
 5Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The individual vehicle
When purchasing your BMW, you have decided 
in favor of a model with individualized equip-
ment and features. This Owner's Manual 
describes the entire array of options and equip-
ment available with a specific BMW model.
Please bear in mind that the manual may con-
tain information on accessories and equipment 
that you have not specified for your own vehicle. 
Sections describing options and special equip-
ment are marked by asterisks 
* to assist you in 
identifying possible differences between the 
descriptions in this manual and your own vehi-
cle's equipment.
If equipment in your BMW is not described in 
this Owner's Manual, please refer to the accom-
panying Supplementary Owner's Manuals.
Editorial notice
BMW pursues a policy of continuous, ongoing 
development that is conceived to ensure that 
our vehicles continue to embody the highest 
quality and safety standards combined with 
advanced, state-of-the-art technology. For this 
reason, it is possible that the features described 
in this Owner's Manual could differ from those 
on your vehicle.
For your own safety
Maintenance and repairs
Advanced technology, e.g. the use of 
modern materials and high-performance 
electronics, requires specially adapted mainte-
nance and repair methods. Therefore, have cor-
responding work on your BMW performed only 
by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or 
a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel. If this work is not carried out prop-
erly, there is a danger of subsequent damage 
and related safety hazards.<
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts 
and accessories approved by BMW. 
When you purchase accessories tested and 
approved by BMW and Genuine BMW Parts, 
you simultaneously acquire the assurance that 
they have been thoroughly tested by BMW to 
ensure optimum performance when installed 
on your vehicle. 
BMW warrants these parts to be free from 
defects in material and workmanship. 
BMW will not accept any liability for damage 
resulting from installation of parts and accesso-
ries not approved by BMW. 
BMW cannot test every product made by other 
manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a 
BMW safely and without risk to either the vehi-
cle, its operation or its occupants. 
Genuine BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and 
other products approved by BMW, together 
with professional advice on using these items, 
are available from all BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Centers. 
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, radios, 
amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension 
components, brake dust shields, telephones, 
including operation of any mobile phone from 
within the vehicle without using an externally 
mounted antenna, or transceiver equipment 
such as CBs, walkie-talkies, ham radios, or sim-
ilar accessories may cause extensive damage 
to the vehicle, compromise its safety, interfere 
with the vehicle's electrical system or affect the 
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. Refer to 
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center for 
additional information.<
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of 
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performed by any automotive 
repair establishment or individual using any cer-
tified automotive part.<
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At a glance
 13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 upper edge of the Control 
Display explain the meaning of the displayed 
indicator and warning lamps.
Additional information, e.g. on the cause of a 
malfunction and on the corresponding need to 
take action can be displayed via the Check Con-
trol, refer to page77.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 lamps indicate that cer-
tain functions are activated:
With parking brake set61
With parking brake set for Canadian 
models
Fog lamps105
*
High beams/headlamp flasher104
Lamp flashes: 
DSC or DTC controls the drive and 
braking forces for maintaining vehicle 
stability89
Exhaust-gas values245
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Voice activation system
22
Voice activation system
The concept
The voice activation system allows you to con-
trol operation of various vehicle systems with-
out ever removing your hands from the steering 
wheel.
Individual menu items on the Control Display 
can be spoken as commands. This frees you of 
having to use the controller.
The voice activation system transforms your 
oral commands into control signals for the 
selected systems and provides support in the 
form of instructions or questions.
The voice activation system uses a special 
microphone located in the area of the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to page14.
Precondition
Using iDrive, set the language that applies for 
the voice activation system in order to enable 
identification of the spoken commands. To set 
the language of iDrive, refer to page81.
Symbols in Owner's Manual
Voice commands
Activating voice command system
1.Press the  button on the steering wheel.
 This symbol on the Control Display and 
an acoustic signal tell you that the voice 
activation system can respond to com-
mands.2.Say the command. 
The command is displayed on the Control 
Display.
 This symbol appears on the Control Display 
when you can enter additional commands. 
If no other commands are possible, then oper-
ate the equipment via iDrive.
Terminating or canceling voice 
command system
Press the  button on the steering wheel 
or
In dialogs that call for a text of your choice, the 
procedure can only be canceled using the but-
ton on the steering wheel.
Possible commands
The commands available in each case depend 
on the menu item selected on the Control Dis-
play.
To have the available commands read aloud:
For example, if "CD/DVD" is selected, the com-
mands for operating CD/Multimedia are read 
aloud.
Running functions directly with short 
commands
With short commands you can carry out certain 
functions directly, regardless of which menu 
item is selected, refer to page273.
*
{...} Say the specified commands word for 
word. 
{{...}} Indicates responses of the voice acti-
vation system.
{Cancel}
{Voice commands}
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At a glance
 23Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Example: selecting the track of a CD
1.Switch on Entertainment sound output if 
necessary.
2.Press the  button on the steering wheel.
Setting the voice dialog
You can set whether the system should use the 
standard dialog or a shorter variant. In the 
shorter variant of the voice dialog, the prompts 
and responses from the system are abbrevi-
ated.
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3."Speech mode:"
4.Select a setting:
>"Default"
>"Short"
Notes
To operate the phone by voice, refer to 
page209.<
For voice commands, bear in mind the follow-
ing:
>Do not use the voice activation system to 
initiate an Emergency Request. In stressful 
situations, the voice and vocal pitch can 
change. This can unnecessarily delay the 
establishment of a telephone connection.>Say the commands and numbers smoothly 
and at normal volume, avoiding excessive 
emphases and pauses. This also applies 
when spelling out and saying a full word 
during destination entry.
>When selecting a radio station, use the 
common pronunciation of the station name.
>For entries in the voice-activated phone 
book, only use names in the language of the 
voice activation system and no abbrevia-
tions.
>Keep doors, windows, and glass sunroof
*/
panorama glass sunroof
* closed in order to 
avoid unpleasant outside noise.
>Avoid making other noise in the vehicle 
while speaking. 3.Select the music track, e.g.: 
{C D track 4}
System says: 
{{Track 4}}
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Opening and closing
26
Opening and closing
Keys/remote control
Each remote control contains a battery which is 
automatically charged in the ignition lock while 
driving. Drive a longer distance with each 
remote control at least twice a year to keep the 
battery charged. For comfort access
*, the 
remote control contains a replaceable battery, 
refer to page37.
Depending on which remote control is detected 
by the vehicle during unlocking, different set-
tings are called up and carried out in the vehicle, 
refer to Personal Profile, page26.
Information on the required maintenance is also 
stored in the remote control, refer to Service 
data in remote control, page244.
Integrated key
Press button1 to unlock the key.
The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Driver's door, refer to page29
>Floor panel flap in cargo bay, refer to 
page124
New remote controls
To obtain additional or replace lost keys, new 
remote controls with an integrated key are 
available at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
Center.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW 
individually according to your preferences. Per-
sonal Profile ensures that most of these set-
tings are stored for the remote control currently 
in use without you having to do anything. When 
the vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding 
remote control is detected and the settings 
stored for it are called up and carried out.
This means that you will always find your BMW 
set to your own personal settings even if 
another person with his/her own remote control 
and settings has used the vehicle since the last 
time you drove it. The individual settings are 
stored for a maximum of four remote controls, 
for two with comfort access
*.
Personal Profile settings
Details on the settings are provided on the 
specified pages.
>Behavior of the central locking system 
when unlocking vehicle, refer to page28
>Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to 
page30
>Displays on Control Display:
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer 
to page80
>Measuring units for consumption, route/
distances, temperature, and pressure, 
refer to page80
>Language on Control Display, refer to 
page81
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Opening and closing
34
Closing liftgate
Make sure that the closing path of the lift-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may 
result.<
The liftgate closes automatically when you 
press the button on the inside of the liftgate.
To stop the closing process:
>Press the button on the inside of the lift-
gate.
>Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate.
Closing is not canceled when you put the 
vehicle into motion.<
The liftgate also closes automatically 
without pressing the button if it is loaded 
with an additional weight of approx. 11 lbs./5 kg, 
e.g. snow or ice.<
Manually opening or closing
In case of an electrical malfunction:
1.Push out cover 1 on the liftgate with a 
screwdriver.
2.Push the catch 2 in the direction of the 
arrow.
3.Open or close the liftgate slowly and with-
out making sudden movements.
