
Cockpit
10
Cockpit
Around the steering wheel: controls and displays
1Rear window safety switch 42
2 Opening and closing windows 41
3 Folding exterior mirrors in and out
*57
4 Adjusting exterior mirrors 57
Automatic curb monitor
*58
5 Instrument lighting 113
Fog lamps 112
6
Parking lamps 110
Low beams 110
Automatic headlamp control
*110  
Adaptive Head Light
*112  
7 Head-Up Display
*107 

At a glance
 13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different combinations and colors.
Some lamps are tested for proper function by 
briefly lighting up during starting of the engine 
or when the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the dis-
played indicator and warning lamps.
Additional information, e.g. on the cause of a 
malfunction and on the corresponding need to 
take action can be disp layed via the Check Con-
trol, refer to page 85. In the case of corresponding urgency, this infor-
mation is displayed immediately when the 
related lamp lights up.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator la
mps indicate that cer-
tain functions are activated:
With parking brake set 67
With parking brake set for Canadian 
models
Fog lamps 112
High beams/headlamp flasher 112
Lamp flashes: 
DSC or DTC controls the drive and 
braking forces for maintaining vehicle 
stability 97
Exhaust-gas values 264
Exhaust values fo r Canadian models 

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. < 

Destination guidance
168
Displaying detailed traffic information
Select traffic information from the displayed list 
and press the controller.
To exit from the menu: Select the arrow and press the controller.
Symbols for traffic information
Traffic event with map scales greater 
than 5 miles/10 km, arrow points in 
the direction of travel concerned.
Several traffic events have been 
received. Select a smaller scale to 
display these  individually. 
Traffic light failure
Roadwork
General traffic obstruction
Transport of hazardous load
Vehicle on wrong carriage way
Danger
Low clearance
No parking
Fog
Heavy rain
Slippery road
Cross winds
Smog
Road closed
Slow traffic
Traffic back up
Stopped traffic
Icy roads
Uneven surface
Accident
Lane closure
Delay
Police checkpoint
Slow traffic or other traffic event
Stop-and-go traffic
Stopped traffic
Traffic event in bo th directions of 
travel 

Replacing components
270
When performing care and maintenance on the 
headlamps, please observe the information on 
page
266.
For bulbs for which  replacement is not 
described and for checking and adjusting 
headlamp aim, please contact your BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. <
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of 
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These 
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a 
concept similar to that applied in conventional 
lasers, are officially designated as Class 1 light-
emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers, and never 
stare into the unfilter ed light for several 
hours, as irritation of the retina could result. <
BMW X5: changing lamps
Xenon light
These bulbs have a very long service life and 
the probability of a failure  is very low. If one of 
these bulbs should nevertheless fail, it is possi-
ble to continue driving with great caution using 
the fog lamps, provided traffic laws in your area 
do not prohibit this.
Have work on the xenon light unit includ-
ing changing the bulb carried out only by 
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. Due to the high voltage present in the 
system, there is a danger of fatal injuries when 
work is carried out improperly.<
Halogen bulbs:
Parking lamps and roadside parking 
lamps, daytime driving lamps
35-Watt bulb, H8
The bulb is pressurized. Therefore, wear 
safety glasses and protective gloves. 
Otherwise there is a danger of injuries if the  bulb is accidentally 
damaged during replace-
ment. <
1. Turn the cover to the left and remove.
2. Turn the bulbs to the  left, pull off the con-
nector and replace.
3. Install in the  reverse order.
Turn signals, front
24-Watt bulb, PY24W
1.Unscrew bulb holder with bulb to the left, 
refer to arrow, and replace.
2. Install in the  reverse order.
Side marker lamps, rear
To replace, please go to  a BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Tail lamps
> Turn signals, brake lamps: 21-watt bulb, 
P21W
> Backup lamps and brake force display: 16-
watt bulb, W16W
> Rear lamp: LE D technology. 
In case of a defect, please go to a BMW  

Mobility
 273Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
the fog lamps, provided traffic laws in your area 
do not prohibit this.
Have work on the xenon light unit includ-
ing changing the bulb  carried out only by 
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with corres pondingly trained per-
sonnel. Due to the high voltage present in the 
system, there is a danger of fatal injuries when 
work is carried out improperly. <
Parking lamps and roadside parking 
lamps, daytime driving lamps
35-Watt bulb, H8
The bulb is pressurized. Therefore, wear 
safety glasses and protective gloves. 
Otherwise there is a dang er of injuries if the 
bulb is accidentally  damaged during replace-
ment. <
1. Turn the cover to th e left and remove.
2. Left side of vehicle:
Rotate the bulb holder to the right, refer to 
arrow, and remove.
Right side of vehicle:
Rotate the bulb hold er to the left and 
remove.
3. Disconnect plug and replace bulb. 4.
Install in the reverse order.
Side marker lamps
5-Watt bulb, WY5W XLL
1.Rotate the bulb hold er to the left and 
remove.
2. Pull the bulb out of the bulb holder and 
replace.
3. Install in the reverse order.
Turn signals, front
24-Watt bulb, PY24W
1.Rotate bulb holder to the left and remove it 
along with the bulb.
2. Rotate the bulb to th e right along with the 
socket and replace.
3. Install in the reverse order.
Tail lamps
>Turn signal, backup lamps: 21-watt bulb, 
H21W
> Brake lamps, brake force display: 21-watt 
bulb, P21W
> Rear lamp: LED technology. 
In case of a defect, please go to a BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a work- 

Reference 303
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Flat tire
– changing wheels275
– compact wheel 275
– Flat Tire Monitor 100
– run-flat tires 101,103, 256
– TPM Tire Pressure  Monitor 101
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 100
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler  neck for washer fluid 75
"FM", reception 
range 175,178
FM, waveband 178
Fog lamps 112
– indicator lamp 13,112
Folding display screen open/
closed, DVD system in 
rear 204
Folding rear seat backrest 132
Footbrake, refer to Braking  safely 140
Footwell lamps 113
For your own safety 5
4-wheel drive system, refer to  xDrive 97
Front airbags 105
Front passenger airbags 105
– deactivating 106
– refer to Exception of front  passenger seat 61
Front seat adjustment 49
FTM Flat Tire Monitor 100
– false alarms 100
– indicating a flat tire 101
– initializing the system 100
– snow chains 257
– system limits 100
– warning lamp 101
Fuel 245
– capacity 290
– display 80
– high-quality brands 245
– quality 245
– saving 138
– specifications 245
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel 
gauge 80 Fuel consumption display
– computer, average fuel 
consumption 80
Fuel display, refer to Fuel  gauge 80
Fuel filler door 244
– closing 24
 4
– opening 244
– releasing manually 244
Fuses 278
G
Garage door opener, refer to 
Integrated universal remote 
control 123
Gasoline, refer to Required  fuel 245
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel 
gauge 80
Gearshifts, automatic  transmission with 
Steptronic 71
General driving  notes 138,139
Glass sunroof
– convenience operation from  outside 32
– convenience operation with  comfort access 40
– remote control 30
Glass sunroof, electric 45
– moving manually 46
– opening, closing 45
– power interruption 46
– raising 45
Glove compartment 126
– lighting 126
GPS navigation, refer to  Navigation system 148
Grills, refer to Ventilation 118
Grills of the automatic climate  control 114
Gross vehicle weight, refer to  Weights 289
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking 
brake 67
Hands-free system, refer to 
Microphone 14
Hand washing 266
Have diesel exhaust fluid 
refilled 246
Hazard warning flashers 15
HDC Hill Descent Control 98
"HD radio" 181
HD radio, refer to High 
Definition Radio 181
Head airbags 105
Headlamp control, 
automatic 110
Headlamp flasher 73
Headlamps 110
– cleaning, refer to Washer/ wiper system 74
– replacing bulbs 269
Head Light, refer to Adaptive  Head Light 112
Head restraints 52
– sitting safely 48
"Head-Up Display" 108
Head-Up Display 107
Heated
– mirrors 58
– rear window 116
– seats 55,56
– steering wheel 59
Heating 114
– exterior mirrors 58
– interior 114
– rear window 116
– residual heat 118
– seats 55,56
– steering wheel 59
Heating with engine switched  off, refer to Residual 
heat 118
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing  cargo 143
Height, refer to 
Dimensions 287