
At a glance
 11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 

Opening and closing
32
Opening and closing:
Using door lock
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if 
persons are inside  because unlocking 
from the inside is not  possible without special 
knowledge. <
When unlocking
1.Turning the key once unlocks the driver's 
door and the fuel filler door.
2. Turning the key a second time unlocks the 
remaining doors and the liftgate.
Convenience operation
You can use the door lock to operate the win-
dows and the glass sunroof
*/panorama glass 
sunroof
*.
Turn and hold the key  in the positions for 
unlocking or locking.
Watch during the closing process to be 
sure that no one is injured. Rotating the 
key back into the initial position stops the 
movement. <
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can 
turn a key all the way to  the right or left in the 
door lock to lock or unlock the driver's door.
Opening and closing: 
From inside
This button serves to unlock or lock doors and 
the liftgate, with the front doors closed. It does 
not activate the anti-theft  system. The fuel filler 
door remains unlocked.
You can also set the si tuations in which the 
vehicle is locked.
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" an d press the controller.
4. Select "Vehicle / Tire s" and press the con-
troller.
5. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Door locks" is selected and 
press the controller.
6. Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
7. Select a menu item:
>"Relock door if not opened" 
The central locking system automati-
cally locks the vehicl e after a short time 
when no door has been opened. 

Opening and closing
40
>
The engine can only be started if the vehicle 
detects that the remote  control is located in 
the vehicle.
Comparison with ordinary remote 
control
You can control the functions mentioned previ-
ously with the comfort access or by pressing 
the buttons on the remote control. Therefore, 
please familiarize yourself with the information 
on opening and closing beginning on page 28 
beforehand.
The special features when using comfort 
access are described in the following.
Should a short delay occur when opening 
or closing the windows or the glass sun-
roof
*/panorama glass sunroof*, the system 
checks whether a remote  control is located in 
the vehicle. Please repeat opening or closing if 
necessary. <
Releasing
Completely grasp a door handle, arrow 1. 
This corresponds to pressing the   button.
Locking
Touch the area highlighted in the picture, 
arrow 2, with your finger for approx. 1 second.
This corresponds to pressing the   but-
ton.
Please make sure that all electronic sys-
tems/consumers are sw itched off before 
locking to save the battery. <
Comfort closing
Hold a finger or the back of a hand on the sur-
face, arrow2.
The windows and the glass sunroof
*/panorama 
glass sunroof
* are closed.
Watch during the closing process to be 
sure that no one is injured. Removing the 
hand from the door handle immediately stops 
the closing process. <
Opening liftgate
Press the button on the liftgate. 
This corresponds to pr essing the   button.
If a remote control acci dentally left in the 
cargo bay is detected in the locked vehi-
cle after the liftgate is closed, then the liftgate 
opens again. The hazard warning flashers flash 
and a signal
* sounds. <
Switching on radio readiness
By briefly pressing the  Start/Stop button, you 
switch on the radio readiness, refer to page 65.
When doing so, do not depress the brake 
pedal, otherwise the engine will start.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine  or switch on the igni-
tion if a remote control is located in the interior 
of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 65.
As long as no remote co ntrol is detected in the 
vehicle, it is only possible to restart the engine 
within approx. 10 seconds after it is switched off 
if no door has been opened.
Switching off engine
> Remote control not in ignition lock:
After switching off the  engine, the transmis-
sion is automatically switched into trans-
mission position P.
> Remote control in ignition lock:
If transmission position N is engaged, the 
transmission remains in this position after 
the engine is switched off. 

