Controls
53Reference
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Mobility
Power adjustment*
The steering wheel can be adjusted in four
directions.
Storing steering wheel positions, refer to Seat,
mirror and steering wheel memory on page44.
Easy entry/exit*
To facilitate entry and exit, the steering wheel
temporarily moves into the uppermost position.
Steering wheel heating*
Press the button.
When the steering wheel heater is switched on,
the LED in the button lights up.
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
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.
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92
Cameras
The lenses of the Top View cameras are on the
undersides of the exterior mirror housings.
The presence of dirt can impair image quality.
Clean the lens with a moist, nonabrasive cloth.
Side View*
The concept
Side View provides an early look at cross traffic
at blind driveways and intersections. Road
users concealed by obstacles to the left and
right of the vehicle can only be detected from
the driver's seat at the last minute. To improve
visibility, two cameras in the front of the vehicle
record the traffic situation on each side.
System limits
The maximum detection range of the cameras
is 330 ft/100 m.
Display
The images from both cameras are shown
simultaneously on the Control Display.
Check the traffic situation around the
vehicle on blind driveways and intersec-
tions with your own eyes. Otherwise, an acci-
dent could result from road users or objects
located outside the picture area of the Side
View cameras.<
Automatic deactivation
The system switches off: above approx. 9 mph/
15 km/h. If needed, switch the system back on.
Switching on/off manually
Press the button.
Image on the Control Display
The traffic area to the left and right is displayed
on the Control Display.
Guidelines at the bottom of the image show the
position of the front of the vehicle.
Brightness
With the Side View switched on:
1.Select the symbol.
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is displayed and then press the controller.
Contrast
With the Side View switched on:
1.Select the symbol.
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is displayed and then press the controller.
Controls
105Reference
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Mobility
>When the turn signal flashes.
System limits
The system cannot replace the driver's
personal judgment of the course of the
road and the traffic situation.
In the event of a warning, do not jerk the steer-
ing wheel; otherwise, you may lose control over
the vehicle.<
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
>In heavy fog, rain or snowfall.
>When the lane markings are worn away,
poorly visible, convergent, divergent or
unclear, as in road construction areas.
>When the limit lines are covered by snow,
ice, dirt or water.
>In tight curves or on narrow lanes.
>When the limit lines are not white.
>When the limit lines are covered by objects.
>When driving very close to the vehicle in
front of you.
>When driving toward bright lights.
>When the windshield is fogged over, dirty or
covered by a sticker, etc., in front of the
interior rearview mirror.
Malfunctions
Steering wheel vibration
Frequent activation of the steering wheel vibra-
tion causes the system to overheat.
This causes the lane departure warning to
become deactivated.
Let the system cool and reactivate it by press-
ing the button.
Camera
The camera is located on the front of the interior
rearview mirror. Keep the area in front of the
interior rearview mirror clear.
Active steering*
The concept
The active steering actively varies the steering
angle of the front wheels in relation to the steer-
ing wheel movements. In addition, it also varies
the steering force required for steering depend-
ing on the vehicle's speed.
When you are driving in the low speed range,
e.g. in a town or when parking, the steering
angle increases, i.e. the steering becomes very
direct. In the higher speed range, on the other
hand, the steering angle is reduced more and
more. This improves the handling capability of
your BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle
before the driver intervenes.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow
and a message is shown on the Con-
trol Display. The active steering is
defective or has been temporarily
deactivated. At low speeds, greater steering
wheel movements are required, whereas at
higher speeds, the vehicle reacts more sensi-
tively to steering wheel movements. The stabil-
ity-promoting intervention can also be deacti-
vated. Proceed cautiously and drive
defensively.
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
108 indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front
passenger airbags in the following.<
Before transporting a child on the front
passenger seat, read the safety informa-
tion and follow the instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page54.
