2012 BMW X5 XDRIVE 50I instrument panel

Releasing manually
Press the button with the brake depressed.
The LED and indicator lamp go out.
Indicator lamp in Canadian models.
Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving
the vehicle so that children, for example,
cannot release the parking brake.◀
Automatic Hold
The concept
This system assists the driver by automatically
setting and releasing the brake, such as when
moving in stop-and-go traffic.
The vehicle is automatically held in place when
it is stationary.
On inclines, the system prevents the vehicle
from rolling backward when driving away.
For your safety
Automatic Hold is deactivated automatically and
the parking brake is set when:
▷ The engine is switched off.
▷ A door is opened and the driver's safety belt
is unbuckled.
▷ The vehicle is braked to a standstill with the
parking brake while driving.
The indicator lamp switches from green
to red and the letters AUTO H go out. Indicator lamp in Canadian models.
Before driving away:
▷ Release the parking brake manually.
▷ Reactivate Automatic Hold.
Leaving the vehicle with the engine run‐
ning
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run‐
ning, engage position P of the automatic trans‐
mission

and ensure that the parking brake is set.
Otherwise, the vehicle may begin to roll.◀
Activating Press the button. The LED in the button lights
up

and the indication AUTO H appears in the in‐
strument panel.
Automatic Hold is activated.
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic
Hold, the indicator light in the instrument
panel also lights up in green.
Indicator lamp in Canadian models.
Deactivating
Press the button again, the LED in the button
and the indication AUTO H in the instrument
panel go out.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold,
then press on the brake pedal to deactivate it.
When the parking brake is set manually, refer to
page 63, Automatic Hold is deactivated auto‐
matically. Seite 64
64 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
Driving

Driving
Automatic
Hold is activated: the vehicle is auto‐
matically secured against rolling when it stops.
The indicator lamp lights up in green.
Indicator lamp in Canadian models.
Step on the accelerator pedal to drive off.
The brake is released automatically.
The indicator lamp goes out. Before driving into a car wash
Deactivate Automatic Hold; otherwise, the
parking brake will be set when the vehicle is sta‐
tionary and the vehicle will no longer be able to
roll.◀
Parking
The parking brake is automatically set if the en‐
gine is switched off while the vehicle is being
held by Automatic Hold.
The indicator lamp changes from green
to red.
Indicator lamp in Canadian models.
The parking brake is not set if the engine is
switched off while the vehicle is coasting to a
halt. Automatic Hold is deactivated. Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for example,
cannot release the parking brake.◀
Malfunction
In the event of a failure or malfunction of the
parking brake, secure the vehicle against rolling
using a wheel chock, for example, when leaving
it. Releasing the parking brake manually
In the event of an electrical power loss or elec‐
trical malfunction, you can release the parking
brake manually.
Secure the vehicle against rolling
Before releasing the parking brake man‐
ually,
and whenever you park the vehicle with the
parking brake released, ensure that position P of
the automatic transmission is engaged. Note
the display in the instrument cluster.
In addition, secure the vehicle against rolling,
e.g. with a wheel chock. Otherwise there is a
danger that the vehicle could roll if parked on a
steep slope.◀
Jump-starting and towing, refer to page 282.
Unlocking
1. Open the left-hand side panel in the cargo
area.
2. Remove the first aid kit* and the warning tri‐
angle*.

Close the bracket of the warning tri‐
angle.
3. Insert the releasing tool or screwdriver, con‐
tained in the tool kit under the cargo floor
panel, refer to page 270, at the releasing
point. 4.
Firmly pull the releasing tool or screwdriver
upward against the mechanical resistance,
refer to arrow, until a considerable increase
in force is felt and the parking brake is then
clearly heard to release.
5. Stow the releasing tool or screwdriver,
warning

triangle*, and first aid kit* and close
the left side panel in the cargo area. Seite 65
65Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

Sport program and manual mode M/S
Activating the sport program
Push the selector lever to the left out of trans‐
mission position D.
The Sport program is activated and DS is dis‐
played
in the instrument cluster; in the BMW X6,
S4 is displayed, for example.
This position is recommended for a perform‐
ance-oriented driving style.
Activating the M/S manual mode
Push the selector lever to the left out of trans‐
mission position D.
Push the selector lever forward or backward.
Manual mode becomes active and the gear is
changed.
The engaged gear is displayed in the instrument
cluster, e.g., M1.
▷ To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.
▷ To shift up: press the selector lever back‐
ward.
The transmission only shifts up or down if the
rpm and vehicle speed are appropriate. If the
engine

speed is too high, the transmission does
not shift down.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument panel, followed by the current gear.
Ending the sport program/manual
mode
Push the selector lever to the right.
D is displayed in the instrument cluster. BMW X6: Gear change using the shift
paddles on the steering wheel
The

shifting paddles make it possible to quickly
change gears since both hands can remain on
the steering wheel.
▷ If the shift paddles on the steering wheel are
used

to shift gears while in automatic mode
D, the transmission temporarily switches to
manual mode.
▷ If the shift paddles are not used to accelerate
or shift gears for a certain amount of time,
the transmission switches back to auto‐
matic mode D.
With the transmission position M/S selected,
the manual mode remains active. ▷
Shift up: pull right shift paddle.
▷ Shift down: pull left shift paddle.
The vehicle only shifts up or down at appropriate
engine and road speeds, e.g., it does not shift
down if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.
Displays in the instrument cluster The gear position is displayed and the engaged
gear, such as M4, is displayed in manual mode.
Seite 70
70 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500Driving

