BMW X5 XDRIVE 30I 2010 E70 Owner's Manual
Page 101 of 300
Controls
 99Reference
At a glance
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Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front 
passenger airbags in the following.<
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, read the safety informa-
tion and follow the instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page55.
When teenagers and adults assume certain sit-
ting positions, this can cause the front and side 
airbags to deactivate. The indicator lamp for the 
front passenger airbags lights up when this 
occurs. In these cases, change the sitting posi-
tion so that the front passenger airbags are acti-
vated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the 
desired status cannot be produced by changing 
the sitting position, transport the correspond-
ing person on the rear seat. Do not fit seat cov-
ers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or other 
items onto the front passenger seat unless they 
are specifically recommended by BMW. Do not 
lay objects under the seat which could press 
against the seat from below. Otherwise a cor-
rect evaluation of the occupied seat surface 
cannot be ensured.<
Operating state of front passenger 
airbags
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front 
and side airbags on the front passenger side 
depending on the seat occupation. The indica-
tor lamp shows whether the front passenger 
airbags are activated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in 
a child restraint device intended for the pur-pose is properly detected on the seat.
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are not activated.
Most child's seats are detected by the 
system. Especially the child's seats 
required by the NHTSA at the time the vehi-
cle is manufactured. After installing a child's 
seat, make sure that the indicator lamp for 
the front passenger airbags lights up. This 
indicates that the child's seat has been 
detected and the front passenger airbags 
are not activated.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up when, 
for example, a correctly seated person of 
sufficient height is detected on the seat. 
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when 
the seat is empty.
However, the front and side airbags on the 
front passenger side are not activated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
From radio readiness, refer to page59, the 
warning lamp lights up briefly, indicating the 
operational readiness of the entire airbag sys-
tem and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up from radio 
readiness.
>Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction, otherwise 
there is a danger that the airbag system may not 
respond in the expected manner in an accident 
despite an impact of corresponding intensity.<
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Page 102 of 300
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
100
Head-Up Display*
The concept
With the Head-Up Display important informa-
tion is projected into the driver's field of view, 
e.g. navigation instructions. This enables you to 
take in this information without looking away 
from the road.
Switching on/off
Press the button.
1Navigation information or Check Control 
messages
2Cruise control
3Speed
Selecting displays
1."Settings"
2."Head-Up display"
3."Displayed information"
4.Select the desired displays in the Head-Up 
Display.
 The information is shown on the Head-Up 
Display.
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
Setting brightness
The brightness of the display is automatically 
adapted to the ambient lighting conditions. 
However, you can change the base setting. 
With the low beams switched on, the brightness 
can also be adjusted with the thumbwheel of 
the instrument lighting.
1."Settings"
2."Head-Up display"
3."Brightness"
4.Turn the controller.
The brightness is adjusted.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
height adjustment
1."Settings"
2."Head-Up display"
3."Height"
4.Turn the controller.
The height is adjusted.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
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Page 103 of 300
Controls
 101Reference
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Notes
The visibility of the displays in the Head-Up Dis-
play is influenced by:
>Sunglasses with certain polarization filters
>Certain sitting positions
>Objects on the cover of the Head-Up Dis-
play
>Wet road surface and unfavorable lighting 
conditions
If the image is distorted, have the basic setting 
checked at a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Cen-
ter.
Special windshield
The windshield is part of the system. The shape 
of the windshield complies with the require-
ments of the Head-Up Display to enable a pre-
cise display. A film in the windshield prevents 
the double images from being displayed. 
Windshield replacement should be carried out 
by a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.
Care instructions
Important information on this topic is provided 
on page249.
Only clean the cover of the Head-Up Dis-
play with a soft, lint-free cloth or with a 
display cleaning cloth, otherwise damage may 
result.<
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Page 104 of 300
Lamps
102
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lights off and daytime driving lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime driving lamps*
2Low beams and welcome lamps
3Automatic headlamp control
*, daytime 
driving lamps
*, welcome lamps, Adaptive 
Head Light
* and high-beam assistant*
If you open the driver's door with the ignition 
switched off, the exterior lighting is automati-
cally switched off when the light switch is in 
position0, 2 or 3.
If necessary, switch on the parking lamps, 
switch position1.
