
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. 

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. 

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