remote start BMW X5 XDRIVE 48I 2009 E70 Owner's Manual
Page 23 of 317
At a glance
 21Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Switching assistance window off/on
1.Move the controller to th e right to change to 
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2. Select "Assist. window off" and press the 
controller.
To switch on, change to the assistance window 
and press the controller.
Switching Control Display 
off/on
1. Press the  button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Display off" and press the control-
ler.
To switch on, press the controller.
Programmable memory 
buttons
You can save and run certain functions of iDrive 
on the programmable memory buttons:
> Destinations of navigation
> Telephone, phone numbers
*
>Entertainment:
>Radio station
> CD
> CD compartment of CD changer
*
>AUX
The assignment of the programmable buttons 
is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Saving function
Destinations of navigation
1. Select destination, e.g. in the destination 
list or the address book.
2. Press the   ...   button longer 
than 2 seconds.
Special features:
> With the destination  guidance system and 
the map view started, the current destina-
tion is stored.
> During destination entry via a map, the 
coordinates at the cursor are stored, not the 
current destination.
Telephone, phone numbers
1.Enter the phone number or select it in a 
list of the stored phone numbers, e.g. of the 
"A - Z" list.
2. Press the   ...   button longer 
than 2 seconds.
If a name is assigned to the phone number, the 
name will also be stored.
Entertainment
In the Entertainment menu, the sound source 
currently heard, e.g. a radio station, is stored, 
regardless of the selection on the Control Dis-
play. 
Page 31 of 317
Controls
 29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>Language on Control Display, refer to 
page 90
> 12h/24h clock format, refer to page 89
> Date format, refer to page 89
> Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to 
page 73
> Welcome lamps, refer to page 110
> Pathway lighting, refer to page 111
> Daytime driving lamps
*, refer to 
page 111
> PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page 92
> Rear view camera
*:
> Selecting functions, refer to page 93
> Type of display, refer to page 95
> Head-Up Display
*: selection, brightness 
and position of display, refer to page 107
> Automatic climate control: AUTO program 
and intensity, cooling function, and auto-
matic recirculated air control/recirculated 
air mode, temperature, air distribution, tem-
perature in the upper  body region, refer to 
text starting on page 115
> Programmable memory buttons: selecting 
stored functions, refer to page 21
> Positions of driver's  seat, outside mirrors, 
and steering wheel
*, refer to page 50
> Adaptive Drive
*: selected chassis and sus-
pension tuning, refer to page 99
> Audio sources: volume and tone settings, 
refer to page 175
> Radio:
>Display of stored stations, refer to 
page 178
> Switching RDS Radio Data System on/
off
*, refer to page 181
> Phone: volume setting, refer to 
pages 226,232
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system functions when the 
driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
> Doors
> Liftgate
> Fuel filler door
Operating from outside
>via the remote control
> via the door lock
> with comfort access
* via the door handles
The interior lamps and the courtesy lamps
* are 
also switched on and off with the remote con-
trol. The alarm system
 is armed/disarmed at the 
same time.
You can find more detailed information on the 
alarm system
 on page 38.
Operating from inside
Via the button for centra l locking, refer to 
page 32. The fuel filler door is not locked.
In an accident of sufficient severity, the central 
locking system automati cally unlocks the vehi-
cle. In addition, the hazard warning flashers and 
interior lamps come on.
Opening and closing:
Using remote control
Persons or animals left unattended in a 
parked vehicle can lock the doors from 
the inside. Always take  along the remote control 
when leaving the vehicle so that the vehicle can 
then be opened  from the outside. < 
Page 32 of 317
Opening and closing
30
Unlocking
Press the  button. 
This unlocks the vehicle.
Setting unlocking behavior
You can set whether the first press of the button 
unlocks only the driver's  door or the entire vehi-
cle.
iDrive, for operating pr inciple 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 / Tire s" and press the con-
troller.
5. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Door locks" is selected and 
press the controller.
6. Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
7. Select "Unlock button" and press the con-
troller.
8. Select a menu item:
>"All doors"
Press the  button once  to unlock the 
entire vehicle.
> "Driver's door only"
Press the  button once to unlock only 
the driver's door and the fuel filler door.
