
Automatic climate control with 2-zone control
1
Seat heating and ventilation, driver's
side  49
2 Temperature, left side of passenger com‐
partment
3 AUTO program
4 Temperature, right side of passenger com‐
partment
5 Maximum cooling
6 Seat heating and ventilation, front passen‐
ger side  49
7 Passenger side
▷Manual air distribution ▷
Accessing setting for ventilation tem‐
perature on the Control Display
8 Switching cooling function on/off manually
9 Automatic recirculated air control/recircu‐
lated air mode
10 Manual air volume, switching off automatic
climate control, residual heat
11 Rear window defroster
12 Defrosting windows and removing conden‐
sation
13 Air grill for interior temperature sensor,
please keep clear and unobstructed
14 Driver's side
▷Manual air distribution
▷ Accessing setting for ventilation tem‐
perature on the Control Display
The current setting for manual air distribution is
displayed on the Control Display.
Comfortable interior climate
The AUTO program offers the optimum air dis‐
tribution and air volume for virtually all condi‐
tions, refer to AUTO program below. Select a
comfortable interior temperature only.
The 
following sections contain more detailed in‐
formation on the available setting options.
Most of these settings are stored for the remote
control currently in use, Personal Profile set‐
tings, refer to page  29. AUTO program
Press the button.
Air volume, air distribution, and
temperature are controlled auto‐
matically.
Depending 
on the selected temperature, AUTO
intensity, and outside influences, the air is di‐
rected to the windshield, side windows, upper
body, and into the footwell.
The cooling function is switched on automati‐
cally with the AUTO program.
At the same time, a condensation sensor con‐
trols the program in such a way that window
condensation is prevented as much as possible. Seite 120
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Climate 

To switch off the program: press the button
again or manually adjust the air distribution.
Intensity of the AUTO program
Pressing the AUTO button repeatedly adjusts
the intensity of the AUTO program. The se‐
lected 
intensity, SOFT, MEDIUM or INTENSIVE,
appears on the display of the automatic climate
control.
Temperature
Turn the wheel to set the desired
temperature.
The automatic climate control ach‐
ieves this temperature as quickly as
possible, if necessary with the max‐
imum cooling or heating capacity, and then
keeps it constant.
Avoid rapidly switching between different tem‐
perature settings. The automatic climate control
will not have sufficient time to adjust the set
temperature.
Maximum heating power can be obtained with
the highest setting, regardless of the external
temperature.
At the lowest setting, cooling is continuous, re‐
gardless of the external temperature.
Adjusting the ventilation temperature
This function can be used to adjust the air tem‐
perature for the upper body region.
1. "Settings"
2. "Climate"
3. "Driver ventilation" or "Front passenger
ventilation"
4. Turn the controller to adjust the tempera‐
ture.
▷Blue: colder
▷ Red: warmer Defrosting and defogging windows
Press the button.
Ice and condensation are quickly re‐
moved from the windshield and the front side
windows.
For this purpose, also switch on the cooling
function.
Rear window defroster
Press the button.
The 
rear window defroster switches off
automatically after a certain period of time.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, upper
wires are used as an antenna and are not part of
the rear window defroster.
Air volume, manual
You can vary the air volume by pressing
on the corresponding side. You can re‐
activate the automatic mode for the air flow rate
with the AUTO button.
Manual air distribution
The air flow can be guided into the vehicle inte‐
rior, separately for the driver's and front passen‐
ger side, using one of the following programs:
▷ Upper body region.
▷ Upper body region and footwell.
▷ Footwell.
▷ Driver's side: in addition, the windshield,
side windows, and footwell. Seite 121
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance   

