▷
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
Mobility
In order to always ensure your mobility, you will find important information on operating fluids,wheels and tires, maintenance and Roadside Assistance in the following.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
Fuel
Fuel specifications
Gasoline engine: required fuel
Do
not use fuels that are labeled at the fuel pump
as containing metals.
Only refuel with lead-free gasoline without
metal additives
Do not refuel with leaded gasoline or gasoline
with metal additives, e. g., manganese or iron;
otherwise, the catalytic converter and other
components will be permanently damaged.◀
Do not refuel with ethanol E85
Do not refuel with E85, i.e., fuel with an
ethanol content of 85 %, or with Flex Fuel, as this
would damage the engine and fuel supply sys‐
tem.◀
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is:
▷ BMW X5: 87
▷ BMW X6: 89
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat‐
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no affect on the engine life.
Minimum fuel grade
Do not use any gasoline below the mini‐
mum specified fuel grade; otherwise, engine
damage may occur.◀
Use high-quality brands
Field
experience has indicated significant differ‐
ences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, ad‐
ditives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale in
the United States and Canada. Fuels containing
up to and including 10% ethanol or other oxy‐
genates with up to 2.8% oxygen by weight, that
is, 15% MTBE or 3% methanol plus an equiva‐ lent amount of co-solvent, will not void the ap‐
plicable warranties with respect to defects in
materials or workmanship.
Minimum fuel grade
The
use of poor-quality fuels may result in
driveability, starting and stalling problems es‐
pecially under certain environmental conditions
such as high ambient temperature and high al‐
titude.
Should you encounter driveability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in unscheduled maintenance.◀
BMW X5 with BMW Advanced Diesel:
required fuel
Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel
The engine of your BMW is designed for diesel
with a low sulfur content:
Ultra-low sulfur diesel ASTM D 975-07a.
Only refuel with ultra-low sulfur diesel.
The percentage of biodiesel in the fuel
must not exceed 5%, referred to as B5. Do not
refuel with gasoline. If the vehicle has been re‐
fueled with incorrect fuel such as gasoline, do
not start the engine; otherwise, there is a danger
of engine damage.◀
If you added the wrong fuel, contact the service
center.
The fuel filling neck is designed for refueling with
diesel nozzles.
If the nozzle cannot be inserted into the fuel filler
pipe of your BMW, please check to make sure
that you are refueling with a diesel fuel pump and
whether this is equipped with a diesel nozzle. Seite 248
248 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500Fuel
Incorrect fueling
The warning lamp lights up:
The reservoir has been filled with an in‐
correct fluid.
Please contact your service center.
Have diesel exhaust fluid refilled
This
exhaust fluid is refilled by your service cen‐
ter during regular maintenance. If you adhere to
this maintenance schedule, it is usually not nec‐
essary to refill any fluids between the mainte‐
nance dates.
Under certain circumstances, for example, due
to a particularly sporty driving style or operation
of the vehicle at high altitudes, it may be neces‐
sary to refill fluids between maintenance dates.
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.
You can have the fluid refilled by a service cen‐
ter.
Diesel exhaust fluid at low
temperatures
Due to its physical properties, it may be neces‐
sary to replenish the level of diesel exhaust fluid
at temperatures below +23 ℉/ -5 ℃, even be‐
tween the regular maintenance dates.
If the fluid needs to be refilled, this will be indi‐
cated with the reserve display in the instrument
cluster, refer to page 249.
Only refill the diesel exhaust fluid
yourself in exceptional circumstances
To be able to reach the nearest service center
with your vehicle, you may refill the diesel ex‐
haust fluid yourself, making sure to heed the
warning notices specified below. Handling diesel exhaust fluid
Do not allow diesel exhaust fluid to come
into contact with you. This can lead to skin and
eye irritation. Wear protective goggles and
gloves as needed. Follow the safety instructions
on the bottle. When opening the bottle or res‐ ervoir, pungent smelling vapors can escape. Be‐
fore refilling, close the vehicle completely so
that
the vapors do not get into the interior of the
vehicle. When handling diesel exhaust fluid in
enclosed spaces, make sure to have sufficient
ventilation. After handling diesel exhaust fluid,
wash hands thoroughly. Failure to do so may
lead to irritation, for instance, due to inadvertent
contact with the eyes. If eye irritation occurs,
immediately rinse eyes with ample water and
contact a doctor if necessary. If diesel exhaust
fluid comes into contact with surfaces of your
vehicle, rinse the affected surfaces with water or
else damage may occur. Keep diesel exhaust
fluid out of reach of children.◀
Suitable diesel exhaust fluid
▷ Preferred: BMW Diesel Exhaust Fluid. This
bottle and its special adapter permit con‐
venient refilling with diesel exhaust fluid.
▷ Alternative: NOx reduction agent AUS 32
Diesel exhaust fluid can be obtained from your
service center.
Refilling quantity
Refilling quantity at the start of the reserve dis‐
play:
Approx. 0.75 gallons/2.7 liters
Open reservoir for diesel exhaust fluid
1. Open the hood, refer to page 264.
2. Fit the releasing tool from the tool kit, refer
to page 270, into place and open the lock,
see arrow. Seite 250
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Fuel
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Safety information
It is not merely the tires' service life, but also
driving comfort and, to a great extent, driving
safety that depend on the condition of the tires
and the maintenance of the specified tire pres‐
sure.
Checking the pressure
Only check the tire inflation pressure when the
tires are cold. This means after a maximum of
1.25
miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has
been parked for at least 2 hours. When the tires
are warm, the tire inflation pressure is higher.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
and correct it if necessary, even in the compact
wheel*: usually twice monthly or before embark‐
ing on a long trip. If you fail to observe this pre‐
caution, you may be driving on tires with incor‐
rect tire pressures, a condition that may not only
compromise your vehicle's driving stability, but
also lead to tire damage and the risk of an acci‐
dent.
