
At a glance
 11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
9BMW X6: upshifting or downshifting 
with automatic transmission 71
10 Instrument panel 12
13 Ignition lock 65
14 Buttons on steering wheel 15
Horn, entire surface
18 Releasing hood 258
8
Turn signals 73
High beams, headlamp flasher 73
Roadside parking lamps
*112
Time, date, outside temperature, 
Check Control 78, 86
Computer 80
11 Windshield wipers 74
Rain sensor 74
BMW X5: rear window wiper 75
12 Starting/stopping engine and 
switching ignition on/off 
65
Telephone
*:
> Press: accepting and ending 
call, starting dialing
* for 
selected phone number and 
redialing if no phone number is 
selected
> Press longer: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice 
activation system
* 23
Changing radio station
Selecting music track
Scrolling in phone book and in lists 
with stored phone numbers
Individually programmable 59 
Individually programmable 59 
Steering wheel heating
*59
16 Steering wheel adjustment 58
17 Cruise control
*75 

Cockpit
12
Instrument panel
1Indicator lamps for turn signals
2 Speedometer
3 Indicator and warning lamps 13
4 Tachometer 79
5 BMW X5: energy control 79
BMW X6: engine oil temperature 79 or
energy control 79
6 Display for
>Clock/date 78
> Outside temperature 78
> Indicator and warning lamps 85
> Speed of cruise control
*76
> BMW X5: reserve display for diesel 
exhaust fluid 246 7
Display for
>Odometer and trip odometer 78
> Computer 80
> Date and remaining travel distance 
for service requirements 82
> Automatic transmission positions 70
> HDC Hill Descent Control 98
>  Check Control message present 85
> Adaptive Drive
*99
> BMW X6: Dynamic Performance 
Control 97
8 Fuel gauge 80
9 Resetting trip odometer 78
Displaying service requirement 78 

Controls
 75Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Windshield washer nozzles
Both windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated with the engine running or the igni-
tion switched on.
BMW X5: rear window wiper
1Intermittent mode. When reverse gear is 
engaged, continuous operation is switched 
on automatically
2 Cleaning the rear window
Do not use washing mechanisms when 
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, other-
wise you will damage the washer pump. <
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. For 
this reason, keep it away from ignition 
sources and store only in the closed original 
container out of reach of children. Otherwise, 
there is the danger of bodily injury. Always 
observe the instructions for use provided on the 
containers. <
Filler neck for washer fluid
Only add washer fluid with the engine 
cooled down to excl ude contact with hot 
engine components. Otherwise there is a dan-
ger of fire and to personal  safety if the fluid is 
spilled. < All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser-
voir.
Fill with water and – if re
quired – with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain  the mixture ratio, mix 
the washer fluid before filling. <
Capacity
Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
The cruise control with a braking function is 
available for use at speeds of approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h and higher. The vehicle stores and 
maintains the speed that you set using the lever 
mounted on the steering column. To keep the 
specified speed constant, the system brakes if 
the engine braking effect is not sufficient on a 
downhill grade.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g. when  driving on winding 
roads, in heavy traffic or in poor road conditions 
such as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface. 
Otherwise you could lose control of the vehicle 
and cause an accident. < 

Driving
76
One lever for all functions
1Storing speed and main taining or increas-
ing
2 Storing speed and maintaining or decreas-
ing
3 Deactivating cruise control
4 Resuming stored speed
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press, arrow 1, or briefly pull, arrow 2 
lever.
The speed currently being driven is stored and 
maintained. It is indica ted on the speedometer 
and briefly in the  instrument panel.
The controlled speed can drop on uphill grades 
if the engine output is insufficient. If the engine 
braking effect is not sufficient on a downhill 
grade, the system lightly brakes the vehicle.
Increasing speed
Repeatedly press the leve r up to or beyond the 
resistance point, arrow 1, until the desired 
speed is set.
> Each time the lever is  pressed to the resis-
tance point, the speed is increased by 
approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
> Each time the lever is  pressed beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed 
increases by a maximum of 5 mph or 
10 km/h.
The system stores the setting and maintains 
the set speed.
Accelerating with lever
Accelerate slightly:
Press the lever up to the resistance point, 
arrow 1, until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerate more rapidly:
Press the lever beyond the resistance point, 
arrow 1, until the desired speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on 
the accelerator pedal. The system stores the 
setting and maintains the set speed.
Reducing speed
Repeatedly pull the lever  up to the resistance 
point or beyond, arrow 2, until the desired 
speed is displayed.
> Each time the lever is  pulled up to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed decreases 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
> Each time the lever  is pulled beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
decreased by a maximum of 5 mph or 
10 km/h until the minimum speed of 
20 mph or 30 km/h is reached.
The system stores the setting and maintains 
the set speed.
Deactivating cruise control
Briefly press the leve r up or down, arrow3. 
The displays in the speedometer go out.
In addition, the system  is automatically deacti-
vated:
> when braking
> when transmission position N is engaged
> when DTC is activate d or DSC is deacti-
vated
> when HDC is activated
> when the parking brake is set
> when driving stability control systems inter-
vene 

