
At a glance
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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 

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Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle can roll if you proceed according to 
the following steps:
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2. Depress brake pedal.
3. Engage transmission position N.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Switch off the engine.
6. Leave the remote control in the ignition 
lock.
Malfunction
The comfort access function may malfunction 
due to local radio waves. Then open or close the 
vehicle with the buttons on the remote control 
or with a key. To start the engine following this, 
insert the remote control in the ignition lock.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when an attempt is 
made to start the engine: starting the 
engine is not possible. The remote control is 
not in the vehicle or has a malfunction. Take 
along the remote control into the vehicle or 
have it checked. Insert another remote control 
into the ignition lock if necessary.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when  the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer in the vehicle. After switching off the 
engine, the engine can only be started again 
within approx. 10 seconds if no door has been 
opened.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
Replace the battery of  the remote control.
Replacing battery
The remote control for comfort access contains 
a battery which must be replaced if necessary.
1.Remove integrated key from remote con-
trol, refer to page 28.
2. Remove cover. 3.
Lay in new battery with  positive side facing 
upward.
4. Press cover closed.
Dispose of used batteries at a collection 
point or at your BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center. <
Windows
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the windows and keep them in 
your field of vision until they are shut. 
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherw ise children could, for 
example, operate the windows and injure them-
selves. <
Opening, closing
>Press switch to resistance point: 
The window continues to open as long as 
you keep the switch pressed.
> Press switch beyond resistance point: 
The window opens automatically. Pressing 
the switch again stops the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch. 

Adjusting
54
Access to 3rd row seats*
Pull the lever and fold the seat forward.The handle recess on th e interior trim of 
the door pillar makes climbing in easier. <
When folding back the 2nd row seats, 
make sure that the footwell under the 
2nd row seats is clear.  Otherwise persons in the 
3rd row seats could be injured or objects dam-
aged.<
Warning lamp for 2nd row seats: 
Lights up when the 2nd row seats are 
not locked. A message also appears 
on the Control Display.
3rd row seats*
The 3rd row seats are divided and offer space 
for two persons.
Folding up backrest
Before folding the seats up, remove the roll-up 
cover, refer to page 130, and if need be, slide 
the 2nd row seats slightly forward.
1. Pull the lever, refer to  arrow. The backrest is 
unlocked.
2. Fold up and engage the backrest. Make sure that the catch engages 
securely. If it is no
t properly engaged, 
transported cargo could enter the passen-
ger compartment during braking or evasive 
maneuvers and endanger the vehicle occu-
pants. <
3. Push the head restraints into the top posi-
tion.
Folding backrest down
1.Push down the head  restraint, refer to 
page 53.
2. Pull the lever, refer to  arrows. The backrests 
are released.
3. Fold the backrest down.
Safety belts
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
observe the adjustment instructions on 
page 48.<
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but  they do not represent a 
substitute. 

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Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in 
the belt buckle.
Safety belt reminder for driver's seat 
and passenger seat
The indicator lamp lights up and a 
signal sounds. A message also 
appears on the Control Display. 
Please check whether the safety belt is cor-
rectly fastened.
The safety belt reminder is operative at speeds 
above approx. 5 mph/8 km/h. It can also be acti-
vated if objects are placed on the passenger 
seat.
Releasing
1. Grasp the belt firmly.
2. Press the red button in the buckle.
3. Guide the belt into its reel.
The shoulder strap's anchorage point will be 
correct for adult seat occupants of every build if 
the seat is correctly  adjusted, refer to page 49.
BMW X5: the two rear safety belt buckles inte-
grated into the rear seat are for passengers sit-
ting on the left and right. The belt buckle 
embossed with the word CENTER is intended 
exclusively for use by passengers riding in the 
center position.
Damage to safety belts
In the event of loads caused by accidents 
or other damage: replace the belt system 
including the safety be lt tensioners and any 
child restraint devices, an d have the belt anchor 
points checked. Only have  this work carried out 
at a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or at a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with corres pondingly trained per-
sonnel. Otherwise correct operation of this 
safety equipment is not guaranteed. <
Belt-force limiter
The effect of the belt-force limiter on the 
driver's seat is dependent on the position of the 
driver's seat. To maintain the long-term accuracy of this 
function, the driver's seat
 must be calibrated if a 
corresponding message  is displayed on the 
Control Display.
Calibrating driver's seat
The warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage also appears on the Control Dis-
play. Please calibrate the driver's 
seat.
1. Move the driver's seat forward until it stops.
2. Move the driver's seat forward again. It 
briefly moves toward the front in the pro-
cess.
3. Set the desired seating position again.
The calibration is comp leted when the message 
on the Control Display disappears. Should this 
message continue to be  displayed, repeat the 
calibration. If the message does not disappear 
even after repeated calibration, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
Never carry out calibration while the vehi-
cle is moving, as this can cause accidents.
Make sure that no persons or objects become 
wedged during the calibration process, as this 
can cause injuries or damage. <
Seat heating*
Front
The temperature setting progresses one step 
through its control sequence each time you 
press the button. The maximum temperature is 
supplied when three LEDs are lit.
To switch off: press the button longer. 

