Page 16 of 317
Cockpit
14
Around the center console: controls and displays 
     
        
        Page 37 of 317

Controls
 35Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>Press the button in the center console.
> Press the  button on the remote control 
for approx. 1 second.
To stop the opening process:
> Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate.
> Press and hold the  button on the remote 
control.
> Press the button on the inside of the lift-
gate.
> Press the button on the center console 
again.
The opening process is  interrupted if you 
set the vehicle in motion. <
Closing liftgate
Make sure that the closing path of the lift-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may 
result. <
Function requirement:
The tailgate is closed.
The liftgate closes automatically when you 
press the button on the inside of the liftgate. To stop the closing process:
>
Press the button on the inside of the lift-
gate.
> Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate.
Closing is not cancel ed when you put the 
vehicle into motion. <
Manually opening or closing
In case of an electrical  defect of the automatic 
liftgate operation function:
1. Manually rele ase the liftgate, refer to 
page 33.
2. Open or close the liftgate slowly and with-
out making sudden movements.
BMW X5: tailgate
Opening
Pull the lever and swing  the tailgate downward.
The open tailgate can support loads of up 
to 550 lbs./250 kg. <
Closing
Fold the tailgate up and press closed.
BMW X6: liftgate
During opening, the liftgate pivots back 
and up. Ensure that adequate clearance is 
available before opening. < 
     
        
        Page 39 of 317

Controls
 37Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Open the liftgate and press the cover back 
into place.
The liftgate is locked again as soon as it is 
closed.
Closing
Make sure that the closing path of the lift-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may 
result. <
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the 
liftgate make it easier to pull down. If pointed or sharp- edged objects could 
strike the rear window  while driving, be 
sure to provide protecti on around all edges. 
Failure to do so could re sult in damage to the 
heating conductors of  the rear window.<
Automatic liftgate operation*
Adjusting opening height
You can adjust how far the liftgate is to open.
When adjusting the opening height, make 
sure that at least approx. 4 in/10 cm of 
clearance is available ab ove the liftgate. Other-
wise, the ceiling height co uld be insufficient for 
the opened liftgate if, for example, the loading 
state changes. <
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.
1. Press the  button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Settings" and 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 "Tailgate" and press the controller.
7. Turn the controller. The adjustment is 
applied; the field can be changed.
Opening liftgate
The liftgate opens automatically when you:
>Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate when the vehicle is unlocked.
> Press the button in the center console.
> Press the  button on  the remote control 
for approx. 1 second. 
     
        
        Page 40 of 317

Opening and closing
38
To stop the opening process:
>
Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate.
> Press and hold the  bu tton on the remote 
control.
> Press the button on the inside of the lift-
gate.
> Press the button on the center console 
again.
The opening process is interrupted if you 
set the vehicle in motion. <
Closing liftgate
Make sure that the closing path of the lift-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may 
result. <
The liftgate closes automatically when you 
press the button on the inside of the liftgate.
To stop the closing process:
> Press the button on the inside of the lift-
gate.
> Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate.
Closing is not canceled when you put the 
vehicle into motion. <
The liftgate also cl oses automatically 
without pressing the bu tton if it is loaded 
with an additional weight of approx. 11 lbs./5 kg, 
e.g. snow or ice.<
Manually opening or closing
In case of an electrical  defect of the automatic 
liftgate operation function:
1. Manually rele ase the liftgate, refer to 
page 36.
2. Open or close the liftgate slowly and with-
out making sudden movements.
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the liftgate is 
opened
> To movements in the vehicle: interior 
motion sensor, refer to page 39
> To changes in the vehicle's tilt if someone 
attempts to steal th e wheels or tow the 
vehicle
> To interruptions in battery voltage
Unauthorized operations  are briefly signaled by 
the alarm system:
> with an acoustic alarm
> by switching on
 the hazard warning flashers
> by flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at  the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
With the system armed, the liftgate can also be 
opened using the  button of the remote con-
trol, refer to page 30. When the liftgate is 
closed, it is once again locked and monitored.
Switching off alarm
> Unlock the vehicle using the remote control, 
refer to page 30.
> Insert the remote contro l all the way into the 
ignition lock. 
     
        
        Page 121 of 317

Controls
 119Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Ventilation in rear
1Serrated dials to smoothly open and close 
air vents
2 Serrated dial for adjusting the temperature 
in the upper body region:
>Turn toward blue: colder
> Turn toward red: warmer
3 Levers to change the air vent direction
BMW X5: heating and ventilation, 
3rd row seats
The air in the area of the 3rd row seats can be 
heated or recirculated. Air vents are located in 
the storage compartmen t area between the 
seats and in the footwell of the 3rd row seats.
1 Serrated dial:
>Activating heating and distributing air in 
footwell: 
Turn toward front
> Distributing air in storage compartment 
area between seats: 
Turn toward rear
2 Button for switching on blower: 
LED lights up
The heating is not ready for operation 
without switching on the blower. After the  heating is switched off, the blower can be used 
to recirculate the air within the vehicle, e.g. at 
high temperatures. To do
 this, turn the serrated 
dial 1 toward the rear and switch on the blower, 
button 2.<
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
The microfilter removes dust and pollen from 
the incoming air. The activated-charcoal filter 
provides additional protection by filtering gas-
eous pollutants from the outside air. This com-
bined filter is changed during maintenance by 
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center. 
You can select a display  of more detailed infor-
mation on the Control Display, refer to page 82.
Automatic climate control 
with 4-zone control*
Front operation
Corresponds to the operation of the automatic 
climate control with 2-zone control, refer to 
page 115.
Rear operation
The control unit is located in the center console 
in the rear.
1Temperature, left rear seating area
2 AUTO program
3 Display
4 Temperature, right rear seating area
5 Seat heating, right rear seat
6 Air volume, manual
7 Seat heating, left rear seat 
     
        
        Page 129 of 317

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. 
     
        
        Page 130 of 317
Practical interior accessories
128
Rear
BMW X5
Unlock the center armrest with the button in the 
lower section of the opening and fold down.
Press the button; the cover folds forward.
With the 3rd row seats
*:
Fold down the center armrest.
Press the button; the cup holders are opened.
The cup holders of the 3rd row seats are 
located in the center console between the 
seats.
BMW X6
Slide the cover forward. Remove the beverage  container before 
folding the rear seat backrest forward or 
using the ski bag; othe rwise it may cause dam-
age.<
Ashtray
Front
To open the cover, slide it forward.
Press the button. The ashtray insert raises 
slightly and can be removed. 
     
        
        Page 132 of 317
Practical interior accessories
130
In rear center console
Depending on your vehicle's equipment pack-
age, the socket in the rear is covered with a cap 
or equipped with a lighter. Refer to Cigarette 
lighter, front, page 129.
Access to socket:
Remove cap or lighter.
In storage compartment under center 
armrest
Access to socket*:
Pull off the cover.
BMW X6: in rear console
Slide the cover back.
Access to socket:
Pull off the cover.
Rear center armrest
BMW X6 and BMW X5 with 3rd row 
seats*
Pull on the loop and fold down the center arm-
rest.
BMW X5 without 3rd row seats*
Unlock the center armrest with the button in the 
lower section of the opening and fold down.
Cargo bay
BMW X5: roll-up cover
Pull out the roll-up cover and hook it into the 
brackets.