Driving on poor roads
Your vehicle combines an all-wheel drive system with the advantages of a normal passenger car.
 Do not drive on unpaved terrain 
Do not drive on unpaved terrain, as otherwise 
the vehicle may be damaged.◀ 
For your own safety and the safety of passengers 
and the vehicle, adhere to the following 
points:
  Do not drive on unpaved terrain 
Do not drive on unpaved terrain, as otherwise 
the vehicle may be damaged.◀ 
For your own safety and the safety of passengers 
and the vehicle, adhere to the following 
points:
▷ Familiarize yourself with the vehicle before 
driving; never take risks.
▷ Adjust speeds according to road conditions.
The steeper and rougher the road surface is, 
the lower the speed should be.
▷ 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%.
▷ Use Hill Descent Control HDC, refer to 
page 98, on steep downhill grades.
BMW X5: the vehicle can be driven away on 
uphill grades of up to 33%. The permissible 
body roll is 50%.
▷ Watch for stones, holes, and other obstacles 
and drive around these where possible.
▷ On bumps and rough roads, avoid contact 
between the vehicle body and the ground.
The maximum ground clearance is 8 inches/ 
20 cm and may vary with the loaded cargo.
▷ When driving through water, do not exceed 
the maximum water height.
▷ BMW X5: 20 inches/50 cm
▷ BMW X6: 17 inches/45 cm
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.
▷ Depending on the prevailing terrain, activate 
Dynamic Traction Control DTC, refer to 
page 97, briefly.
▷ When the wheels spin, accelerate to enable 
the driving stability control systems to distribute 
the drive force to the individual 
wheels.
▷ BMW X5 with M Sport Package: if the vehicle 
is primarily used on poor roads or unpaved 
surfaces, it may be advantageous, 
depending on the driving style, to use the 
stone chip guard offered by the service center.
This 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.
After driving on poor roads
Adhere to the following points to ensure vehicle safety:
▷ Remove excessive accumulations of dirt 
and mud from the vehicle body.
▷ Clear mud, snow, ice, etc., from the wheels 
and tires and check for damage.
See also:
Calling up information on the infodisplay
   
Press the onboard computer button on the turn
signal lever.
Information is displayed on the info display of the
instrument cluster. ...
   
Controls
   This chapter is intended to provide you with 
information that will give you complete control of 
your vehicle. All features and accessories that are 
useful for driving and your safety, comfort an ...
   
Hiding Check Control messages
   
Press the computer button on the turn signal 
lever.
▷ Some Check Control messages are displayed 
continuously and are not cleared until 
the malfunction is eliminated. If several 
malfun ...
   
