Depending on the selected temperature,
AUTO intensity, and outside influences, the air
is directed to the windshield, side windows,
upper body, and into the footwell.
The cooling function is switched on automati‐
cally with the AUTO program.
At the same time, a condensation sensor con‐
trols the program in such a way that window
condensation is prevented as much as possi‐
ble.
To switch off the program: press the button
again or manually adjust the air distribution.
Intensity of the AUTO program
Pressing the AUTO button repeatedly adjusts
the intensity of the AUTO program. The se‐
lected intensity, SOFT, MEDIUM or INTEN‐
SIVE, appears on the display of the automatic
climate control.
Temperature Turn the wheel to set the desired
temperature.
The automatic climate control
achieves this temperature as
quickly as possible, if necessary with the maxi‐
mum cooling or heating capacity, and then
keeps it constant.
Avoid rapidly switching between different tem‐
perature settings. The automatic climate con‐
trol will not have sufficient time to adjust the set temperature.
Maximum heating power can be obtained with
the highest setting, regardless of the external
temperature.
At the lowest setting, cooling is continuous, re‐
gardless of the external temperature.Adjusting the ventilation temperature
This function can be used to adjust the air
temperature for the upper body region.1."Settings"2."Climate"3."Driver ventilation" or "Front passenger
ventilation"4.Turn the controller to adjust the tempera‐
ture.▷Blue: colder▷Red: warmer
Defrosting and defogging windows
Press the button.
Ice and condensation are quickly re‐
moved from the windshield and the front side
windows.
For this purpose, also switch on the cooling
function.
Rear window defroster Press the button.
The rear window defroster switches
off automatically after a certain period of time.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, upper
wires are used as an antenna and are not part
of the rear window defroster.
Air volume, manual You can vary the air volume by press‐
ing on the corresponding side. You
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can reactivate the automatic mode for the air
volume with the AUTO button.
Manual air distribution
The air flow can be guided into the vehicle in‐
terior, separately for the driver's and front pas‐
senger side, using one of the following pro‐
grams:▷Upper body region.▷Upper body region and footwell.▷Footwell.▷Driver's side: in addition, the windshield,
side windows, and footwell.
Selecting program
Press the button repeatedly until the
desired program is shown on the
Control Display.
1Air toward the windshield and side win‐
dows2Air for the upper body3Air to footwell
Pressing the AUTO button cancels the manual
air distribution settings.
The automatic mode for the air volume re‐
mains effective with manual air distribution.
Cooling function
The passenger compartment can only be
cooled with the engine running.
Press the button.
The air is cooled and dehumidified and – de‐
pending on the temperature setting – warmed
again.
The cooling function helps to prevent conden‐
sation on the windows or to remove it quickly.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may
fog up briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is switched on automati‐
cally with the AUTO program.
When using the automatic climate control,
condensation water, refer to page 158, devel‐
ops that exits underneath the vehicle.
Maximum cooling Press the button.
The system is set to the lowest
temperature, maximum air volume
and recirculated-air mode.
Air flows out of the vents for the upper body
region. Open them for this purpose.
Air is cooled as quickly as possible:▷At an external temperature of approx.
32 ℉/0 ℃.▷When the engine is running.
Automatic recirculated air mode/
recirculated air mode
You can respond to unpleasant odors or pollu‐
tants in the immediate environment by tempo‐
rarily suspending the supply of outside air. The
system then recirculates the air currently
within the vehicle.
Press the button repeatedly to select
an operating mode:
▷LEDs off: outside air flows in continuously.▷Left LED on, automatic recirculated-air
control: a sensor detects pollutants in the
outside air and controls the shutoff auto‐
matically.Seite 133ClimateControls133
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▷Right LED on, recirculated air mode: the
supply of outside air into the vehicle is per‐
manently blocked.
If the windows are fogged over, switch off the
recirculated-air mode and press the AUTO
button to utilize the condensation sensor.
Make sure that air can flow onto the wind‐
shield.
Continuous recirculated-air mode
The recirculated air mode should not be
used for an extended period of time, as the air
quality inside the vehicle deteriorates stead‐
ily.◀
Residual heat
The heat stored in the engine is used to heat
the interior.
Functional requirement
▷Up to 15 minutes after the engine has been
switched off.▷Warm engine.▷The battery is sufficiently charged.▷External temperature below 77 ℉/25 ℃.
Switching on
1.Switch off the ignition.2.Press the right-hand button.
REST appears on the display of the automatic
climate control when the residual heat utiliza‐
tion is switched on.
From radio readiness the interior temperature,
the air volume and the air distribution can be
set.
Switching off
You can select the lowest blower speed by
pressing and holding the left side. Pressing
again switches off the residual heat utilization.
REST disappears from the display of the auto‐
matic climate control.
Switching on/off the automatic
climate control
Switching off With the blower at its lowest setting,
press the left side of the button to
switch off the automatic climate control.
Switching on Press any button to switch the automatic cli‐mate control back on.
Front ventilation1Use the thumbwheels to smoothly open
and close the air vents2Use the lever to change the direction of the
air flow
Avoiding injury
Do not drop any foreign objects into the
air vents, otherwise these could be catapulted
outwards and lead to injuries.◀
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vents to direct the flow of cool air in
your direction, for instance if the interior has
become too warm.
Draft-free ventilation Set the air vents so that the air flows past you
and is not directed straight at you.
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6Air volume, manual7Seat heating, left rear seat
The current setting for the temperature and
the air flow rate is shown on display 3.
Activation/deactivation
1."Settings"2."Climate"3."Rear climate control"4.Select the desired settings.
The rear automatic climate control cannot be
operated if the front automatic climate control
is switched off. With the defrost windows and
eliminate condensation function activated, the
rear automatic climate control is also not ready
for operation.
AUTO program The AUTO program automatically
sets the air distribution toward the
upper body and in the footwell, as
well as the air flow rate. It also
adapts your instructions 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 achieves this
temperature as quickly as possible regardless
of the season, using maximum cooling or heat‐
ing power if necessary, and then maintains it.
When switching between different tempera‐
ture settings in rapid succession, the auto‐
matic climate control does not have sufficient
time to adjust the set temperature.
Air volume, manual The air flow rate can be varied by
pressing on the corresponding side.
The automatic mode for the air flow rate can
be switched on again using the AUTO button.
Switching off rear automatic climate
control
With the blower at its lowest setting,
press the left side of the button to
switch off the automatic climate control.
The automatic climate control can also be
switched off with iDrive. To switch on the auto‐
matic climate control again, the system must
first be reactivated, refer to Activating/deacti‐
vating.
The system is switched on again by pressing
any button of the rear automatic climate con‐
trol.Seite 136ControlsClimate136
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Things to remember when drivingVehicle equipment
This 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.
Breaking-in period
General information Moving parts need to be broken in to adjust to
each other.
The following instructions will help achieve a
long vehicle life and good economy.
Engine and differential Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Do not exceed the maximum engine and road
speeds:▷For a gasoline engine, 4,500 rpm and
100 mph/160 km/h.▷For a diesel engine, 3,500 rpm and
93 mph/150 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode for the initial
miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full
traction potential until after an initial breaking-
in period.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of ap‐
prox. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-
in period.
Following part replacement
The same breaking in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Closing tailgate Drive with the tailgate closed
Only drive with the tailgate closed; other‐
wise, passengers and other road users may be
endangered or the vehicle may be damaged if
an accident occurs or during braking or evasive
maneuvers. In addition, exhaust fumes may
enter the passenger compartment.◀
If, despite this, the vehicle must be driven with
the tailgate open:▷Drive moderately.▷Close all windows and the glass sunroof/
panoramic glass sunroof.▷Greatly increase the blower speed.Seite 156Driving tipsThings to remember when driving156
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Stowing cargo▷Very heavy cargo: when the rear seat is not
occupied, secure each of the outer safety
belts in the opposite buckle.▷Heavy cargo: stow as far forward and as
low as possible, ideally directly behind the
backrests.▷Cover sharp edges and corners.▷Do not pile cargo higher than the top edge
of the backrests.▷If necessary, fold down the rear backrests
to stow cargo.▷Place protective material around any
sharp-edged or pointed objects that could
bump against the rear window while the
vehicle is in motion.
Securing cargo
Lashing eyes in the cargo area
BMW X5
BMW X6
Securing cargo▷Smaller and lighter items: secure with re‐
taining straps, a cargo net or draw straps.▷Larger and heavy objects: secure with
cargo straps.
Four lashing eyes mounted in the cargo
area are used to secure these cargo straps,
refer to illustrations.
Adhere to the information included with
the cargo straps.
Securing cargo
Stow and secure the cargo as described
above; otherwise it may present a danger to
the occupants, for instance during braking and
avoidance maneuvers.
Do not stow any heavy and hard objects in the
passenger compartment without securing
them; otherwise, they may present a danger to
occupants, for instance during braking and
avoidance maneuvers.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehi‐
cle weight or either of the approved axle loads,
as excessive loads can pose a safety hazard,
and may also place you in violation of traffic
safety laws.
Use only the lashing eyes pictured to fasten
the heavy-duty cargo straps. Do not secure
cargo using the upper top tether, refer to
page 63, mounting points; otherwise, these
may become damaged.◀
Roof-mounted luggage rack
Notes A special rack system is available as an op‐
tional accessory.
Attachment Follow the installation instructions for the roof-
mounted luggage rack.
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Saving 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.
General information
Your vehicle contains advanced technology for
the reduction of fuel consumption and emis‐
sions.
Fuel consumption depends on a number of dif‐
ferent factors.
The implementation of certain measures, driv‐
ing style and regular maintenance, refer to
page 293, can have an influence on fuel con‐
sumption and on the environmental impact.
Remove unnecessary cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove attached parts
following use
Remove unneeded auxiliary mirrors, roof or
rear luggage racks after use.
Attached parts on the vehicle impair the aero‐
dynamics and increase the fuel consumption.Closing the windows and
glass sunroof/panoramic
glass sunroof
Driving with the glass sunroof/panoramic glass
sunroof and windows open results in increased
air resistance and raises fuel consumption.
Check the tire inflation
pressure regularly
Check and, if necessary, correct the tire infla‐
tion pressure, refer to page 275, at least twice
a month and before starting on a long trip.
Low tire inflation pressure increases rolling re‐
sistance and thus raises fuel consumption and
tire wear.
Drive away without delay
Do not wait for the engine to warm-up while
the vehicle remains stationary. Start driving
right away, but at moderate engine speeds.
This is the fastest way for the cold engine to
reach its operating temperature.
Look well ahead when
driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.
By maintaining a suitable distance to the vehi‐
cle driving ahead of you.
Driving smoothly and looking ahead reduces
fuel consumption.
Avoid high engine speeds Driving at a low engine speed reduces fuel
consumption and minimizes wear.Seite 164Driving tipsSaving fuel164
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Use coasting conditions
When approaching a red light, take your foot
off the accelerator and let the vehicle coast to
a halt.
On a downhill gradient, take your foot off the
accelerator and let the vehicle roll.
The flow of fuel is interrupted while coasting.
Switch off the engine during longer stops
Switch off the engine during longer stops, e.g.,
at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in traffic
congestion.
Fuel savings are already achieved after the en‐
gine is turned off for as little as 4 seconds.
Switch off any functions that
are not currently needed
Functions such as seat heating and the rear
window defroster require a lot of energy and
consume additional fuel, especially in city and
stop-and-go traffic.
Therefore, switch off these functions if they
are not actually needed.
Have maintenance carried
out
Have vehicles maintained regularly to achieve
optimal vehicle economy and operating life.
Have the maintenance carried out by your
service center.
Please also note the BMW Maintenance Sys‐
tem, refer to page 293.Seite 165Saving fuelDriving tips165
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