2008 BMW X6 tow

Practical interior accessories
116 1.Position the screwdriver from the onboard
tool kit, refer to page245, on the instrument
panel at the side and open the cover, arrow.
2.Pull the strap upward, arrow. The glove
compartment is opened manually.
Center armrest, front
A storage compartment is located under the
armrest between the front seats and, depend-
ing on the vehicle's equipment, also a cover for
the mobile phone bracket or the snap-in
adapter. Also refer to page206.
Opening cover
Push cover down slightly and press the button.
The cover folds upward.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks
over the vehicle's loudspeaker system:
>AUX-In connection, refer to page186
>USB audio interface
*, refer to page187
Flashlight*
The flashlight is located in the storage compart-
ment between the front seats. Pull the flashlight
out of the holder when needed.
Battery change
To remove and insert the batteries, screw off
the flashlight head.
Return used batteries to a recycling col-
lection point or to your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.<
Storage compartments
Compartments are located in the doors, in the
center console in the front and rear
*, and in the
rear console.
Storage nets
* are located on the backrests of
the front seats.
Do not stow hard or sharp-edged objects
in the storage nets; otherwise there is an
increased risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent.<
Clothes hooks
To fold out, press against upper edge.
When hanging clothing on the hooks,
ensure that it will not obstruct the driver's
vision. Do not hang heavy objects on the hooks.

Practical interior accessories
120
Expanding cargo bay
The rear seat backrest is divided. You can fold
down both sides separately in order to expand
the cargo bay.
Before folding the rear seat backrest for-
ward or using the ski bag, remove bever-
age containers from the cup holder and close
the cup holder.<
Reach into the recess and pull toward the front.
When you fold back the backrest, be sure
that the catch engages securely. The red
warning indicator disappears in the recess
when the catch is engaged. If it is not properly
engaged, transported cargo could enter the
passenger compartment during braking or eva-
sive maneuvers and endanger the vehicle occu-
pants.<
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
please observe the safety belt information on
page42.<
Storage compartments in
cargo bay
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the fol-
lowing storage compartments are provided in
the cargo bay.
>Storage compartment
* behind the left side
panel.
>Storage compartments under the floor
panel.
>Storage compartment on the right in the
cargo bay.>Storage tray
* under the floor panel,
capacity approx. 2.8 cu ft/80 liters.
>Retaining straps
* on the left and right side
panel for securing small objects.
>Hooks
*, e.g. for hanging up shopping bags
or carrier bags on the left and right in the
cargo bay.
>Net
* on the left side panel of the cargo bay
for smaller objects.
>Lashing rail with lashing eyes
*. You can
secure heavy-duty cargo straps on the lash-
ing eyes.
They can be removed at the notches in the
rails. To move the lashing eyes, press the
button.
Read and comply with the information
enclosed with the heavy-duty cargo
straps.<
Floor panel flap
To access the onboard toolkit etc.
To open, swing up the flap by the handle, refer
to arrow.
The floor panel flap can be locked.
Adaptive fastening system*
The adaptive fastening system is used to divide
up the cargo bay. It consists of two brackets
with a telescopic rail and retaining straps.
These are guided into the two rails on the cargo
bay floor.
Before using the adaptive fastening sys-
tem, fold up and lock the rear seat back-
rest; otherwise, the cargo could be thrown into
the vehicle interior in an accident.<

Controls
121Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Brackets
2Telescopic rail
3Notch in the cargo bay rail
Mounting brackets
The two brackets are connected with a tele-
scopic rail.
1.Insert the brackets at the respective notch
in the rail on the cargo bay floor.
2.Press down the brackets to push them into
the desired position.
3.Check the firm seating of the brackets.
They must be clearly heard to engage.
Do not lay cargo on the brackets, as oth-
erwise they could be unlocked.<
Dividing up cargo bay
You can position the cargo as follows:
>between the rear seat backrest and the
telescopic rail
>between the telescopic rail and the retain-
ing strapPositioning cargo between telescopic rail and
retaining strap:
1.Lay the cargo on the telescopic rail. Press
the button, arrow1, and route the retaining
strap around the cargo, arrow2.
2.Hook the retaining strap into the mount3
on the telescopic rail.
3.Press the button of the bracket, arrow1.
The retaining strap is tensioned.
You can also hook both retaining straps
into each other.<
When you are finished using the adaptive fas-
tening system, unhook the retaining strap and
guide it back into the bracket in order to prevent
damage and injury.
Then slide the fastening system toward the
front in order to permit the best possible use of
the cargo bay.
Removing brackets
Press down the brackets, slide them up to the
notches of the rails and remove them.
Depending on your vehicle's equipment pack-
age, you can store the adaptive fastening sys-
tem under the floor panel in the cargo bay.
Ski bag*
The ski bag is designed for safe, clean transport
of up to 4 pa irs of s tandard s kis or up to 2 snow-
boards.
With the ski bag you can stow skis with a length
of up to 6.9 ft/2.10 m. When skis of 6.9 ft/
2.10 m in length are loaded, the ski bag will tend
to contract, reducing its overall capacity.
Before loading the ski bag, fold in the dis-
play screen of the DVD system in the
rear
*, as otherwise the display screen could be
damaged.<

Practical interior accessories
122
Loading
1.Fold down the center armrest, press the
button and open the cover.
2.Press the button again; the cover in the
cargo bay opens. If you press the button
firmly the first time, this cover also opens.
3.Extend the ski bag between the front seats
and fill it. The zipper facilitates access to the
stowed items and drying of the ski bag.
4.Attach the hook of the ski bag retaining
strap to the eyelet on the rear seat backrest.
Only stow clean skis in the ski bag. Wrap sharp
edges to prevent damage.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con-
tents. Tighten the retaining strap on the ten-
sioning buckle for this purpose.Secure the ski bag in this way. If you fail to
do so, it could endanger occupants dur-
ing braking or evasive maneuvers.<
To store the ski bag, perform the above steps in
reverse order.
Removing ski bag
The ski bag can be completely removed, e.g. for
faster drying or to allow you to put it to other
uses.
1.Pull the handle toward the front, arrow1.
2.Take out the ski bag upward, arrow2.
3.Close the cover in the cargo bay.
Details on various inserts are available
from your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center.<

Driving tips
129Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Make sure that no fluids leak in the cargo
bay; otherwise the vehicle could be dam-
aged.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX lbs. or YYY kg. Otherwise, this could
damage the vehicle and produce unstable
vehicle operating conditions.<
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 lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lbs.
passengers in your vehicle, then the
amount of available 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, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage
can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward and as low
as possible, placing it directly behind the
backrest.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>When hauling very heavy cargo and the rear
seat is not occupied, secure each safety
belt in the opposite buckle.
>Do not pile objects higher than the top edge
of the backrest.

Things to remember when driving
130 >Wrap sharp-edged or pointed objects
which could strike the rear window while
driving.
Securing cargo
>Use the luggage net*, retaining straps*, or
securing straps to hold down small and
lightweight luggage and cargo.
>For larger and heavier pieces, heavy-duty
cargo straps
* are available from your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. Four lashing
eyes
* mounted in the cargo bay are used to
secure these heavy-duty cargo straps, refer
to illustration.
>Please observe the special instructions
supplied with the heavy-duty cargo straps.
Position and secure the cargo as
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden
braking or evasive maneuvers are necessary.
Use only the lashing eyes
*, refer to illustration,
to secure the heavy-duty cargo straps; other-
wise, the cargo straps could come loose or the
vehicle could be damaged.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page260, as excessive loads can pose a
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws.
You should never transport unsecured heavy or
hard objects in the passenger compartment, as
they could fly around and pose a safety hazard
to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.<
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option
for your BMW. Please comply with the precau-
tions included with the installation instructions.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
its handling and steering response. You should
therefore always remember not to exceed the
approved roof load capacity, the approved
gross vehicle weight or the axle loads when
loading the rack.
You can find the specified weights under
Weights on page260.
The load on the roof must be evenly distributed
and must not extend outward beyond the limits
of the loading surface. Always stow the heaviest
pieces on the bottom. Be sure to maintain ade-
quate clearance for the raising of the glass sun-
roof and that objects do not project into the
opening path of the liftgate.
Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and
braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.
Driving on poor roads
Your BMW is at home on all roads and surfaces.
It combines a 4-wheel drive system with the
advantages of a normal passenger car.
Do not drive on unpaved terrain, as other-
wise the vehicle may be damaged.<
When you are driving on poor roads, there are a
few points which you should strictly observe for
your own safety, for that of your passengers,
and for the safety of the vehicle:
>Familiarize yourself with the vehicle before
driving off and avoid taking risks at all costs.
>Adapt your driving speed to the road condi-
tions. The steeper and rougher the road
surface is, the lower the speed should be.

Navigation
Driving tips
137Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
Entering a destination
manually
The system's word matching principle makes it
easier for you to enter the names of streets or
towns/cities, refer to page147. This allows you
to enter different spellings and completes your
entry automatically so that stored names can be
called up quickly.
1.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Navigation" is selected and
press the controller.
"New destination" is selected.
2.Press the controller.
3.Select "Enter address" and press the con-
troller.
The system also supports you with the follow-
ing features:
>If you do not enter a street, the system will
guide you to the downtown area of a town or
city.
>You can skip the entry of country and town/
city if the current entries should be retained
for your new destination.
Selecting country
1.Select "State / Province" or the displayed
country and press the controller.
The list of available countries appears on
the display.
2.Select the country of destination and press
the controller.
In order to be able to start the destination guid-
ance, at least the town/city of the destination or
its zip code must be entered.
Entering destination via town/city
name
1.Select "Town / City" or the displayed town/
city and press the controller.
2.Select the starting letter and press the con-
troller.
A list of all towns/cities starting with this let-
ter appears on the Control Display.
3.To delete the letter entered if necessary:
>Delete individual numbers or letters:
Move the controller toward the right to
select and press the controller.
>Delete all numbers or letters:
Move the controller toward the right to
select and press the controller
longer.

Destination entry
138 4.If necessary, enter more letters.
The list gradually grows smaller each time
you enter a new letter.
>Enter blank space if necessary:
Select the symbol and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to the third field from the top if nec-
essary. Turn the controller until the town/
c i t y n a m e i s s e le c t e d f ro m t he l is t a n d p r es s
the controller.
Entering destination via zip code
1.Select "Town / City" and press the control-
ler.
2.Enter the zip code:
Select the desired digits and press the con-
troller.>Enter a blank space:
Select the symbol and press the con-
troller.
>Delete individual numbers or letters:
Move the controller toward the right to
select and press the controller.
>Delete all numbers or letters:
Move the controller toward the right to
select and press the controller
longer.
3.Select the zip code and press the controller.
The corresponding destination is displayed.
4.Change into the third field from the top.
Turn the controller until the destination is
selected and press the controller.
Entering street, house number and
intersection
After the street you can also enter the intersec-
tion or the house number.
Entering street and intersection
1.Select "Street" or the displayed street and
press the controller.
2.Enter the street.
The street is entered exactly like the desti-
nation.
The intersection is entered in the same way as
the street.
Entering a street without entering a
town/city of destination
You can also enter a street without entering a
town/city of destination. In this case all streets
of the entered country are offered for selection.