
Cockpit
All around the steering wheel
1
Rear window safety switch   41
2 Power windows   40
3 Exterior mirror operation  53
4 Lamps Instrument lighting  84
Front fog lamps*  84
Parking lamps  
81 Low beams  81
Automatic headlamp con‐
trol*  82
Adaptive light control
*  82
High-beam Assistant*  83
5 Head-up Display*  
117
6 Steering column stalk, left
Seite 12
12 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
Cockpit 

Indicator/warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
a variety of combinations and colors.
Several of the lamps are checked for proper
functioning 
when the engine is started or the ig‐
nition is switched on, and light up briefly.
Text messages
Text messages at the upper edge of the Control
Display explain the meaning of the displayed in‐
dicator and warning lamps.
Supplementary text messages
You can call up more information, e.g., on the
cause of a malfunction and on how to respond,
via Check Control, refer to page  76.In urgent cases, this information will be shown
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps notify you that
certain functions are active: Symbol Function or system
Parking brake set, refer to
page 
63 Canada: parking brake set, refer to
page 
63 High beams/headlamp flasher, refer
to page 
83 Front fog lamps*, refer to page 
84 Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC controls the drive and
braking forces for maintaining vehi‐
cle stability, refer to page 
96 Engine malfunction with adverse ef‐
fect on emissions, refer to
page 
269 Seite 15
15Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
 
Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls
At a glance   

Buttons on controller
Press the button Function
MENU
Opens the main menu.
RADIO Opens the Radio menu.
CD Opens the CD/Multimedia
menu.
NAV Opens the Navigation
menu.
TEL Opens the Telephone
menu.
BACK Displays the previous
panel.
OPTION Opens the Options menu. Control Display
Notes
▷
To clean the Control Display, follow the care
instructions, refer to page 287.
▷ Do not place objects close to the Control
Display; otherwise, the Control Display can
be damaged.
Switching off
1.   Press the button.
2. "Switch off control display" Switching on
Press the controller again to switch the screen
back on. Operating concept
Opening the main menu
Press the button. The main menu is displayed.
All 
iDrive functions can be called up via the main
menu.
Selecting menu items
Menu items shown in white can be selected.
1. Turn the controller until the desired menu
item is highlighted. 2.
Press the controller.
Menu items in the Owner's Manual
In the Owner's Manual, menu items that can be
selected are set in quotation marks, e.g.,
"Settings".
Changing between panels
After a menu item is selected, e.g., 
"Radio", a
new panel is displayed. Panels can overlap.
▷ Move the controller to the left.
The 
current panel is closed and the previous
panel is displayed. Seite 19
19Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
 
Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls
At a glance   

Example: setting the clock
Setting the clock
1.
  Press the button. The main menu is
displayed.
2. Turn the controller until "Settings" is high‐
lighted, and then press the controller. 3.
If necessary, move the controller to the left
to display "Time/Date"
.
4. Turn the controller until "Time/Date" 
 is high‐
lighted, and then press the controller. 5.
Turn the controller until "Time:" is high‐
lighted, and then press the controller. 6.
Turn the controller to set the hours and
press the controller.
7. Turn the controller to set the minutes and
press the controller. Status information
Status field
The 
following information is displayed in the sta‐
tus field at the top right:
▷ Time.
▷ Current entertainment source.
▷ Sound output, on/off.
▷ Wireless network reception strength.
▷ Telephone status.
▷ Traffic bulletin reception.
Status field symbols
The symbols are grouped into various catego‐
ries.
Radio symbols Symbol Meaning
  Traffic bulletins* switched on.
  HD Radio* is switched on.
  Satellite radio* is switched on.
Telephone symbols
Symbol Meaning
  Incoming or outgoing call*.
  Missed call*.
  Wireless network reception
strength* 
 Symbol flashes: searching
for network.   Wireless network is not available*.
  Bluetooth* is switched on.
  Roaming* is active.
  Text message*, e-mail* was re‐
ceived.   Check the SIM card*.
  SIM card* is blocked. Seite 21
21Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
 
Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls
At a glance   

Symbol Meaning
  SIM card* is missing.
  Enter the PIN*.
Entertainment symbols
Symbol Meaning
  CD/DVD* player.
  Music collection*.
  Gracenote® database*.
  AUX-IN port.
  USB audio interface*.
  Mobile phone audio interface*.
Additional symbols
Symbol Meaning
  Spoken instructions* are switched
off.   Request of the current vehicle posi‐
tion*. Split screen*
General information
Additional information can be displayed on the
right side of the split screen, e.g., information
from the computer.
In the divided screen view, the so-called split
screen, this information remains visible even
when you change to another menu.
Switching the split screen on and 
off*
1.   Press the button.
2. "Split screen" Selecting* the display
1.   Press the button.
2. "Split screen"
3. Move the controller until the split screen is
selected.
4. Press the controller or select "Split screen
content".
5. Select the desired menu item. Programmable memory
buttons
General information
The iDrive functions can be stored on the pro‐
grammable memory buttons and called up di‐
rectly, e.g., radio stations, navigation destina‐
tions, phone numbers and entry points into the
menu.
The settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Saving a function
1.
Highlight the function via the iDrive.
2.   Press the desired button for more
than two seconds.
Running a function Press the button.
The function will run immediately. This
means, for example, that the number is dialed
when a phone number is selected. Seite 22
22 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
iDrive 

