
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
96
Cleaning rear view camera
The lens of the rear view camera is located on 
the liftgate.
The picture quality of the rear view camera may 
be impaired by dirt. Clean the lens with a moist, 
nonabrasive cloth.
The lens is automatically  heated in case of frost.
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW is equipped wi th an extended array 
of systems designed to  enhance and maintain 
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during 
braking. Safe steering  response is maintained 
even during full braking.  Active safety is thus 
increased.
ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. Braking safely, refer to page 140.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking 
during a lane change, dr iving stability and steer-
ing response are improved further.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure st able braking behavior.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes  rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short- est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce th
e pressure on the brake pedal 
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction lo ss in the driving wheels 
when starting off and accelerating. The system 
also identifies unstable driving conditions, such 
as a loss of traction at the rear of the vehicle or 
sliding of the vehicle in  its front wheels. In these 
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe 
course within physical lim its by reducing engine 
output and through braking actions in the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics  cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style remains the responsibility of the driver. 
Therefore, do not restrict the additional safety 
margin with a risky driving style, as otherwise 
there is a risk of an accident. <
Deactivating DSC
Press the button until the DSC indicator lamp in 
the instrument panel lights up, but not longer 
than approx. 10 seconds. DTC Dynamic Trac-
tion Control and DSC ar e deactivated together. 
Stabilizing intervention s are now not carried 
out.
A message appears on the Control Display. 
Please note any supplementary information 
that appears there.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again 
as soon as possible. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
108
5.
Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Head-Up Display" is 
selected and press the controller.
6. Change into the second field from the top. 
Turn the controller until "Head-Up Display" 
is selected and pr ess the controller.
7. Select desired information of Head-Up Dis-
play.
8. Press the controller.
 The information is shown on the Head-
Up Display.
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
Adjusting brightness and height of 
display
The brightness of the di splay is automatically 
adapted to the ambient lighting conditions. 
However, you can change the base setting. 
With the low beams switched on, the brightness 
can also be adjusted with the serrated dial of the 
instrument lighting.
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.
5. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Head-Up Display" is 
selected and press the controller. 6.
Change into the second field from the top. 
Turn the controller until "Brightness / Posi-
tion" is selected and press the controller.
7. If necessary, move the  controller to the left 
or right to select "Brightness" or "Display 
position".
8. Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is selected.
The setting is stored fo r the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Notes
The visibility of the disp lays in the Head-Up Dis-
play is influenced by:
> Sunglasses with certain polarization filters
> Certain sitting positions
> Objects on the cover of the Head-Up Dis-
play
> Wet road surface and unfavorable lighting 
conditions
If the image is distorted,  have the basic setting 
checked at a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Cen-
ter.
Special windshield
The windshield is part  of the system. The shape 
of the windshield complies with the require-
ments of the Head-Up Display to enable a pre-
cise display. A film in the windshield prevents 
the double images fr om being displayed. 
Windshield replacement should be carried out 
by a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. 

Climate
118
By pressing the button repeatedly, you can 
request three operating modes:
>
LED off: outside air flows in continuously.
> Left LED on, AUC mode: the system 
detects pollutants in the outside air and 
shuts off the supply as needed.
> Right LED on, recirculated-air mode: the 
supply of outside air is permanently shut off.
Should the windows fog up in the recircu-
lated-air mode, press the AUTO button or 
switch off the recirc ulated-air mode and 
increase the air volume if necessary. 
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
without interruption over an extended period of 
time, as the air quality inside the vehicle deteri-
orates continuously. <
Residual heat
The heat stored in the engine is used to heat the 
passenger compartment,  e.g. while stopped at 
a school to pick up a child.
Switching on
Pressing the right side switches on 
the residual heat utilization when 
the following conditions are met:
> up to 15 minutes after switching off the 
engine
> with the engine at operating temperature
> with sufficient battery voltage
> at an outside temperature below 77 7/
25 6
REST appears on the display of the automatic 
climate control when the residual heat utiliza-
tion is switched on.
From radio readiness the interior temperature, 
the air volume and the air distribution can be 
set.
Switching off
You can select the lowe st blower speed by 
pressing and holding th e left side. Pressing 
again switches off the re sidual heat utilization. 
REST disappears from the display of the auto-
matic climate control.
Switching automatic  climate control on 
and off
You can select the lowest blower 
speed by pressing and holding the 
left side. Pressing again switches 
off the automatic climate control.
Y o u  s w i t c h  o n  t h e  s y s t e m  a g a i n  b y  p r e s s i n g  a n y  
button of the automatic climate control.
Front ventilation
1 Serrated dials to smoothly open and close 
air vents
2 Levers to change th e air vent direction
Do not drop any foreign objects into the 
air vents, otherwise these could be cata-
pulted outwards and lead to injuries. <
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the air vents to direct the flow of cool air 
in your direction, for instance, if the interior has 
become too warm, etc.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the air vents so that the air flows past you 
and is not directed straight at you. 

