bc button BMW X5 3.0I 2007 E70 Service Manual
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cannot be hidden. If a number of malfunctions 
occur simultaneously, they are displayed in 
succession.
Other messages are automatically hidden after 
approx. 20 seconds, but remain stored.
Displaying stored Check Control 
messages
1.Press the button on the turn signal lever 
downward. "CHECK OK" or the stored 
Check Control messages appear in the dis-
play.
"CHECK OK" is shown if no messages are 
present.
Check Control messages are accompanied 
by text messages on the Control Display.
2.Press the button to display additional mes-
sages, or the time and outside temperature.
Displaying additional information later
iDrive, for explanation of concept, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Info sources" and press the control-
ler.
4.Select "Service" and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Check Control messages" 
is selected and press the controller.6.Select a text message and press the con-
troller.
To exit the display:
 Select the arrow and press the controller.
Indication of malfunction urgency
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the 
stored Check Control messages are also dis-
played with the following symbols:
No malfunctions are present in the moni-
tored systems.
Malfunctions are present in the moni-
tored systems. Depending on the mal-
function, supplementary information is 
shown on the Control Display.
The symbols also indicate the status of the ser-
vice requirements display, refer to page73. 
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Settings on Control Display
iDrive, for explanation of concept, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button once or twice until 
the start menu appears.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
Setting time
1.Turn the controller until "Time / Date" is 
selected and press the controller.2.Move the controller once to the front if nec-
essary to change to the first field from the 
top.
3.Turn the controller until "Time" is selected 
and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller until "Set time" is 
selected and press the controller.
5.Turn the controller to set the hours and 
press the controller.
6.Turn the controller to set the minutes and 
press the controller.
The changed time is stored. 
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Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
80
Technology for comfort, convenience and 
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking. 
Acoustic signals and an optical display
* alert 
you to the approach of an object from behind 
your vehicle. To measure the distance, there 
are four ultrasonic sensors in each bumper. 
The range of these sensors is approx. 7 ft/2 m. 
However, an acoustic warning first sounds for 
the sensors at the front and at the two rear cor-
ners at approx. 24 in/60 cm, and for the center 
rear sensors at approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually the case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, oth-
erwise the physical circumstances would mean 
that the system warning was too late.<
Automatic activation
Whenever the engine is running or the ignition 
is on, each time you move the selector lever into 
position R, the PDC system is activated after 
approx.1 second.
Wait this short period before driving off.
Manual activation
Press the button, the LED lights up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Automatic deactivation
After driving approx. 165 ft/50 m or at over 
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system is 
switched off and the LED goes out. You can 
reactivate the system manually as needed.
Warning tones
When nearing an object, the position is corre-
spondingly indicated by an interval tone. 
As a result, an object detected, for example, 
to the left rear of the vehicle will be indicated 
by a warning tone from the left rear speaker. 
As the distance between vehicle and object 
decreases, the intervals between the tones 
become shorter. If the distance to the nearest 
object falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a 
continuous tone sounds.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds:
>if you remain in front of an object that was 
only detected by one of the corner sensors
>if you drive parallel to a wall
Adjusting
You can adjust the volume of the warning tones 
if the vehicle is equipped with a single drive, 
refer to page79.
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a message 
appears on the Control Display. PDC is mal-
functioning. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors 
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure 
that they will continue to operate effectively. Do 
not spray the sensors with high-pressure clean-
ers for long periods and maintain a distance of 
at least 4 in/10 cm to them. 
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PDC with visual warning*
You can also have the system show distances 
to objects on the Control Display. Objects that 
are farther away are already shown there before 
a signal tone sounds.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
If the vehicle is equipped with a backup camera, 
refer to the display of the backup camera on 
page83.
iDrive, for explanation of concept, refer to 
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "PDC" is selected and press 
the controller.
6.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
 The PDC screen is activated.
The display appears on the Control Display as 
soon as PDC is activated.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can 
no longer be detected. The system's detection 
of objects is also subject to the physical limits 
that apply to all forms of ultrasonic measure-
ment, such as those encountered with tow bars and trailer couplings, thin or wedge-shaped 
objects etc. Low objects already displayed, e. g. 
a curb, can also disappear from the detection 
area of the sensors again before or after a con-
tinuous tone already sounds. Higher, protrud-
ing objects, e.g. ledges, cannot be detected.
Loud sources of sound, inside and outside the 
vehicle, could drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Backup camera*
The concept
The backup camera in the liftgate displays the 
area behind your vehicle on the Control Display.
Also check the traffic situation around the 
vehicle during parking and maneuvering 
with direct vision, as otherwise danger of an 
accident could result, for example, from road 
users or objects located outside the picture 
area of the backup camera.<
Switching on
Automatically
Engage transmission position R with the engine 
running or the ignition switched on.
