Things to remember when drivingVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Breaking-in period General information
Moving parts need time to adjust to one an‐
other (break-in time).
The following instructions will help accomplish
a long vehicle life and good efficiency.
During break-in, do not use the Launch Con‐
trol, refer to page 84.
Engine, transmission, and axle drive
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but
do not exceed 5,500 rpm and
106 mph/170 km/h.
Avoid full load or kickdown under all circum‐
stances.
At 1,200 miles/2,000 km Have drive-in checkup maintenance per‐
formed.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km to
3,100 miles/5,000 km
The engine and road speed can gradually be
increased to a constant speed of
137 mph/220 km/h.Use the maximum speed of 155 mph/250 km/h
only briefly, e.g., when passing.
Tires
Tire traction is not optimal due to manufactur‐
ing circumstances when tires are brand-new;
they achieve their full traction potential after a
break-in time.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
M Compound brakes require an initial break-in
period of approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve
optimal performance between brake discs and
brake pads. Drive moderately during this
break-in period.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be ob‐
served if any of the components above-men‐
tioned have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Closing the tailgate WARNING
An open tailgate protrudes from the vehi‐
cle and can endanger occupants and other
traffic participants or damage the vehicle in the
event of an accident, braking or evasive ma‐
neuvers. In addition, exhaust fumes may enter
the vehicle interior. There is risk of injuries or
risk of property damage. Do not drive with the
tailgate open.◀
If driving with the tailgate open cannot be
avoided:▷Close all windows and the glass sunroof.Seite 184Driving tipsThings to remember when driving184
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BMW X5 M:BMW X6 M:▷Lashing eyes in the rails.▷Eyes on the trunk wall.
The eyes are located on both sides of the
trunk.
Securing cargo WARNING
Improperly stowed objects can shift and
be thrown into the car's interior, e.g. in the
event of an accident or during braking and eva‐
sive maneuvers. Vehicle occupants can be hit
and injured. There is risk of injuries. Stow and
secure objects and cargo properly.◀
▷Smaller and lighter items: secure with re‐
taining straps or with a cargo net or draw
straps.▷Larger and heavy objects: secure with
cargo straps.
Cargo straps, cargo netting, retaining
straps or draw straps on the lashing eyes in
the trunk.Roof-mounted luggage rack
Information WARNING
When driving with roof load, e.g. with
roof-mounted luggage rack, driving safety may
not be ensured in driving-critical situations due to the elevated center of gravity. There is risk
of accidents or risk of property damage. Do not
deactivate Dynamic Stability Control DSC
when driving with roof load.◀
Installation only possible with roof rack.
Roof racks are available as special accessories.
Securing
Follow the installation instructions of the roof
rack.
Loading Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center
of gravity when loaded, they have a major ef‐
fect on vehicle handling and steering re‐
sponse.
Therefore, note the following when loading
and driving:▷Do not exceed the approved roof/axle
loads and the approved gross vehicle
weight.▷Be sure that adequate clearance is main‐
tained for tilting and opening the glass
sunroof.▷Distribute the roof load uniformly.▷The roof load should not extend past the
loading area.▷Always place the heaviest pieces on the
bottom.▷Secure the roof luggage firmly, e.g., tie
with ratchet straps.▷Do not let objects project into the opening
path of the tailgate.Seite 190Driving tipsLoading190
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Saving fuelVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features 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.
Carrying out certain measures, such as a mod‐
erate driving style and regular maintenance,
can influence fuel consumption and the envi‐
ronmental impact.
Remove unnecessary cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove attached parts
following use
Remove auxiliary mirrors, roof or rear luggage
racks which are no longer required following use.
Attached parts on the vehicle impair the aero‐
dynamics and increase the fuel consumption.Close the windows and glass
sunroof
Driving with the glass sunroof and windows
open results in increased air resistance and
thereby reduces the range.
Tires
General information Tires can affect fuel consumption in various
ways, e.g., tire size may influence fuel con‐
sumption.
Check the tire inflation pressure
regularly
Check and, if needed, correct the tire inflation
pressure 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 immediately
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 quickest way of warming the cold
engine up to 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 proactively reduces fuel
consumption.Seite 192Driving tipsSaving fuel192
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Battery replacementCAUTION
Vehicle batteries that are not compatible
can damage vehicle systems and impair vehi‐
cle functions.There is risk of property damage.
Information on the compatible vehicle batteries
is available at your dealer's service center.◀
After a battery replacement, the manufacturer
of your vehicle recommends that the vehicle
battery be registered on the vehicle by a
dealer’s service center or another qualified
service center or repair shop to ensure that all
comfort features are fully available and that any
Check Control messages of these comfort fea‐
tures are no longer displayed.
