wheel BMW X5M 2012 User Guide

Seat, mirror, and steering
wheel memory*
General information
Two different driver's seat and front passenger
seat* positions, exterior mirror positions and
steering
wheel positions* can be stored and re‐
trieved.
The adjustment of the backrest width and the
lumbar support is not stored in the memory.
Storing 1.
Switch on the radio ready state or the igni‐
tion, refer to page 61.
2. Set the desired seat, exterior mirror and
steering wheel positions.
3. Press the button. The LED in the
button lights up.
4. Press the desired memory button 1 or 2. The
LED goes out.
If the M button is pressed accidentally: Press the button again. The LED goes
out.
Calling up settings
Do not retrieve the memory setting while
driving
Do

not retrieve the memory setting while driving,
as an unexpected seat movement could result
in an accident.◀ Comfort function
1.
Open the driver's door after unlocking or
switch on the radio ready state, refer to
page 61.
2. Briefly press the desired memory but‐
ton 1 or 2.
The seat is automatically moved to the stored
position.
The procedure stops when a switch for setting
the seat or one of the memory buttons is
pressed.
Safety mode
1. Close the driver's door and switch the igni‐
tion on or off, refer to page 61.
2. Press and hold the desired memory button
1 or 2 until the setting procedure is com‐
pleted.
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
General information
The

mirror on the passenger side is more curved
than the driver's mirror.
Estimating distances correctly
Objects reflected in the mirror are closer
than they appear. Do not estimate the distance
to the traffic behind you based on what you see
in the mirror, as this will increase your risk of an
accident.◀ Seite 53
53Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

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
55Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

car wash, for example, ensure that the ignition is
not switched off accidentally.◀
For example, the ignition is not switched off in
the following situations:
▷
The brake is applied.
▷ The low beams are switched on
Starting the engine
General information Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas; otherwise, breathing of exhaust fumes
may lead to loss of consciousness and death.
The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless but highly toxic gas.◀
Unattended vehicle
Do not leave the car unattended with the
engine running; otherwise, it presents a poten‐
tial source of danger.
Before leaving the car with the engine running,
set the parking brake and place the transmission
in position P or neutral to prevent the car from
moving.◀
Frequent starting in quick succession
Avoid repeated futile attempts at starting
the car and avoid starting the car frequently in
quick succession. Otherwise, the fuel is not
burned or is inadequately burned, and there is
the danger of overheating and damaging the
catalytic converter.◀
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds. Starting the engine
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with Com‐
fort

Access, inside the vehicle, refer to page 37.
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time,
and stops automatically as soon as the en‐
gine has started.
Diesel engine
If the engine is cold and temperatures are below
approx. 32 ℉/0 ℃, the start process may be de‐
layed somewhat due to automatic preheating.
A message is displayed.
Engine stop
General information
Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for example,
cannot operate the windows and injure them‐
selves.◀
Set the parking brake and further secure
the vehicle as required
Set the parking brake firmly when parking; oth‐
erwise, the vehicle could roll. On steep upward
and downward inclines, further secure the vehi‐
cle, for example, by turning the steering wheel in
the direction of the curb.◀ Seite 62
62 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
Driving

Switching off the engine
Procedure
1.
Engage transmission position P with the ve‐
hicle stopped.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Remove the remote control from the ignition
lock, refer to page 61.
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle is able to roll when the following
steps are adhered to:
1. With Comfort Access*: insert the remote
control in the ignition lock.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
3. Engage transmission position N.
4. Release the parking brake or deactivate Au‐
tomatic Hold.
5. Switch the engine off.
Transmission position P will be engaged:
▷ Automatically after approx. 30 minutes.
▷ If you remove the remote control from the
ignition lock.
Parking brake
The concept
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre‐
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it
brakes the rear wheels.
The parking brake can be set manually or auto‐
matically:
▷ Manual: by pulling and pushing the switch.
▷ Automatic: by activating Automatic Hold. Setting manually Pull the button. The parking brake is set.
The indicator lamp lights up in red. The
parking brake is set.
Indicator lamp in Canadian models.
To set the parking brake, the remote control
does not need to be in the ignition lock. Set the parking brake and further secure
the vehicle as required
Set the parking brake firmly when parking; oth‐
erwise, the vehicle could roll. On steep upward
and
downward inclines, further secure the vehi‐
cle, for example, by turning the steering wheel in
the direction of the curb.◀
While driving
Use while driving:
Pull the switch and hold it. The vehicle brakes
hard while the button is being pulled.
The indicator lamp lights up in red, a sig‐
nal sounds and the brake lamps light up.
Indicator lamp in Canadian models.
If the vehicle is braked to a speed of approx.
2 mph/3 km/h, the parking brake remains set. Seite 63
63Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

Driving
Automatic
Hold is activated: the vehicle is auto‐
matically secured against rolling when it stops.
The indicator lamp lights up in green.
Indicator lamp in Canadian models.
Step on the accelerator pedal to drive off.
The brake is released automatically.
The indicator lamp goes out. Before driving into a car wash
Deactivate Automatic Hold; otherwise, the
parking brake will be set when the vehicle is sta‐
tionary and the vehicle will no longer be able to
roll.◀
Parking
The parking brake is automatically set if the en‐
gine is switched off while the vehicle is being
held by Automatic Hold.
The indicator lamp changes from green
to red.
Indicator lamp in Canadian models.
The parking brake is not set if the engine is
switched off while the vehicle is coasting to a
halt. Automatic Hold is deactivated. Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for example,
cannot release the parking brake.◀
Malfunction
In the event of a failure or malfunction of the
parking brake, secure the vehicle against rolling
using a wheel chock, for example, when leaving
it. Releasing the parking brake manually
In the event of an electrical power loss or elec‐
trical malfunction, you can release the parking
brake manually.
Secure the vehicle against rolling
Before releasing the parking brake man‐
ually,
and whenever you park the vehicle with the
parking brake released, ensure that position P of
the automatic transmission is engaged. Note
the display in the instrument cluster.
In addition, secure the vehicle against rolling,
e.g. with a wheel chock. Otherwise there is a
danger that the vehicle could roll if parked on a
steep slope.◀
Jump-starting and towing, refer to page 282.
Unlocking
1. Open the left-hand side panel in the cargo
area.
2. Remove the first aid kit* and the warning tri‐
angle*.

Close the bracket of the warning tri‐
angle.
3. Insert the releasing tool or screwdriver, con‐
tained in the tool kit under the cargo floor
panel, refer to page 270, at the releasing
point. 4.
Firmly pull the releasing tool or screwdriver
upward against the mechanical resistance,
refer to arrow, until a considerable increase
in force is felt and the parking brake is then
clearly heard to release.
5. Stow the releasing tool or screwdriver,
warning

triangle*, and first aid kit* and close
the left side panel in the cargo area. Seite 65
65Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Washer/wiper system
Do not switch on the wipers if frozen
Do
not switch on the wipers if they are fro‐
zen onto the windshield; otherwise, the wiper
blades and the windshield wiper motor may be
damaged.◀ 1
Switching on wipers
2 Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3 Activating/deactivating the rain sensor
4 Cleaning the windshield and headlamps*
5 Setting the sensitivity of the rain sensor
Switching on wipers
Press the wiper lever upward, arrow 1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial po‐
sition when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press up once.
The system switches to operation in the inter‐
mittent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press

up twice or press once beyond the resist‐
ance point.
The system switches to normal speed when the
vehicle is stationary.
Switching off wipers or brief wipe
Press the wiper lever down, arrow 2. The lever automatically returns to its initial po‐
sition when released.
▷
Brief wipe: press down once.
▷ To switch off normal wipe: press down once.
▷ To switch off fast wipe: press down twice.
Rain sensor
If
the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the time
between wipes is controlled automatically and
depends on the intensity of the rainfall.
The rain sensor is mounted on the windshield,
directly in front of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating the rain sensor Press the button, arrow 3.
The LED in the button lights up.
Rain sensor sensitivity
Turn thumbwheel 5 up or down.
Deactivating the rain sensor
Press the button again, arrow 3.
The LED goes out.
Deactivate the rain sensor in car washes
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing
through

