
Driving
68
Switching on wipers
Pull the lever upward, arrow1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once. 
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode with the vehicle stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance 
point. 
The system reverts to normal speed with the 
vehicle stationary.
Intermittent operation or rain sensor*
With the rain sensor, the wiper operation is con-
trolled automatically as a function of the rain 
intensity. The rain sensor is located on the 
windshield, directly in front of the interior rear-
view mirror.
Activating intermittent operation or 
rain sensor
Press the button, arrow3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Setting interval for intermittent wipe or 
sensitivity of rain sensor
Turn the thumbwheel5.
Deactivating intermittent operation or 
rain sensor
Press the button again, arrow3. The LED goes 
out.Deactivate the rain sensor when passing 
through an automatic car wash. Failure to 
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper activation.<
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
Pull the lever, arrow4.
The system sprays washer fluid against the 
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief 
period.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched 
on, the headlamps are also cleaned at regular 
and appropriate intervals.
Do not use the washers if there is any 
danger that the fluid will freeze on the 
windshield. If you do so, your vision could be 
obscured. To avoid freezing, use a washer fluid 
antifreeze, refer to Washer fluid. Do not use 
washing mechanisms when the washer fluid 
reservoir is empty, otherwise you will damage 
the washer pump.<
Windshield washer nozzles
Both windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated with the engine running or the igni-
tion switched on.
BMW X5: rear window wiper
1Intermittent mode. When reverse gear is 
engaged, continuous operation is switched 
on automatically
2Cleaning the rear window
Do not use washing mechanisms when 
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, other-
wise you will damage the washer pump.<
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Controls
 69Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. For 
this reason, keep it away from ignition 
sources and store only in the closed original 
container out of reach of children. Otherwise, 
there is the danger of bodily injury. Always 
observe the instructions for use provided on the 
containers.<
Filler neck for washer fluid
Only add washer fluid with the engine 
cooled down to exclude contact with hot 
engine components. Otherwise there is a dan-
ger of fire and to personal safety if the fluid is 
spilled.<
All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser-
voir.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix 
the washer fluid before filling.<
Capacity
Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
The cruise control with a braking function is 
available for use at speeds of approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h and higher. The vehicle stores and 
maintains the speed that you set using the lever 
mounted on the steering column. To keep the 
specified speed constant, the system brakes if the engine braking effect is not sufficient on a 
downhill grade.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g. when driving on winding 
roads, in heavy traffic or in poor road conditions 
such as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface. 
Otherwise you could lose control of the vehicle 
and cause an accident.<
One lever for all functions
1Storing speed and maintaining or increas-
ing
2Storing speed and maintaining or decreas-
ing
3Deactivating cruise control
4Resuming stored speed
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press, arrow1, or briefly pull, arrow2 
lever.
The speed currently being driven is stored and 
maintained. It is indicated on the speedometer 
and briefly in the instrument panel.
The controlled speed can drop on uphill grades 
if the engine output is insufficient. If the engine 
braking effect is not sufficient on a downhill 
grade, the system lightly brakes the vehicle.
Increasing speed
Repeatedly press the lever up to or beyond the 
resistance point, arrow1, until the desired 
speed is set.
>Each time the lever is pressed to the resis-
tance point, the speed is increased by 
approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
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Under the hood
240
Engine compartment
BMW X5
1Filler neck for washer fluid of the headlamp 
and windshield cleaning systems, refer to 
page69
2Starting-aid terminal, refer to page262
3Expansion tank for coolant, refer to 
page243
4Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding 
engine oil on page242
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Mobility
 241Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
BMW X6
1Filler neck for washer fluid of the headlamp 
and windshield cleaning systems, refer to 
page69
2Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding 
engine oil on page2423Starting-aid terminal, refer to page262
4Expansion tank for coolant, refer to 
page243
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on 
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking engine oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil 
level check.
The condition for the most accurate indication 
of the oil level possible is measurement with the 
engine at operating temperature, i.e. following 
an uninterrupted drive of at least 6 miles/10 km. 
You can display the oil level while driving or 
when stopped on a level surface with the engine 
running.1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
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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
284 Emergency operation, refer to 
Manual operation
– door lock29
– driver's door29
– fuel filler door224
– liftgate31
– transmission lock, automatic 
transmission66
Emergency request261
Emergency services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance262
Engine
– breaking-in130
– data268
– oil temperature72
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature72
– speed268
– starting60
– starting, with comfort 
access36
– switching off60
Engine compartment240
Engine coolant243
Engine oil
– adding242
– additives, refer to Approved 
engine oils243
– approved engine oil243
– checking oil level241
– electronic oil level check241
– temperature72
Engine oil temperature72
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data268
Engine overheating, refer to 
Coolant temperature72
Engine speed268
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting engine60
Entering special destinations 
by name145
Entertainment sound output 
on/off160
Entry map for destination146
Equalizer, tone setting161ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control88
Event Data Recorders245
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system131
Extended connectivity of the 
music player in the mobile 
phone183
Exterior mirrors52
– adjusting52
– automatic dimming 
feature53
– automatic heating
52
– folding in and out52
– tilting down passenger-side 
exterior mirror53
External audio device119
Eye for tow-starting and 
towing, refer to Tow 
fitting263
F
Failure messages, refer to 
Check Control77
False alarm, refer to Avoiding 
unintentional alarms35
Fastening safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts49
– warning lamp50
Fastest route for 
navigation150
Fast forward
– CD changer173
– CD player173
Fault displays, refer to Check 
Control77
Filler neck for washer fluid69
First aid, refer to First-aid 
kit262
First-aid kit262
Fixing system, adaptive124
Flashing during locking/
unlocking, refer to Setting 
confirmation signals28Flat tire
– changing wheels256
– compact wheel256
– Flat Tire Monitor92
– run-flat tires93,95,237
– TPM Tire Pressure 
Monitor94
Flat Tire Monitor FTM92
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler 
neck for washer fluid69
FM, waveband163
Fog lamps105
– indicator lamp13,105
Folding display screen open/
closed, DVD system in 
rear187
Folding rear seat backrest124
Footbrake, refer to Braking 
safely132
Footwell lamps106
For your own safety5
4-wheel drive system, refer to 
xDrive90
Free memory capacity, music 
collection181
Front airbags98
Front passenger airbags98
– deactivating98
– refer to Exception of front 
passenger seat55
Front seat adjustment44
FTM Flat Tire Monitor92
– false alarms92
– indicating a flat tire93
– initializing the system93
– snow chains238
– system limits92
– warning lamp93
Fuel225
– capacity272
– display73
– high-quality brands225
– quality225
– saving130
– specifications225
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel 
gauge73
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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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Reference 293
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Transmission positions, refer 
to Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic64
Transporting children 
safely55
Transport securing device, 
refer to Securing cargo134
Tread depth, refer to Minimum 
tread depth236
Trip-distance counter, refer to 
Trip odometer71
Trip odometer71
Turning circle, refer to 
Dimensions269
Turn signals67
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs251,254
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR235
Units
– average fuel 
consumption80
– temperature80
Universal garage-door 
opener, refer to Integrated 
universal remote 
control115
Universal remote control115
Unlocking
– from inside30
– liftgate28
– setting behavior28
– using remote control27
– without key, refer to Comfort 
access35
Unlocking and locking doors 
using remote control27
Unlocking without key, refer to 
Comfort access35
Updating the navigation 
data140
USB audio interface183
Used batteries
– refer to Disposal258
– refer to Replacing battery37
V
Valve screw caps, refer to 
After mounting258
VCD173
Vehicle
– battery258
– breaking-in130
– loading133
– measurements, refer to 
Dimensions269
– parking60
– storing249
– weights271
Vehicle care, refer to Care246
Vehicle jack257
– jacking points257
Ventilation111
– draft-free111
– in the rear111
– rear automatic climate 
control113
– 3rd row seats112
– while stationary114
Vent outlets of automatic 
climate control107
Vents, refer to Ventilation111
Video menu174
Video playback173
Voice, refer to Destination 
guidance through voice 
instructions152
Voice activation system22
– short commands273
Voice instructions for 
navigation system152
– repeating152
– switching on/off152
– volume152
Volume160
– audio sources160
– mobile phone205
– voice instructions152
Volume balance, tone 
setting161
Volume of warning tones81
W
Warning lamps, refer to 
Indicator and warning 
lamps13
Warning messages, refer to 
Check Control77
Warning tone, volume81
Warning triangle261
Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian 
models244
Washer/wiper system67
– rain sensor68
– washer fluid69
– windshield washer 
nozzles68
Washer fluid69
– capacity of the reservoir69
Water on roads, refer to 
Driving through water132
Water penetration247
Waveband for radio163
Wear indicators in tires, refer 
to Minimum tread depth236
Weather reports165
Website4
Weights271
Wheel/tire combination, refer 
to New wheels and tires237
Wheel/tire damage236
Wheelbase, refer to 
Dimensions269
Wheels and tires229
Width, refer to 
Dimensions269
Windows37
– convenience operation28
– convenience operation from 
outside29
– convenience operation with 
comfort access36
– opening, closing37
– pinch protection system38
– safety switch38
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