2012 BMW X5 XDRIVE35D headlamp

Malfunction
A message is displayed.
Adaptive light control is malfunctioning or has
failed.
Have the system checked as soon as pos‐
sible.
High beams/roadside parking
lamps 1
High beams
2 Headlamp flasher
3 Roadside parking lamps*
Left and right roadside parking lamps*
The vehicle can be illuminated on one side.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or
down beyond the resistance point for ap‐
prox. 2 seconds, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the battery.
Therefore,

do not leave them on for unduly long
periods of time; otherwise, the battery might not
have enough power to start the engine.
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction
to the pressure point, arrow 3.
High-beam Assistant*
The concept
When the lights are switched on, this system
automatically switches the high beams on and
off. The procedure is controlled by a sensor on the front of the interior rearview mirror. The as‐
sistant ensures that the high beams are
switched on whenever the traffic situation al‐
lows. The driver can intervene at any time and
switch the high beams on and off as usual.
Activating the High-beam Assistant
1.
Turn the light switch to .
2. With the low beams switched on, briefly
push

the turn indicator lever in the direction
of the high beam. The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. The high beams are
switched on and off automatically.
The system responds to light from oncoming
traffic

and traffic driving ahead of you, and to ad‐
equate illumination, e.g., in towns and cities.
Switching the high beams on and off
manually ▷
High beams on, arrow 1.
▷ High beams off/headlamp flasher, arrow 2.
To reactivate the High-beam Assistant, briefly
push the turn indicator lever toward the high
beams. Seite 83
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Controls At a glance

Activating/deactivating via iDrive
1.
"Settings"
2. "Lighting"
3. "High beam assistant" The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
System limits
Personal responsibility
The
High-beam Assistant cannot serve as
a substitute for the driver's personal judgment
of when to use the high beams. Therefore, man‐
ually switch off the high beams in situations
where this is required to avoid a safety risk.◀
The system is not fully functional in situations
such as the following, and driver intervention
may be necessary:
▷ In very unfavorable weather conditions,
such as fog or heavy precipitation.
▷ In detecting poorly-lit road users, such as
pedestrians, cyclists, horseback riders and
wagons; when driving close to train or ship
traffic; and at animal crossings.
▷ In tight curves, on hilltops or in depressions,
in cross traffic or half-obscured oncoming
traffic on freeways.
▷ In poorly-lit towns and cities and in the pres‐
ence of highly reflective signs.
▷ At low speeds.
▷ When the windshield in front of the interior
rearview mirror is fogged over, dirty or cov‐
ered with stickers, etc.
▷ If the sensor view field is dirty. The view field of the sensor is located on the
front of the interior rearview mirror.
Do not cover this area with stickers, etc.
Clean

the sensor view field with a cloth mois‐
tened with a small amount of glass cleaner.
Front fog lamps*
The parking lamps or low beams must be
switched on. Press the button. The green indicator
lamp

in the instrument cluster lights up.
If the automatic headlamp control, refer to
page 82, is activated, the low beams will come
on automatically when you switch on the fog
lamps.
Instrument lighting Adjust the brightness using the thumbwheel.
Interior lamps
General information
The

interior lamps, footwell lamps*, exit lamps*,
cargo area lamps and courtesy lamps* are con‐
trolled automatically.
The courtesy lamps* have LED lights in the door
handles to illuminate the exterior area in front of
the doors.
To avoid draining the battery, all lamps inside
the car are switched off about 8 minutes after
the ignition is switched off, Start/Stop button,
refer to page 61. Seite 84
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Lamps

Engine compartment
Important features in the engine compartment
BMW X5
1
Filler neck for washer fluid for the headlamp
and window washer system  67
2 Starting aid terminal  281 3
Coolant expansion tank   267
4 Engine oil filler neck   266
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Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Do not touch the bulbs
Do not touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare hands, as even minute amounts of
contamination will burn into the bulb's surface
and reduce its service life.
Use
a clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or
hold the bulb by its base.◀
Light-emitting diodes LED
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu‐
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of
the controls, displays and other equipment in
your vehicle.
These light-emitting diodes, which operate us‐
ing a concept similar to that applied in conven‐
tional lasers, are officially designated as Class 1
light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers
Do not remove the covers, and never stare
into the unfiltered light for several hours; other‐
wise, irritation of the retina could result.◀
Headlamp glass
Condensation can form on the inside of the ex‐
ternal lamps in cool or humid weather. When the
light is switched on, the condensation evapo‐
rates after a short time. The headlamp glasses
do not need to be changed.
If there is a large amount of moisture, e.g., water
droplets form in the lamp, have the lamp
checked by your service center.
BMW X5: bulb replacement
Xenon headlamps
Because of the long life of these bulbs, the like‐
lihood of failure is very low. Switching the lamps
on and off frequently shortens their life.
If a bulb fails, switch on the front fog lamps* and
continue the trip with great care. Comply with
local regulations. Do not perform work/bulb replacement on
xenon headlamps
Have
any work on the xenon lighting system, in‐
cluding bulb replacement, performed only by a
service center.
Due to the high voltage present in the system,
there is the danger of fatal injuries if work is car‐
ried out improperly.◀
Parking lamps, roadside parking lamps,
daytime running lights*
These lamps are made using LED technology.
Contact your service center in the event of a
malfunction.
Turn signals, front
24-watt bulb, PY24W
1. Rotate bulb holder to the left and remove it
along with the bulb. 2.
Rotate the bulb to the right along with the
socket and replace.
3. Install in the reverse order.
Side marker lamps, rear
Contact
the service center for bulb replacement.
Tail lamps
▷ Turn signal, brake lamp: 21-watt bulb,
P21W.
▷ Brake force display: 21-watt bulb, P21W.
▷ Backup lamp: 16-watt bulb, W16W
▷ Tail lamp: LED technology.
Contact

your service center in the event of a
malfunction. Seite 271
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Then lay the cap on its upper side and close
it, refer to arrow.
6.
Position the cargo area lamp and clip it in,
refer to arrow. License plate lamps
These lamps are made using LED technology.
Contact your service center in the event of a
malfunction.
Center brake lamp
This lamp uses LED technology for operation.
Contact your service center in the event of a
malfunction.
BMW X6: bulb replacement
Xenon headlamps
Because
of the long life of these bulbs, the like‐
lihood of failure is very low. Switching the lamps
on and off frequently shortens their life.
If a bulb fails, switch on the front fog lamps* and
continue the trip with great care. Comply with
local regulations. Do not perform work/bulb replacement on
xenon headlamps
Have

any work on the xenon lighting system, in‐
cluding bulb replacement, performed only by a
service center.
Due to the high voltage present in the system,
there is the danger of fatal injuries if work is car‐
ried out improperly.◀
Parking lamps, roadside parking lamps,
daytime running lights*
35-watt bulb, H8
Wear protective goggles and gloves
Halogen bulbs are pressurized. Therefore,
wear protective goggles and gloves. Otherwise,
there is a danger of injuries if the bulb is acci‐
dentally damaged during replacement.◀
1. Turn the cover to the left and remove. 2.
Left side of vehicle: rotate the bulb holder to
the right, see arrow, and remove.
Right side of vehicle: rotate the bulb holder
to the left and remove. 3.
Disconnect plug and replace bulb.
4. Install in the reverse order. Seite 273
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Care
Car washes
Notes
Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of 140 ℉/
60 ℃.
Holding them too close or using excessively
high
pressures or temperatures can cause dam‐
age or preliminary damage that may then lead to
long-term damage.
Follow the operating instructions for the high-
pressure washer.◀
Cleaning sensors/cameras with high-
pressure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the exterior sensors and cameras, for Park
Distance Control* or the backup camera*, for
instance, for extended periods of time and only
from a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.◀
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in win‐
ter.
Intense soiling and road salt can damage the ve‐
hicle.
Washing in automatic car washes
Your vehicle can be washed in automatic car
washes right from the start.
Give preference to cloth car washes or those
that use soft brushes in order to avoid paint
damage.
Notes
Note the following:
▷ Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.
▷ Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may

be damaged, depending on the width of
the vehicle. ▷
Deactivate rain sensor, refer to page 67, to
prevent unintentional wiper action.
▷ BMW X5: deactivate the rear window wiper
and protect it from damage. Ask the car
wash

operator about any necessary protec‐
tive measures.
▷ Remove additional attachments, for in‐
stance a spoiler or telephone antenna, if
there is a risk that these may be damaged.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged.