Manually
Press the button.
PDC is activated at the same time, refer to 
page80. 
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82
Switching off
Automatically
When driving forward from a speed of approx. 
12 mph/20 km/h or from a driven distance of 
approx. 164 ft/50 m.
Manually
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Driver assistance functions
The following functions can improve the effect 
of the backup camera depending on the situa-
tion.
They can only be activated when the tailgates 
are completely closed.
Lane lines
The lane lines are shown in the picture of the 
backup camera. They help you to estimate the 
space required when parking and maneuvering 
on level roads.
To estimate the space required, turn the steer-
ing wheel so that the lane lines guide into the 
parking space or the maneuvering area you 
have chosen.
The lane lines are dependent on the current 
steering angle and are continuously adjusted to 
the steering wheel movements.
Turning circle lines
The static turning circle lines are displayed in 
the picture of the backup camera and show you 
the course of the smallest possible turning cir-
cle on level roads.
Using lane and turning circle lines
1.Position the vehicle so that the turning cir-
cle line guide within the limits of the parking 
space.
2.Turn the steering wheel so that the lane 
lines cover the corresponding turning circle 
line.
This results in a steering wheel adjustment that 
makes full use of the smallest possible turning 
circle of the vehicle when parking.
Virtual camera pan
The picture area is dependent on the current 
speed:
At low speeds, the camera view is panned 
toward the street, and at higher speeds toward 
the horizon.
This enables the currently relevant picture area 
to be shown enlarged on the Control Display.
To activate the virtual camera pan, select the 
camera view "Camera view: full screen".
Obstacle marking
Spatially shaped markings are shown in the pic-
ture of the backup camera. Their stepped col-
ors correspond to the markings of the Park Dis-
tance Control and support you in estimating the 
distance to the object shown.
The obstacle marking is deactivated when driv-
ing in reverse from approx. 12 mph/20 km/h. 
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84
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array 
of systems designed to enhance and maintain 
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during full braking. Active safety is thus 
increased.
ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. Braking safely, refer to page123.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking 
during a lane change, driving stability and steer-
ing response are improved further.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal 
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels 
when starting off and accelerating. DSC also 
identifies unstable driving conditions, such as a 
loss of traction at the rear of the vehicle or slid-
ing of the vehicle in its front wheels. In these 
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe 
course within physical limits by reducing engine 
output and through braking actions in the indi-
vidual wheels.The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style remains the responsibility of the driver. 
Therefore, do not reduce the additional safety 
margin further by taking risks.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button until the DSC indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster lights up, but not longer 
than approx. 10 seconds. DTC Dynamic Trac-
tion Control and DSC are deactivated together. 
Stabilizing interventions are now not carried 
out.
A message appears on the Control Display. 
Please note any supplementary information 
that appears there.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again 
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button; the indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster goes out.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamps light up: 
DSC is deactivated. 
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DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions, 
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with 
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving in sand, on snowy inclines, in 
slush or on unplowed, snow-covered road 
surfaces
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow, sand or on loose 
ground
>When driving with snow chains
*
Activating DTC
Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster lights up.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes:
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up:
DTC is activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster goes out.
xDrive
xDrive is the 4-wheel drive system of your X5. 
The combined effects of xDrive and DSC fur-
ther optimize the traction and dynamic driving 
characteristics. The 4-wheel drive system 
xDrive variably distributes the drive forces to 
the front and rear axle depending on the driving 
situation and prevailing road conditions.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept
HDC is a system for driving downhill in steep 
terrain. This system reduces vehicle speed on 
steep downhill gradients, thus allowing you to 
maintain even better control of your BMW 
under these conditions. The vehicle moves at 
approximately walking speed without active 
intervention from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehicle speeds 
below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When driving 
down steep hills with a speed below approx. 
22 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed 
automatically down to approximately walking 
speed, approx. 5 mph/8 km/h, and then main-
tains this speed at a constant.
Only use HDC in transmission position D or R.
Increasing or reducing speed
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary 
this automatically controlled speed within a 
range extending from approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to 
15 mph/25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same 
range by using the lever of the cruise control.
1Increasing speed
2Reducing speed 
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Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
86
Activating HDC
Press the button; the LED lights up.
The HDC display is shown in the instrument 
cluster.
The LED flashes when the brakes are applied 
automatically.
Deactivating HDC
Press the button again. The LED and the HDC 
display go out.
HDC is also activated at speeds over approx. 
