Driving tips
131Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
speed. This is the fastest way for the cold
engine to reach its operating temperature.
Thinking ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.
To do so, maintain the appropriate distance
from the vehicle in front of you. An anticipatory
and smooth driving style reduces fuel con-
sumption.
Avoiding high engine speeds
Driving at a low engine speed reduces fuel con-
sumption and minimizes wear.
Taking advantage of coasting
The flow of fuel is interrupted when coasting.
Switching off engine during longer
stops
Switch off the engine at longer stops such as
traffic signals, railroad crossings, or in traffic
congestions. You achieve fuel savings even if
the standing time is as short as approx. 4 sec-
onds.
Switching off functions currently not
required
Functions such as air conditioning, seat heat-
ing, or rear window defrosting consume a lot of
energy and require additional fuel. Their influ-
ence is particularly pronounced in city traffic
and stop & go operation. For this reason, it is a
good idea to switch these functions off when
they are not really needed.
Having maintenance carried out
Have the vehicle serviced regularly in order to
achieve the optimum economy and service life
of your vehicle. BMW recommends having the
maintenance performed by a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center. Also pay attention to
the BMW maintenance system, refer to
page244.
General driving notes
Closing liftgate
Operate the vehicle only when the liftgate
is completely closed. Otherwise, exhaust
fumes could enter into the passenger compart-
ment.<
If it is absolutely necessary to drive with the lift-
gate open:
1.Close all windows as well as the glass sun-
roof
*/panorama glass sunroof*.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic cli-
mate control to a high level, refer to
page109.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to
them. When driving, standing at idle and while
parking take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it
the risk of serious property damage as well as
personal injury. Do not touch hot tailpipes, as
otherwise there is a danger of burns.<
Diesel particulate filter*
Soot particles are collected in the diesel partic-
ulate filter and periodically burned away at high
temperatures. This cleaning process lasts a few
minutes. You will notice it sometimes by the
fact that the engine temporarily runs slightly
less smoothly and requires a slightly higher
engine speed to delivery the usual power. You
may also hear sounds and observe a slight
amount of smoke coming from the exhaust up
to even a few moments after the engine is
switched off.
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DVD system in rear
188 1.Turn display screen, arrow1.
The display screen switches off.
2.Fold in display screen, arrow2.
The display screen is folded out in the reverse
order.
CD/DVD player
Controls
1Press: switching the DVD system on and off
Rotate: left headset volume and vehicle vol-
ume
2Ejecting CD/DVD
3Start track
Stop
Playback, pause, freeze-frame
Next track
4CD/DVD slot
5Connection for external device: RCA jacks
6Press: switching the DVD system on and off
Rotate: right headset volume and vehicle
volume
Connecting headphones
You can connect headphones with a phone jack
1/8 in/3.5 mm or operate them using the infra-
red interface.
To enable optimal use of the infrared interface,
use infrared headphones that comply with the
IEC 61603-2 standard.
>Compatible infrared headphones and infor-
mation about supported headphones are
available at your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.
When using infrared headphones, it is
important not to interrupt the infrared
connection between the headphones and the
infrared interface, refer to page187. This
means that no obstacle should come between
the two and that the cover of the infrared inter-
face should not be covered or scratched. Unfa-
vorable lighting conditions such as glare from
outside can interfere with reception.<
Remote control
1Menu navigation
2Volume for headphones with jack plug
3Changing track or chapter during CD-,
DVD- or AUX playback, fast forward/rewind
4Headphones right/left
5Open start menu for DVD system
Menu navigation
You can use the thumbwheel and buttons1 to
navigate through the menus.
>Turn the thumbwheel:
To select a menu item.
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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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Mobility
251Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
When performing care and maintenance on the
headlamps, please observe the information on
page247.
For bulbs for which replacement is not
described and for checking and adjusting
headlamp aim, please contact your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center.<
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
c e n t l e n s e s s e r v e a s t h e l i g h t s o u r c e f o r m a n y o f
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a
concept similar to that applied in conventional
lasers, are officially designated as Class 1 light-
emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers, and never
stare into the unfiltered light for several
hours, as irritation of the retina could result.<
BMW X5: changing lamps
Xenon lamps
These bulbs have a very long service life and
the probability of a failure is very low. If a lamp
should nevertheless fail, you can continue driv-
ing cautiously with fog lamps
* provided that
this is permitted by the country-specific laws.
Have work on the xenon light unit includ-
ing changing the bulb carried out only by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a
workshop that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. Due to the high voltage present in the
system, there is a danger of fatal injuries when
work is carried out improperly.<
Halogen bulbs:
Parking lamps and roadside parking
lamps, daytime driving lamps
35-Watt bulb, H8
The bulb is pressurized. Therefore, wear
safety glasses and protective gloves.
Otherwise there is a danger of injuries if the
bulb is accidentally damaged during replace-
ment.<1.Turn the cover to the left and remove.
2.Turn the bulbs to the left, pull off the con-
nector and replace.
3.Install in the reverse order.
Turn signals, front
24-Watt bulb, PY24W
1.Unscrew bulb holder with bulb to the left,
refer to arrow, and replace.
2.Install in the reverse order.
Side marker lamps, rear
To replace, please go to a BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Tail lamps
>Turn signals, brake lamps: 21-watt bulb,
P21W
>Backup lamps and brake force display: 16-
watt bulb, W16W
>Rear lamp: LED technology.
In case of a defect, please go to a BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a work-
shop that works according to BMW repair
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Replacing components
258 2.Guide the jack head into the rectangular
recess of the jacking point when cranking
up, refer to illustration detail.
3.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised from the ground.
Mounting a wheel
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel.
2.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub. Also clean the lug bolts.
3.Position the new wheel or compact wheel.
Secure the wheel by screwing at least two
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes.
When you mount wheels other than Genu-
ine BMW light-alloy wheels, different lug
bolts may also be required.
4.Screw in the remaining lug bolts. Tighten all
the bolts securely in a diagonal pattern.
5.Lower the vehicle and remove the jack from
beneath the vehicle.
After mounting
1.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
To ensure safety, always have the
lug bolts checked with a calibrated
torque wrench as soon as possible to
ensure that they are tightened to the speci-
fied torque. Otherwise, incorrectly tight-
ened lug bolts are a hidden safety risk. The
tightening torque is 101 lb ft/140 Nm.<
2.Stow the defective wheel in the cargo bay.
The defective wheel cannot be stored
under the floor panel flap due to its
size.<3.Check and correct the tire inflation pressure
at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems with valve screw
caps against dirt and contamination.
Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source of
gradual air loss.<
4.Initialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page93, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page94.
5.Replace the damaged tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. Otherwise,
changes in the driving characteristics could
result, for example reduced track stability on
braking, extended braking distance, and altered
self-steering characteristics in the limit range.
In conjunction with winter tires, these charac-
teristics are more pronounced.<
Only one compact wheel may be
mounted. Restore the wheels and tires to
their original size as quickly as possible. Failure
to do so is a safety risk.<
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
will be glad to advise in all matters concerning
the battery.
Charging battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine switched off. Connections, refer to
Jump starting on page262.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of following
replacement at your BMW Sports Activity
ba8_e70ag.book Seite 258 Freitag, 5. Juni 2009 11:42 11
Everything from A to Z
279
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System88
Accessories5
Access to 3rd row seats48
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control77
Activated-charcoal filter112
Active seat52
Active seat ventilation51
Active steering96
– malfunction97
– warning lamp97
Adaptive brake lamp, brake
force display97
Adaptive Drive91
Adaptive fixing system124
Adaptive Head Light103
Address for navigation,
entering141,147
Adjusting confirmation signals
for locking and unlocking28
Adjusting opening
height31,33
Adjusting temperature with
expanded-scope automatic
climate control109
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control160
Adjusting thigh
support44,45
Airbags98
– sitting safely43
– warning lamp99
Air distribution
– automatic108,113
– manual110
Air recirculation110
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control110
– recirculated-air mode110Air vents107
– refer to Ventilation111
Air vents of automatic climate
control107
Air volume109,113
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications225
Alarm system34
– avoiding unintentional
alarms35
– interior motion sensor35
– switching off alarm34
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor35
– tilt alarm sensor35
Albums of music
collection180
Alloy wheels247
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires238
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive90
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
AM, waveband163
Antenna for mobile phone202
Antifreeze
– coolant243
– washer fluid69
Antilock Brake System
ABS88
Anti-theft system
– refer to Alarm system34
– refer to Central locking
system27
Approved axle weights, refer
to Weights271
Approved engine oils243
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights271
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, front119Around the center console14
Around the steering wheel10
Arrival time, refer to
Computer74
Ashtray
– front120
– rear120
Assist, refer to separate
operating instructions
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems88
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control110
Audio160
– controls160
– switching on/off160
– tone control160
– volume160
Audio CDs, DVD system in
rear193
Audio device, external119
Automatic
– air distribution108,113
– air volume108,113
– headlamp control102
– liftgate operation31
– steering wheel adjustment,
refer to Easy entry/exit54
Automatically switching high-
beams on and off, refer to
High-beam assistant104
Automatic car washes246
Automatic climate control
– automatic air
distribution108,113
– in rear112
– switching off111,113
– ventilation in rear111
– with 2-zone control108
– with 4-zone control112
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Everything from A to Z
280 Automatic climate control in
rear
– activating on Control
Display112
– deactivating on Control
Display112
Automatic closing of doors,
refer to Automatic soft
closing30
Automatic curb monitor53
Automatic garage door
opener115
Automatic headlamps, refer to
High-beam assistant104
Automatic Hold61
– activating62
– deactivating62
– parking62
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp
control102
– refer to Daytime driving
lamps103
– refer to Interior lamps106
– refer to Pathway lighting103
Automatic low-beams, refer to
High-beam assistant104
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC110
Automatic Service
Request219
Automatic soft closing30
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic64
– deactivating selector lever
interlock65
– kick-down65
– manually releasing
transmission lock66
– tow-starting264
– with comfort access36
AUTO program for automatic
climate control108,113
AUX-IN connection119,183
Average fuel consumption73
– setting units80
Average speed, refer to
Computer73Avoiding highways for
navigation150
Avoiding unintentional
alarms35
Axle weights, refer to
Weights271
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support45
Backrests, refer to Seats44
Backrest width adjustment45
Backup lamps, replacing
bulbs251,254
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
kit262
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone, refer to Snap-
in adapter212
Bass, tone setting160
Battery
– charging258
– jump starting262
– power failure259
– refer to Vehicle battery258
Battery disposal
– remote control with comfort
access37
– vehicle battery258
Battery for mobile phone212
Battery replacement
– remote control for DVD
system in rear189
– remote control with comfort
access37
Being towed263
Belts, refer to Safety belts49
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders119
Blower, refer to Air
volume109,113
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating204
BMW Advanced Diesel226
BMW Assist215
– activating217
BMW homepage4BMW maintenance
system244
BMW Search217
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center219
BMW TeleServices216
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders119
Brake assistant88
Brake force display97
Brake lamps
– brake force display97
– replacing bulbs251,254
Brake rotors132
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System88
– brake assistant88
– brake force display97
– breaking-in130
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control88
– electronic brake-force
distribution88
– parking brake61
– refer to Braking safely132
– warning lamp13
Brake system130
– brake pads130
– breaking-in130
– disk brakes132
Braking safely132
Breakdown, Flat Tire
Monitor92
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance262
Breaking-in brake pads130
Breaking-in rear axle
differential130
Break-in period130
Brightness
– of Control Display80
– on Head-Up Display100
Button for starting engine59
Buttons on steering wheel11
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Reference 281
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
C
Calibrating driver's seat50
California Proposition 65
Warning6
Call
– accepting205
– ending205
– rejecting205
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing206
Calling, refer to telephone
operating instructions
Camera
– refer to Rear view camera86
– refer to Top View84
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders119
Capacities272
Capacity of cargo bay271
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery258
Care246
– car-care products246
– carpets248
– car washes246
– CD/DVD-player249
– chrome components247
– displays249
– exterior246
– fine wooden
components248
– hand washing247
– headlamps247
– high-pressure cleaning
jets247
– interior248
– leather248
– light-alloy wheels247
– paint247
– plastic components248
– rubber gaskets247
– running boards248
– safety belts248
– sensors and cameras248
– upholstery materials and
cloth-covered paneling248
– windows247Cargo
– refer to Loading133
– securing134
– securing with ski bag126
Cargo area, refer to Cargo
bay122
Cargo area cover, refer to Roll-
up cover122
Cargo bay
– capacity271
– emergency actuation, refer
to Manually opening or
closing
34
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually31
– expanding124
– opening33
– opening/closing, refer to
Liftgate30,33
– opening/closing, refer to
Tailgate33
– opening from inside31
– opening from outside31
– opening with remote
control28
Cargo bay cover, refer to Roll-
up cover122
Caring for the vehicle
finish247
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
control26
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest, front119
– refer to separate operating
instructions
– refer to Telephone202
Car radio, refer to Radio163
Car wash246
– before driving in60
– with comfort access37
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system131
CBC Cornering Brake
Control88
CBS Condition Based
Service244CD
– audio playback172
– refer to Playing audio tracks,
DVD system in rear193
CD-/DVD player in rear188
CD changer171
– controls160
– fast forward/reverse173
– random play sequence172
– selecting a track172
– switching on/off160
– tone control160
– volume160
CD player171
– controls160
– fast forward/reverse173
– random play sequence172
– selecting a track172
– switching on/off160
– tone control160
– volume160
Cell phone, refer to Mobile
phone
Center armrest
– front119
– rear122
Center brake lamp253,256
Center console14
Central locking system27
– comfort access35
– from inside vehicle30
Changes, technical
– refer to For your own
safety5
– refer to Parts and
accessories5
Changing gears using shift
paddles65
Changing language on
Control Display81
Changing tires237
Changing trips149
Changing units of measure on
Control Display80
Changing wheels256
Check Control77
Checking the air pressure,
refer to Tire inflation
pressure229
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