
Voice activation system
22
Voice activation system
The concept
The voice activation system allows you to con-
trol operation of various vehicle systems with-
out ever removing your hands from the steering 
wheel.
Most menu items on the Control Display can be 
voiced as commands. This frees you of having 
to use the controller.
The voice activation system transforms your 
oral commands into control signals for the 
selected systems and provides support in the 
form of instructions or questions.
The voice activation system uses a special 
microphone located in the area of the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to page14.
Precondition
Using iDrive, set the language that applies for 
the voice activation system in order to enable 
identification of the spoken commands. To set 
the language of iDrive, refer to page86.
Symbols in Owner's Manual
Voice commands
Activating voice activation system
1.Press the  button on the steering wheel.
 This symbol on the Control Display and 
an acoustic signal tell you that the voice activation system can respond to com-
mands.
2.Say the command. 
The command is displayed on the Control 
Display.
 This symbol appears on the Control Display 
when you can enter additional commands. 
If no other commands are possible, then oper-
ate the equipment via iDrive.
Terminating or canceling voice 
activation system
Press the  button on the steering wheel 
or
In dialogs that call for a text of your choice, the 
procedure can only be canceled using the but-
ton on the steering wheel.
Possible commands
The commands available in each case depend 
on the menu item selected on the Control Dis-
play.
To have the available commands read aloud:
For example, if "CD" is selected, the commands 
for operating CD/Multimedia are read aloud.
*
{...} Say the specified commands word for 
word. 
{{...}} Indicates responses of the voice acti-
vation system.{Cancel}
{Voice commands} or {Help} 

At a glance
 23Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Running functions directly with short 
commands
With short commands you can carry out certain 
functions directly, regardless of which menu 
item is selected, refer to page285.
Example: selecting the track of a CD
1.Switch on Entertainment sound output if 
necessary.
2.Press the  button on the steering wheel.
Setting the voice dialog
You can set whether the system should use the 
standard dialog or a shorter variant. In the 
shorter variant of the voice dialog, the prompts 
and responses from the system are abbrevi-
ated.
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3."Speech mode:"
4.Select a setting:
>"Default"
>"Short"
Notes
To operate the phone by voice, refer to 
page219.<
For voice commands, bear in mind the follow-
ing:>Do not use the voice activation system to 
initiate an Emergency Request. In stressful 
situations, the voice and vocal pitch can 
change. This can unnecessarily delay the 
establishment of a telephone connection.
>Say the commands and numbers smoothly 
and at normal volume, avoiding excessive 
emphases and pauses. This also applies 
when spelling out and saying a full word 
during destination entry.
>When selecting a radio station, use the 
common pronunciation of the station name.
>For entries in the voice-activated phone 
book, only use names in the language of the 
voice activation system and no abbrevia-
tions.
>Keep doors, windows, and glass sunroof
*/
panoramic glass sunroof
* closed in order to 
avoid unpleasant outside noise.
>Avoid making other noise in the vehicle 
while speaking. 3.Select the music track, e.g.: 
{C D track 4}
System says: 
{{Track 4}} 

Opening and closing
26
Opening and closing
Keys/remote control
Each remote control contains a battery which is 
automatically charged in the ignition lock while 
driving. Drive a longer distance with each 
remote control at least twice a year to keep the 
battery charged. For Comfort Access
*, the 
remote control contains a replaceable battery, 
refer to page37.
Depending on which remote control is detected 
by the vehicle during unlocking, different set-
tings are called up and carried out in the vehicle, 
refer to Personal Profile, page26.
Information on the required maintenance is also 
stored in the remote control, refer to Service 
data in remote control, page256.
Integrated key
Press button1 to unlock the key.
The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Driver's door, refer to page29
>Floor panel flap in cargo area, refer to 
page133
New remote controls
To obtain additional or replace lost keys, new 
remote controls with an integrated key are 
available at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
Center.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW 
individually according to your preferences. Per-
sonal Profile ensures that most of these set-
tings are stored for the remote control currently 
in use without you having to do anything. When 
the vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding 
remote control is detected and the settings 
stored for it are called up and carried out.
This means that you will always find your BMW 
set to your own personal settings even if 
another person with his/her own remote control 
and settings has used the vehicle since the last 
time you drove it. The individual settings are 
stored for a maximum of four remote controls, 
for two with Comfort Access
*.
Personal Profile settings
Details on the settings are provided on the 
specified pages.
>Behavior of the central locking system 
when unlocking vehicle, refer to page28
>Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to 
page30 

