
1.
Lay the cargo on the telescopic rail. Press
the button, arrow 1, and route the retaining
strap around the cargo, arrow 2.
2. Hook the retaining strap into the mount 3 on
the telescopic rail.
3. Press the button of the bracket, arrow 1. The
retaining strap is tensioned.
It is also possible to hook the two retaining
straps onto each other.
When the adaptive fixing system is no longer
needed, 
unhook the retaining strap and guide it
back into the bracket holding the hook to pre‐
vent damage and injury.
Then slide the fastening system toward the front
in order to permit the best possible use of the
cargo area.
Removing brackets
Press down the brackets, slide them up to the
notches of the rails and remove them.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the
adaptive fixing system can be stored under the
cargo floor panel in the cargo area.
Ski bag*
The ski bag is designed for safe, clean transport
of up to 4 pairs of standard skis or up to 2 snow‐
boards.
Skis with a length of up to 6 ft/2.10 m can be
stowed using the ski bag. When stowing skis
with a length of 6 ft/2.10 m, the capacity of the
ski bag is reduced as the bag narrows.
Folding in display screen
Before loading the ski bag, fold in the dis‐
play screen of the DVD systems in the rear*;
otherwise, the display screen could be dam‐
aged.◀ Loading
1.
Fold down the center armrest, press the but‐
ton and open the cover. 2.
Press the button again; the cover in the
cargo area opens. If you press the button
firmly the first time, this cover also opens.
3. Extend the ski bag between the front seats
and 
fill it. The zipper facilitates access to the
stowed items and drying of the ski bag.
4. Attach the retaining strap:
BMW X5: insert the latch plate of the ski bag re‐
taining strap into the center safety belt buckle
that is marked CENTER. BMW X6: attach the hook of the ski bag retaining
strap to the eyelet on the backrest.
Only stow clean skis in the ski bag. Wrap sharp
edges to prevent damage.
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Storage compartments 

Driving in wet conditions
When 
roads are wet or there is heavy rain, briefly
exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every
few miles.
Ensure that this action does not endanger other
road users.
The heat generated in this process helps dry the
brake discs and pads.
In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
Hills
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the gear
in which the least braking is required. Otherwise,
the brake system may overheat, resulting in a
reduction in the brake system efficiency.
The engine braking action can be further en‐
hanced by shifting down during manual opera‐
tion of the automatic transmission, refer to
page  69, if necessary all the way down to first
gear.
Avoid load on the brakes
Avoid placing excessive load on the brake
system. Light but consistent brake pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos‐
sibly even brake failure.◀
Do not drive in neutral
Do not drive in neutral or with the engine
stopped, as doing so disables engine braking. In
addition, steering and brake assist is unavailable
with the engine stopped.◀
Brake disc corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and contamination
on the brake pads are furthered by:
▷ Low mileage.
▷ Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.
▷ Infrequent use of the brakes.
Corrosion occurs when the minimum pressure
that must be exerted by the pads during brake
applications to clean the discs is not reached. Should corrosion form on the brake discs, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating ef‐
fect that generally cannot be corrected.
Condensation 
under the parked vehicle
When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water develops that exits underneath
the vehicle.
Therefore, traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are normal.
Loading
Overloading the vehicle
To avoid exceeding the approved carrying
capacity of the tires, never overload the vehicle.
Overloading can lead to overheating and in‐
creases the rate at which damage develops in‐
side the tires. This could result in a sudden loss
of tire inflation pressure.◀
No fluids in the cargo area
Make sure that fluids do not leak into the
cargo area; otherwise, the vehicle may be dam‐
aged.◀
Determining the load limit 1.
Locate the following statement on your ve‐
hicle’s placard*:
▷The combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
YYY lbs. Otherwise, damage to the ve‐ Seite 144
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Things to remember when driving 

hicle and unstable driving situations may
result.
2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and 
passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available
amount 
of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,400 lbs and there will be five 150 lbs pas‐
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail‐
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs: 1,400 lbs minus 750 lbs = 650 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and 
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load
from your trailer will be transfered to your
vehicle. 
Consult the manual for transporting
a trailer to determine how this may reduce
the available cargo and luggage load ca‐
pacity of your vehicle.
Load
BMW X5: BMW X6: The maximum load is the sum of the weight of
the occupants and the cargo.
The greater the weight of the occupants, the
less cargo that can be transported.
Stowing cargo
BMW X5 Seite 145
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation
Driving tips Controls At a glance   

They do not need to be replaced immediately in
the event of a puncture.
When mounting new tires or changing from
summer 
to winter tires or vice versa, use run-flat
tires for your own safety.
BMW X6: do not rotate the front wheels to the
rear or vice versa, as otherwise the handling
characteristics will be negatively affected.
The tools for changing wheels are available as
accessories from your service center.
Jacking points for the vehicle jack The jacking points for the vehicle jack are lo‐
cated in the positions shown.
Compact wheel*
Safety 
precautions in the event of a flat tire
or wheel change
Park the vehicle as far as possible from passing
traffic and on solid ground. Switch on the hazard
warning system.
Set the parking brake and engage transmission
position P.
Have all vehicle occupants get out of the vehicle
and ensure that they remain outside the imme‐
diate area in a safe place, such as behind a
guardrail.
If a warning triangle or portable hazard warning
lamp* is required, set it up on the roadside at an
appropriate distance from the rear of the vehicle.
Comply with all safety guidelines and regula‐
tions. Change the wheel only on a level, firm surface
which is not slippery. The vehicle or the jack
could slip to the side if you attempt to raise the
vehicle on a soft or slippery surface such as
snow, ice, tiles, etc.
Position the jack on a firm support surface.
Do not use a wooden block or similar object as
a 
support base for the jack, as this would prevent
it from extending to its full support height and
reduce its load-carrying capacity.
To avoid serious or fatal injury: never lie under
the vehicle, and never start the engine while it is
supported by the jack.◀
What you will need
To avoid rattling noises later on, note the posi‐
tions of the tools before removing them, then
return them to their initial positions after com‐
pleting work.
The tools are located in the mount under the
floor panel flap. 1
Vehicle jack*
2 Vehicle jack crank*
3 Lug bolts wrench*
Removing compact wheel
The compact wheel is located in the cargo area
under the floor panel.
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Replacing components 

