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