Driving
68
automatically held in place when standing.
When driving up inclines, the system prevents
your vehicle from rolling
backward in an undes-
ired way.
After the engine is star ted, the system can be
activated and deactiva ted at any time the
driver's seat is occupied until the next time the
engine is switched off.
Activating
Press the button. The LED in the button lights
up and the indication AUTO H appears in the
instrument panel.
Automatic Hold is activated.
If the vehicle is bein g held by Automatic
Hold, the indicator light in the instru-
ment panel also lights up in green.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
Deactivating
Press the button again, the LED in the button
and the indication AUTO H in the instrument
panel go out.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold,
then press on the brake pedal to deactivate it.
When the parking brake is set manually, refer to
page 67, Automatic Hold is automatically deac-
tivated.
Driving
With Automatic Hold acti vated, the vehicle is
automatically prevented from rolling after it
comes to a stop. The indicator lamp in the instrument
panel lights up in green.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
If the transmission is in a drive position, simply
press on the gas pedal to begin driving. The
brake is automatically re leased and the indica-
tor lamp goes out.
Before driving into the car wash, deacti-
vate Automatic Hold; otherwise, the park-
ing brake will be automatically set after stop-
ping and the vehicle can no longer roll. <
Parking
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold
and you switch off the motor, the parking brake
is automatically set.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
panel changes from green to red.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
The parking brake is not set if you have
already switched off the engine while the
vehicle is rolling to a stop.
Automatic Hold is deactivated. <
You can manually rele ase the parking brake
even after switching off th e motor as long as the
remote control remains in the ignition lock, refer
to page 67. Use this function in car washes, for
example.
When leaving the vehicle, always take
along the remote control; this precaution
prevents children from releasing the parking
brake, for example. <
For your safety
Automatic Hold is auto matically deactivated
when:
> the engine is switched off
> no one is detected in the driver's seat when
the engine is running
Driving
70
Procedure
1.Switch on the ignition.
2. Press the button with the brake depressed.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
panel goes out as soon as the parking
brake is ready for operation again.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
Any noises which occur are normal. Start-up
may take several seconds.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
In addition to fully auto matic operation, you can
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to
page 71.
Transmission positions
P R N D M/S + –
To prevent the vehicle from creeping
after you select a driving position, main-
tain pressure on the brake pedal until you are
ready to start. <
Displays in instrument panel
P R N D, DS*, S1* through S6*, M1 through M6
The transmission position and the currently
engaged gear are displayed.
Engaging transm ission position
>You can only engage transmission posi-
tions D, R or N when the engine is running.
> With the vehicle stationary, depress the
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N;
otherwise the shift command will not be
executed: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping
after you select a driving position,
maintain pressure on the brake pedal until
you are ready to start. <
Shifting into D, R, N
Briefly press the selector lever in the desired
direction, beyond a resi stance point if neces-
sary. When shifting out of P or into R, simulta-
neously press button 1.
The engaged transmission position is displayed
on the selector lever.
The selector lever imme diately returns to the
center position when released.
Engaging P
Press button P.
Also observe the additional information on the
automatic transmission.
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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.<
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Windshield washer nozzles
Both windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated with the engine running or the igni-
tion switched on.
BMW X5: rear window wiper
1Intermittent mode. When reverse gear is
engaged, continuous operation is switched
on automatically
2 Cleaning the rear window
Do not use washing mechanisms when
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, other-
wise you will damage the washer pump. <
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. For
this reason, keep it away from ignition
sources and store only in the closed original
container out of reach of children. Otherwise,
there is the danger of bodily injury. Always
observe the instructions for use provided on the
containers. <
Filler neck for washer fluid
Only add washer fluid with the engine
cooled down to excl ude contact with hot
engine components. Otherwise there is a dan-
ger of fire and to personal safety if the fluid is
spilled. < All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser-
voir.
Fill with water and – if re
quired – with a washer
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix
the washer fluid before filling. <
Capacity
Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
The cruise control with a braking function is
available for use at speeds of approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h and higher. The vehicle stores and
maintains the speed that you set using the lever
mounted on the steering column. To keep the
specified speed constant, the system brakes if
the engine braking effect is not sufficient on a
downhill grade.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g. when driving on winding
roads, in heavy traffic or in poor road conditions
such as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface.
Otherwise you could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident. <
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Accelerating does not deactivate the cruise
control. After releasing the accelerator pedal,
the stored speed is reached and maintained
again.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up if the
cruise control has been deactivated
automatically, e.g. by a control inter-
vention of the DSC. A message appears on the
Control Display.