Controls
 77Reference
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Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
98
Press the BC button on the turn signal lever 
repeatedly until the disp
lay appears, refer to 
arrow.
The drive train and wheels are schematically 
depicted. 
Bar graphs show the cu rrent distribution of 
drive torque. The longer  an illuminated bar is, 
the greater the drive torq ue in the related wheel.
Malfunction
If xDrive and Dynamic Performance Control are 
malfunctioning, the instrument panel display 
appears in gray.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept
HDC is a system for driving downhill in steep 
terrain. This system reduces vehicle speed on 
steep downhill gradients, thus allowing you to 
maintain even better control of your BMW 
under these conditions. The vehicle moves at 
approximately walking speed without active 
intervention from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehicle speeds 
below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When driving 
down steep hills with a speed below approx. 
22 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed 
automatically down to approximately walking 
speed, approx. 5 mph/8 km/h, and then main-
tains this speed at a constant.
Only use HDC in transmission positions D or R.
Increasing or reducing speed
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary 
this automatically cont rolled speed within a 
range extending from approx. 4 mph/6 km/h to  15 mph/25 km/h.
You can specify a target 
speed within the same 
range by using the lever  of the cruise control.
With downhill grade over 10 Ξ you can reduce 
the speed to approx.  3mph/4km/h. Pull the 
lever of the cruise control beyond the resis-
tance point, arrow 3.
1 Increasing speed
2 Pull to the resistance point:
Reduce speed to approx. 4 mph/6 km/h
3 Pull beyond the re sistance point:
With downhill grade over 10 Ξ, reduce 
speed to approx. 3 mph/4 km/h.
Activating HDC
Press the button; the LED lights up.
The HDC display is shown in the instrument 
panel.
The LED flashes when the brakes are applied 
automatically.
Deactivating HDC
Press the button again. The LED and the HDC 
display go out.
HDC is automatically deactivated at speeds 
over approx. 37 mph/60 km/h. 

Controls
 107Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are activated.
> The indicator lamp does not light up when 
the seat is empty.
However, the front and side airbags on the 
front passenger side are not activated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
From radio readiness, refer to page 65, the 
warning lamp lights up br iefly, indicating the 
operational readiness of the entire airbag sys-
tem and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
> Warning lamp does not light up from radio 
readiness.
> Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction, otherwise 
there is a danger that the airbag system may not 
respond in the expected manner in an accident 
despite an impact of  corresponding intensity. <
Head-Up Display*
The concept
With the Head-Up Display important informa-
tion is projected into the driver's field of view, 
e.g. navigation instructions. This enables you to 
take in this information without looking away 
from the road.
Switching on/off
Press the button.
1 Navigation information or Check Control 
messages
2 Cruise control
3 Speed
Selecting displays
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16.
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 "Display settings" and press the 
controller. 

Everything from A to Z
300
Compartments, refer to 
Storage compartments 127
Compass, digital 124
Computer 80
– displays in instrument 
panel 80
– displays on Control  Display 80
– trip computer 81
"Concierge" 239
Concierge service 239
Condition Based Service  CBS 263
"Confirmation" 31
Connecting car vacuum  cleaner, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices 129
Connecting headphones 205
Consumption, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption 80
Consumption indicator, 
energy control 79
Consumption statistics, refer  to Average fuel 
consumption 80
"Contrast"
– DVD changer 196
– DVD system in rear 208
Control Center, refer to  iDrive 16
Control Display, refer to  iDrive 16
– setting brightness 89
Controller, refer to iDrive 16
Controls
– DVD changer 193
– DVD system in rear 204
– refer to Cockpit 10
Convenience operation
– glass sunroof 30,32
– glass sunroof with comfort  access 40
– windows 30,32
– windows with comfort  access 40
– with comfort access 40Coolant
262
– checking level 262
– temperature 79
Cooling, maximum 117
Cornering Brake Control 
CBC 96
Courtesy lamps, refer to  Interior lamps 113
Cradle for telephone or mobile  phone 127
Cruise control 75
Cruising range 80
Cup holders 127
Curb weight, refer to  Wei
ghts 289
"Current position" 169
Current position
– displaying 169
– entering 158
– storing 158
"Customer  Relations" 230,238
Cylinders, refer to Engine  data 286
D
Data 286
– capacities 290
– dimensions 287
– engine 286
– technical data 286
– weights 289
"Date" 89
Date 78
– display format 89
– retrieving 78
– setting 89
"Date format" 89
Daytime driving lamps 111
"Deactivated" 51
Defrosting windows 116
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation 116
Defrost position, refer to  Defrosting windows 116
"Delete all numbers" on the  mobile phone 229 "Delete data" for 
navigation 159
"Delete" for mobile  phone 229
Destination address
– deleting 159
– entering 151,153
Destination for navigation
– destination list 157
– entering 150
– selecting from address 
book 159
– selecting using 
information 156
– selecting using voice 153
– storing 158
Destination guidance 162
– canceling voice  instructions 60
– changing specified  route 160
– displaying route 163
– distance and arrival 162
– ending/continuing 162
– starting 162
– voice instructions 165
– volume of voice  instructions 166
Destination list for navigation  system 157
Destinations recently driven 
to 157
"Details"
– DVD system in the rear 212
– in audio mode 202
"Dial" for mobile phone 227
"Dial number" 227
"
Diamond button" 59
Diesel exhaust fluid
– at low temperatures 246
– at minimum 246
– refilling yourself 247
Diesel particulate filter 139
Digital clock 78
Digital compass 124
Digital radio, refer to High 
Definition Radio 181