The individual settings are stored for a maximum
of 
four remote controls. They are stored for two
remote controls if Comfort Access* is in use.
Personal Profile settings
The following functions and settings can be
stored in a profile.
More information on the settings can be found
under:
▷ Assigning the programmable memory but‐
tons, refer to page  22.
▷ Response of the central locking system
when the car is being unlocked, refer to
page  30.
▷ Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to
page  33.
▷ Driver's seat, exterior mirror and steering
wheel positions*, refer to page  53.
▷ Settings for the display on the Control Dis‐
play and in the instrument cluster:
▷12h/24h clock format, refer to
page  79.
▷ Date format, refer to page  79.
▷ Brightness of the Control Display, refer
to page  80.
▷ Language on the Control Display, refer
to page  80.
▷ Units of measure for fuel consumption,
distance covered/remaining distances,
and temperature, refer to page  80.
▷ Show visual warning for the Park Distance
Control PDC*, refer to page  111.
▷ Show visual warning for Top View*, refer to
page  114.
▷ Show Side View*, refer to page  116.
▷ Backup camera*:
▷Function selection, refer to page  113.
▷ Type of display, refer to page  114.
▷ Lane departure warning*: last setting, on/
off, refer to page  93.
▷ Head-up Display*: selection, brightness and
position of the display, refer to page  117.▷
Adaptive Drive*: selected chassis and sus‐
pension tuning, refer to page  99.
▷ Light settings:
▷Triple turn signal activation, refer to
page  66.
▷ Welcome lamps, refer to page  81.
▷ Headlamp courtesy delay feature, refer
to page  81.
▷ Daytime running lights, refer to
page  82.
▷ High-beam Assistant*, refer to
page  83.
▷ Automatic climate control with 2-zone con‐
trol: settings, refer to page  120.
▷ Navigation:
▷Voice activation, refer to page  163.
▷ Route criteria, refer to page  161.
▷ Map view settings, refer to page  164.
▷ Entertainment:
▷Tone control, refer to page  172.
▷ Radio, stored stations, refer to
page  180.
▷ CD/multimedia, audio source listened to
last, refer to page  181.
▷ Telephone: volume, refer to page  220.
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system becomes active
when the driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and re‐
leases the locks on the following:
▷ Doors.
▷ Tailgate.
▷ Fuel filler flap.
Operating from the outside
▷ Via the remote control.
▷ Via the door lock*.
Seite 29
29Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
 
Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance   

  Press the button on the remote control for at
least 3 seconds.
To switch off the alarm: press any button.
Unlocking tailgate   Press the button on the remote control for
approx. 1 second and release.
The tailgate will open slightly, regardless of
whether it was previously locked or unlocked.
With automatic tailgate operation
*: the tailgate
opens automatically.
The tailgate pivots back and up when it opens.
Ensure that adequate clearance is available be‐
fore opening.
To avoid locking yourself out of the vehicle, do
not place the remote control into the cargo area.
The tailgate is locked again as soon as it is
pushed closed.
Before and after each trip, check that the tailgate
has not been inadvertently unlocked.
Provide edge protection
Sharp or angular objects can hit the rear
window while driving and damage the heating
wires of the rear window. Provide edge protec‐
tion.◀
Confirmation signals from the vehicle
1. "Settings"
2. "Door locks"
3. "Flash when lock/unlock" Retrieving the seat, mirror, and
steering wheel settings
*
The driver's seat, exterior mirror, and steering
wheel positions* selected last are stored for the
currently used remote control.
When the vehicle is being unlocked, these po‐
sitions are automatically retrieved if the setting
is activated.
Pinch hazard when moving back the seat
If this function is used, first make sure that
the footwell behind the driver's seat is empty.
Failure to do so could cause injury to persons or
damage to objects behind the seat as a result of
a rearward movement of the seat.◀
The adjustment procedure is interrupted:
▷ When a seat position switch is pressed.
▷ When a button of the seat and mirror mem‐
ory is pressed.
Selecting automatic activation
1. "Settings"
2. "Door locks"
3. "Last seat position auto." Malfunctions
Local 
radio waves may interfere with the remote
control.
In this case, unlock and lock the car at the door
lock with the integrated key.
If the car can no longer be locked with a remote
control, the battery in the remote control is dis‐
charged. Use the remote control during an ex‐
tended drive in order to recharge the battery,
refer to page  28. The remote control for Comfort Seite 31
31Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
 
Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance   

Opening and closing: from the
inside
Locking and unlocking
Press the button in the vehicle.
The doors and the tailgate are locked or un‐
locked 
when the front doors are closed, but they
are not secured against theft.
The fuel filler flap remains unlocked.
Automatic locking
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
1. "Settings"
2. "Door locks"
3. Select the desired function:
▷"Lock if no door is opened"
The vehicle locks automatically after a
short period of time if a door is not
opened.
▷ "Lock after start. to drive"
The vehicle locks automatically after
you drive away. Unlocking and opening*
▷
Press the button. The doors are un‐
locked. 
To open, pull the door han‐
dle above the armrest. ▷
Pull the door handle above the armrest
twice: 
the door is unlocked the first time and
opened the second time.
Locking
▷ Press the button. The doors are
locked. ▷
Press the lock button of a door. To prevent
you 
from being locked out, the opened driv‐
er's door cannot be locked using the lock
button.
Take the remote control with you
People or animals left unattended in a
parked vehicle can lock the doors from the in‐
side. Always take the remote control with you
when 
leaving the vehicle so that the vehicle can
then be opened from the outside.◀
Doors
Automatic soft closing*
To close the doors, push lightly. It is closed au‐
tomatically.
Danger of pinching
Make sure that the closing path of the
doors is clear; otherwise, injuries may result.◀
BMW X5: upper tailgate
Opening
The tailgate pivots back and up when it opens.
Ensure that adequate clearance is available be‐
fore opening. Seite 33
33Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
 
Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance