Cockpit
12
Instrument panel
1Indicator lamps for turn signals
2Speedometer
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Tachometer72
5BMW X5: energy control72
BMW X6: engine oil temperature72 or
energy control72
6Display for
>Clock/date71
>Outside temperature71
>Indicator and warning lamps77
>Speed of cruise control
*69
>BMW X5: reserve display for diesel
exhaust fluid2267Display for
>Odometer and trip odometer71
>Computer73
>Date and remaining travel distance
for service requirements74
>Automatic transmission positions64
>HDC Hill Descent Control90
>High-beam assistant
*104
> There is a Check Control
message77
>Adaptive Drive
*91
8Fuel gauge73
9Resetting trip odometer71
Displaying service requirement71
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At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Microphone for hands-free mode for
telephone
* and for voice activation
system
*22
2Initiating
an emergency request261
3Reading lamps106
4Glass sunroof38, 40
5Interior lamps106
6Passenger airbag status lamp98
7Control Display16
Displays for menu navigation
8Hazard warning flashers
9Central locking system27
10Opening glove compartment118
11Automatic climate control with 2-zone
control108
Automatic climate control with 4-zone
control
*112
12Changing
>radio station160
>track160
13Selecting radio, CD and CD/DVD changer
*
14Selecting AM or FM waveband
16Controller16
Can be turned, pressed, or moved in four
directions
17Buttons on the controller17
Selecting menus directly
18Automatic Hold61
19Parking brake61
20Adaptive Drive
*91
21Programmable memory buttons20
22Switching Entertainment sound output on/
off and adjusting volume160
23Ejecting audio CD Manual air distribution110
Automatic air distribution and
volume108
Cooling function110
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control110
Maximum cooling110
Air volume109
Residual heat utilization110
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation109
Rear window defroster109
Seat heating
*50
Active seat ventilation
*51
15
Opening liftgate30, 33
Active seat
*52
PDC Park Distance Control
*82
Top View
*84
rear view camera
*86
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control88
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control89
HDC Hill Descent Control90
ba8_e70ag.book Seite 15 Freitag, 5. Juni 2009 11:42 11
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
90
xDrive
xDrive is the 4-wheel drive system of your
BMW. The combined effects of xDrive and DSC
further optimize the traction and dynamic driv-
ing characteristics. The 4-wheel drive system
xDrive variably distributes the drive forces to
the front and rear axle depending on the driving
situation and prevailing road conditions.
Dynamic Performance Control*
The concept
Dynamic Performance Control optimizes the
handling characteristics of your BMW when
starting off, cornering, and during evasive
maneuvers. To achieve this, the system variably
distributes the drive torque of the rear axle to
the two rear wheels. This further increases the
steering precision and tracking stability of your
vehicle.
Display
The Control Display shows how xDrive and
Dynamic Performance Control are distributing
the drive forces.
Press the BC button in the turn signal lever,
refer to page73, until the display appears.
The current distribution of drive forces is indi-
cated by arrows pointing to all four wheels.
The highlighted arrows show the drive forces
currently present. The longer an arrow is, the
greater the drive forces in the associated wheel.
The transparent arrows indicate the maximum
value the drive forces over the last 10 seconds.
Malfunction
Malfunctions are displayed via Check Control,
refer to page77.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept
HDC is a system for driving downhill in steep
terrain. This system reduces vehicle speed on
steep downhill gradients, thus allowing you to
maintain even better control of your BMW
under these conditions. The vehicle moves at
approximately walking speed without active
intervention from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehicle speeds
below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When driving
down steep hills with a speed below approx.
22 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed
automatically down to approximately walking
speed, approx. 5 mph/8 km/h, and then main-
tains this speed at a constant.
Only use HDC in transmission positions D or R.
Increasing or reducing speed
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary
this automatically controlled speed within a
range extending from approx. 4 mph/6 km/h to
15 mph/25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same
range by using the lever of the cruise control.
With downhill grade over 10Ξ you can reduce
the speed to approx. 3mph/4km/h. Pull the
lever of the cruise control beyond the resis-
tance point, arrow3.
1Increasing speed
2Pull to the resistance point:
Reduce speed to approx. 4 mph/6 km/h
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Driving tips
135Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden
braking or evasive maneuvers are necessary.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle weights,
refer to page271, as excessive loads can pose
a safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws.
You should never transport unsecured heavy or
hard objects in the passenger compartment, as
they could fly around and pose a safety hazard
to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.
Use only the lashing eyes pictured to fasten the
heavy-duty cargo straps. Do not secure cargo
with the attachment points for the top tether,
refer to page56; otherwise they could be dam-
aged.<
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option
for your BMW. Please comply with the precau-
tions included with the installation instructions.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
its handling and steering response. You should
therefore always remember not to exceed the
approved roof load capacity, the approved
gross vehicle weight or the axle weights when
loading the rack.
You can find the specified weights under
Weights on page271.
The load on the roof must be evenly distributed
and must not extend outward beyond the limits
of the loading surface. Always stow the heaviest
pieces on the bottom. Be sure that adequate
clearance is maintained for raising the glass
sunroof
*/panorama glass sunroof* and that
objects do not project into the opening path of
the liftgate.
Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and
braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.
Driving on poor roads
Y our B MW is at hom e on a ll r oa ds a nd surfac e s.
It combines a 4-wheel drive system with the
advantages of a normal passenger car.
Do not drive on unpaved terrain, as other-
wise the vehicle may be damaged.<
When you are driving on poor roads, there are a
few points which you should strictly observe for
your own safety, for that of your passengers,
and for the safety of the vehicle:
>Familiarize yourself with the vehicle before
driving off and avoid taking risks at all costs.
>Adapt your driving speed to the road condi-
tions. The steeper and rougher the road
surface is, the lower the speed should be.
>If you want to drive on very steep uphill or
downhill gradients, make sure beforehand
that the engine oil and coolant levels are
near the MAX mark, refer to page240.
BMW X5: you can operate your vehicle on
uphill and downhill gradients with a maxi-
mum slope of 50 %.
>On very steep downhill slopes, use Hill
Descent Control HDC, refer to page90.
BMW X5: it is possible to start off on inclines
of up to 33 %. The permissible body roll is
50 %.
>While driving, watch carefully for obstacles
such as rocks or holes. Try to avoid these
obstacles whenever possible.
>Make sure that the undercarriage does not
touch the ground, for example on crests and
bumpy roads. The ground clearance of the
vehicle is a maximum of approx. 8 in/20 cm.
Please note that the ground clearance can
vary depending on loading and the driving
conditions of the vehicle.
>Only drive through road surface water up to
a maximum water depth of
>BMW X5 20 in/50 cm
>BMW X6 17 in/45 cm
and only drive at walking speed; do not
remain stationary.
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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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