
Controls
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With the transmission position M/S
selected, the manual mode remains
active.<
>Upshifting: pull on one of the shifting pad-
dles, arrows +.
>Downshifting: press on one of the shifting
paddles, arrows –.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combination
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example,
a downshift that would cause the engine to
overrev will not be executed by the system. The
selected gear is briefly displayed in the instru-
ment panel, followed by the current gear.
Turn signals/headlamp
flasher/high beams
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To switch off manually, press the lever up to the
resistance point.Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator
lamp indicates that a turn signal bulb
needs to be replaced.<
Signaling briefly
Press lever to resistance point and hold for as
long as you wish to signal.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever up to the resistance point. The
turn signal flashes three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Triple turn signal"
Triple turn signal activation is activated and
is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Washer/wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating intermittent wipe or
the rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps*

Driving
66 5Setting interval for intermittent wipe or sen-
sitivity of rain sensor
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 wipe 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

Controls
69Reference
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cruise control will, within limits, adjust your
vehicle's speed automatically so that you can
flow with the traffic without having to make con-
stant adjustments. If, for example, while cruis-
ing at the selected speed, you begin to
approach a slower vehicle ahead of you in the
same lane, the system will reduce your vehicle's
speed to the same as that of the vehicle ahead
to maintain your selected distance setting. You
can vary the following distance, which will vary
with speed. Based on your selected distance
setting, the system automatically decreases the
throttle setting and lightly applies the brakes if
necessary. In addition, if the vehicle ahead of
you slows to a complete stop, the system can
follow this action within the given scope and
can also accelerate from a complete stop if the
vehicle ahead of you drives off again shortly
thereafter. During braking, your vehicle brake
lamps will automatically illuminate to alert a fol-
lowing driver to take action. In addition, it may
be necessary for your vehicle to downshift the
automatic transmission to maintain the dis-
tance setting selected. As soon as the road in
front of you has no moving vehicles, the system
will accelerate to your desired speed. This set
speed is also maintained on downhill grades,
however the vehicle speed can drop below the
set speed when driving uphill if the engine out-
put is not sufficient.
Active cruise control cannot detect stop
signs, red lights, or any object that is
stopped or is blocking the road.
Active cruise control is not and must not be
used as a collision avoidance/warning system.
Since this active cruise control system is a new
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems to which you
may be accustomed, it is necessary that you
read all of the pages relating to this system
before use. Carefully read and observe the
information on the system limitations beginning
on page73 to obtain a good command of the
system and its range of applications.
the brake pedal, a somewhat different braking
feel results.
Professional navigation system*
If the vehicle is equipped with a Professional
navigation system, the system adapts the
acceleration and deceleration behavior of the
vehicle to the road on which you are currently
driving.
To ensure that the system has the latest
information on the course of the road, use
the most recent version of the navigation
data.<
If the vehicle position is unknown, e. g. if you
have left the region covered by the map, the
navigation system ceases to influence vehicle
behavior.
Applications
Please try the system first during sparse traffic
and clear road conditions so that you can get
used to the system. After you have experience
and understand the system, only then use it
during normal traffic.
As with conventional cruise control systems,
active cruise control in no way reduces or sub-
stitutes for the driver's own personal experi-
ence, responsibility, alertness and awareness in
adjusting speed, braking or otherwise control-
ling the vehicle. The driver should decide when
to use the system on the basis of road, traffic,
visibility, and weather conditions. Active cruise
control is intended for use on highway-type
roadways where traffic is moving relatively
smoothly as well as in slow-moving traffic con-
gestion. Do not use the system in city driving; in
complex driving situations; heavy traffic such as
during rush hour; on curvy, winding roads, slip-
pery roads or roads with sharp curves such as
highway off-ramps; during inclement weather
such as snow, strong rain or fog; or when enter-
ing interchanges, service/parking areas or toll
booths. It is also important to regulate your
vehicle's speed and distance setting within
applicable legal limits. Always be ready to take

Controls
71Reference
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The selected distance is displayed in the instru-
ment panel.
Use good judgement to select the appro-
priate following distance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and State driving
recommendations for safe following distance.
Otherwise, a violation of the law or risk of an
accident could result.<
Interrupting the system
Press the lever up or down and additionally
depress the brake if the vehicle is stationary.
The mark in the speedometer changes color
and the distance indicator goes out.
In addition, the system is interrupted:
>When the brakes are applied
>When transmission position D is disen-
gaged>When DTC is activated or DSC is deacti-
vated
>When DSC is activated
>When the safety belt is unbuckled and the
driver's door is opened while the vehicle is
stationary
>When the system has not detected objects
for an extended period, e. g. on a road with
very little traffic without road edge mark-
ings, or if the radar sensors are dirty, refer to
page72
If the system is interrupted, actively inter-
vene by braking and, if necessary, with
evasive maneuvers; otherwise, there is the dan-
ger of an accident occurring.<
Calling up the stored desired speed and
distance
While driving
Press button4, refer to page68.
All of the displays in the instrument panel lights
up.
While standing
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine
running, engage position P of the auto-
matic transmission and apply the parking brake.
Otherwise, the vehicle may begin to roll.<
If a vehicle detected ahead of you slows to a halt
and your vehicle is also brought to a halt by the
system:
>If the vehicle ahead of you drives away, your
vehicle accelerates automatically as long as
mark 1 for the desired speed in the speed-
ometer is green.
>If the vehicle ahead of you drives away when
mark 1 is orange, depress the accelerator
briefly or press button 4.
Rolling bars in the distance indicator 3
mean that the vehicle ahead of you has
driven away.
If you are standing behind a vehicle with your
brake pedal depressed and the system is deac-
tivated or interrupted: Distance 1, closest
Distance 2
Distance 3
Distance 4, furthest
This distance is set when you acti-
vate the system.

Controls
77Reference
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Mobility
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 page255.
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.

Controls Overview
78
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 22.5 gallons/
85 liters. You will find information on refueling
on page234.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
After the reserve quantity has been reached, a
message briefly appears on the Control Display;
the remaining range is shown in the computer.
Below a range of approx. 30 miles/50 km, the
message remains on the Control Display.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Computer
Displaying information on the
instrument panel
To display the information, press the BC button
on the turn signal lever.
The following information is displayed:>Cruising range
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
Information in detail
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available
with the remaining fuel. The range is projected
based on the driving style over the last 20 miles/
30 km.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Average speed
Periods with the vehicle parked and the engine
stopped are not included in the calculations of
average speed.
To reset average speed: press the BC button on
the turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for
the time during which the engine is running.
To reset average fuel consumption:
Press the BC button on the turn signal lever for
approx. 2 seconds.
For different routes
You can display the average speed and average
consumption for two different routes on the
Control Display, refer to the following and to
Trip computer
*.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
90
Malfunction
A Check Control message appears in the
instrument panel, refer to page82.
The areas in front of and behind the vehicle
appear in shaded form on the Control Display.
PDC is malfunctioning. Have the system
checked.
In order to assure full functionality:
>Keep sensors clean and free of ice.
>Do not spray the sensors with high-pres-
sure cleaners for long periods and keep the
spray nozzle at least 12 in/30 cm away from
them.
Surround View*
The concept
Surround View encompasses the following sys-
tems:
>Top View
*, refer to page90
>Side View
*, refer to page92
>Rear view camera
*, refer to page93
It provides assistance when parking and
maneuvering and at blind driveways and inter-
sections.
Top View*
The concept
Top View assists you when parking and maneu-
vering. To accomplish this, the door region and
road surface region are shown on the Control
Display.
Detection
Detection is carried out by two cameras inte-
grated into the exterior mirror and the rear view
camera.
The range is:
>Approx. 7 ft/2 m to the side
>Approx. 7 ft/2 m to the rear
Obstacles up to the height of the exterior mir-
rors are thus detected in a timely fashion.
System limitations
In the following situations, the function of Top
View is limited:
>When a door is open
>When the liftgate is open
>When the exterior mirrors are folded in
>Under poor lighting conditions
The arrows next to the vehicle are displayed in a
shaded form on the Control Display and a sym-
bol appears at the corresponding location on
the vehicle.
Also make a direct visual check of the
traffic situation around the vehicle. Other-
wise, there could be a risk of accident, for exam-
ple due to other road users or objects outside
the image range of the camera.<
Automatic activation
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, shift the selector lever into position R.
The images from Top View and PDC are dis-
played when the system has been switched on
using iDrive.
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.

Controls
93Reference
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Mobility
Cameras
The two camera lenses are located on the sides
of the bumper.
The presence of dirt can impair image quality.
Clean the objective, refer to page260.
Rear view camera*
The concept
The rear view camera assists you when parking
and maneuvering in reverse. To accomplish
this, the region behind your vehicle is shown on
the Control Display.
System limitations
Also make a direct visual check of the
traffic situation around the vehicle. Other-
wise, there could be a risk of accident, for exam-
ple due to other road users or objects outside
the image range of the rear view camera.<
T he r e a r v i e w c a m e r a i s n o t a b l e t o de t e c t
objects at greater heights or protruding
objects such as projections from walls.<
Automatic activation
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, shift the selector lever into position R.
The image of the rear view camera is displayed
when the system has been switched on using
iDrive.
Automatic deactivation
The system switches off and the LED goes out:
>After approx. 33 ft/10 m when driving for-
ward>At speeds over approx. 9 mph/15 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.
If PDC is displayed, switch on the rear view
camera using iDrive, refer to page89.
Assistance functions
Function requirements
>Rear view camera is switched on.
>Liftgate is completely closed.
Pathway lines
>Can be displayed in the image of the rear
view camera when the transmission is in
reverse.
>Help estimate the required amount of space
when parking and maneuvering on a flat
road surface.
>Depend on the current steering angle and
are continuously adapted to movements of
the steering wheel.