Charging the battery
General information
Make sure that the battery is always suffi‐
ciently charged to guarantee that the battery
remains usable for its full service life.
The battery may need to be charged in the fol‐
lowing cases:▷When making frequent short-distance
drives.▷If the vehicle is not used for prolonged pe‐
riods, longer than a month.
Information
CAUTION
Battery chargers for the vehicle battery
can work with high voltages and currents,
which means that the 12V on-board network
can be overloaded or damaged. There is risk of
property damage. Only connect battery charg‐
ers for the vehicle battery to the starting aid
terminals in the engine compartment.◀
Starting aid terminals
In the vehicle, only charge the battery via the
starting aid terminals, refer to page 230, in the
engine compartment with the engine off.
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, some equipment
needs to be newly initialized or individual set‐
tings updated, e. g.:▷Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory:
store the positions again.▷Time: update.▷Date: update.▷Glass sunroof: initialize the system, refer to
page 52.
Disposing of old batteries
Have old batteries disposed of by a
dealer’s service center or another
qualified service center or repair shop
or take them to a collection point.
Maintain the battery in an upright position for
transport and storage. Secure the battery so
that it does not tip over during transport.
Fuses Information WARNING
Incorrect and repaired fuses can overload
electrical lines and components. There is risk
of fire. Never attempt to repair a blown fuse
and do not replace a nonworking fuse with a
substitute of another color or amperage rat‐
ing.◀
Plastic tweezers and information on the fuse
types and locations are stored in the fuse box
in the trunk.
Seite 226MobilityReplacing components226
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CareVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Car washes General information
Regularly remove foreign objects such as
leaves in the area below the windshield when
the hood is raised.
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in
winter. Intense soiling and road salt can dam‐
age the vehicle.
Steam blaster and high-pressure
washer
Information CAUTION
When cleaning with high-pressure wash‐
ers, components can be damaged due to the
pressure or temperatures being too high.
There is risk of property damage. Maintain suf‐
ficient distance and do not spray too long con‐
tinuously. Follow the user's manual for the
high-pressure washer.◀
Distances and temperature▷Maximum temperature: 140 ℉/60 ℃.▷Minimum distance from sensors, cameras,
seals: 12 in/30 cm.▷Minimum distance from glass sunroof:
31.5 inches/80 cm.
Automatic car washes
Information Note the following:
▷Give preference to cloth car washes or
those that use soft brushes in order to
avoid paint damage.▷Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.▷Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may be damaged, depending on the width
of the vehicle.▷Deactivate the rain sensor, refer to
page 78, to avoid unintentional wiper acti‐
vation.▷In some cases, an unintentional alarm can
be triggered by the interior motion sensor
of the alarm system. Follow the instruc‐
tions on avoiding an unintentional alarm,
refer to page 48.
CAUTION
Too high guide rails in car washes can
damage body parts. There is risk of property
damage. Avoid car washes with guide rails
higher than 4 in/10 cm.◀
Different types of tires CAUTION
The vehicle might be too large for the car
wash. There is risk of property damage. Before
driving into the car wash, make sure that the
vehicle is not too large.◀
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Engine start during malfunc‐tion 35
Engine start, jump-start‐ ing 229
Engine start, refer to Starting the engine 70
Engine stop 70
Engine temperature 91
Entering a car wash 233
Equipment, interior 162
Error displays, see Check Control 87
ESP Electronic Stability Pro‐ gram, see DSC 134
Exchanging wheels/tires 204
Exhaust system 185
Exterior mirror, automatic dimming feature 62
Exterior mirrors 61
External start 229
External temperature dis‐ play 91
External temperature warn‐ ing 91
Eyes for securing cargo 189
F
Failure message, see Check Control 87
False alarm, see Unintentional alarm 48
Fan, see Air flow 157
Filler neck for engine oil 214
Fine wood, care 235
First-aid kit 229
Fitting for towing, see Tow fit‐ ting 232
Flat tire, changing wheels 223
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 115
Flat tire, repairing 206
