
At a glance
 13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
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Navigation
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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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Controls
 37Reference
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Mobility
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle can roll if you proceed according to 
the following steps:
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2.Depress brake pedal.
3.Engage transmission position N.
4.Release the parking brake.
5.Switch off the engine.
6.Leave the remote control in the ignition 
lock.
Malfunction
The comfort access function may malfunction 
due to local radio waves. Then open or close the 
vehicle with the buttons on the remote control 
or with a key. To start the engine following this, 
insert the remote control in the ignition lock.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when an attempt is 
made to start the engine: starting the 
engine is not possible. The remote control is 
not in the vehicle or has a malfunction. Take 
along the remote control into the vehicle or 
have it checked. Insert another remote control 
into the ignition lock if necessary.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer in the vehicle. After switching off the 
engine, the engine can only be started again 
within approx. 10 seconds if no door has been 
opened.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
replace the battery of the remote control.
Replacing battery
The remote control for comfort access contains 
a battery which must be replaced if necessary.
1.Remove integrated key from remote con-
trol, refer to page26.
2.Remove cover.3.Lay in new battery with positive side facing 
upward.
4.Press cover closed.
Dispose of used batteries at a collection 
point or at your BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the windows and keep them in 
your field of vision until they are shut. 
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for 
example, operate the windows and injure them-
selves.<
Opening, closing
>Press switch to resistance point: 
The window continues to open as long as 
you keep the switch pressed.
>Press switch beyond resistance point: 
The window opens automatically. Pressing 
the switch again stops the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch.
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Controls
 49Reference
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Mobility
When folding back the 2nd row seats, 
make sure that the footwell under the 
2nd row seats is clear. Otherwise persons in the 
3rd row seats could be injured or objects dam-
aged.<
Warning lamp for 2nd row seats: 
lights up when the 2nd row seats are 
not locked. A message also appears 
on the Control Display.
3rd row seats*
The 3rd row seats are divided and offer space 
for two persons.
Folding up backrest
Before folding the seats up, remove the roll-up 
cover, refer to page122, and if need be, slide 
the 2nd row seats slightly forward.
1.Pull the lever, refer to arrow. The backrest is 
unlocked.
2.Fold up and engage the backrest.
Make sure that the catch engages 
securely. If it is not properly engaged, 
transported cargo could enter the passen-
ger compartment during braking or evasive 
maneuvers and endanger the vehicle occu-
pants.<
3.Push the head restraints into the top posi-
tion.
Folding backrest down
1.Push down the head restraint, refer to 
page48.
2.Pull the lever, refer to arrows. The backrests 
are released.
3.Fold the backrest down.
Safety belts
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
observe the adjustment instructions on 
page43.<
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a 
substitute.
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in 
the belt buckle.
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Adjusting
50
Safety belt reminder for driver's seat 
and passenger seat
The indicator lamp lights up and a 
signal sounds. A message also 
appears on the Control Display. 
Please check whether the safety belt is cor-
rectly fastened.
The safety belt reminder is operative at speeds 
above approx. 5 mph/8 km/h. It can also be acti-
vated if objects are placed on the passenger 
seat.
Releasing
1.Grasp the belt firmly.
2.Press the red button in the buckle.
3.Guide the belt into its reel.
The shoulder strap's anchorage point will be 
correct for adult seat occupants of every build if 
the seat is correctly adjusted, refer to page44.
BMW X5: the two rear safety belt buckles inte-
grated into the rear seat are for passengers sit-
ting on the left and right. The belt buckle 
embossed with the word CENTER is intended 
exclusively for use by passengers riding in the 
center position.
Damage to safety belts
In the event of loads caused by accidents 
or other damage: replace the belt system 
including the safety belt tensioners and any 
child restraint devices, and have the belt anchor 
points checked. Only have this work carried out 
at a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or at a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. Otherwise correct operation of this 
safety equipment is not guaranteed.<
Belt-force limiter
The effect of the belt-force limiter on the 
driver's seat is dependent on the position of the 
driver's seat.
To maintain the long-term accuracy of this 
function, the driver's seat must be calibrated if a 
corresponding message is displayed on the 
Control Display.
Calibrating driver's seat
The warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage also appears on the Control Dis-
play. Please calibrate the driver's 
seat.
1.Move the driver's seat forward until it stops.
2.Move the driver's seat forward again. It 
briefly moves toward the front in the pro-
cess.
3.Set the desired seating position again.
The calibration is completed when the message 
on the Control Display disappears. Should this 
message continue to be displayed, repeat the 
calibration. If the message does not disappear 
even after repeated calibration, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
Never carry out calibration while the vehi-
cle is moving, as this can cause accidents.
Make sure that no persons or objects become 
wedged during the calibration process, as this 
can cause injuries or damage.<
Seat heating*
Front
The temperature setting progresses one step 
through its control sequence each time you 
press the button. The maximum temperature is 
supplied when three LEDs are lit.
To switch off: press the button longer.
The temperature is reduced, if need be, down to 
no heat in order to reduce the load on the bat-
tery. The LEDs remain lit.
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Driving
70 >Each time the lever is pressed beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed 
increases by a maximum of 5 mph or 10 km/
h.
The system stores the setting and maintains 
the set speed.
Accelerating with lever
Accelerate slightly:
Press the lever up to the resistance point, 
arrow1, until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerate more rapidly:
Press the lever beyond the resistance point, 
arrow1, until the desired speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on 
the accelerator pedal. The system stores the 
setting and maintains the set speed.
