Things to remember when driving
132
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-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between the tires and
the road surface, ultimately 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 page236.
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 pressure 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 braking 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 transmission, if necessary into
first gear, refer to page65. 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 operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants 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 respond 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.
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Mobility
227Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
exhaust fluid at temperatures below +237/
-56 even between the regular maintenance
intervals.
If the fluid needs to be refilled, this will be indi-
cated with the reserve display in the instrument
panel, refer to page226.<
Only refill the diesel exhaust fluid
yourself in exceptional circumstances
In order to get your vehicle to reach the nearest
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center, you may
refill the diesel exhaust fluid yourself, making
sure to heed the warning notices.
Do not allow diesel exhaust fluid to come
into contact with you. This can lead to
skin and eye irritation. Wear protective goggles
and gloves as needed. Follow the safety
instructions on the bottle.
When opening the bottle or reservoir, pungent
smelling vapors can escape. Before refilling,
close the vehicle completely so that the vapors
do not get into the interior of the vehicle. When
handling diesel exhaust fluid in enclosed
spaces, make sure to have sufficient ventilation.
After handling diesel exhaust fluid, wash hands
thoroughly. Failure to do so may lead to irrita-
tion, e.g. due to inadvertent contact with the
eyes.
If eye irritation occurs, immediately rinse eyes
with ample water and contact a doctor if neces-
sary.
If diesel exhaust fluid comes into contact with
surfaces of your vehicle, rinse the affected sur-
faces with water or else damage may occur.
Keep diesel exhaust fluid out of reach of chil-
dren.<
Suitable diesel exhaust fluid
>Preferred: BMW Diesel Exhaust Fluid.
This bottle and its special adapter permit
convenient refilling with diesel exhaust
fluid.
>Alternative: NOx reduction agent AUS 32
You can get diesel exhaust fluid at your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Refilling quantity
Refilling quantity at the start of the reserve dis-
play: approx. 0,75 US gal/2.7 liters reserve
Open reservoir for diesel exhaust fluid
1.Open hood, refer to page239.
2.Fit releasing tool from onboard tool kit, refer
to page250 into place and open the lock,
refer to arrow.
Refilling BMW diesel exhaust fluid
1.Set bottle into place and rotate until it
comes into contact with the stop, refer to
arrow.
2.Press bottle down, refer to arrow.
The reservoir of the vehicle is filled.
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Wheels and tires
236
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page237.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. For the sake of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base are
distributed over the tire's circumference and
are marked on the side of the tire with TWI –
Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread has been
driven down to the wear indicators, a tread
depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazards and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or
tire shop that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. If necessary, have the vehicle towed
there. Otherwise, tire damage can be extremely
dangerous to vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
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Mobility
243Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical
significance for the operation and service life of
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-
cific oils after confirming their suitability for use
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
will be happy to answer more detailed
questions about approved oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Do not use oil additives, as these may
result in engine damage.<
Alternative oil grades
If none of the approved oils is available at a
given time, you can also use smaller quantities
of other oils between oil changes. The packag-
ing must include one of the following indica-
tions of oil specifications.
Gasoline engines
>Preferred: BMW Longlife-01,
BMW Longlife-01 FE
>Alternative: BMW Longlife-98, API SM or
higher
Diesel engines
>BMW Longlife-04
Viscosity grades
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and
is specified in SAE grades.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on
the climatic conditions in the region in which
you normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the SAE classi-
fications 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 and
5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside
temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant
can cause burns.<
Coolant is composed of equal parts water and a
coolant additive. Not all commercially available
additives are suitable for your BMW. Your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center can recommend
suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise
engine damage may result. The additives
present a health hazard; observe the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Do not open the hood until the engine has
cooled down.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to
open.
3.The coolant level is correct when the cool-
ant level is between the MIN and MAX
marks, refer to the diagram adjacent to the
filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level; do not overfill.
5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.
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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.
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Care
248 Do not use aggressive, acid-containing,
strongly alkaline, or coarse cleansers and
do not use steam cleaners at temperatures
greater than 1407/606; otherwise you may
damage your vehicle.<
Aluminum running boards
A rust film on the aluminum running boards can
be removed with a special cleaning agent.
Outside sensors/cameras
Make sure that sensors and cameras out-
side the vehicle, e.g. Park Distance Con-
trol, Top View, or rear view camera, are kept
clean and free of ice in order to assure full func-
tionality.<
Interior care
Upholstery materials/cloth-covered
paneling
Clean regularly with a vacuum cleaner in order
to remove surface dirt.
In the event of more serious soiling such as bev-
erage stains, use a soft sponge or a lint-free
microfiber cloth in combination with suitable
interior cleaners. Follow the instructions on the
packaging.
Clean upholstery material over a large
area extending out to the seams. Avoid
intense friction.<
Open Velcro fasteners on pants or other
items of clothing can cause damage to
the seat covering. Make sure that the Velcro
fasteners are closed.<
Leather/leather-covered paneling
The leather used by BMW is a high quality
natural product. Slight patterns in the
grain are part of the typical properties of a natu-
ral leather.<
Dust and dirt from the road chafe in pores and
folds and result in considerable wear and cause
the leather surface to become prematurely brit-
tle. We therefore suggest that you clean the leather with a dust cloth or vacuum cleaner at
regular intervals.
Particularly with light-colored leather, make
sure to clean it regularly since it has a greater
tendency to become soiled.