Press the button twic e to unlock the 
entire vehicle. 9.
Press the controller.
The setting is stored fo r the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Comfort opening
Press and hold the  button. The windows and 
the glass sunroof
*/panorama glass sunroof* 
are opened.
Locking
Press the  button.
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if 
persons are inside because unlocking 
from the inside is not possible without special 
knowledge. <
Switching on interior lamps
With vehicle locked:
Press the  button.
You can also use this fu nction to locate your 
vehicle in parking garages etc.
Panic mode*
You can also trigger the alarm system in case of 
danger:
Press the  button for at least 3 seconds.
Switch off alarm: press any button.
Unlocking liftgate
Press the  button for approx. 1 second.
The liftgate will open s lightly, regardless of 
whether it was previously locked or unlocked. 
Page 33 of 317
Controls
 31Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
During opening, the liftgate pivots back 
and up. Ensure that adequate clearance is 
available before opening. 
To prevent accidentally locking yourself out, 
never lay the remo te control in the cargo bay. 
A previously locked liftgate is also locked again 
after closing. <
If pointed or sharp- edged objects could 
strike the rear window  while driving, be 
sure to provide protecti on around all edges. 
Failure to do so could re sult in damage to the 
heating conductors of  the rear window.<
Setting confirmation signals
You can activate or deac tivate the confirmation 
signals.
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 / Tire s" and press the con-
troller.
5. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Door locks" is selected and 
press the controller.
6. Select "Confirmation" and press the con-
troller.
7. Select the desired signal.
8. Press the controller. 
 The signal is activated.
Malfunctions
The remote control may malfunction due to 
local radio waves. Should the remote control fail 
to operate due to interference of this kind, 
unlock and lock the vehicle via the door lock 
using a key.
If it is no longer possible to lock the vehicle 
using the remote control,  then the battery is 
discharged. Use this remote control during an 
extended drive; this w ill recharge the battery, 
refer to page 28.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with 
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communication 
Commission regulations. Operation is gov-
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
LX8766S 
LX8766E 
LX8CAS
LX8CAS2
Compliance statement: 
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC 
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two 
conditions:
> This device must not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
> this device must accept any interference 
received, including in terference that may 
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devices could void the 
user's authority to operate this equipment. < 
Page 35 of 317
Controls
 33Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>"Lock after driving" 
The central locking system automati-
cally locks the vehicle as soon as you 
start to drive.
8. Press the controller. 
 The setting is selected.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Unlocking and opening
> Either unlock the door s together with the 
button for the central locking system and 
then pull the door handle above the armrest 
or
> pull on the door handle  of each door twice: 
the first time unlocks the door, the second 
time opens it.
Locking
> Use the central locking  button to lock all of 
the doors simultaneously, or
> press down the lock button of a door. 
To prevent you from being locked out, the 
open driver's door cannot be locked using 
the lock button.
Persons or animals left unattended in a 
parked vehicle can lock the doors from 
the inside. Always take  along the remote control 
when leaving the vehicle so that the vehicle can 
then be opened from the outside. <
Doors
Automatic soft closing*
To close the doors, merely push them gently. 
The closing process will then be carried out 
automatically.
Make sure that the closing path of the 
doors is clear; otherwise injuries may 
result. <
BMW X5: liftgate
During opening, the liftgate pivots back 
and up. Ensure that adequate clearance is 
available before opening. <
Opening from inside
Press the button: the liftgate opens somewhat 
unless it has been locked.
Opening from outside
Press the button on the liftgate or the  button 
on the remote control for approx. 1 second: 
The liftgate opens somewhat. It can be swung 
upward.
Opening manually
In case of an electrical malfunction:
1. From the cargo bay, pr ess out the handle in 
the liftgate, refer to arrow, with a screw-
driver and pull. The liftgate is unlocked. 
Page 39 of 317
Controls
 37Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Open the liftgate and press the cover back 
into place.
The liftgate is locked again as soon as it is 
closed.
Closing
Make sure that the closing path of the lift-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may 
result. <
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the 
liftgate make it easier to pull down. If pointed or sharp- edged objects could 
strike the rear window  while driving, be 
sure to provide protecti on around all edges. 
