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9BMW X6: upshifting or downshifting
with automatic transmission 71
10 Instrument panel 12
13 Ignition lock 65
14 Buttons on steering wheel 15
Horn, entire surface
18 Releasing hood 258
8
Turn signals 73
High beams, headlamp flasher 73
Roadside parking lamps
*112
Time, date, outside temperature,
Check Control 78, 86
Computer 80
11 Windshield wipers 74
Rain sensor 74
BMW X5: rear window wiper 75
12 Starting/stopping engine and
switching ignition on/off
65
Telephone
*:
> Press: accepting and ending
call, starting dialing
* for
selected phone number and
redialing if no phone number is
selected
> Press longer: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice
activation system
* 23
Changing radio station
Selecting music track
Scrolling in phone book and in lists
with stored phone numbers
Individually programmable 59
Individually programmable 59
Steering wheel heating
*59
16 Steering wheel adjustment 58
17 Cruise control
*75
Cockpit
12
Instrument panel
1Indicator lamps for turn signals
2 Speedometer
3 Indicator and warning lamps 13
4 Tachometer 79
5 BMW X5: energy control 79
BMW X6: engine oil temperature 79 or
energy control 79
6 Display for
>Clock/date 78
> Outside temperature 78
> Indicator and warning lamps 85
> Speed of cruise control
*76
> BMW X5: reserve display for diesel
exhaust fluid 246 7
Display for
>Odometer and trip odometer 78
> Computer 80
> Date and remaining travel distance
for service requirements 82
> Automatic transmission positions 70
> HDC Hill Descent Control 98
> Check Control message present 85
> Adaptive Drive
*99
> BMW X6: Dynamic Performance
Control 97
8 Fuel gauge 80
9 Resetting trip odometer 78
Displaying service requirement 78
Controls
79Reference
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Mobility
Tachometer
Do not operate the engine with the needle in the
red overspeed zone of the gauge, refer to arrow.
At high revs in this range, the flow of fuel is
interrupted to protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
Should the coolant, and with it the engine
become too hot, a warning lamp lights up. In
addition, a message appears on the Control
Display.
Checking coolant level, refer to page262.
Engine oil temperature*
When the engine is at operating temperature,
the engine oil temperature is between approx.
170 7/80 6 and approx. 250 7/120 6.
When the engine oil temperature is too high, a
warning lamp lights up in the instrument panel.
Energy control*
Displays the current fuel consumption. This
allows you to see whethe r your current driving
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
Controls
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>Individual program
Selecting program
Press the button repeatedly until
the desired program is shown on
the Control Display.
Adjusting air distribution individually –
individual program
The settings are stored in this program.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.
1. Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".
3. Select "Vent settings" and press the con-
troller.
The driver's and front passenger side can
be adjusted separately with the fields on the
right or left side.
4. Select the driver's or front passenger side
if necessary.
Move the controller to the right or left
repeatedly until the driver's or front passen-
ger side is selected.
5. Select the desired field by moving the con-
troller.
6. Turn the controller to ad just the air distribu-
tion.
Driver's side:
1 Air toward the windshield and side windows
2 Air for the upper body
3 Air to footwell Front passenger side:
4
Air for the upper body
5 Air to footwell
Pressing the AUTO button cancels the
manual air distribution settings. <
The automatic mode for the air volume remains
effective with manual air distribution.Switching cooling function on and off
The cooling function cools and
dehumidifies the incoming air
before also reheating it as
required, according to the temperature setting.
This function is only available when the engine
is running.
The cooling function helps to avoid condensa-
tion on the window surfaces or to quickly
remove them.
Depending on the weathe r, the windshield may
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is switched on automati-
cally with the AUTO program.
Maximum cooling
Maximally cooled air is obtained as
quickly as possible at an outside
temperature above approx. 32 7/
0 6 and with the engine running.
The automatic climate cont rol switches into the
recirculated-air mode at the lowest tempera-
ture. The maximum air volume flows out of the
air vents for the upper body. Therefore, open
these vents for maximum cooling.
AUC Automatic re circulated-air
control/recirculated-air mode
You can respond to pollutants or
unpleasant odors in the immediate
environment by suspending the
supply of outside air. The system
then recirculates the air currently within the
vehicle. During AUC operation, a sensor
detects pollutants in the outside air and con-
trols the shut-off automatically.
Climate
118
By pressing the button repeatedly, you can
request three operating modes:
>
LED off: outside air flows in continuously.
> Left LED on, AUC mode: the system
detects pollutants in the outside air and
shuts off the supply as needed.
> Right LED on, recirculated-air mode: the
supply of outside air is permanently shut off.
Should the windows fog up in the recircu-
lated-air mode, press the AUTO button or
switch off the recirc ulated-air mode and
increase the air volume if necessary.