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Moni‐ tor TPM 112
Flat tire, warning lamp 113, 115 Flooding 185
Floor carpet, care 236
Floor mats, care 236
Folding back rear seat back‐ rests 169, 171
Fold-out position, wiper 79
Foot brake 185
Front airbags 109
Front center armrest 174
Front cupholder 176
Front-end collision warning with City Braking func‐
tion 117
Front fog lamps, , LED, bulb replacement 223
Front fog lights 107
Front lights 222
Front-seat passenger airbags, automatic deactivation 111
Front-seat passenger airbags, indicator lamp 111
Front seats 53
FTM Flat Tire Monitor 115
Fuel 198
Fuel consumption, see Aver‐ age fuel consumption 97
Fuel filler flap 196
Fuel gauge 91
Fuel lid 196
Fuel quality 198
Fuel recommendation 198
Fuel, tank capacity 242
Fuse 226
G
Garage door opener, see Uni‐ versal Integrated Remote
Control 162
Gasoline 198
Gear change 82
Gear shift indicator 95
General driving notes 184
Glare shield 164
Glasses compartment 175
Glass sunroof, powered 50 Glass sunroof, refer to Panor‐
amic glass sunroof 50
Glove compartment 173
Gross vehicle weight, ap‐ proved 241
Ground clearance 186
H
Handbrake, see Parking brake 73
Hand-held transmitter, alter‐ nating code 163
Hazard warning flashers 228
HDC Hill Descent Con‐ trol 136
Head airbags 109
Headlight control, auto‐ matic 105
Headlight courtesy delay fea‐ ture 105
Headlight flasher 77
Headlight glass 222
Headlights 222
Headlights, care 234
Head restraints 53
Head restraints, front 58
Head restraints, rear 59
Head-up Display 101
Head-up Display, care 236
Head-up display, M view 101
Head-up display, standard view 101
Heavy cargo, stowing 189
High-beam Assistant 106
High beams 77
High beams/low beams, see High-beam Assistant 106
Hill Descent Control HDC 136
Hills 186
Hill start assistant, see Drive- off assistant 132
Holder for beverages 176
Homepage 6
Hood 211 Seite 247Everything from A to ZReference247
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Operating concept, iDrive 18
Optional equipment, standard equipment 7
Outside air, refer to Auto‐ matic recirculated-air con‐
trol 157
Overheating of engine, see Coolant temperature 91
Own Safety 7
P Paint, vehicle 234
Panoramic glass sunroof 50
Parallel parking assistant 151
Park Distance Control PDC 142
Parked-car ventilation 160
Parked vehicle, condensa‐ tion 186
Parking aid, see PDC 142
Parking assistant 151
Parking brake 73
Parking lights 104
Parking with Automatic Hold 74
Parts and accessories 7
Passenger side mirror, tilting downward 61
Pathway lines, rearview cam‐ era 146
PDC Park Distance Con‐ trol 142
Pedestrian detection, see Night Vision 122
Pedestrian warning with city braking function 120
Personal Profile 35
Personal Profile, exporting profiles 36
Pinch protection system, glass sunroof 51
Pinch protection system, win‐ dows 49
Plastic, care 235
Power failure 226 Power sunroof, glass 50
Power windows 48
Prescribed engine oil types 215
Pressure, tire air pres‐ sure 200
Pressure warning FTM, tires 115
Preventing Auto Start Stop 72
Profile, see Personal Pro‐ file 35
Programmable memory but‐ tons, iDrive 24
Protective function, glass sunroof 51
Protective function, win‐ dows 49
Push-and-turn switch, see Controller 19
R Radiator fluid 216
Radio-operated key, see Re‐ mote control 34
Radio ready state 69
Radio, see user's manual for Navigation, Entertainment
and Communication
Rain sensor 78
Rear automatic climate con‐ trol 159
Rear center armrest 175
Rear cooler 167
Rear drink holder 176
Rear lights 223
Rear seats 56
Rearview camera 145
Rearview mirror 61
Rear window defroster 158
Recirculated-air mode 157
Recommended fuel grade 198
Recommended tire brands 205 Refueling 196
Remaining range 92
Remote control/key 34
Remote control, malfunc‐ tion 39
Remote control, univer‐ sal 162
Replacement fuse 226
Replacing parts 220
Replacing wheels/tires 204
Reporting safety malfunc‐ tions 10
RES button, see Cruise con‐ trol 140
Reserve warning, see Range 92
Reset, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 113
Residual heat, automatic cli‐ mate control 157
Retaining straps, securing cargo 189
Retreaded tires 205
Roadside parking lights 105
Roller sunblinds 50
RON recommended fuel grade 198
Roofliner 17
Roof load capacity 241
Roof-mounted luggage rack 190
Rope for tow-starting/ towing 231
Rubber components, care 235
S Safe braking 185
Safety belt reminder for driv‐ er's seat and front passen‐
ger seat 57
Safety belts 56
Safety belts, care 236
Safety Package, see Active Protection 130 Seite 250ReferenceEverything from A to Z250
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