
Ignition onAll electrical consumers can operate. The od‐
ometer and trip odometer are displayed in the
instrument cluster.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
Radio ready state and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps as well as dis‐
plays in the instrument cluster go out.
Transmission position P with the ignition
off
When the ignition is switched off, position P is
engaged automatically. When in an automatic
car wash, for example, ensure that the ignition
is not switched off accidentally.◀
For example, the ignition is not switched off in
the following situations:▷The brake is applied.▷The low beams are switched on
Starting the engine
General information Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas; otherwise, breathing of exhaust fumes
may lead to loss of consciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless but highly toxic
gas.◀
Unattended vehicle
Do not leave the car unattended with the
engine running; otherwise, it presents a poten‐
tial source of danger.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run‐
ning, set the parking brake and engage trans‐
mission position P; otherwise, the vehicle may
begin to roll.◀
Frequent starting in quick succession
Avoid repeated futile attempts at starting
the car and avoid starting the car frequently in
quick succession. Otherwise, the fuel is not
burned or is inadequately burned, and there is
the danger of overheating and damaging the
catalytic converter.◀
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds.
Starting the engine
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to
page  40.
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Press the Start/Stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time, and stops automatically as soon as the
engine has started.
Diesel engine
If the engine is cold and temperatures are be‐
low approx. 32 ℉/0 ℃, the start process may
be delayed somewhat due to automatic pre‐
heating.
A message is displayed.
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FuelVehicle equipmentThis chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it also
describes 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.
Fuel quality
Gasoline For the best fuel economy, the gasoline should
be sulfur-free or very low in sulfur content.
Do not use fuels that are labeled at the fuel
pump as containing metals.
Only refuel with lead-free gasoline with‐
out metal additives
Do not refuel with leaded gasoline or gasoline
with metal additives, e. g., manganese or iron;
otherwise, the catalytic converter and other
components will be permanently damaged.◀
Fuels with a maximum ethanol content of
10 %, i.e., E10, may be used for refueling.
The ethanol should fulfill the following quality
standards:
US: ASTM 4806–xx
CAN: CGSB-3.511–xx
xx: always adhere to the currently applicable
standard.
Do not refuel with ethanol E85
Do not refuel with E85, i.e., fuel with an
ethanol content of 85 %, or with Flex Fuel, as
this would damage the engine and fuel supply
system.◀The engine is knock controlled. Therefore, you
can refuel with different gasoline qualities.
Recommended fuel quality
BMW recommends AKI 91.
Minimum fuel grade
BMW recommends AKI 89.
Minimum fuel grade
Do not fill up with fuel below the speci‐
fied minimum quality; otherwise, the engine
may not run properly.◀
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat‐
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no effect on the engine life.
Minimum fuel grade
The use of poor-quality fuels may result
in harmful engine deposits or damage. Addi‐
tionally, problems relating to drivability, start‐
ing and stalling, especially under certain envi‐
ronmental conditions such as high ambient
temperature and high altitude, may occur.
If drivability problems are encountered, we rec‐
ommend switching to a high quality gasoline
brand and a higher octane grade — AKI num‐
ber — for a few tank fills. To avoid harmful en‐
gine deposits, it is highly recommended to
purchase gasoline from BP or Top Tier retail‐
ers.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in the need for unscheduled main‐
tenance.◀
Diesel
Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel
The engine of your BMW is designed for diesel
with a low sulfur content:Seite 270MobilityFuel270
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Ultra-low sulfur diesel ASTM D 975-xx.
xx: always adhere to the currently applicable
standard.
Only refuel with ultra-low sulfur diesel.
The percentage of biodiesel in the fuel
must not exceed 5%, referred to as B5. Do not
refuel with gasoline. If the vehicle has been re‐
fueled with incorrect fuel such as gasoline, do
not start the engine; otherwise, there is a dan‐
ger of engine damage.◀
If you added the wrong fuel, contact the serv‐
ice center.
If the nozzle cannot be inserted into the fuel
filler pipe of your BMW, please check to make
sure that you are refueling with a diesel fuel
pump and whether this is equipped with a die‐
sel nozzle.
In the event the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel
cannot be fully inserted into the fuel filler neck,
please contact BMW Roadside Assistance for
instructions on how to add fuel. For more infor‐
mation on BMW Roadside Assistance, refer to
page  308.
Winter diesel To ensure that the diesel engine remains op‐
erational in the winter, use winter diesel.
It is available at gas stations during winter
months.
The standard fuel filter heating prevents the
supply of fuel from stalling during driving.
Do not use diesel additives
Do not use additives, including gasoline;
otherwise, engine damage may occur.◀BMW X5 with BMW
Advanced Diesel
The concept
BMW Advanced Diesel reduces nitrogen ox‐
ides in the diesel exhaust of your vehicle by in‐
jecting the reducing agent diesel exhaust fluid
into the exhaust line. In the catalytic converter,
a chemical reaction occurs that minimizes ni‐
trogen oxides.
