
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to use 
the index, refer to page296.
Using this Owner's Manual
4 Notes
7 Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16 iDrive
23 Voice activation system
Controls
28Opening and closing
48 Adjusting
61 Transporting children safely
65 Driving
78 Everything under control
91 Technology for comfort, convenience 
and safety
110 Lamps
114 Climate
123 Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
138Things to remember when driving
Navigation
148Starting navigation system
150 Destination entry
162 Destination guidance
170 What to do if …
Entertainment
174On/Off and settings
178 Radio
184 Satellite radio
187 CD player and CD changer
193 DVD changer
200 AUX-In connection
201 USB audio interface
204 DVD system in rear
Communications
220Telephoning
235 BMW Assist
Mobility
244Refueling
249 Wheels and tires
258 Under the hood
263 Maintenance
265 Care
269 Replacing components
279 Giving and rece iving assistance
Reference
286Technical data
291 Short commands of voice activation 
system
296 Everything from A to Z 

At a glance
 21Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Switching assistance window off/on
1.Move the controller to th e right to change to 
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2. Select "Assist. window off" and press the 
controller.
To switch on, change to the assistance window 
and press the controller.
Switching Control Display 
off/on
1. Press the  button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Display off" and press the control-
ler.
To switch on, press the controller.
Programmable memory 
buttons
You can save and run certain functions of iDrive 
on the programmable memory buttons:
> Destinations of navigation
> Telephone, phone numbers
*
>Entertainment:
>Radio station
> CD
> CD compartment of CD changer
*
>AUX
The assignment of the programmable buttons 
is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Saving function
Destinations of navigation
1. Select destination, e.g. in the destination 
list or the address book.
2. Press the   ...   button longer 
than 2 seconds.
Special features:
> With the destination  guidance system and 
the map view started, the current destina-
tion is stored.
> During destination entry via a map, the 
coordinates at the cursor are stored, not the 
current destination.
Telephone, phone numbers
1.Enter the phone number or select it in a 
list of the stored phone numbers, e.g. of the 
"A - Z" list.
2. Press the   ...   button longer 
than 2 seconds.
If a name is assigned to the phone number, the 
name will also be stored.
Entertainment
In the Entertainment menu, the sound source 
currently heard, e.g. a radio station, is stored, 
regardless of the selection on the Control Dis-
play. 

Controls
 127Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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. 

Things to remember when driving
138
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to 
each other. To ensure that your vehicle contin-
ues to provide optimized economy of operation 
throughout an extended service life, we request 
that you devote careful  attention to the follow-
ing section.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and vehicle speeds, 
however do not exceed:
> Gasoline engine
4,500 rpm or 100 mph/160 km/h
> Diesel engine
3,500 rpm or 90 mph/150 km/h
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick-down mode during these 
initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be 
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors  associated with their 
manufacture, tires do no t achieve their full trac-
tion potential until afte r an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during 
this break-in period.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if com-
ponents mentioned above must be replaced 
after subsequent driving operation.
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle depends 
on various factors. Through a few simple steps, 
your driving style, and  regular maintenance, you 
can have a positive influence on your fuel con-
sumption and environmental impact.
Removing unnecessary cargo
Additional weight incr eases fuel consumption.
Removing add-on parts after use
Remove unneeded auxiliary  mirrors, roof or rear 
luggage racks after use. Add-on parts attached 
to the vehicle impede the aerodynamics and 
increase the fuel consumption.
Closing windows and glass sunroof*/
panorama glass sunroof* 
An open glass sunroof/panorama glass sunroof 
or open windows likewise increase the drag 
coefficient and therefore the fuel consumption.
Checking tire in flation pressures 
regularly
Check and correct the tire  inflation pressure as 
needed at least twice a month and before long 
trips.
An insufficient tire inflation pressure increases 
the rolling resistance an d thus increases the 
fuel consumption and tire wear.
Driving off immediately
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  

