
Notes
6
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts 
and accessories approved by BMW. 
When you purchase accessories tested and 
approved by BMW and Genuine BMW Parts, 
you simultaneously acquire the assurance that 
they have been thorough ly tested by BMW to 
ensure optimum perfor mance when installed 
on your vehicle. 
BMW warrants these parts to be free from 
defects in material and workmanship. 
BMW will not accept any  liability for damage 
resulting from installation of parts and accesso-
ries not approved by BMW. 
BMW cannot test every product made by other 
manufacturers to verify if  it can be used on a 
BMW safely and without risk to either the vehi-
cle, its operation or its occupants. 
Genuine BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and 
other products approved  by BMW, together 
with professional advice on using these items, 
are available from all BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Centers. 
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, radios, 
amplifiers, radar detector s, wheels, suspension 
components, brake dust shields, telephones, 
including operation of any mobile phone from 
within the vehicle without using an externally 
mounted antenna, or transceiver equipment, for 
instance, CBs, walkie-talkies, ham radios or 
similar accessories, ma y cause extensive dam-
age to the vehicle, comp romise its safety, inter-
fere with the vehicle's electrical system, or 
affect the validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. 
Refer to your BMW Sports  Activity Vehicle Cen-
ter for additional information. <
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of 
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performe d by any automotive 
repair establishment or individual using any cer-
tified automotive part.<
California Proposition 65 Warning
California laws require us  to issue the following 
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of 
automobile components and parts, 
including components foun d in the interior fur-
nishings in a vehicle, contain or emit chemicals 
known to the State of Ca lifornia to cause cancer 
and birth defects and reproductive harm. In 
addition, certain fluids co ntained in vehicles and 
certain products of component wear contain or 
emit chemicals known to  the State of California 
to cause cancer and birth defects or other 
reproductive harm. 
Battery posts, terminals and related accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Wash 
your hands after handling. 
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have 
caused cancer in labora tory animals. Always 
protect your skin by washing thoroughly with 
soap and water. < 

Controls
 75Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Windshield washer nozzles
Both windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated with the engine running or the igni-
tion switched on.
BMW X5: rear window wiper
1Intermittent mode. When reverse gear is 
engaged, continuous operation is switched 
on automatically
2 Cleaning the rear window
Do not use washing mechanisms when 
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, other-
wise you will damage the washer pump. <
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. For 
this reason, keep it away from ignition 
sources and store only in the closed original 
container out of reach of children. Otherwise, 
there is the danger of bodily injury. Always 
observe the instructions for use provided on the 
containers. <
Filler neck for washer fluid
Only add washer fluid with the engine 
cooled down to excl ude contact with hot 
engine components. Otherwise there is a dan-
ger of fire and to personal  safety if the fluid is 
spilled. < All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser-
voir.
Fill with water and – if re
quired – with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain  the mixture ratio, mix 
the washer fluid before filling. <
Capacity
Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
The cruise control with a braking function is 
available for use at speeds of approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h and higher. The vehicle stores and 
maintains the speed that you set using the lever 
mounted on the steering column. To keep the 
specified speed constant, the system brakes if 
the engine braking effect is not sufficient on a 
downhill grade.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g. when  driving on winding 
roads, in heavy traffic or in poor road conditions 
such as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface. 
Otherwise you could lose control of the vehicle 
and cause an accident. < 

Controls
 83Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Displaying service requirements
1Knob for selecting display
2 Service requirements
3 Engine oil
4 Legally mandated inspections
*
5Front brake pads 6
Rear brake pads
7 Brake fluid
The sequence of the displayed maintenance 
items can vary. First the  data for the next main-
tenance are displayed.
Additional information
You can select a display  of more detailed infor-
mation on the maintenance scope on the Con-
trol Display. For operating principle refer to 
page 16.
1. Open the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Info sources" and press the control-
ler.
4. Select "Service Info" and press the control-
ler. 5.
Change to upper field  if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Service requirements" is 
selected and press the controller. 

