2009 BMW X6 XDRIVE 50I height

Opening and closing
34
2.
Open the liftgate and press in the handle.
The liftgate is locked again as soon as it is
closed.
Closing
Make sure that the closing path of the lift-
gate is clear, othe rwise 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 protection 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 above the liftgate. Other-
wise, the ceiling height could be insufficient for
the opened liftgate if, for example, the loading
state changes. <
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" an d 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 fiel d can be changed.
Opening liftgate
The liftgate opens automatically when you:
>Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate when the vehi cle is unlocked.

Opening and closing
36
Opening from inside
Press the button: the liftgate opens somewhat
unless it has been locked.
Opening from outside
Press the button on the liftgate or the button
on the remote control for approx. 1 second:
The liftgate opens somewhat. It can be swung
upward.
Opening height*
You can open the liftgate to two heights. Unlock
the liftgate and swing it upward.
Completely opening liftgate
If the liftgate is in the lower position, pull it down
approx. 12 in/30 cm and then release it.Do not push the liftgat e up from the lower
position; otherwise, it can spring back and
cause personal injury. <
Adjusting opening height
You can set the liftgate to open immediately
into the upper position or to initially only open to
the lower position. 1.
To open the liftgate completely, see above.
2. For the lower position, position 1:
Turn sleeves of both liftgate supports in the
direction of the arrow until the line markings
align in position 1.
For the upper position, position 2:
Turn sleeves of both liftgate supports in the
direction of the arrow until the line markings
align in position 2.
With automatic liftgate operation
* you
can set the opening height using iDrive,
refer to page 37.<
Opening manually
In case of an electrical malfunction:
1. From inside the cargo bay, use a screw-
driver to pu sh out cover 1 on the liftgate.
2. Push catch 2 in the direction of the arrow.

Controls
37Reference
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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.

Controls
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Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust or calibrate your
seat while the vehicle is moving. The seat
could respond with unexpected movement, and
the ensuing loss of vehicl e control could lead to
an accident.
Never adjust manually adjustable seats while
the vehicle is moving, as otherwise the restrain-
ing effect of these seats during accidents could
be reduced.
Also on the passenger side, do not incline the
backrest too far to the re ar while the vehicle is
being driven, otherwise there is a danger in the
event of an accident of sliding under the safety
belt, eliminating the protection normally pro-
vided by the belt. <
Also observe the information on damage to
safety belts on page 55 and on the height of the
head restraints on page 52.
Adjusting manually*
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
observe the adjustment instructions on
page 48.<
Pull the lever and slide th e seat to the desired
position. After you releas e the lever, move the
seat forward or backward slightly so that it
engages fully.
Thigh support*
Pull the lever and adjust the thigh support in the
longitudinal direction.
Adjusting electrically
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
observe the adjustment instructions on
page 48.<
1 Longitudinal direction
2 Height
3 Seat tilt
4 Backrest

Adjusting
50
Differs depending on seat:
1
Backrest
2 Height
Additional depending on seat:
1 Backrest width
*
2Shoulder support*
3Thigh support*
4Lumbar support*
Backrest width*
The width of the backrest can be changed with
the side wings to adjust the side support to your
own needs.
Shoulder support*
This also supports the back in the shoulder
area, provides a relaxed sitting position and
helps relieve stress on the shoulder muscles.
The shoulder support is also used to adjust the
distance of the head restraint from the back of
the seat occupant's head.
Lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest
to obtain additional support in the lumbar
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a
relaxed, upright sitting position.
> Increase or decrease curvature: press front
or rear section of switch.
> Shift curvature up or down: press upper or
lower section of switch.
Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory*
You can store and request two different posi-
tions for the driver's seat and passenger seat
*,
exterior rearview mirror s, and steering wheel.
The adjustment of the backrest width and lum-
bar support is not stored in the memory.
Storing
1. Switch on radio readiness or ignition, refer
to page 65.
2. Set the desired seat, exterior mirror and
steering wheel positions.

Adjusting
52
Head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident.Adjust the head restraint so that its center
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise there is
increased danger of inju ry in the event of an
accident. Only remove the head restraints if the
respective seat is not occupied. Reinstall the
head restraints before transporting passen-
gers, as otherwise the head restraint cannot
provide its protective function. <
Active front head restraints
In the event of a rear-end collision of sufficient
severity, the active head restraint reduces the
distance to the head.
Do not use seat covers or head restraint
covers that could impede the proper
functioning of the active head restraint. Other-
wise, there is no assuranc e that the active head
restraint will perform its protective function and
it is not possible to take advantage of its injury-
reducing potential in th e event of a rear-end
collision.
Have the active head rest raints reset after they
are triggered in a rear-end collision. Have this
work carried out only at a BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center or at a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise,
correct operation of this safety equipment is not
guaranteed. <
Removal and installation of the front head
restraints should be performed by a BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. <
Front seats: height adjustment
You can adjust the height of the head restraints
electrically.
Front seats: adjust ing distance from
back of head
> Forward: pull up.
> Back: press the button and slide the head-
rest cushion toward the rear.
Do not place any objects behind the
headrest cushion. Otherwise, you can
impair the proper function of the head
restraint. <
Comfort seat*
You can adjust the distance from the back of the
seat occupant's head using the shoulder sup-
port, refer to page 50.

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Adjusting side extensions
You can fold the side extensions on the head
restraint forward for increased lateral support in
the resting position.
BMW X5: rear seats and 3rd row seats*,
adjusting height
> To raise: pull up.
> To lower: press the button, arrow 1, and
push the head restraint downward.
In vehicles equipped with 3rd row seats, the
height of the middle head restraint is not adjust-
able.
Removing
1. Pull the head restraint upward to the stop.
2. Press the button, arro w 1, and pull the head
restraint all the way out.
BMW X5: rear seats
2nd row seats
With a divided* row of seats you can adjust
both sides individually.
Never adjust the 2nd row seats while the
vehicle is moving, as otherwise the pas-
sengers on the 3rd row seats could be injured.
Make sure that the locking devices of the 2nd
row seats engage properly. Otherwise the
restraining effect of the safety belts during an
accident could be reduced. <
Longitudinal direction*
1.Pull the lever and slide the seat into the
desired position.
2. Release the lever and move the seat slightly
forward or back so that it engages properly.
Backrest*
The backrests can be adjusted in four steps.
Pull the lever and apply weight to or remove
weight from the backrest as needed.

Controls
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Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening
the doors. <
Children alwa ys in rear
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children is on the rear seat.
Children younger than 13 years of age or
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only
be transported on the 2nd row seats in child
restraint devices which correspond to the age,
weight and height of the child. Otherwise there
is an increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint
device can no longer be used due to their age,
weight and size.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessa ry to use a child
restraint device on the front passenger
seat, the front and side airbags on the passen-
ger side must be deactivated. Otherwise, there
is an increased risk of in jury for the child if the
airbags are triggered, even with a child restraint
device. <
For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags, refer to
page 106.
Installing child restraint
devices
Follow the child restraint device manufac-
turer's instructions fo r selection, installa-
tion, and use of child restraint devices. Other-
wise, the degree of protection may be
reduced. <
BMW X5: for equipment with 3rd row
seats
*, make sure that the seat of the 2nd row seats on which the ch
ild restraint device is
mounted is properly locked. Otherwise there is
an increased risk of inju ry for the child in an
accident.
Do not mount child rest raint devices on the
3rd row seats, as otherwise the protection pro-
vided by these child restraint devices may be
reduced. <
On front passenger seat
After mounting a child restraint device on
the front passenger seat, make sure that
the front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side are deactivated; otherwise, there is an
increased risk of injury if the airbags are trig-
gered. <
Backrest width*
The backrest width adjustment of the
front passenger seat must be completely
open. After installing th e child's seat, no mem-
ory position may be called up; otherwise, the
stability of the child's se at on the front passen-
ger seat is reduced.<
1. Open backrest width adjustment com-
pletely, refer to page 50.
2. Install child's seat.
Child seat security
The rear safety belts, in the BMW X5 all of the
safety belts of the 2nd and 3rd
* row seats and
the passenger safety belt can be locked to pre-
vent them from being pulled out in order to
secure child restraint devices.