
Driving tips
 139Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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- 

Mobility
 245Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
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. 

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
306
Malfunction warnings, refer to 
Check Control 85
Manual air distribution 116
Manual BMW Teleservice  call 237
"Manual" in radio mode 179
Manually releasing  transmission lock 72
Manual mode, automatic  transmission with 
Steptronic 71
Manual operation
– door lock 32
– driver's door 32
– fuel filler door 244
– transmission lock, automatic 
transmission 72
Map
– changing scale 164
– destination entry 155
"Map direction of travel" 164
"Map facing north" 164
Map facing north 164
Master key, refer to Keys/ remote control 28
Maximum cooling 117
Maximum speed
– for winter tires 257
– with compact wheel 277
Memory, refer to Seat, mirror  and steering wheel 
memory 50
"Menu"
– for DVD system in 
rear 207,209
– in DVD changer 195,197
Menus, refer to iDrive 16
Message list for traffic  information 167
Microfilter 119
Microphone
– for mobile phone 14
– for telephone 14
– for voice activation  system 14
Mirror dimming feature 58Mirrors
57
– automatic curb monitor 58
– exterior mirrors 57
– folding in and out 57
– heating 58
– interior rearview mirror 58
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror  and steering wheel 
memory 50
"Missed calls" 228
Missed calls 229
Mobile phone
– accepted calls 229
– adjusting volume 226
– calling 227
– e
 nding call 227
– installation location, refer to  Center armrest, front 127
– missed calls 229
– operation via iDrive 226
– redialing 229
– refer to separate operating 
instructions
– Top 8 229
– touch tone dialing 230
Monitor, refer to iDrive 16
Monitoring tire pressure, refer  to FTM Flat Tire 
Monitor 100
"Monitor on / off" 59
MP3, refer to Compressed 
audio files 187
Multifunction steering wheel,  refer to Buttons on steering 
wheel 11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher/high 
beams 73
– refer to Washer/wiper 
system 74
Music track, refer to  Tracks 188
"Mute on / off" 59
N
"Navigation"80,156
Navigation destination
– entering manually 151,153
– home address 160
– selecting via map 155
Navigation drive, installation 
location 148
Navigation DVD 148
– player 174
Navigation instructions, refer  to Switching voice 
instructions on/off 165
Navigation system 148
– address book 158
– changing route 166
– destination entry 150
– destination guidance in 
assistance window 148
– destination list 157
– displaying current 
position 169
– displaying route 163
– ending/continuing 
destination guidance 162
– entering a destination  manually 151,153
– last destinations 157
– navigation DVD 148
– opening 150
– route list 164
– searching for a special  destination 156
– selecting destination using  information 156
– selecting destination via 
map 155
– selecting route criteria 160
– starting destination 
guidance 162
– switching off, refer to  Ending/continuing 
destination guidance 162
– voice instructions 165
– volume adjustment 166
"Navigation voice  instructions" 59