Reducing speed
Repeatedly pull the lever up to the resistance 
point or beyond, arrow2, until the desired 
speed is displayed.
>Each time the lever is pulled up to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed decreases 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pulled beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
decreased by a maximum of 5 mph or 
10 km/h until the minimum speed of 
20 mph or 30 km/h is reached.
The system stores the setting and maintains 
the set speed.
Deactivating cruise control
Briefly press the lever up or down, arrow3. 
The displays in the speedometer go out.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>when braking
>when transmission position N is engaged
>when DTC is activated or DSC is deacti-
vated
>when HDC is activated>when the parking brake is set
>when driving stability control systems inter-
vene
Accelerating does not deactivate the cruise 
control. After releasing the accelerator pedal, 
the stored speed is reached and maintained 
again.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up if the 
cruise control has been deactivated 
automatically, e.g. by a control inter-
vention of the DSC. A message appears on the 
Control Display.
Resuming stored speed
Briefly press the button, arrow4. The stored 
speed is resumed and maintained.
With the ignition switched off, the stored speed 
value is deleted and cannot be resumed again.
Displays in instrument panel
1Stored desired speed
2Selected desired speed appears briefly
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears 
in the instrument panel display, it is possi-
ble that the system prerequisites for operation 
are currently not met.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up if the sys-
tem has failed. A message appears on 
the Control Display. Detailed informa-
tion is provided from page77.
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Controls
 71Reference
At a glance
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Mobility
Everything under control
Odometer, outside 
temperature display, clock
1Knob in the instrument cluster
2Time, outside temperature, and date
3Odometer and trip odometer
Knob in the instrument panel
>With ignition switched on
Press knob: 
Resetting trip odometer
Press the knob for approx. 5 seconds: 
Displaying service requirements, refer to 
page74
>With ignition switched off
Press knob:
Briefly displaying time, outside temperature 
and odometer
Units of measure
To select the respective units of measure, miles 
or km for the odometer as well as 7 or 6 for 
the outside temperature, refer to page80.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Time, date, outside temperature
From radio readiness the outside temperature 
and the time are displayed.
Setting the time, refer to page79.
Retrieving date
Press the button on turn signal lever upward; 
the date appears.
To set the date, refer to page80.
Pressing the button upward or downward sev-
eral times changes the display between clock, 
outside temperature, date, and Check Control 
messages, refer to page78.
Outside temperature warning
If the display drops to +377/+36, a signal 
sounds and a warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. There is 
an increased danger of ice.
Even at temperatures above +377/
+36 ice can form. Therefore, drive care-
fully, e.g. on bridges and sections of road in the 
shade, otherwise there is an increased accident 
risk.<
Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting trip odometer:
Press knob 1 in the instrument panel with the 
ignition switched on.
When vehicle is parked
To briefly display the time, outside temperature 
and mileage after the remote control has been 
removed from the ignition lock:
Press knob 1 in the instrument panel.
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Everything under control
72
Tachometer
Do not operate the engine with the needle in the 
red overspeed zone of the gauge, refer to arrow. 
At high revs in this range, the flow of fuel is 
interrupted to protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
Should the coolant, and with it the engine 
become too hot, a warning lamp lights up. In 
addition, a message appears on the Control 
Display.
Checking coolant level, refer to page243.
Engine oil temperature*
When the engine is at operating temperature, 
the engine oil temperature is between approx. 
1707/806 and approx. 2507/1206.
When the engine oil temperature is too high, a 
warning lamp lights up in the instrument panel.
Energy control*
Displays the current fuel consumption. This 
allows you to see whether your current driving 
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
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Controls
 83Reference
At a glance
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Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic deactivation
The system switches off and the LED goes out:
>after approx. 165 ft/50 m when driving for-
ward
>at speeds over approx. 25 mph/35 km/h 
when driving forward
Switch the system back on as needed.
Switching on/off manually
Press the button.
>On: LED lights up
>Off: LED goes out
Signal tones
When nearing an object, the position is corre-
spondingly indicated by an interval tone. Thus, 
an object detected to the left rear of the vehicle 
will be indicated by a signal tone from the left 
rear speaker, etc.
The shorter the distance to the object 
becomes, the shorter the intervals become.
If the distance to the nearest object falls to 
below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a continuous 
tone sounds.
If objects are present both in front of and behind 
the vehicle, then an alternating, continuous 
tone sounds.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds:
>when the vehicle remains stationary in front 
of an object that has only been detected by 
one of the corner sensors
>when driving parallel to a wallThe signal tone is switched off:
>when the vehicle is more than approx. 
4.0 in/10 cm away from an object
>when the selector lever is in the P position
Volume
You can adjust the volume of the signal tone, 
refer to page81.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Optical warning
The approach to an object can be shown on the 
Control Display. Objects that are farther away 
are displayed on the Control Display before a 
signal tone sounds.
The display appears as soon as PDC is acti-
vated.
If the last image selected was the rear view 
camera, this is displayed again. To switch to 
PDC:
1.Select the "Switch off rear view camera" 
symbol   on the Control Display.
2.Press the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Image on the Control Display
Switching on the rear view camera 
using iDrive
With PDC activated:
1.Select the "Switch on rear view camera" 
symbol .
2.Press the controller.
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