
Controls
 103Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
6.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
7. Select "Reset" and press the controller.
8. Select "Yes" and press the controller.
9. Start to drive.
The tires are shown in gray and "Resetting 
TPM..." is displayed.
After a few minutes of driving, the set tire infla-
tion pressures in the tire s are applied as the set 
values to be monitored.  Resetting finishes dur-
ing driving. The tires ar e shown in green on the 
Control Display.
If a flat tire is detected during resetting 
and applying the tire inflation pressures, 
all tires are shown in yellow on the Control Dis-
play. The message "Tir e low!" is displayed.<
Message with low tire inflation 
pressure
The warning lamp lights up yellow. A 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, an acoustic signal 
sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation 
pressure loss.
1. Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h. If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires as provided at the factory, 
refer to page 256, do not continue driving. 
Continuing to drive with a flat tire could 
cause severe accidents. <
2. In the event of complete  tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guide values:
> With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
> With a medium load:
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km
> With a full load:
4 or more persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed 
speeds of 50 mph/80 km/h or else you 
run the risk of causing an accident. In the event 
of pressure loss, vehicl e handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distance and altered natural 
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations or  loud noises occur while 
the vehicle is being driven , this can indicate final 
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and 
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible, 
otherwise pieces of the tire could become 
detached and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact the BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. <
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and 
then lights up continuously. The tires 
are shown in gray on the Control Dis-
play and a message is displayed. No flat tire can 
be detected.
A message like this is displayed in the following 
situations:
> In case of a malfunction:
Have the system checked 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
104
>
If a wheel without TPM electronics is 
mounted, e.g. a compact wheel
*
>If TPM is temporarily  interfered with by 
other systems or devices which use the 
same radio frequency
Explanation according to the NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
Systems
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), 
should be checked monthly when cold and 
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended 
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle plac-
ard or tire inflation pressu re label. (If your vehi-
cle has tires of a different size than the size indi-
cated on the vehicle plac ard or tire inflation 
pressure label, you  should determine the 
proper tire inflation pr essure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has 
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring 
system (TPMS) that illumi nates a low tire pres-
sure telltale when one or more of your tires is 
significantly underinflate d. Accordingly, when 
the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you 
should stop and check your tires as soon as 
possible, and inflate them to the proper pres-
sure. Driving on a significantly underinflated tire 
causes the tire to overhe at and can lead to tire 
failure. Underinflation  also reduces fuel effi-
ciency and tire tread life, and may affect the 
vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TP MS is not a substitute 
for proper tire maintenance,  and it is the driver's 
responsibility to maintain  correct tire pressure, 
even if underinflation  has not reached the level 
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire 
pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a 
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when 
the system is not operating properly. The 
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with 
the low tire pressure telltale. When the system 
detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for 
approximately one minute and then remain con-
tinuously illuminated. Th is sequence will con-
tinue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as 
long as the malfunction exists. When the mal- function indicator is illuminated, the system 
may not be able to detect or signal low tire pres-
sure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may 
occur for a variety of reasons, including the 
installation of replacement or alternate tires or 
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS 
from functioning properly. Always check the 
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or 
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure 
that the replacement or alternate tires and 
wheels allow the TPMS to 
continue to function 
properly.
Active steering*
The concept
The active steering active ly varies the steering 
angle of the front wheels in relation to the steer-
ing wheel movements. In addition, it also varies 
the steering force required for steering depend-
ing on the vehicle's speed.
When you are driving in the low road speed 
range, e.g. in a town or when parking, the steer-
ing angle increases, i.e. the steering becomes 
very direct. In the higher speed range, on the 
other hand, the steering angle is reduced more 
and more. This improves  the handling capability 
of your BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations,  the system can make tar-
geted corrections to th e steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle 
before the driver intervenes.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow 
and a message is shown on the Con-
trol Display. The active steering is 
defective or has been temporarily 
deactivated. At low speeds, greater steering 
wheel movements are required, whereas at 
higher speeds, the vehicle reacts more sensi-
tively to steering wheel movements. The stabil-
ity-promoting intervention  can also be deacti-
vated. Proceed cautiously and drive 
defensively. If active st eering is defective, have 
the system checked. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
106
the upholstery in the center of the steering 
wheel, on the instrument cluster, the doors, and 
the roof pillars as well as
 the sides of the head-
liner. Do not attempt to  remove or dismantle the 
steering wheel. Do not  touch the individual 
components immediately after the system has 
been triggered, because there is a danger of 
burns. 
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or 
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, remova l, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trained personnel and has 
the required explosives licenses. Otherwise 
unprofessional attempts  to service the system 
could lead to failure in an emergency or undes-
ired airbag triggering, either of which could 
result in personal injury. <
Warnings and information on the airbags is also 
provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front 
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on  the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passeng er seat. The front and 
side airbags on the front passenger side are 
activated or deactivated  accordingly by the sys-
tem.
The current status of the front passenger 
airbag, i.e. deactivated or activated, is 
indicated by the indicator  lamp over the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front 
passenger airbags in the following. <
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, read the safety informa-
tion and follow the inst ructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page 61.
When teenagers and adults assume certain sit-
ting positions, this can cause the front and side 
airbags to deactivate. The indicator lamp for the 
front passenger airbags lights up when this 
occurs. In these cases, change the sitting posi-
tion so that the front passenger airbags are acti-
vated and the indicator la mp goes out. If the 
desired status cannot be  produced by changing  the sitting position, transport the correspond-
ing person on the rear se
at. Do not fit seat cov-
ers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or other 
items onto the front passenger seat unless they 
are specifically recomme nded by BMW. Do not 
lay objects under the seat which could press 
against the seat from below. Otherwise a cor-
rect evaluation of the occupied seat surface 
cannot be ensured. <
Operating state of front passenger 
airbags
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for  the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front 
and side airbags on the front passenger side 
depending on the seat occupation. The indica-
tor lamp shows whether the front passenger 
airbags are activated or deactivated.
> The indicator lamp light s up when a child in 
a child restraint device  intended for the pur-
pose is properly detected on the seat.
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are not activated.
Most child's seats are detected by the 
system. Especially the child's seats 
required by the NHTSA at the time the vehi-
cle is manufactured. Af ter installing a child's 
seat, make sure that  the indicator lamp for 
the front passenger airbags lights up. This 
indicates that the child's seat has been 
detected and the front passenger airbags 
are not activated. <
> The indicator lamp does not light up when, 
for example, a correctly seated person of 
sufficient height is detected on the seat.  

Controls
 107Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are activated.
> The indicator lamp does not light up when 
the seat is empty.
However, the front and side airbags on the 
front passenger side are not activated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
From radio readiness, refer to page 65, the 
warning lamp lights up br iefly, indicating the 
operational readiness of the entire airbag sys-
tem and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
> Warning lamp does not light up from radio 
readiness.
> Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction, otherwise 
there is a danger that the airbag system may not 
respond in the expected manner in an accident 
despite an impact of  corresponding intensity. <
Head-Up Display*
The concept
With the Head-Up Display important informa-
tion is projected into the driver's field of view, 
e.g. navigation instructions. This enables you to 
take in this information without looking away 
from the road.
Switching on/off
Press the button.
1 Navigation information or Check Control 
messages
2 Cruise control
3 Speed
Selecting displays
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16.
1. Press the  button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4. Select "Display settings" and press the 
controller. 

Lamps
110
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lights off and daytime driving lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime driving lamps*
2Low beams and welcome lamps
3 Automatic head lamp control
*, daytime 
driving lamps
*, welcome lamps and Adap-
tive Head Light
*
If you open the driver's door with the ignition 
switched off, the exteri or lighting is automati-
cally switched off when  the light switch is in 
position 0, 2  or  3.
If necessary, switch on the parking lamps, 
switch position 1.
Parking lamps
In switch position 1, the front, rear and side 
vehicle lighting is switch ed on. You can use the 
parking lamps for parking.
The parking lamps drain the battery. Do 
not leave them switched on for long peri-
ods of time, otherwise it may no longer be pos-
sible to start the engine. It  is better to switch on 
the roadside parking lamp s on one side, refer to 
page 112.<
Low beams
The low beams light up wh en the light switch is 
in position  2 and the ignition is on.
Automatic headlamp control*
In switch position 3, the system activates the 
low beams and switches them on or off in 
response to changes in ambient light condi-
tions, for instance, in a tunnel, at dawn and dusk 
and in case of precipitation. Adaptive Head 
Light
* is active. The LED next to the symbol 
lights up when the low beams are on. You can 
activate the daytime driving lamps, refer to 
page 111. In the situations named above, the 
system then automatically  switches over to the 
low beams.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can 
cause the lights to  be switched on.
The low beams remain switched on inde-
pendent of the ambient lighting condi-
tions when you switch on the fog lamps
*. <
The automatic headla mp control cannot 
serve as a substitute for your personal 
judgment in determin ing when the lamps 
should be switched on  in response to ambient 
lighting conditions. For example, the sensors 
cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid 
safety risks, you should always switch on the 
low beams manually un der these conditions.<
Welcome lamps
When parking the vehicle, if you leave the light 
switch in position2 or 3, the parking lamps and 
the interior lamps light up briefly when the vehi-
cle is unlocked.
Activating/deactivating welcome 
lamps
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16.
1. Press the  button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Settings" an d press the controller.
4. Select "Vehicle / Tire s" and press the con-
troller. 

Lamps
112
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp 
control system that enables better illumination 
of the road surface. Depending on the steering 
angle and other parameters, the light from the 
headlamp follows the course of the road.
In tight curves, e.g. serp entines, or when turn-
ing, one of the two front fog lamps is also 
switched on up to a speed of approx. 45 mph/
70 km/h. This provides improved illumination of 
the area inside the curve.
Activating Adapti ve Head Light
With the ignition switched on, turn the light 
switch to position 3, refer to page 110.
The turning lamps are au tomatically switched 
on depending on the steering angle or the use 
of turn signals.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive 
Head Light directs light  towards the front pas-
senger side when the vehicle is at a standstill. 
When driving in reverse, both turning lamps are 
active.
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1 High beams
2 Headlamp flasher
3 Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one 
side of your vehicle when parking.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down beyond the resist ance point for approx. 
1second, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave th em switched on for 
long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer 
be possible to start the engine. <
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction 
up to the resistance point, arrow  3.
Fog lamps*
First, switch on the parking lamps or the low 
beams. The green indicator lamp in the instru-
ment panel lights up whenever the fog lamps 
are on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps. < 

Controls
 113Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Instrument lighting
You can control the lighting intensity by using 
the serrated dial.
Interior lamps
The interior lamps, footwell lamps*, door entry 
lighting
*, cargo bay lamps, and the courtesy 
lamps
* are controlled automatically.
With the courtesy lamps, LED lights are located 
in the door handles to illuminate the exterior 
area before the doors.
To protect the battery, all lamps in the 
vehicle are switched off approx. 15 min-
utes after radio readiness  is switched off, refer 
to Start/Stop button on page 65.<
Switching interior lamps on and off 
manually
Press the button.
If you wish the interior lamps, footwell lamps, 
door entry lighting and courtesy lamps to 
remain switched off all  the time, press the but-
ton for approx. 3 seconds.
Reading lamps
Reading lamps are provided in the front and 
rear
* adjacent to the inte rior lamps. Press the 
button to switch the lamps on and off. 

Controls
 119Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Ventilation in rear
1Serrated dials to smoothly open and close 
air vents
2 Serrated dial for adjusting the temperature 
in the upper body region:
>Turn toward blue: colder
> Turn toward red: warmer
3 Levers to change the air vent direction
BMW X5: heating and ventilation, 
3rd row seats
The air in the area of the 3rd row seats can be 
heated or recirculated. Air vents are located in 
the storage compartmen t area between the 
seats and in the footwell of the 3rd row seats.
1 Serrated dial:
>Activating heating and distributing air in 
footwell: 
Turn toward front
> Distributing air in storage compartment 
area between seats: 
Turn toward rear
2 Button for switching on blower: 
LED lights up
The heating is not ready for operation 
without switching on the blower. After the  heating is switched off, the blower can be used 
to recirculate the air within the vehicle, e.g. at 
high temperatures. To do
 this, turn the serrated 
dial 1 toward the rear and switch on the blower, 
button 2.<
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
The microfilter removes dust and pollen from 
the incoming air. The activated-charcoal filter 
provides additional protection by filtering gas-
eous pollutants from the outside air. This com-
bined filter is changed during maintenance by 
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center. 
You can select a display  of more detailed infor-
mation on the Control Display, refer to page 82.
Automatic climate control 
with 4-zone control*
Front operation
Corresponds to the operation of the automatic 
climate control with 2-zone control, refer to 
page 115.
Rear operation
The control unit is located in the center console 
in the rear.
1Temperature, left rear seating area
2 AUTO program
3 Display
4 Temperature, right rear seating area
5 Seat heating, right rear seat
6 Air volume, manual
7 Seat heating, left rear seat