2008 BMW X6 XDRIVE35I traction control

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Microphone for hands-free mode for
telephone
* and for voice command
system
*23
2Initiating
an emergency call252
3Reading lamps102
4Glass sunroof
*, electric39
5Interior lamps102
6Passenger airbag status lamp95
7Control Display16
Displays for menu navigation
8Hazard warning flashers
9Central locking system29
10Opening glove compartment115
11Automatic climate control104
12Ejecting audio CD
13Changing
>radio station160
>track160
14Selecting radio, CD and CD changer
15Selecting AM or FM waveband16Ejecting navigation DVD with navigation
system
*134
18Controller16
Turn, press or move horizontally
in four directions
19Opening start menu on Control Display17
20Automatic Hold58
21Parking brake57
22Adaptive Drive
*88
23Programmable memory/direct selection
buttons21
24Switching Entertainment sound output
on/off and adjusting volume160 Manual air distribution105
Automatic air distribution
and volume104
Cooling function106
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control106
Maximum cooling106
Air volume105
Residual heat utilization107
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation105
Rear window defroster105
Seat heating
*48
Active seat ventilation
*48
17
Opening liftgate33
Active seat
*49
PDC Park Distance Control
*81
Rear view camera
*83
DTC Dynamic Traction Control86
HDC Hill Descent Control87

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
86
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels
when starting off and accelerating. The system
also identifies unstable driving conditions, such
as a loss of traction at the rear of the vehicle or
sliding of the vehicle in its front wheels. In these
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe
course within physical limits by reducing engine
output and through braking actions in the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style remains the responsibility of the driver.
Therefore, do not restrict the additional safety
margin with a risky driving style, as otherwise
there is a risk of an accident.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button until the DSC indicator lamp in
the instrument panel lights up, but not longer
than approx. 10 seconds. DTC Dynamic Trac-
tion Control and DSC are deactivated together.
Stabilizing interventions are now not carried
out.
A message appears on the Control Display.
Please note any supplementary information
that appears there.To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button; the indicator lamp in the
instrument panel goes out.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive forces and
brake forces.
The indicator lamps light up:
DSC is deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions,
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving in sand, on snowy inclines, in
slush or on unplowed, snow-covered road
surfaces
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow, sand or on loose
ground
>When driving with snow chains
*
Activating DTC
Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp
in the instrument panel lights up.

Controls
87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes:
DTC controls the drive forces and
brake forces.
The indicator lamps light up:
DTC is activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp
in the instrument panel goes out.
xDrive
xDrive is the 4-wheel drive system of your
BMW. 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
situation and prevailing road conditions.
Dynamic Performance Control
The concept
Dynamic Performance Control optimizes the
handling characteristics of your BMW when
starting off, cornering, and during evasive
maneuvers. To achieve this, the system variably
distributes the drive torque of the rear axle to
the two rear wheels. This further increases the
steering precision and tracking stability of your
vehicle.
Display
The instrument panel display shows how xDrive
and Dynamic Performance Control are distrib-
uting the drive torque.Press the BC button on the turn signal lever
repeatedly until the display appears, refer to
arrow.
The drive train and wheels are schematically
depicted.
Bar graphs show the current distribution of
drive torque. The longer an illuminated bar is,
the greater the drive torque in the related wheel.
Malfunction
If xDrive and Dynamic Performance Control are
malfunctioning, the instrument panel display
appears in gray.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept
HDC is a system for driving downhill in steep
terrain. This system reduces vehicle speed on
steep downhill gradients, thus allowing you to
maintain even better control of your BMW
under these conditions. The vehicle moves at
approximately walking speed without active
intervention from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehicle speeds
below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When driving
down steep hills with a speed below approx.
22 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed
automatically down to approximately walking
speed, approx. 5 mph/8 km/h, and then main-
tains this speed at a constant.
Only use HDC in transmission positions D or R.
Increasing or reducing speed
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary
this automatically controlled speed within a
range extending from approx. 4 mph/6 km/h to

Driving tips
131Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>If you want to drive on very steep uphill or
downhill gradients, make sure beforehand
that the engine oil and coolant levels are
near the MAX mark, refer to page240.
>On very steep downhill slopes, use Hill
Descent Control HDC, refer to page87.
>While driving, watch carefully for obstacles
such as rocks or holes. Try to avoid these
obstacles whenever possible.
>Please make sure that the undercarriage
does not touch the ground, for example on
crests and bumpy roads. The ground clear-
ance of the vehicle is a maximum of approx.
8 in/20 cm. Please note that the ground
clearance can vary depending on loading
and the driving conditions of the vehicle.
>Only drive through water on roads up to a
maximum depth of 18 in/45 cm and only at
walking speed, making sure not to stop in
the process.
>After driving through water at low speed,
lightly press the brake pedal several times
to dry the brakes and to prevent the braking
effect from being reduced by wetness.
>Depending on the condition of the surface,
it may be practical to briefly activate DTC,
refer to DTC Dynamic Traction Control on
page86.
>If the drive wheels spin on one side, depress
the accelerator pedal sufficiently so that the
driving stability control systems can distrib-
ute the drive forces to the individual wheels.
Please note the following points after driving on
poor roads to maintain the driving safety of your
BMW:
>Clean the coarsest dirt from the body.
>Clean mud, snow, ice etc. from the wheels
and tires and check the tires for damage.

Mobility
235Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed letter
Q = up to 100 mph/160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT ... 3907 indicates that the
tire was manufactured in week 39 of 2007.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
These grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement, as measured under con-
trolled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Belted construction – radial
Rim diameter in inches
Carrying capacity ID-code
(not in ZR tires)
Speed code letter
(in ZR tires before the R)
255/55 R18109 H
e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 0806

Reference 271
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Distance to dest."71
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer70
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control81
Door entry lighting102
Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Door lock31
Door locking, confirmation
signals31
"Door locks"30,31,73
Doors
– manual operation32
– remote control29
DOT Quality Grades235
Downhill driving assistance,
refer to HDC87
Draft-free ventilation107
Drinks holder, refer to Cup
holders117
Drive for navigation DVDs160
"Driver's door only"30
Driver's seat, calibrating47
"Driver's seat climate"49
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams99
Driving on poor roads130
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route149
Driving stability control
systems85
Driving through water127
Driving tips, refer to General
driving notes126
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function106
Drying the air, refer to Cooling
function106
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control86
– indicator lamp13,86
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control86
– activating86
– indicator lamp87"DVD"
– for DVD system in rear192
– in DVD changer180
DVD
– DVD changer179
– DVD system in rear190
– player for navigation
DVD160
DVD changer179
– adjusting brightness182
– adjusting contrast182
– adjusting tone182,185
– audio and video
playback180
– audio playback184
– chapter selection184
– controls179
– DVD audio content184
– DVD control181
– DVD country codes180
– DVD-specific menu183
– fast forward181
– filling179
– installation position179
– malfunctions180
– removing DVDs179
– reverse181
– selecting audio
language185
– selecting language182
– selecting subtitles183
– selecting track183
– selecting viewing angle183
– skip chapter181
– zoom182
"DVD format"
– for DVD system in rear195
– on DVD changer182
DVD for navigation134DVD system in rear190
– CD/DVD player191
– connecting headphones191
– controls190
– displaying images from CD/
DVD198
– DVD country codes192
– external device201
– information on CD/DVD
player200
– playing audio tracks from
CD/DVD196
– playing video from CD/
DVD192
– remote control191
– switching on/off192
Dynamic Performance
Control87
"Dynamic route" for
navigation147
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC86
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC86
E
Easy entry/exit51
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD player160
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door230
– glass sunroof, electric41
– parking brake60
Electric seat43
Electric steering wheel
adjustment51
Electronic brake-force
distribution85
Electronic oil level check240

Everything from A to Z
282 Town/city for destination
entry137
Tow-starting254,255
"TPM"92
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor91
– resetting system92
– system limits91
– warning lamp92
Tracks
– finding175
– random sequence176
– sampling, scan175
Track width, refer to
Dimensions259
Traction-assist feature, refer
to DSC Dynamic Stability
Control86
Traction control, refer to
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control86
Traffic congestion
– bypassing155
– displaying traffic
information152
Traffic information for
navigation
– depiction in route map153
– displaying153
– during destination
guidance155
– switching on/off152
– symbols154
"Traffic Info settings"152
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– manually releasing
transmission lock on
automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
Transmission positions, refer
to Automatic transmission
with Steptronic61
Transporting children
safely53
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing cargo130Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tread depth236
Treble, refer to Tone
control161
"Treble / Bass" for DVD
system in rear195
"Trip computer"71
Trip computer71
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer68
"Triple turn signal"64
Trip odometer68
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions259
Turn signals64
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs246
U
Underbody protection, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR235
"Units"80
Units
– average fuel
consumption79
– temperature79
Universal garage-door
opener, refer to Integrated
universal remote
control112
Universal remote control112
"Unlock button"30
Unlocking
– from inside32
– liftgate30
– using remote control30
– without key, refer to Comfort
access36
Unlocking and locking doors,
using remote control30
Unlocking without key, refer to
Comfort access36
"Unlock rear menu" for DVD
system in rear190
"Update services"225USB audio interface187
"USB" in audio
mode186,188
Used batteries
– refer to Disposal251
– refer to Replacing battery38
V
Valve screw caps, refer to
After mounting250
Vehicle
– battery250
– breaking-in126
– care244
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– decommissioning, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
– loading128
– measurements, refer to
Dimensions259
– parking57
– washing, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– weights260
"Vehicle / Tires" for
unlocking30
Vehicle jack249
– jacking points249
Vehicle position, refer to
Displaying current
position155
Ventilation107
– draft-free107
– in the rear108
– rear automatic climate
control109
– while stationary109
Vent outlets of automatic
climate control103
Vents, refer to Ventilation107
"Vent settings"106
"Video settings" for DVD
system in rear194
Voice, refer to Voice
instructions for navigation
system151