steering BMW X5M 2012 Owner's Manual

DTC is activated.
xDrive
xDrive is the all-wheel-drive system of your ve‐
hicle. The combined effects of xDrive and DSC
further optimize the traction and dynamic driv‐
ing characteristics. The 4-wheel drive system
xDrive
variably distributes the drive forces to the
front and rear axle depending on the driving sit‐
uation and prevailing road conditions.
Dynamic Performance
Control*
The concept
Dynamic Performance Control optimizes the
handling characteristics of your vehicle when
starting off, cornering, and during evasive ma‐
neuvers.
To achieve this, the system variably distributes
the drive torque of the rear axle to the two rear
wheels. This further increases the steering pre‐
cision and tracking stability of your vehicle.
Display
The Control Display shows how xDrive and Dy‐
namic Performance Control are distributing the
drive forces.
1. "Vehicle Info" 2.
"Torque distribution" The current distribution of drive forces is indi‐
cated by arrows pointing to all four wheels.
The highlighted arrows show the drive forces
currently present. The longer an arrow is, the
greater

the drive forces in the associated wheel.
The transparent arrows indicate the maximum
value the drive forces over the last 10 seconds.
Malfunction
Malfunctions are displayed via Check Control,
refer to page 76.
Hill Descent Control HDC
The concept
HDC is a downhill driving assistant that auto‐
matically controls vehicle speed on steep down‐
hill gradients. The vehicle moves at approxi‐
mately walking speed without braking
intervention by the driver.
You can activate the Hill Descent Control at
speeds below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When
moving downhill at speeds below approx.
22 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces its speed
to approximately walking speed, approx. 5 mph/
8 km/h and keeps it constant.
Only use HDC in transmission positions D or R.
Increasing or reducing speed
The speed can be changed in the range from
approx. 4 mph/6 km/h to approx. 15 mph/25 km/
h by pressing the accelerator or brake pedal
lightly.
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Driving stability control systems

A target speed within the same range can be
specified using the lever of the cruise control.
On
inclines over 10 %, you can reduce the speed
to approx. 3 mph/4 km/h. Pull the lever of the
cruise control beyond the resistance point, ar‐
row 3. 1
Increasing speed
2 Pull to the resistance point: reduce the
speed to approx. 4 mph/6 km/h
3 Pull beyond the resistance point: on inclines
over 10 %, reduce the speed to ap‐
prox. 3 mph/4 km/h
Activating HDC Press the button; the LED above the button
lights up.
The LED flashes when the brakes are applied
automatically.
Deactivating HDC
Press the button again; the LED goes out. HDC
is automatically deactivated above approx.
37 mph/60 km/h. Displays* in the instrument cluster
1
Display for target speed
2 HDC display
Malfunction
HDC is temporarily unavailable in the following
situations due to a high brake temperature:
▷ The LED in the button and the display HDC
go out during HDC operation.
▷ The LED in the button and the HDC display
do not light up when the button is pressed.
Malfunction of driving
stability control systems Adapting your driving style
When driving on poor roads, avoid using
full throttle or pressing the accelerator beyond
the kickdown point and also avoid heavy brak‐
ing. Otherwise, the drive train may be damaged
or accidents can occur.◀
Adaptive Drive*
The concept
Adaptive Drive reduces the body roll which oc‐
curs when cornering quickly or during fast eva‐
sive maneuvers. In addition, Adaptive Drive re‐
duces

the steering angle requirement, improves
the running comfort, and enhances the dynamic
driving characteristics of your vehicle. Seite 99
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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

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 Control
Display. The active steering is defec‐
tive or has been temporarily deacti‐
vated. At low speeds, greater steering wheel
movements are required, whereas at higher
speeds, the vehicle reacts more sensitively to
steering wheel movements. The stability-pro‐
moting intervention can also be deactivated.
Proceed cautiously and drive defensively.
Deactivation
Active steering deactivates in order to carry out
an initialization. This deactivation is displayed by
means of a message. The initialization can take
several minutes.
If the message does not disappear during the
current trip, have the system checked.
Defect
In the event of a defect, a corresponding text
message is displayed. Have the system
checked. Seite 101
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Controls At a glance