Do not drive with depressurized or flat tires, ex‐
cept for run-flat tires. A flat tire will seriously im‐
pair your vehicle's handling and braking re‐
sponse. Attempts to drive on a flat tire can lead
to a loss of control over the vehicle.◀
After adjusting the tire inflation pressure, reset
the Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to page 90, or
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page 88.
Pressure specifications
The tables below provide all the correct inflation
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient
temperature.
The inflation pressures apply to the tire sizes
approved and tire brands recommended by BMW; a list of these is available from your serv‐
ice center.
For
correct identification of the right tire inflation
pressures, observe the following:
▷ Tire sizes of your vehicle.
▷ Maximum allowable driving speed.
Tire inflation pressures for driving up to
100 mph or 160 km/h
For
normal driving up to 100 mph/160 km/h, ad‐
just pressures to the respective tire inflation
pressures listed on the following pages in the
column for traveling speeds up to 100 mph/
160 km/h to achieve optimum driving comfort.
These tire inflation pressures can also be found
on the driver's side door pillar when the driver's
door is open. Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed
The maximum permissible speed for these tire
pressures is 100 mph/160 km/h Do not exceed
this speed; otherwise, tire damage and acci‐
dents could occur.◀
Tire inflation pressures for driving
above 100 mph or 160 km/h
Adjust the tire inflation pressures
To drive at maximum speeds in excess of
100 mph/160 km/h, adjust pressures to the re‐
spective
tire inflation pressures listed on the fol‐
lowing pages in the column for traveling speeds
including those exceeding 100 mph or 160 km/ Seite 252
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Wheels and tires
Maintenance
BMW maintenance system
The maintenance system provides information
on required maintenance measures and thus
provides
support in maintaining road safety and
the operational reliability of the vehicle.
Condition Based Service CBS
Sensors and special algorithms take into ac‐
count the driving conditions of your vehicle.
Based on this, Condition Based Service deter‐
mines the maintenance requirements.
The system makes it possible to adapt the
amount of maintenance you need to your user
profile.
Details on the service requirements, refer to
page 75, can be displayed on the Control Dis‐
play.
On the Control Display, the remaining distances
and times for selected maintenance require‐
ments and any legally required deadlines can be
displayed individually, refer to page 75.
Service data in the remote control
Information on the required maintenance is con‐
tinuously stored in the remote control. Your
service center will read out this data and suggest
the right array of service procedures for your ve‐
hicle.
Therefore, hand your service specialist the re‐
mote control that you used most recently. Setting the correct date
Make sure the date is set correctly, refer
to
page 79; otherwise, the effectiveness of CBS
Condition Based Service is not ensured.◀
Storage periods
Storage periods during which the vehicle bat‐
tery was disconnected are not taken into ac‐
count.
If this occurs, have a service center update the
time-dependent maintenance procedures,
such as checking brake fluid and, if necessary,
changing the engine oil and the microfilter/acti‐
vated-charcoal filter.
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor‐
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models for
additional information on service requirements.
Maintenance and repair should be performed by
your service center. Make sure to have regular
maintenance procedures recorded in the vehi‐
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models, and in the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models. These en‐
tries are proof of regular maintenance. Seite 268
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Maintenance
The defective wheel cannot be stored under
the floor panel flap due to its size.
3. Check and correct the tire inflation pressure
at the earliest opportunity.
4. Initialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page 88,
or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page 90.
5. Replace the damaged tire as soon as possi‐
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Driving with compact wheel Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph/80 km/
h.
Drive
conservatively and do not exceed a speed
of 50 mph/80 km/h. Otherwise, changes in the
driving characteristics could result, for example
reduced track stability on braking, extended
braking distance, and altered self-steering char‐
acteristics in the limit range. In conjunction with
winter tires, these characteristics are more pro‐
nounced.◀
Only mount one compact wheel
Only one compact wheel may be
mounted. Restore the wheels and tires to their
original size as quickly as possible. Failure to do
so is a safety risk.◀
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is maintenance-free, i.e., the elec‐
trolyte will last for the life of the battery.
Your service center will be glad to advise you on
questions regarding the battery.
Battery replacement
Use approved vehicle batteries
Only use vehicle batteries that have been
approved for your vehicle by the manufacturer;
otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged and
systems or functions may not be fully availa‐
ble.◀ After a battery replacement, have the battery
registered
on the vehicle by your service center
to ensure that all comfort functions are fully
available.
Charging the battery
In the vehicle, only charge the battery via the
terminals in the engine compartment, refer to
page 281, with the engine switched off.
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, some equipment
needs to be reinitialized.
Individual settings need to be reprogrammed:
▷ Seat and mirror memory: store the positions
again, refer to page 53.
▷ Time: update, refer to page 78.
▷ Date: update, refer to page 79.
▷ Radio station: save again, refer to page 174.
▷ Navigation system: wait for the navigation
system to be operational.
▷ Glass sunroof/panoramic glass sunroof: it
may
only be possible to raise the roof. Have
the system initialized by the service center.
▷ Digital compass: recalibrate, refer to
page 129.
▷ Active steering: the system automatically in‐
itializes for a short time as you drive. During
this
time, the system is deactivated, refer to
page 101.
▷ xDrive: the system automatically initializes
as you drive. During this time, indicator
lamps
light up. If the lamps do not disappear
during the current trip, have the system
checked.
Disposing of old batteries Have old batteries disposed of by your
service center or bring them to a recy‐
cling center.
Maintain the battery in an upright position for
transport and storage. Secure the battery so
that it does not tip over during transport. Seite 278
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Replacing components