Rain sensorIf the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the
time between wipes is controlled automatically
and depends on the intensity of the rainfall.
The rain sensor is mounted on the windshield,
directly in front of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating the rain sensor
Press the button, arrow 3.
The LED in the steering wheel stalk lights up
and a wiping cycle is started.
At temperatures below 32 ℉/0 ℃, a wiping cy‐
cle is not started before driving away. Release
frozen wipers before driving away.
Rain sensor sensitivity Turn thumbwheel 5 up or down.
Deactivating the rain sensor
Press the button again, arrow 3.
The LED goes out.
Deactivate the rain sensor in car washes
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing
through an automatic car wash; otherwise,
damage could be caused by undesired wiper
activation.◀
Cleaning the windshield and
headlamps
Pull the lever, arrow 4.
The system sprays washer fluid on the wind‐
shield and activates the wipers briefly.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched
on, the headlamps are cleaned at regular and
appropriate intervals.
Do not use the washer system at freezing
temperatures
Do not use the washers if there is any danger
that the fluid will freeze on the windshield; oth‐
erwise, your vision could be obscured. For this
reason, use antifreeze.
Avoid using the washer when the reservoir is
empty; otherwise, you could damage the
pump.◀
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are heated au‐
tomatically while the engine is running or the
ignition is switched on.
BMW X5: rear window wiper1Intermittent wipe
When reverse gear is engaged, the system
switches to continuous operation.2Cleaning the rear window
Do not use the washing mechanisms
when the washer fluid reservoir is empty
Do not use washing mechanisms when the
washer fluid reservoir is empty, otherwise you
will damage the washer pump.◀
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Washer fluid
General information Antifreeze for washer fluid
Antifreeze is flammable and can cause
injuries if used improperly.
Therefore, keep it away from sources of igni‐
tion.
Only keep it in the closed original container
and inaccessible to children.
Follow the notes and instructions on the con‐
tainer.
United States: The washer fluid mixture ratio is
regulated by the U.S. EPA and many individual
states; do not exceed the allowable washer
fluid dilution ratios limits that apply. Follow the
usage instructions on the washer fluid con‐
tainer. Use BMW's Windshield Washer Con‐
centrate or the equivalent.◀
Washer fluid reservoir Adding washer fluid
Only add washer fluid when the engine is
cool, and then close the cover completely to
avoid contact between the washer fluid and
hot engine parts.
Otherwise, there is the danger of fire and a risk
to personal safety if the fluid is spilled.◀
All washer nozzles are supplied from one res‐
ervoir.
Fill with a mixture of window washing concen‐
trate and tap water; if needed, add antifreeze
according to the manufacturer instructions.
Mix the washer fluid before adding to maintain
the correct mixing ratio.
Do not fill in undiluted window washing con‐
centrate and antifreeze and do not fill in pure
water; this could damage the washer system.
Do not mix window washing concentrate from
different manufacturers; this could cause the
washer nozzles to clog.
Capacity Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
Transmission positions
D Drive, automatic position Position for normal vehicle operation. All for‐
ward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con‐
sumption is lowest when you are driving in po‐
sition D.
Kickdown
Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Press on the accelerator beyond
the resistance point at the full throttle position.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N is Neutral The vehicle can roll.
N remains engaged after the engine is
switched off if the remote control remains in
the ignition lock. This function can be used in
an automatic car wash, refer to page 312, for
example. P is automatically engaged after ap‐
prox. 30 minutes.Seite 75DrivingControls75
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Engine compartmentVehicle equipmentThis chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it alsodescribes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems.
Important features in the engine compartment
BMW X5
1Filler neck for washer fluid for the head‐
lamp and window washer system 732Starting aid terminal 3093Coolant expansion tank 2924Engine oil filler neck 291Seite 288MobilityEngine compartment288
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BMW X61Filler neck for the washer fluid for the
headlamp and window washer system 752Engine oil filler neck 2913Starting aid terminal 3094Coolant expansion tank 292Hood
Opening the hood Working in the engine compartment
Never attempt to perform any service or
repair operations on your vehicle without the necessary professional technical training.
