
Down: long interval or low sensitivity of the rain
sensor.
Clean the windshield, headlights
Pull the wiper lever towards you.
The system sprays washer fluid on the wind‐
shield and activates the wipers briefly.
In addition, the headlights are cleaned at regu‐
lar intervals when the vehicle's lights are acti‐
vated.
WARNING
The washer fluid can freeze onto the win‐
dow at low temperatures and obstruct the
view. There is risk of an accident. Only use the
washer systems, if the washer fluid cannot
freeze. Use antifreeze if needed.◀
CAUTION
When the wiper water container is
empty, the wash pump cannot work as in‐
tended. There is risk of property damage. Do
not use the washer system when the wash wa‐
ter container is empty.◀
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are automati‐
cally heated while the ignition is switched on.
BMW X5 M: rear window wiper
Switching on the rear window wiper
Turn the switch from idle position 0 upward,
arrow 1: interval mode. When reverse gear is
engaged, the system switches to continuous
operation.
Cleaning rear window
In interval mode: turn the switch further, ar‐
row 2. The switch automatically returns to its
interval position when released.
In idle position: turn switch downward, arrow 3.
The switch automatically returns to its idle po‐
sition when released.
Fold-out position of the wipers
Fold wipers back when you want to change the
blades or with pending low temperatures.
WARNING
If the wipers start moving in the folded
away state, damage may occur to parts of the
vehicle or body parts can be jammed. There is
risk of injuries or risk of property damage.
Make sure that the vehicle is switched off
when the wipers are in the folded away state
and the wipers are folded in when switching
on.◀
1.Switch the ignition on and off again.2.With icy conditions make sure that blades
are not frozen to the windshield.3.Press the wiper lever up beyond the point
of resistance and hold it for approx. 3 sec‐Seite 79DrivingControls79
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▷Automatic downshifting and protection
from misshifting even in sequential mode.▷Launch Control.▷Low Speed Assistant.
Selector lever, selector lever positions
Overview
▷R: reverse gear.▷N: neutral.▷  Center position, forward position.▷+: manual upshifting.▷-: manual downshifting.▷D/S: switch between drive mode and se‐
quential mode.
Engaging a selector lever position
Press on the brake pedal and pull or push the
selector lever in the corresponding direction.
As soon as the selector lever is released, it re‐
verts to the center position. In position R, the
selector lever locks.
The engaged selector lever position is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster and on the se‐
lector lever.
If a selector lever position is engaged, the vehi‐
cle may start rolling, after the brake is released,
e.g. on downhill slopes. Thus, drive off immedi‐
ately after releasing the brake.
Use the Slow Speed Assistant for maneuver‐
ing and during stop-and-go traffic.
Low Speed Assistant
The concept
The Low Speed Assistant gives assistance at
very low speeds. The vehicle moves at walking
speed.
This can also be used for rocking the vehicle in
the snow. To do this, switch between reverse
gear and forward gear without stepping on the
brakes in the process.
Activating1.Engage a driving position.2.Briefly tap the accelerator pedal.
The vehicle rolls at minimum speed.
This is possible in 1st and 2nd gear and in re‐
verse gear.
Deactivating
Apply the brakes until the vehicle comes to a
stop.
Flashing display on the selector lever The actually engaged transmission position
can deviate from the selector lever position in
some situations. The display in the selector
lever flashes.
Observe the display in the instrument cluster,
refer to page  82, in these cases.
D Drive mode
In Drive mode, all forward gears are automati‐
cally changed.
Kickdown: for maximum acceleration, e. g. when passing. To do this, depress the acceler‐
ator pedal past the resistance point.
Switch to Sequential mode: shift using the
shift paddles or the selector lever, or push the
selector lever in the D/S direction.
S Sequential mode
Use the shift paddles or the selector lever to
upshift or downshift without letting off the gas.
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▷Maximum speed: once maximum engine
speed is attained, upshifting is not auto‐
matically performed in sequential mode. In
addition, the kickdown is deactivated.▷Shortly before falling below a gear-de‐
pendent minimum speed, the transmission
is automatically downshifted.▷Upshifting or downshifting is done only if
the rpm and vehicle speed are appropriate.
For example, there is no downshifting if the
engine speed is too high.▷Kickdown: the lowest possible gear is se‐
lected by simultaneously operating the
kickdown and the left shift paddle or selec‐
tor lever.▷It is also possible to start out in 2nd gear,
e. g. on icy roads.
Switch to Drive mode: push selector lever in
D/S direction.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
It is also possible to rock the vehicle up to
6 mph/10 km/h. To do this, switch between
forward gear and reverse gear without step‐
ping on the brakes in the process.
N is NeutralUse in automatic car washes, e.g. The vehicle
can then roll, refer to page  233.
P Park The drive wheels are blocked.
P is engaged automatically:
▷After the engine is switched off when the
vehicle is in radio-ready state, refer to
page  69, or when the ignition is switched
off, refer to page  69, and when position R
or D is set.▷With the ignition is off, if position N is set.▷If the safety belt is unbuckled, the driver's
door is opened, and the brake is releasedwhile the vehicle is stationary and position
D or R is set.
Displays in the instrument cluster
Drive mode
▷Engaged gear together with
a D, arrow 1.▷Selected driving program,
Drivelogic, refer to
page  83, arrow 2.
Sequential mode
▷Engaged gear, arrow 1.▷Selected driving program,
Drivelogic, refer to
page  83, arrow 2.▷Gear shift indicator, refer to
page  95
Information
When the external temperature is very low, the
display may not work. Current driving direction
is recognizable at the engaged selector lever
position.
Gear change
Shifting in Sequential mode possible.
A shift in Drive mode causes a switch to Se‐
quential mode.
Using the selector lever
▷To shift up: pull the selector lever rear‐
wards.▷To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.Seite 82ControlsDriving82
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WARNING
Depending on the setting, the DSC may
only be available to a limited extent or may not
be available with activated M drive. There is
risk of accidents or risk of property damage.
Heed the settings for DSC in the M drive and
react actively if necessary. Adapt your driving
style and react if necessary.◀
Display in the instrument cluster Selected driving program corre‐
sponds to the number of illumi‐
nated fields.
Electronic unlocking of the transmission lock
General information
Electronically unlock the transmission lock to
maneuver vehicle from the danger area.
Unlocking is possible, if the started can spin
the engine.
Engaging selector lever position N1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Press the Start/Stop button. The starter
must audibly start.3.Press and hold the selector lever into posi‐
tion N.
A corresponding Check Control message
is displayed.4.Press the selector lever again into posi‐
tion N within approx. 6 seconds.
Selector lever position N is displayed in the
instrument cluster.5.Release brake, as soon as the starter
stops.6.Maneuver the vehicle from the danger area
and secure it against moving on its own.Launch Control
The concept Launch Control enables optimum accelerationon surfaces with good traction.
General information
The use of Launch Control causes premature
component wear since this function represents
a very heavy load for the vehicle.
Do not use Launch Control during the break-in,
refer to page  184, period.
Requirements Launch Control is available when the engine is
warmed up, that is, after uninterrupted driving
of at least 6 miles/10 km.
To start with Launch Control do not steer the
steering wheel.
Activate Launch Control1.Deactivate Dynamic Stability Control, refer
to page  135, or activate M Dynamic mode,
refer to page  134.2.Select Sequential mode with gear 1 and
driving program 3.3.With the engine running, firmly apply the
brake with the left foot.4.Depress the accelerator pedal far enough
that a flag symbol is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster.
Keep accelerator pedal in this position.
The starting engine speed adjusts.5.Within 3 seconds, release the brake. The
vehicle accelerates.
Upshifting occurs automatically as long as
the flag symbol is displayed and the accel‐
erator pedal is not released.
Launch Control is available again only after the
transmission is cooled down to a certain de‐
gree.
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CAUTION
The parking assistant can steer the vehi‐
cle over or onto curbs. There is risk of property
damage. Watch traffic closely and actively in‐
terfere in the respective situations.◀
An engine that has been switched off by the
Auto Start Stop function is restarted automati‐
cally when the parking assistant is activated.
Overview
Button in the vehicle
Parking assistant
Ultrasound sensors
The ultrasound sensors for measuring parking
spaces are located on the side of the vehicle.
To ensure full functionality:
▷Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.▷When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the sensors for long periods and
maintain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.▷Do not put stickers over sensors.Requirements
For measuring parking spaces▷Maximum speed while driving forward ap‐
prox. 22 mph/35 km/h.▷Maximum distance to row of parked vehi‐
cles: 5 ft/1.5 m.
Suitable parking space
▷Gap between two objects with a minimum
length of approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.▷Min. length of gap between two objects:
your vehicle's length plus approx.
4 ft/1.2 m.▷Minimum depth: approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.
Regarding the parking procedure
▷Doors and tailgate closed.▷Parking brake released.▷Driver's safety belt fastened.
Switching on/off
Switching on with the button Press button.
The LED lights up.
The current status of the parking space search
is indicated on the Control Display.
  Parking assistant is activated automatically.
Switching on with the reverse gear
Shift into reverse.
The current status of the parking space search
is indicated on the Control Display.
To activate:  
  "Parking Assistant"
Switch off
The system can be deactivated as follows:
▷Press button.Seite 152ControlsDriving comfort152
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