Failure to do so could re sult in damage to the 
heating conductors of  the rear window.<
Automatic liftgate operation*
Adjusting opening height
You can adjust how far the liftgate is to open.
When adjusting the opening height, make 
sure that at least approx. 4 in/10 cm of 
clearance is available ab ove the liftgate. Other-
wise, the ceiling height co uld be insufficient for 
the opened liftgate if, for example, the loading 
state changes. <
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.
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 / Tire s" and press the con-
troller. 5.
Change to upper field  if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Door locks" is selected and 
press the controller.
6. Select "Tailgate" and press the controller.
7. Turn the controller. The adjustment is 
applied; the field can be changed.
Opening liftgate
The liftgate opens automatically when you:
>Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate when the vehicle is unlocked.
> Press the button in the center console.
> Press the  button on  the remote control 
for approx. 1 second. 
Page 41 of 317
Controls
 39Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp under the interior rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
> The indicator lamp flashes after locking: 
The doors, hood, or liftgate are not properly 
closed. Even if you do not close the alerted 
area, the system begins to monitor the 
remaining areas, and  the indicator lamp 
flashes continuously after approx. 10 sec-
onds. However, the interior motion sensor 
is not activated.
> The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking: 
your vehicle has not been disturbed while 
you were away.
> The indicator lamp flashes after unlocking 
until the remote control  is inserted into the 
ignition lock, however for a maximum of 
approx. 5 minutes: your vehicle has been 
disturbed while you were away.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm 
system reacts, e.g. in  case of an attempted 
wheel theft or towing.
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior  motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass sunroof
*/
panorama glass sunroof
* must be completely 
closed.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor 
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following 
situations:
> In stacking garages
> When transporting on car-carrying trains, 
by sea or on a trailer
> When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
Press the  button on the remote control 
again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp light s up briefly and then 
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and 
the interior motion sensor  are switched off until 
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Comfort access*
Comfort access enables you to access your 
vehicle without having to  hold the remote con-
trol in your hand. It is sufficient to carry the 
remote control with you,  e.g. in your jacket 
pocket. The vehicle auto matically detects the 
related remote control in the immediate vicinity 
or in the interior.
Comfort access supports the following func-
tions:
> Unlocking/locking vehicle
> Comfort closing
> Opening liftgate
> Starting engine
Functional requirements
>The vehicle can only be unlocked if the 
vehicle detects that th e remote control car-
ried is not located in the vehicle interior.
> The next unlocking and locking cycle is not 
possible until after approx. 2 seconds. 
Page 42 of 317
Opening and closing
40
>
The engine can only be started if the vehicle 
detects that the remote  control is located in 
the vehicle.
Comparison with ordinary remote 
control
You can control the functions mentioned previ-
ously with the comfort access or by pressing 
the buttons on the remote control. Therefore, 
please familiarize yourself with the information 
on opening and closing beginning on page 28 
beforehand.
The special features when using comfort 
access are described in the following.
Should a short delay occur when opening 
or closing the windows or the glass sun-
roof
*/panorama glass sunroof*, the system 
checks whether a remote  control is located in 
the vehicle. Please repeat opening or closing if 
necessary. <
Releasing
Completely grasp a door handle, arrow 1. 
This corresponds to pressing the   button.
Locking
Touch the area highlighted in the picture, 
arrow 2, with your finger for approx. 1 second.
This corresponds to pressing the   but-
ton.
Please make sure that all electronic sys-
tems/consumers are sw itched off before 
locking to save the battery. <
Comfort closing
Hold a finger or the back of a hand on the sur-
face, arrow2.
The windows and the glass sunroof
*/panorama 
glass sunroof
* are closed.
Watch during the closing process to be 
sure that no one is injured. Removing the 
hand from the door handle immediately stops 
the closing process. <
Opening liftgate
Press the button on the liftgate. 
This corresponds to pr essing the   button.
If a remote control acci dentally left in the 
cargo bay is detected in the locked vehi-
cle after the liftgate is closed, then the liftgate 
opens again. The hazard warning flashers flash 
and a signal
* sounds. <
Switching on radio readiness
By briefly pressing the  Start/Stop button, you 
switch on the radio readiness, refer to page 65.