Controls
 41Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle can roll if you proceed according to 
the following steps:
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2. Depress brake pedal.
3. Engage transmission position N.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Switch off the engine.
6. Leave the remote control in the ignition 
lock.
Malfunction
The comfort access function may malfunction 
due to local radio waves. Then open or close the 
vehicle with the buttons on the remote control 
or with a key. To start the engine following this, 
insert the remote control in the ignition lock.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when an attempt is 
made to start the engine: starting the 
engine is not possible. The remote control is 
not in the vehicle or has a malfunction. Take 
along the remote control into the vehicle or 
have it checked. Insert another remote control 
into the ignition lock if necessary.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when  the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer in the vehicle. After switching off the 
engine, the engine can only be started again 
within approx. 10 seconds if no door has been 
opened.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
Replace the battery of  the remote control.
Replacing battery
The remote control for comfort access contains 
a battery which must be replaced if necessary.
1.Remove integrated key from remote con-
trol, refer to page 28.
2. Remove cover. 3.
Lay in new battery with  positive side facing 
upward.
4. Press cover closed.
Dispose of used batteries at a collection 
point or at your BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center. <
Windows
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the windows and keep them in 
your field of vision until they are shut. 
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherw ise children could, for 
example, operate the windows and injure them-
selves. <
Opening, closing
>Press switch to resistance point: 
The window continues to open as long as 
you keep the switch pressed.
> Press switch beyond resistance point: 
The window opens automatically. Pressing 
the switch again stops the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch. 

Controls
 65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Driving
Ignition lock
Inserting remote control into ignition 
lock
Insert the remote control as far as possible into 
the ignition lock.
Radio readiness switches on. Some electronic 
systems/consumers are ready for operation.
Comfort access*
With comfort access, only insert the remote 
control into the ignition lock in exceptional 
cases, refer to page 39.
Removing remote control from ignition 
lock
Do not pull the remote  control out of the 
ignition lock using force, as otherwise 
damage may result. <
Before removing the remo te control, first press 
it in as far as possibl e to release the locking 
device.
The ignition is switched off if it was still 
switched on.
Start/Stop button
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches the 
radio readiness or the ignition on and off.
Pressing the Start/Stop button with the 
brake pedal depre ssed starts the 
engine. <
Radio readiness
Some electronic systems/consumers are ready 
for operation. The time and outside tempera-
ture are displayed in the instrument panel.
Radio readiness is auto matically switched off:
> when the remote control is removed from 
the ignition lock
> with comfort access
* by touching the sen-
sitive surface above the door lock, refer to 
Locking on page 40
Ignition on
All electronic systems/consumers are ready for 
operation. The odometer and the trip odometer 
are displayed in the instrument panel, refer to 
page78.
Please switch off the ignition and the 
electronic systems/consumers which are 
not required when the engine is not running to 
save the battery. <
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator lamps, warning lamps, and displays 
in the instrument panel go out. 

Driving
66
The ignition switches off automatically
* if the 
driver's door is opened. Pressing the start/stop 
button again switches the ignition back on.
For example, the ignition is not switched off in 
the following situations:
> the brakes are actuated
> the low beams are switched on
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms, 
otherwise the inhalati on of toxic exhaust 
gases can cause uncons ciousness and death. 
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, 
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas. 
Never leave an unattend ed vehicle with the 
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a 
potential safety hazard. 
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always 
engage transmission position N or P and set the 
parking brake before le aving the vehicle with 
the engine running. <
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it 
running while the vehicl e remains stationary. 
Instead, begin to drive  at a moderate engine 
speed.
The engine starts when you depress the 
brake pedal while pressing the Start/Stop 
button. <
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated starting attempts in 
which the engine does no t start. Otherwise, the 
fuel is not burned or  inadequately burned and 
there is a danger of overheating and damaging 
the catalytic converter. < Remote control in ignition lock or with comfort 
access in vehicle, refer to page
39.
1. Depress brake pedal.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a cert ain period and automat-
ically disengaging it as soon as the engine 
starts.
Diesel engine
When the engine is cold and outside tempera-
tures are below approx. 32 7/06 , the starting 
process may be briefly delayed by an automatic 
preglow phase. The pr eglow indicator lamp 
lights up in the instrument panel and a message 
appears on the Control Display.
Switching off engine
When leaving the vehicle, always take 
along the remote control. 
Set the parking brake firmly when parking; oth-
erwise, the vehicle could roll. <
Procedure
1.Engage transmission position P with the 
vehicle stationary.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Remove the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 65.
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle can roll if yo u proceed according to 
the following steps:
1. With comfort access
*: insert the remote 
control into the ignition lock.
2. Depress brake pedal.
3. Engage transmission position N.
4. Release the parking brake or deactivate 
Automatic Hold.
5. Switch off the engine. 

Controls
 69Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>the vehicle is braked to a stop during driv-
ing.
In the instrument panel, the indicator 
lamp changes from green to red and 
the indication AUTO H goes out.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
Before you start to driv e, either release the 
parking brake manually, refer to page 67, or 
reactivate Automatic  Hold, refer to page68.
Before leaving the vehi cle with the engine 
running, shift the selector lever into posi-
tion P of the automatic transmission and make 
sure that the parking brake is set. Otherwise, 
the vehicle may begin to roll. <
Malfunction
If the parking brake fails or malfunctions, secure 
the vehicle against rolling, e.g. with a wheel 
chock, if you leave the vehicle.
Releasing parking brake manually
In the event of an electrical power loss or elec-
trical malfunction, you can release the parking 
brake manually.
Before manually re leasing the parking 
brake and each time you park the vehicle 
without setting the park ing brake, make sure 
that the automatic transmission is in position P, 
refer to page 71. Be sure to pay attention to the 
information in the instrument panel. 
In addition, secure the vehicle against rolling, 
e.g. with a wheel chock. Otherwise there is a 
danger that the vehicle could roll if parked on a 
steep slope. <
If it becomes necessary to also release the 
transmission lock of the automatic transmission 
manually, follow this sequence:
1. If necessary, start by releasing the parking 
brake manually.
2. Then release the auto matic transmission's 
transmission lock manually, refer to 
page 72.
Jump starting and towing , refer to information 
starting on page 280.
Releasing
1.Open the left-hand side panel in the cargo 
bay.
2. Remove the first-aid kit
* and the warning 
triangle
* if necessary. Close the bracket of 
the warning triangle.
3. Insert the releasing tool, contained in the 
onboard tool kit under  the floor panel, refer 
to page 269, at the releasing point.
4. Firmly pull the releasing tool upward against 
the mechanical resistance, refer to arrow, 
until a considerable incr ease in force is felt 
and the parking brake is then clearly heard 
to release.
5. Stow the releasing tool, warning triangle
* 
and first-aid kit* and close the left side 
panel in the cargo bay.
Only have a malfunction corrected by the 
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
Center or a workshop that works in accordance 
with BMW guidelines an d uses appropriately 
trained personnel. If the parking brake has been 
released manually in response to a malfunction, 
only technicians can re turn it to operation.<
Following manual release, the actual sta-
tus of the parking brake may deviate from 
that displayed by  the indicator lamp. <
Operation after interruptions in power 
supply
The parking brake can only be used again 
if it was manually rele ased due to an inter-
ruption in the supply of electrical power. Other-
wise the operation of the parking brake is not 
ensured and there is a danger of the vehicle roll-
ing despite the parking brake being set. < 

Everything under control
80
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 22.5 US gal/
85 liters. You will find information on refueling 
on page244.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period, 
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for 
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
After the reserve quantity  has been reached, a 
message briefly appears on  the Control Display; 
the remaining range is shown in the computer. 
Below a range of approx. 30 miles/50 km, the 
message remains on the Control Display.
Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur. <
Computer
Displays in instrument panel
To display the information, press the BC button 
on the turn signal lever. The following information is displayed:
>
Cruising range
> Average speed
> Average fuel consumption
> BMW X6: Dynamic Perf ormance Control, 
refer to page 97
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available 
with the remaining fuel. The range is projected 
based on the driving style over the last 20 miles/
30 km.
Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur. <
Average speed
Periods with the vehicle parked and the engine 
stopped are not included in the calculations of 
average speed.
To reset average speed: press the BC button on 
the turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for 
the time during which the engine is running.
To reset average fuel consumption: 
Press the BC button on the turn signal lever for 
approx. 2 seconds.
For different routes
You can display the average speed and average 
consumption for two different routes on the 
Control Display, refer to the following and to 
Trip computer
*.
Displays on Control Display
You can also call up the computer via iDrive. 
For operating princi ple refer to page16.
1. Press the  button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Move the controller to  the right to open 
"Navigation".