Fuel gauge
The vehicle inclination may cause the display to
vary.
Notes on refueling, refer to page
246.
Reserve
After the reserve range is reached:
▷ A message is briefly displayed on the Con‐
trol Display.
▷ The remaining range is shown on the com‐
puter.
▷ When a dynamic driving style is used, such
as when corners are taken rapidly, engine
functions are not ensured.
The message appears continuously below a
range of approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Refuel promptly
At the latest, refuel when the range drops
below 30 miles/50 km; otherwise, engine func‐
tions
are not ensured and damage may occur.◀ Computer
Displaying information on the
instrument panel
Press the computer button on the turn signal
lever.
Information is displayed in the instrument clus‐
ter.
Overview of the information
Repeatedly

pressing the button on the turn sig‐
nal lever displays the information on the instru‐
ment cluster in the following order:
▷ Range.
▷ Average speed*.
▷ Average fuel consumption.
To set the corresponding units of measure, refer
to page 80.
Information in detail
Range
Displays the estimated cruising range available
with the remaining fuel.
It is calculated based on your driving style over
the last 18 miles/30 km.
Average speed
Periods in which the vehicle is parked with the
engine

stopped do not enter into the calculation.
With the trip computer, refer to page 74, you
can have the average speed displayed for an ad‐
ditional distance.
To reset the average speed: press the button on
the turn indicator lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Seite 73
73Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

Chassis and suspension tuning
Two chassis and suspension tunings are avail‐
able for selection.
▷
Normal:
The comfortable basic setting offers opti‐
mum comfort when traveling.
▷ Sport:
The sporty basic setting offers increased
driving agility.
Selecting chassis and suspension
tuning Press the button.
The system switches between the two chassis
and suspension tuning settings.
▷
Sport:
The
LED in the button lights up and SPORT
is displayed in the instrument panel.
▷ Normal:
The LED in the button goes out.
The selection of the chassis and suspension
tuning setting is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Drive-off assistant
This

system supports driving away on gradients.
The parking brake is not required.
1. Hold the vehicle in place with the foot brake.
2. Release the foot brake and drive away with‐
out delay.
Depending on the vehicle load, the vehicle may
roll back slightly. Driving off without delay
After

releasing the foot brake, start driving
without delay, since the drive-off assistant will
not hold the vehicle in place for more than ap‐
prox. 2 seconds and the vehicle will begin rolling
back.◀
Self-leveling suspension*
The concept
The self-leveling suspension on the rear axle
assures a continuous ground clearance.
To do so, the height of the vehicle is measured
by sensors at both rear wheels.
If the actual height deviates from the defined
height, such as due to cargo in the vehicle, this
difference is compensated very quickly. In ad‐
dition, spring motions resulting from cornering
or irregularities in the road surface are reduced
to a minimum.
The system works automatically.
Malfunctions
Malfunctions are displayed via Check Control,
refer to page 76.
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, for
instance in a town or when parking, the steering
angle increases, i.e., steering becomes very di‐
rect. In the higher speed range, on the other
hand, the steering angle is reduced more and
more. This improves the handling of your vehicle
over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar‐
geted corrections to the steering angle provided Seite 100
100 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
Driving stability control systems

