height BMW X5 XDRIVE 35I PREMIUM 2012 Owners Manual

Provide edge protection
Sharp or angular objects can hit the rear
window while driving and damage the heating
wires of the rear window. Provide edge protec‐
tion.◀
Opening from the inside Press the button. The tailgate opens somewhat
unless it has been locked.
Opening from the outside
Press the button, see arrow, or the button
of the remote control for approx. 1 second. The
tailgate
opens slightly. It can be swung upward.
Opening manually
In case of an electrical malfunction: 1.
From the cargo area, press out the handle in
the tailgate, refer to arrow, with a screw‐
driver and pull. The tailgate is unlocked. 2.
Open the tailgate from the outside and press
in the handle.
The tailgate is locked again as soon as it is
closed.
Closing Recessed grips on the inside trim of the tailgate
can be used to conveniently pull down the tail‐
gate.
Danger of pinching
Make

sure that the closing path of the tail‐
gate is clear; otherwise, injuries may result.◀
Automatic soft closing*
To close the tailgate fully, press down lightly
only. It is closed automatically.
Automatic tailgate operation*
Adjusting opening height
You can set how far the tailgate should open. Seite 34
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Opening and closing

Adjusting the opening height
When adjusting the opening height, en‐
sure that there is a clearance of at least 4 in/
10
cm above the tailgate. Otherwise, the ceiling
may not be high enough for the open tailgate if
the load situation changes.◀
1. "Settings"
2. "Tailgate"
3. Turn the controller until the desired opening
height is selected. Opening
The tailgate pivots back and up when it opens.
Ensure that adequate clearance is available be‐
fore opening.
The

tailgate opens automatically to the adjusted
opening height. ▷
Press the button on the outside of the tail‐
gate when the vehicle is unlocked.
▷ Press the button in the center con‐
sole.▷ Press the button on the remote control
for approx. 1 second and release.
The opening procedure is interrupted:
▷ When the vehicle starts moving. ▷
By pressing the button in the center
console again. ▷ By pressing the button on the remote
control for a longer period.
▷ By pressing the button on the outside of the
tailgate.
▷ By pressing the button on the inside of the
tailgate.
Closing Danger of pinching
Make

sure that the closing path of the tail‐
gate is clear; otherwise, injuries may result.◀
Function requirement:
The lower tailgate is closed and must be locked
on both sides. The tailgate closes automatically when the but‐
ton on the inside of the tailgate is pressed.
To stop the closing process:
▷
Press the button on the inside of the tailgate.
▷ Press the button on the exterior of the tail‐
gate.
Closing is not canceled when you put the vehicle
into motion.
Manually opening or closing
In case of an electrical defect of the automatic
tailgate operation function:
1. Manually release the tailgate, refer to
page 34.
2. Open or close the tailgate slowly and with‐
out making sudden movements. Seite 35
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Controls At a glance

Do not use force to open or close
If the tailgate offers increased resistance,
do
not forcefully open or close the tailgate; oth‐
erwise, injury or damage may result.◀
BMW X5: lower tailgate
Opening Pull the lever and swing the tailgate downward.
The opened tailgate can be loaded with up to
550 lbs/250 kg.
Closing
Fold the tailgate up and press closed.
BMW X6: tailgate
Automatic tailgate operation
Adjusting opening height
You can set how far the tailgate should open.
Adjusting the opening height
When adjusting the opening height, en‐
sure that there is a clearance of at least 4 in/
10

cm above the tailgate. Otherwise, the ceiling
may not be high enough for the open tailgate if
the load situation changes.◀
1. "Settings"
2. "Tailgate" 3.
Turn the controller until the desired opening
height is selected. Opening
The tailgate pivots back and up when it opens.
Ensure that adequate clearance is available be‐
fore opening.
The

tailgate opens automatically to the adjusted
opening height. ▷
Press the button on the outside of the tail‐
gate when the vehicle is unlocked.
▷ Press the button in the center con‐
sole. ▷ Press the button on the remote control
for approx. 1 second and release.
The opening procedure is interrupted:
▷ When the vehicle starts moving.
▷ By pressing the button in the center
console again. ▷ By pressing the button on the remote
control for a longer period.
▷ By pressing the button on the outside of the
tailgate.
▷ By pressing the button on the inside of the
tailgate.
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Opening and closing

Adjusting electrically
1
Forward/backward
2 Height
3 Seat tilt 4
Backrest
Differs depending on seat: 1
Backrest
2 Height
Additional depending on seat: 1
Backrest width*
2 Shoulder support*
3 Thigh support*
4 Lumbar support*
Backrest width*
The width of the backrest can be changed with
the
side wings to adjust the side support to your
own needs.
Shoulder support*
This also supports the back in the shoulder area,
This creates a relaxed sitting position and helps
relieve stress on the shoulder muscles.
The shoulder support is also used to adjust the
distance of the head restraint from the back of
the seat occupant's head.
Lumbar support* You can also adjust the contour of the backrest
to

obtain additional support in the lumbar region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup‐
plementary support to help you maintain a re‐
laxed, upright sitting position.
▷ Increase or decrease curvature:
Press front or rear section of switch.
▷ Shift curvature up or down:
Seite 46
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Adjusting

