2012 BMW X5 XDRIVE35D light

Rear center armrest
BMW X6 and BMW X5 with 3rd row
seats*
Pull on the loop and fold down the center arm‐
rest.
BMW X5 without 3rd row seats*
Unlock the center armrest with the button in the
lower section of the opening and fold down.
Storage compartments
Compartments are located in the doors, in the
center console in the front and rear* as well as
in the rear console in the BMW X6.
Storage nets* are located on the backrests of
the front seats.
Items in the storage nets
Do not stow hard or sharp-edged objects
in the storage nets; otherwise there is an in‐
creased risk of injury in the event of an acci‐
dent.◀ Clothes hooks
BMW X5
The clothes hooks are located at the grab han‐
dles in the rear.
BMW X6
To fold out, press against upper edge.
Do not obstruct view
When suspending clothing from the
hooks,
ensure that it will not obstruct the driver's
vision.◀
No heavy objects
Do not hang heavy objects from the hooks;
otherwise, they may present a danger to pas‐
sengers during braking and evasive maneu‐
vers.◀
Cupholders*
Notes
Shatter-proof containers and no hot
drinks
Use light and shatter-proof containers and do
not transport hot drinks. Otherwise, there is the
increased danger of injury in an accident.◀
Unsuitable containers
Do not forcefully push unsuitable contain‐
ers into the cupholders. This may result in dam‐
age.◀ Seite 135
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

Diesel particulate filter*
Soot particles are collected in the diesel partic‐
ulate filter and periodically burned away at high
temperatures.
During the cleaning period of several minutes:
▷
The engine may temporarily run less
smoothly.
▷ A somewhat higher engine speed may be
necessary to achieve the accustomed per‐
formance.
▷ Noises and a slight amount of smoke may
emerge from the exhaust, even for a short
period after the engine is switched off.
Mobile communication devices in the
vehicle Mobile communication devices in the ve‐
hicle
It is not recommended to use mobile phones,
such
as mobile phones without a direct connec‐
tion to an external aerial in the vehicle's passen‐
ger compartment. Otherwise, the vehicle elec‐
tronics and mobile communication devices can
interfere with each other. In addition, there is no
assurance that the radiation generated during
transmission will be discharged from the vehicle
interior.◀
Hydroplaning
On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can
form between the tires and road surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplan‐
ing. It is characterized by a partial or complete
loss of contact between the tires and the road
surface, ultimately undermining your ability to
steer and brake the vehicle.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, re‐
duce your speed to prevent hydroplaning.◀
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tire
tread depth decreases. Minimum tread depth,
refer to page 259. Driving through water
Maximum water depth:
▷
BMW X5: 20 inches/50 cm.
▷ BMW X6: 17 inches/45 cm.
Adhere to water depth and speed limita‐
tions
Only drive through water up to the above-men‐
tioned depth at no greater than walking speed;
otherwise, the engine, electrical system, and
transmission can be damaged.

◀
Braking safely
Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature.
Applying the brakes fully is the most effective
way of braking in situations when this is neces‐
sary.
The vehicle maintains steering responsiveness.
You can still avoid any obstacles with a minimum
of steering effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal and sounds from
the hydraulic circuits indicate that ABS is in its
active mode. Do not let your foot rest on the brake pedal
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent pedal
pressure can lead to high temperatures, brake
wear and possibly even brake failure.◀
Objects in the area around the pedals
No objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the area of motion of the pedals;
otherwise, the function of the pedals could be
impeded while driving
Do not place additional floor mats over existing
mats or other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved for
the vehicle and can be properly fixed in place.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened
again when they are returned after being re‐
moved, such as for cleaning.◀ Seite 143
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation
Driving tips Controls At a glance

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

BMW X6
▷
Very heavy cargo: when the rear seat is not
occupied, secure each of the outer safety
belts
in the BMW X5 in the opposite buckle.
▷ Heavy cargo: stow as far forward and as low
as possible, ideally directly behind the
backrests.
▷ Cover sharp edges and corners.
▷ Do not pile objects higher than the top edge
of the backrest.
▷ If necessary, fold down the rear backrests to
stow cargo.
▷ Place protective material around any sharp-
edged or pointed objects that could bump
against the rear window while the vehicle is
in motion. Securing cargo
BMW X5 BMW X6
▷
Smaller and lighter items: secure with re‐
taining

straps*, a cargo net* or draw straps*.
▷ Larger and heavy objects: secure with cargo
straps*.
Four lashing eyes* mounted in the cargo
area are used to secure these cargo straps,
refer to illustrations.
Adhere to the information included with the
cargo straps.
Securing cargo
Stow and secure the cargo as described
above;

otherwise it may present a danger to the
occupants, for instance during braking and
avoidance maneuvers.
Do not stow any heavy and hard objects in the
passenger compartment without securing
them; otherwise, they may present a danger to
occupants, for instance during braking and
avoidance maneuvers. Seite 146
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Things to remember when driving

▷
After driving through water, press on the
brake pedal several times at low speeds to
dry the brakes.
▷ Depending on the prevailing terrain, activate
Dynamic Traction Control DTC, refer to
page 97, briefly.
▷ When the wheels spin, accelerate to enable
the driving stability control systems to dis‐
tribute the drive force to the individual
wheels.
▷ BMW X5 with M Sport Package*: if the ve‐
hicle is primarily used on poor roads or un‐
paved surfaces, it may be advantageous,
depending on the driving style, to use the
stone
chip guard offered by the service cen‐
ter. This reduces the risk of damage to
painted vehicle components, such as in the
area of the side skirts and wheel arches.
Your service center will be glad to advise
you.
After driving on poor roads
Adhere
to the following points to ensure vehicle
safety:
▷ Remove excessive accumulations of dirt
and mud from the vehicle body.
▷ Clear mud, snow, ice, etc., from the wheels
and tires and check for damage.
Saving fuel
General information
Your vehicle contains advanced technology for
the reduction of fuel consumption and emis‐
sions.
Fuel consumption depends on a number of dif‐
ferent factors.
The implementation of certain measures, driv‐
ing style and regular maintenance, refer to
page 268, can have an influence on fuel con‐
sumption and on the environmental impact.
Remove unnecessary cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption. Remove attached parts following use
Remove

unneeded auxiliary mirrors, roof or rear
luggage racks after use.
Attached parts on the vehicle impair the aero‐
dynamics and increase the fuel consumption.
Closing the windows and glass
sunroof*/panoramic glass sunroof*
Driving with the glass sunroof/panoramic glass
sunroof and windows open results in increased
air resistance and raises fuel consumption.
Check the tire inflation pressure
regularly
Check and, if necessary, correct the tire inflation
pressure, refer to page 252, at least twice a
month and before starting on a long trip.
Low tire inflation pressure increases rolling re‐
sistance and thus raises fuel consumption and
tire wear.
Drive away without delay
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds.
This is the fastest way for the cold engine to
reach its operating temperature.
Look well ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.
By maintaining a suitable distance to the vehicle
driving ahead of you.
Driving smoothly and looking ahead reduces
fuel consumption.
Avoid high engine speeds
Driving at a low engine speed reduces fuel con‐
sumption and minimizes wear.
Use coasting conditions
When approaching a red light, take your foot off
the accelerator and let the vehicle coast to a halt.
On a downhill gradient, take your foot off the ac‐
celerator and let the vehicle roll.
The flow of fuel is interrupted while coasting.
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Things to remember when driving

Switch off the engine during longer
stops
Switch off the engine during longer stops, e.g.,
at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in traffic
congestion.
Fuel savings are achieved after the vehicle is
switched off for only approx. 4 seconds.
Switch off any functions that are not
currently needed
Functions
such as seat heating and the rear win‐
dow defroster require a lot of energy and con‐
sume additional fuel, especially in city and stop-
and-go traffic.
Therefore, switch off these functions if they are
not actually needed.
Have maintenance carried out
Have vehicles maintained regularly to achieve
optimal vehicle economy and operating life.
Have the maintenance carried out by your serv‐
ice center.
Please also note the BMW Maintenance Sys‐
tem, refer to page 268.
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation
Driving tips Controls At a glance

Navigation system*
General information
The navigation system can determine the pre‐
cise position of the vehicle, with the aid of sat‐
ellites and vehicle sensors, and can reliably
guide you to every entered destination.
Entries in stationary vehicle
Enter data only when the vehicle is sta‐
tionary,
and always give priority to the applicable
traffic regulations in the event of any contradic‐
tion between traffic and road conditions and the
instructions issued by the navigation system.
Failure to take to this precaution can place you
in violation of the law and put vehicle occupants
and other road users in danger.◀
Navigation data
Information on navigation data
1. "Navigation"
2. Open "Options".
3. "Navigation system version"
Information

is displayed on the data version.
Updating the navigation data
General information
Navigation

data are stored in the vehicle and can
be updated.
Navigation data and authorization codes are
available from your service center.
▷ Depending on the data volume, a data up‐
date may take several hours.
▷ Update during the trip to preserve battery.
▷ During the update, only the basic functions
of the navigation system are available.
▷ The status of the update can be viewed.
▷ The system restarts after the update.
▷ The data carrier with the navigation data can
be removed after the update is complete. Performing an update
1.
Insert the navigation DVD into the DVD
player with the labeled side facing up.
2. Follow the instructions on the Control Dis‐
play.
3. Enter the authorization code of the naviga‐
tion DVD and change the DVD if needed.
If the trip is interrupted, follow the instructions
on the Control Display and restart the update if
necessary.
Viewing the status
1. Open "Options".
2. "Navigation update"
Removing navigation DVD
1. Press button 1.
The DVD emerges slightly from the drive. 2.
Remove the DVD.
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Navigation system

2.
Highlight the town/city.
3. Select the town/city.
Entering the postal code*
1. Select "Town/City/Postal Code" or the dis‐
played town/city.
2. Select the symbol.
3. Select the numbers.
4. Change to the list of postal codes and towns/
cities.
5. Highlight the entry.
6. Selecting an entry.
Entering a street and intersection
1. Select "Street" or the displayed street.
2. Enter a street and intersection in the same
way as you would enter a town/city.
If there are several streets with the same name:
1. Change to the list of street names.
2. Highlight the street.
3. Select the street.
Alternative: enter the street address
and house number
1. Select "Street" or the displayed street.
2. Enter the street as you would the town/city.
3. "House number"
4. Select the numbers.
5. Change to the list of house numbers.
6. Select a house number or range of house
numbers.
Street does not exist in the destination
city/town
The
desired street does not exist in the specified
city/town because it belongs to another part of
the city/town.
1. "Navigation"
2. "Enter address"
3. Select "Street" or the displayed street.
4. Change to the list of street names. 5.
Select "In"
with the state/province currently
displayed.
All streets of the selected state/province are
offered. The associated town/city is dis‐
played after the street name. 6.
Select the letters.
7. Change to the list of street names.
8. Highlight the street.
9. Select the street.
Starting destination guidance after
entering the destination
1. "Accept destination"
2. "Start guidance" or "Add as another
destination"
Add, refer to page 159, a destination as a
further destination.
Address book
Create contacts, refer to page 235.
Selecting a destination from the
address book
1. "Navigation"
2. "Address book"
Contacts with addresses are displayed if
these have been checked as destinations.
If

the contacts with addresses from the mo‐
bile phone* are not displayed, they first need
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Destination entry