Treat the leather twice a year with a leather
lotion since dirt and grease harm the protective
layer of the leather.
Carpets/cargo bay
Floor carpets and floor mats can be vacuumed
or cleaned with interior cleaner when they are
more heavily soiled.
Floor mats can be removed for cleaning. When
inserting into place, make sure that the seat
rails do not protrude over the floor mats; other-
wise floor mats can be damaged.
Fluff on new floor mats is a result of the produc-
tion process and can be removed by repeated
vacuuming.
Plastic components inside
>Vinyl upholstery surfaces
>Lamp lenses
>Cover glass of instrument cluster
>Matt parts
should be cleaned with water and, if necessary,
solvent-free plastic cleaner.
Fine wooden components
Use a damp cloth to clean fine wooden trim
panels and components. Follow up by drying
with a soft cloth.
Safety belts
Soiled seatbelt straps hinder the reeling, thus
reducing safety.
Do not use chemical cleansers as they
can destroy the webbing.<
Inside sensors/cameras
Clean inside sensors and cameras, such as
those of the high-beam assistant, using a lint-
free cloth moistened with glass cleaner.
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Reference 283
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Diesel exhaust fluid
– at low temperatures226
– at minimum226
– refilling yourself227
Diesel particulate filter131
Digital clock71
Digital compass116
Digital radio, refer to HD
Radio164
Dimensions269
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals67
Direction announcements,
refer to Voice
instructions152
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions152
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book143
Displacement, refer to Engine
data268
Display, refer to iDrive16
Displaying images195
Displaying special
destinations146
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting105
Displays, refer to Instrument
panel12
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-Up
Display100
Disposal
– battery of remote control
with comfort access37
– battery of the remote
control, DVD system in
rear189
– vehicle battery258
Distance, refer to
Computer74
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer74
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control82
Door entry lighting106Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control26
Door lock29
Door locking, confirmation
signals28
Doors
– manual operation29
– remote control27
DOT Quality Grades235
Downhill driving assistance,
refer to HDC90
Draft-free ventilation111
Drinks holder, refer to Cup
holders119
Driver's seat, calibrating50
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams102
Driving on poor roads135
Driving stability control
systems88
Driving through water132
Driving tips, refer to General
driving notes130
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function110
Drying the air, refer to Cooling
function110
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control88
– indicator lamp13,89
DSC OFF, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control88
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control89
– activating89
– indicator lamp89
DVD
– country codes173
– settings174
– video playback173
DVD changer, refer to CD
changer171
DVD menu174
DVD player, refer to CD
player171DVD system in rear187
– CD/DVD player188
– connecting headphones188
– controls187
– displaying images from CD/
DVD195
– DVD country codes190
– external device198
– information on CD/DVD
player196
– playing audio tracks from
CD/DVD193
– playing video from CD/
DVD190
– remote control188
– switching on/off189
DVD video173
Dynamic Performance
Control90
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC88
Dynamic Traction, refer to
Dynamic Traction
Control89
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC89
E
Easy entry/exit54
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD/DVD player160
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic66
– door lock29
– driver's door29
– fuel filler door224
– glass sunroof, electric42
– liftgate31
– panorama glass sunroof40
– parking brake63
Electric seat44
Electronic brake-force
distribution88
Electronic oil level check241
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Reference 285
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Fuel consumption display,
computer, average fuel
consumption73
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge73
Fuel filler door224
– closing224
– opening224
– releasing manually224
Fuses259
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control115
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel225
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge73
Gearshifts, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic65
General driving
notes130,131
Glass sunroof
– convenience operation from
outside29
– convenience operation with
comfort access36
– remote control28
Glass sunroof, electric40
– moving manually42
– opening, closing41
– power interruption42
– raising41
Glove compartment118
– lighting118
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system140
Grills, refer to Ventilation111
Grills of the automatic climate
control107
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights271
Guided Tours149
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake61
– Automatic Hold61
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone14
Hand washing247
Having diesel exhaust fluid
refilled226
Hazard warning flashers15
HDC Hill Descent Control90
HD Radio164
Head airbags98
Headlamp control,
automatic102
Headlamp flasher67
Headlamps102
– cleaning, refer to Washer/
wiper system67
– replacing bulbs250
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light103
Head restraints46
– sitting safely43
Head-Up Display100
Heated
– mirrors52
– rear window109
– seats50,51
– steering wheel54
Heating107
– exterior mirrors52
– interior107
– rear window109
– residual heat110
– seats50,51
– steering wheel54
Heating with engine switched
off, refer to Residual
heat110
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing
cargo134
Height
– on Head-Up Display100
– refer to Dimensions269
Height adjustment
– seats44
– steering wheel53High-beam assistant104
High beams67,104
– automatically switching on
and off, refer to High-beam
assistant104
– headlamp flasher67
– indicator lamp13
High-pressure cleaning
jets247
High water, refer to Driving
through water132
Highway, refer to Route
criteria150
Hill Descent Control HDC90
Hills132
Holder for cups119
Homepage4
Hood239
Horn10
Hot exhaust system131
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to Brake assistant88
Hydroplaning132
I
IBOC, refer to HD Radio164
Ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning71
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature warning71
Identification, tire238
Identification mark, run-flat
tires237
iDrive16
– changing language81
– changing settings79
– changing units of measure
and display type80
– controller16
– controls16
– main menu17
– setting brightness80
– setting date80
– setting time79
– status information19
Ignition59
– switched off59
– switched on59
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