BMW X5
X5 xDrive35i X5 xDrive50i X5 xDrive35d
without 3rd row seats lbs/kg 1,102/500 1,102/500 1,102/500
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,800/1,270 3,020/1,370 2,976/1,350
without 3rd row seats lbs/kg 2,800/1,270 3,020/1,370 2,976/1,350
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 3,792/1,720 3,858/1,750 3,858/1,750
without 3rd row seats lbs/kg 3,439/1,560 3,549/1,610 3,483/1,580
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg 220/100 220/100220/100
Trunk capacity cu ft/li‐
ter35.8-75.2/620-1,
750 35.8-75.2/620‐
1,75035.8-75.2/620-1,
750Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
 
BMW X6
X6 xDrive35i X6 xDrive50i
Approved gross vehicle
weight lbs/kg
6,008/2,725 6,250/2,835
Load lbs/kg937/425937/425
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,822/1,280 3,042/1,380
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 3,263/1,480 3,351/1,520
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg 220/100220/100
Trunk capacity cu ft/li‐
ter25.6-59.7/570‐
1,45025.6-59.7/570-1,
450Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Capacities
 
BMW X5
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters Approx. 22.4/85 Fuel specifications, refer to
page 248
Including reserve of
X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive35d US gal/liters approx. 2.1/8 Seite 293
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance
  

Protective function, refer to
Pinch protection
– Windows 41
Push-and-turn switch, refer to
Controls 18 
R
Radiator fluid, refer to Cool‐ ant 267 
Radio-operated key, refer to Remote control with
integrated key  28 
Radio ready state  61 
Radio ready state, switched off 61 
Radio ready state, switched on 61 
Radio setting, refer to Radio ready state  61 
Rain sensor 67 
Random 182 
Random playback  182 
Range 73 
RDS 175 
Reading lamps  85 
Reading out loud  234 
Rear entertainment, refer to DVD system in rear  200 
Rear lamps, refer to Tail lamps  271, 274 
Rear seat backrest, folda‐ ble 133 
Rear seats, adjusting  47 
Rear 
seats, adjusting the head
restraints 52 
Rear seats, heating  48 
Rear socket 131 
Rear ventilation 123 
Rear ventilation, 3rd row seats 123 
Rear ventilation, automatic cli‐ mate control in rear 124 
Rearview mirror, refer to Mir‐ rors 53 
Rear window defroster 121 
Rear window, washing 68 
Rear window wiper 68 
Recirculated air mode  122 Recommended tire
brands 260 
Redialing  222 
Refueling 246 
Remaining distance to desti‐ nation, 
refer to Computer  74 
Remaining range for service, refer to Service require‐
ments 75 
Remaining range, refer to Range 73 
Reminders 233 
Remote control
– Battery replacement  39
– Comfort Access 37
– Malfunction 31, 38
– Tailgate  31
Remote control, garage door
opener 127 
Remote 
control, rear DVD sys‐
tem 201 
Remote control, removing from the ignition lock  61 
Remote control, service data  268 
Remote control, universal  127 
Remote inquiry 222 
Replacement fuse 279 
Replacement remote con‐ trol 28 
Replacing wheels/tires 260 
Reporting safety defects  8 
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel gauge  73 
Reservoir for washer fluid, re‐ fer to Washer fluid reser‐
voir 68 
Resetting, Tire Pressure Mon‐ itor TPM 91 
Residual heat 122 
Restraining systems
– Refer to Safety belts  50
Restraint systems for chil‐
dren 56 
Retaining straps, securing cargo 146 
Retreaded tires  261 
Road, avoiding  161 
Road detour 161  Roadside Assistance 238 
Roadside parking lamps 
83 
Roller sunblinds 41 
Roof load capacity  292 
Roof-mounted luggage rack 147 
Rope, refer to Towing 283 
Route 162 
Route criteria, route 161 
Route, displaying  162 
Route 
section, bypassing  162 
RPM, refer to Engine data  290 
RSC Runflat System Compo‐ nent, refer to Run-flat
tires 261 
Rubber components, care 286 
Run-flat tires 261 
Run-flat tires, tire inflation pressure 252 
Running lights, refer to Parking lamps/low beams  81 
S
Safe braking  143 
Safety 6 
Safety belts  50 
Safety belts
– Damage  50
Safety belts, care  287 
Safety 
 belts, indicator/warning
lamp  50 
Safety belts, reminder  50 
Safety switch for rear win‐ dows 41 
Safety systems
– Safety belts  50
Safety systems, airbags  86 
Safety tires, refer to Run-flat tires 261 
Satellite radio  176 
Saving fuel 148 
Scale, changing during navi‐ gation  164 
Screen, folding open/closed, rear DVD system 200 
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance