
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.◀
Seite 74ControlsDriving74
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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
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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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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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Vehicle– Identification number 236– Identification number, refer
to Engine compartment  288
Vehicle battery, chang‐
ing  304  
Vehicle, breaking in  156 
Vehicle care  313 
Vehicle care, refer to Care  312 
Vehicle equipment  6 
Vehicle jack  302 
Vehicle paint  313 
Vehicle storage  315 
Vehicle, switching off  69 
Vehicle wash  312 
Ventilation  134 
Ventilation, 3rd row seats  135 
Ventilation, automatic climate control in rear  137 
Ventilation, draft-free  134 
Ventilation, in rear  135 
Ventilation, refer to Parked-
car ventilation  137 
Vents of automatic climate control  130 
Version of the navigation data  168 
Video playback  202 
Voice activation
– Navigation  176
Voice activation, mobile
phone  245 
Voice activation, short com‐ mands  322 
Voice activation system  25 
Volume, setting  190 
W Warning and indicator lamps  15 
Warning messages, refer to Check Control  85 
Warning signal volumes  191 
Warning triangle  308 
Washer/wiper system  73 
Washer/wiper system, rain sensor  74 
Washer/wiper system, washer fluid  75 
Washer/wiper system, wind‐ shield washer nozzles  74 
Washer fluid  75 
Washer fluid reservoir  75 
Washing, vehicle  312 
Waste tray, refer to Ash‐ tray  143 
Water on roads, refer to Driv‐ ing through water  157 
Weights  320 
Welcome lamps  90 
Wheelbase, refer to Dimen‐ sions  318 
Wheel change  302 
Wheels and tires  275 
Wheels, changing  285 
Wheels, Flat Tire Monitor FTM  97 
Wheels, Tire Pressure Moni‐ tor TPM  99 
Width, refer to Dimen‐ sions  318 
Window, convenient opera‐ tion  33 
Windows– Safety switch  44
Windows, defrosting and de‐
fogging, automatic climate
control  132 
Windows, pinch protec‐ tion  44 
Windshield, cleaning  74 
Windshield, defrosting, refer to Defrosting windows  132 
Windshield wash  73 
Windshield washer fluid  75 
Windshield wash, rear win‐ dow  74 
Windshield wash, reservoir for washer fluid  75 
Windshield wash, washer fluid  75 
Windshield wash, washer
nozzles  74 
Windshield wiper blades, changing  295 
Windshield wiper, refer to Washer/wiper system  73 
Winter diesel  271 
Winter storage, care  315 
Winter tires, setting the speed limit  86 
Winter tires, suitable tires  286 
Winter tires, tread  284 
Wiper blades, changing  295 
Wiper fluid  75 
Wood, care  314 
Word match concept, naviga‐ tion  24 
Working in the engine com‐ partment  289 
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to Onboard vehicle tool kit  295 
X xDrive  107 
Xenon headlamps  296, 299  
Y Your individual vehicle– Settings, refer to Personal
Profile  30Seite 343Everything from A to ZReference343
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