2012 BMW X5M tow

Displaying the button assignment
Use a finger to touch the buttons. Do not wear
gloves or use objects.
The
key assignment is displayed at the top edge
of the screen. ▷
To display short information: touch the but‐
ton.
▷ To display detailed information: touch the
button for an extended period.
Entering letters and numbers
1. Turn the controller: select letters or num‐
bers.
2. Select additional letters or numbers if
needed.
3. "OK": confirm the entry. Symbol Function
Press the controller: delete the letter
or number. Press the controller for an extended
period: delete all letters or numbers. Enter a blank space.
Switching between letters and
numbers
Depending on the menu, you can switch be‐
tween entering letters and numbers.
Symbol Function
Enter the letters.
Enter the numbers. Switching between upper and lower
case letters
Depending on the menu, you can switch be‐
tween entering uppercase and lowercase let‐
ters.
Symbol Function
Move the controller forward:
switch from upper to lower case
letters. Move the controller forward:
switch from lower to upper case
letters. Entry comparison
Entry of names and addresses: the selection is
narrowed

down every time a letter is entered and
letters may be added automatically.
The entries are continuously compared to the
data stored in the vehicle.
▷ Only those letters are offered during the en‐
try for which data is available.
▷ Destination search: town/city names can be
entered

using the spelling of language avail‐
able on the Control Display.
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls
At a glance

Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when you attempt to
start
the engine: the engine cannot be
started.
The remote control is not in the vehicle or has a
malfunction. Take the remote control with you
inside the vehicle or have it checked. If neces‐
sary, insert another remote control into the ig‐
nition switch.
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up while the engine is
running: the remote control is no lon‐
ger inside the vehicle.
After switching off the engine, the engine can
only be started again within approx. 10 seconds
if no door has been opened.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on and a message ap‐
pears on the Control Display: replace
the remote control battery.
Replacing the battery
The remote control for Comfort Access con‐
tains a battery that will need to be replaced from
time to time.
1. Take the integrated key out of the remote
control, refer to page 28.
2. Remove the cover. 3.
Insert a new battery of the same type with
the positive side facing upwards.
4. Press the cover closed.
Return used battery to a recycling collec‐
tion point or to your service center. Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds to:
▷
Opening of a door, the hood or the tailgate.
▷ Movements in the vehicle: interior motion
sensor, refer to page 40.
▷ Changes in the vehicle tilt, e.g., during at‐
tempts to steal a wheel or tow the car.
▷ Interruptions in battery voltage.
The alarm system briefly indicates tampering:
▷ By sounding an acoustic alarm.
▷ By switching on the hazard warning system.
▷ By flashing the high beams.
Arming and disarming the alarm
system
When

you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
Door lock and armed alarm system
Unlocking via the door lock will trigger the alarm
on some market-specific versions.
This alarm can only be ended by pressing the
button on the remote control.
Tailgate and armed alarm system
The tailgate can be opened using the remote
control, even if the alarm system is armed. Press the button on the remote control.
After
the tailgate is closed, it is locked and moni‐
tored again by the alarm system. The hazard
warning system flashes once.
In some market-specific versions, the tailgate
can only be opened using the remote control if
the vehicle was unlocked first.
Switching off the alarm
▷ Unlock the vehicle using the remote control,
refer to page 30.
▷ Insert the remote control all the way into the
ignition lock.
Seite 39
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

Indicator lamp on the interior rearview
mirror
▷
The indicator lamp flashes continuously:
The system is armed.
▷ The indicator lamp flashes after locking:
The doors, hood or tailgate is not closed
properly, but the rest of the vehicle is se‐
cured.
The indicator lamp flashes continuously af‐
ter approx. 10 seconds. The interior motion
sensor is not active.
▷ The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking:
The vehicle has not been tampered with.
▷ If the indicator lamp flashes after unlocking
until
the remote control is inserted in the ig‐
nition, but for no longer than approx. 5 mi‐
nutes:
An alarm has been triggered.
Panic mode*
In dangerous situations, trigger the alarm sys‐
tem: Press the button on the remote control for at
least 3 seconds.
To switch off the alarm: press any button.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored.
The alarm system responds in situations such
as attempts to steal a wheel or tow the car.
Interior motion sensor
For

the sensor to function properly, the windows
and glass sunroof*/panoramic glass sunroof*
must be closed. Avoiding unintentional alarms
The

tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor
can be switched off together, such as in the fol‐
lowing situations:
▷ In duplex garages.
▷ During transport on car-carrying trains, at
sea or on a trailer.
▷ When animals are to remain in the vehicle.
Switching off the tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor Press
the button on the remote control
twice in succession.
The indicator lamp lights up for approx. 2 sec‐
onds and then flashes continuously.
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor
remain switched off until the vehicle is locked
again.
Power windows
General information
Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for example,
cannot operate the power windows and injure
themselves.◀ Opening
▷
Press the switch to the resistance
point.
The window opens while the switch is held. Seite 40
40 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
Opening and closing

Checking and replacing safety belts
Have the work performed only by your
service center; otherwise, it cannot be ensured
that this safety feature will function properly.◀
Belt-force limiter
The
effect of the belt-force limiter on the driver's
seat is dependent on the position of the driver's
seat.
To maintain the long-term accuracy of this func‐
tion, the driver's seat must be calibrated if a cor‐
responding message is displayed on the Control
Display.
Calibrating driver's seat
The warning lamp lights up. A mes‐
sage also appears on the Control Dis‐
play. Please calibrate the driver's seat.
1. Move the driver's seat forward until it stops.
2. Move the driver's seat forward again. It
briefly moves toward the front in the proc‐
ess.
3. Set the desired seating position again.
The calibration is completed when the message
on the Control Display disappears. Should this
message continue to be displayed, repeat the
calibration. If the message does not disappear
even

after repeated calibration, have the system
checked as soon as possible.
Do not carry out calibration while the ve‐
hicle is moving
Never carry out calibration while the vehicle is
moving, as this can cause accidents.
Make sure that no persons or objects become
wedged during the calibration process, as this
can cause injuries or damage.◀
Head restraints
Correctly adjusted head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident. Adjusting the head restraint
Correctly adjust the head restraints of all
occupied

seats; otherwise, there is an increased
risk of injury in an accident.◀
BMW X5: push the head restraints of the 3rd row
seats* into the top position.
Height
Adjust the head restraint so that its center is ap‐
prox. at ear level.
Distance
Adjust the distance so that the head restraint is
as close as possible to the back of the head.
Active front head restraints
In the event of a rear-end collision of sufficient
severity, the active head restraint reduces the
distance to the head.
Reduced protective function
▷Do not use seat or head restraint cov‐
ers.
▷ Do not hang objects, e.g., clothes hangers,
directly on the head restraints.
▷ Only attach accessories approved by BMW
to the seat or head restraint.
Otherwise, the protective function of the active
head
restraint will be impaired and the personal
safety of the occupants will be endangered.
Have the active head restraints reset after they
are triggered in a rear-end collision. Have this
work performed by the service center only; oth‐
erwise, this safety feature with not be opera‐
tional.◀
Please contact the service center if the front
head restraints need to be removed or installed.
Front seats: adjusting the height
Adjust the head restraint so that its center is ap‐
prox. at ear level. Seite 51
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

Attaching the retaining strap to the
backrest of the 2nd row seats
BMW X5
On outer seats:
1.
Slide the head restraint upward.
2. Guide the upper retaining strap between the
supports of the head restraint.
3. Attach the upper retaining strap to the
mounting point with the hook.
4. Slide the head restraint into the bottom po‐
sition.
5. Pull the upper retaining strap taut.
On the center seat when equipped with two
rows of seats:
1. Fold the center armrest somewhat toward
the front.
2. Guide the tether strap through the opening
in the center armrest. 3.
Fold back and engage the center armrest.
4. Hook in tether strap on mounting point.
5. Pull tether strap taut.
On the center seat when equipped with three
rows of seats: 1.
Slide the head restraint upward.
2. Guide the tether strap between the head re‐
straint brackets.
3. Hook in the tether strap on the mounting
point with the hook.
4. Slide the head restraint into the bottom po‐
sition.
5. Pull tether strap taut.
BMW X6
1. Route the upper retaining strap over the
middle of the head restraint.
2. Attach the upper retaining strap to the
mounting point with the hook.
3. Pull the retaining strap taut until it com‐
presses the cushion of the head restraint,
thus preventing the strap from sliding off.
Locking the doors and
windows
Rear doors Push the locking lever on the rear doors down.
The door can now be opened from the outside
only.
Safety switch for the rear
Press the button on the driver's door if
children are being transported in the
rear.
This
locks the rear window switches so that the
windows cannot be operated from the rear:
safety switch, refer to page 41. Seite 60
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Transporting children safely

Driving
Automatic
Hold is activated: the vehicle is auto‐
matically secured against rolling when it stops.
The indicator lamp lights up in green.
Indicator lamp in Canadian models.
Step on the accelerator pedal to drive off.
The brake is released automatically.
The indicator lamp goes out. Before driving into a car wash
Deactivate Automatic Hold; otherwise, the
parking brake will be set when the vehicle is sta‐
tionary and the vehicle will no longer be able to
roll.◀
Parking
The parking brake is automatically set if the en‐
gine is switched off while the vehicle is being
held by Automatic Hold.
The indicator lamp changes from green
to red.
Indicator lamp in Canadian models.
The parking brake is not set if the engine is
switched off while the vehicle is coasting to a
halt. Automatic Hold is deactivated. Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for example,
cannot release the parking brake.◀
Malfunction
In the event of a failure or malfunction of the
parking brake, secure the vehicle against rolling
using a wheel chock, for example, when leaving
it. Releasing the parking brake manually
In the event of an electrical power loss or elec‐
trical malfunction, you can release the parking
brake manually.
Secure the vehicle against rolling
Before releasing the parking brake man‐
ually,
and whenever you park the vehicle with the
parking brake released, ensure that position P of
the automatic transmission is engaged. Note
the display in the instrument cluster.
In addition, secure the vehicle against rolling,
e.g. with a wheel chock. Otherwise there is a
danger that the vehicle could roll if parked on a
steep slope.◀
Jump-starting and towing, refer to page 282.
Unlocking
1. Open the left-hand side panel in the cargo
area.
2. Remove the first aid kit* and the warning tri‐
angle*.

Close the bracket of the warning tri‐
angle.
3. Insert the releasing tool or screwdriver, con‐
tained in the tool kit under the cargo floor
panel, refer to page 270, at the releasing
point. 4.
Firmly pull the releasing tool or screwdriver
upward against the mechanical resistance,
refer to arrow, until a considerable increase
in force is felt and the parking brake is then
clearly heard to release.
5. Stow the releasing tool or screwdriver,
warning

triangle*, and first aid kit* and close
the left side panel in the cargo area. Seite 65
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

3.
"Pathway light.: s" 4.
Set the duration.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Automatic headlamp control
*
Switch position : the low beams are switched
on and off automatically, e.g., in tunnels, in twi‐
light or if there is precipitation. The LED next to
the symbol lights up.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can
cause the lights to be switched on.
The low beams remain switched on independ‐
ent

of the ambient lighting conditions when you
switch on the front fog lamps*.
Personal responsibility
The automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal judgment
in determining when the lamps should be
switched on in response to ambient lighting
conditions.
For example, the sensors are unable to detect
fog or hazy weather. To avoid safety risks, you
should always switch on the lamps manually un‐
der these conditions.◀
Daytime running lights
The daytime running lights light up in posi‐
tion 0, and . After the ignition is
switched off, the parking lamps light up in posi‐
tion .
Activating/deactivating
1. "Settings"
2. "Lighting" 3.
"Daytime running lamps" The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Adaptive light control*
The concept
Adaptive light control is a variable headlamp
control system that enables dynamic illumina‐
tion of the road surface.
Depending on the steering angle and other pa‐
rameters, the light from the headlamp follows
the course of the road.
In

sharp curves, e.g. serpentines, or during turn‐
ing, up to a certain speed one of the two front
fog lamps* is switched on as a turning lamp. This
provides improved illumination of the area inside
the curve.
Controls
Activating
Switch position with the ignition switched
on.
The turning lamps are automatically switched
on depending on the steering angle or the use
of turn signals.
Standstill function*:

to avoid blinding oncoming
traffic, the Adaptive Light Control directs light
towards the front passenger side when the ve‐
hicle is at a standstill.
When driving in reverse, both turning lamps are
active.
Seite 82
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Lamps

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
83Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance