Controls
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The transmission automatically shifts into
park if you release the driver's safety belt
and open the driver's door with the engine run-
ning while in re verse or drive.
The picture from the rear view camera
* and
PDC Park Distance Control
* on the Control
Display is hidden. <
R Reverse
Select only with the vehicle stationary.
An interlock prevents inadvertent gearshifts
into transmission position R. To deactivate the
interlock, press the release button 1.
P Park
Select only with the vehicle stationary. The rear
wheels are locked.
P is engaged automatically as soon as
you switch off the engine unless N is
engaged and on vehicles with comfort access
the remote control is inserted in the ignition
lock, refer to page 65.<
N Neutral
Can, for example, be engaged in automatic car
washes. The vehicle can roll.
N remains engaged even after the engine
is switched off whenever you leave the
remote control in the ignition lock. This function
is used, for example, in a car wash, refer to
page 66. After approx. 30 minutes P is auto-
matically engaged. <
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehi cle operation. All for-
ward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, the fuel
consumption is lowest when driving in posi-
tion D.
Kick-down
The kick-down mode provides maximum accel-
eration.
Press the accelerato r pedal beyond the
increased resistance at full throttle.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Press selector lever out of transmission
position D toward the left:
The sport program is activated and DS is
displayed in the instru ment cluster; in the
BMW X6, S1 through S6 are displayed. This
position is recommend ed for a performance-
oriented driving style.
When the selector lever is pressed forward or
back, the manual mode is activated and the
Steptronic shifts the gear. The instrument
panel shows M1 through M6.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combination
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example,
a downshift that would cause the engine to
overrev will not be executed by the system. The
selected gear is briefly displayed in the instru-
ment panel, followed by the current gear.
To use the automatic func tion again, press the
selector lever to the right into position D.
BMW X6: changing gears using shifting
paddles on steering wheel
The shifting paddles make it possible to quickly
change gears since both hands can remain on
the steering wheel.
> In automatic mode D, if you shift using the
shifting paddles on the steering wheel, then
the system switches into manual mode.
> If, after a certain amount of time, you neither
shift with the shifting paddles nor acceler-
ate, then the system switches back into
automatic mode D.
With the transmission position M/S
selected, the manual mode remains
active.<
Everything under control
90
6.
Select the menu item to be set and press
the controller.
7. Select the desired unit of measure and
press the controller.
The settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Language on Control Display
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16.
1. Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the menu.
3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4. Select "Language / Units" and press the
controller.
5. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Languages" is selected and
press the controller.
6. Select "Text language" and press the con-
troller. You can change the language of the
text displays.
7. Select and activate th e desired language by
pressing the controller.
The setting is stored fo r the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Volume of warning tones*
On vehicles equipped with a single drive, you
can increase or decrease the volume of the
warning tones, e.g. for th e safety belt reminder,
compared to the entert ainment sound output.
The warning tones have a specified minimum
and maximum volume th at cannot be dropped
below or exceeded.
1. Select "Tone / Volume" and press the con-
troller.
2. Select "Volume settings" and press the
controller.
3. Change to the second field from the top if
necessary. Select "Warning tones" and
press the controller.
4. If necessary, change to the right-hand field
and turn the controller.
The setting is applied.
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6.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
7. Select the desired fu nctions and press the
controller.
The settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Displays on Control Display
You can have the picture from the rear view
camera displayed in se veral formats and in
combination with the PDC Park Distance Con-
trol, refer to page 92.
In addition, you also have the option of display-
ing only the PDC Park Distance Control.
> "Camera picture and PDC"
The rear view camera picture is shown in
the main window of the Control Display.
> "Camera view: full screen"
The picture of the rear view camera is
shown on the entire Control Display.
> "Camera view: main window"
The picture of the rear view camera is
shown in the main window of the Control
Display.
> "PDC in main window only"
PDC is shown in the main window of the
Control Display.
Selecting displays
1.Select "Maneuvering aids" and press the
controller, refer to Activating driver assis-
tance functions.
2. Turn the controller until "View selection" is
selected and press the controller.
3. Select the desired display and press the
controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use. The picture of the rear view camera and
PDC is hidden when the vehicle is
stopped, the transmission is in R or D, and you
disconnect the driver's safety belt and open the
driver's door. <
Setting brightness
You can set the brightness of the camera view
with the rear view camera switched on.
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16.
1. Press the controller.
2. Turn the controller until "Brightness" is
selected and press the controller.
3. Set the desired brightness.
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Brake force display*
BMW X5
On the left: normal braking.
On the right: heavy braking.
BMW X6
On the left: normal braking.
On the right: heavy braking.
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2 Head-level airbags in front and rear
3 Side airbags in backrests
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
observe the adjustment instructions on
page 48.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by re sponding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The
head air bag supports the head. The airbags are deliberately not triggered in
every impact situation, e.g. less severe acci-
dents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way.
Keep the instrument cluster and window in the
region of the passenger seat free of foreign
materials, i.e. do not co ver them with adhesive
film or covers and do not attach mounts, e.g. for
a navigation device or mobile phone to them.
Do not install cosmetic covers, seat cushions,
or other items on the fr ont seats that are not
especially approved for seats with integrated
side airbags. Do not hang articles of clothing
such as jackets over the backrests.
Do not attempt to remove the airbag restraint
system from the vehicle. Do not modify or
tamper with either the wiring or the individual
components in the airbag system. This includes
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The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are activated.
> The indicator lamp does not light up when
the seat is empty.
However, the front and side airbags on the
front passenger side are not activated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
From radio readiness, refer to page 65, the
warning lamp lights up br iefly, indicating the
operational readiness of the entire airbag sys-
tem and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
> Warning lamp does not light up from radio
readiness.
> Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction, otherwise
there is a danger that the airbag system may not
respond in the expected manner in an accident
despite an impact of corresponding intensity. <
Head-Up Display*
The concept
With the Head-Up Display important informa-
tion is projected into the driver's field of view,
e.g. navigation instructions. This enables you to
take in this information without looking away
from the road.
Switching on/off
Press the button.
1 Navigation information or Check Control
messages
2 Cruise control
3 Speed
Selecting displays
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16.
1. Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the menu.
3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4. Select "Display settings" and press the
controller.
Practical interior accessories
132
Installing
When installing, proceed in the opposite order
of removal.
1.Set the cargo bay cove r into place on the
left and right sides.
2. Lift the back of the co ver slightly and slide
forward until it snaps into the two side
brackets.
Expanding cargo bay
The rear seat backrest is divided. You can fold
down both sides separate ly in order to expand
the cargo bay.
BMW X6: before folding the rear seat
backrest forward or using the ski bag,
remove beverage containers from the cup
holder and close the cup holder. <
Reach into the recess an d 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,
observe the safety belt information on
page 48.<
Storage compartments in
cargo bay
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the fol-
lowing storage compartments are provided in
the cargo bay.
> Storage compartments behind the remov-
able side panels on the right and left side of
the cargo bay
* and under the floor panel
flap, storage compartment
* right side of
cargo bay.
> Storage tray
* under the floor panel flap,
capacity approx. 21 US gal/80 liter.
> 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 pa nel 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
*.
Practical interior accessories
134
Ski bag*
The ski bag is designed for safe, clean transport
of up to 4 pairs of standard skis 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. <
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 be tween the front seats
and fill it. The zipper facilitates access to the
stowed items and drying of the ski bag.
4. BMW X5: insert the latch plate of the ski bag
retaining strap into th e center safety belt
buckle that is marked CENTER. BMW X6: 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 th is way. If you fail to
do so, it could enda nger occupants dur-
ing braking or evasive maneuvers. <
To store the ski bag, perform the above steps in
reverse order.
Things to remember when driving
142
BMW X6:
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
BMW X5
BMW X6
>
Load heavy cargo as far forward and as low
as possible, placing it directly behind the
backrest.
> Cover sharp edges and corners.
> When transporting very heavy cargo with
unoccupied rear seats, insert the safety
belts, the outer safety belts in the BMW X5,
into the buckles on the opposite sides.
> Do not pile objects high er than the top edge
of the backrest.
> Wrap sharp-edged or pointed objects
which could strike th e rear window while
driving.