maintenance BMW X5 XDRIVE 48I 2009 E70 Owner's Manual
Page 3 of 317
X5 xDrive30i
X5 xDrive48i
X5 xDrive35d
X6 xDrive 35i
X6 xDrive 50iOwner's Manual for Vehicle
Congratulations, and than k you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your  vehicle will provide you with 
enhanced control and security when you drive it. We therefore 
have this request:
Please take the time to read th is Owner's Manual and familiarize 
yourself with the information  that we have compiled for you 
before starting off in your new vehicle. It contains important data 
and instructions intended to a ssist you in gaining maximum use 
and satisfaction from your BMW' s unique range of technical fea-
tures. The manual also contai ns information on maintenance 
designed to enhance operating safety and contribute to main-
taining the value of your BMW throughout an extended service 
life.
This manual is supplemented by  a Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet for US models or  a Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG  
Page 5 of 317
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to use 
the index, refer to page296.
Using this Owner's Manual
4 Notes
7 Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16 iDrive
23 Voice activation system
Controls
28Opening and closing
48 Adjusting
61 Transporting children safely
65 Driving
78 Everything under control
91 Technology for comfort, convenience 
and safety
110 Lamps
114 Climate
123 Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
138Things to remember when driving
Navigation
148Starting navigation system
150 Destination entry
162 Destination guidance
170 What to do if …
Entertainment
174On/Off and settings
178 Radio
184 Satellite radio
187 CD player and CD changer
193 DVD changer
200 AUX-In connection
201 USB audio interface
204 DVD system in rear
Communications
220Telephoning
235 BMW Assist
Mobility
244Refueling
249 Wheels and tires
258 Under the hood
263 Maintenance
265 Care
269 Replacing components
279 Giving and rece iving assistance
Reference
286Technical data
291 Short commands of voice activation 
system
296 Everything from A to Z 
Page 7 of 317
 5Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The individual vehicle
When purchasing your BMW, you have decided 
in favor of a model with individualized equip-
ment and features. This Owner's Manual 
describes the entire array of options and equip-
ment available with a specific BMW model.
Please bear in mind th at the manual may con-
tain information on accessories and equipment 
that you have not specifie d for your own vehicle. 
Sections describing options and special equip-
ment are marked by asterisks 
* to assist you in 
identifying possible differences between the 
descriptions in this ma nual and your own vehi-
cle's equipment.
If equipment in your BM W is not described in 
this Owner's Manual, plea se refer to the accom-
panying Supplementary Owner's Manuals.
Editorial notice
BMW pursues a policy of continuous, ongoing 
development that is conc eived to ensure that 
our vehicles continue to embody the highest 
quality and safety stan dards combined with 
advanced, state-of-the-art technology. For this 
reason, it is possible that the features described 
in this Owner's Manual could differ from those 
on your vehicle.
For your own safety
Maintenance and repairs
Advanced technology, e.g. the use of 
modern materials and high-performance 
electronics, requires sp ecially adapted mainte-
nance and repair methods. Therefore, have cor-
responding work on your BMW performed only 
by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or 
a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with  correspondingly trained 
personnel. If this work is not carried out prop-
erly, there is a danger of subsequent damage 
and related safety hazards. < 
Page 8 of 317
Notes
6
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts 
and accessories approved by BMW. 
When you purchase accessories tested and 
approved by BMW and Genuine BMW Parts, 
you simultaneously acquire the assurance that 
they have been thorough ly tested by BMW to 
ensure optimum perfor mance when installed 
on your vehicle. 
BMW warrants these parts to be free from 
defects in material and workmanship. 
BMW will not accept any  liability for damage 
resulting from installation of parts and accesso-
ries not approved by BMW. 
BMW cannot test every product made by other 
manufacturers to verify if  it can be used on a 
BMW safely and without risk to either the vehi-
cle, its operation or its occupants. 
Genuine BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and 
other products approved  by BMW, together 
with professional advice on using these items, 
are available from all BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Centers. 
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, radios, 
amplifiers, radar detector s, wheels, suspension 
components, brake dust shields, telephones, 
including operation of any mobile phone from 
within the vehicle without using an externally 
mounted antenna, or transceiver equipment, for 
instance, CBs, walkie-talkies, ham radios or 
similar accessories, ma y cause extensive dam-
age to the vehicle, comp romise its safety, inter-
fere with the vehicle's electrical system, or 
affect the validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. 
