Controls
121Reference
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Mobility
to recirculate the air within the vehicle, e.g. at
high temperatures. To do this, turn the
thumbwheel1 toward the rear and switch on
the blower, button2.<
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
The microfilter removes dust and pollen from
the incoming air. The activated-charcoal filter
provides additional protection by filtering gas-
eous pollutants from the outside air. This com-
bined filter is changed during maintenance by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
You can select a display of more detailed infor-
mation on the Control Display, refer to page79.
Automatic climate control
with 4-zone control*
Front operation
Corresponds to the operation of the automatic
climate control with 2-zone control, refer to
page117.
Rear operation
The control unit is located in the center console
in the rear.
1Temperature, left rear seating area
2AUTO program
3Display
4Temperature, right rear seating area
5Seat heating, right rear seat
6Air volume, manual
7Seat heating, left rear seat
The current setting for the temperature and the
air volume is shown on display3.
Activating/deactivating
1."Settings"
2."Climate"
3."Rear climate"
4.Select the desired settings and press the
controller.
Function is activated.
The rear automatic climate control
cannot be operated if the front auto-
matic climate control is switched off. With
the defrost windows and eliminate conden-
sation function activated, the rear automatic
climate control is also not ready for opera-
tion.<
AUTO program
The AUTO program assumes the
adjustment of the air distribution
toward the upper body and in the
footwell, as well as the air volume
for you. It also adapts your instruc-
tions for the temperature to outside influences
throughout the year.
Temperature
Set the desired temperature indi-
vidually on the left and right side.
The automatic climate control
adjusts this temperature as quickly
as possible at any time of year, if necessary with
the maximum cooling or heating capacity, and
then keeps it constant.
When switching between different tem-
perature settings in rapid succession, the
automatic climate control does not have suffi-
cient time to adjust the set temperature.<
Climate
122
Air volume, manual
You can vary the air volume by
pressing on the corresponding
side. You can reactivate the auto-
matic mode for the air volume with the AUTO
button.
Switching off rear automatic climate
control
You can select the lowest blower
speed by pressing and holding the
left side. Pressing again switches
off the automatic climate control.
The automatic climate control can also be
switched off with iDrive. To switch on the
automatic climate control again, the system
must first be reactivated, refer to Activating/
deactivating.<
Y o u s w i t c h o n t h e s y s t e m a g a i n b y p r e s s i n g a n y
button of the rear automatic climate control.
Ventilation in rear
1Thumbwheels to smoothly open and close
air vents
2Thumbwheels to adjust temperature in
upper body region; can be adjusted sepa-
rately for left and right:
>Turn toward blue: colder
>Turn toward red: warmer
3Levers to change the air vent direction
BMW X5
1Levers to change the air vent direction
2Thumbwheel to smoothly open and close
air vents
For information on the ventilation of the 3rd row
seats, refer to page120.
Parked-car ventilation*
The concept
The parked-car ventilation blows air into the
passenger compartment to lower interior tem-
peratures.
It is ready to use in the parked car mode at any
outside temperature.
You can set two different times for the system
to start. The parked-car ventilation can also be
switched on and off directly. It remains
switched on for 30 minutes.
Since the system uses a substantial amount of
electrical current, you should refrain from acti-
vating it twice in succession without allowing
the battery to be recharged in normal operation
between use.
The air emerges through the upper body region
air vents in the instrument cluster. Therefore,
please open the air vents.
The parked-car ventilation is operated via
iDrive.
Switching on and off directly
1."Settings"
2."Climate"
Navigation
Driving tips
155Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Entertainment
Mobility
addition, pressing the controller makes further
functions available:
> Select a symbol and "Start guid-
ance", if necessary.
>"Exit interactive map"
>Map display
>"Display destination"
The map section around the destination
is displayed.
>"Display current location"
The map section around your current
location is displayed.
>"Find points of interest", refer to
page152.
Entering destination via
voice*
General information
You can enter a desired destination with the
voice activation system. When entering the
destination, it is possible to change between
voice command and iDrive at any time. Reacti-
vate the voice activation system for this pur-
pose if necessary.
You can use {Voice commands} to have
the possible commands read aloud to
you.<
Saying the entries
>Countries, towns/cities, streets, and inter-
sections can be either spoken aloud as an
entire words or spelled in the system lan-
guage, refer to page86.Example: to enter a destination in a US state
as a complete word, the system language
must be English.
>The town/city, street and house number
can be said as a single sentence.
*
>Spell the entry if the language of the area is
different from the system language.
>Speak the letters smoothly and avoid
excessive emphasis and pauses.
Entering an address*
1.Press the button on the steering wheel.
3.Wait for the system prompt.
4.Say the town or city, street and house num-
ber in a single sentence.
5.Continue entering as prompted by the sys-
tem.
6.If necessary, say the parts of the address
individually, e.g. town/city.
Entering a town/city
The town/city can be spelled or entered as an
entire word
*.
The methods of entry depend on the nav-
igation data in use and the country and
language settings.<
2.Wait for the system prompt for the town/
city.
3.Say the name of the town/city or if neces-
sary, spell at least the first three letters.
Depending on the entry, up to 20 towns/cit-
ies are suggested.
Similar-sounding towns/cities that can-
not be differentiated by the system are
compiled in a separate list and displayed as a
2.{Enter address}
1.{City} or {Spell city}.
4.Select city/town:
>To select a recommended town/city:
{Yes}
>Select other city/town: {New entry}
>To select an entry, e. g. {Entry 2}
>Spell the entry: {Spell city}
On/off and tone
168
On/off and tone
The following audio and video sources share
the same control elements and adjustments:
>Radio
>CD/DVD player
>CD/DVD changer
*
>Video*
>External devices, e.g. MP3 player
Controls
The audio and video sources can be controlled
using:
>Buttons near the CD/DVD player
>iDrive
>Buttons on the steering wheel, refer to
page10
>Programmable memory buttons, refer to
page20
>Voice activation system
Buttons near the CD/DVD player
1Sound output for entertainment on/off, vol-
ume
>Press: switch on/off
When you switch on the unit, the last set
radio station or track is played.
>Turn: adjusting volume
2 Ejecting CD/DVD
3Drive for CD/DVD
*
4 Station scan/track search
>Change the radio station
>Select a track for the CD/DVD
* player,
CD/DVD changer
* and certain multime-
dia devices
5MODE: change the audio and video
sources
6FM/AM: change the radio station wave-
band
Switching on/off
To switch the Entertainment sound output on
and off:
Press button1 next to the CD/DVD player.
This symbol on the Control Display indicates
that sound output is switched off.
The sound output is available for approx.
20 minutes after the ignition was switched off.
Switch on the sound output again for this pur-
pose.
Adjusting volume
Turn button1 next to the CD/DVD player until
the desired volume is obtained.
You can also adjust the volume with buttons on
the steering wheel, refer to page10.
Tone control
You can alter various tone settings, e.g. treble
and bass or the speed-dependent volume
increase.
The tone settings are set for all audio sources at
once.
The settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Treble, bass, balance, fader
>"Balance": left/right volume distribution
DVD system in rear
200 Or:
Press the button on the remote control to
exit the DVD control.
Fast forward/reverse
Forward/reverse with DVD control
1.Press the button on the remote con-
trol during playback.
2.Select the symbol.
3.Press the button.
4.Press the button several times to
increase the fast forward/reverse speed.
The DVD playback will be distorted.
To cancel fast forward/reverse:
1.Select the symbol.
2.Press the button.
Or:
Press the button on the CD/DVD player.
The DVD will start play at the point selected.
Forward/reverse with remote control
Press and hold the button until you reach
the desired point.
Or:
1.During playback, turn the thumbwheel.
Fast forward/reverse is interrupted.
2.Continue to turn the thumbwheel.
The speed is increased.
3.Press the button on the CD/DVD player.
Fast forward/reverse is interrupted. The
DVD will start play at the point selected.
Skipping chapter
You can change to the next or previous chapter
during playback.
1.Press the button on the remote con-
trol during playback.
2.Select the symbol.
3.Press the button repeatedly, continuing
until you reach the desired chapter.Or:
Press the button on the left or right on the
remote control repeatedly until you reach the
desired chapter.
Freeze frame
1.Press the button on the remote con-
trol during playback.
2.Select the symbol.
3.Press the button.
To continue playback:
1.Select the or symbol.
2.Press the button.
As an alternative, you can also stop and con-
tinue playback with the button on the CD/
DVD player.
Making settings for DVD
1.Press the button during playback.
2.Make the settings with the remote control:
>"Video settings":
>"Brightness", "Color" and "Contrast" of
the screen
>After switching to the top window, you
can change other settings.
"Language":
Navigation
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Driving tips
205Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Mobility
Displaying images
1.Use the buttons or the thumbwheel of the
remote control to select an image.
2.Press the button.
3.Displaying images:
>Scroll using the menu navigation but-
tons of the remote control
>Show slide show:
Turn the thumbwheel to adjust how long
each image is displayed.
Stop slide show:
Select "Stop"
Adjusting
1.Press the button.
2.Select a menu item:3.Press the button.
Ending display
1.Press the button.
2.Select the symbol.
3.Press the button.
Ejecting CD/DVD
Press the button on the CD/DVD player.
Information on CD/DVD
player
Safety notes
The BMW CD/DVD player is a Class 1
laser product. Do not operate if the cover
is damaged, otherwise severe eye damage can
result.<
Suitable media
Do not use self-recorded CDs/DVDs with
labels applied as these can become
detached during playback due to heat buildup
and can cause irreparable damage to the
device.
Only use round CDs/DVDs with a standard
diameter of 4.7 inch/12 cm.
Do not play CDs/DVDs using an adapter, e.g.
CD singles; otherwise, the CD may jam and no
longer eject properly.
Do not use combined CD/DVDs, e.g. DVD
Plus or
hybrid discs; otherwise, the CD/DVD may jam
and no longer eject properly.<
The CD/DVD player can play the following
media:
>Video DVD
>CD-DA (Audio CD)
SymbolFunction
Return to the photo menu
"SET" Adjust the screen "Display".
"Language": after switching
to the top window, you can
change the system lan-
guage.
Start slide show
Display first/last picture of
the current directory
Rotate image by 90°
"Overview" Change to image overview
SymbolFunction
Wheels and tires
248 heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page249.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. For the sake of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base are
distributed over the tire's circumference and
are marked on the side of the tire with TWI –
Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread has been
driven down to the wear indicators, a tread
depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazards and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or
tire shop that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. If necessary, have the vehicle towed
there. Otherwise, tire damage can be extremely
dangerous to vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Mobility
249Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of partially self-contained
tires and special rims. The sidewall reinforce-
ment ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of
a flat tire page100
>With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure
page103
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center or a tire shop that works according to
BMW repair procedures with correspondingly
trained personnel. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam-
age and related safety hazards. Make sure that
the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend that you use
retreaded tires, as driving safety may be
impaired. The causes for this include the possi-
bly different tire casing structures and the often
wide variations in their age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
The right wheels and tires
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-flat tires for your own safety. Your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be
happy to advise you.
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
When changing to larger wheels and tires,
it may be necessary to make changes to
the wheelwell trim piece, as otherwise road
users could be endangered or the vehicle could
be damaged. Only have this work carried out by
a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a
workshop that works in accordance with BMW
guidelines and uses appropriately trained per-
sonnel.<
You can ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center for the correct wheel/tire combination.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC, xDrive,
Dynamic Performance Control in the BMW X6,
or Flat Tire Monitor.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. Following
tire damage, have the original wheel and tire
combination remounted on the vehicle as soon
as possible.
Wheels with electronics for
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics, otherwise the