2011 BMW X5 tow

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Reporting safety defects
For US customers
The following applies only to vehicles owned
and operated in the US.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause injury
or death, you should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
NHTSA, in addition to notifying BMW of North
America, LLC, P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New
Jersey 07675-1227, Telephone 1-800-831-
1117.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may
open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety
defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order
a recall and remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved in individual
problems between you, your center, or BMW of
North America, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: administra-
tor, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Wash-
ington, DC 20590. You can also obtain other
information about motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov
For Canadian customers
Canadian customers who wish to report a
safety-related defect to Transport Canada,
Defect Investigations and Recalls, may call
1-800-333-0510 toll-free from anywhere in
Canada or 1-613-993-9851 from the Ottawa
region and from other countries, or contact
Transport Canada by mail at: transport Canada,
ASFAD, Place de Ville, Tower C, 330 Sparks
Street, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0N5.
You can also obtain other information about
motor vehicle safety from http://www.tc.gc.ca

At a glance
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Letters and numbers
Entering letters and numbers
1.Turn the controller: select the letters or
numbers.
2.Select additional letters or numbers if
needed.
3."OK": confirm the entry.
Switching between letters and
numbers
Depending on the menu, you can switch
between entering letters and numbers:
Wordmatch concept during navigation
Entry of names and addresses: the selection is
narrowed down every time a letter is entered
and letters may be added automatically.
Destination search: the entries are continuously
compared to the data stored in the vehicle.
>The only letters offered for entering
addresses are those for which data are
available.
>Town/city names can be entered with the
spelling used in any of the languages avail-
able on the Control Display.
SymbolFunction
Press the controller: delete
one letter or number
Press the controller for an
extended period: delete all
letters or numbers
Enter a blank space
SymbolFunction
Entering letters
Entering numbers

Opening and closing
34 The liftgate closes automatically when you
press the button on the inside of the liftgate.
To stop the closing process:
>Press the button on the inside of the lift-
gate.
>Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate.
Closing is not canceled when you put the
vehicle into motion.<
The tailgate also closes automatically
without pressing the button if it is loaded
with an additional weight of approx. 11 lbs./5 kg,
e.g. snow or ice.<
Manually opening or closing
In case of an electrical malfunction:
1.Push out cover 1 on the liftgate with a
screwdriver.
2.Push the catch 2 in the direction of the
arrow.
3.Open or close the liftgate slowly and with-
out making sudden movements.
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the liftgate is
opened
>To movements in the vehicle: interior
motion sensor, refer to page35
>To changes in the vehicle's tilt if someone
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the
vehicle
>To interruptions in battery voltage
Unauthorized operations are briefly signaled by
the alarm system:
>With an acoustic alarm
>By switching on
the hazard warning flashers
>By flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
With the system armed, the liftgate can also be
opened using the button of the remote con-
trol, refer to page28. When the liftgate is
closed, it is once again locked and monitored.
Switching off alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote control,
refer to page28.
>Insert the remote control all the way into the
ignition lock.

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Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp under the interior rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking: the
doors, hood, or liftgate are not properly
closed. Even if you do not close the alerted
area, the system begins to monitor the
remaining areas, and the indicator lamp
flashes continuously after approx.
10 seconds. However, the interior motion
sensor is not activated.
>The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking:
your vehicle has not been disturbed while
you were away.
>The indicator lamp flashes after unlocking
until the remote control is inserted into the
ignition lock, however for a maximum of
approx. 5 minutes: your vehicle has been
disturbed while you were away.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm
system reacts, e.g. in case of an attempted
wheel theft or towing.
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass sunroof
*/
panoramic glass sunroof
* must be completely
closed.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following
situations:>In stacking garages
>When transporting on car-carrying trains,
by sea or on a trailer
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor
Press the button on the remote control
again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and
the interior motion sensor are switched off until
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Comfort Access*
Comfort Access enables you to access your
vehicle without having to hold the remote con-
trol in your hand. It is sufficient to carry the
remote control with you, e.g. in your jacket
pocket. The vehicle automatically detects the
related remote control in the immediate vicinity
or in the interior.
Comfort Access supports the following func-
tions:
>Unlocking/locking vehicle
>Convenient closing
>Opening liftgate
>Starting engine
Functional requirements
>The vehicle can only be unlocked if the
vehicle detects that the remote control car-
ried is not located in the vehicle interior.
>The next unlocking and locking cycle is not
possible until after approx. 2 seconds.
>The engine can only be started if the vehicle
detects that the remote control is located in
the vehicle.

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appears on the Control Display. Please check
whether the safety belt is correctly 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 page43.
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.
T h e t e m p e r a t u r e i s r e d u c e d , i f n e e d b e , d o w n t o
no heat in order to reduce the load on the bat-
tery. The LEDs remain lit.

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Attaching tether strap to the backrest
of the 2nd row seats
BMW X5:
On outer seats:
1.Slide the head restraint upward.
2.Guide the tether strap between the head
restraint brackets.
3.Hook in the tether strap on the mounting
point with the hook.
4.Slide the head restraint into the bottom
position.
5.Pull tether strap taut.
On the center seat when equipped with two
rows of seats:
1.Fold the center armrest somewhat toward
the front.
2.Guide the tether strap through the opening
in the center armrest.
3.Fold back and engage the center armrest.
4.Hook in tether strap on mounting point.
5.Pull tether strap taut.
On the center seat when equipped with three
rows of seats:1.Slide the head restraint upward.
2.Guide the tether strap between the head
restraint brackets.
3.Hook in the tether strap on the mounting
point with the hook.
4.Slide the head restraint into the bottom
position.
5.Pull tether strap taut.
BMW X6:
1.Route tether strap over the middle of the
head restraint.
2.Hook in the tether strap on the mounting
point with the hook.
3.Pull tether strap taut until it compresses the
cushion of the head restraint, thus prevent-
ing the tether strap from sliding off.
On trips
Child-safety locks for rear doors
Slide down the safety lever on the rear doors:
the door can now be opened from the outside
only.
Safety switch for power windows
Always press the safety switch for the power
windows, refer to page38, when children are
riding in the rear of the vehicle.

Driving
62
For your safety
Automatic Hold is automatically deactivated
when:
>The engine is switched off
>The driver's door is open and the safety belt
of the driver is disconnected
>The vehicle is braked to a stop during driv-
ing
In the instrument panel, the indicator
lamp changes from green to red and
the indication AUTO H goes out.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
Before you start to drive, either release the
parking brake manually, refer to page60, or
reactivate Automatic Hold, refer to page61.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine
running, shift the selector lever into posi-
tion P of the automatic transmission and make
sure that the parking brake is set. Otherwise,
the vehicle may begin to roll.<
Malfunction
If the parking brake fails or malfunctions, secure
the vehicle against rolling, e.g. with a wheel
chock, if you leave the vehicle.
Releasing parking brake manually
In the event of an electrical power loss or elec-
trical malfunction, you can release the parking
brake manually.
Before manually releasing the parking
brake and each time you park the vehicle
without setting the parking brake, make sure
that the automatic transmission is in position P,
refer to page64. Be sure to pay attention to the
information in the instrument panel.
In addition, secure the vehicle against rolling,
e.g. with a wheel chock. Otherwise there is a
danger that the vehicle could roll if parked on a
steep slope.<
Jump starting and towing, refer to information
starting on page274.
Releasing
1.Open the left-hand side panel in the cargo
area.
2.Remove the first-aid kit
* and warning trian-
gle
* if necessary. Close the bracket of the
warning triangle.
3.Insert the releasing tool, contained in the
onboard tool kit under the floor panel, refer
to page262, at the releasing point.
4.Firmly pull the releasing tool upward against
the mechanical resistance, refer to arrow,
until a considerable increase in force is felt
and the parking brake is then clearly heard
to release.
5.Stow the releasing tool, warning triangle
*
and first-aid kit* and close the left side
panel in the cargo area.
Only have a malfunction corrected by the
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center or a workshop that works in accordance
with BMW guidelines and uses appropriately
trained personnel. If the parking brake has been
released manually in response to a malfunction,
only technicians can return it to operation.<
Following manual release, the actual sta-
tus of the parking brake may deviate from
that displayed by the indicator lamp.<
Operation after interruptions in power
supply
The parking brake can only be used again
if it was manually released due to an inter-
ruption in the supply of electrical power. Other-
wise the operation of the parking brake is not
ensured and there is a danger of the vehicle roll-
ing despite the parking brake being set.<

Driving
64
R Reverse
Select only with the vehicle stationary.
A lock prevents the transmission from being
inadvertently shifted into position R. To release
the lock, press the unlock button1.
P Park
Select only with the vehicle stationary. The rear
wheels are locked.
P is engaged automatically as soon as
you switch off the engine unless N is
engaged and on vehicles with Comfort Access
the remote control is inserted in the ignition
lock, refer to page58.<
N Neutral
Can, for example, be engaged in automatic car
washes. The vehicle can roll.
N remains engaged even after the engine
is switched off whenever you leave the
remote control in the ignition lock. This function
is used, for example, in a car wash, refer to
page59. After approx. 30 minutes P is auto-
matically engaged.<
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, the fuel
consumption is lowest when driving in position
D.
Kickdown
The kickdown mode provides maximum accel-
eration.
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the
increased resistance at full throttle.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Press selector lever out of transmission
position D toward the left:
The Sport program is activated and DS is dis-
played in the instrument panel; in the BMW X6,
S4 is displayed, for example. This position is
recommended for a performance-oriented driv-
ing style.
When the selector lever is pressed forward or
back, the manual mode is activated and the
Steptronic shifts the gear. The transmission
position, e. g. M4, is indicated in the instrument
panel.
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.
To use the automatic function again, press the
selector lever to the right into position D.
BMW X6: changing gears using shifting
paddles on steering wheel
The shifting paddles make it possible to quickly
change gears since both hands can remain on
the steering wheel.
>In automatic mode D, if you shift using the
shifting paddles on the steering wheel, then
the system switches into manual mode.
>If, after a certain amount of time, you neither
shift with the shifting paddles nor acceler-
ate, then the system switches back into
automatic mode D.