
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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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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