the bend of the curve. Any deceleration of the
vehicle by the system can be compensated for
by briefly accelerating. After the accelerator
pedal is released, the system becomes active
again and independently controls the speed.
Driving away
In some situations, the vehicle cannot drive
away automatically, e.g., on steep inclines, with
a heavy trailer or behind bumps in the road.
Driver interventions and your
responsibility
Your
actions have priority at all times. When you
press on the accelerator pedal while driving, au‐
tomatic braking is not performed and the bars in
the distance display go out until you lift your foot
from the accelerator pedal. Once you release the
accelerator pedal, the desired speed is achieved
again on clear roads or the selected distance to
the vehicle ahead is maintained.
Making braking possible
Anytime the driver presses down on the
accelerator pedal, any braking action by the sys‐
tem is interrupted and the distance indicator
goes out until the pedal is fully released. As soon
as you fully release the accelerator, the system
will again control your cruising speed and dis‐
tance setting. While driving with the system ac‐
tivated, resting your foot on the acelerator pedal
will cause the system not to brake even if nec‐
essary. Be certain that floormats or other ob‐
jects on the vehicle floor do not interfere with
movement of the acccelerator pedal.◀
Limits of automatic braking
While active cruise control is capable of
braking your vehicle automatically when you ap‐
proach a slower vehicle ahead, it is important to
be aware that the ability of the system to apply
the brakes is also limited, e.g. when you reduce
your desired speed sharply. lt uses only a portion
of braking system capacity and does not utilize
the full capacity of the vehicle braking system.
Therefore, the system cannot decrease your
speed for large differences in speed between
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Examples: when you approach a vehicle traveling at a much
lower speed than your own speed such as ap‐
proaching a toll booth or when a much slower
vehicle cuts in front of you at close range.◀
Cruise control*
The concept
The
system is functional at speeds beginning at
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h.
The speed specified using the lever on the
steering column is maintained.
The system brakes on downhill gradients if en‐
gine braking action is insufficient.
Do not use cruise control
Do not use the system if unfavorable con‐
ditions make it impossible to drive at a constant
speed, for instance:
▷ On curvy roads.
▷ In heavy traffic.
▷ On slippery roads, in fog, snow or rain, or on
a loose road surface.
Otherwise, you could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident.◀
One lever for all functions 1
Storing and maintaining speed or accelerat‐
ing
2 Storing and maintaining speed or deceler‐
ating
3 Interrupting and deactivating the system
4 Resuming a speed stored beforehand Seite 108
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Driving comfort

Assistance functions
Functional requirement
▷
Rear view camera is switched on.
▷ Tailgate is completely closed.
Pathway lines ▷
Can be displayed in the image of the rear
view
camera when the transmission is in re‐
verse.
▷ Help estimate the required amount of space
when

parking and maneuvering on a flat road
surface.
▷ Depend on the current steering angle and
are continuously adapted to movements of
the steering wheel.
Show the parking aid lines via the iDrive, refer to
page 114.
Turning lines ▷
Can be displayed in the image of the rear
view camera.
▷ Show the path of the smallest turning circle
on a flat road surface.
▷ When the steering wheel is turned, only one
turning line is displayed. Show the parking aid lines via the iDrive, refer to
page
114.
Parking using pathway and turning
lines
1. Position the vehicle so that the turning lines
lead into the margins of the parking space. 2.
Turn the steering wheel to the point where
the pathway line covers the corresponding
turning circle line. Obstacle marking
▷
Three-dimensionally shaped markings can
be displayed in the image of the rear view
camera.
Their color gradation corresponds to the mark‐
ings
in PDC. This helps estimate the distance to
the object pictured.
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Controls At a glance

Displaying turning lines and pathway
lines
▷
The static, red turning line shows the lateral
space required when the wheel is fully
turned.
▷ The variable, green pathway lines assist you
in
estimating the amount of lateral space ac‐
tually required.
The pathway lines depend on the current
steering angle and are continuously
adapted to movements of the steering
wheel. "Parking aid lines"
Turning lines and pathway lines are displayed.
Cameras The lenses of the Top View cameras are on the
undersides of the exterior mirror housings.
The presence of dirt can impair image quality.
Clean the lens with a moist, nonabrasive cloth.
Side View*
The concept
Side View provides an early look at cross traffic
at

blind driveways and intersections. Road users
concealed by obstacles to the left and right of
the vehicle can only be detected from the driv‐
er's seat at the last minute. To improve visibility,
two cameras in the front of the vehicle record the
traffic situation on each side.
System limits
The cameras capture a maximum range of
330 ft/100 m. Display
The images from both cameras are shown si‐
multaneously on the Control Display.
Check the traffic situation as well
Check the traffic situation around the ve‐
hicle on blind driveways and intersections with
your

own eyes. Otherwise, an accident could re‐
sult from road users or objects located outside
the picture area of the Side View cameras.◀
Switching off automatically
System switches off: above approx. 9 mph/
15 km/h.
Switch on the system again if necessary.
Switching on/off manually Press the button.
Image on the Control Display
The traffic area to the left and right is displayed
on the Control Display.
Guidelines at the bottom of the image show the
position of the front of the vehicle.
Brightness
With the Side View switched on: Seite 116
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Driving comfort

