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Instrument lighting
You can control the lighting intensity by using
the serrated dial.
Interior lamps
The interior lamps, footwell lamps*, door entry
lighting
*, cargo bay lamps, and the courtesy
lamps
* are controlled automatically.
With the courtesy lamps, LED lights are located
in the door handles to illuminate the exterior
area before the doors.
To protect the battery, all lamps in the
vehicle are switched off approx. 15 min-
utes after radio readiness is switched off, refer
to Start/Stop button on page 65.<
Switching interior lamps on and off
manually
Press the button.
If you wish the interior lamps, footwell lamps,
door entry lighting and courtesy lamps to
remain switched off all the time, press the but-
ton for approx. 3 seconds.
Reading lamps
Reading lamps are provided in the front and
rear
* adjacent to the inte rior lamps. Press the
button to switch the lamps on and off.
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Automatic climate control with 2-zone control
1Seat heating and ventilation, driver's
side 56
2 Temperature, left side of passenger
compartment
3 AUTO program
4 Temperature, right side of passenger
compartment
5 Maximum cooling
6 Seat heating
and ventilation,
front passenger side 56
7 Manual air distribution, front passenger side
8 Switching cooling function on and off
manually 9
AUC Automatic recirculated-air control/
recirculated-air mode
10 Manual air volume, sw itching off automatic
climate control, residual heat
11 Rear window defroster
12 Defrosting windows and removing
condensation
13 Air grill for interior temperature sensor –
please keep clear and unobstructed
14 Manual air distribution, driver's side
The current setting for manual air distribution
is displayed on the Control Display.
A congenial climate
The AUTO program offers the optimum air dis-
tribution and air volume for virtually all condi-
tions, refer to AUTO pr ogram below. Now you
only need to select an interior temperature
pleasant to you.
The following sections contain more detailed
information on the available setting options.
Most settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use, also re fer to Personal Profile
settings on page 28.
AUTO program
The AUTO program handles the
adjustment of air volume and air
distribution to the windshield and
side windows, in the direction of
the upper body and in the footwell.
It also adapts your inst ructions for the tempera-
ture to outside influenc es throughout the year. The cooling is switched
on automatically with
the AUTO program. At the same time, a con-
densation sensor controls the program in such
a way that window condensation is prevented
as much as possible.
Intensity of AUTO program
You can adjust the intensity of the AUTO pro-
gram by repeatedly pr essing the AUTO button.
The respective current setting is displayed
when the button on the display of the automatic
climate control is pressed.
You can also adjust the intensity of the AUTO
program via iDrive.
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16.
1. Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".
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Ventilation in rear
1Serrated dials to smoothly open and close
air vents
2 Serrated dial for adjusting the temperature
in the upper body region:
>Turn toward blue: colder
> Turn toward red: warmer
3 Levers to change the air vent direction
BMW X5: heating and ventilation,
3rd row seats
The air in the area of the 3rd row seats can be
heated or recirculated. Air vents are located in
the storage compartmen t area between the
seats and in the footwell of the 3rd row seats.
1 Serrated dial:
>Activating heating and distributing air in
footwell:
Turn toward front
> Distributing air in storage compartment
area between seats:
Turn toward rear
2 Button for switching on blower:
LED lights up
The heating is not ready for operation
without switching on the blower. After the heating is switched off, the blower can be used
to recirculate the air within the vehicle, e.g. at
high temperatures. To do
this, turn the serrated
dial 1 toward the rear and switch on the blower,
button 2.<
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
The microfilter removes dust and pollen from
the incoming air. The activated-charcoal filter
provides additional protection by filtering gas-
eous pollutants from the outside air. This com-
bined filter is changed during maintenance by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
You can select a display of more detailed infor-
mation on the Control Display, refer to page 82.
Automatic climate control
with 4-zone control*
Front operation
Corresponds to the operation of the automatic
climate control with 2-zone control, refer to
page 115.
Rear operation
The control unit is located in the center console
in the rear.
1Temperature, left rear seating area
2 AUTO program
3 Display
4 Temperature, right rear seating area
5 Seat heating, right rear seat
6 Air volume, manual
7 Seat heating, left rear seat
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Ventilation in rear
1Serrated dials to smoothly open and close
air vents
2 Serrated dials to adjust temperature in
upper body region; ca n be adjusted sepa-
rately for left and right:
> Turn toward blue: colder
> Turn toward red: warmer
3 Levers to change the air vent direction
BMW X5
1Levers to change the air vent direction
2 Serrated dial to smoothly open and close air
vents
For information on the ventilation of the 3rd row
seats, refer to page 119.
Parked-car ventilation*
The concept
The parked-car ventilation blows air into the
passenger compartment to lower interior tem-
peratures.
It is ready to use in the parked car mode at any
outside temperature.
You can set two different times for the system
to start. The parked-car ventilation can also be
switched on and off directly. It remains
switched on for 30 minutes.
Since the system uses a substantial amount of
electrical current, you should refrain from acti-
vating it twice in succ ession without allowing
the battery to be rechar ged in normal operation
between use.
The air emerges through the upper body region
air vents in the instrument cluster. Therefore,
please open the air vents.
The parked-car ventilation is operated via
iDrive.
Switching on and off directly
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16.
1. Open the start menu.
2. Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".
3. Select "Parked car operation" and press the
controller.
4. Select "Automatic ventilation" and press
the controller.
5. Select "Parked car ventilation" and press
the controller.
The parked-car ventila tion is switched on.
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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 page 220.
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 speaker system:
>AUX-In connection, refer to page 200
> USB audio interface, refer to page 201
Storage compartments
Compartments are located in the doors, in the
center console in the front and rear
* as well as
in the rear console in the X6.
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
When hanging clothing on the hooks,
ensure that it will not obstruct the driver's
vision. Do not hang heavy objects on the hooks. If you do so, they could cause personal injury to
occupants during brak
ing or evasive maneu-
vers. <
BMW X5
Clothes hooks are located near the grab han-
dles in the rear.
BMW X6
To fold out, press against upper edge.
Cup holders
Use lightweight, unbreakable containers
and do not transport hot beverages; oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the
event of an accident. Do not force unsuitable
containers into the cup holders, as otherwise
damage can result. <
Front
Slide the cover back.
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Rear
BMW X6
Slide the cover back.
Remove the insert to empty.
Lighter
Front
Press in the lighter with the engine running or
the ignition switched on.
The lighter can be removed as soon as it pops
back out.Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by
the knob only. Holding or touching it in
other areas could result in burns.
Always take along the remote control when you
leave the vehicle, otherw ise children could, for
example, use the lighter and burn themselves. <
Rear
Refer to Cigarette lighter, front.
Connecting electrical devices
Sockets
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, the cigarette lighter socket can be used as a
power outlet for hand flashlights, car vacuum
cleaners, etc., with power ratings of up to
approx. 200 W at 12 V. Avoid damaging the
socket due to inserting plugs of different
shapes or sizes. The same is true for all power
outlets in the vehicle.
In cargo bay
Access to socket:
Fold open the cover.
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Adaptive fixing system*
The adaptive fixing 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 fixing system,
fold up and lock the rear seat backrest;
otherwise, the cargo coul d be thrown into the
vehicle interior in an accident.<
1 Brackets
2 Telescopic rail
3 Notch in the cargo bay rail
Mounting brackets
The two brackets are co nnected 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 clearl y 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 strap
Positioning cargo betwee n telescopic rail and
retaining strap:
1. Lay the cargo on the te lescopic rail. Press
the button, arrow 1, and route the retaining
strap around the cargo, arrow 2.
2. Hook the retaining strap into the mount 3
on the telescopic rail.
3. Press the button of the bracket, arrow 1.
The retaining strap is tensioned.
You can also hook both retaining straps
into each other. <
When you are finished using the adaptive fixing
system, unhook the retaining strap and guide it
back into the bracket in order to prevent dam-
age 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 fixing system
under the floor panel in the cargo bay.
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speed. This is the fastest way for the cold
engine to reach its operating temperature.
Thinking ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.
To do so, maintain the appropriate distance
from the vehicle in front of you. An anticipatory
and smooth driving style reduces fuel con-
sumption.
Avoiding high engine speeds
Driving at a low engine speed reduces fuel con-
sumption and minimizes wear.
Taking advantage of coasting
The flow of fuel is interrupted when coasting.
Switching off engine during longer
stops
Switch off the engine at longer stops such as
traffic signals, railroad cr ossings, or in traffic
jams. Even having the en gine switched off for
approx. 4 seconds results in fuel savings.
Switching off functions currently not
required
Functions such as air conditioning, seat heat-
ing, or rear window defrosting consume a lot of
energy and require additional fuel. Their influ-
ence is particularly pron ounced in city traffic
and stop & go operation. For this reason, it is a
good idea to switch th ese functions off when
they are not really needed.
Having maintenance carried out
Have the vehicle serviced regularly in order to
achieve the optimum economy and service life
of your vehicle. BMW recommends having the
maintenance performed by a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center. Also pay attention to
the BMW maintenance system, refer to
page 263.
General driving notes
Closing liftgate
Operate the vehicle only when the liftgate
is completely closed. Otherwise, exhaust
fumes could enter into the passenger compart-
ment. <
If it is absolutely necessa ry to drive with the lift-
gate open:
1. Close all windows as well as the glass sun-
roof
*/panorama glass sunroof*.
2. Increase the air volume of the automatic cli-
mate control to a high level, refer to
page 116.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to it, and neve r apply undercoating to
them. When driving, stan ding at idle and while
parking take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it
the risk of serious property damage as well as
personal injury. Do not touch hot tailpipes, as
otherwise there is a danger of burns. <
Diesel particulate filter*
Soot particles are collected in the diesel partic-
ulate filter and are periodically cleared out
through high-temperature combustion. This
cleaning process lasts fo r several minutes. You
may sometimes notice it by the fact that the
engine temporarily runs a little less smoothly
and requires a somewhat higher engine speed
to achieve the usual powe r. You may also notice
additional sounds and small amounts of smoke
coming from the exhaust, even for a brief time
after switching off the engine.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-