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Accelerating does not deactivate the cruise 
control. After releasing the accelerator pedal, 
the stored speed is reached and maintained 
again.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up if the 
cruise control has been deactivated 
automatically, e.g. by a control inter-
vention of the DSC. A message appears on the 
Control Display.
Resuming stored speed
Briefly press the button, arrow 4. The stored 
speed is resumed and maintained.
With the ignition switched off, the stored speed 
value is deleted and cannot be resumed again.
Displays in instrument panel
1 Stored desired speed
2 Selected desired speed appears briefly
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears 
in the instrument panel display, it is possi-
ble that the system prerequisites for operation 
are currently not met. <
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up if the sys-
tem has failed. A message appears on 
the Control Display. Detailed informa-
tion is provided from page 85. 

Controls
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Without navigation system*:
Open "Car Data".
3. Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4. Select "Onboard info" and press the con-
troller.
> Estimated time of arrival at destination and 
remaining distance:
>Entering a distance manually in the com-
puter, see below.
> Entering a destination in the navigation 
system
*, refer to page 150.
> Cruising range
> Average speed
> Average fuel consumption
Resetting values
You can reset the values for the average speed 
and average fuel consumption:
1.Select the respective menu item and press 
the controller.
2. To confirm your selection, press the con-
troller again.
Entering a distance manually
1.Select "Distance to dest. " and press the 
controller.
2. Turn the controller to se lect the distance to 
your destination.
3. Press the controller to  apply the setting.
The distance is automati cally preset during the 
destination guidance of the navigation sys-
tem
*.
Trip computer*
The trip computer is suitable, for example, for a 
vacation trip.
1. Open the start menu.
2. Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*:
Open "Car Data".
3. Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4. Select "Trip computer" and press the con-
troller.
> Departure time
> Driving time
> Distance traveled
> Average speed
> Average fuel consumption 

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Check Control
The concept
The Check Control monitors functions in the 
vehicle and issues a message if there is a mal-
function in the monitored systems. This kind of 
Check Control message co nsists of indicator 
and warning lamps in the instrument cluster, 
and if necessary an acoustic signal and text 
messages at the bottom of  the Control Display.
Indicator and warning lamps
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different combinations and colors.
 means that a Check Control message has 
been generated. The symbol continues to be 
visible even when the Check Control message 
disappears after a short time. The warning 
lamps and text messages are stored and can be 
displayed later, also refer to page 86.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the  bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the dis-
played indicator and warning lamps.
You can display additional information on most 
Check Control messages later, e.g. on the 
cause of the malfunction and on corresponding 
need for action, see below.
In the case of corresponding urgency, this infor-
mation is displayed immediately when the 
related lamp lights up.
Exit the displayed information:   Select the arrow an d press the controller.
Hiding Check Control messages
Press the button in the turn signal lever up or 
down. 

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Speed limit
You can enter a speed and a Check Control 
message indicates when you have reached this 
speed. This enables you, for example, to 
receive warnings if you exceed a speed limit in 
an urban area.
You are only warned of reaching this speed a 
second time if your vehi cle speed falls below it 
again by at least 3 mph/5 km/h.
Displaying, setting or changing limit
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.
1. Open the start menu.
2. Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*:
Open "Car Data".
3. Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4. Select "Limit" and press the controller.
5. Select the speed value and press the con-
troller.
6. Turn the controller to set the limit.
7. Press the controller to  apply the setting.
The limit is automatically activated.
Applying your current speed as limit
Select "Select current speed" and press the 
controller. The system applies your current 
speed as the limit.
Activating limit
Select "On" and press the controller.  Limit is automatically activated.
Stopwatch
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16.
1. Open the start menu.
2. Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*:
Open "Car Data".
3. Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4. Select "Stopwatch" and press the control-
ler.
Starting, stopping or resetting
>Select "Start" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch starts at the displayed time.
> Select "Reset" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch is reset and it restarts if it 
was running beforehand.
> Select "Stop" and press the controller. 
This stops the timer.
Taking an intermediate time reading
Select "Interim time" an d press the controller. 
The interim time appe ars below the ongoing 
primary stopwatch count.
All of the remaining functions remain 
available at all times while the stopwatch 
is running. The stopwa tch continues operation 
in the background. < 

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Technology for comfort, convenience and 
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking. 
Acoustic signals and an optical displays
 alert 
you to the approach of an object in front of
* or 
behind your vehicle. To  measure the distance, 
there are four ultrasonic sensors in each 
bumper. The range of these sensors is approx. 
7 ft/2 m. But an acoustic warning only sounds at 
approx. 24 in/60 cm for the sensors at the 
front
* and at the two rear corners and at approx. 
5 ft/1,50 m for the middle sensors at the rear.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually th e case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an obje ct  a t  h i g h s p e e d ,  o t h -
erwise the physical circumstances would mean 
that the system warning was too late. <
Automatic activation
Whenever the engine is running or the ignition 
i s  o n ,  e a c h  t i m e  y o u  m o v e the selector lever into 
position R, the PDC syst em is activated after 
approx. 1 second.
Wait this short period before driving off.
Manual activation
Press the button, the LED lights up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Automatic deactivation
After driving approx. 165 ft/50 m or at over 
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system is 
switched off and the LED goes out. You can 
reactivate the system manually as needed.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, the position is corre-
spondingly indicated by  an interval tone. Thus, 
an object detected to the  left rear of the vehicle 
will be indicated by a sign al tone from the left 
rear speaker, etc. As the distance between 
vehicle and object decreases, the intervals 
between the tones become  shorter. If the dis-
tance to the nearest ob ject falls to below 
roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then  a continuous tone 
sounds.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds:
> if you remain in front  of an object that was 
only detected by one of the corner sensors
> if you drive parallel to a wall
Adjusting
You can adjust the volume  of the warning tones 
if the vehicle is equipped with a single drive, 
refer to page 90.
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a message 
appears on the Control Display. PDC is mal-
functioning. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors 
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure 
that they will continue to  operate effectively. Do 
not spray the sensors with high-pressure clean-
ers for long periods and maintain a distance of 
at least 4 in/10 cm to them. 

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Activating DSC
Press the button; the indicator lamp in the 
instrument panel goes out.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamps light up: 
DSC is deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions, 
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with 
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:
> When driving in sand, on snowy inclines, in 
slush or on unplowed, snow-covered road 
surfaces
> When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow, sand or on loose 
ground
> When driving with snow chains
*
Activating DTC
Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument panel lights up.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamps light up: 
DTC is activated. 
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument panel goes out.
xDrive
xDrive is the 4-wheel  drive system of your 
BMW. The combined effects of xDrive and DSC 
further optimize the traction and dynamic driv-
ing characteristics. The 4-wheel drive system 
xDrive variably distributes the drive forces to 
the front and rear axle depending on the driving 
situation and prevailing road conditions.
BMW X6: Dynamic Performance 
Control
The concept
Dynamic Performance Control optimizes the 
handling characteristic s of your BMW when 
starting off, cornering, and during evasive 
maneuvers. To achieve this, the system variably 
distributes the drive torque  of the rear axle to 
the two rear wheels. This  further increases the 
steering precision and tracking stability of your 
vehicle.
Display
The instrument panel display shows how xDrive 
and Dynamic Performanc e Control are distrib-
uting the drive torque. 

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Displays* in instrument panel
1Display for target speed
2 HDC display
Malfunction
HDC is temporarily unavailable in the following 
situations due to a high brake temperature:
>The LED in the button and the display HDC 
go out during HDC operation.
> The LED in the button and the HDC display 
do not light up when the button is pressed.
Malfunction of driving stability control 
systems
When driving on poor roads, avoid using 
full throttle or pressing the accelerator 
beyond the kick-down point and also avoid 
heavy braking. Otherwise, the drive train may be 
damaged or accidents can occur. <
Adaptive Drive*
The concept
Adaptive Drive reduces the body roll which 
occurs when cornering qu ickly or during fast 
evasive maneuvers. In addition, Adaptive Drive 
reduces the steering angle requirement, 
improves the running comfort and increases 
the dynamic driving characteristics of your 
BMW.
Chassis and susp ension tuning
You can choose between  two types of chassis 
and suspension tuning. >
Normal:
The comfortable basic setting offers opti-
mum comfort when traveling.
> Sport:
The sporty basic setting offers increased 
driving agility.
Selecting chassis and suspension 
tuning
Press the button. 
The system switches between the two chassis 
and suspension tuning settings.
>Sport:
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT 
is displayed in the instrument panel.
> Normal:
The LED in the button goes out.
The selection of the chassis and suspension 
tuning setting is stored  for the remote control 
currently in use.
Starting assistant
The starting assistant en ables you to start off 
conveniently on slopes. The parking brake is 
not required fo r this purpose.
1. Hold the vehicle with the footbrake.
2. Release the footbrake and immediately 
drive off quickly.
The starting assistant holds the vehicle 
for approx. 2 seconds  after releasing the 
footbrake. Depending on  the load, the vehicle 
may also roll back slight ly during this time. 
After releasing the footbrake, immediately start 
quickly, otherwise the starting assistant no  

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5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "FTM" is  selected and press 
the controller.
6. Start the engine, but do not start driving.
7. Select "Reset" and press the controller.
8. Select "Yes" and press the controller. The 
message "resetting FTM …" is displayed.
9. Start to drive.
The initialization finishes during driving.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red. A 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, an acoustic signal 
sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation 
pressure loss.
If you have deactivated DS C, it will be activated 
automatically.
1. Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h.
In case of further air loss of the defective 
wheel, its position will be indicated to you 
on the Control Display.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires as provided at the factory,  refer to page
256, do not continue driving. 
Continuing to drive with a flat tire could 
cause severe accidents. <
2. At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If the tire inflation pressure in all four 
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor 
may not have been initialized. The system 
must then be initialized. <
3. In the event of complete  tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guide values:
> With a light load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km
> With a medium load: 
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 
4 persons without luggage: 
approx. 95 miles/150 km
> With a full load: 
4 or more persons, cargo bay full: 
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed 
speeds of 50 mph/80 km/h or else you 
run the risk of causing an accident. In the event 
of pressure loss, vehicl e handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distance and altered natural 
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations or  loud noises occur while 
the vehicle is being driven , this can indicate final 
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and 
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible, 
otherwise pieces of the tire could become 
detached and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact the BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. <
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
The concept
TPM checks the tire inflation pressure in the 
four mounted tires. The system reports when