an automatic car wash; otherwise, dam‐
age could be caused by undesired wiper activa‐
tion.◀
Cleaning the windshield and
headlamps*
Pull the lever, arrow 4.
The system sprays washer fluid on the wind‐
shield and activates the wipers briefly. Seite 67
67Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
Transmission positions
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for‐
ward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con‐
sumption is lowest when you are driving in po‐
sition D.
Kickdown
Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Press on the accelerator beyond
the resistance point at the full throttle position.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N is Neutral
Use in automatic car washes, for example. The
vehicle can roll.
When the ignition is switched off, refer to
page
61, position P is engaged automatically.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
drive wheels are blocked.
P is engaged automatically as soon as the en‐
gine
is switched off unless N is engaged and, in
vehicles with Comfort Access, the remote con‐
trol is inserted in the ignition lock, refer to
page 61. Before leaving the vehicle, ensure that
the transmission position P is engaged; other‐
wise, the vehicle may begin to roll.
Engaging transmission position
▷ Transmission position P can only be disen‐
gaged

if the engine is running and the brake
pedal is pressed.
▷ With the vehicle stationary, press on the
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N;
otherwise, the shift command will not be
executed: shift lock. Press on the brake pedal until you start
driving
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you
select a driving position, maintain pressure on
the brake pedal until you are ready to start.

◀
Shifting into D, R, N Briefly push the selector lever in the desired di‐
rection, beyond a resistance point if necessary.
When

shifting out of P or into R, simultaneously
push the unlock button 1.
The engaged transmission position is displayed
on the selector lever.
After releasing the selector lever, it returns to its
center position.
Engaging P Press button P.
P

is engaged if the driver's safety belt is unbuck‐
led and the driver's door is opened while the ve‐
hicle is stationary and transmission position R or
D is engaged. Before leaving the vehicle, ensure
that the transmission position P is engaged; oth‐
erwise, the vehicle may begin to roll. Seite 69
69Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

Sport program and manual mode M/S
Activating the sport program
Push the selector lever to the left out of trans‐
mission position D.
The Sport program is activated and DS is dis‐
played
in the instrument cluster; in the BMW X6,
S4 is displayed, for example.
This position is recommended for a perform‐
ance-oriented driving style.
Activating the M/S manual mode
Push the selector lever to the left out of trans‐
mission position D.
Push the selector lever forward or backward.
Manual mode becomes active and the gear is
changed.
The engaged gear is displayed in the instrument
cluster, e.g., M1.
▷ To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.
▷ To shift up: press the selector lever back‐
ward.
The transmission only shifts up or down if the
rpm and vehicle speed are appropriate. If the
engine

speed is too high, the transmission does
not shift down.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument panel, followed by the current gear.
Ending the sport program/manual
mode
Push the selector lever to the right.
D is displayed in the instrument cluster. BMW X6: Gear change using the shift
paddles on the steering wheel
The

shifting paddles make it possible to quickly
change gears since both hands can remain on
the steering wheel.
▷ If the shift paddles on the steering wheel are
used

to shift gears while in automatic mode
D, the transmission temporarily switches to
manual mode.
▷ If the shift paddles are not used to accelerate
or shift gears for a certain amount of time,
the transmission switches back to auto‐
matic mode D.
With the transmission position M/S selected,
the manual mode remains active. ▷
Shift up: pull right shift paddle.
▷ Shift down: pull left shift paddle.
The vehicle only shifts up or down at appropriate
engine and road speeds, e.g., it does not shift
down if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.
Displays in the instrument cluster The gear position is displayed and the engaged
gear, such as M4, is displayed in manual mode.
Seite 70
70 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500Driving