If you are unfamiliar with the statutory guide‐
lines, have any work on the vehicle performed
only by a service center.If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.◀1.Pull the lever.Seite 289Engine compartmentMobility289
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Everything from A to Z
Index0-9 3rd row seats 51
A ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐ tem 105
ACC Active Cruise Con‐ trol 111
Access to 3rd row seats 51
Accident, refer to Emergency Request, initiating 307
Acoustic signal, refer to Check Control 85
Activated-charcoal filter 135
Active Cruise Control ACC 111
Active cruise control, indica‐ tor lamp 115
Active Cruise Control, radar sensor 115
Active Cruise Control, select‐ ing the distance 113
Active Cruise Control, warn‐ ing lamps 115
Active seat 54
Active seat ventilation 53
Active steering 110
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 104
Adaptive Drive 109
Adaptive fixing system 150
Adaptive Light Control 91
Additional telephone 236
Additives, coolant 292
Additives, engine oil 291
After washing vehicle 313
Airbags 95
Airbags, indicator/warning light 97 Air circulation, refer to Recir‐
culated air mode 133
Air distribution, auto‐ matic 131, 136
Air distribution, manual 133
Air drying, refer to Cooling function 133
Air flow rate 132
Air flow rate, blower, refer to Air volume 136
Airing, refer to Ventila‐ tion 134
Air pressure, refer to Tire in‐ flation pressure 275
Air vents 130
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 134
Alarm system 42
Alarm system– Avoiding unintentional
alarms 43– Ending an alarm 43– Interior motion sensor 43– Tilt alarm sensor 43
All around the headliner 17
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 286
All-wheel drive, refer to xDrive 107
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 140
AM/FM station 192
Announcement, navigation, refer to Spoken instruc‐
tions 181
Antifreeze, coolant 292
Antifreeze, washer fluid 75
Antilock Brake System, ABS 105
Anti-slip control, refer to Dy‐
namic Stability Control
DSC 105
Anti-theft protection 32
Appointments 254
Approved axle loads, refer to Weights 320
Approved engine oils 291
Approved gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights 320
Armrest, refer to Center arm‐ rest 148
Arrival time, refer to Com‐ puter 82
Ashtray 143
Ashtray, front 143
Ashtray, rear 143
Assistance, Roadside Assis‐ tance 308
Assistance with driving off, refer to Drive-off assis‐
tant 109
Assistance with starting en‐ gine, refer to Jump-start‐
ing 308
Audio CD with rear DVD sys‐ tem 226
Audio device, external 148
Audio playback 201
Audio playback, Blue‐ tooth 215
Automatic, air distribu‐ tion 131, 136
Automatic air distribu‐ tion 136
Automatic, air flow rate 131
Automatic car wash 312
Automatic climate con‐ trol 130 Seite 330ReferenceEverything from A to Z330
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 918 395 - III/13
Combination instrument, referto Instrument cluster 14
Combination switch, refer to Turn signal/high beams/
headlamp flasher 72
Combination switch, refer to Washer/wiper system 73
Comfort Access– Battery replacement 42
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console 16
Compact wheel, inflation pressure 275, 276
Compartment for remote control, refer to Ignition
lock 67
Compartments, refer to Stor‐ age compart‐
ments 147, 148
Compass, digital 141
Computer 81
Computer, displaying infor‐ mation 81
Computer, displays on the Control Display 82
Concierge service 261
Condensation on windows, removing 132
Condensation under the vehi‐ cle 158
Condition Based Service CBS 293
Confirmation signals for lock‐ ing/unlocking the vehicle 33
Connecting, mobile phone, refer to Pairing the mobile
phone 237
Consumption, refer to Aver‐ age fuel consumption 82
Contacts 250, 258
Control Display 19
Control Display, care 315
Control Display, setting the brightness 88
Controller, refer to Con‐ trols 18