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 175Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
You have the following choices:
>"FM" and "AM": radio reception
> "WB": Weather Band station
> "SAT": satellite radio
*
>"CD": CD player or changer*
>"AUX": AUX-In connection, USB audio 
interface
*
>"Set": depending on the audio source, 
other adjustments can be made, e.g. with 
the radio: update st ation with strongest 
reception, store station, tone control, sam-
ple stations.
From another menu, you can change 
directly to the scr een last displayed, 
refer to Comfort opening of menu items, 
page 18.<
From radio readiness, the selected audio 
source is stored for the remote control currently 
in use.
Switching on/off
To switch the Entertainment sound output on 
and off:
Press knob 1 on the CD player.
 This symbol on the  Control Display indi-
cates that sound output is switched off.
For equipment with a single drive, the sound 
output is available for approx. 20 minutes with 
the ignition switched off.
Switch on the sound output again for this pur-
pose.
Adjusting volume
Turn knob 1 on the CD player until the desired 
volume is set.
You can also adjust the  volume with buttons on 
the steering wheel, refer to page 11.
From radio readiness, the setting is stored for 
the remote control currently in use.
Tone control
You can alter various tone  settings, e.g. treble 
and bass, or the speed-dependent volume 
increase.
The tone settings are set for all audio sources at 
once.
From radio readiness, the settings are stored 
for the remote contro l currently in use.
Changing tone settings
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
4. Select "Audio" or "Tone / Volume" and 
press the controller.
The tone settings can also be selected when 
you have opened "Entertainment" in the start 
menu:
Select "Set" and then "Tone", and press the 
controller.
Treble and bass
1. Select "Treble / Bass" and press the con-
troller. 

AUX-In connection
200
AUX-In connection
You can connect an external audio device, e.g. 
an MP3 player, and play the sound via the vehi-
cle speakers. The sound can be adjusted via 
iDrive.
Connecting
Open the lid of the center armrest.
1Connection for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
To play audio tracks through the vehicle's 
speaker system, connect the headphone or 
line-out port of the devi ce with the AUX-In con-
nection.
Starting audio playback
The audio device must be switched on.
Via iDrive
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16.
1. Press the  button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Move the controller backwards to open 
"Entertainment". 3.
Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "AUX" is  selected and press 
the controller.
4. Select "AUX IN" and press the controller.
5. Adjust volume and sound if necessary.
With external device s, the sound output 
via the vehicle speakers can differ from 
other audio sources. For a comparison of the 
volume, adapt the sound output of the external 
device. <
Via programmable memory buttons
You can save the "AUX" function on the pro-
grammable memory buttons. To start audio 
playback, refer to page 21. 

USB audio interface
202
Starting audio playback
Via iDrive
If the audio device has a device name, this will 
be displayed if possible.
1. Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Move the controller backwards to open 
"Entertainment".
3. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "AUX" is  selected and press 
the controller.
4. Select "USB" or the name of the audio 
device and press the controller.
The playback starts with the first track.
With the connection of an iPhone by means of 
the snap-in adaptor and a simultaneous con-
nection of an audio device at the Aux-In con-
nection, the audio signal is played back. With external devices, the sound output 
via the vehicle speakers can differ from 
other audio sources. For a comparison of the 
volume, adapt the sound ou tput of the external 
device. <
Via programmable memory buttons
You can save the "USB" function on the pro-
grammable memory buttons. To start audio 
playback, refer to page 21.
Selecting a track
You can call up the tracks via the playback lists 
and information. With USB devices you can also 
call up the tracks via the file directory. The titles 
can be displayed if they  are stored in the Latin 
alphabet.
1. Make your selection, e.g. "Playlists" or 
"Artists", and press the controller.
2. Select the track and press the controller.
Displaying information on track
You can display any information stored on the 
current track, e.g. the name of the artist.
1.Press the controller during playback.
2. Select "Details" and  press the controller.
The information for the current track are dis-
played. 

DVD system in rear
206
>
Press the  button:
Activating menu item.
Changing batteries
1.Press the detent and remove the cover.
2. Change the batteries. Th e type and installa-
tion position are marked on the bottom of 
the battery compartment.
3. Close the cover.
Return used batteries  to a recycling col-
lection point or to your BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center. <
Sound output via speakers
In addition to the headphones, you can also play 
the sound via the vehicle speakers.
As soon as a plug is inserted in the AUX-In con-
nection in the center console, the sound output 
of the DVD system via the vehicle speakers is 
interrupted.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1. Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Move the controller backwards to open 
"Entertainment". 3.
Select "AUX / Rear" and press the control-
ler.
Switching DVD system on/off
Press the button on the CD/DVD player.
The DVD system switches on automatically 
when a CD or DVD is inserted.
Playing CD/DVD
The menu item with which the contents of the 
CD/DVD can be called up  is dependent on the 
data on a CD or DVD:
> Video data via "DVD"
> Audio data via "CD"
> Images via "Photo"
Playing videos from CD/DVD
Country codes of DVDs
Your DVD player only plays DVDs with the 
coding of your home  region, e.g. Europe = 2. 
The country codes supported by your DVD 
are contained in the information on your DVD.