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the liftgate is 
opened
>To movements in the vehicle: interior 
motion sensor, refer to page35
>To changes in the vehicle's tilt if someone 
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the 
vehicle
>To interruptions in battery voltage
Unauthorized operations are briefly signaled by 
the alarm system:
>with an acoustic alarm
>by switching on
 the hazard warning flashers
>by flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
With the system armed, the liftgate can also be 
opened using the  button of the remote con-
trol, refer to page28. When the liftgate is 
closed, it is once again locked and monitored.
Switching off alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote control, 
refer to page27.
>Insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
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Opening and closing
36 >The engine can only be started if the vehicle 
detects that the remote control is located in 
the vehicle.
Comparison with ordinary remote 
control
You can control the functions mentioned previ-
ously with the comfort access or by pressing 
the buttons on the remote control. Therefore, 
please familiarize yourself with the information 
on opening and closing beginning on page26 
beforehand.
The special features when using comfort 
access are described in the following.
Should a short delay occur when opening 
or closing the windows or the glass sun-
roof
*/panorama glass sunroof*, the system 
checks whether a remote control is located in 
the vehicle. Please repeat opening or closing if 
necessary.<
Releasing
Completely grasp a door handle, arrow1. 
This corresponds to pressing the  button.
Locking
Touch the area highlighted in the picture, 
arrow2, with your finger for approx. 1 second.
This corresponds to pressing the 
button.
Please make sure that all electronic sys-
tems/consumers are switched off before 
locking to save the battery.<
Comfort closing
Hold a finger or the back of a hand on the sur-
face, arrow2.
The windows and the glass sunroof
*/panorama 
glass sunroof
* are closed.
Watch during the closing process to be 
sure that no one is injured. Removing the 
hand from the door handle immediately stops 
the closing process.<
Opening liftgate
Press the button on the liftgate. 
This corresponds to pressing the  button.
If a remote control accidentally left in the 
cargo bay is detected in the locked vehi-
cle after the liftgate is closed, then the liftgate 
opens again. The hazard warning flashers flash 
and a signal
* sounds.<
Switching on radio readiness
By briefly pressing the Start/Stop button, you 
switch on the radio readiness, refer to page59.
When doing so, do not depress the brake 
pedal, otherwise the engine will start.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion if a remote control is located in the interior 
of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in the igni-
tion lock, refer to page59.
As long as no remote control is detected in the 
vehicle, it is only possible to restart the engine 
within approx. 10 seconds after it is switched off 
if no door has been opened.
Switching off engine
>Remote control not in ignition lock:
After switching off the engine, the transmis-
sion is automatically switched into trans-
mission position P.
>Remote control in ignition lock:
If transmission position N is engaged, the 
transmission remains in this position after 
the engine is switched off.
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Opening and closing
38 Separate switches for the rear windows are 
located in the rear.
For information on using convenience opera-
tion at the door lock or with the remote control, 
refer to page28 or29.
For information on comfort closing with comfort 
access, refer to page36.
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the windows with the 
remote control removed or the ignition 
switched off for approx. 1 minute, as long as 
neither of the front doors has been opened.
Pinch protection system
If the closing force rises beyond a predefined 
threshold during closing, the system will stop 
moving the window prior to lowering it again 
slightly.
Despite the pinch protection system, 
inspect the window's travel path prior to 
closing it, as the safety system might fail to 
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as 
thin objects, and the window would continue 
closing. 
Do not install any accessories in the range of 
movement of the windows, otherwise the pinch 
protection system will be impaired.<
Closing without pinch protection 
system
In case of danger from outside or if, for example, 
ice on the window prevents normal closing, pro-
ceed as follows:
1.Pull the switch beyond the resistance point 
and hold. The pinch protection system is 
limited and the window opens slightly if the 
closing force exceeds a certain value.
2.Pull the switch beyond the resistance point 
and hold again within approx. 4 seconds. 
The window closes without the pinch pro-
tection system.
Safety switch
With the safety switch, you can prevent the rear 
windows from being opened or closed via the 
switches in the rear passenger area, by chil-
dren, for example. The LED lights up when this 
safety feature is activated.
Always press the safety switch when chil-
dren ride in the rear, otherwise uncon-
trolled closing of the windows could lead to 
injuries.<
BMW X5: panorama glass 
sunroof*
The panorama glass sunroof is ready for opera-
tion with the ignition switched on, refer to 
page59.
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the panorama glass sunroof and 
keep it in your field of vision until it is closed. 
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for 
example, operate the roof and injure them-
selves.<
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