Get Driving tips Guide for BMW X5 SUV Second Generation (2007-2013)

Driving tips

This section provides you with information useful

in dealing with specific driving and operating

conditions.

Driving tips

Things to remember when driving

tion potential until after an initial breaking-in pe‐

riod.

Vehicle equipment

This chapter describes all series equipment as

well as country-specific and special equipment

offered for this model series.Therefore, it also

describes equipment that may not be found in

your vehicle, for instance due to the selected

special equipment or the country version. This

also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐

tems.

Drive conservatively for the first

200 miles/300 km.

Brake system

Brakes require an initial break-in period of ap‐

prox. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized

contact and wear patterns between brake pads

and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in

period.

Breaking-in period

Following part replacement

The same breaking in procedures should be ob‐

served if any of the components mentioned

above have to be renewed in the course of the

vehicle's operating life.

General information

Moving parts need to be broken in to adjust to

each other.

The following instructions will help achieve a

long vehicle life and good economy.

General driving notes

Engine and differential

Always obey all official speed limits.

Closing tailgate

Drive with the tailgate closed

Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km

Only drive with the tailgate closed; other‐

wise, passengers and other road users may be

endangered or the vehicle may be damaged if an

accident occurs or during braking or evasive

maneuvers. In addition, exhaust fumes may en‐

ter the passenger compartment.◀

Do not exceed the maximum engine and road

speeds:

▷

For a gasoline engine, 4,500 rpm and

100 mph/160 km/h.

▷

For a diesel engine, 3,500 rpm and

93 mph/150 km/h.

If the vehicle must be driven with the tailgate

open:

Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the

transmission's kickdown mode for the initial

miles.

1. Drive moderately.

2. Close all windows and the glass sunroof/

panoramic glass sunroof.

From 1,200 miles/2,000 km

The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be

increased.

3. Greatly increase the blower speed.

Tires

Due to technical factors associated with their

manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac‐

152

Things to remember when driving

Hydroplaning

Driving tips

Hot exhaust system

On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can

form between the tires and road surface.

Hot exhaust system

High temperatures are generated in the

exhaust system.

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.

Do not remove the heat shields installed and

never apply undercoating to them. Make sure

that flammablematerials, e. g. hay, leaves, grass,

etc. do not come in contact with the hot exhaust

system during driving, while in idle position

mode, or when parked. Such contact could lead

to a fire, and with it the risk of serious personal

injury as well as property damage.

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 278.

Do not touch hot exhaust pipes; otherwise, there

is the danger of getting burned.◀

Diesel particulate filter

Driving through water

Soot particles are collected in the diesel partic‐

ulate filter and periodically burned away at high

temperatures.

Maximum water depth:

▷

BMW X5: 20 inches/50 cm.

BMW X6: 17 inches/45 cm.

During the cleaning period of several minutes:

Adhere to water depth and speed limita‐

tions

▷

The engine may temporarily run less

smoothly.

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.◀

▷

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.

Braking safely

Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a standard

feature.

Mobile communication devices in the

vehicle

Applying the brakes fully is the most effective

way of braking in situations when this is neces‐

sary.

Mobile communication devices in the ve‐

hicle

The vehicle maintains steering responsiveness.

You can still avoid any obstacles with a minimum

of steering effort.

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.◀

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

153

Driving tips

Things to remember when driving

pressure can lead to high temperatures, brake

wear and possibly even brake failure.◀

Do not drive in neutral

Do not drive in neutral or with the engine

stopped, as doing so disables engine braking. In

addition, steering and brake assist is unavailable

with the engine stopped.◀

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

Brake disc corrosion

Corrosion on the brake discs and contamination

on the brake pads are furthered by:

▷

Low mileage.

Do not place additional floor mats over existing

mats or other objects.

Extended periods when the vehicle is not

used at all.

Only use floor mats that have been approved for

the vehicle and can be properly fixed in place.

▷

Infrequent use of the brakes.

Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened

again when they are returned after being re‐

moved, such as for cleaning.◀

Corrosion occurs when the minimum pressure

that must be exerted by the pads during brake

applications to clean the discs is not reached.

Should corrosion form on the brake discs, the

brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating ef‐

fect that generally cannot be corrected.

Driving in wet conditions

When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, briefly

exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every

few miles.

Condensation under the parked vehicle

When using the automatic climate control, con‐

densation water develops that exits underneath

the vehicle.

Ensure that this action does not endanger other

road users.

The heat generated in this process helps dry the

brake discs and pads.

Therefore, traces of condensed water under the

vehicle are normal.