Controls and displays 12
Controls, rear DVD sys‐
tem 220
Control systems, driving sta‐ bility 105
Convenient operation– Glass sunroof 33– Window 33
Coolant 292
Coolant, checking the level 292
Coolant temperature 80
Cooling function, switching on and off 133
Cooling, maximum 133
Cooling system, refer to Cool‐ ant 292
Cornering Brake Control CBC 105
Corrosion on brake discs 158
Courtesy lamps, refer to Inte‐ rior lamps 94
Cradle for telephone or mo‐ bile phone, refer to Snap-in
adapter 247
Cruise control 118
Cruise control
– Malfunction 119
Cruise control, active 111
Cupholder 149
Curb weight, refer to Weights 320
Current fuel consumption 80
Current location, storing 172
Curve lights, refer to Adaptive Light Control 91
D
Dashboard lighting, refer to Instrument lighting 94
Dashboard, refer to Cock‐ pit 12
Data, technical 318
Date 79
Date, display format 88
Date, retrieving 79
Date, setting 87
Daytime running lights 91
Defroster, rear window 132
Defrosting windows 132
Defrost setting, refer to De‐ frosting windows 132
Destination entry via the ad‐ dress book 172
Destination guidance 179
Destination guidance with in‐ termediate destinations 177
Destination input, naviga‐ tion 170
Diesel exhaust fluid, at low temperatures 272
Diesel exhaust fluid, at mini‐ mum 272
Diesel exhaust fluid, having refilled 272
Diesel exhaust fluid, refilling yourself 272
Diesel particulate filter 157
Digital clock 79
Digital compass 141
Digital radio 193
Dimming mirrors 59
Directional indicators, refer to Turn signals 72
Display in front wind‐ shield 127
Display lighting, refer to In‐ strument lighting 94
Displays and controls 12
Displays, care 315
Displays, cleaning 315
Displays, refer to Instrument cluster 14
Disposal, coolant 292
Disposal, vehicle battery 305
Distance control, refer to Ac‐ tive Cruise Control 111
Distance, selecting, with Ac‐ tive Cruise Control 113
Distance warning, refer to Park Distance Control
PDC 120 Seite 333Everything from A to ZReference333
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Hand-held transmitter, alter‐nating code 140
Hands-free microphone 16
Hazard warning sys‐ tem 16, 307
HDC Hill Descent Con‐ trol 108
HD Radio 193
Head airbags 95
Headlamp control, auto‐ matic 90, 91
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture 91
Headlamp flasher 72, 92
Headlamp flasher, indicator lamp 15
Headlamps 90
Headlamps, care 313
Headlamps, cleaning 74
Headlamps, cleaning, washer fluid 75
Headliner 17
Headphones, connecting, rear DVD system 221
Head restraints 55
Head-up Display 127
Head-up Display, care 315
Heatable rear window 132
Heating 130
Heating– Seats 52
Heating, interior 130
Heating, mirrors 59
Heating, residual heat 134
Heating with the engine switched off, refer to Resid‐
ual heat 134
Heavy cargo, refer to Stowing cargo 161
Height, refer to Dimen‐ sions 318
High-beam Assistant 92
High beams 92
High beams/low beams, auto‐ matic, refer to High-beam
Assistant 92
High beams, indicator
lamp 15
High-pressure washers 312
Hill Descent Control HDC 108
Hill drive-off assistant, refer to Drive-off assistant 109
Hills 158
Holder for beverages 149
Holder for remote control, re‐ fer to Ignition lock 67
Homepage 6
Hood 289
Hood, opening 289
Horn 12
Hot exhaust system 157
Hotline 263
House number, entering for navigation 171
Hydraulic brake assis‐ tant 105
Hydroplaning 157
I Ice warning, refer to External temperature warning 79
Icy roads, refer to External temperature warning 79
Identification marks, tires 283
iDrive 18
iDrive, changing settings 87
iDrive, changing the lan‐ guage 88
iDrive, changing the units of measure and display for‐
mat 88
iDrive, setting the bright‐ ness 88
iDrive, setting the date 87
iDrive, setting the time 87
Ignition 68
Ignition key position 1, refer to Radio ready state 67
Ignition key position 2, refer to Ignition on 68 Ignition key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key 30
Ignition lock 67
Ignition, switched off 68
Ignition, switched on 68
Images, displaying, rear DVD system 228
Indication of a flat tire 98, 100
Indicator and warning lamps 15
Inflation pressure monitor, re‐ fer to Flat Tire Monitor 97
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire inflation pressure 275
Information on the navigation data 168
Initialization after power fail‐ ure 305
Initializing– Compass, refer to Calibrat‐
ing 142– Panoramic glass sunroof 46
Initializing, Flat Tire Monitor
FTM 98
Initializing, glass sunroof 48
Initializing, refer to Setting the date 87
Initializing, refer to Setting the time 87
Initializing, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 100
Installation location, tele‐ phone 148
Instrument cluster 14
Instrument lighting 94
Instrument panel, refer to In‐ strument cluster 14
Instruments, refer to Cock‐ pit 12
Integrated key 30
Interactive map 175
Interior equipment 139
Interior lamps 94
Interior lamps
– Remote control 33
Interior mirror 59
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Remote control– Battery replacement 42– Comfort Access 40– Garage door opener 139– Malfunction 34, 41– Tailgate 33– Universal 139
Remote control, rear DVD
system 221
Remote control, removing from the ignition lock 67
Remote control, service data 293
Remote inquiry 242
Replacement fuse 305
Replacement remote con‐ trol 30
Replacing wheels/tires 285
Reporting safety defects 8
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel gauge 81
Reservoir for washer fluid, re‐ fer to Washer fluid reser‐
voir 75
Resetting, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 100
Residual heat 134
Restraining systems
– Refer to Safety belts 54
Restraint systems for chil‐
dren 61
Retaining straps, securing cargo 162
Retreaded tires 286
Rim cleaner, care 314
Road, avoiding 179
Road detour 179
Roadside Assistance 262
Roadside parking lamps 92
Roller sunblinds 45
RON gasoline quality 270
RON, refer to Fuel qual‐ ity 270
Roof load capacity 320
Roof-mounted luggage rack 162
Rope, refer to Towing 310
Route 180
Route criteria, route 179
Route, displaying 180
Route section, bypass‐ ing 180
RSC Runflat System Compo‐ nent, refer to Run-flat
tires 286
Rubber components, care 314
Run-flat tires 286
Run-flat tires, tire inflation pressure 275
Running lights, refer to Park‐ ing lamps/low beams 90
S Safe braking 157
Safety 6
Safety belts 54
Safety belts– Damage 55
Safety belts, care 314
Safety belts, indicator/warn‐ ing lamp 55
Safety belts, reminder 55
Safety switch for rear win‐ dows 44
Safety systems
– Safety belts 54
Safety systems, airbags 95
Safety tires, refer to Run-flat tires 286
Satellite radio 194
Saving fuel 164
Scale, changing during navi‐ gation 182
Screen, folding open/closed, rear DVD system 220
Screen, refer to Control Dis‐ play 19
Search, refer to BMW On‐ line 262
Seat adjustment, electric 50
Seat adjustment, manual 49
Seat and mirror memory 57
Seat belts– Refer to Safety belts 54
Seat heating 52, 53
Seat heating, rear 52
Seats
– Adjusting electrically 50– Heating 52– Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 57– Sitting safely 49– Storing the setting, refer to
Seat and mirror memory 57– Ventilation, refer to Active
seat ventilation and seat
heating 53
Seats, adjusting 49
Seats, backrest width 50
Seats in the rear 51
Seats, shoulder support 50
2nd row seats 51
Selector lever, automatic transmission with Step‐
tronic 76
Selector lever lock, releas‐ ing 76
Self-leveling suspension 110
Sensors, care 315
Service and warranty 7
Service data in the remote control 293
Service interval display, refer to Condition Based Service
CBS 293
Service interval display, refer to Service requirements 83
Service requirements 83
Service requirements, CBS Condition Based Serv‐
ice 293
Service, Roadside Assis‐ tance 308
Settings, clock, 12h/24h mode 87
Settings, configuring, refer to Personal Profile 30
Settings, DVD 203
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