The recirculated-air mode should not be used
without interruption over an extended period of
time, as the air quality inside the vehicle deteri-
orates continuously. <
Residual heat
The heat stored in the engine is used to heat the
passenger compartment, e.g. while stopped at
a school to pick up a child.
Switching on
Pressing the right side switches on
the residual heat utilization when
the following conditions are met:
> up to 15 minutes after switching off the
engine
> with the engine at operating temperature
> with sufficient battery voltage
> at an outside temperature below 77 7/
25 6
REST appears on the display of the automatic
climate control when the residual heat utiliza-
tion is switched on.
From radio readiness the interior temperature,
the air volume and the air distribution can be
set.
Switching off
You can select the lowe st blower speed by
pressing and holding th e left side. Pressing
again switches off the re sidual heat utilization.
REST disappears from the display of the auto-
matic climate control.
Switching automatic climate control on
and off
You can select the lowest blower
speed by pressing and holding the
left side. Pressing again switches
off the automatic climate control.
Y o u s w i t c h o n t h e s y s t e m a g a i n b y p r e s s i n g a n y
button of the automatic climate control.
Front ventilation
1 Serrated dials to smoothly open and close
air vents
2 Levers to change th e air vent direction
Do not drop any foreign objects into the
air vents, otherwise these could be cata-
pulted outwards and lead to injuries. <
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the air vents to direct the flow of cool air
in your direction, for instance, if the interior has
become too warm, etc.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the air vents so that the air flows past you
and is not directed straight at you.
Driving tips
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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-
Things to remember when driving
140
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contac
t between the tires and
the road surface, ultima tely undermining your
ability to steer and brake the vehicle. <
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread
depth of the tires decreases, also refer to Mini-
mum tread depth on page 255.
Driving through water
Maximum water depth:
>BMW X5 20 in/50 cm
> BMW X6 17 in/45 cm
Only drive through water up to the above-
mentioned depth at no greater than walk-
ing speed; otherwise, the engine, electrical sys-
tem, and transmission can be damaged. <
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pre ssure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the gear in which the least br
aking is required. Even
light but consistent pressure on the brake pedal
can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and
possibly even brake failure. <
The braking effect of the engine can be further
increased by downshifting in the manual mode
of the automatic transmis sion, if necessary into
first gear, refer to page 71. This prevents an
excessive strain on the brakes.
Do not drive in idle or with the engine
stopped, otherwise there will be no
engine braking action or support of the braking
force and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in op erating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to re spond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic climate
control system during operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page 57,
otherwise they could be damaged due to the
width of the vehicle.
Release the parking brake, particularly when
you have activated Auto matic Hold, refer to
page 67.
Mobility
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Fuel specifications
Gasoline engine: required fuel
Do not use leaded gasoline, otherwise
damage to the catalytic converter will
result.
Do not use E85, i.e. fuel that consists of 85 %
ethanol, or Flex Fuel, otherwise permanent
damage to the engine and the fuel supply sys-
tem will result. <
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is hi ghly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no affect on the engine life.
Do not use gasoline below the specified
minimum quality, otherwise engine dam-
age can result. <
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has in dicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among ga solines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight,
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void
the applicable warranti es with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
drivability, starting and stalling problems
especially under certai n environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter drivability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may also result in un scheduled maintenance. <
BMW X5 with BMW Advanced Diesel:
Required fuel
Ultra-low sulfur diesel
The engine of your BMW is designed for diesel
with a low sulfur content:
Ultra-low sulfur diesel ASTM D 975-07a.
Refuel only with ultra-low sulfur diesel.
The percentage of biodiesel in the fuel
must not exceed 5 Ξ, referred to as B5. Do not
refuel with gasoline. If the vehicle has been
refueled with incorrect fuel such as gasoline, do
not start the engine; otherwise, there is a dan-
ger of engine damage. <
After incorrect refueling, contact a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.
The fuel filling neck is designed for refuel-
ing with diesel nozzles.
If the nozzle cannot be inserted into the fuel
filler pipe of your BMW, please check to make
sure that you are refueling with a diesel fuel
pump and whether this is equipped with a diesel
nozzle. <
Winter diesel
In order to assure the operational reliability of
the diesel engine, during cold seasons, please
refuel with winter diesel, which is sold at fuel
stations during this time of year. The standard
fuel filter heating prevents the supply of fuel
from stalling during driving.
Do not mix in any additives or gasoline;
otherwise, there is the risk of engine dam-
age. <
BMW X5 with BMW Advanced
Diesel
The concept
BMW Advanced Diesel reduces nitrogen oxides
in the diesel exhaust of your vehicle by injecting
the reducing agent diesel exhaust fluid into the
exhaust line. In the cata lytic converter, a chem-
ical reaction occurs th at minimizes nitrogen
oxides.