Refer to your BMW Sports  Activity Vehicle Cen-
ter for additional information. <
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of 
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performe d by any automotive 
repair establishment or individual using any cer-
tified automotive part.<
California Proposition 65 Warning
California laws require us  to issue the following 
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of 
automobile components and parts, 
including components foun d in the interior fur-
nishings in a vehicle, contain or emit chemicals 
known to the State of Ca lifornia to cause cancer 
and birth defects and reproductive harm. In 
addition, certain fluids co ntained in vehicles and 
certain products of component wear contain or 
emit chemicals known to  the State of California 
to cause cancer and birth defects or other 
reproductive harm. 
Battery posts, terminals and related accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Wash 
your hands after handling. 
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have 
caused cancer in labora tory animals. Always 
protect your skin by washing thoroughly with 
soap and water. < 
Page 19 of 317
At a glance
 17Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Menu overview
Communication
>Telephone*
>BMW Assist* or BMW TeleServices*
Navigation or onboard information
>Navigation system*
>Onboard information, e.g. for displaying 
the average fuel consumption
Entertainment
>Radio
> CD player and CD changer
*
>External audio device
Climate
>Vent settings
> Seat heater distribution
*
>Automatic programs
> Parked-car ventilation
*
 menu
>Switching off Control Display
> Tone and display settings
> Settings for traffic information
*
>Settings for your vehicle, e.g. for the central 
locking system
> Display of maintenance intervals and dead-
lines for legally mandated inspections
> Settings for telephone
*
Operating principle
From radio readiness, refer to page 65, the fol-
lowing message is shown on the Control Dis-
play:
To hide the message:
Press the controller.
This displays the start menu.
The message is automatically hidden after 
approx. 10 seconds.
Start menu
You can call up all the fu nctions of iDrive using 
five menu items.
Opening start menu
Press the  button.
To open the start menu from the  menu:
Press the  button twice. 
Page 30 of 317
Opening and closing
28
Opening and closing
Keys/remote control
Each remote control contains a battery which is 
automatically charged in the ignition lock while 
driving. Drive a longer distance with each 
remote control at least tw ice a year to keep the 
battery charged. For comfort access
*, the 
remote control contains a replaceable battery, 
refer to page 41.
Depending on which remote  control is detected 
by the vehicle during unlocking, different set-
tings are called up and carr ied out in the vehicle, 
refer to Personal Profile, page 28.
Information on the requir ed maintenance is also 
stored in the remote co ntrol, refer to Service 
data in remote control, page 263.
Integrated key
Press button 1 to unlock the key.
The integrated key fits the following locks:
> Driver's door, refer to page 32
> Floor panel flap in cargo bay, refer to 
page 132
New remote controls
To obtain additional or  replace lost keys, new 
remote controls with  an integrated key are 
available at your BMW Sp orts Activity Vehicle 
Center.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW 
individually according to  your preferences. Per-
sonal Profile ensures that most of these set-
tings are stored for the remote control currently 
in use without you having to do anything. When 
the vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding 
remote control is dete cted and the settings 
stored for it are called up and carried out.
This means that you will  always find your BMW 
set to your own personal settings even if 
another person with his/ her own remote control 
and settings has used the vehicle since the last 
time you drove it. The individual settings are 
stored for a maximum of four remote controls, 
for two with comfort access
*.
Personal Profile settings
Details on the settings are provided on the 
specified pages.
> Behavior of the central locking system 
when unlocking vehicle, refer to page 30
> Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to 
page 32
> Programming buttons
 on steering wheel, 
refer to page 59
> Displays on Control Display:
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer 
to page 89
> Measuring units for consumption, route/
distances, temperature, and pressure, 
refer to page 89 
Page 84 of 317
Everything under control
82
Starting or stopping the 
trip computer, or reset-
ting all values:
1. Select "Set" and pr ess the controller.
2. Select the desired menu item.
3. Press the controller.
Display options
You can display the computer or the trip com-
puter in the assistance window.
1.Move the controller to the right to change to 
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2. Select "Onboard info" or "Trip computer".
3. Press the controller.
Service requirements
The remaining driving dist ance and the date for 
the next maintenance are displayed briefly with 
the ignition switched on.
To determine the extent of maintenance 
required, you can also display the remaining 
distance or the service da te individually in the 
instrument panel.
1. With the ignition switched on, press the 
knob in the instrument panel, refer to 
page 78, for approx. 5 seconds until the 
service requirements are displayed.
2. Press the knob repeatedly to display the 
individual service requirement items. 
Page 85 of 317
Controls
 83Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Displaying service requirements
1Knob for selecting display
2 Service requirements
3 Engine oil
4 Legally mandated inspections
*
5Front brake pads 6
Rear brake pads
7 Brake fluid
The sequence of the displayed maintenance 
items can vary. First the  data for the next main-
tenance are displayed.
Additional information
You can select a display  of more detailed infor-
mation on the maintenance scope on the Con-
trol Display. For operating principle refer to 
page 16.
1. Open the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Info sources" and press the control-
ler.
4. Select "Service Info" and press the control-
ler. 5.
Change to upper field  if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Service requirements" is 
selected and press the controller. 
Page 86 of 317
Everything under control
84
6.
Select "Status" and press the controller.
The display shows a list of  selected service and 
maintenance procedures , as well as legally 
mandated inspections.
You can request more detailed information on 
every entry.
Select the entry and  press the controller.
To exit from the menu:  Select the arrow and press the controller.
Symbols
No service is currently required. 
The deadline for service or a legally man-
dated inspection is  approaching. Please 
arrange a service appointment.
The service deadline has already passed. 
Entering deadlines for legally 
mandated inspections*
Make sure the date on the Control Display is set 
correctly, refer to page 89; otherwise, the effec-
tiveness of CBS Condition Based Service is not 
ensured. 1.
Open the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Info sources" and press the control-
ler.
4. Select "Service Info" and press the control-
ler.
5. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Service requirements" is 
selected and press the controller.
6. Select "Status" and press the controller.
7. Select "State inspection" and press the 
controller.
8. Select "Set service date" and press the 
controller. The mont h is highlighted.
9. Turn the controller to  make the adjustment.
10. Press the controller to apply the setting. 
The year is highlighted.
11. Turn the controller to  make the adjustment.
12. Press the controller to apply the setting. 
The date entry is stored.
To exit from the menu:   Select the arrow and press the controller. 
Page 106 of 317
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
104
>
If a wheel without TPM electronics is 
mounted, e.g. a compact wheel
*
>If TPM is temporarily  interfered with by 
other systems or devices which use the 
same radio frequency
Explanation according to the NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
Systems
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), 
should be checked monthly when cold and 
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended 
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle plac-
ard or tire inflation pressu re label. (If your vehi-
cle has tires of a different size than the size indi-
cated on the vehicle plac ard or tire inflation 
pressure label, you  should determine the 
proper tire inflation pr essure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has 
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring 
system (TPMS) that illumi nates a low tire pres-
sure telltale when one or more of your tires is 
significantly underinflate d. Accordingly, when 
the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you 
should stop and check your tires as soon as 
possible, and inflate them to the proper pres-
sure. Driving on a significantly underinflated tire 
causes the tire to overhe at and can lead to tire 
failure. Underinflation  also reduces fuel effi-
ciency and tire tread life, and may affect the 
vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TP MS is not a substitute 
for proper tire maintenance,  and it is the driver's 
responsibility to maintain  correct tire pressure, 
even if underinflation  has not reached the level 
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire 
pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a 
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when 
the system is not operating properly. The 
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with 
the low tire pressure telltale. When the system 
detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for 
approximately one minute and then remain con-
tinuously illuminated. Th is sequence will con-
tinue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as 
long as the malfunction exists. When the mal- function indicator is illuminated, the system 
may not be able to detect or signal low tire pres-
sure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may 
occur for a variety of reasons, including the 
installation of replacement or alternate tires or 
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS 
from functioning properly. Always check the 
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or 
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure 
that the replacement or alternate tires and 
wheels allow the TPMS to 
continue to function 
properly.
Active steering*
The concept
The active steering active ly varies the steering 
angle of the front wheels in relation to the steer-
ing wheel movements. In addition, it also varies 
the steering force required for steering depend-
ing on the vehicle's speed.
When you are driving in the low road speed 
range, e.g. in a town or when parking, the steer-
ing angle increases, i.e. the steering becomes 
very direct. In the higher speed range, on the 
other hand, the steering angle is reduced more 
and more. This improves  the handling capability 
of your BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations,  the system can make tar-
geted corrections to th e steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle 
before the driver intervenes.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow 
and a message is shown on the Con-
trol Display. The active steering is 
defective or has been temporarily 
deactivated. At low speeds, greater steering 
wheel movements are required, whereas at 
higher speeds, the vehicle reacts more sensi-
tively to steering wheel movements. The stabil-
ity-promoting intervention  can also be deacti-
vated. Proceed cautiously and drive 
defensively. If active st eering is defective, have 
the system checked.