In this way braking efficiency will be available

when you need it.

Loading

Hills

Overloading the vehicle

Drivelongorsteepdownhillgradientsinthegear

in which the least braking is required. Otherwise,

the brake system may overheat, resulting in a

reduction in the brake system efficiency.

To avoid exceeding the approved carrying

capacity of the tires, never overload the vehicle.

Overloading can lead to overheating and in‐

creases the rate at which damage develops in‐

side the tires. This could result in a sudden loss

of tire inflation pressure.◀

You can increase the engine's braking effect by

shifting down in the manual mode of the auto‐

matic transmission, refer to page 74.

Avoid load on the brakes

No fluids in the cargo area

Avoid placing excessive load on the brake

system. Light but consistent brake pressure can

lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos‐

sibly even brake failure.◀

Make sure that fluids do not leak into the

cargo area; otherwise, the vehicle may be dam‐

aged.◀

154

Things to remember when driving

Driving tips

Determining the load limit

Load

BMW X5:

1. Locate the following statement on your ve‐

hicle’s placard:

BMW X6:

▷

The combined weight of occupants and

cargo should never exceed XXX kg or

YYY lbs. Otherwise, damage to the ve‐

hicleandunstabledrivingsituationsmay

result.

2. Determine the combined weight of the

driver and passengers that will be riding in

your vehicle.

3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver

and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY

pounds.

The maximum load is the sum of the weight of

the occupants and the cargo.

4. The resulting figure equals the available

amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.

The greater the weight of the occupants, the

less cargo that can be transported.

For example, if the YYY amount equals

1,400 lbs and there will be five 150 lbs pas‐

sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail‐

able cargo and luggage load capacity is

650 lbs: 1,400 lbs minus 750 lbs = 650 lbs.

5. Determine the combined weight of luggage

and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That

weight may not safely exceed the available

cargo and luggage load capacity calculated

in Step 4.

6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load

from your trailer will be transfered to your

vehicle. Consult the manual for transporting

a trailer to determine how this may reduce

the available cargo and luggage load ca‐

pacity of your vehicle.

155

Driving tips

Things to remember when driving

▷

Very heavy cargo: when the rear seat is not

occupied, secure each of the outer safety

belts in the BMW X5 in the opposite buckle.

Stowing cargo

BMW X5

Heavy cargo: stow as far forward and as low

as possible, ideally directly behind the

backrests.

▷

Cover sharp edges and corners.

Do not pile objects higher than the top edge

of the backrest.

▷

If necessary, fold down the rear backrests to

stow cargo.

Place protective material around any sharp-

edged or pointed objects that could bump

against the rear window while the vehicle is

in motion.

Securing cargo

BMW X5

BMW X6

▷

Smaller and lighter items: secure with re‐

taining straps, a cargo net or draw straps.

Larger and heavy objects: secure with cargo

straps.

156

Things to remember when driving

Driving tips

Four lashing eyes mounted in the cargo area

Loading

are used to secure these cargo straps, refer

to illustrations.

Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of

gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on

vehicle handling and steering response.

Adhere to the information included with the

cargo straps.

Therefore, note the following when loading and

driving:

Securing cargo

▷

Do not exceed the approved roof/axle loads

and the approved gross vehicle weight.

Stow and secure the cargo as described

above; otherwise it may present a danger to the

occupants, for instance during braking and

avoidance maneuvers.

▷

Distribute the roof load uniformly.

The roof load should not be too large in area.

Do not stow any heavy and hard objects in the

passenger compartment without securing

them; otherwise, they may present a danger to

occupants, for instance during braking and

avoidance maneuvers.

Always load the heaviest pieces on the bot‐

tom.

▷

Fasten roof-mounted cargo correctly and

securely.

Do not let objects project into the opening

path of the tailgate.

Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle

weight or either of the approved axle loads, as

excessive loads can pose a safety hazard, and

may also place you in violation of traffic safety

laws.

Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration

and braking maneuvers. Take corners gen‐

tly.

Use only the lashing eyes pictured to fasten the

heavy-duty cargo straps. Do not secure cargo

using the upper top tether, refer to page 62,

mounting points; otherwise, these may become

damaged.◀

Driving on poor roads

Your vehicle combines an all-wheel drive sys‐

tem with the advantages of a normal passenger

car.

Do not drive on unpaved terrain

Roof-mounted luggage rack

Do not drive on unpaved terrain, as other‐

wise the vehicle may be damaged.◀

Special rack system as optional

accessory

A special rack system is available as an optional

accessory.