When teenagers and adults assume certain sit-
ting positions, this can cause the front and side
airbags to deactivate. The indicator lamp for the
front passenger airbags lights up when this
occurs. In these cases, change the sitting posi-
tion so that the front passenger airbags are acti-
vated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the
desired status cannot be produced by changing
the sitting position, transport the correspond-
ing person on the rear seat. Do not fit seat cov-
ers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or other
items onto the front passenger seat unless they
are specifically recommended by BMW. Do not
lay objects under the seat which could press
against the seat from below. Otherwise a cor-
rect evaluation of the occupied seat surface
cannot be ensured.<
Operating state of front passenger
airbags
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the
arrangement of the switches and indicator
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front
and side airbags on the front passenger side
depending on the seat occupation. The indica-
tor lamp shows whether the front passenger
airbags are activated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in
a child restraint device intended for the pur-pose is properly detected on the seat.
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are not activated.
Most child's seats are detected by the
system. Especially the child's seats
required by NHTSA at the time the vehicle
is manufactured. After installing a child's
seat, make sure that the indicator lamp for
the front passenger airbags lights up. This
indicates that the child's seat has been
detected and the front passenger airbags
are not activated.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up when,
for example, a correctly seated person of
sufficient size is detected on the seat. The
front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when
the seat is empty.
However, the front and side airbags on the
front passenger side are not activated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
From radio readiness, refer to page58, the
warning lamp lights up briefly, indicating the
operational readiness of the entire airbag sys-
tem and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up from radio
readiness.
>Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction, otherwise
there is a danger that the airbag system may not
respond in the expected manner in an accident
despite an impact of corresponding intensity.<
Controls
113Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
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Navigation
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Mobility
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one
side of your vehicle when parking.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or
down beyond the resistance point for approx.
1 second, arrow3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave them switched on for
long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer
be possible to start the engine.<
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction
up to the resistance point, arrow 3.
High-beam Assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high
beams on and off again. The process is con-
trolled by a sensor on the front side of the inte-
rior rearview mirror. The Assistant makes sure
that the high beams are switched on whenever
the traffic situation permits. This relieves you of
eyestrain and at the same time offers you the
best possible visibility. Naturally, you can inter-vene at any time and switch the high beams on
and off as usual.
Activating system
1.Turn the light switch to position3, refer to
page111.
2.With the low beams on, briefly press the
turn signal lever toward the high-beam set-
ting.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
panel lights up when the high-beam
assistant is activated. The system
automatically switches the high beams on and
off, reacting not only to oncoming traffic and
traffic ahead, but also to sufficient illumination,
e.g. in built-up areas.
Switching high beams on and off
manually
If you wish or the situation requires it, you can
intervene at any time:
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on
the high beams, but you want to use low
beams, simply switch them on using the
turn signal lever. This deactivates the high-
beam assistant.
To reactivate the system, briefly press the
turn signal lever toward the high-beam
position.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on
the low beams, but you want to use high
beams, simply switch them on in the usual
way. This deactivates the system and you
must switch to low beams manually.
To reactivate the system, briefly press the
turn signal lever toward the high-beam
position.
Lamps
114 >Use the headlamp flasher as usual when the
low beams are on.
System limits
The high-beam assistant cannot replace
personal judgment about the use of high
beams. In situations that require it, you should
therefore switch to low beams manually; failure
to do so can constitute a safety hazard.<
In the following sample situations, the system
will not function or will only function to a limited
degree, possibly requiring the driver to react
personally:
>In extremely unfavorable weather condi-
tions such as fog or heavy precipitation
>When you perceive poorly illuminated road
users such as pedestrians, cyclists, horse-
back riders, carriages, when rail or shipping
traffic is close to the road, or at deer cross-
ings
>In sharp curves, on steep hilltops or dips,
when there cross-traffic, or in the presence
of half-concealed oncoming traffic on the
highway
>In poorly lit areas and in the presence of
highly reflective signs
>In the low speed range
>When the windshield in the region of the
interior rearview mirror is fogged, dirty, or
covered by stickers, decals, etc.
>When the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor
on the front side of the interior rearview mir-
ror with a cloth moistened with a little glass
cleaner.
Switching on and off via iDrive
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"3."High beam assistant"
High-beam Assistant is activated and is
stored for the remote control currently in use.
Fog lamps*
First, switch on the parking lamps or the low
beams. The green indicator lamp in the instru-
ment panel lights up whenever the fog lamps
are on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<