2009 BMW X6 XDRIVE 50I manual transmission

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.

Driving tips
141Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
General information on the care of your BMW is
provided beginning on page265.
Mixed tires*
Before driving into a car wash, make sure
that the vehicle width is not too large for
the car wash, as otherwise the vehicle and the
car wash could be damaged. <
BMW X5: rear window wiper
The rear window wiper can be damaged in car
washes. Take appropriate protective measures;
ask the car wash operator if necessary.
With comfort access*
Insert the remote control into the ignition lock.
The engine can be switched off in transmission
position N, also refer to page41.
Loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overlo ading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tire s. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out. <
Make sure that no fluids leak in the cargo
bay; otherwise the vehicle could be dam-
aged. <
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
YYY lbs. or XXX kg. Otherwise, this could damage the vehicle and produce unstable
vehicle operating conditions.
<
2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from YYY lbs. or XXX kg.
4. The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lbs.
passengers in your ve hicle, the amount of
available cargo and lugga ge load capacity is
650 lbs.:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your tra iler will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the availa ble cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
BMW X5:

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
179Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
To change the selection criterion:
1.Change into the second field from the top.
2. Select the selection criterion and press the
controller.
Sampling stations, scan
The system automatically plays a brief sample
from each of the stations on the current wave-
band.
1.Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
"Set" is selected.
2. Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3. Select "Scan" and press the controller.
The stations are sampled.
To end sampling:
1. Press the controller.
2. Select "Scan" and press the controller.
This cancels sampling of the stations, and the
radio remains on the current station.
Buttons on CD player
To sample the stations, press and hold the button for the corresponding direction.
To end scanning, press the button again.
Selecting frequency manually
With "Manual" you can se lect stations that can
be received in additi on to those displayed.
1. Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
2. Change into the second field from the top.
3. Select "Manual" and press the controller.
4. Turn the controller to set a certain fre-
quency.
Updating stations with best reception
If you are on a longer journey and leave the
transmission range of the stations originally set,
you can update the list of stations in the AM
range with the best reception.
1.Select "AM" and pr ess the controller.
2. Change into the second field from the top.
3. Select "Autostore" and press the controller.
"Set" is selected.
4. Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.

Radio
182
With some stations the
digital signals are not
transmitted simultaneously with the analog sig-
nals. If you are in an ar ea in which the selected
station is not continuous ly received digitally,
playback changes betwee n analog and digital
reception. This can result in repetitions or inter-
ruptions. In this case it may be advisable to
deactivate digital radio reception.
Selecting programs of a digital station*
Some stations transmit several programs on
one frequency. To select one of these pro-
grams:
1. Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
2. Select "Manual" and press the controller.
3. Select a station that is received digitally.
This symbol is displayed when a station
is being received digitally.
4. Switch to the next program of the digital
station with the buttons on the radio
or the steering wheel.
You can store a station, refer to page 180.
Updating stations offering digital
reception
If you are on a longer journey and leave the
transmission range of the stations originally set,
you can update the list of stations with the best
reception. 1.
Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
2. Change into the second field from the top.
3. Select "Autostore" and press the controller.
4. Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
5. Select "Autostore " and press the con-
troller.
The display of the stations offering digital
reception is updated. This can take up to 2 min-
utes.

Reference 297
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Ashtray
– front128
– rear 129
Assist 235
– refer to separate operating
instructions
Assistance systems, refer to Driving stability control
systems 96
Assistance window 20
"Assist profile" 241
"Assist. window off" 21
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control 117
"Audio" 177,181
– for DVD system in rear 216
Audio 174
– controls 174
– switching on/off 174
– tone control 175
– volume 175
Audio CD for DVD system in
rear 210
Audio device, external 127
Automatic
– air distribution 115,120
– air volume 115,120
– BMW Teleservice call 237
– headlamp control 110
– liftgate operation 34,37
– steering wheel adjustment,
refer to Easy entry/exit 58
– storing stations 179
Automatic car washes 140
Automatic climate control
– automatic air distribution 115,120
– in rear 119
– in rear, activating on Control Display 120
– switching off 118,120
– ventilation in rear 119
– with 2-zone control 115
– with 4-zone control 119
Automatic closing of doors, refer to Automatic soft
closing 33 Automatic curb monitor
58
Automatic garage door
opener 123
Automatic Hold 67
– activating 68
– deactivating 68
– parking 68
Auto