Selecting program
Press the button repeatedly until the
desired 
program is shown on the Con‐
trol Display. 1
Air toward the windshield and side windows
2 Air for the upper body
3 Air to footwell
Pressing the AUTO button cancels the manual
air distribution settings.
The 
automatic mode for the air volume remains
effective with manual air distribution.
Cooling function
The passenger compartment can only be
cooled with the engine running.
Press the button.
The air is cooled and dehumidified and
– depending on the temperature setting –
warmed again.
The cooling function helps to prevent conden‐
sation on the windows or to remove it quickly.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may
fog up briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is switched on automati‐
cally with the AUTO program.
When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water, refer to page  144, develops
that exits underneath the vehicle.
Maximum cooling
Press the button.
The system is set to the lowest
temperature, maximum air volume
and recirculated-air mode. Air flows out of the vents for the upper body re‐
gion. Open them for this purpose.
Air is cooled as quickly as possible:
▷
At an external temperature of approx. 32 ℉/
0 ℃.
▷ When the engine is running.
Automatic recirculated air mode/
recirculated air mode
You can respond to unpleasant odors or pollu‐
tants in the immediate environment by tempo‐
rarily suspending the supply of outside air. The
system 
then recirculates the air currently within
the vehicle.
Press the button repeatedly to select
an operating mode:
▷ LEDs off: outside air flows in continuously.
▷ Left LED on, automatic recirculated-air con‐
trol: a sensor detects pollutants in the out‐
side air and controls the shutoff automati‐
cally.
▷ Right LED on, recirculated air mode: the
supply of outside air into the vehicle is per‐
manently blocked.
If the windows are fogged over, switch off the
recirculated-air 
 mode and press the AUTO but‐
ton to utilize the condensation sensor. Make
sure that air can flow onto the windshield.
Continuous recirculated-air mode
The recirculated air mode should not be
used for an extended period of time, as the air
quality inside the vehicle deteriorates steadily.◀
Residual heat
The heat stored in the engine is used to heat the
interior.
Functional requirement
▷ Up to 15 minutes after the engine has been
switched off.
▷ Warm engine.
▷ The battery is sufficiently charged.
▷ External temperature below 77 ℉/25 ℃. Seite 122
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Climate 

Switching on
1.
Switch off the ignition.
2. Press the right-hand button. REST appears on the display of the automatic
climate 
control when the residual heat utilization
is switched on.
From radio readiness the interior temperature,
the air volume and the air distribution can be set.
Switching off
You can select the lowest blower speed by
pressing and holding the left side. Pressing
again switches off the residual heat utilization.
REST disappears from the display of the auto‐
matic climate control.
Switching on/off the automatic climate
control
Switching off
With the blower at its lowest setting,
press the left side of the button to
switch off the automatic climate control.
Switching on
Press any button to switch the automatic cli‐
mate control back on.
Front ventilation 1
Use the thumbwheels to smoothly open and
close the air vents
2 Use the lever to change the direction of the
air flow Avoiding injury
Do 
not drop any foreign objects into the air
vents, otherwise these could be catapulted out‐
wards and lead to injuries.◀
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vents to direct the flow of cool air in
your direction, for instance if the interior has be‐
come too warm.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the air vents so that the air flows past you
and is not directed straight at you.
Ventilation in rear 1
Use the thumbwheels to smoothly open and
close the air vents
2 Use the lever to change the direction of the
air flow
BMW X5: heating and ventilation, 3rd
row seats
The air in the area of the 3rd row seats can be
heated or recirculated. Air vents are located in
the storage compartment area between the
seats and in the footwell of the 3rd row seats. 1
Thumbwheel Seite 123
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance   

AUTO program
The AUTO program automatically
sets the air distribution toward the
upper body and in the footwell, as
well as the air flow rate. It also
adapts your instructions for the
temperature to outside influences throughout
the year.
Temperature
Set the desired temperature indi‐
vidually on the left and right side.
The automatic climate control achieves this
temperature 
as quickly as possible regardless of
the season, using maximum cooling or heating
power if necessary, and then maintains it.
When switching between different temperature
settings in rapid succession, the automatic cli‐
mate control does not have sufficient time to
adjust the set temperature.
Air volume, manual
The air flow rate can be varied by press‐
ing on the corresponding side. The au‐
tomatic mode for the air flow rate can be
switched on again using the AUTO button.
Switching off rear automatic climate
control
With the blower at its lowest setting,
press the left side of the button to
switch off the automatic climate control.
The automatic climate control can also be
switched off with iDrive. To switch on the auto‐
matic climate control again, the system must
first be reactivated, refer to Activating/deacti‐
vating.
The system is switched on again by pressing
any button of the rear automatic climate control. Ventilation in rear
1
Use the thumbwheels to smoothly open and
close the air vents
2 Thumbwheels to adjust temperature in up‐
per 
body region; can be adjusted separately
for left and right:
▷ Blue: colder
▷ Red: warmer
3 Use the lever to change the direction of the
air flow
BMW X5 1
Use the lever to change the direction of the
air flow
2 Thumbwheel to smoothly open and close air
vents
For ventilation of the 3rd row seats, refer to
page  123.
Parked-car ventilation*
The concept
The parked-car ventilation blows air into the
passenger compartment to lower interior tem‐
peratures.
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance   