As with conventional cruise control systems, ac‐
tive cruise control in no way reduces or substi‐
tutes for the driver's own personal experience,
responsibility, alertness and awareness in ad‐
justing speed, braking or otherwise controlling
the vehicle. The driver should decide when to
use the system on the basis of road, traffic, vis‐
ibility, and weather conditions. Active cruise
control is intended for use on highway-type
roadways where traffic is moving relatively
smoothly as well as in slow-moving traffic con‐
gestion.
Do not use the system in city driving; in
complex driving situations; heavy traffic such as
during rush hour; on curvy, winding roads, slip‐
pery roads or roads with sharp curves such as
highway off-ramps; during inclement weather
such as snow, strong rain or fog; or when enter‐
ing interchanges, service/parking areas or toll
booths. It is also important to regulate your ve‐
hicle's speed and distance setting within appli‐
cable legal limits. Always be ready to take action
or apply the brakes if necessary, especially when
the system is actively following a vehicle in front
of you. Otherwise, driving conditions can result
which lead to a violation of the law or elevated
risk of an accident.
The minimum initial activation speed is
20 mph/ 30 km/h, and the maximum speed is
110 mph/ 180 km/h. The system can also be ac‐
tivated while the vehicle is stationary, refer to
page 105.
One lever for all functions 1
Storing and increasing the desired
speed  103
2 Storing and reducing the desired
speed  103 3
Interrupting  104 or deactivating   105 the
system
4 Retrieving the stored desired speed and dis‐
tance  104 or driving away   105
5 Selecting the distance to the vehicle
ahead  104
Storing the current speed
Push
the lever, arrow 1, or pull it briefly, arrow 2. The system stores the current vehicle speed. It
is indicated on the speedometer and briefly in
the instrument panel.
Increasing desired speed
Press or briefly push the lever up to or beyond
the resistance point, arrow 1, until the desired
speed is displayed.
The displayed speed is stored and the vehicle
reaches the stored speed if the road is clear.
▷
With each activation to the resistance point,
the desired speed increases by approx.
1 mph/1 km/h.
▷ With each activation beyond the resistance
point,

the desired speed increases by a max‐
imum of 5 mph/10 km/h.
Reducing the desired speed
Pull
the lever, arrow 2, until the desired speed is
displayed.
The functions are the same as those when in‐
creasing the desired speed.
Seite 103
103Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

Selecting the distance
▷
Press the rocker down briefly:
Increase the distance.
▷ Press the rocker up briefly:
Decrease the distance.
The selected distance is displayed in the instru‐
ment panel.
Distance display Distance 1, closest
Distance 2
Distance 3
Distance 4, furthest
This
distance is set when you ac‐
tivate the system. Selecting an appropriate distance
Use good judgement to select the appro‐
priate following distance given road conditions,
traffic,

applicable laws and State driving recom‐
mendations for safe following distance. Other‐
wise, a violation of the law or risk of an accident
could result.◀ Interrupting the system
Press the lever up or down and additionally de‐
press the brake if the vehicle is stationary. The
mark

in the speedometer changes color and the
distance indicator goes out.
In addition, the system is interrupted:
▷ When the brakes are applied.
▷ When the transmission position D is disen‐
gaged.
▷ When DTC is activated or DSC is deacti‐
vated.
▷ When DSC is activated
▷ When the safety belt and the driver's door
are opened while the vehicle is stationary.
▷ When the system has not detected objects
for an extended period, e.g., on a road with
very

little traffic without road edge line mark‐
ings.
▷ The radar sensor is dirty.
Active intervention if the system is inter‐
rupted
If

the system is interrupted, actively intervene by
braking and, if necessary, with evasive maneu‐
vers; otherwise, there is the danger of an acci‐
dent occurring.◀
Calling up the stored desired speed and
distance
While driving
Press button 4, refer to page 103. All of the dis‐
plays in the instrument panel lights up. Seite 104
104 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
Driving comfort

In the event the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel can‐
not be fully inserted into the fuel filler neck,
please contact BMW Roadside Assistance for
instructions on how to add fuel. For more infor‐
mation on BMW Roadside Assistance, refer to
page
281.
Winter diesel
To ensure that the diesel engine remains op‐
erational in the winter, use winter diesel.
It is available at gas stations during winter
months.
The standard fuel filter heating prevents the
supply of fuel from stalling during driving. No diesel additives
Do not add additives, including gasoline;
otherwise, engine damage may occur.◀ BMW X5 with BMW Advanced
Diesel
The concept
BMW
Advanced Diesel reduces nitrogen oxides
in the diesel exhaust of your vehicle by injecting
the reducing agent diesel exhaust fluid into the
exhaust line. In the catalytic converter, a chem‐
ical reaction occurs that minimizes nitrogen ox‐
ides.
In order to be able to start the engine in the usual
way, there must be a sufficient supply of diesel
exhaust fluid in the separate reservoir.
System heating
In order to bring the system to operating tem‐
perature after a cold start of the engine, the au‐ tomatic transmission shifts into the next higher
gear at a later point.
Reserve display
A display in the instrument panel informs you
about the remaining distance can be covered
with the amount of fuel currently in the tank.
The reserve display appears approx.
1,000 miles/1,600 km before the tank is empty.
As soon as the reserve display has appeared in
the instrument panel, have the diesel exhaust
fluid refilled to prevent the engine from being
unable to restart.
Diesel exhaust fluid at minimum
Even with a display of -- mls, the engine will con‐
tinue to run, provided that it is not switched off,
and all other operating requirements are met,
e.g. sufficient fuel.
No engine start
Do

not drive until the displayed remaining
distance runs out. Otherwise, it may not be pos‐
sible to restart the engine.◀ Seite 249
249Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500

Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance