2008 BMW X6 winter tires

Wheels and tires
236 heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page237.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. For the sake of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base are
distributed over the tire's circumference and
are marked on the side of the tire with TWI –
Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread has been
driven down to the wear indicators, a tread
depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazards and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or
tire shop that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. If necessary, have the vehicle towed
there. Otherwise, tire damage can be extremely
dangerous to vehicle occupants and other road
users.<

Mobility
237Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of partially self-contained
tires and special rims. The sidewall reinforce-
ment ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of
a flat tire page90
>With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure page92
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center or a tire shop that works according to
BMW repair procedures with correspondingly
trained personnel. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam-
age and related safety hazards. Make sure that
the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend that you use
retreaded tires, as driving safety may be
impaired. The causes for this include the possi-
bly different tire casing structures and the often
wide variations in their age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
The right wheels and tires
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. Your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be
happy to advise you.
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
When changing to larger wheels and tires,
it may be necessary to make changes to
the wheelwell trim piece, as otherwise road
users could be endangered or the vehicle could
be damaged. Only have this work carried out by
a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a
workshop that works in accordance with BMW
guidelines and uses appropriately trained per-
sonnel.<
You can ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center for the correct wheel/tire combination.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC, xDrive,
Dynamic Performance Control, or Flat Tire
Monitor.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. Following
tire damage, have the original wheel and tire
combination remounted on the vehicle as soon
as possible.

Wheels and tires
238
Wheels with electronics for
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics, otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor cannot detect a flat tire,
refer to page91. Your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center will be happy to advise you on
this subject.
Recommended tire brands
Certain tire makes are recommended by BMW
depending on the tire size. You can recognize
these from the clearly visible BMW marking on
the tire sidewall.
When used properly, these tires comply with
the most demanding standards for safety and
vehicle response.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Paying attention to speed
Always observe the maximum permissi-
ble speed for the winter tires, otherwise
tire damage may occur, which can result in acci-
dents.<
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible. Always
protect tires against all contact with oil, grease
and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum tire
inflation pressure indicated on the side wall of
the tire.
Rotating wheels between axles
Even with tires of the same size, BMW
recommends that you not rotate the front
tires to the rear or vice versa as this can nega-
tively affect handling characteristics.
When the vehicle is equipped with different
tires sizes
*, rotating tires from one axle to the
other is not permitted.<
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain fine-link snow chains,
classifies them as road-safe and recommends
them. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
can provide you with this information.
It is only permissible to use snow chains in
pairs, on the 255/50 R 19 rear wheels.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph/50 km/h with the chains mounted.
After mounting snow chains, do not ini-
tialize the Flat Tire Monitor
*, as otherwise
incorrect displays can occur.
When you are driving with snow chains, it can
be beneficial to activate DTC briefly, refer to
page86.<

Replacing components
248 2.Rotate the bulb socket to the left and
remove.
3.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
4.Insert the bulb socket in the liftgate and
engage it.
5.Replace the cover.
License plate lamp
5-Watt bulb, C5W
1.Slide the lamp to the right with a screw-
driver, refer to arrow1.
2.Remove the lamp, arrow2.
3.Replace the bulb.
4.Reinstall the lamp.
Center brake lamp
This lamp uses LED technology for operation.
In case of a defect, please go to a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel.
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires as
standard. As a result, it is not necessary to
change the wheel immediately in the case of air
loss in the event of a breakdown.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of
a flat tire page90
>With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure page92
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to Run-flat tires, page237.
When mounting new tires, or changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, use run-flat
tires for your own safety. No spare tire is avail-
able in case of a flat tire. Your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center will be happy to advise
you. Also refer to New wheels and tires,
page237.
Suitable tools for changing tires are avail-
able as accessories at your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.<
Jacking points for vehicle jack
The jacking points for the vehicle jack are
located in the positions shown.
Compact wheel*
Safety precautions in the event of a flat
tire or wheel change: park the vehicle as
far as possible from passing traffic and on solid
ground. Switch on the hazard warning flashers.
Set the parking brake and engage transmission
position P.
Have all vehicle occupants get out of the vehicle

Replacing components
250 2.Guide the jack head into the rectangular
recess of the jacking point when cranking
up, refer to illustration detail.
3.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised from the ground.
Mounting a wheel
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel.
2.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub. Also clean the lug bolts.
3.Position the new wheel or compact wheel.
Secure the wheel by screwing at least two
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes.
When you mount wheels other than Genu-
ine BMW light-alloy wheels, different lug
bolts may also be required.
4.Screw in the remaining lug bolts. Tighten all
the bolts securely in a diagonal pattern.
5.Lower the vehicle and remove the jack from
beneath the vehicle.
After mounting
1.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
To ensure safety, always have the
lug bolts checked with a calibrated
torque wrench as soon as possible to
ensure that they are tightened to the speci-
fied torque. Otherwise, incorrectly tight-
ened lug bolts are a hidden safety risk. The
tightening torque is 101 lb ft/140 Nm.<
2.Stow the defective wheel in the cargo bay.
The defective wheel cannot be stored
under the floor panel flap due to its
size.<3.Check and correct the tire inflation pressure
at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems with valve screw
caps against dirt and contamination.
Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source of
gradual air loss.<
4.Initialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page90, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page92.
5.Replace the damaged tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
The driving characteristics change, for example
reduced track stability on braking, extended
braking distance, and altered self-steering
characteristics in the limit range. In conjunction
with winter tires, these characteristics are more
pronounced.
Only one compact wheel may be
mounted. Restore the wheels and tires to
their original size as quickly as possible. Failure
to do so is a safety risk.<
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
will be glad to advise in all matters concerning
the battery.
Charging battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine switched off. Connections, refer to
Jump starting on page253.

Everything from A to Z
266
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions, and
indicates where to find them
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System85
Accessories6
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control75
Activated-charcoal filter108
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation110
Active seat49
Active seat ventilation48
Active steering94
– warning lamp94
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display94
Adaptive Drive88
Adaptive fastening
system120
Adaptive Head Light101
"Add digits" for mobile
phone214
"Address book" for
navigation144
Address for navigation
– deleting145
– entering137,144
– selecting144
– storing144
– storing current position144
"Add to destination list"139
Adjusting confirmation signals
for locking and unlocking31
Adjusting temperature with
expanded-scope automatic
climate control105Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control161
Adjusting thigh
support43,44
"After door opened"45
"After unlocking"45
Airbags95
– sitting safely42
– warning lamp96
Air distribution
– automatic104,109
– manual105
Airing, refer to Ventilation107
Air recirculation106
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control106
– recirculated-air mode106
"Air recirculation on / off"52
Air vents103
– refer to Ventilation107
Air vents of automatic climate
control
103
Air volume105,109
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications231
Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional
alarms36
– interior motion sensor36
– switching off alarm35
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor36
– tilt alarm sensor36
"All channels" on satellite
radio171
"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires238
"All stations", displaying on
radio164All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive87
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
"AM", reception
range161,164
"Angle of view"
– DVD changer183
– DVD system in rear195
Antenna for mobile phone206
Antifreeze
– coolant242
– washer fluid65
Antilock Brake System
ABS85
Anti-theft system
– refer to Alarm system35
– refer to Central locking
system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights260
Approved engine oils241
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights260
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, front116
Around the center console14
Around the steering wheel10
Arrival time
– refer to Computer70
– refer to Starting destination
guidance148
"Arrow display" for
navigation149
Arrow view for navigation
system149
Ashtray
– front117
– rear117
Assist, refer to separate
operating instructions

Reference 275
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
L
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams99
Lamps and bulbs245
"Language / Units"79,80
– for navigation135,151
"Language" for DVD system
in rear194,195
"Languages"80
– for navigation135,151
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo130
Last destinations, refer to
Destination list143
"Last seat pos."45
LATCH child restraint fixing
system54
LEDs light-emitting
diodes245
Length, refer to
Dimensions259
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs248
Liftgate33
– automatic operation34
– closing34
– locking and unlocking from
inside32
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
– opening manually33
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs245
Lighter118
Lighter socket118
"Lighting"64,100
Lighting
– instruments102
– lamps and bulbs245
– of the vehicle, refer to
Lamps99
Light switch99
"Limit"77
Loading
– securing cargo130
– stowing cargo129
– vehicle128Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo130
"Lock after driving"32
Lock buttons in the doors,
refer to Locking32
Locking
– from inside32
– setting confirmation
signals
31
– using remote control29
– without key, refer to Comfort
access36
Locking and unlocking doors
– from inside32
– setting confirmation
signals31
Low beams99
– automatic99
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support44
Lows, refer to Treble and
bass161
Lug bolts249
– tightening torque, refer to
After mounting250
– wrench249
Luggage compartment
capacity, refer to Cargo bay
capacity260
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack130
Lumbar support44
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires238
"Main menu" for DVD system
in rear195
Maintenance
– refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models243
– refer to Service
requirements72
– refer to Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models243
Maintenance system243Malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door230
– glass sunroof, electric41
– parking brake60
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control75
Manual air distribution105
Manually releasing
transmission lock63
Manual mode, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic62
"Manual" on radio165
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door230
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission63
Map
– changing scale150
– destination entry141
"Map direction of travel"150
"Map facing north"150
Map facing north150
Master key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Maximum cooling106
Maximum speed
– for winter tires238
– with compact wheel250
Memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory44
"Menu"
– for DVD system in
rear193,195
– on DVD changer181,183
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Message list for traffic
information153
Microfilter108
Microphone
– for mobile phone14
– for telephone14
– for voice command
system14

Everything from A to Z
280 "Service
requirements"73,223,241
Service requirements72
– also refer to CBS Condition
Based Service243
"SET"
– DVD changer181
– rear seat entertainment193
"Set date"79
"Set" on trip computer71
"Set service date"74
"Set time"78
"Settings"227
– for unlocking30
Settings
– changing on Control
Display78
– clock, 12h/24h mode79
– configuring, refer to
Personal Profile28
Setting speed limit77
Setting time, refer to
Preselecting activation
times110
Shifting, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic62
Short commands of voice
command system262
Shortest route in navigation,
refer to Selecting route146
"Short route" for
navigation146
Shoulder support44
"Show current position"141
"Show destination
position"141
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer176
– CD player176
Side airbags95
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely42
– with airbags42
– with head restraint42
– with safety belts42
Ski bag121
Slide show, refer to Displaying
images198Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to
Glass sunroof, electric39
Slope assistant, refer to
Starting assistant89
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray117
Snow chains238
Socket for Onboard
Diagnostics interface244
Socket for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock56
Sockets, refer to Connecting
electrical devices118
Soft closure aid, refer to
Automatic soft closing33
Song search, refer to
Sampling tracks175
SOS, refer to Initiating an
emergency request252
Spare fuses251
Spare remote control28
Spare wheel
– refer to Changing
wheels248
– refer to Compact wheel248
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils241
Specified oil grades, refer to
Approved engine oils241
Speed
– with compact wheel250
– with winter tires238
Speed-dependent
volume162
Speed limit warning, refer to
Speed limit77
Speedometer12
"Speed volume", refer to Tone
control162
Sport program, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic62
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems85
"Standard" for DVD system in
rear195,202
"Star button"52Start/Stop button56
"Start" for stopwatch77
"Start guidance"139
Starting, refer to Starting
engine57
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting253
Starting assistant89
Starting difficulties, jump
starting253
Starting off on slopes, refer to
Starting assistant89
Start menu, iDrive17
"Start service"222
"Start Service" with BMW
Assist224
"State / Province" for
destination entry137
Station, refer to Radio164
"Status"74
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steering wheel
– adjusting51
– automatic adjustment, refer
to Steering wheel
memory44
– buttons on steering
wheel
11
– easy entry/exit51
– heating51
– memory44
– programmable buttons51
"Steering wheel buttons"52
Steering with variable ratio,
refer to Active steering94
Steptronic, refer to Sport
program and manual mode
M/S62
"Stop" stopwatch77
"Stopwatch"77
Stopwatch77
Storage compartments116
"Store"
– on radio166
– on satellite radio172
"Store in address book" for
navigation144