Driving
68
Switching on wipers
Pull the lever upward, arrow1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode with the vehicle stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance
point.
The system reverts to normal speed with the
vehicle stationary.
Intermittent operation or rain sensor*
With the rain sensor, the wiper operation is con-
trolled automatically as a function of the rain
intensity. The rain sensor is located on the
windshield, directly in front of the interior rear-
view mirror.
Activating intermittent operation or
rain sensor
Press the button, arrow3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Setting interval for intermittent wipe or
sensitivity of rain sensor
Turn the thumbwheel5.
Deactivating intermittent operation or
rain sensor
Press the button again, arrow3. The LED goes
out.Deactivate the rain sensor when passing
through an automatic car wash. Failure to
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper activation.<
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
Pull the lever, arrow4.
The system sprays washer fluid against the
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief
period.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched
on, the headlamps are also cleaned at regular
and appropriate intervals.
Do not use the washers if there is any
danger that the fluid will freeze on the
windshield. If you do so, your vision could be
obscured. To avoid freezing, use a washer fluid
antifreeze, refer to Washer fluid. Do not use
washing mechanisms when the washer fluid
reservoir is empty, otherwise you will damage
the washer pump.<
Windshield washer nozzles
Both windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated with the engine running or the igni-
tion switched on.
BMW X5: rear window wiper
1Intermittent mode. When reverse gear is
engaged, continuous operation is switched
on automatically
2Cleaning the rear window
Do not use washing mechanisms when
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, other-
wise you will damage the washer pump.<
ba8_e70ag.book Seite 68 Freitag, 5. Juni 2009 11:42 11
Controls
69Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. For
this reason, keep it away from ignition
sources and store only in the closed original
container out of reach of children. Otherwise,
there is the danger of bodily injury. Always
observe the instructions for use provided on the
containers.<
Filler neck for washer fluid
Only add washer fluid with the engine
cooled down to exclude contact with hot
engine components. Otherwise there is a dan-
ger of fire and to personal safety if the fluid is
spilled.<
All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser-
voir.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix
the washer fluid before filling.<
Capacity
Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
The cruise control with a braking function is
available for use at speeds of approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h and higher. The vehicle stores and
maintains the speed that you set using the lever
mounted on the steering column. To keep the
specified speed constant, the system brakes if the engine braking effect is not sufficient on a
downhill grade.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g. when driving on winding
roads, in heavy traffic or in poor road conditions
such as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface.
Otherwise you could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident.<
One lever for all functions
1Storing speed and maintaining or increas-
ing
2Storing speed and maintaining or decreas-
ing
3Deactivating cruise control
4Resuming stored speed
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press, arrow1, or briefly pull, arrow2
lever.
The speed currently being driven is stored and
maintained. It is indicated on the speedometer
and briefly in the instrument panel.
The controlled speed can drop on uphill grades
if the engine output is insufficient. If the engine
braking effect is not sufficient on a downhill
grade, the system lightly brakes the vehicle.
Increasing speed
Repeatedly press the lever up to or beyond the
resistance point, arrow1, until the desired
speed is set.
>Each time the lever is pressed to the resis-
tance point, the speed is increased by
approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
ba8_e70ag.book Seite 69 Freitag, 5. Juni 2009 11:42 11
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
84 The image of the rear view camera is displayed.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Malfunction
A Check Control message appears in the
instrument panel, refer to page77.
The areas in front of and behind the vehicle
appear in shaded form on the Control Display.
PDC is malfunctioning. Have the system
checked.
In order to assure full functionality:
>Keep sensors clean and free of ice.
>Do not spray the sensors with high-pres-
sure cleaners for long periods and keep the
spray nozzle at least 12 in/30 cm away from
them.
Top View*
The concept
Top View assists you when parking and maneu-
vering. To accomplish this, the door region and
road surface region are shown on the Control
Display.
Detection
Detection is carried out by two cameras inte-
grated into the exterior mirror and the rear view
camera.
The range is:
>approx. 7 ft/2 m to the side
>approx. 7 ft/2 m to the rear
Obstacles up to the height of the exterior mir-
rors are thus detected in a timely fashion.
System limitations
In the following situations, the function of
Top View is limited:
>when a door is open
>when the liftgate is open
>when the exterior mirrors are folded in
>under poor lighting conditions
The arrows next to the vehicle are displayed in a
shaded form on the Control Display and a sym-
bol appears at the corresponding location on
the vehicle.
Also make a direct visual check of the
traffic situation around the vehicle. Other-
wise, there could be a risk of accident, for exam-
ple due to other road users or objects outside
the image range of the camera.<
Automatic activation
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, shift the selector lever into position R.
The images from Top View and PDC are dis-
played when the system has been switched on
using iDrive.
Automatic deactivation
The system switches off and the LED goes out:
>after approx. 165 ft/50 m when driving for-
ward
>at speeds over approx. 25 mph/35 km/h
when driving forward
Switch the system back on as needed.
Switching on/off manually
Press the button.
>On: LED lights up.
ba8_e70ag.book Seite 84 Freitag, 5. Juni 2009 11:42 11
Refueling
224
Refueling
Switch off the engine before refueling.