Mobility
 263Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Maintenance
BMW maintenance system
The BMW maintenance system supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The service schedule also 
includes operations related to the vehicle's 
comfort and convenience features, such as 
replacement of the filters for the inside air. 
The ultimate objective is to ensure economical 
maintenance by providing the ideal service for 
your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell 
your BMW, a complete  dealer service history 
will prove to be an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algo rithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current  and future service 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen  that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Contro l Display to show 
remaining distances and times of selected 
maintenance intervals and legally mandated 
deadlines, refer to page 82:
> Engine oil
> Brake pads, front and rear separately
> Brake fluid
> Vehicle check >
Legally mandated inspections depending 
on local regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required for 
maintenance continuously  in the remote con-
trol during driving. After accessing the data 
stored in the remote co ntrol, your BMW Service 
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of 
service procedures for yo ur own individual vehi-
cle. You should therefore hand over the remote 
control you last used to drive to the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor when you take your vehicle in for 
service.
Make sure the date is  set correctly, refer 
to page 89, otherwise the effectiveness 
of CBS Condition Based Service is not 
ensured. <
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that  you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center. 
Take the time to ensure  that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by  entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.< 

Care
266
Steam cleaners/high-pressure 
cleaning jets
When using steam cleaners or high-pres-
sure cleaning jets, make sure to maintain 
a sufficient distance and stay below a maximum 
temperature of 140 7/60 6.
Insufficient distance or excessive pressure or 
temperature can damage pa rts of the vehicle or 
can result in water pene tration. Follow the oper-
ating instructions for  the high-pressure clean-
ing jets. <
When using high-pressure cleaning jets, 
do not remain in one  place for a long time 
and be sure to maintain a distance of at least 
12 in/30 cm from sensors and cameras, e.g. 
Park Distance Control  sensors or rear view 
camera. <
Hand washing
When washing the vehicle by hand, use plenty 
of water and car washing shampoo. Clean the 
vehicle with gentle pressure using a sponge or a 
washing brush.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or  switch off the igni-
tion to prevent unwanted wiper operation. <
Follow local guidelines  for washing vehi-
cles by hand. <
Headlamps
Do not rub dry and never use abrasives or 
strong solvents to clean the covers.
Loosen dirt, e.g. insects, with shampoo or 
insect remover and wash away with plenty of 
water.
Use a window de-icer to remove accumulated 
ice and snow, not a scraper.
Windows
Use a glass cleaner to clean the inside and out-
side surfaces of the windows and the glass sur-
faces of the mirrors.
Do not use quartz-containing cleansers 
to clean glass surfaces of the mirrors. <
Wiper blades
Clean with soapy water and replace regularly to 
prevent streaking.
The presence of wax and sealant residues 
and dirt on the windows leads to streaking 
during wiper operation and results in premature 
wear on wiper blades as well as interference 
with the rain sensor. <
Caring for the vehicle finish
Regular care helps your vehicle retain its value 
and protects the paint from the long-term 
effects of aggressive substances.
Regionally occurring en vironmental factors can 
affect and damage vehicle  finish. It is therefore 
important to tailor the fr equency and extent of 
your car care accordingly.
Immediately remove particularly aggressive 
substances such as sp illed fuel, oil, grease, 
brake fluid, tree resin,  or bird droppings; other-
wise, they may damage your paint.
Repairing paint damage
Repair stone damage  or scratches imme-
diately, depending on  the severity of the 
damage, to prevent the formation of rust. <
BMW recommends having paint damage pro-
fessionally repaired us ing Genuine BMW finish 
materials in accordance  with factory guidelines.
Waxing
Sealant is required when  w a t e r  n o  l o ng e r  b e a ds  
on the clean surface of the paint. Use only prod-
ucts that contain carnauba wax or synthetic wax 
to seal your finish.
Rubber gaskets
Treat only with water or  a rubber care product.
To avoid noise or damage, do not use 
products that contain silicone to care for 
rubber gaskets. <
Chrome components
Particularly after exposure to road salt, thor-
oughly cleanse parts like  the radiator grille, door 
handles, or window frames with plenty of water  

Everything from A to Z
296
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display texts used to select 
individual functions, and 
indicates where to find them 
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake System 96
Accessories 6
Access to 3rd row seats 54
Acoustic signal, refer to Check  Control 85
Activated-charcoal filter 119
"Activation time" for parked- car ventilation 122
Active seat 57
Active seat ventilation 56
Active steering 104
– malfunction 104
– warning lamp 104
Adaptive brake lamp, brake  force display 105
Adaptive Drive 99
Adaptive fixing system 133
Adaptive Head Light 112
"Add digits" for mobile  phone 228
Address for navigation
– deleting 159
– entering 151,158
– selecting 159
– storing 158
– storing current position 158
"Add to destination list" 153
Adjusting confirmation signals  for locking and unlocking 31
Adjusting opening 
height 34,36, 37 Adjusting temperature with 
expanded-scope automatic 
climate control 116
Adjusting the tone during  audio operation, refer to 
Tone control 175
Adjusting thigh  support 49,50
"After door opened" 51
"After unlocking" 51
Airbags 105
– sitting safely 48
– warning lamp 107
Air distribution
– automatic 115,120
– manual 116
Airing, refer to Ventilation 118
Air recirculation 117
– AUC Automatic  recirculated-air control 117
– recirculated-air mode 117
"Air recirculation on / off" 59
Air vents 11
 4
– refer to Ventilation 118
Air vents of automatic climate  control 114
Air volume 116,120
AKI, refer to Fuel  specifications 245
Alarm system 38
– avoiding unintentional  alarms 39
– interior motion sensor 39
– switching off alarm 38
– switching off tilt alarm  sensor and interior motion 
sensor 39
– tilt alarm sensor 39
"All channels" in Satellite 
radio 185
"All doors" 30
Alloy wheels 267 All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires 257
"All stations" displaying in 
radio mode, 178
All-wheel drive, refer to  xDrive 97
Alterations, tech nical, refer to 
For your own safety 5
"AM", reception 
range 175,178
"Angle of view"
– DVD changer 197
– DVD system in rear 209
Antenna for mobile phone 220
Antifreeze
– coolant 262
– washer fluid 75
Antilock Brake System 
ABS 96
Anti-theft system
– refer to Alarm system 38
– refer to Central locking  system 29
Approved axle weights, refer 
to Weights 289
Approved engine oils 262
Approved gross vehicle 
weight, refer to Weights 289
Armrest, refer to Center  armrest, front 127
Around the center console 14
Around the steering wheel 10
Arrival time
– refer to Computer 80
– refer to Starting destination  guidance 162
"Arrow display" in  navigation 163
"Arrow display pop-up 
instructions" 149
Arrow view for navigation  system 163 

Everything from A to Z
300
Compartments, refer to 
Storage compartments 127
Compass, digital 124
Computer 80
– displays in instrument 
panel 80
– displays on Control  Display 80
– trip computer 81
"Concierge" 239
Concierge service 239
Condition Based Service  CBS 263
"Confirmation" 31
Connecting car vacuum  cleaner, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices 129
Connecting headphones 205
Consumption, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption 80
Consumption indicator, 
energy control 79
Consumption statistics, refer  to Average fuel 
consumption 80
"Contrast"
– DVD changer 196
– DVD system in rear 208
Control Center, refer to  iDrive 16
Control Display, refer to  iDrive 16
– setting brightness 89
Controller, refer to iDrive 16
Controls
– DVD changer 193
– DVD system in rear 204
– refer to Cockpit 10
Convenience operation
– glass sunroof 30,32
– glass sunroof with comfort  access 40
– windows 30,32
– windows with comfort  access 40
– with comfort access 40Coolant
262
– checking level 262
– temperature 79
Cooling, maximum 117
Cornering Brake Control 
CBC 96
Courtesy lamps, refer to  Interior lamps 113
Cradle for telephone or mobile  phone 127
Cruise control 75
Cruising range 80
Cup holders 127
Curb weight, refer to  Wei
ghts 289
"Current position" 169
Current position
– displaying 169
– entering 158
– storing 158
"Customer  Relations" 230,238
Cylinders, refer to Engine  data 286
D
Data 286
– capacities 290
– dimensions 287
– engine 286
– technical data 286
– weights 289
"Date" 89
Date 78
– display format 89
– retrieving 78
– setting 89
"Date format" 89
Daytime driving lamps 111
"Deactivated" 51
Defrosting windows 116
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation 116
Defrost position, refer to  Defrosting windows 116
"Delete all numbers" on the  mobile phone 229 "Delete data" for 
navigation 159
"Delete" for mobile  phone 229
Destination address
– deleting 159
– entering 151,153
Destination for navigation
– destination list 157
– entering 150
– selecting from address 
book 159
– selecting using 
information 156
– selecting using voice 153
– storing 158
Destination guidance 162
– canceling voice  instructions 60
– changing specified  route 160
– displaying route 163
– distance and arrival 162
– ending/continuing 162
– starting 162
– voice instructions 165
– volume of voice  instructions 166
Destination list for navigation  system 157
Destinations recently driven 
to 157
"Details"
– DVD system in the rear 212
– in audio mode 202
"Dial" for mobile phone 227
"Dial number" 227
"
Diamond button" 59
Diesel exhaust fluid
– at low temperatures 246
– at minimum 246
– refilling yourself 247
Diesel particulate filter 139
Digital clock 78
Digital compass 124
Digital radio, refer to High 
Definition Radio 181 

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