
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. 

Mobility
 245Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Fuel specifications
Gasoline engine: required fuel
Do not use leaded gasoline, otherwise 
damage to the catalytic converter will 
result.
Do not use E85, i.e. fuel that consists of 85 % 
ethanol, or Flex Fuel, otherwise permanent 
damage to the engine and the fuel supply sys-
tem will result. <
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is hi ghly recommended.
However, you may also  use gasoline with less 
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds 
when starting at high outside temperatures. 
This has no affect on the engine life.
Do not use gasoline below the specified 
minimum quality, otherwise engine dam-
age can result. <
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has in dicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, 
additives, etc., among ga solines offered for sale 
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other 
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight, 
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an 
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void 
the applicable warranti es with respect to 
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in 
drivability, starting and stalling problems 
especially under certai n environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and 
high altitude. 
Should you encounter drivability problems 
which you suspect could be  related to the fuel 
you are using, we recommend that you respond 
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand 
such as gasoline that is  advertised as Top Tier 
Detergent Gasoline. 
Failure to comply with  these recommendations 
may also result in un scheduled maintenance. <
BMW X5 with BMW Advanced Diesel: 
Required fuel
Ultra-low sulfur diesel
The engine of your BMW is designed for diesel 
with a low sulfur content:
Ultra-low sulfur diesel ASTM D 975-07a.
Refuel only with ultra-low sulfur diesel. 
The percentage of biodiesel in the fuel 
must not exceed 5 Ξ, referred to as B5. Do not 
refuel with gasoline. If the vehicle has been 
refueled with incorrect fuel such as gasoline, do 
not start the engine; otherwise, there is a dan-
ger of engine damage. <
After incorrect refueling, contact a BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center.
The fuel filling neck is designed for refuel-
ing with diesel nozzles.
If the nozzle cannot be inserted into the fuel 
filler pipe of your BMW, please check to make 
sure that you are refueling with a diesel fuel 
pump and whether this is equipped with a diesel 
nozzle. <
Winter diesel
In order to assure the  operational reliability of 
the diesel engine, during cold seasons, please 
refuel with winter diesel, which is sold at fuel 
stations during this time of year. The standard 
fuel filter heating prevents the supply of fuel 
from stalling during driving.
Do not mix in any additives or gasoline; 
otherwise, there is the risk of engine dam-
age. <
BMW X5 with BMW Advanced 
Diesel
The concept
BMW Advanced Diesel reduces nitrogen oxides 
in the diesel exhaust of your vehicle by injecting 
the reducing agent diesel exhaust fluid into the 
exhaust line. In the cata lytic converter, a chem-
ical reaction occurs th at minimizes nitrogen 
oxides. 

Maintenance
264
Socket for OBD Onboard 
Diagnostics interface
Components which are decisive for the 
exhaust-gas composition can be checked via 
the OBD socket with a device.
This socket is located to  the left on the driver's 
side, on the underside of the instrument cluster 
under a cover.
Exhaust-gas values
The warning lamp lights up:
The vehicle is producing an elevated 
amount of exhaust emissions. Contin-
ued driving is possible. Have it checked at your 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center as soon as 
possible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction in Canadian models.
The lamp flashes under ce rtain conditions. This 
is a sign of excessive misfiring of the engine. In 
this case, you should reduce your speed and 
proceed to the nearest  BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center. Heavy engine misfiring causes 
serious damage to the emission-relevant com-
ponents, especially th e catalytic converter, 
within a short time.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system will assume that 
fuel vapor escapes. Then a display lights up. If 
the cap is then tightened,  the display will go out 
within a few days. <
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with 
a device for recording or transmitting certain 
v e hi c l e  d a t a  o r  i n f o r m a t i o n .  I f  y o u h a v e  a l s o  s u b -
scribed to BMW Assist, ce rtain vehicle data can 
be transmitted or reco rded to enable corre-
sponding services. 

Reference 299
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Cargo bay
– capacity289
– emergency operation, refer  to Opening manually 33,36
– expanding 132
– opening/closing, refer to  Liftgate 33,35
– opening/closing, refer to 
Tailgate 35
– opening from inside 33,36
– opening from outside 33,36
– opening with remote  control 30
Cargo bay cover, refer to Roll- up cover 130
Caring for the vehicle 
finish 266
Car key, refer to Keys/remote  control 28
Car phone 220
– installation location, refer to  Center armrest, front 127
– refer to Mobile phone 220
– refer to separate operating  instructions
Car radio, refer to Radio 178
Car wash 140,265
– before driving in 66
– with comfort access 41
Catalytic converter, refer to  Hot exhaust system 139
"Categories" in Satellite  radio 185
CBC Cornering Brake 
Control 96
CBS Condition Based  Service 263
"CD" 175,187
– for DVD system in rear 206
CD, refer to Playing audio 
tracks, DVD system in 
rear 210
CD/DVD player, DVD system 
in rear 205 CD changer
187
– compressed audio files 187
– controls 174
– fast forward/reverse 190
– random sequence 190
– repeating a track 189
– sampling tracks 189
– selecting a CD 187
– selecting a track 188
– switching on/off 174
– ton
e control 175
– volume 175
CD player 187
– compressed audio files 187
– controls 174
– fast forward/reverse 190
– random sequence 190
– repeating a track 189
– sampling tracks 189
– selecting a track 188
– switching on/off 174
– tone control 175
– volume 175
Cell phone
– refer to Mobile phone
Center armrest
– front 127
– rear 130
Center brake lamp 272,275
Center console 14
Central locking system 29
– comfort access 39
– from inside vehicle 32
Changes, technical
– refer to For your own  safety 5
– refer to Parts and 
accessories 6
Changing gears using shift  paddles 71
Changing language on  Control Display 90
Changing tires 256
Changing units of measure on  Control Display 89
Changing wheels 275
Check Control 85
"Check Control  messages" 86 Checking the air pressure, 
refer to Tire inflation 
pressure 249
Children, transporting 61
Child restraint devices 61
Child restraint fixing system  LATCH 62
Child restraint systems 61
Child-safety locks 64
Child seats 61
Chime, refer to Check 
Control 85
Cigarette lighter, refer to 
Lighter 129
Cleaning your BMW, refer to  Care 265
"Climate" 56
Clock 78
– 12h/24h mode 89
– setting tim
e 88
Closing
– from inside 32
– using remote control 29
Closing fuel filler cap 244
Clothes hooks 127
Cockpit 10
Cold start, refer to Starting  engine 66
"Color" in DVD system in  rear 208
Comfort access 39
– observe in car wash 41
– replacing battery 41
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console 14
Comfort start, refer to Starting  engine 66
"Communication" 226 ,236, 237, 238,239
Compact Disc
– refer to CD changer 187
– refer to CD player 187
Compact wheel
– inflation pressure 251
– wheel change 275
Compartment for remote 
control, refer to Ignition 
lock 65