37 mph/60 km/h.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Display for target speed
2HDC display
Malfunction
HDC is temporarily unavailable in the following 
situations due to a high brake temperature:
>The LED in the button and the display HDC 
go out during HDC operation.
>The LED in the button and the HDC display 
do not light up when the button is pressed.
Malfunction of driving stability control 
systems
When driving on poor roads, avoid using 
full throttle or pressing the accelerator 
beyond the kick-down point and also avoid 
heavy braking. Otherwise, the drive train may be 
damaged or accidents can occur.<
Adaptive Drive*
The concept
Adaptive Drive reduces undesirable vehicle 
movements that occur when driving on rough 
roads or with a dynamic driving style. Maximum 
driving comfort and driving dynamics are 
achieved in this way.
Chassis and suspension tuning
You can choose between two types of chassis 
and suspension tuning.
>Normal:
The comfortable chassis and suspension 
tuning setting offers optimum comfort 
when traveling.
>Sport:
The sportier chassis and suspension tuning 
setting offers increased vehicle agility.
Selecting chassis and suspension 
tuning
Press the button.
The system switches between the two chassis 
and suspension tuning settings.
>Sport:
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT 
is displayed in the instrument cluster. 
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>Normal:
The LED in the button goes out.
The selection of the chassis and suspension 
tuning setting is stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
Self-leveling suspension*
Malfunction
The warning lamp for self-leveling 
suspension lights up yellow and a 
message is shown on the Control 
Display. A malfunction has occurred in the self-
leveling suspension. Stop and check the vehi-
cle. If it is considerably lower at the rear than at 
the front, and possibly also on one side – rear 
left compared to rear right –, proceed to the 
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or 
a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel. Drive with appropriate caution in the 
meantime. The vehicle has reduced ground 
clearance and driving comfort may be notice-
ably reduced. Even if the orientation of the vehi-
cle is normal, when a malfunction is indicated 
on the display, you should proceed to the near-
est BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW guide-
lines and uses appropriately trained personnel.
FTM Flat Tire Monitor*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the tires as you drive. The sys-
tem provides an alert whenever the inflation 
pressure drops significantly in relation to the 
pressure in another tire.
In the event of a pressure loss, the rolling radius 
and therefore the rotation speed of the wheels 
change. This change is detected and is 
reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.
The initialization must be repeated after 
each time the tire inflation pressure is cor-
rected and after every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate 
sudden severe tire damage caused by 
outside factors and does not detect a natural, 
even pressure drop in all four tires.<
In the following situations, the system could be 
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels, 
high lateral acceleration
>Driving with snow chains
*
When you are driving with the compact wheel* 
the Flat Tire Monitor is unable to function.
Initializing system
The initialization finishes during driving, 
which can be interrupted at any time. 
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically. Do not initialize the sys-
tem when driving with snow chains
* or with the 
compact wheel
*.<
iDrive, for explanation of concept, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller. 
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TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
The concept
TPM checks the tire inflation pressure in the 
four mounted tires. The system reports when 
the tire inflation pressure has dropped consid-
erably in one or several tires.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must have been reset with the 
correct tire inflation pressure.
Always use wheels with TPM electronics, oth-
erwise fault-free operation of the system is not 
ensured.
Reset the system again after each correc-
tion of the tire inflation pressure and after 
every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
TPM cannot announce sudden serious 
tire damage caused by external influ-
ences.<
The system does not function properly if it has 
not been reset, e.g. a flat tire is reported despite 
correct tire inflation pressures.
The system is inactive and cannot display a flat 
tire if a wheel has been mounted without TPM 
electronics, e.g. a compact wheel
*, or if TPM is 
temporarily interfered with by other systems or 
devices which use the same radio frequency.
Status display on Control Display
The tire and system status is indicated by the 
color of the tires.
TPM takes the fact that the tire pressure 
changes during driving into account. A correc-
tion is only required if requested by TPM with 
the color.
Green
The tire pressure matches the learned set state.
"TPM active" is displayed on the Control Dis-
play.
One wheel is yellow
Flat tire or a major drop in inflation pressure in 
the indicated tire. A message appears on the 
Control Display.
All wheels are yellow
Flat tire or a major drop in inflation pressure in 
several tires. A message appears on the Control 
Display.
Gray
The system cannot detect a flat tire.
Reasons for this can be:
>TPM is being reset
>Temporary interference due to systems or 
devices which use the same radio fre-
quency
>Malfunction
Resetting system
Reset the system again after each correc-
tion of the tire inflation pressure and after 
every tire or wheel change.<
Resetting finishes during driving, which can be 
interrupted at any time. When driving resumes, 
resetting is continued automatically. Do not 
reset the system when driving with a compact 
wheel
*.
iDrive, for explanation of concept, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button. 
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.