Coolant
General information
Danger of burns from hot engine
Do not open the cooling system while the
engine is hot; otherwise, escaping coolant may
cause burns.◀
Suitable additives
Only 
use suitable additives; otherwise, en‐
gine damage may occur. The additives are
harmful to your health.◀
Coolant consists of water and additives.
Not all commercially available additives are suit‐
able for your vehicle. Ask your service center for
suitable additives.
Checking the coolant level
1. Do not open the hood until the engine has
cooled down.
2. Turn the expansion tank cap counterclock‐
wise 
slightly to allow any accumulated pres‐
sure to escape; then continue turning to
open.
3. The coolant level is correct if it is between
the maximum and minimum marks in the
filler neck, refer also to the diagram next to
the filler neck.
4. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level; do not overfill.
5. Turn the cap until there is an audible click.
6. Have the cause of the coolant loss elimi‐
nated as soon as possible. Disposal
Comply 
 with the appropriate environmen‐
tal protection regulations when disposing
of coolant additives. Seite 267
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance   

Everything from A to Z
Index
0-9
3rd row seats 47 
A
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐ tem 96 
ACC Active Cruise Con‐ trol 102 
Access to 3rd row seats 47 
Accident, refer to Emergency Request, initiating  280 
Acoustic 
signal, refer to Check
Control 76 
Activated-charcoal filter  124 
Active Cruise Control ACC  102 
Active cruise control, indicator lamp  105 
Active Cruise Control, radar sensor 106 
Active Cruise Control, select‐ ing the distance  104 
Active Cruise Control, warning lamps  105 
Active seat  49 
Active seat ventilation  49 
Active steering 100 
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display  94 
Adaptive Drive  99 
Adaptive fixing system  137 
Adaptive light control  82 
Additional telephone  216 
Additives, coolant  267 
Additives, engine oil  266 
After washing vehicle 286 
Airbags  86 
Airbags, indicator/warning light  88 
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated air mode  122 Air distribution, auto‐
matic 120, 125 
Air distribution, manual  121 
Air drying, refer to Cooling function 122 
Air flow rate  121 
Air 
flow rate, blower, refer to Air
volume 125 
Airing, refer to Ventilation  123 
Air pressure, refer to Tire infla‐ tion pressure 252 
Air vents 119 
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 123 
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica‐ tions 248 
Alarm system 39 
Alarm system
– Avoiding unintentional alarms 40
– Ending an alarm  39
– Interior motion sensor 40
– Tilt alarm sensor 40
All around the headliner  17 
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 261 
All-wheel drive, refer to xDrive 98 
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 128 
AM/FM station  174 
Announcement, navigation, refer to Spoken instruc‐
tions 163 
Antifreeze, coolant 267 
Antifreeze, washer fluid 68 
Antilock Brake System, ABS 96 
Anti-slip control, refer to Dy‐ namic Stability Control
DSC 96 
Anti-theft protection  30 
Appointments  232  Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights 292 
Approved engine oils  266 
Approved gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights  292 
Armrest, refer to Center arm‐ rest 134 
Arrival time, refer to Com‐ puter 74 
Ashtray 130 
Ashtray, front 130 
Ashtray, rear 130 
Assist 237 
Assistance, Roadside Assis‐ tance 281 
Assistance 
with driving off, re‐
fer to Drive-off assistant  100 
Assistance with starting en‐ gine, refer to Jump-start‐
ing 281 
Audio CD with rear DVD sys‐ tem 206 
Audio device, external  134 
Audio playback  181 
Audio playback, Blue‐ tooth 196 
Automatic, air distribu‐ tion 120, 125 
Automatic air distribution  125 
Automatic, air flow rate  120 
Automatic car wash 285 
Automatic climate con‐ trol 119 
Automatic climate control, au‐ tomatic air distribu‐
tion 120, 125 
Automatic climate control, in rear 124 
Automatic climate control in rear, activating on Control
Display  124 
Automatic climate control in rear, air supply  125 
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Everything from A to Z 