matic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp control 110
– refer to Daytime driving
lamps 111
– refer to Interior lamps 113
– refer to Pathway lighting 111
"Automatic programs" 116
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC 117
Automatic soft closing 33
Automatic station search 179
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 70
– deactivating selector lever
interlock 71
– kick-down 71
– manually releasing
transmission lock 72
– tow-starting 282
– with comfort access 40
"Automatic ventilation" 121
AUTO program for automatic climate control 115,120
"Auto Request" 237
"Autostore"
– on the radio 180
"AUX" 175,200 ,202
– AUX-In connection 200
– for DVD system in rear 215
– USB audio interface 201
"AUX / Rear" 206
AUX-In connection 127,200
Average fuel consumption 80
– setting units 89
Average speed, refer to
Computer 80
"Avoid ferries" in navigation 161
"Avoid highways" in navigation 160 Avoiding highways for
navigation 160
Avoiding unintentional alarms 39
"Avoid tollroads" in
navigation 161
Axle weights, refer to Weights 289
"A - Z" 228
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support 50
Backrests, refer to Seats 49
Backrest width adjustment 50
Backup lamps, replacing bulbs 270,273
Balance, refer to Tone
control 176
"Balance" for DVD system in rear 209
Band-aids, refer to First-aid kit 279
Bass, refer to Tone
control 175
Battery
– charging 277
– jump starting 280
– power failure 278
– refer to Vehicle battery 277
Battery disposal
– remote control with comfort access 41
– vehicle battery 277
Battery replacement
– remote control for DVD
system in rear 206
– remote control with comfort access 41
Being towed 282
Belts, refer to Safety belts 54
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders 127
Blower, refer to Air volume 116,120
BMW Advanced Diesel 245

Everything from A to Z
302
Dynamic Performance
Control 97
"Dynamic route" in navigation 161
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 96
Dynamic Traction Control DTC 97
E
Easy entry/exit 58
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD player 174
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic 72
– door lock 32
– driver's door 32
– fuel filler door 244
– glass sunroof, electric 46
– liftgate 33
– panorama glass sunroof 44
– parking brake 69
Electric seat 49
Electronic brake-force distribution 96
Electronic oil level check 260
Emergency operation, refer to Manual operation
– door lock 32
– driver's door 32
– fuel filler door 244
– liftgate 33
– transmission lock, automatic transmission 72
Emergency request 279
Emergency services, refer to Roadside Assistance 280
"Enabled services" 241
"Enabled TeleServices" 238
"End call" 228 Engine
– breaking-in
138
– data 286
– oil temperature 79
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature 79
– speed 286
– starting 66
– starting, with comfort access 40
– switching off 66
Engine compartment 259
Engine coolant 262
Engine oil
– adding 261
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils 262
– approved engine oil 262
– checking oil level 260
– electronic oil level check 260
– temperature 79
Engine oil temperature 79
Engine output, refer to Engine data 286
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature 79
Engine speed 286
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine 66
E

ntering country of destination 151
Entering destination 151
Entering house number or intersection 152
Entering intersection 152
Entering street 152
"Entertainment" 174
Entertainment sound output on/off 175
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control 177
Equalizer, refer to Tone control 177
"ESN" 184
ESP Electronic Stability Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control 96 Event Data Recorders
264
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system 139
Exterior mirrors 57
– adjusting 57
– automatic dimming feature 58
– automatic heating 58
– folding in and out 57
– tilting down passenger-side exterior mirror 58
External audio device 127
– refer to AUX-In
connection 200
Eye for tow-starting and towing, refer to Tow
fitting 281
F
Fader, refer to Tone
control 176
Failure messages, refer to Check Control 85
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms 39
Fastening safety belts, refer to Safety belts 54
– warning lamp 55
Fastest route for navigation 160
Fast forward
– CD changer 190
– CD player 190
– DVD changer 195
"Fast route" in navigation 160
Fault displays, refer to Check
Control 85
Filler neck for washer fluid 75
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit 279
First-aid kit 279
Fixing system, adaptive 133
Flashing during locking/ unlocking, refer to Setting
confirmation signals 31

Reference 303
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Flat tire
– changing wheels275
– compact wheel 275
– Flat Tire Monitor 100
– run-flat tires 101,103, 256
– TPM Tire Pressure Monitor 101
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 100
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler neck for washer fluid 75
"FM", reception
range 175,178
FM, waveband 178
Fog lamps 112
– indicator lamp 13,112
Folding display screen open/
closed, DVD system in
rear 204
Folding rear seat backrest 132
Footbrake, refer to Braking safely 140
Footwell lamps 113
For your own safety 5
4-wheel drive system, refer to xDrive 97
Front airbags 105
Front passenger airbags 105
– deactivating 106
– refer to Exception of front passenger seat 61
Front seat adjustment 49
FTM Flat Tire Monitor 100
– false alarms 100
– indicating a flat tire 101
– initializing the system 100
– snow chains 257
– system limits 100
– warning lamp 101
Fuel 245
– capacity 290
– display 80
– high-quality brands 245
– quality 245
– saving 138
– specifications 245
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge 80 Fuel consumption display
– computer, average fuel
consumption 80
Fuel display, refer to Fuel gauge 80
Fuel filler door 244
– closing 24
4
– opening 244
– releasing manually 244
Fuses 278
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control 123
Gasoline, refer to Required fuel 245
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge 80
Gearshifts, automatic transmission with
Steptronic 71
General driving notes 138,139
Glass sunroof
– convenience operation from outside 32
– convenience operation with comfort access 40
– remote control 30
Glass sunroof, electric 45
– moving manually 46
– opening, closing 45
– power interruption 46
– raising 45
Glove compartment 126
– lighting 126
GPS navigation, refer to Navigation system 148
Grills, refer to Ventilation 118
Grills of the automatic climate control 114
Gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights 289
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 67
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone 14
Hand washing 266
Have diesel exhaust fluid
refilled 246
Hazard warning flashers 15
HDC Hill Descent Control 98
"HD radio" 181
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio 181
Head airbags 105
Headlamp control,
automatic 110
Headlamp flasher 73
Headlamps 110
– cleaning, refer to Washer/ wiper system 74
– replacing bulbs 269
Head Light, refer to Adaptive Head Light 112
Head restraints 52
– sitting safely 48
"Head-Up Display" 108
Head-Up Display 107
Heated
– mirrors 58
– rear window 116
– seats 55,56
– steering wheel 59
Heating 114
– exterior mirrors 58
– interior 114
– rear window 116
– residual heat 118
– seats 55,56
– steering wheel 59
Heating with engine switched off, refer to Residual
heat 118
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing cargo 143
Height, refer to
Dimensions 287

Reference 305
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Interior rearview mirror58
– automatic dimming
feature 58
– compass 124
Intermittent mode of the
wipers 74
J
Jacking points 276
Joystick
– refer to iDrive 16
– refer to Selector lever,
selecting transmission
positions 70
Jump starting 280
K
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort
access 39
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Comfort access 39
Key Memory, refer to Personal Profile 28
"Keypad" 230
Keys 28
– key-related settings, refer to
Personal Profile 28
Kick-down, automatic transmission with
Steptronic 71
Knock control 245
L
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams 110
Lamps and bulbs 269
"Language / Units" 89,90
– for navigation 149
"Language" for DVD system in rear 208,209
"Languages" 90
– for navigation 149,165
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo 143
Last destinations, refer to Destination list 157 "Last seat pos."
51
LATCH child restraint fixing
system 62
Leather care 267
LEDs light-emitting
diodes 270
Length, refer to Dimensions 287
License plate lamp, replacing bulbs 272,275
Liftgate 33,35
– adjusting opening height 34,36, 37
– automatic operation 34,37
– closing 34,37
– locking and unlocking from
inside 32
– opening from inside 33,36
– opening from outside 33,36
– opening manually 33,36
Light-emitting diodes LEDs 270
Lighter 129
Lighter socket 129
"Lighting" 73,111
Lighting
– instruments 113
– lamps and bulbs 269
– of the vehicle, refer to Lamps 110
Light switch 110
"Limit" 87
Load 141
Loadin

g141
– securing cargo 143
– stowing cargo 142
– vehicle 141
Load securing equipment, refer to Securing cargo 143
"Lock after driving" 33
Lock buttons in the doors, refer to Locking 33
Locking
– from inside 32
– setting confirmation signals 31
– using remote control 29
– without key, refer to Comfort access 39 Locking and unlocking doors
– from inside
32
– setting confirmation signals 31
Locking without key, refer to
Comfort access 39
Low beams 110
– automatic 110
Lower back support, refer to Lumbar support 50
Lows, refer to Treble and
bass 175
Lug bolts 276
– tightening torque, refer to After mounting 277
– wrench 276
Luggage compartment capacity, refer to Cargo bay
capacity 289
Luggage rack, refer to Roof- mounted luggage rack 143
Lumbar support 50
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires 257
"Main menu" for DVD system
in rear 209
Maintenance
– refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models 263
– refer to Service
requirements 82
– refer to Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models 263
Maintenance system 263
Malfunction
– door lock 32
– driver's door 32
– fuel filler door 244
– glass sunroof, electric 46
– liftgate 33
– panorama glass sunroof 44
– parking brake 69