When doing so, do not depress the brake 
pedal, otherwise the engine will start.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine  or switch on the igni-
tion if a remote control is located in the interior 
of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 65.
As long as no remote co ntrol is detected in the 
vehicle, it is only possible to restart the engine 
within approx. 10 seconds after it is switched off 
if no door has been opened.
Switching off engine
> Remote control not in ignition lock:
After switching off the  engine, the transmis-
sion is automatically switched into trans-
mission position P.
> Remote control in ignition lock:
If transmission position N is engaged, the 
transmission remains in this position after 
the engine is switched off. 
Page 43 of 317
Controls
 41Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle can roll if you proceed according to 
the following steps:
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2. Depress brake pedal.
3. Engage transmission position N.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Switch off the engine.
6. Leave the remote control in the ignition 
lock.
Malfunction
The comfort access function may malfunction 
due to local radio waves. Then open or close the 
vehicle with the buttons on the remote control 
or with a key. To start the engine following this, 
insert the remote control in the ignition lock.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when an attempt is 
made to start the engine: starting the 
engine is not possible. The remote control is 
not in the vehicle or has a malfunction. Take 
along the remote control into the vehicle or 
have it checked. Insert another remote control 
into the ignition lock if necessary.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when  the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer in the vehicle. After switching off the 
engine, the engine can only be started again 
within approx. 10 seconds if no door has been 
opened.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
Replace the battery of  the remote control.
Replacing battery
The remote control for comfort access contains 
a battery which must be replaced if necessary.
1.Remove integrated key from remote con-
trol, refer to page 28.
2. Remove cover. 3.
Lay in new battery with  positive side facing 
upward.
4. Press cover closed.
Dispose of used batteries at a collection 
point or at your BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center. <
Windows
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the windows and keep them in 
your field of vision until they are shut. 
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherw ise children could, for 
example, operate the windows and injure them-
selves. <
Opening, closing
>Press switch to resistance point: 
The window continues to open as long as 
you keep the switch pressed.
> Press switch beyond resistance point: 
The window opens automatically. Pressing 
the switch again stops the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch. 
Page 53 of 317
Controls
 51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Press the  button: 
The LED in the button lights up.
4. Press the desired memory button 1 or 2: 
The LED goes out.
The positions of the driver's seat, the exte-
rior rearview mirrors, and steering wheel are 
stored for the remote  control currently in 
use.
Calling up automatically
You can choose when the stored positions of 
the driver's seat, exterior rearview mirrors, and 
steering wheel are activated.
> Calling up when unlocking vehicle
> Calling up when opening driver's door
When using this feat ure, always make 
sure that the footwell  behind the driver's 
seat is empty and unobstructed. Failure to do 
so could cause injury to persons or damage to 
objects behind the seat as a result of a rearward 
movement of the seat. <
The system cancels the adjustment procedure 
when you briefly press one of the seat adjust-
ment switches or one of the memory buttons.
Selecting calling up automatically
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.
1. Open the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4. Select "Vehicle / Tire s" and press the con-
troller.
5. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Door locks" is selected and 
press the controller. 6.
Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
7. Select "Last seat pos." and press the con-
troller.
8. Select "After unlock ing" or "After door 
opened".
9. Press the controller.
Deactivating calling up automatically
Select "Deactivated" an d press the controller.
Calling up manually
Do not call up a position from the memory 
while the vehicle is moving. There is a risk 
of accident from unexpected movement of the 
seat or steering wheel. <
Comfort mode
1.Open the driver's door after unlocking or 
switch on radio readiness.
2. Briefly press the de sired memory button 1 
or 2.
The system cancels the adjustment procedure 
when you briefly press one of the seat adjust-
ment switches or one of the memory buttons.
Safety feature
1. Close the driver's door and switch the igni-
tion on or off.
2. Press the desired memory button 1 or 2 
and maintain pressure  until the adjustment 
process has been completed.
If the  button was pressed inadvertently: 
press the button again; the LED goes out.