Controls
 27Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>Displays on Control Display:
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer 
to page86
>Measuring units for consumption, route/
distances, temperature, and pressure, 
refer to page86
>Language on Control Display, refer to 
page86
>12h/24h clock format, refer to page85
>Date format, refer to page85
>Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to 
page65
>Welcome lamps, refer to page111
>Pathway lighting, refer to page112
>Daytime driving lamps
*, refer to 
page112
>High-beam Assistant
*, refer to 
page113
>PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page89
>Top View
*: optical warning, refer to 
page91
>Side View
*, refer to page92
>Rear view camera
*:
>Selecting functions, refer to page93
>Type of display, refer to page95
>Lane departure warning
*: last status, on/
off, refer to page104
>Head-up Display
*: selection, brightness 
and position of display, refer to page109
>Automatic climate control: AUTO program 
and intensity, cooling function, and auto-
matic recirculated-air control/recirculated-
air mode, temperature, air distribution, ven-
tilation temperature, starting on page117
>Programmable memory buttons: selecting 
stored functions, refer to page20
>Positions of driver's seat, outside mirrors, 
and steering wheel
*, refer to page44
>Adaptive Drive
*: selected chassis and sus-
pension tuning, refer to page98>Audio sources: volume and tone settings, 
refer to page168
>Radio:
>Display of stored stations, refer to 
page173
>Switching RDS Radio Data System on/
off
*, refer to page172
>Phone: volume setting, refer to 
pages215,220
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system functions when the 
driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Liftgate
>Fuel filler flap
Operating from outside
>Using the remote control
>Using the door lock
>With Comfort Access
* using the door han-
dles
The interior lamps and the courtesy lamps
* are 
also switched on and off with the remote con-
trol. The alarm system
 is armed/disarmed at the 
same time.
You can find more detailed information on the 
alarm system
 on page34.
Operating from inside
Using the button for central locking, refer to 
page30. The fuel filler flap is not locked.
In an accident of sufficient severity, the central 
locking system automatically unlocks the vehi-
cle. In addition, the hazard warning flashers and 
interior lamps come on. 

Opening and closing
28
Opening and closing:
Using remote control
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle 
could lock the doors from the inside. 
Always take along the remote control when 
leaving the vehicle so that the vehicle can then 
be opened from the outside.<
Unlocking
Press the  button. 
This unlocks the vehicle.
Setting unlocking behavior
You can set whether the first press of the button 
unlocks only the driver's door or the entire vehi-
cle.
1."Settings"
2."Door locks"
3."Unlock button"
4.Select a menu item:
>"All doors"
Press the   button once to unlock the 
entire vehicle.
>"Driver's door only"
Press the  button once to unlock only 
the driver's door and the fuel filler flap.
Press the button twice to unlock the 
entire vehicle.
5.Press the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Comfort opening
Press and hold the  button. The windows and 
the glass sunroof
*/panoramic glass sunroof* 
are opened.
Locking
Press the  button.
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if 
persons are inside because unlocking 
from the inside is not possible without special 
knowledge.<
Switching on interior lamps
With vehicle locked:
Press the  button.
You can also use this function to locate your 
vehicle in parking garages etc.
Panic mode*
You can also trigger the alarm system in case of 
danger:
Press the  button for at least 3 seconds.
Switch off alarm: press any button.
Unlocking liftgate
Press the  button for approx. 1 second.
The liftgate will open slightly, regardless of 
whether it was previously locked or unlocked.
During opening, the liftgate pivots back 
and up. Ensure that adequate clearance is 
available before opening. 
To prevent accidentally locking yourself out, 
never lay the remote control in the cargo area. A 
previously locked liftgate is also locked again 
after closing.<
If pointed or sharp-edged objects could 
strike the rear window while driving, be 
sure to provide protection around all edges. 
Failure to do so could result in damage to the 
heating conductors of the rear window.<
Confirmation signals
You can activate or deactivate the confirmation 
signals. 

