
Things to remember when driving
138
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:
> Gasoline engine
4,500 rpm or 100 mph/160 km/h
> Diesel engine
3,500 rpm or 90 mph/150 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 no t achieve their full trac-
tion potential until afte r 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.
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle depends 
on various factors. Through a few simple steps, 
your driving style, and  regular maintenance, you 
can have a positive influence on your fuel con-
sumption and environmental impact.
Removing unnecessary cargo
Additional weight incr eases fuel consumption.
Removing add-on parts after use
Remove unneeded auxiliary  mirrors, roof or rear 
luggage racks after use. Add-on parts attached 
to the vehicle impede the aerodynamics and 
increase the fuel consumption.
Closing windows and glass sunroof*/
panorama glass sunroof* 
An open glass sunroof/panorama glass sunroof 
or open windows likewise increase the drag 
coefficient and therefore the fuel consumption.
Checking tire in flation pressures 
regularly
Check and correct the tire  inflation pressure as 
needed at least twice a month and before long 
trips.
An insufficient tire inflation pressure increases 
the rolling resistance an d thus increases the 
fuel consumption and tire wear.
Driving off immediately
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  

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. 

Mobility
 265Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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. 

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