2012 BMW X5 XDRIVE35I ECU

Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight
or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page 292, as excessive loads can pose a
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola‐
tion of traffic safety laws.
Use only the lashing eyes pictured to fasten the
heavy-duty cargo straps. Do not secure cargo
using the upper top tether, refer to page 57,
mounting points; otherwise, these may become
damaged.◀
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
Special rack system as optional
accessory
A special rack system is available as an optional
accessory.
Follow the directions given in the installation in‐
structions.
Mounting
Be sure that adequate clearance is maintained
for raising and opening the glass sunroof*/pan‐
oramic glass sunroof*.
Loading
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
vehicle handling and steering response.
Therefore, note the following when loading and
driving:
▷ Do not exceed the approved roof/axle loads
and

the approved gross vehicle weight, refer
to page 292.
▷ Distribute the roof load uniformly.
▷ The roof load should not be too large in area.
▷ Always load the heaviest pieces on the bot‐
tom.
▷ Fasten roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely.
▷ Do not let objects project into the opening
path of the tailgate. ▷
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration
and braking maneuvers. Take corners gen‐
tly.
Driving on poor roads
Your vehicle combines an all-wheel drive sys‐
tem
with the advantages of a normal passenger
car.
Do not drive on unpaved terrain
Do not drive on unpaved terrain, as other‐
wise the vehicle may be damaged.◀
For your own safety and the safety of passen‐
gers and the vehicle, adhere to the following
points:
▷ Familiarize yourself with the vehicle before
driving; never take risks.
▷ Adjust speeds according to road conditions.
The

steeper and rougher the road surface is,
the lower the speed should be.
▷ When driving on steep uphill and downhill
grades:

the engine oil and coolant should be
filled nearly to the MAX mark.
BMW X5: the vehicle can be driven on uphill
and downhill grades up to 50%.
▷ Use Hill Descent Control HDC, refer to
page 98, on steep downhill grades.
BMW

X5: the vehicle can be driven away on
uphill grades of up to 33%. The permissible
body roll is 50%.
▷ Watch for stones, holes, and other obstacles
and drive around these where possible.
▷ On bumps and rough roads, avoid contact
between the vehicle body and the ground.
The

maximum ground clearance is 8 inches/
20 cm and may vary with the loaded cargo.
▷ When driving through water, do not exceed
the maximum water height.
▷BMW X5: 20 inches/50 cm
▷ BMW X6: 17 inches/45 cm
Drive at walking speed only and do not stop
the vehicle. Seite 147
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Driving tips Controls At a glance

Closing the hood
Drop the hood from a height of approx. 16 in/
40 cm. It must be clearly heard to engage.
Hood open when driving
If you see any signs that the hood is not
completely
closed while driving, pull over imme‐
diately and close it securely.◀
Danger of pinching
Make sure that the closing path of the
hood is clear; otherwise, injuries may result.◀
Engine oil
Checking the engine oil level
Your car is equipped with an electronic engine
oil level check.
Requirements
▷ The engine must be running and warm after
the vehicle has been driven for at least
6.2 miles/10 km.
▷ The vehicle is stopped or being driven on a
level roadway.
Displaying the oil level
1. "Vehicle Info" 2.
"Vehicle status" 3. "Engine oil level"
Possible messages
▷ "Engine oil level OK"
▷ "Measurement not possible at this time."
▷ "Measuring engine oil level..."
Duration with the engine running: ap‐
prox. 3 minutes.
Duration while driving: approx. 5 minutes.
If engine oil was added, it may take up to
30 minutes to obtain an oil level reading.
▷ "Engine oil level below minimum. Add 1
quart!"
Add

a maximum quantity of 1 US quart/1 liter
of engine oil at the next opportunity, refer
also to Adding engine oil below.
▷ "Engine oil level too high! Have this
checked."
Too much engine oil
Have the vehicle checked immedi‐
ately; otherwise, surplus oil can lead to en‐
gine damage.

◀ ▷
"Measurement inactive. Have this
checked."Do not add engine oil. It is possi‐
ble to continue driving. Note the newly cal‐
culated remaining mileage until the next oil
service, refer to page 75. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

1.
Remove the tool mount.
2. Release the wing nut 1.
3. Remove the washer 2 laterally.
4. Remove the compact wheel.
Preparing wheel change
1. Observe the safety precautions above.
2. Loosen the lug bolts a half turn.
Jacking up vehicle
1. Position the vehicle jack at the jacking point
closest to the wheel so that the entire sur‐
face of the jack base rests on the ground
perpendicularly beneath the jacking point.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only.
The vehicle jack is designed for changing
wheels
only. Do not attempt to raise another
vehicle model with it or to raise any load of
any kind. To do so could cause accidents
and personal injury.◀ 2.
Guide the jack head into the rectangular re‐
cess of the jacking point when cranking up,
refer to illustration detail. 3.
Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised from the ground.
Mounting a wheel
1. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel.
2. Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from
the

mounting surfaces of the wheel and hub.
Also clean the lug bolts.
3. Position the new wheel or compact wheel.
Secure the wheel by screwing at least two
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes.
When

you mount wheels other than Genuine
BMW light-alloy wheels, different lug bolts
may also be required.
4. Screw in the remaining lug bolts. Tighten all
the bolts securely in a diagonal pattern.
5. Lower the vehicle and remove the jack from
beneath the vehicle.
After mounting
1. Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
Checking that the lug bolts are tight
To ensure safety, always have the lug
bolts checked with a calibrated torque
wrench as soon as possible to ensure that
they are tightened to the specified torque.
Otherwise, incorrectly tightened lug bolts
are a hidden safety risk. The tightening tor‐
que equals 101 lb ft/140 Nm.

◀ 2.
Stow the defective wheel in the cargo area.
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

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

Fuses
Replacing fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do
not replace a defective fuse with a substitute
of another color or amperage rating; this could
lead to a circuit overload, ultimately resulting in
a fire in the vehicle.◀
In interior
The fuses are located in the front passenger
footwell on the underside of the instrument clus‐
ter.
1. Unscrew screws, refer to arrows, of footwell
trim panel. 2.
Lay the trim panel in the footwell.
3. Release the screw, arrow 1, and fold the fuse
carrier down, arrow 2. 4.
Replace the fuse concerned.
5. Installation is carried out in the reverse order
of removal. Ensure correct and secure at‐
tachment of the footwell trim panel in the
process. In cargo area
Open the right-hand side panel in the cargo
area.
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Tow truck
Do not tow with only the front or rear axle
raised
Do not tow the BMW with just the front or rear
axle
raised; otherwise, the wheels could lock up
and the transfer case could be damaged.◀
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Towing other vehicles
General information
Light towing vehicle
Your vehicle must not be lighter than the
vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will not be
possible to control vehicle response.◀
Attaching the tow bar/tow rope correctly
Attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow
fitting; connecting it to other vehicle parts may
cause damage.◀
▷ Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.
▷ If the electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed by placing
a sign or a warning triangle in the rear win‐
dow. Towing methods when towing other
vehicles
Tow bar
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles.
Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting
the tow bar at an offset angle, please observe
the following:
▷
Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
▷ The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is attached offset.
Tow rope
When
starting to tow the vehicle, make sure that
the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is se‐
cured on other parts of the vehicle.◀
Tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting should always be car‐
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the
front or rear of the BMW.
It is stored with the tool kit under the cargo floor
cover in the cargo area, refer to page 270.
Tow fitting, information on use
▷ Use only the tow fitting provided with
the vehicle and screw it all the way in.
▷ Use the tow fitting for towing on paved roads
only.
▷ Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g.,
do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting.
Otherwise, damage to the tow fitting and the ve‐
hicle can occur.◀ Seite 283
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Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Fine wood parts*
Clean fine wood facing and fine wood compo‐
nents
only with a moist rag. Then dry with a soft
cloth.
Plastic components
These include:
▷ Imitation leather surfaces.
▷ Headliner.
▷ Lamp lenses.
▷ Instrument cluster cover.
▷ Matte black spray-coated components.
Clean with a microfiber cloth.
Moisten the cloth lightly and use plastic
cleanser, if necessary.
Do not soak the headliner.
Do not use cleansers that contain alcohol
or solvents
Do

not use cleansers that contain alcohol or sol‐
vents, such as lacquer thinners, heavy-duty
grease removers, fuel, or such; this could lead to
surface damage.◀
Safety belts
Dirty belt straps impede the reeling action and
thus have a negative impact on safety.
No chemical cleaning
Do not clean chemically; this can destroy
the webbing.◀
Use only a mild soapy solution, with the safety
belts clipped into their buckles.
Do not allow the reels to retract the safety belts
until they are dry.
Carpets and floor mats*
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.◀
Floor mats can be removed from the passenger
compartment for cleaning.
When returning the floor mats, secure them
again to prevent slipping.
If the floor carpets are very dirty, clean with a
microfiber cloth and water or a textile cleaner. To
prevent matting of the carpet, rub back and forth
in the direction of travel only.
Sensors/cameras
To clean sensors or cameras, use a cloth mois‐
tened with a small amount of glass cleaner.
Displays/screens
Use a microfiber cloth to clean the Control Dis‐
play or instrument cluster, for example.
Cleaning displays
Do not use chemical or household cleans‐
ers.
Keep all fluids and moisture away from the unit.
Otherwise, they could affect or damage surfa‐
ces or electrical components.
Avoid pressing too hard when cleaning and do
not use abrasive materials; otherwise, damage
can result.◀
Long-term vehicle storage
Your service center can advise you on what to
consider when storing the vehicle for longer
than three months. Seite 287
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Camera, refer to Backup cam‐
era 112
Camera, Side View 117
Camera, Top View 116
Can holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 135
Car battery, refer to Vehicle battery 278
Car care products 286
Care 285
Care, displays 287
Care, vehicle 286
Cargo 144
Cargo area
– Comfort Access 38
Cargo area, capacities 292
Cargo area, enlarging 133
Cargo area lamp, refer to Inte‐ rior lamps 84
Cargo area lid, refer to Tail‐ gate 33, 36
Cargo area, opening/closing, refer to Lower tailgate 36
Cargo area, opening/closing, refer to Tailgate 33, 36
Cargo area, opening from the inside 34
Cargo area, opening from the outside 34
Cargo area, refer to Cargo area 132
Cargo cover, refer to Luggage compartment roller
cover 132
Cargo, securing with ski bag, refer to Securing cargo 139
Cargo straps, securing cargo 146
Car key, refer to Integrated key/remote control 28
Carpet, care 287
Car phone, installation loca‐ tion, refer to Center arm‐
rest 134
Car phone, refer to Tele‐ phone 216
Car vacuum cleaner, connect‐ ing,
refer to Connecting elec‐
trical devices 131 Car wash 285
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system 142
CBC, refer to Cornering Brake Control 96
CBS Condition Based Serv‐ ice 268
CD/DVD 181
CD/DVD changer 185
CD/DVD in rear 201
CD/DVD notes 187
CD, refer to Playing audio tracks,

rear DVD system 206
CDs, storing 188
Cell phone 216
Cell phone, installation loca‐ tion, refer to Center arm‐
rest 134
Center armrest, front 134
Center armrest, rear 135
Center brake lamp 273, 275
Center console, refer to Around the center con‐
sole 16
Central locking
– Comfort Access 37
– From the inside 33
– Setting the unlocking char‐ acteristics 30
Central locking system
– From the outside 29
– Principle 29
Central screen, refer to Control
Display 19
Changes, technical, refer to Safety 6
Changing wheels/tires 260
Chassis number, refer to En‐ gine compartment 263
Check Control 76
Children, transporting 56
Child restraint fixing system LATCH 57
Child restraint fixing sys‐ tems 56
Child restraint fixing systems, mounting 56
Child safety locks 60
Child seat, mounting 56 Child seats, refer to Transport‐
ing children safely 56
Chrome parts, care 286
Cigarette lighter, connecting electrical devices 131
Cigarette lighter, refer to Lighter 130
Cigarette lighter socket 131
Circulation of air, refer to Re‐ circulated air mode 122
Cleaning, displays 287
Cleaning your BMW, refer to Care 285
Clock 71
Clock, 12h/24h mode 79
Closing
– From the inside 33
– From the outside 30
Clothes hooks 135
Cockpit 12
Cold

start, refer to Starting the
engine 62
Combination instrument, refer to Instrument cluster 14
Combination switch, refer to Turn signal/high beams/
headlamp flasher 66
Combination switch, refer to Washer/wiper system 67
Comfort Access
– Battery replacement 39
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console 16
Compact

wheel, inflation pres‐
sure 252, 253
Compartment for remote con‐ trol, refer to Ignition lock 61
Compartments, refer to Stor‐ age compartments 134, 135
Compass, digital 129
Computer 73
Computer, displaying informa‐ tion 73
Computer, displays on the Control Display 74
Concierge service 238
Condensation on windows, re‐ moving 121
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