Opening and closing
30
Opening and closing: 
From inside
This button serves to unlock or lock doors and 
the liftgate, with the front doors closed. It does 
not activate the anti-theft system. The fuel filler 
flap remains unlocked.
Automatic locking
You can also set the situations in which the 
vehicle is locked.
1."Settings"
2."Door locks"
3.Select the desired function:
>"Lock if no door is opened" 
The central locking system locks the 
vehicle after a short time, unless a door 
has been opened.
>"Lock after start. to drive" 
The central locking system locks the 
vehicle when you drive away.
 The function is switched on and is stored 
for the remote control currently in use.
Unlocking and opening
>Either unlock the doors together with the 
button for the central locking system and then pull the door handle above the armrest 
or
>Pull on the door handle of each door twice: 
the first time unlocks the door, the second 
time opens it.
Locking
>Use the central locking button to lock all of 
the doors simultaneously, or
>Press down the lock button of a door. 
To prevent you from being locked out, the 
open driver's door cannot be locked using 
the lock button.
Persons or animals left unattended in a 
parked vehicle can lock the doors from 
the inside. Always take along the remote control 
when leaving the vehicle so that the vehicle can 
then be opened from the outside.<
Doors
Automatic soft closing*
To close the doors, merely push them gently. 
The closing process will then be carried out 
automatically.
Make sure that the closing path of the 
doors is clear; otherwise injuries may 
result.<
BMW X5: liftgate
During opening, the liftgate pivots back 
and up. Ensure that adequate clearance is 
available before opening.< 

Controls
 31Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Opening from inside
Press the button: the liftgate opens somewhat 
unless it has been locked.
Opening from outside
Press the button on the liftgate or the  button 
on the remote control for approx. 1 second: the 
liftgate opens somewhat. It can be swung 
upward.
Opening manually
In case of an electrical malfunction:
1.From the cargo area, press out the handle in 
the liftgate, refer to arrow, with a screw-
driver and pull. The liftgate is unlocked.
2.Open the liftgate and press in the handle.
The liftgate is locked again as soon as it is 
closed.
Closing
Make sure that the closing path of the lift-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may 
result.<
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the 
liftgate make it easier to pull down.
If pointed or sharp-edged objects could 
strike the rear window while driving, be 
sure to provide protection around all edges. 
Failure to do so could result in damage to the 
heating conductors of the rear window.<
Automatic liftgate operation*
Adjusting opening height
You can adjust how far the liftgate is to open.
When adjusting the opening height, make 
sure that at least approx. 4 in/10 cm of 
clearance is available above the liftgate. Other-
wise, the ceiling height could be insufficient for 
the opened liftgate if, for example, the loading 
state changes.<
1."Settings"
2."Tailgate"
3.Turn the controller until the desired open-
ing height is selected. 

Opening and closing
32
Opening liftgate
The liftgate opens automatically when you:
>Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate when the vehicle is unlocked.
>Press the button in the center console.
>Press the  button on the remote control 
for approx. 1 second.
To stop the opening process:
>Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate.
>Press and hold the  button on the remote 
control.
>Press the button on the inside of the lift-
gate.
>Press the button in the center console 
again.
The opening process is interrupted if you 
set the vehicle in motion.<
Closing liftgate
Make sure that the closing path of the lift-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may 
result.
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.<
Manually opening or closing
In case of an electrical defect of the automatic 
liftgate operation function:
1.Manually release the liftgate, refer to 
page31.
2.Open or close the liftgate slowly and with-
out making sudden movements.
BMW X5: tailgate
Opening
Pull the lever and swing the tailgate downward.