When handling fuel, always observe all
applicable precautionary measures and regula-
tions. Never transport reserve fuel containers in
the vehicle. These could become leaky and
cause an explosion or a fire in an accident.<
Fuel filler door
Opening
1.Open the fuel filler door. To do this, briefly
press the lower edge.
2.Turn the fuel filler cap counterclockwise.
3.Place the fuel filler cap in the bracket
attached to the fuel filler door.
Closing
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you clearly
hear a click.
Do not crush the band attached to the
cap; otherwise, the cap may not properly
seal and fuel vapors can escape.<
A message
* is displayed if the cap is loose or
missing.
Releasing manually
If an electrical malfunction should occur, you
can unlock the fuel filler door manually.
1.Open the right-hand side panel in the cargo
bay.
2.Pull the knob with the gas pump symbol.
Observe the following when refueling
When handling fuels, follow the safety
precautions posted at the filling station.
Otherwise, there is a danger of personal injury
or property damage.<
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid raising the filler
nozzle during refueling, otherwise this leads to
>premature pump shutoff
>a reduced efficiency of the fuel-vapor
recovery system
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks
off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 22.5 US gal/85 liters, including the
reserve capacity of approx. 2.1 US gal/8 liters
X5 xDrive48i: approx. 2.6 US gal/10 liters
reserve
X6 xDrive50i: approx. 3.2 US gal/12 liters
reserve
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
ba8_e70ag.book Seite 224 Freitag, 5. Juni 2009 11:42 11
Mobility
225Reference
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 highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is:
>BMW X5: 87
>BMW X6: 89
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 indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines 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 warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
drivability, starting and stalling problems
especially under certain 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 unscheduled 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.
Only refuel with ultra-low sulfur diesel.
The percentage of biodiesel in the fuel
must not exceed 5Ξ, 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.<
In the event the ultra-low sulfur diesel
nozzle cannot be fully inserted into the
fuel filler neck, please contact BMW Roadside
Assistance for instructions on how to add fuel.
For more information on BMW Roadside Assis-
tance, refer to page262.<
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 filling
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.<
ba8_e70ag.book Seite 225 Freitag, 5. Juni 2009 11:42 11
Mobility
247Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Steam cleaners/high-pressure
cleaning jets
When using steam cleaners or high-pres-
sure cleaning jets, make sure to maintain
a sufficient distance and stay below a maximum
temperature of 1407/606.
Insufficient distance or excessive pressure or
temperature can damage parts of the vehicle or
can result in water penetration. Follow the oper-
ating instructions for the high-pressure clean-
ing jets.<
Do not spray the sensors and cameras,
e.g. of Park Distance Control, Top View,
or rear view camera, with high-pressure clean-
ers for long periods and keep the spray nozzle
at least 12 in/30 cm away from them.<
Hand washing
When washing the vehicle by hand, use plenty
of water and car washing shampoo. Clean the
vehicle with gentle pressure using a sponge or a
washing brush.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or switch off the igni-
tion to prevent unwanted wiper operation.<
Follow local guidelines for washing vehi-
cles by hand.<
Headlamps
Do not rub dry and never use abrasives or
strong solvents to clean the covers.
Loosen dirt, e.g. insects, with shampoo or
insect remover and wash away with plenty of
water.
Use a window de-icer to remove accumulated
ice and snow, not a scraper.
Windows
Use a glass cleaner to clean the inside and out-
side surfaces of the windows and the glass sur-
faces of the mirrors.
Do not use quartz-containing cleansers
to clean glass surfaces of the mirrors.<
Caring for the vehicle finish
Regular care helps your vehicle retain its value
and protects the paint from the long-term
effects of aggressive substances.
Regionally occurring environmental factors can
affect and damage vehicle finish. It is therefore
important to tailor the frequency and extent of
your car care accordingly.
Immediately remove particularly aggressive
substances such as spilled fuel, oil, grease,
brake fluid, tree resin, or bird droppings; other-
wise, they may damage your paint.
Repairing paint damage
Repair stone damage or scratches imme-
diately, depending on the severity of the
damage, to prevent the formation of rust.<
BMW recommends having paint damage pro-
fessionally repaired using Genuine BMW finish
materials in accordance with factory guidelines.
Waxing
Sealant is required when water no longer beads
on the clean surface of the paint. Use only prod-
ucts that contain carnauba wax or synthetic wax
to seal your finish.
Rubber gaskets
Treat only with water or a rubber care product.
To avoid noise or damage, do not use
products that contain silicone to care for
rubber gaskets.<
Chrome components
Particularly after exposure to road salt, thor-
oughly cleanse parts like the radiator grille, door
handles, or window frames with plenty of water
with shampoo added to it. For additional treat-
ment, use chrome polish.
Alloy wheels
Depending on your system, braking can gener-
ate dust, which settles on the light-alloy wheels.
Remove this dust regularly with acid-free wheel
cleaner.
ba8_e70ag.book Seite 247 Freitag, 5. Juni 2009 11:42 11
Everything from A to Z
288 Music player
– connecting, refer to USB-
audio interface183
Music player, connecting
– refer to AUX-IN
connection183
Music search179
My Info208
N
Navigation data140
Navigation destination
– entering manually141
– home address144
Navigation instructions, refer
to Switching voice
instructions on/off152
Navigation system140
– address book143
– bypassing a route
section151
– continuing destination
guidance150
– destination entry141
– entering a destination by
voice147
– entering a destination
manually141
– questions about system157
– route list151
– selecting destination via
map146
– selecting route criteria150
– special destinations144
– starting destination
guidance150
– terminating destination
guidance150
– trip planner148
– voice instructions152
– volume adjustment152
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints46
New remote control26
New wheels and tires237
North-facing map152Nozzles, refer to Windshield
washer nozzles68
Nylon rope, refer to Tow-
starting and towing263
O
OBD socket245
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications225
Odometer71
Oil
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils243
– approved engine oils243
– consumption, refer to
Checking engine oil
level241
– level241
– refilling, refer to Adding
engine oil242
Oil change interval, refer to
Service requirements74
Onboard computer, refer to
iDrive16
Onboard toolkit250
Opening and closing
– comfort access35
– from inside30
– panorama glass sunroof39
– using remote control27
– using the door lock29
Opening liftgate33
Operation on poor roads135
Options, selecting for
navigation150
Orientation menu, refer to
Main menu17
Output, refer to Engine
data268
Outside air, refer to AUC
Automatic recirculated-air
control110
Outside temperature
display71
– changing unit of measure80
Outside temperature
warning71
Overview, radio control160
P
Panic mode28
Panorama glass sunroof38
– moving manually40
– power failure40
– raising, opening, closing39
Park Distance Control PDC82
Parked-car ventilation114
– preselecting activation
times114
– switching on and off
directly114
Parking, vehicle60
Parking aid
– refer to PDC Park Distance
Control82
– refer to Rear view camera86
Parking assistance
– refer to PDC Park Distance
Control82
– refer to Top View84
Parking brake61
– Automatic Hold61
– indicator lamp13
– releasing manually61
– releasing manually in case of
an electrical malfunction63
– setting manually61
Parking lamps102
Parking with Automatic
Hold62
Particulate filter, refer to
Diesel particulate filter131
Parts and accessories5
Passenger-side exterior
mirror, tilting down53
Pathway lighting103
Paying attention to speed238
PDC Park Distance Control82
Personal Profile26
Phone book205
Phone numbers, dialing206
Pinch protection system
– glass sunroof, electric41
– panorama glass sunroof39
– power windows38
Plasters, refer to First-aid
kit262
ba8_e70ag.book Seite 288 Freitag, 5. Juni 2009 11:42 11
Reference 293
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Transmission positions, refer
to Automatic transmission
with Steptronic64
Transporting children
safely55
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing cargo134
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tread depth236
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer71
Trip odometer71
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions269
Turn signals67
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs251,254
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR235
Units
– average fuel
consumption80
– temperature80
Universal garage-door
opener, refer to Integrated
universal remote
control115
Universal remote control115
Unlocking
– from inside30
– liftgate28
– setting behavior28
– using remote control27
– without key, refer to Comfort
access35
Unlocking and locking doors
using remote control27
Unlocking without key, refer to
Comfort access35
Updating the navigation
data140
USB audio interface183
Used batteries
– refer to Disposal258
– refer to Replacing battery37
V
Valve screw caps, refer to
After mounting258
VCD173
Vehicle
– battery258
– breaking-in130
– loading133
– measurements, refer to
Dimensions269
– parking60
– storing249
– weights271
Vehicle care, refer to Care246
Vehicle jack257
– jacking points257
Ventilation111
– draft-free111
– in the rear111
– rear automatic climate
control113
– 3rd row seats112
– while stationary114
Vent outlets of automatic
climate control107
Vents, refer to Ventilation111
Video menu174
Video playback173
Voice, refer to Destination
guidance through voice
instructions152
Voice activation system22
– short commands273
Voice instructions for
navigation system152
– repeating152
– switching on/off152
– volume152
Volume160
– audio sources160
– mobile phone205
– voice instructions152
Volume balance, tone
setting161
Volume of warning tones81
W
Warning lamps, refer to
Indicator and warning
lamps13
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control77
Warning tone, volume81
Warning triangle261
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models244
Washer/wiper system67
– rain sensor68
– washer fluid69
– windshield washer
nozzles68
Washer fluid69
– capacity of the reservoir69
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water132
Water penetration247
Waveband for radio163
Wear indicators in tires, refer
to Minimum tread depth236
Weather reports165
Website4
Weights271
Wheel/tire combination, refer
to New wheels and tires237
Wheel/tire damage236
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions269
Wheels and tires229
Width, refer to
Dimensions269
Windows37
– convenience operation28
– convenience operation from
outside29
– convenience operation with
comfort access36
– opening, closing37
– pinch protection system38
– safety switch38
ba8_e70ag.book Seite 293 Freitag, 5. Juni 2009 11:42 11