Digital compass*
1
Adjustment button
2 Display
The display shows you the main or secondary
compass direction in which you are driving. Operating concept
Various functions can be called up by pressing
the adjustment button with a pointed object
such
as a pen. The following adjustment options
are displayed one after the other, depending on
how long the adjustment button is pressed:
▷ Press briefly: switch the display on/off.
▷ 3 to 6 seconds: set the compass zone.
▷ 6 to 9 seconds: calibrate the compass.
▷ 9 to 12 seconds: set left-hand/right hand
steering.
▷ 12 to 15 seconds: set the language.
Setting compass zones
Set the compass zone corresponding to the ve‐
hicle's
geographic location so that the compass can function correctly; refer to the world map
with compass zones.Press the adjustment button for 3‑4 seconds.
The number of the compass zone set is shown
in the display.
To change the zone setting, briefly press the
adjustment button repeatedly until the display
shows the number of the compass zone corre‐
sponding to the current location.
The compass is operational again after approx.
10 seconds.
Calibrating the digital compass
The digital compass must be calibrated in the
following situations:
▷
An incorrect compass direction is shown.
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Controls At a glance

▷
The cardinal direction displayed does not
change even if the direction of travel
changes.
▷ Not all compass directions are shown.
Procedure
1. Make sure that there are no large metal ob‐
jects or overhead power lines in the vicinity
of
the vehicle and that there is enough space
to drive in a circle.
2. Set the currently valid compass zone.
3. Press the adjustment button for 6‑7 sec‐
onds

to call up C. Then drive at least one full
circle at a maximum speed of 4 mph/7 km/h.
When the system is calibrated, the C is re‐
placed by the compass directions.
Right-hand/left-hand steering
The
digital compass is set for right-hand or left-
hand steering at the factory.
Setting the language
Press the adjustment button for 12‑13 seconds.
Briefly press the adjustment button again to
switch between English "E" and German "O".
The setting is automatically saved after approx.
10 seconds.
Ashtray/cigarette lighter*
Opening
Front To open the cover, slide it forward. Rear
BMW X6
Slide the cover back.
Emptying
Take out the insert.
Lighter
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, press in the cigarette lighter.
The lighter can be removed as soon as it pops
back out.
Danger of burns
Only hold the hot lighter by its head; oth‐
erwise, there is the danger of getting burned.
Switch

off the ignition and take the remote con‐
trol with you when leaving the vehicle so that
children cannot use the lighter and burn them‐
selves.◀ Seite 130
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Interior equipment

Diesel particulate filter*
Soot particles are collected in the diesel partic‐
ulate filter and periodically burned away at high
temperatures.
During the cleaning period of several minutes:
▷
The engine may temporarily run less
smoothly.
▷ A somewhat higher engine speed may be
necessary to achieve the accustomed per‐
formance.
▷ Noises and a slight amount of smoke may
emerge from the exhaust, even for a short
period after the engine is switched off.
Mobile communication devices in the
vehicle Mobile communication devices in the ve‐
hicle
It is not recommended to use mobile phones,
such
as mobile phones without a direct connec‐
tion to an external aerial in the vehicle's passen‐
ger compartment. Otherwise, the vehicle elec‐
tronics and mobile communication devices can
interfere with each other. In addition, there is no
assurance that the radiation generated during
transmission will be discharged from the vehicle
interior.◀
Hydroplaning
On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can
form between the tires and road surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplan‐
ing. It is characterized by a partial or complete
loss of contact between the tires and the road
surface, ultimately undermining your ability to
steer and brake the vehicle.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, re‐
duce your speed to prevent hydroplaning.◀
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tire
tread depth decreases. Minimum tread depth,
refer to page 259. Driving through water
Maximum water depth:
▷
BMW X5: 20 inches/50 cm.
▷ BMW X6: 17 inches/45 cm.
Adhere to water depth and speed limita‐
tions
Only drive through water up to the above-men‐
tioned depth at no greater than walking speed;
otherwise, the engine, electrical system, and
transmission can be damaged.

◀
Braking safely
Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature.
Applying the brakes fully is the most effective
way of braking in situations when this is neces‐
sary.
The vehicle maintains steering responsiveness.
You can still avoid any obstacles with a minimum
of steering effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal and sounds from
the hydraulic circuits indicate that ABS is in its
active mode. Do not let your foot rest on the brake pedal
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent pedal
pressure can lead to high temperatures, brake
wear and possibly even brake failure.◀
Objects in the area around the pedals
No objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the area of motion of the pedals;
otherwise, the function of the pedals could be
impeded while driving
Do not place additional floor mats over existing
mats or other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved for
the vehicle and can be properly fixed in place.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened
again when they are returned after being re‐
moved, such as for cleaning.◀ Seite 143
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