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side 
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the 
parking lamps for parking.
The parking lamps drain the battery. Do 
not leave them switched on for long peri-
ods of time, otherwise it may no longer be pos-
sible to start the engine. It is better to switch on 
the roadside parking lamps on one side, refer to 
page104.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is 
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
Automatic headlamp control*
In switch position3, the system activates the 
low beams and switches them on or off in response to changes in ambient light condi-
tions, for instance, in a tunnel, at dawn and dusk 
and in case of precipitation. Adaptive Head 
Light
* is active. The LED next to the symbol 
lights up when the low beams are on. You can 
activate the daytime driving lamps, refer to 
page103. In the situations named above, the 
system then automatically switches over to the 
low beams.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can 
cause the lights to be switched on.
The low beams remain switched on inde-
pendent of the ambient lighting condi-
tions when you switch on the fog lamps
*.<
The automatic headlamp control cannot 
serve as a substitute for your personal 
judgment in determining when the lamps 
should be switched on in response to ambient 
lighting conditions. For example, the sensors 
cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid 
safety risks, you should always switch on the 
low beams manually under these conditions.<
Welcome lamps
When parking the vehicle, if you leave the light 
switch in position2 or3, the parking lamps and 
the interior lamps light up briefly when the vehi-
cle is unlocked.
Activating/deactivating welcome 
lamps
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Welcome light"
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Page 105 of 300
Controls
 103Reference
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Mobility
 Welcome lamps are activated and are 
stored for the remote control currently in use.
Pathway lighting
If you activate the headlamp flasher after 
switching off the ignition with the lamps 
switched off, the low beams come on and 
remain on for a certain time.
Setting the duration or deactivating
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Pathway light.:"
4.Set a time of duration or 0 s to deactivate 
the function.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Daytime driving lamps*
The daytime driving lamps light up in position0, 
1 and 3. If the light switch remains in position1, 
the parking lamps light up after the ignition is 
switched off.
Activating/deactivating daytime 
driving lamps
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"3."Daytime running lamps"
 Daytime driving lamps are activated and are 
stored for the remote control currently in use.
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp 
control system that enables better illumination 
of the road surface. Depending on the steering 
angle and other parameters, the light from the 
headlamp follows the course of the road.
In sharp curves, e.g. serpentines, or during turn-
ing, up to a speed of approx. 45 mph/70 km/h 
one of the two fog lamps
* is switched on as a 
turning lamp. This provides improved illumina-
tion of the area inside the curve.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
With the ignition switched on, turn the light 
switch to position 3, refer to page102.
The turning lamps are automatically switched 
on depending on the steering angle or the use 
of turn signals.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive 
Head Light directs light towards the front pas-
senger side when the vehicle is at a standstill. 
When driving in reverse, both turning lamps are 
active.
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Page 106 of 300
Lamps
104
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one 
side of your vehicle when parking.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down beyond the resistance point for approx. 
1 second, arrow3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave them switched on for 
long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer 
be possible to start the engine.<
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction 
up to the resistance point, arrow 3.
High-beam assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high 
beams on and off again. The process is con-
trolled by a sensor on the front side of the inte-
rior rearview mirror. The Assistant makes sure 
that the high beams are switched on whenever 
the traffic situation permits. This relieves you of 
eyestrain and at the same time offers you the 
best possible visibility. Naturally, you can inter-vene at any time and switch the high beams on 
and off as usual.
Activating system
1.Turn the light switch to position3, refer to 
page102.
2.With the low beams on, briefly press the 
turn signal lever toward the high-beam set-
ting.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when the high-beam 
assistant is activated. The system 
automatically switches the high beams on and 
off, reacting not only to oncoming traffic and 
traffic ahead, but also to sufficient illumination, 
e.g. in built-up areas.
Switching high beams on and off 
manually
If you wish or the situation requires it, you can 
intervene at any time:
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on 
the high beams, but you want to use low 
beams, simply switch them on using the 
turn signal lever. This deactivates the high-
beam assistant. 
To reactivate the system, briefly press the 
turn signal lever toward the high-beam 
position.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on 
the low beams, but you want to use high 
beams, simply switch them on in the usual 
way. This deactivates the system and you 
must switch to low beams manually.