In order to be able to start the engine in the
usual way, there must be a sufficient supply of
diesel exhaust fluid in the separate reservoir.
System heating
In order to bring the system to operating tem‐
perature after a cold start of the engine, the au‐
tomatic transmission shifts into the next higher
gear at a later point.
Reserve display
A display in the instrument panel informs you
about the remaining distance can be covered
with the amount of fuel currently in the tank.
The reserve display appears approx.
1,000 miles/1,600 km before the tank is empty.
As soon as the reserve display has appeared in
the instrument panel, have the diesel exhaust
fluid refilled to prevent the engine from being
unable to restart.
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Maintenance and repair should be performed
by your service center. Make sure to have reg‐
ular maintenance procedures recorded in the
vehicle's Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models, and in the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian mod‐
els. These entries are proof of regular mainte‐
nance.
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnosis
On the driver's side is an OBD socket for
checking the primary components in the vehi‐
cle emissions.
Emissions
▷The warning lamp lights up:
Emissions are deteriorating. Have
the vehicle checked as soon as
possible.▷The warning lamp flashes under certain
circumstances:
This indicates that there is excessive mis‐
firing in the engine.
Reduce the vehicle speed and have the
system checked immediately; otherwise,
serious engine misfiring within a brief pe‐
riod can seriously damage emission con‐
trol components, in particular the catalytic
converter.
Display of the previously described
malfunctions on Canadian models.
Fuel cap
The indicator lamp lights up.
If the fuel cap is not properly tight‐
ened, the OBD system may conclude
that fuel vapor is escaping. If the cap is then
tightened, the display should go out in a short
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Bulb replacement, refer toLamp and bulb replace‐
ment  295 
Button for starting the engine, refer to Start/Stop but‐
ton  67 
C
Calendar  254 
Calibration, driver's seat  55 
California Proposition 65 Warning  7 
Camera, care  315 
Camera, refer to Backup cam‐ era  122  
Camera, Side View  127 
Camera, Top View  126 
Can holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder  149 
Car battery, refer to Vehicle battery  304 
Car care products  313 
Care  312 
Care, displays  315 
Care, vehicle  313 
Cargo  160 
Cargo area– Comfort Access  41
Cargo area, capacities  320 
Cargo area, enlarging  146 
Cargo area lamp, refer to Inte‐ rior lamps  94 
Cargo area lid, refer to Tail‐ gate  36, 38  
Cargo area, opening/closing, refer to Lower tailgate  38 
Cargo area, opening/closing, refer to Tailgate  36, 38  
Cargo area, opening from the inside  36 
Cargo area, opening from the outside  36 
Cargo area, refer to Cargo area  145 
Cargo cover, refer to Luggage
compartment roller
cover  145 
Cargo, securing with ski bag, refer to Securing cargo  152 
Cargo straps, securing cargo  162 
Car key, refer to Integrated key/remote control  30 
Carpet, care  315 
Car phone, installation loca‐ tion, refer to Center arm‐
rest  148 
Car phone, refer to Tele‐ phone  236 
Car vacuum cleaner, connect‐ ing, refer to Connecting
electrical devices  143 
Car wash  312 
Catalytic converter, refer to Hot exhaust system  157 
CBC, refer to Cornering Brake Control  105 
CBS Condition Based Serv‐ ice  293  
CD/DVD  200 
CD/DVD changer  204 
CD/DVD in rear  221 
CD/DVD notes  206 
CD, refer to Playing audio tracks, rear DVD sys‐
tem  226 
CDs, storing  207 
Cell phone  236 
Cell phone, installation loca‐ tion, refer to Center arm‐
rest  148 
Center armrest, front  148 
Center armrest, rear  148 
Center brake lamp  298, 301  
Center console, refer to Around the center con‐
sole  16 Central locking– Comfort Access  40– From the inside 35– Setting the unlocking char‐
acteristics  32
Central locking system
– From the outside  32– Principle 32
Central screen, refer to Con‐
trol Display  19 
Changes, technical, refer to Safety  6 
Changing wheels/tires  285 
Chassis number, refer to En‐ gine compartment  288 
Check Control  85 
Children, transporting  61 
Child restraint fixing system LATCH  62 
Child restraint fixing sys‐ tems  61 
Child restraint fixing systems, mounting  61 
Child safety locks  66 
Child seat, mounting  61 
Child seats, refer to Trans‐ porting children safely  61 
Chrome parts, care  314 
Cigarette lighter, connecting electrical devices  143 
Cigarette lighter, refer to Lighter  143 
Cigarette lighter socket  143 
Circulation of air, refer to Re‐ circulated air mode  133 
Cleaning, displays  315 
Cleaning your BMW, refer to Care  312 
Clock  79 
Clock, 12h/24h mode  87 
Closing
– From the inside  35– From the outside  32
Clothes hooks 149 
Cockpit  12 
Cold start, refer to Starting the engine  68 
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