◀
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle is able to roll if the following steps
are taken.
1. Insert the remote control into the ignition
lock, even with Comfort Access.
2. Engage transmission position N.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Deactivating Automatic Hold, refer to
page 64.
5. Switch the engine off.
6. Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Mixed tires* Note the vehicle width
Before driving into a car wash, make sure
that

the vehicle width is not too large for the car
wash, as otherwise the vehicle and the car wash
could be damaged.◀
Headlamps
▷ Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
caustic cleansers.
▷ Soak areas that have been soiled e.g. due to
insects, with shampoo and wash off with
water. Seite 285
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BMW X5
Notes
X5 xDrive50i US gal/liters approx. 2.6/10
Window washer system
With headlamp washer sys‐
tem US qt/liters approx. 6.9/6.5 Details, refer to page
68
BMW X6
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters Approx. 22.4/85 Fuel specifications, refer to
page 248
Including reserve of
X6 xDrive35i US gal/liters approx. 2.1/8
X6 xDrive50i US gal/liters approx. 3.2/12
Window washer system
With headlamp washer sys‐
tem US qt/liters approx. 6.9/6.5 Details, refer to page
68 Seite 294
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Automatic climate control in
rear, deactivating on Control
Display 124
Automatic climate control in rear, switching off 125
Automatic climate control, switching off 123, 125
Automatic climate control, ventilation in rear 123
Automatic climate control, with 2-zone control 120
Automatic climate control, with 4-zone control 124
Automatic, cruise control 108
Automatic
Cruise Control 102
Automatic Curb Monitor 54
Automatic headlamp con‐ trol 81, 82
Automatic Hold 64
Automatic Hold, activating 64
Automatic Hold, deactivat‐ ing 64
Automatic Hold, parking 65
Automatic recirculated air control 122
Automatic Soft Closing, doors 33
Automatic Soft Closing, tail‐ gate 34
Automatic tailgate opera‐ tion 34, 36
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 69
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
– Kickdown 69
AUTO program with automatic
climate control 120, 125
AUX-IN port 134, 192
Average fuel consumption 74
Average fuel consumption, setting the units 80
Average speed 73
Average speed, refer to Com‐ puter 73
Axle loads, refer to Weights 292 B
Backrest curvature, refer to
Lumbar support 46
Backrest width 46
Back
seats, adjusting the head
restraints 52
Backup camera 112
Backup camera, cleaning 114
Backup camera, obstacle marking 113
Backup camera, pathway lines 113
Backup camera, turning lines 113
Balance 172
Band-aids, refer to First aid kit 281
Bass 172
Battery
– Remote control 28
Battery change, remote con‐
trol
for rear DVD system 202
Battery disposal 278
Battery, refer to Vehicle bat‐ tery 278
Battery replacement, remote control for vehicle 39
Before entering the car wash 285
Belts, refer to Safety belts 50
Belt tensioners, refer to Safety belts 50
Beverage holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 135
Black and white map dis‐ play 166
Blower, refer to Air flow rate 121
Bluetooth audio 196
Bluetooth connection, activat‐ ing/deactivating 217
BMW Advanced Diesel 249
BMW Apps 241
BMW Apps, video play‐ back 195
BMW Assist 237
BMW Assist, refer to Connec‐ tedDrive 237 BMW EfficientDynamics, refer
to Saving fuel 148
BMW homepage 6
BMW Internet page 6
BMW maintenance sys‐ tem 268
BMW Online 239
BMW TeleService 237
Bottle holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 135
Brake assistant 96
Brake discs, breaking in 142
Brake

fluid, refer to Service re‐
quirements 75
Brake force display 94
Brake force distribution, elec‐ tronic 96
Brake lamps, brake force dis‐ play 94
Brake lights, adaptive 94
Brake pads, breaking in 142
Brakes, BMW maintenance system 268
Brakes, parking brake 63
Brakes, service require‐ ments 75
Brake system, BMW mainte‐ nance system 268
Braking, notes 143
Breakdown assistance 281
Breakdown, transporting the vehicle 282
Breaking in 142
Brightness, on the Control Display 80
Bulb replacement, refer to Lamp and bulb replace‐
ment 270
Button for starting the engine, refer to Start/Stop button 61
C
Calendar 232
Calibration, driver's seat 51
California Proposition 65 Warning 7
Camera, care 287
Seite 303
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