2012 BMW X5 XDRIVE35I Owners Manual

Activating DSC
Press the button.
DSC OFF and the indicator lamp in the instru‐
ment cluster go out.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con‐
trols the drive forces and brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC and
DTC has failed.
DSC deactivated:
The indicator lamp lights up and
DSC OFF appears in the instrument
cluster. DSC and DTC deactivated.
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
The concept
The
DTC system is a version of the DSC in which
forward momentum is optimized.
The system ensures maximum forward momen‐
tum on special road conditions, e.g., unplowed
snowy roads, but driving stability is limited.
It is therefore necessary to drive with appropri‐
ate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC un‐
der the following special circumstances:
▷ When driving in sand, on snowy inclines, in
slush, or on unplowed, snow-covered road
surfaces ▷
When rocking a vehicle free or starting off in
deep snow, sand, or on loose ground
▷ When driving with snow chains*.
Deactivating/activating DTC Dynamic
Traction Control
Activating the Dynamic Traction Control DTC
provides maximum traction on loose ground.
Driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in bends.
Activating DTC Press the button.
TRACTION is displayed in the instrument clus‐
ter

and the indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again.
TRACTION and the indicator lamp in the instru‐
ment cluster go out.
For better control The indicator lamp flashes: DTC con‐
trols the drive forces and brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC and
DTC has failed.
DTC activated:
The indicator lamp lights up and TRAC‐
TION appears in the instrument cluster. Seite 97
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Controls At a glance

DTC is activated.
xDrive
xDrive is the all-wheel-drive system of your ve‐
hicle. The combined effects of xDrive and DSC
further optimize the traction and dynamic driv‐
ing characteristics. The 4-wheel drive system
xDrive
variably distributes the drive forces to the
front and rear axle depending on the driving sit‐
uation and prevailing road conditions.
Dynamic Performance
Control*
The concept
Dynamic Performance Control optimizes the
handling characteristics of your vehicle when
starting off, cornering, and during evasive ma‐
neuvers.
To achieve this, the system variably distributes
the drive torque of the rear axle to the two rear
wheels. This further increases the steering pre‐
cision and tracking stability of your vehicle.
Display
The Control Display shows how xDrive and Dy‐
namic Performance Control are distributing the
drive forces.
1. "Vehicle Info" 2.
"Torque distribution" The current distribution of drive forces is indi‐
cated by arrows pointing to all four wheels.
The highlighted arrows show the drive forces
currently present. The longer an arrow is, the
greater

the drive forces in the associated wheel.
The transparent arrows indicate the maximum
value the drive forces over the last 10 seconds.
Malfunction
Malfunctions are displayed via Check Control,
refer to page 76.
Hill Descent Control HDC
The concept
HDC is a downhill driving assistant that auto‐
matically controls vehicle speed on steep down‐
hill gradients. The vehicle moves at approxi‐
mately walking speed without braking
intervention by the driver.
You can activate the Hill Descent Control at
speeds below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When
moving downhill at speeds below approx.
22 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces its speed
to approximately walking speed, approx. 5 mph/
8 km/h and keeps it constant.
Only use HDC in transmission positions D or R.
Increasing or reducing speed
The speed can be changed in the range from
approx. 4 mph/6 km/h to approx. 15 mph/25 km/
h by pressing the accelerator or brake pedal
lightly.
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Driving stability control systems

A target speed within the same range can be
specified using the lever of the cruise control.
On
inclines over 10 %, you can reduce the speed
to approx. 3 mph/4 km/h. Pull the lever of the
cruise control beyond the resistance point, ar‐
row 3. 1
Increasing speed
2 Pull to the resistance point: reduce the
speed to approx. 4 mph/6 km/h
3 Pull beyond the resistance point: on inclines
over 10 %, reduce the speed to ap‐
prox. 3 mph/4 km/h
Activating HDC Press the button; the LED above the button
lights up.
The LED flashes when the brakes are applied
automatically.
Deactivating HDC
Press the button again; the LED goes out. HDC
is automatically deactivated above approx.
37 mph/60 km/h. Displays* in the instrument cluster
1
Display for target speed
2 HDC display
Malfunction
HDC is temporarily unavailable in the following
situations due to a high brake temperature:
▷ The LED in the button and the display HDC
go out during HDC operation.
▷ The LED in the button and the HDC display
do not light up when the button is pressed.
Malfunction of driving
stability control systems Adapting your driving style
When driving on poor roads, avoid using
full throttle or pressing the accelerator beyond
the kickdown point and also avoid heavy brak‐
ing. Otherwise, the drive train may be damaged
or accidents can occur.◀
Adaptive Drive*
The concept
Adaptive Drive reduces the body roll which oc‐
curs when cornering quickly or during fast eva‐
sive maneuvers. In addition, Adaptive Drive re‐
duces

the steering angle requirement, improves
the running comfort, and enhances the dynamic
driving characteristics of your vehicle. Seite 99
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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
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Driving stability control systems

by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle before
the driver intervenes.
Malfunction
The
warning lamp lights up yellow and
a message is shown on the Control
Display. The active steering is defec‐
tive or has been temporarily deacti‐
vated. At low speeds, greater steering wheel
movements are required, whereas at higher
speeds, the vehicle reacts more sensitively to
steering wheel movements. The stability-pro‐
moting intervention can also be deactivated.
Proceed cautiously and drive defensively.
Deactivation
Active steering deactivates in order to carry out
an initialization. This deactivation is displayed by
means of a message. The initialization can take
several minutes.
If the message does not disappear during the
current trip, have the system checked.
Defect
In the event of a defect, a corresponding text
message is displayed. Have the system
checked. Seite 101
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Controls At a glance

Driving comfort
Active cruise control*
With active cruise control you can select a de‐
sired speed which is then automatically main‐
tained when driving on open roadways and is
varied
to maintain a selected distance setting to
slower moving vehicles ahead.
Active cruise control represents a technological
advance over the familiar cruise control and is a
welcome relief from the constant adjustment of
speed that can accompany driving in traffic on
highways or other high-speed thoroughfares.
Especially on longer trips and in traffic conges‐
tion, the system can reduce fatigue and tension,
while increasing your enjoyment of driving.
Please use it safely and responsibly.
In addition to holding a steady cruising speed, if
you encounter slower vehicles ahead, active
cruise control will, within limits, adjust your ve‐
hicle's speed automatically so that you can flow
with the traffic without having to make constant
adjustments. If, for example, while cruising at the
selected speed, you begin to approach a slower
vehicle ahead of you in the same lane, the sys‐
tem will reduce your vehicle's speed to the same
as that of the vehicle ahead to maintain your se‐
lected distance setting. You can vary the follow‐
ing distance, which will vary with speed. Based
on your selected distance setting, the system
automatically decreases the throttle setting and
lightly applies the brakes if necessary. In addi‐
tion, if the vehicle ahead of you slows to a com‐
plete stop, the system can follow this action
within the given scope and can also accelerate
from a complete stop if the vehicle ahead of you
drives off again shortly thereafter. During brak‐
ing, your vehicle brake lamps will automatically
illuminate to alert a following driver to take ac‐
tion. In addition, it may be necessary for your
vehicle to downshift the automatic transmission
to maintain the distance setting selected. As
soon as the road in front of you has no moving
vehicles, the system will accelerate to your de‐
sired speed. This set speed is also maintained
on downhill grades, however the vehicle speed can drop below the set speed when driving uphill
if the engine output is not sufficient.
Personal responsibility
Active cruise control cannot detect stop
signs,
red lights, or any object that is stopped or
is blocking the road. Active cruise control is not
and must not be used as a collision avoidance/
warning system. Since this active cruise control
system is a new technology and operates dif‐
ferently from conventional cruise control sys‐
tems to which you may be accustomed, it is
necessary that you read all of the pages relating
to this system before use. Carefully read and
observe the information on the system limita‐
tions, refer to page 106, to obtain a good com‐
mand of the system and its range of applica‐
tions.◀
Brake pedal feel
When the system brakes and you also depress
the brake pedal, a somewhat different braking
feel results.
Professional navigation system*
If the vehicle is equipped with a Professional
navigation system, the system adapts the ac‐
celeration and deceleration behavior of the ve‐
hicle to the road on which you are currently driv‐
ing.
To ensure that the system has the latest infor‐
mation on the course of the road, use the most
recent version of the navigation data.
If the vehicle position is unknown, e.g., if you
have left the region covered by the map, the
navigation system ceases to influence vehicle
behavior.
Applications
Please try the system first during sparse traffic
and clear road conditions so that you can get
used to the system. After you have experience
and understand the system, only then use it dur‐
ing normal traffic. Seite 102
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Driving comfort

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.
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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
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Driving comfort