Checking and replacing safety belts
Have the work performed only by your
service center; otherwise, it cannot be ensured
that this safety feature will function properly.◀
Belt-force limiter
The
effect of the belt-force limiter on the driver's
seat is dependent on the position of the driver's
seat.
To maintain the long-term accuracy of this func‐
tion, the driver's seat must be calibrated if a cor‐
responding message is displayed on the Control
Display.
Calibrating driver's seat
The warning lamp lights up. A mes‐
sage also appears on the Control Dis‐
play. Please calibrate the driver's seat.
1. Move the driver's seat forward until it stops.
2. Move the driver's seat forward again. It
briefly moves toward the front in the proc‐
ess.
3. Set the desired seating position again.
The calibration is completed when the message
on the Control Display disappears. Should this
message continue to be displayed, repeat the
calibration. If the message does not disappear
even

after repeated calibration, have the system
checked as soon as possible.
Do not carry out calibration while the ve‐
hicle is moving
Never carry out calibration while the vehicle is
moving, as this can cause accidents.
Make sure that no persons or objects become
wedged during the calibration process, as this
can cause injuries or damage.◀
Head restraints
Correctly adjusted head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident. Adjusting the head restraint
Correctly adjust the head restraints of all
occupied

seats; otherwise, there is an increased
risk of injury in an accident.◀
BMW X5: push the head restraints of the 3rd row
seats* into the top position.
Height
Adjust the head restraint so that its center is ap‐
prox. at ear level.
Distance
Adjust the distance so that the head restraint is
as close as possible to the back of the head.
Active front head restraints
In the event of a rear-end collision of sufficient
severity, the active head restraint reduces the
distance to the head.
Reduced protective function
▷Do not use seat or head restraint cov‐
ers.
▷ Do not hang objects, e.g., clothes hangers,
directly on the head restraints.
▷ Only attach accessories approved by BMW
to the seat or head restraint.
Otherwise, the protective function of the active
head
restraint will be impaired and the personal
safety of the occupants will be endangered.
Have the active head restraints reset after they
are triggered in a rear-end collision. Have this
work performed by the service center only; oth‐
erwise, this safety feature with not be opera‐
tional.◀
Please contact the service center if the front
head restraints need to be removed or installed.
Front seats: adjusting the height
Adjust the head restraint so that its center is ap‐
prox. at ear level. Seite 51
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Controls At a glance

Electrical
Adjusting electrically.
Front seats: adjusting the distance
from the back of the head
Press the button and pull the headrest cushion
forward or push it back.
Compromised performance
Do
not place any objects behind the head‐
rest cushion. Otherwise, you can impair the
proper function of the head restraint.◀
Comfort seat*
The distance from the back of the seat occu‐
pant's head can be adjusted using the shoulder
support, refer to page 46. Adjusting side extensions
You can fold the side extensions on the head re‐
straint forward for increased lateral support in
the resting position.
BMW

X5: rear seats and 3rd row seats*
Adjusting the height ▷
To raise: pull.
▷ To lower: press the button, arrow 1, and
push the head restraint down.
In vehicles equipped with 3rd row seats, the
height
of the middle head restraint is not adjust‐
able.
Removing
1. Pull the head restraint upward to the stop.
2. Press the button, arrow 1, and pull the head
restraint out completely.
BMW X6: rear seats
The head restraints in the rear cannot be ad‐
justed and cannot be removed.
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Adjusting

Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic
dimming feature
*Two photocells are used for control:
▷
In the mirror glass, see arrow.
▷ On the back of the mirror.
For proper operation:
▷ Keep the photocells clean.
▷ Do not cover the area between the inside
rearview mirror and the windshield.
Steering wheel
General information Do not adjust while driving
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving; otherwise, an unexpected movement
could result in an accident.◀
Adjusting
Mechanical* 1.
Fold the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel to the preferred
height and angle to suit your seating posi‐
tion. 3.
Fold the lever back.
Do not use force to swing the lever back.
Do not use force to swing the lever back
up; otherwise, the mechanism will be dam‐
aged.◀
Electric* The steering wheel can be adjusted in four di‐
rections.
Storing steering wheel positions, refer to Seat,
mirror, and steering wheel memory, refer to
page
53.
Easy entry/exit*
To facilitate entry and exit, the steering wheel
temporarily

moves into the uppermost position.
Steering wheel heating*
Switching on/off Press the button.
▷
On: the LED lights up.
▷ Off: the LED goes out. Seite 55
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Controls At a glance

Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Note
Children in the vehicle
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger them‐
selves and other persons, e.g., by opening the
doors.◀
Children should always be in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children is on the rear seat.
Transporting children in the rear
Transport
children younger than 13 years
of age or shorter than 5 ft/150 cm on the 2nd row
seats only, using child restraint fixing systems
suitable for the age, weight, and height of the
child. Otherwise, there is the increased danger
of injury in an accident.
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint
fixing system can no longer be used, due to their
age, weight and size.◀
Children on the front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child restraint
fixing system on the front passenger seat, make
sure that the front and side airbags on the front
passenger side are deactivated. Automatic de‐
activation of front passenger airbags, refer to
page 87.
Deactivating the front passenger airbags
If a child restraint fixing system is used in
the front passenger seat, the front passenger
airbags must be deactivated; otherwise, there is
an increased risk of injury to the child when the
airbags are triggered, even with a child restraint
fixing system.◀ Installing child restraint fixing
systems
Notes
Manufacturer's information for child re‐
straint fixing systems
To select, mount and use child restraint fixing
systems, observe the information provided by
the system manufacturer; otherwise, the pro‐
tective effect can be impaired.
◀
Note the following in vehicles equipped
with 3rd row seats
BMW X5: in vehicles with 3rd row seats*, make
sure that the seat of the 2nd row seats on which
the child restraint fixing system is mounted is
properly locked. Otherwise, there is an in‐
creased risk of injury for the child in an accident.
Do not mount child restraint fixing systems on
the 3rd row seats, as otherwise the protection
provided by these child restraint fixing systems
may be reduced.◀
BMW X5: before mounting a child restraint fixing
system in the center seat of the 2nd row seats,
move the outer seat cushions and backrests into
the rearmost positions.
On the front passenger seat
After installing a child restraint fixing system on
the front passenger seat, ensure that the front
and side airbags on the front passenger side are
deactivated.
Deactivating the front passenger airbags
If a child restraint fixing system is used in
the front passenger seat, the front passenger
airbags must be deactivated; otherwise, there is
an increased risk of injury to the child when the
airbags are triggered, even with a child restraint
fixing system.◀ Seite 56
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Transporting children safely

Seat position and height
Before installing a child restraint fixing system,
move the front passenger seat as far back as
possible
and adjust its height to the highest po‐
sition to obtain the best possible position for the
belt and to offer optimal protection in the event
of an accident.
Do not change the seat position and height after
this.
Backrest width*
Before mounting a child restraint fixing system
on the front passenger seat, open the backrest
width, refer to page 46, completely. Do not
change the backrest width after this.
Backrest width for the child seat
Before installing a child restraint fixing
system in the front passenger seat, the backrest
width must be opened completely. Do not
change the adjustment after this; otherwise, the
stability of the child seat will be reduced.◀
Child seat security The rear safety belts
▷
BMW X5: all safety belts of the 2nd and 3rd
row seats*
▷ BMW X6: all safety belts of the 2nd row seats
And the safety belt for the front passenger can
be
locked to prevent extension in order to permit
attachment of child restraint fixing systems.
Locking the safety belt
1. Pull out the belt webbing completely.
2. Secure the child restraint fixing system with
the belt. 3.
Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and
pull it taut against the child restraint fixing
system. The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking the safety belt
1. Open the belt buckle.
2. Remove the child restraint fixing system.
3. Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com‐
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fixing
system
LATCH:
Lower Anchors and Tether for Children.
Note Manufacturer's information for LATCH
child restraint fixing systems
To mount and use the LATCH child restraint fix‐
ing systems, observe the operating and safety
information from the system manufacturer; oth‐
erwise, the level of protection may be reduced.◀
Mounts for the lower LATCH anchors
Correctly engage the lower LATCH an‐
chors
Make sure that the lower LATCH anchors have
properly engaged and that the child restraint fix‐
ing system is resting snugly against the back‐
rest; otherwise, the degree of protection offered
may be reduced.◀ The mounts for the lower LATCH anchors are
located at the points indicated by the arrows. Seite 57
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Controls At a glance

Chassis and suspension tuning
Two chassis and suspension tunings are avail‐
able for selection.
▷
Normal:
The comfortable basic setting offers opti‐
mum comfort when traveling.
▷ Sport:
The sporty basic setting offers increased
driving 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 panel.
▷ 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.
Drive-off assistant
This

system supports driving away on gradients.
The parking brake is not required.
1. Hold the vehicle in place with the foot brake.
2. Release the foot brake and drive away with‐
out delay.
Depending on the vehicle load, the vehicle may
roll back slightly. Driving off without delay
After

releasing the foot brake, start driving
without delay, since the drive-off assistant will
not hold the vehicle in place for more than ap‐
prox. 2 seconds and the vehicle will begin rolling
back.◀
Self-leveling suspension*
The concept
The self-leveling suspension on the rear axle
assures a continuous ground clearance.
To do so, the height of the vehicle is measured
by sensors at both rear wheels.
If the actual height deviates from the defined
height, such as due to cargo in the vehicle, this
difference is compensated very quickly. In ad‐
dition, spring motions resulting from cornering
or irregularities in the road surface are reduced
to a minimum.
The system works automatically.
Malfunctions
Malfunctions are displayed via Check Control,
refer to page 76.
Active steering*
The concept
The active steering actively 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 speed range, for
instance in a town or when parking, the steering
angle increases, i.e., steering becomes very di‐
rect. In the higher speed range, on the other
hand, the steering angle is reduced more and
more. This improves the handling of your vehicle
over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar‐
geted corrections to the steering angle provided Seite 100
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Driving stability control systems