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Accelerating does not deactivate the cruise 
control. After releasing the accelerator pedal, 
the stored speed is reached and maintained 
again.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up if the 
cruise control has been deactivated 
automatically, e.g. by a control inter-
vention of the DSC. A message appears on the 
Control Display.
Resuming stored speed
Briefly press the button, arrow 4. The stored 
speed is resumed and maintained.
With the ignition switched off, the stored speed 
value is deleted and cannot be resumed again.
Displays in instrument panel
1 Stored desired speed
2 Selected desired speed appears briefly
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears 
in the instrument panel display, it is possi-
ble that the system prerequisites for operation 
are currently not met. <
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up if the sys-
tem has failed. A message appears on 
the Control Display. Detailed informa-
tion is provided from page 85. 

Everything under control
78
Everything under control
Odometer, outside 
temperature display, clock
1Knob in the instrument panel
2 Time, outside temperature, and date
3 Odometer and trip odometer
Knob in the instrument panel
>With ignition switched on
Press knob: 
Resetting trip odometer
Press the knob for approx. 5 seconds: 
Displaying service requirements, refer to 
page 82
> With ignition switched off
Press knob:
Briefly displaying time, outside temperature 
and odometer
Units of measure
To select the respective units of measure, miles 
or km for the odometer as well as 7  or 6 for 
the outside temperat ure, refer to page89.
The setting is stored fo r the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Time, date, outside temperature
From radio readiness the outside temperature 
and the time are displayed.
Setting the time, refer to page 88.
Retrieving date
Press the button on turn signal lever upward; 
the date appears.
To set the date, refer to page 89.
Pressing the button upward or downward sev-
eral times changes the display between clock, 
outside temperature, da te, and Check Control 
messages, refer to page 86.
Outside temperature warning
If the display drops to +37 7/+3 6, a signal 
sounds and a warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. There is 
an increased danger of ice.
Even at temperatures above +37 7/
+3 6 ice can form. Therefore, drive care-
fully, e.g. on bridges and  sections of road in the 
shade, otherwise there is an increased accident 
risk.<
Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting trip odometer:
Press knob  1 in the instrument panel with the 
ignition switched on.
When vehicle is parked
To briefly display the time, outside temperature 
and mileage after the re mote control has been 
removed from the ignition lock:
Press knob  1 in the instrument panel. 

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Tachometer
Do not operate the engine with the needle in the 
red overspeed zone of the gauge, refer to arrow. 
At high revs in this range, the flow of fuel is 
interrupted to protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
Should the coolant, and with it the engine 
become too hot, a warning lamp lights up. In 
addition, a message appears on the Control 
Display.
Checking coolant level, refer to page262.
Engine oil temperature*
When the engine is at operating temperature, 
the engine oil temperature is between approx. 
170 7/80 6 and approx. 250 7/120 6.
When the engine oil temperature is too high, a 
warning lamp lights up in  the instrument panel.
Energy control*
Displays the current fuel consumption. This 
allows you to see whethe r your current driving 
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions. 

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Check Control
The concept
The Check Control monitors functions in the 
vehicle and issues a message if there is a mal-
function in the monitored systems. This kind of 
Check Control message co nsists of indicator 
and warning lamps in the instrument cluster, 
and if necessary an acoustic signal and text 
messages at the bottom of  the Control Display.
Indicator and warning lamps
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different combinations and colors.
 means that a Check Control message has 
been generated. The symbol continues to be 
visible even when the Check Control message 
disappears after a short time. The warning 
lamps and text messages are stored and can be 
displayed later, also refer to page 86.
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.
You can display additional information on most 
Check Control messages later, e.g. on the 
cause of the malfunction and on corresponding 
need for action, see below.
In the case of corresponding urgency, this infor-
mation is displayed immediately when the 
related lamp lights up.
Exit the displayed information:   Select the arrow an d press the controller.
Hiding Check Control messages
Press the button in the turn signal lever up or 
down.