For your own safety and the safety of passen‐

gers and the vehicle, adhere to the following

points:

▷

Familiarize yourself with the vehicle before

driving; never take risks.

Follow the directions given in the installation in‐

structions.

▷

Adjust speeds according to road conditions.

The steeper and rougher the road surface is,

the lower the speed should be.

Mounting

Be sure that adequate clearance is maintained

for tilting and opening the glass sunroof/panor‐

amic glass sunroof.

▷

When driving on steep uphill and downhill

grades: the engine oil and coolant should be

filled nearly to the MAX mark.

BMW X5: the vehicle can be driven on uphill

and downhill grades up to 50 %.

157

Driving tips

Things to remember when driving

▷

Use Hill Descent Control HDC, refer to

page 106, on steep downhill grades.

Saving fuel

BMW X5: the vehicle can be driven away on

uphill grades of up to 33 %. The permissible

body roll is 50 %.

General information

Your vehicle contains advanced technology for

the reduction of fuel consumption and emis‐

sions.

▷

Watch for stones, holes, and other obstacles

and drive around these where possible.

Fuel consumption depends on a number of dif‐

ferent factors.

On bumps and rough roads, avoid contact

between the vehicle body and the ground.

The maximum ground clearance is 8 in‐

ches/20 cm and may vary with the loaded

cargo.

The implementation of certain measures, driv‐

ing style and regular maintenance, refer to

page 286, can have an influence on fuel con‐

sumption and on the environmental impact.

▷

When driving through water, do not exceed

the maximum water height.

Remove unnecessary cargo

Additional weight increases fuel consumption.

▷

BMW X5: 20 inches/50 cm

BMW X6: 17 inches/45 cm

Remove attached parts following use

Remove unneeded auxiliary mirrors, roof or rear

luggage racks after use.

Drive at walking speed only and do not stop

the vehicle.

▷

After driving through water, press on the

brake pedal several times at low speeds to

dry the brakes.

Attached parts on the vehicle impair the aero‐

dynamics and increase the fuel consumption.

Depending on the prevailing terrain, activate

Dynamic Traction Control DTC, refer to

page 104, briefly.

Closing the windows and glass

sunroof/panoramic glass sunroof

Driving with the glass sunroof/panoramic glass

sunroof and windows open results in increased

air resistance and raises fuel consumption.

When the wheels spin, accelerate to enable

the driving stability control systems to dis‐

tribute the drive force to the individual

wheels.

Check the tire inflation pressure

regularly

Check and, if necessary, correct the tire inflation

pressure, refer to page 269, at least twice a

month and before starting on a long trip.

▷

The stone chip guard reduces the risk of

damage to painted vehicle components,

such as in the area of the side skirts and

wheel arches. Your service center will be

glad to advise you.

Low tire inflation pressure increases rolling re‐

sistance and thus raises fuel consumption and

tire wear.

After driving on poor roads

Adhere to the following points to ensure vehicle

safety:

Drive away without delay

▷

Remove excessive accumulations of dirt

and mud from the vehicle body.

Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the

vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right

away, but at moderate engine speeds.

▷

Clear mud, snow, ice, etc., from the wheels

and tires and check for damage.

This is the fastest way for the cold engine to

reach its operating temperature.

158

Things to remember when driving

Driving tips

Look well ahead when driving

Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.

By maintaining a suitable distance to the vehicle

driving ahead of you.

Driving smoothly and looking ahead reduces

fuel consumption.

Avoid high engine speeds

Driving at a low engine speed reduces fuel con‐

sumption and minimizes wear.

Use coasting conditions

When approaching a red light, take your foot off

the accelerator and let the vehicle coast to a halt.

On a downhill gradient, take your foot off the ac‐

celerator and let the vehicle roll.

The flow of fuel is interrupted while coasting.

Switch off the engine during longer

stops

Switch off the engine during longer stops, e.g.,

at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in traffic

congestion.

Fuel savings are already achieved after the en‐

gine is turned off for as little as 4 seconds.

Switch off any functions that are not

currently needed

Functions such as seat heating and the rear win‐

dow defroster require a lot of energy and con‐

sume additional fuel, especially in city and stop-

and-go traffic.

Therefore, switch off these functions if they are

not actually needed.

Have maintenance carried out

Have vehicles maintained regularly to achieve

optimal vehicle economy and operating life.

Have the maintenance carried out by your serv‐

ice center.

Please also note the BMW Maintenance Sys‐

tem, refer to page 286.

159

Driving tips for Your BMW X5 SUV Second Generation (2007-2013)

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