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Voice activation system
The concept
The voice activation system allows you to con-
trol operation of various vehicle systems with-
out ever removing your hands from the steering 
wheel.
Individual menu items on the Control Display 
can be spoken as commands. This frees you of 
having to use the controller.
The voice activation system transforms your 
oral commands into control signals for the 
selected systems and provides support in the 
form of instructions or questions.
The voice activation system uses a special 
microphone located in th e area of the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to page 14.
Precondition
Via iDrive, set the langua ge that applies for the 
voice activation system in  order to enable iden-
tification of the spoken commands. To set the 
language of iDrive, refer to page 90.
Symbols in Owner's Manual
Voice commands
Activating voice command system
1.Press the  button on the steering wheel.
 This symbol on the Control Display and 
an acoustic signal tell you that the voice 
activation system can respond to com-
mands.
2. Say the command. 
The command is displayed on the Control 
Display.
 This symbol is shown on the Control Display 
when you can say a dditional commands. 
If no other commands are possible, then oper-
ate the equipment via iDrive.
Terminating or canceling voice 
command system
Press the  button on the steering wheel 
or
*
{ ...}  Say the specified  commands word for 
word. 
{{ ...}}  Indicates responses of the voice acti-
vation system.
{ Cancel } 

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Notes
The mobile phone can also be operated 
with voice commands, refer to 
page 231.<
For voice commands, bear the following in 
mind:
> Say the commands and numbers smoothly 
and at normal volume, avoiding excessive 
emphases and pauses. This also applies to 
spelling when entering the destination.
> Always issue commands in the language of 
the voice activation system.
> When selecting a radio station, use the 
common pronunciation of the station name.
> For entries in the voice-activated phone 
book, only use names in the language of the 
voice activation system and no abbrevia-
tions.
> Keep doors, windows, and glass sunroof
*/
panorama glass sunroof
* closed in order to 
avoid unpleasant outside noise.
> Avoid making other noise in the vehicle 
while speaking. 

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>Language on Control Display, refer to 
page 90
> 12h/24h clock format, refer to page 89
> Date format, refer to page 89
> Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to 
page 73
> Welcome lamps, refer to page 110
> Pathway lighting, refer to page 111
> Daytime driving lamps
*, refer to 
page 111
> PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page 92
> Rear view camera
*:
> Selecting functions, refer to page 93
> Type of display, refer to page 95
> Head-Up Display
*: selection, brightness 
and position of display, refer to page 107
> Automatic climate control: AUTO program 
and intensity, cooling function, and auto-
matic recirculated air control/recirculated 
air mode, temperature, air distribution, tem-
perature in the upper  body region, refer to 
text starting on page 115
> Programmable memory buttons: selecting 
stored functions, refer to page 21
> Positions of driver's  seat, outside mirrors, 
and steering wheel
*, refer to page 50
> Adaptive Drive
*: selected chassis and sus-
pension tuning, refer to page 99
> Audio sources: volume and tone settings, 
refer to page 175
> Radio:
>Display of stored stations, refer to 
page 178
> Switching RDS Radio Data System on/
off
*, refer to page 181
> Phone: volume setting, refer to 
pages 226,232
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system functions when the 
driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
> Doors
> Liftgate
> Fuel filler door
Operating from outside
>via the remote control
> via the door lock
> with comfort access
* via the door handles
The interior lamps and the courtesy lamps
* are 
also switched on and off with the remote con-
trol. The alarm system
 is armed/disarmed at the 
same time.
You can find more detailed information on the 
alarm system
 on page 38.
Operating from inside
Via the button for centra l locking, refer to 
page 32. The fuel filler door is not locked.
In an accident of sufficient severity, the central 
locking system automati cally unlocks the vehi-
cle. In addition, the hazard warning flashers and 
interior lamps come on.
Opening and closing:
Using remote control
Persons or animals left unattended in a 
parked vehicle can lock the doors from 
the inside. Always take  along the remote control 
when leaving the vehicle so that the vehicle can 
then be opened  from the outside. < 

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>"Lock after driving" 
The central locking system automati-
cally locks the vehicle as soon as you 
start to drive.
8. Press the controller. 
 The setting is selected.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Unlocking and opening
> Either unlock the door s together with the 
button for the central locking system and 
then pull the door handle above the armrest 
or
> pull on the door handle  of each door twice: 
the first time unlocks the door, the second 
time opens it.
Locking
> Use the central locking  button to lock all of 
the doors simultaneously, or
> press down the lock button of a door. 
To prevent you from being locked out, the 
open driver's door cannot be locked using 
the lock button.
Persons or animals left unattended in a 
parked vehicle can lock the doors from 
the inside. Always take  along the remote control 
when leaving the vehicle so that the vehicle can 
then be opened from the outside. <
Doors
Automatic soft closing*
To close the doors, merely push them gently. 
The closing process will then be carried out 
automatically.
Make sure that the closing path of the 
doors is clear; otherwise injuries may 
result. <
BMW X5: liftgate
During opening, the liftgate pivots back 
and up. Ensure that adequate clearance is 
available before opening. <
Opening from inside
Press the button: the liftgate opens somewhat 
unless it has been locked.
Opening from outside
Press the button on the liftgate or the  button 
on the remote control for approx. 1 second: 
The liftgate opens somewhat. It can be swung 
upward.
Opening manually
In case of an electrical malfunction:
1. From the cargo bay, pr ess out the handle in 
the liftgate, refer to arrow, with a screw-
driver and pull. The liftgate is unlocked. 

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Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp under the interior rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
> The indicator lamp flashes after locking: 
The doors, hood, or liftgate are not properly 
closed. Even if you do not close the alerted 
area, the system begins to monitor the 
remaining areas, and  the indicator lamp 
flashes continuously after approx. 10 sec-
onds. However, the interior motion sensor 
is not activated.
> The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking: 
your vehicle has not been disturbed while 
you were away.
> The indicator lamp flashes after unlocking 
until the remote control  is inserted into the 
ignition lock, however for a maximum of 
approx. 5 minutes: your vehicle has been 
disturbed while you were away.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm 
system reacts, e.g. in  case of an attempted 
wheel theft or towing.
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior  motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass sunroof
*/
panorama glass sunroof
* must be completely 
closed.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor 
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following 
situations:
> In stacking garages
> When transporting on car-carrying trains, 
by sea or on a trailer
> When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
Press the  button on the remote control 
again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp light s up briefly and then 
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and 
the interior motion sensor  are switched off until 
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Comfort access*
Comfort access enables you to access your 
vehicle without having to  hold the remote con-
trol in your hand. It is sufficient to carry the 
remote control with you,  e.g. in your jacket 
pocket. The vehicle auto matically detects the 
related remote control in the immediate vicinity 
or in the interior.
Comfort access supports the following func-
tions:
> Unlocking/locking vehicle
> Comfort closing
> Opening liftgate
> Starting engine
Functional requirements
>The vehicle can only be unlocked if the 
vehicle detects that th e remote control car-
ried is not located in the vehicle interior.
> The next unlocking and locking cycle is not 
possible until after approx. 2 seconds. 

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Raising, opening, closing
Raising
Press the switch.
The closed sunroof is raised and the sliding 
visor opens slightly.Do not use force to close the sliding visor 
with the glass sunroof in its raised posi-
tion, otherwise the mechanism will be dam-
aged. <
Opening, closing
Sliding visor
You can move the sliding visor independently 
with the sunroof closed or raised.
>Slide the switch back to the resistance 
point.
The sliding visor opens as long as you keep 
the switch in this position.
> Briefly press the switch back beyond the 
resistance point.
The sliding visor will  open automatically. 
Briefly pressing the switch stops the 
motion.
You can close the sliding visor in a similar man-
ner by sliding the switch forwards.
Panorama glass sunroof
With the sliding visor open, proceed as 
described under Sliding visor.
For information on using convenience opera-
tion at the door lock or  with the remote control, 
refer to page 30 or32.
For information on comfort closing with comfort 
access, refer to page 40.
Opening and closing sunroof and 
sliding visor together
Briefly press the switch beyond the resistance 
point twice consecutively.
Briefly pressing the switch stops the motion.
Comfort mode
>Press the switch twice with the sunroof 
open:
The sunroof is raised.
> When the sunroof is raised, briefly press the 
switch twice in the opening direction:
The sunroof is opened all the way.
Comfort position
In the comfort position,  the sunroof is not com-
pletely open; this reduces wind noise in the 
passenger compartment.
Each time the panorama glass sunroof is com-
pletely opened or closed, it stops in the comfort 
position. If desired, co ntinue the motion follow-
ing this with the switch.
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the roof for approx. 
1 minute, as long as no door has been opened.
Pinch protection system
If the panorama glass su nroof or sliding visor 
encounter resistance when closing from 
roughly one third of the sunroof opening or 
when closing from the raised position, the clos-
ing action is interrupted and the panorama 
glass sunroof and slidin g visor reopen a little.
Despite the pinch protection system, 
inspect the sunroof's tr avel path prior to 
closing it, as the safety system might fail to 
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as 
very thin objects, an d the sunroof would con-
tinue closing. < 

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BMW X6: glass sunroof*, 
electric
The glass sunroof is ready for operation when 
the ignition is switched on, refer to page65.
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the glass sunroof and keep it in 
your field of vision until it is closed.
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherw ise children could, for 
example, operate the roof and injure them-
selves. <
Raising
Press the switch.
The closed glass sunroof is raised and the slid-
ing visor opens slightly.
Do not use force to close the sliding visor 
with the glass sunroof in its raised posi-
tion, otherwise the mechanism will be dam-
aged. <
Opening, closing
>Slide the switch back to the resistance 
point.
The glass sunroof and the sliding visor open 
together as long as yo u continue to hold the 
switch in this position.
> Briefly press the switch back beyond the 
resistance point.
The glass sunroof and the sliding visor open 
automatically. Briefly  pressing the switch 
stops the motion.
You can close the glass sunroof in a similar 
manner by sliding the swit ch forward. The slid-
ing visor remains open and can be closed by 
hand. For information on using convenience opera-
tion with the remote cont
rol or at the door lock, 
refer to page 30 or 32.
For information on convenience closing with 
comfort access, refer to page 40.
Automatic opening and closing
Briefly press the switch beyond the resistance 
point.
The following movements are also automatic:
>With the sunroof open, press the switch:
The sunroof is opened all the way.
> With the sunroof rais ed, briefly press the 
switch in the opening direction: the sunroof 
is opened all the way.
Briefly pressing the switch stops the motion.
Comfort position
In the comfort position,  the sunroof is not com-
pletely open; this reduces wind noise in the 
passenger compartment.
Each time the glass sunroof is opened or closed 
all the way, it stops in the comfort position. If 
you wish, you can continue  the motion by actu-
ating the switch.
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the roof for approx. 
1 minute, as long as no door has been opened.
Pinch protection system
If the glass sunroof meets with resistance from 
about the middle of the  roof opening when clos-
ing or when lowering fr om the raised position, 
the closing process is interrupted and the glass 
sunroof opens all the way.
Despite the pinch protection system, 
inspect the sunroof's tr avel path prior to 
closing it, as the safety system might fail to 
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as 
very thin objects, an d the sunroof would con-
tinue closing. < 

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Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust or calibrate your 
seat while the vehicle is moving. The seat 
could respond with unexpected movement, and 
the ensuing loss of vehicl e control could lead to 
an accident.
Never adjust manually adjustable seats while 
the vehicle is moving, as otherwise the restrain-
ing effect of these seats during accidents could 
be reduced.
Also on the passenger side, do not incline the 
backrest too far to the re ar while the vehicle is 
being driven, otherwise there is a danger in the 
event of an accident of  sliding under the safety 
belt, eliminating the protection normally pro-
vided by the belt. <
Also observe the information on damage to 
safety belts on page 55 and on the height of the 
head restraints on page 52.
Adjusting manually*
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
observe the adjustment instructions on 
page 48.<
Pull the lever and slide th e seat to the desired 
position. After you releas e the lever, move the 
seat forward or backward slightly so that it 
engages fully.
Thigh support*
Pull the lever and adjust the thigh support in the 
longitudinal direction.
Adjusting electrically
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
observe the adjustment instructions on 
page 48.<
1 Longitudinal direction
2 Height
3 Seat tilt
4 Backrest