Resuming stored speed
Briefly press the button, arrow 4. The stored
speed is resumed and maintained.
With the ignition switched off, the stored speed
value is deleted and cannot be resumed again.
Displays in instrument panel
1 Stored desired speed
2 Selected desired speed appears briefly
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears
in the instrument panel display, it is possi-
ble that the system prerequisites for operation
are currently not met. <
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up if the sys-
tem has failed. A message appears on
the Control Display. Detailed informa-
tion is provided from page 85.
Everything under control
78
Everything under control
Odometer, outside
temperature display, clock
1Knob in the instrument panel
2 Time, outside temperature, and date
3 Odometer and trip odometer
Knob in the instrument panel
>With ignition switched on
Press knob:
Resetting trip odometer
Press the knob for approx. 5 seconds:
Displaying service requirements, refer to
page 82
> With ignition switched off
Press knob:
Briefly displaying time, outside temperature
and odometer
Units of measure
To select the respective units of measure, miles
or km for the odometer as well as 7 or 6 for
the outside temperat ure, refer to page89.
The setting is stored fo r the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Time, date, outside temperature
From radio readiness the outside temperature
and the time are displayed.
Setting the time, refer to page 88.
Retrieving date
Press the button on turn signal lever upward;
the date appears.
To set the date, refer to page 89.
Pressing the button upward or downward sev-
eral times changes the display between clock,
outside temperature, da te, and Check Control
messages, refer to page 86.
Outside temperature warning
If the display drops to +37 7/+3 6, a signal
sounds and a warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. There is
an increased danger of ice.
Even at temperatures above +37 7/
+3 6 ice can form. Therefore, drive care-
fully, e.g. on bridges and sections of road in the
shade, otherwise there is an increased accident
risk.<
Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting trip odometer:
Press knob 1 in the instrument panel with the
ignition switched on.
When vehicle is parked
To briefly display the time, outside temperature
and mileage after the re mote control has been
removed from the ignition lock:
Press knob 1 in the instrument panel.
Everything under control
82
Starting or stopping the
trip computer, or reset-
ting all values:
1. Select "Set" and pr ess the controller.
2. Select the desired menu item.
3. Press the controller.
Display options
You can display the computer or the trip com-
puter in the assistance window.
1.Move the controller to the right to change to
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2. Select "Onboard info" or "Trip computer".
3. Press the controller.
Service requirements
The remaining driving dist ance and the date for
the next maintenance are displayed briefly with
the ignition switched on.
To determine the extent of maintenance
required, you can also display the remaining
distance or the service da te individually in the
instrument panel.
1. With the ignition switched on, press the
knob in the instrument panel, refer to
page 78, for approx. 5 seconds until the
service requirements are displayed.
2. Press the knob repeatedly to display the
individual service requirement items.
Controls
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Technology for comfort, convenience and
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking.
Acoustic signals and an optical displays
alert
you to the approach of an object in front of
* or
behind your vehicle. To measure the distance,
there are four ultrasonic sensors in each
bumper. The range of these sensors is approx.
7 ft/2 m. But an acoustic warning only sounds at
approx. 24 in/60 cm for the sensors at the
front
* and at the two rear corners and at approx.
5 ft/1,50 m for the middle sensors at the rear.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually th e case when parking.
Avoid approaching an obje ct a t h i g h s p e e d , o t h -
erwise the physical circumstances would mean
that the system warning was too late. <
Automatic activation
Whenever the engine is running or the ignition
i s o n , e a c h t i m e y o u m o v e the selector lever into
position R, the PDC syst em is activated after
approx. 1 second.
Wait this short period before driving off.
Manual activation
Press the button, the LED lights up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Automatic deactivation
After driving approx. 165 ft/50 m or at over
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system is
switched off and the LED goes out. You can
reactivate the system manually as needed.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, the position is corre-
spondingly indicated by an interval tone. Thus,
an object detected to the left rear of the vehicle
will be indicated by a sign al tone from the left
rear speaker, etc. As the distance between
vehicle and object decreases, the intervals
between the tones become shorter. If the dis-
tance to the nearest ob ject falls to below
roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a continuous tone
sounds.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx.
3seconds:
> if you remain in front of an object that was
only detected by one of the corner sensors
> if you drive parallel to a wall
Adjusting
You can adjust the volume of the warning tones
if the vehicle is equipped with a single drive,
refer to page 90.
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a message
appears on the Control Display. PDC is mal-
functioning. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they will continue to operate effectively. Do
not spray the sensors with high-pressure clean-
ers for long periods and maintain a distance of
at least 4 in/10 cm to them.