Driving tips
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speed. This is the fastest way for the cold 
engine to reach its operating temperature.
Thinking ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking. 
To do so, maintain the appropriate distance 
from the vehicle in front of you. An anticipatory 
and smooth driving style reduces fuel con-
sumption.
Avoiding high engine speeds
Driving at a low engine speed reduces fuel con-
sumption and minimizes wear.
Taking advantage of coasting
The flow of fuel is interrupted when coasting.
Switching off engine during longer 
stops
Switch off the engine at longer stops such as 
traffic signals, railroad cr ossings, or in traffic 
jams. Even having the en gine switched off for 
approx. 4 seconds results in fuel savings.
Switching off functions currently not 
required
Functions such as air conditioning, seat heat-
ing, or rear window defrosting consume a lot of 
energy and require additional fuel. Their influ-
ence is particularly pron ounced in city traffic 
and stop & go operation. For this reason, it is a 
good idea to switch th ese functions off when 
they are not really needed.
Having maintenance carried out
Have the vehicle serviced regularly in order to 
achieve the optimum economy and service life 
of your vehicle. BMW  recommends having the 
maintenance performed by a BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center.  Also pay attention to 
the BMW maintenance system, refer to 
page 263.
General driving notes
Closing liftgate
Operate the vehicle only when the liftgate 
is completely closed. Otherwise, exhaust 
fumes could enter into  the passenger compart-
ment. <
If it is absolutely necessa ry to drive with the lift-
gate open:
1. Close all windows as well as the glass sun-
roof
*/panorama glass sunroof*.
2. Increase the air volume  of the automatic cli-
mate control to a high level, refer to 
page 116.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the  heat shields installed 
adjacent to it, and neve r apply undercoating to 
them. When driving, stan ding at idle and while 
parking take care to avoid possible contact 
between the hot exhaust  system and any highly 
flammable materials such  as hay, leaves, grass, 
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it 
the risk of serious property damage as well as 
personal injury. Do not  touch hot tailpipes, as 
otherwise there is a danger of burns. <
Diesel particulate filter*
Soot particles are collected in the diesel partic-
ulate filter and are periodically cleared out 
through high-temperature combustion. This 
cleaning process lasts fo r several minutes. You 
may sometimes notice it by the fact that the 
engine temporarily runs a little less smoothly 
and requires a somewhat higher engine speed 
to achieve the usual powe r. You may also notice 
additional sounds and small amounts of smoke 
coming from the exhaust, even for a brief time 
after switching off the engine.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce road speed. If  you do not, a wedge 
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is  referred to as hydro- 

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. 

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Repeating a track
1.Select the current track and press the con-
troller.
2. Select "Repeat track" and press the con-
troller.
To stop repeating:
1. Press the controller.
2. Select "Repeat track" and press the con-
troller.
Random play sequence
You can play back the trac ks of the selected list 
in random order, e.g. a ll tracks of an artist.
1. Select the current track and press the con-
troller.
2. Select "Random" and press the controller.
To end random playback:
1. Press the controller.
2. Select "Random" and press the controller.
Fast forward/reverse
Buttons on the steering  wheel or on the CD 
player:
Press and hold the  button for the corre-
sponding direction.
Notes
Do not subject the  audio device to 
extreme environmental conditions, e.g. 
extremely high temperatures, refer to the oper-
ating manual of the audio device. Otherwise the 
audio device may be damaged, impairing driv-
ing safety while driving. <
Depending on the configuration of the audio 
files, e.g. bit rates greater than 256 Kbit/s, 
proper playback cannot always be ensured.
Information on connection
> The USB audio interface supplies the con-
nected audio device with power, provided 
the audio device suppo rts this function. 
Therefore, do not connect the USB audio 
device to a socket in the vehicle during 
operation.
> Do not use force when plugging the con-
nector into the USB interface.
> Do not connect any devices, e.g. fans or 
lamps, to the USB audio interface.
> Do not connect USB hard disks.
> Do not use the USB audio interface to 
recharge external devices. 

Mobility
 249Reference
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Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
The condition of the tires and the maintenance 
of the specified tire pres sure are crucial not only 
to the tire's service life, but also to driving com-
fort and most importantly, driving safety.
Checking pressure
Only check tire inflation  pressure when the tires 
are cold. This means after a maximum of 
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has 
been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are 
warm, the tire inflation pressure increases.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly 
and correct it as needed, even on the 
compact tire
*: at least twice a month and before 
starting long trips. If you fail to observe this pre-
caution, you may be driving on tires with incor-
rect tire pressures, a condition that can not only 
compromise your vehicle's driving stability, but 
also lead to tire damage and the risk of an acci-
dent. Do not drive with de pressurized, i.e. flat 
tires, except run-flat tires. A flat tire will seri-
ously impair your vehicle's handling and braking 
response. Attempts to dr ive on a flat tire can 
lead to a loss of control over the vehicle. <
After correcting the tire inflation pressure, 
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to 
page 100, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor, 
refer to page 102.<
Pressure specifications
The tables below provide all the correct inflation 
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient 
temperature.
The inflation pressures apply to the 
tire sizes and tire brands respectively 
approved and recommended by BMW; a list 
of these is available from your BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center. <
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressure for your  tires, observe the follow-
ing:
> Tire sizes of your vehicle
> Load conditions
> Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pre ssures for speeds 
up to 100 mph/160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph/160 km/h, 
adjust pressures to the re spective tire inflation 
pressures listed on the  following pages in the 
column Traveling speeds up to max. of 
100 mph/160 km/h to achieve optimum driving 
comfort.
These pressure specifications can be found on 
the door post when you open the driver's door.
The permissible top speed for these tire 
inflation pressures is 100 mph/160 km/h. 
Do not exceed this speed, otherwise tire dam-
age and accidents may result. < 

Mobility
 255Reference
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Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B, 
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the 
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate 
heat when tested under controlled conditions 
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. 
Sustained high temperature can cause the 
material of the tire to  degenerate and reduce 
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to 
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to 
a level of performance  which all passenger car 
tires must meet under  the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A 
represent higher levels of performance on the 
laboratory test wheel than the minimum 
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is 
established for a tire  that is properly 
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, 
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat 
buildup and possible tire failure. <
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side 
of the tire, refer to page256.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires. 
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires freq uently for tread wear, 
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged 
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of  0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed 
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of 
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth 
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less 
suitable for winter conditions. For the sake of 
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base are 
distributed over the ti
re's circumference and 
are marked on the side of the tire with TWI – 
Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread has been 
driven down to the we ar indicators, a tread 
depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-pr ofile tires cause wheels, 
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazards  and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal 
vehicle operation can indi cate tire failure or 
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These 
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other 
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong 
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so , drive carefully to the 
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or 
tire shop that works ac cording to BMW repair 
procedures with corres pondingly trained per-
sonnel. If necessary, have the vehicle towed 
there. Otherwise, tire damage can be extremely 
dangerous to vehicle occupants and other road 
users. <