
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92
Selecting chassis and suspension 
tuning
Press the button. 
The system switches between the two chassis 
and suspension tuning settings.
>Sport:
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT 
is displayed in the instrument panel.
>Normal:
The LED in the button goes out.
The selection of the chassis and suspension 
tuning setting is stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
Starting assistant
The starting assistant enables you to start off 
conveniently on slopes. The parking brake is 
not required for this purpose.
1.Hold the vehicle with the footbrake.
2.Release the footbrake and immediately 
drive off quickly.
The starting assistant holds the vehicle 
for approx. 2 seconds after releasing the 
footbrake. Depending on the load, the vehicle 
may also roll back slightly during this time. 
After releasing the footbrake, immediately start 
quickly, otherwise the starting assistant no 
longer holds the vehicle after approx. 2 seconds 
and it begins to roll back.<
Self-leveling suspension*
The concept
The self-leveling suspension on the rear axle 
assures a continuous ground clearance.
To do so, the height of the vehicle is measured 
by sensors at both rear wheels.
If the actual height deviates from the defined 
height, e.g. due to loading of the vehicle, then 
this difference is compensated for very quickly. 
In addition, spring motions resulting from cor-
nering or irregularities in the road surface are 
reduced to a minimum.
The system functions automatically.
Malfunctions
Malfunctions are displayed via Check Control, 
refer to page77.
FTM Flat Tire Monitor*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor detects a pressure loss in 
one tire by comparing the speeds of the individ-
ual wheels during driving.
In the event of a pressure loss, there is a change 
in the rolling circumference and therefore the 
rotation speed of the corresponding wheel. The 
system detects this change and reports it as a 
flat tire.
Function requirements
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.
The initialization must be repeated after 
each time the tire inflation pressure is cor-
rected and after every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate 
sudden severe tire damage caused by 
outside factors and does not detect a natural, 
even pressure drop in all four tires.<
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Lamps
102
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lights off and daytime driving lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime driving lamps*
2Low beams and welcome lamps
3Automatic headlamp control
*, daytime 
driving lamps
*, welcome lamps, Adaptive 
Head Light
* and high-beam assistant*
If you open the driver's door with the ignition 
switched off, the exterior lighting is automati-
cally switched off when the light switch is in 
position0, 2 or 3.
If necessary, switch on the parking lamps, 
switch position1.
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side 
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the 
parking lamps for parking.
The parking lamps drain the battery. Do 
not leave them switched on for long peri-
ods of time, otherwise it may no longer be pos-
sible to start the engine. It is better to switch on 
the roadside parking lamps on one side, refer to 
page104.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is 
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
Automatic headlamp control*
In switch position3, the system activates the 
low beams and switches them on or off in response to changes in ambient light condi-
tions, for instance, in a tunnel, at dawn and dusk 
and in case of precipitation. Adaptive Head 
Light
* is active. The LED next to the symbol 
lights up when the low beams are on. You can 
activate the daytime driving lamps, refer to 
page103. In the situations named above, the 
system then automatically switches over to the 
low beams.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can 
cause the lights to be switched on.
The low beams remain switched on inde-
pendent of the ambient lighting condi-
tions when you switch on the fog lamps
*.<
The automatic headlamp control cannot 
serve as a substitute for your personal 
judgment in determining when the lamps 
should be switched on in response to ambient 
lighting conditions. For example, the sensors 
cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid 
safety risks, you should always switch on the 
low beams manually under these conditions.<
Welcome lamps
When parking the vehicle, if you leave the light 
switch in position2 or3, the parking lamps and 
the interior lamps light up briefly when the vehi-
cle is unlocked.
Activating/deactivating welcome 
lamps
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Welcome light"
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Lamps
104
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one 
side of your vehicle when parking.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down beyond the resistance point for approx. 
1 second, arrow3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave them switched on for 
long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer 
be possible to start the engine.<
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction 
up to the resistance point, arrow 3.
High-beam assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high 
beams on and off again. The process is con-
trolled by a sensor on the front side of the inte-
rior rearview mirror. The Assistant makes sure 
that the high beams are switched on whenever 
the traffic situation permits. This relieves you of 
eyestrain and at the same time offers you the 
best possible visibility. Naturally, you can inter-vene at any time and switch the high beams on 
and off as usual.
Activating system
1.Turn the light switch to position3, refer to 
page102.
2.With the low beams on, briefly press the 
turn signal lever toward the high-beam set-
ting.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when the high-beam 
assistant is activated. The system 
automatically switches the high beams on and 
off, reacting not only to oncoming traffic and 
traffic ahead, but also to sufficient illumination, 
e.g. in built-up areas.
Switching high beams on and off 
manually
If you wish or the situation requires it, you can 
intervene at any time:
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on 
the high beams, but you want to use low 
beams, simply switch them on using the 
turn signal lever. This deactivates the high-
beam assistant. 
To reactivate the system, briefly press the 
turn signal lever toward the high-beam 
position.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on 
the low beams, but you want to use high 
beams, simply switch them on in the usual 
way. This deactivates the system and you 
must switch to low beams manually.
To reactivate the system, briefly press the 
turn signal lever toward the high-beam 
position.
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Controls
 105Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>Use the headlamp flasher as usual when the 
low beams are on.
System limits
The high-beam assistant cannot replace 
personal judgment about the use of high 
beams. In situations that require it, you should 
therefore switch to low beams manually; failure 
to do so can constitute a safety hazard.<
In the following sample situations, the system 
will not function or will only function to a limited 
degree, possibly requiring the driver to react 
personally:
>in extremely unfavorable weather condi-
tions such as fog or heavy precipitation
>when you perceive poorly illuminated road 
users such as pedestrians, cyclists, horse-
back riders, carriages, when rail or shipping 
traffic is close to the road, or at deer cross-
ings
>in sharp curves, on steep hilltops or dips, 
when there cross-traffic, or in the presence 
of half-concealed oncoming traffic on the 
highway
>in poorly lit areas and in the presence of 
highly reflective signs
>in the low speed range
>when the windshield in the region of the 
interior rearview mirror is fogged, dirty, or 
covered by stickers, decals, etc.
>when the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor 
on the front side of the interior rearview mir-
ror with a cloth moistened with a little glass 
cleaner.
Switching off using iDrive
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."High beam assistant" High-beam assistant is activated and is 
stored for the remote control currently in use.
Fog lamps*
First, switch on the parking lamps or the low 
beams. The green indicator lamp in the instru-
ment panel lights up whenever the fog lamps 
are on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Instrument lighting
You can control the lighting intensity by using 
the thumbwheel.
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Climate
108
Automatic climate control with 2-zone control
1Seat heating and ventilation, driver's 
side51
2Temperature, left side of passenger com-
partment
3AUTO program
4Temperature, right side of passenger com-
partment
5Maximum cooling
6Seat heating
 and ventilation, front passen-
ger side51
7Passenger side
>Air distribution, manual
>Accessing setting for ventilation tem-
perature on the Control Display
8Switching cooling function on and off man-
ually9AUC Automatic recirculated-air control/
recirculated-air mode
10Manual air volume, switching off automatic 
climate control, residual heat
11Rear window defroster
12Defrosting windows and removing conden-
sation
13Air grill for interior temperature sensor – 
please keep clear and unobstructed
14Driver's side
>Air distribution, manual
>Accessing setting for ventilation tem-
perature on the Control Display
The current setting for manual air distribution is 
displayed on the Control Display.
A congenial climate
The AUTO program offers the optimum air dis-
tribution and air volume for virtually all condi-
tions, refer to AUTO program below. Now you 
only need to select an interior temperature 
pleasant to you.
The following sections contain more detailed 
information on the available setting options.
Most settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, also refer to Personal Profile 
settings on page26.
AUTO program
The AUTO program handles the 
adjustment of air volume and air 
distribution to the windshield and 
side windows, in the direction of 
the upper body and in the footwell. 
It also adapts your instructions for the tempera-
ture to outside influences throughout the year.
The cooling is switched on automatically with 
the AUTO program. At the same time, a con-
densation sensor controls the program in such 
a way that window condensation is prevented 
as much as possible.
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Climate
110
Air distribution, manual
You can use various programs to separately 
direct the emerging airflow to the driver and 
passenger side of the vehicle interior.
>Upper body region
>Upper body region and footwell
>Footwell
>Driver's side: also the windshield, side win-
dows, and footwell
Selecting program
Press the button repeatedly until 
the desired program is shown on 
the Control Display.
1Air toward the windshield and side windows
2Air for the upper body
3Air to footwell
Pressing the AUTO button cancels the 
manual air distribution settings.<
The automatic mode for the air volume remains 
effective with manual air distribution.
Switching cooling function on and off
The cooling function cools and 
dehumidifies the incoming air 
before also reheating it as 
required, according to the temperature setting. 
This function is only available when the engine 
is running.
The cooling function helps to avoid condensa-
tion on the window surfaces or to quickly 
remove them.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.The cooling function is switched on automati-
cally with the AUTO program.
Maximum cooling
Maximally cooled air is obtained as 
quickly as possible at an outside 
temperature above approx. 327/
06 and with the engine running.
The automatic climate control switches into the 
recirculated-air mode at the lowest tempera-
ture. The maximum air volume flows out of the 
air vents for the upper body. Therefore, open 
these vents for maximum cooling.
AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control/recirculated-air mode
You can respond to pollutants or 
unpleasant odors in the immediate 
environment by suspending the 
supply of outside air. The system 
then recirculates the air currently within the 
vehicle. During AUC operation, a sensor 
detects pollutants in the outside air and con-
trols the shut-off automatically.
By pressing the button repeatedly, you can 
request three operating modes:
>LED off: outside air flows in continuously.
>Left LED on, AUC mode: the system 
detects pollutants in the outside air and 
shuts off the supply as needed.
>Right LED on, recirculated-air mode: the 
supply of outside air is permanently shut off.
Should the windows fog up in the recircu-
lated-air mode, press the AUTO button or 
switch off the recirculated-air mode and 
increase the air volume if necessary. 
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
without interruption over an extended period of 
time, as the air quality inside the vehicle deteri-
orates continuously.<
Residual heat
T h e  h e a t  s t o r e d  i n  t h e  e n g i n e  i s  u s e d  t o  h e a t  t h e  
passenger compartment, e.g. while stopped at 
a school to pick up a child.
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Maintenance
244
Maintenance
BMW maintenance system
The BMW maintenance system supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The service schedule also 
includes operations related to the vehicle's 
comfort and convenience features, such as 
replacement of the filters for the inside air. 
The ultimate objective is to ensure economical 
maintenance by providing the ideal service for 
your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell 
your BMW, a complete dealer service history 
will prove to be an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current and future service 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Control Display to show 
remaining distances and times of selected 
maintenance intervals and legally mandated 
deadlines, refer to page74:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads, front and rear separately
>Brake fluid
>Vehicle check>Legally mandated inspections depending 
on local regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required for 
maintenance continuously in the remote con-
trol during driving. After accessing the data 
stored in the remote control, your BMW Service 
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of 
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. You should therefore hand over the remote 
control you last used to drive to the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor when you take your vehicle in for 
service.
Make sure the date is set correctly, refer 
to page80, otherwise the effectiveness 
of CBS Condition Based Service is not 
ensured.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center. 
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<
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Care
246
Care
Car-care products
For the cleaning and care of your vehicle, BMW 
recommends using only products that BMW 
has approved for this purpose.
Regular cleaning and care make a significant 
contribution to retaining your BMW's value.
The BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be 
happy to consult you on products and services 
for the cleaning and care of your BMW.
Genuine BMW Care Products are materi-
als tested, laboratory tested, and tested in 
actual use. They offer optimum care and pro-
tection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol 
or solvents; they can damage your vehi-
cle.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances 
that are dangerous or pose health risks. 
You should therefore heed the warnings and 
hazard indications on the packaging. Open the 
doors or windows on your vehicle whenever 
cleaning the interior. Make sure there is suffi-
cient ventilation in enclosed spaces. Use only 
products that are formulated for vehicle clean-
ing.<
Exterior care
Washing your vehicle
In the winter months, it is especially 
important to ensure that the vehicle is 
washed on a regular basis. Otherwise, signifi-
cant soiling and road salt can cause damage to 
the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them. Failure to do so 
may lead to a reduction in braking efficiency and 
also to corrosion of the brake rotors.<
Car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes.
Before driving into the car wash, make sure that 
it is suitable for your BMW. Pay attention to the 
following points:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to 
page269.
>If necessary, fold in exterior mirrors, refer to 
page52.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Avoid car washes with guide rail heights 
over 4 in/10 cm, otherwise there is dan-
ger of damaging chassis parts.<
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Deactivate rain sensor
* to prevent 
unwanted wiper activation.
>BMW X5: deactivate rear window wiper and 
protect it from damage. Take appropriate 
protective measures; inquiring with the car 
wash operator as needed.
>Remove add-on parts such as spoilers or 
phone antennas if they risk being damaged.
Before driving into the car wash, observe the 
following so that the vehicle is able to roll:
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock, even with comfort access.
2.Shift into transmission position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Deactivate Automatic Hold, refer to 
page62.
5.Switch off the engine.
6.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock 
so that the vehicle can roll.
Mixed tires*
Before driving into a car wash, make sure 
that the vehicle width is not too large for 
the car wash, as otherwise the vehicle and the 
car wash could be damaged.<
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