Activating/deactivating via iDrive
1.
"Settings"
2. "Lighting"
3. "High beam assistant" The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
System limits
Personal responsibility
The
High-beam Assistant cannot serve as
a substitute for the driver's personal judgment
of when to use the high beams. Therefore, man‐
ually switch off the high beams in situations
where this is required to avoid a safety risk.◀
The system is not fully functional in situations
such as the following, and driver intervention
may be necessary:
▷ In very unfavorable weather conditions,
such as fog or heavy precipitation.
▷ In detecting poorly-lit road users, such as
pedestrians, cyclists, horseback riders and
wagons; when driving close to train or ship
traffic; and at animal crossings.
▷ In tight curves, on hilltops or in depressions,
in cross traffic or half-obscured oncoming
traffic on freeways.
▷ In poorly-lit towns and cities and in the pres‐
ence of highly reflective signs.
▷ At low speeds.
▷ When the windshield in front of the interior
rearview mirror is fogged over, dirty or cov‐
ered with stickers, etc.
▷ If the sensor view field is dirty. The view field of the sensor is located on the
front of the interior rearview mirror.
Do not cover this area with stickers, etc.
Clean

the sensor view field with a cloth mois‐
tened with a small amount of glass cleaner.
Front fog lamps*
The parking lamps or low beams must be
switched on. Press the button. The green indicator
lamp

in the instrument cluster lights up.
If the automatic headlamp control, refer to
page 82, is activated, the low beams will come
on automatically when you switch on the fog
lamps.
Instrument lighting Adjust the brightness using the thumbwheel.
Interior lamps
General information
The

interior lamps, footwell lamps*, exit lamps*,
cargo area lamps and courtesy lamps* are con‐
trolled automatically.
The courtesy lamps* have LED lights in the door
handles to illuminate the exterior area in front of
the doors.
To avoid draining the battery, all lamps inside
the car are switched off about 8 minutes after
the ignition is switched off, Start/Stop button,
refer to page 61. Seite 84
84 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
Lamps

Safety
Airbags
1
Front airbags
2 Head airbags
3 Side airbags
Front airbags
Front airbags help protect the driver and front
passenger by responding to frontal impacts in
which safety belts alone cannot provide ade‐
quate restraint.
Side airbags
In a lateral impact, the side airbag supports the
side of the body in the chest and lap area.
Head airbags
In
a lateral impact, the head airbag supports the
head.
Protective action
Airbags are not triggered in every impact situa‐
tion, e.g., in less severe accidents or rear-end
collisions.
Information on how to ensure the optimal
protective effect of the airbags
▷ Keep at a distance from the airbags.
▷ Always grasp the steering wheel on the
steering wheel rim, holding your hands at
the

3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, to keep
the danger of injury to your hands or arms as
low as possible if the airbag is triggered. ▷
There should be no people, animals, or ob‐
jects between an airbag and a person.
▷ Do not use the cover of the front airbag on
the front passenger side as a storage area.
▷ Keep the dashboard and window on the
front

passenger side clear, i.e., do not cover
with adhesive labels or coverings, and do not
attach holders such as for navigation instru‐
ments and mobile phones.
▷ Make sure that the front passenger is sitting
correctly, i.e., keeps his or her feet and legs
in the footwell; otherwise, leg injuries can
occur if the front airbag is triggered.
▷ Do not place slip covers, seat cushions or
other objects on the front passenger seat
that are not approved specifically for seats
with integrated side airbags.
▷ Do not hang pieces of clothing, such as jack‐
ets, over the backrests.
▷ Make sure that occupants keep their heads
away from the side airbag and do not rest
against the head airbag; otherwise, injuries
can occur if the airbags are triggered.
▷ Do not remove the airbag restraint system.
▷ Do not remove the steering wheel.
Seite 86
86 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 735 - 03 11 500
Safety