Condensation under the vehi‐
cle 144 
Condition Based Service CBS 268 
Confirmation signals for lock‐ ing/unlocking the vehicle 31 
ConnectedDrive 237 
Connecting, 
mobile phone, re‐
fer to Pairing the mobile
phone 216 
Consumption, refer to Aver‐ age fuel consumption 74 
Contacts 227, 235 
Control Display  19 
Control Display, care  287 
Control Display, setting the brightness 80 
Controller, refer to Con‐ trols 18 
Controls and displays  12 
Controls, rear DVD sys‐ tem 200 
Control systems, driving sta‐ bility  96 
Convenient operation
– Glass sunroof  30, 32
– Window 30
Coolant 267 
Coolant, checking the
level 267 
Coolant temperature  72 
Cooling 
function, switching on
and off 122 
Cooling, maximum  122 
Cooling system, refer to Cool‐ ant 267 
Cornering Brake Control CBC 96 
Corrosion on brake discs 144 
Courtesy lamps, refer to Inte‐ rior lamps 84 
Cradle for telephone or mobile phone, refer to Snap-in
adapter  225 
Cruise control 108 
Cruise control
– Malfunction 110
Cruise control, active 102 
Cupholder 135  Curb weight, refer to
Weights 292 
Current fuel consumption 72 
Current location, storing 155 
Curve lights, refer to Adaptive light control 82 
Cylinders, number of, refer to Engine data  290 
D
Dashboard 
lighting, refer to In‐
strument lighting  84 
Dashboard, refer to Cock‐ pit  12 
Data memory  269 
Data, technical  290 
Date 71 
Date, display format  79 
Date, retrieving  71 
Date, setting  79 
Daytime running lights  82 
Defroster, rear window 121 
Defrosting windows 121 
Defrost setting, refer to De‐ frosting windows 121 
Destination entry via the ad‐ dress book 154 
Destination guidance  161 
Destination guidance with in‐ termediate destinations  159 
Destination input, naviga‐ tion 153 
Diesel exhaust fluid, at low temperatures 250 
Diesel exhaust fluid, at mini‐ mum 249 
Diesel exhaust fluid, having re‐ filled  250 
Diesel exhaust fluid, refilling yourself 250 
Diesel particulate filter  143 
Digital clock  71 
Digital compass  129 
Digital radio  175 
Dimming mirrors 55 
Directional indicators, refer to Turn signals 66  Displacement, refer to Engine
data  290 
Display in front wind‐ shield 117 
Display 
lighting, refer to Instru‐
ment lighting  84 
Displays and controls  12 
Displays, care 287 
Displays, cleaning  287 
Displays, refer to Instrument cluster 14 
Disposal, coolant  267 
Disposal, vehicle battery  278 
Distance control, refer to Ac‐ tive Cruise Control 102 
Distance, selecting, with Ac‐ tive Cruise Control 104 
Distance warning, refer to Park Distance Control PDC  110 
Divided screen view, split screen 22 
Door key, refer to Remote con‐ trol with integrated key  28 
Door lock 32 
Doors, manual operation  32 
Doors, unlocking and locking
– Confirmation signals  31
– From the inside 33
– From the outside 30
DOT Quality Grades  258 
Downhill control 98 
Draft-free ventilation 123 
Drive-off assistant 100 
Driver's seat, calibrating  51 
Driving away on inclines, refer to Drive-off assistant 100 
Driving 
notes, breaking in  142 
Driving notes, general  142 
Driving on poor roads  147 
Driving stability control sys‐ tems 96 
Driving through water 143 
Driving tips, refer to Driving notes 142 
Dry air, refer to Cooling func‐ tion 122 
DSC Dynamic Stability Con‐ trol 96 
Seite 305
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance