW X5: before installing the child's
seat, remove the covers
* from the
mounts for the LATCH anch or fittings, as other-
wise the LATCH anchor fittings have no
restraining effect. < Make sure that the
LATCH mounts have
properly clicked into place and that the
child restraint device is resting snugly against
the backrest. Otherwise, the protective action
may be reduced. <
The mounts for the LATC H anchors are located
at the points indicated by the arrows.
Child restraint device with tether strap
Only use the top tether mounting points
to secure child restraint devices, other-
wise the mounting poin ts could be damaged.
Do not mount child restraint devices on the
3rd row seats in the BMW X5; otherwise the
protection provided by these child restraint
devices may be reduced. <
BMW X5
There are three additional mounting points for
child restraint devices with a tether strap on the
2nd row seats, refer to arrows. Fold out before
using the center mounting point.
Transporting children safely
64
Attaching tether strap to the backrest
of the 2nd row seats
BMW X5:
On outer seats:
1.Slide the head re straint upward.
2. Guide the tether stra p between the head
restraint brackets.
3. Hook in the tether st rap on the mounting
point with the hook.
4. Slide the head restra int into the bottom
position.
5. Pull tether strap taut.
O n c e n t e r s e a t w i t h e q u i pment with two rows of
seats:
1. Fold the center armr est somewhat toward
the front.
2. Guide the tether strap through the opening
in the center armrest.
3. Fold back and engage the center armrest.
4. Hook in tether strap on mounting point.
5. Pull tether strap taut. On center seat with equipment with three rows
of seats:
1.
Slide the head restraint upward.
2. Guide the tether strap between the head
restraint brackets.
3. Hook in the tether st rap on the mounting
point with the hook.
4. Slide the head restraint into the bottom
position.
5. Pull tether strap taut.
BMW X6:
1. Route tether strap over the middle of the
head restraint.
2. Hook in the tether st rap on the mounting
point with the hook.
3. Pull tether strap taut until it compresses the
cushion of the head restraint, thus prevent-
ing the tether strap from sliding off.
On trips
Child-safety locks for rear doors
Slide down the safety le ver on the rear doors:
The door can now be opened from the outside
only.
Safety switch for power windows
Always press the safety switch for the power
windows, refer to page 42, when children are
riding in the rear of the vehicle.
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Ignition lock
Inserting remote control into ignition
lock
Insert the remote control as far as possible into
the ignition lock.
Radio readiness switches on. Some electronic
systems/consumers are ready for operation.
Comfort access*
With comfort access, only insert the remote
control into the ignition lock in exceptional
cases, refer to page 39.
Removing remote control from ignition
lock
Do not pull the remote control out of the
ignition lock using force, as otherwise
damage may result. <
Before removing the remo te control, first press
it in as far as possibl e to release the locking
device.
The ignition is switched off if it was still
switched on.
Start/Stop button
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches the
radio readiness or the ignition on and off.
Pressing the Start/Stop button with the
brake pedal depre ssed starts the
engine. <
Radio readiness
Some electronic systems/consumers are ready
for operation. The time and outside tempera-
ture are displayed in the instrument panel.
Radio readiness is auto matically switched off:
> when the remote control is removed from
the ignition lock
> with comfort access
* by touching the sen-
sitive surface above the door lock, refer to
Locking on page 40
Ignition on
All electronic systems/consumers are ready for
operation. The odometer and the trip odometer
are displayed in the instrument panel, refer to
page78.
Please switch off the ignition and the
electronic systems/consumers which are
not required when the engine is not running to
save the battery. <
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator lamps, warning lamps, and displays
in the instrument panel go out.
Driving
66
The ignition switches off automatically
* if the
driver's door is opened. Pressing the start/stop
button again switches the ignition back on.
For example, the ignition is not switched off in
the following situations:
> the brakes are actuated
> the low beams are switched on
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms,
otherwise the inhalati on of toxic exhaust
gases can cause uncons ciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Never leave an unattend ed vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a
potential safety hazard.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always
engage transmission position N or P and set the
parking brake before le aving the vehicle with
the engine running. <
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it
running while the vehicl e remains stationary.
Instead, begin to drive at a moderate engine
speed.
The engine starts when you depress the
brake pedal while pressing the Start/Stop
button. <
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated starting attempts in
which the engine does no t start. Otherwise, the
fuel is not burned or inadequately burned and
there is a danger of overheating and damaging
the catalytic converter. < Remote control in ignition lock or with comfort
access in vehicle, refer to page
39.
1. Depress brake pedal.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a cert ain period and automat-
ically disengaging it as soon as the engine
starts.
Diesel engine
When the engine is cold and outside tempera-
tures are below approx. 32 7/06 , the starting
process may be briefly delayed by an automatic
preglow phase. The pr eglow indicator lamp
lights up in the instrument panel and a message
appears on the Control Display.
Switching off engine
When leaving the vehicle, always take
along the remote control.
Set the parking brake firmly when parking; oth-
erwise, the vehicle could roll. <
Procedure
1.Engage transmission position P with the
vehicle stationary.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Remove the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 65.
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle can roll if yo u proceed according to
the following steps:
1. With comfort access
*: insert the remote
control into the ignition lock.
2. Depress brake pedal.
3. Engage transmission position N.
4. Release the parking brake or deactivate
Automatic Hold.
5. Switch off the engine.
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Transmission position P will be engaged:
>automatically after approx. 30 minutes
> if you remove the remo te control from the
ignition lock
Parking brake
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with an electromechan-
ical parking brake.
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked.
You can use the parking brake in two ways:
> manually, by pulling an d pushing the button
> automatically, by ac tivating Automatic
Hold, refer to page 67
With the engine stopped, the parking brake acts
on the rear wheels via an electromechanical
system. When the engine is running, the park-
ing brake acts on the disk brakes of the front
and rear wheels via the brake hydraulics.
Setting manually
Pull button. The parking brake is set. The indicator lamp in the instrument
panel lights up red. The parking brake is
set.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
The remote control do es not have to be
inserted into the ignition lock for the parking
brake to be set.
While driving
If exceptional circumst ances should make it
necessary to set the pa rking brake while the
vehicle is in motion, pull on the button longer.
The vehicle continues to brake forcefully for as
long as you pull on the button.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
panel lights up red, a chime sounds and
the brake lamps light up.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
As soon as you brake the vehicle almost to a
stop, i.e., down to a speed of approx. 2 mph/
3 km/h or below, the pa rking brake remains set.
Releasing manually
Press the button with the brake depressed.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
panel goes out.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
When leaving the vehicle, always take
along the remote control; this precaution
prevents children from releasing the parking
brake, for example. <
Automatic Hold
The concept
This function assists yo u as you drive by auto-
matically setting and releasing the parking
brake, e.g. when you are stopped at a traffic sig-
nal or in stop-and-go traffic.
When Automatic Hold is ac tivated, the vehicle is
Driving
68
automatically held in place when standing.
When driving up inclines, the system prevents
your vehicle from rolling
backward in an undes-
ired way.
After the engine is star ted, the system can be
activated and deactiva ted at any time the
driver's seat is occupied until the next time the
engine is switched off.
Activating
Press the button. The LED in the button lights
up and the indication AUTO H appears in the
instrument panel.
Automatic Hold is activated.
If the vehicle is bein g held by Automatic
Hold, the indicator light in the instru-
ment panel also lights up in green.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
Deactivating
Press the button again, the LED in the button
and the indication AUTO H in the instrument
panel go out.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold,
then press on the brake pedal to deactivate it.
When the parking brake is set manually, refer to
page 67, Automatic Hold is automatically deac-
tivated.
Driving
With Automatic Hold acti vated, the vehicle is
automatically prevented from rolling after it
comes to a stop. The indicator lamp in the instrument
panel lights up in green.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
If the transmission is in a drive position, simply
press on the gas pedal to begin driving. The
brake is automatically re leased and the indica-
tor lamp goes out.
Before driving into the car wash, deacti-
vate Automatic Hold; otherwise, the park-
ing brake will be automatically set after stop-
ping and the vehicle can no longer roll. <
Parking
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold
and you switch off the motor, the parking brake
is automatically set.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
panel changes from green to red.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
The parking brake is not set if you have
already switched off the engine while the
vehicle is rolling to a stop.
Automatic Hold is deactivated. <
You can manually rele ase the parking brake
even after switching off th e motor as long as the
remote control remains in the ignition lock, refer
to page 67. Use this function in car washes, for
example.
When leaving the vehicle, always take
along the remote control; this precaution
prevents children from releasing the parking
brake, for example. <
For your safety
Automatic Hold is auto matically deactivated
when:
> the engine is switched off
> no one is detected in the driver's seat when
the engine is running
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>the vehicle is braked to a stop during driv-
ing.
In the instrument panel, the indicator
lamp changes from green to red and
the indication AUTO H goes out.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
Before you start to driv e, either release the
parking brake manually, refer to page 67, or
reactivate Automatic Hold, refer to page68.
Before leaving the vehi cle with the engine
running, shift the selector lever into posi-
tion P of the automatic transmission and make
sure that the parking brake is set. Otherwise,
the vehicle may begin to roll. <
Malfunction
If the parking brake fails or malfunctions, secure
the vehicle against rolling, e.g. with a wheel
chock, if you leave the vehicle.
Releasing parking brake manually
In the event of an electrical power loss or elec-
trical malfunction, you can release the parking
brake manually.
Before manually re leasing the parking
brake and each time you park the vehicle
without setting the park ing brake, make sure
that the automatic transmission is in position P,
refer to page 71. Be sure to pay attention to the
information in the instrument panel.
In addition, secure the vehicle against rolling,
e.g. with a wheel chock. Otherwise there is a
danger that the vehicle could roll if parked on a
steep slope. <
If it becomes necessary to also release the
transmission lock of the automatic transmission
manually, follow this sequence:
1. If necessary, start by releasing the parking
brake manually.
2. Then release the auto matic transmission's
transmission lock manually, refer to
page 72.
Jump starting and towing , refer to information
starting on page 280.
Releasing
1.Open the left-hand side panel in the cargo
bay.
2. Remove the first-aid kit
* and the warning
triangle
* if necessary. Close the bracket of
the warning triangle.
3. Insert the releasing tool, contained in the
onboard tool kit under the floor panel, refer
to page 269, at the releasing point.
4. Firmly pull the releasing tool upward against
the mechanical resistance, refer to arrow,
until a considerable incr ease in force is felt
and the parking brake is then clearly heard
to release.
5. Stow the releasing tool, warning triangle
*
and first-aid kit* and close the left side
panel in the cargo bay.
Only have a malfunction corrected by the
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center or a workshop that works in accordance
with BMW guidelines an d uses appropriately
trained personnel. If the parking brake has been
released manually in response to a malfunction,
only technicians can re turn it to operation.<
Following manual release, the actual sta-
tus of the parking brake may deviate from
that displayed by the indicator lamp. <
Operation after interruptions in power
supply
The parking brake can only be used again
if it was manually rele ased due to an inter-
ruption in the supply of electrical power. Other-
wise the operation of the parking brake is not
ensured and there is a danger of the vehicle roll-
ing despite the parking brake being set. <