
Therefore, drive carefully on bridges and shady
roads, for example, to avoid the increased dan‐
ger of an accident.◀
Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting trip odometer:
With the ignition switched on, press button 1 in
the instrument cluster.
When the vehicle is parked If you still want to view the time, external tem‐
perature and odometer reading briefly after the
remote control has been taken out of the igni‐
tion lock:
Press button 1 in the instrument cluster.
Tachometer
Never force the engine speed up into the red
warning field, see arrow. In this range, the fuel
supply is interrupted to protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
A warning lamp will come on if the coolant, and
therefore the engine, becomes too hot. In addi‐
tion, a message will appear on the Control Dis‐
play.
Check the coolant level, refer to page  292.
Current fuel consumption
Displays the current fuel consumption. You
can check whether you are currently driving in
an efficient and environmentally-friendly man‐
ner.
Engine oil temperature
▷Cold engine: the pointer is at the low tem‐
perature end. Drive at moderate engine
and vehicle speeds.▷Normal operating temperature: the pointer
is in the middle or in the right half of the
temperature display.Seite 80ControlsDisplays80
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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 condi‐
tions. 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 up‐
hill and downhill grades up to 50 %.▷Use Hill Descent Control HDC, refer to
page  108, on steep downhill grades.
BMW X5: the vehicle can be driven away
on uphill grades of up to 33 %. The per‐
missible body roll is 50 %.▷Watch for stones, holes, and other obsta‐
cles and drive around these where possi‐
ble.▷On bumps and rough roads, avoid contact
between the vehicle body and the ground.
The maximum ground clearance is 8 in‐
ches/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.
▷After driving through water, press on the
brake pedal several times at low speeds to
dry the brakes.▷Depending on the prevailing terrain, acti‐
vate Dynamic Traction Control DTC, refer
to page  106, briefly.▷When the wheels spin, accelerate to ena‐
ble the driving stability control systems to
distribute the drive force to the individual
wheels.▷The stone chip guard reduces the risk of
damage to painted vehicle components,
such as in the area of the side skirts and
wheel arches. Your service center will be
glad to advise you.
After driving on poor roads
Adhere to the following points to ensure vehi‐
cle safety:
▷Remove excessive accumulations of dirt
and mud from the vehicle body.▷Clear mud, snow, ice, etc., from the wheels
and tires and check for damage.Seite 159Things to remember when drivingDriving tips159
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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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Further information on approved oil types can
be obtained from the service center.
Alternative oil types If the approved engine oils are not available, up
to 1 US quart/liter of an oil with the following
specification can be used:Gasoline engineAPI SM or a higher quality standardDiesel engineAPI ILSAC GF-5
Oil change
An oil change should be carried out by the
service center only.
Coolant
General information Danger of burns from hot engine
Do not open the cooling system while
the engine is hot; otherwise, escaping coolant
may cause burns.◀
Suitable additives
Only use suitable additives; otherwise,
engine damage may occur. The additives are
harmful to your health.◀
Coolant consists of water and additives.
Not all commercially available additives are
suitable for your vehicle. Ask your service cen‐
ter for suitable additives.
Checking the coolant level1.Do not open the hood until the engine has
cooled down.2.Turn the expansion tank cap counterclock‐
wise slightly to allow any accumulated
pressure to escape; then continue turning
to open.3.The filling level indicator 1 in the filler neck
indicates the coolant level. The coolant
level is correct if it is between the arrows of
the respective reservoir label 2.4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up
to the specified level; do not overfill.5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.6.Have the cause of the coolant loss elimi‐
nated as soon as possible.
Disposal
Comply with the appropriate environ‐
mental protection regulations when dis‐
posing of coolant additives.
Seite 292MobilityEngine compartment292
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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
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Divided screen view, splitscreen  22 
Door key, refer to Remote control with integrated
key  30 
Door lock  34 
Doors, manual operation  34 
Doors, unlocking and locking– Confirmation signals  33– From the inside 35– From the outside  32
DOT Quality Grades  283 
Downhill control  108 
Draft-free ventilation  134 
Drive-off assistant  109 
Driver's seat, calibrating  55 
Driving away on inclines, refer to Drive-off assistant  109 
Driving notes, breaking in  156  
Driving notes, general  156 
Driving on poor roads  158 
Driving stability control sys‐ tems  105 
Driving through water  157 
Driving tips, refer to Driving notes  156 
Dry air, refer to Cooling func‐ tion  133 
DSC Dynamic Stability Con‐ trol  105  
DTC Dynamic Traction Con‐ trol  106  
DTMF suffix dialing  242 
DVD/CD  200 
DVDs, storing  207 
DVD system in rear  220 
DVD, video  202 
Dynamic destination guid‐ ance  186 
Dynamic Performance Con‐ trol  107  
Dynamic Stability Control DSC  105 
Dynamic Traction Control DTC  106 
E
Easy entry/exit  60 
EfficientDynamics, refer to Saving fuel  164 
Electrical malfunction– Door lock  34– Driver's door  34– Fuel filler flap  268
Electrical malfunction of up‐
per tailgate  36 
Electrical malfunction, park‐ ing brake  71 
Electric seat adjustment  50 
Electric steering wheel ad‐ justment  60 
Electronic brake-force distri‐ bution  105 
Electronic engine oil level check  290 
Electronic Stability Program ESP, refer to Dynamic Sta‐
bility Control DSC  105 
Emergency operation
– Door lock, refer to Manual
operation  34
Emergency operation, fuel
filler flap, unlocking man‐
ually  268 
Emergency Request  307 
Emergency service, refer to Roadside Assistance  308 
Energy-conscious driving, re‐ fer to Current fuel consump‐
tion  80 
Energy, saving, refer to Sav‐ ing fuel  164 
Engine, breaking in  156 
Engine compartment  288 
Engine coolant, refer to Cool‐ ant  292  
Engine oil, adding  291 
Engine oil, additives, refer to Approved engine oils  291 
Engine oil, alternative oil types  292 
Engine oil, BMW maintenance
system  293 
Engine oil change intervals, refer to Service require‐
ments  83 
Engine oil, checking the level  290 
Engine oil, filling ca‐ pacity  321 
Engine oil temperature  80 
Engine oil types, alterna‐ tive  291 
Engine oil types, ap‐ proved  291 
Engine, overheating, refer to Coolant temperature  80 
Engine start, assistance  308 
Engine, starting  68 
Engine, starting– Comfort Access  40
Engine, starting, Start/Stop
button  67 
Engine, stopping, Start/Stop
button  67 
Engine, switching off  69 
Environmentally friendly driv‐ ing, refer to Current fuel
consumption  80 
Equalizer  190 
Equipment, interior  139 
ESP Electronic Stability Pro‐ gram, refer to Dynamic Sta‐
bility Control DSC  105 
Exchanging wheels/tires  285 
Exhaust system  157 
Exterior mirrors  58 
Exterior mirrors, adjusting  58 
Exterior mirrors, automatic dimming  59 
Exterior mirrors, automatic heating  59 
Exterior mirrors, folding in and out  59 
External audio device  148 
External devices  212 
External temperature dis‐ play  79 
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Manual air distribution 133 
Manual mode, automatic transmission with Step‐
tronic  77 
Manual operation– Door lock  34– Driver's door  34
Manual operation, fuel filler
flap  268 
Manual operation of upper tailgate  36 
Manual operation, Side View  127 
Manual operation, Top View  125 
Map, destination entry  175 
Map display in black and white  184 
Map in split screen  183 
Map view  181 
Marking on approved tires  286 
Master key, refer to Remote control with integrated
key  30 
Maximum cooling  133 
Maximum speed, winter tires  286 
Medical kit, refer to First aid kit  308  
Memory, refer to Seat and mirror memory  57 
Menus, operating, iDrive  18 
Menus, refer to iDrive operat‐ ing concept  19 
Message list, traffic bulle‐ tins  183 
Messages  252 
Microfilter  135 
Minimum tread, tires  284 
Mirror
– Mirror memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory  57
Mirrors 58 
Mirrors
– Automatic Curb Monitor  58
Mirrors, folding in and out  59 
Mirrors, heating  59 
Mirrors, interior mirror  59 
Mobile communication devi‐ ces in the vehicle  157 
Mobile phone, installation lo‐ cation, refer to Center arm‐
rest  148 
Mobile phone, refer to Tele‐ phone  236 
Modifications, technical, refer to Safety  6 
Monitor, refer to Control Dis‐ play  19 
Mounting of child restraint fix‐ ing systems  61 
MP3 player  212 
Multimedia  200 
Music collection  207 
Music search  208 
Music, storing  207 
N
Navigation  168 
Navigation data  168 
Navigation data, updat‐ ing  168  
Navigation system– Destination entry by
voice  176
Neck restraints, refer to Head
restraints  55 
Nets, refer to Storage com‐ partments  148 
Neutral cleaner, care  314 
New wheels and tires  285 
Notes  6, 255  
Nozzles of automatic climate control  130 
Nozzles, refer to Ventila‐ tion  134 
O OBD Onboard Diagnos‐ tics  294 
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for OBD Onboard Diagno‐
sis  294  
Octane number, refer to Fuel quality  270 
Octane rating, refer to Gaso‐ line quality  270 
Odometer  80 
Office  249 
Oil additives  291 
Oil consumption  290 
Oil level  290 
Oil, refer to Engine oil  290 
Oil types, alternative  291 
Oil types, approved  291 
Old batteries, disposal  305 
Onboard Diagnostics OBD  294 
Onboard monitor, refer to Control Display  19 
Onboard vehicle tool kit  295 
Opening and closing– Comfort Access  40– From the inside 35– From the outside  32– Using the door lock  34– Using the remote control  32
Opening height, adjust‐
ing  37, 38  
Operating concept, iDrive  18 
Outside-air mode, automatic climate control  133 
Outside air, refer to Recircu‐ lated air mode  133 
Overheating of engine, refer to Coolant temperature  80 
P Paint, vehicle  313 
Pairing, mobile phone  237 
Panic mode  33 
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