To reactivate the system, briefly press the 
turn signal lever toward the high-beam 
position.
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Page 107 of 300
Controls
 105Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
>Use the headlamp flasher as usual when the 
low beams are on.
System limits
The high-beam assistant cannot replace 
personal judgment about the use of high 
beams. In situations that require it, you should 
therefore switch to low beams manually; failure 
to do so can constitute a safety hazard.<
In the following sample situations, the system 
will not function or will only function to a limited 
degree, possibly requiring the driver to react 
personally:
>in extremely unfavorable weather condi-
tions such as fog or heavy precipitation
>when you perceive poorly illuminated road 
users such as pedestrians, cyclists, horse-
back riders, carriages, when rail or shipping 
traffic is close to the road, or at deer cross-
ings
>in sharp curves, on steep hilltops or dips, 
when there cross-traffic, or in the presence 
of half-concealed oncoming traffic on the 
highway
>in poorly lit areas and in the presence of 
highly reflective signs
>in the low speed range
>when the windshield in the region of the 
interior rearview mirror is fogged, dirty, or 
covered by stickers, decals, etc.
>when the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor 
on the front side of the interior rearview mir-
ror with a cloth moistened with a little glass 
cleaner.
Switching off using iDrive
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."High beam assistant" High-beam assistant is activated and is 
stored for the remote control currently in use.
Fog lamps*
First, switch on the parking lamps or the low 
beams. The green indicator lamp in the instru-
ment panel lights up whenever the fog lamps 
are on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Instrument lighting
You can control the lighting intensity by using 
the thumbwheel.
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Page 108 of 300
Lamps
106
Interior lamps
The interior lamps, footwell lamps*, door entry 
lighting
*, cargo bay lamps, and the courtesy 
lamps
* are controlled automatically.
With the courtesy lamps, LED lights are located 
in the door handles to illuminate the exterior 
area before the doors.
To protect the battery, all lamps in the 
vehicle are switched off approx. 15 min-
utes after radio readiness is switched off, refer 
to Start/Stop button on page59.<
Switching interior lamps on and off 
manually
Press the button.
If you wish the interior lamps, footwell lamps, 
door entry lighting and courtesy lamps to 
remain switched off all the time, press the but-
ton for approx. 3 seconds.
Reading lamps
Reading lamps are provided in the front and 
rear
* adjacent to the interior lamps. Press the 
button to switch the lamps on and off.
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Page 109 of 300
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Climate
1Air toward the windshield and side windows
2Air for the upper body region, refer to Front 
ventilation on page111
3Air to footwell
4Automatic climate control with 2-zone con-
trol, refer to page108
Automatic climate control with 4-zone con-
trol, refer to page112
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Climate
108
Automatic climate control with 2-zone control
1Seat heating and ventilation, driver's 
side51
2Temperature, left side of passenger com-
partment
3AUTO program
4Temperature, right side of passenger com-
partment
5Maximum cooling
6Seat heating
 and ventilation, front passen-
ger side51
7Passenger side
>Air distribution, manual
>Accessing setting for ventilation tem-
perature on the Control Display
8Switching cooling function on and off man-
ually9AUC Automatic recirculated-air control/
recirculated-air mode
10Manual air volume, switching off automatic 
climate control, residual heat
11Rear window defroster
12Defrosting windows and removing conden-
sation
13Air grill for interior temperature sensor – 
please keep clear and unobstructed
14Driver's side
>Air distribution, manual
>Accessing setting for ventilation tem-
perature on the Control Display
The current setting for manual air distribution is 
displayed on the Control Display.
A congenial climate
The AUTO program offers the optimum air dis-
tribution and air volume for virtually all condi-
tions, refer to AUTO program below. Now you 
only need to select an interior temperature 
pleasant to you.
The following sections contain more detailed 
information on the available setting options.
Most settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, also refer to Personal Profile 
settings on page26.
AUTO program
The AUTO program handles the 
adjustment of air volume and air 
distribution to the windshield and 
side windows, in the direction of 
the upper body and in the footwell. 
It also adapts your instructions for the tempera-
ture to outside influences throughout the year.
The cooling is switched on automatically with 
the AUTO program. At the same time, a con-
densation sensor controls the program in such 
a way that window condensation is prevented 
as much as possible.
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