
Controls
 97Reference
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Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
100
longer holds the vehicle 
after approx. 2 seconds 
and it begins to roll back. <
Self-leveling suspension*
Malfunction
The warning lamp for self-leveling 
suspension lights up yellow and a 
message is shown on the Control 
Display. A malfunction has occurred in the self-
leveling suspension. Stop and check the vehi-
cle. If it is considerably lower at the rear than at 
the front, and possibly also on one side – rear 
left compared to rear  right –, proceed to the 
nearest BMW Sports Activi ty Vehicle Center or 
a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with  correspondingly trained 
personnel. Drive with a ppropriate caution in the 
meantime. The vehicle has reduced ground 
clearance and driving co mfort may be notice-
ably reduced. Even if th e orientation of the vehi-
cle is normal, when a malfunction is indicated 
on the display, you should proceed to the near-
est BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW guide-
lines and uses appropriately trained personnel.
FTM Flat Tire Monitor*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor detects a pressure loss in 
one tire by comparing the speeds of the individ-
ual wheels during driving.
In the event of a pressure loss, there is a change 
in the rolling circumference and therefore the 
rotation speed of the corresponding wheel. The 
system detects this change and reports it as a 
flat tire.
Function requirements
In order to assure the re liable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must be  initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure. The initialization must be repeated after 
each time the tire inflation pressure is cor-
rected and after every tire or wheel change. <
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate 
sudden severe tire damage caused by 
outside factors and does  not detect a natural, 
even pressure drop in all four tires. <
In the following situatio ns, the system could be 
delayed or malfunction:
> System has not been initialized
> Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
> Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels, 
high lateral acceleration
> Driving with snow chains
*
When you are driving with the compact wheel* 
the Flat Tire Monitor is  unable to function.
Initializing system
The initialization finishes during driving, 
which can be interrupted at any time. 
When driving resumes, th e initialization is con-
tinued automatically. Do not initialize the sys-
tem when driving with snow chains
* or with the 
compact wheel
*. <
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. 

Mobility
 257Reference
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Tire Pressure Monitor cannot detect a flat tire, 
refer to page101. Your BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center will be happy to advise you on 
this subject.
Recommended tire brands
Certain tire makes are recommended by BMW 
depending on the tire size. You can recognize 
these from the clearly visible BMW marking on 
the tire sidewall.
When used properly, these tires comply with 
the most demanding standards for safety and 
vehicle response.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends using winter tires for opera-
tion on winter road or at temperatures below 
+45 7/+7 6. Although all-season M+S tires 
provide better winter traction than summer 
tires, they generally fail  to provide the same lev-
els of cold-weather performance as winter tires.
Paying attention to speed
Always observe the maximum permissi-
ble speed for the winter tires, otherwise 
tire damage may occur, wh ich can result in acci-
dents. <
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with 
as little exposure to lig ht as possible. Always 
protect tires against all co ntact with oil, grease 
and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum tire 
inflation pressure indica ted on the side wall of 
the tire.
Rotating wheels between axles
Even with tires of the same size, BMW 
recommends that you not rotate the front 
tires to the rear or vice  versa as this can nega-
tively affect hand ling characteristics.
When the vehicle is equipped with different 
tires sizes
*, rotating tires from one axle to the 
other is not permitted. <
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain fine-link snow chains, 
classifies them as road-safe and recommends 
them. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center 
can provide you with this information.
BMW X5: use is only permitted in pairs on the 
rear wheels with tires of the size:
> 255/55 R 18
> 255/50 R 19
BMW X6: it is only permissible to use snow 
chains in pairs, on the 255/50 R 19 rear wheels.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when 
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed 
of 30 mph/50 km/h with the chains mounted. After mounting snow chains, do not ini-
tialize the Flat Tire Monitor
*, as otherwise 
incorrect displays can occur.
When you are driving with snow chains, it can 
be beneficial to activate  DTC briefly, refer to 
page 97.< 

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 

Everything from A to Z
310
Scan
– CD changer
189
– CD player 189
– radio 179
"Scan all"
– for DVD system in rear 212
– in audio mode 189
"Scan directory"
– for DVD system in rear 212
– in audio mode 189
Screen, refer to iDrive 16
Screw thread for tow  fitting 281
SDARS, refer to Satellite  radio 184
"Seat heater distribution" 56
Seat heating 55,56
Seats 49
– adjusting 49
– adjusting electrically 49
– adjusting manually 49
– backrest width 50
– heating 55,56
– in rear 53
– lumbar support 50
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror  and steering wheel 
memory 50
– 2nd row seats 53
– shoulder support 50
– sitting safely 48
– storing the setting 50
– thigh support 49,50
– 3rd row seats 54
– ventilation, refer to Active  seat ventilation and Seat 
heating 56
2nd row seats 53
Securing load
– refer to Securing cargo 143
– with ski bag, refer to  Securing cargo 134
"Select as 
destination" 156,239
"Select current speed" 87
Selecting audio source 174
Selecting country for  navigation 151 Selecting frequency 
manually 179
Selecting menu items 19
Selecting new scale for  navigation 164
Selector lever, automatic  transmission with 
Steptronic 70
Selector lever lock, refer to  Reverse gear 71
Self-leve
 ling suspension 100
Service, refer to Roadside  Assistance 280
Service and Warranty  Information Booklet for 
US models 263
"Service Info" 83,237
Service interval indicator, refer  to Service requirements 82
"Service Request" 230,237
"Service  requirements" 83,237, 261
Service requirements 82
– also refer to CBS Condition  Based Service 263
"SET"
– DVD changer 195
– rear seat entertainment 207
"Set" on trip computer 82
"Settings" 241
– when unlocking 30
Settings
– changing on Control  Display 88
– clock, 12h/24h mode 89
– configuring, refer to  Personal Profile 28
Setting speed limit 87
Setting time, refer to  Preselecting activation 
times 122
Shifting, automatic  transmission with 
Steptronic 71
Shift paddles 71
Short commands of voice 
activation system 291
Shortest route in navigation,  refer to Selecting route 160"Short route" in 
navigation 160
Shoulder support 50
"Show current position" 155
"Show destination 
position" 155
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer 190
– CD player 190
Side airbags 105
Side marker lamps, replacing 
bulbs 270
Signal horn, refer to Horn 10
Sitting safely 48
– with airbags 48
– with head restraint 48
– with safety belts 48
Ski bag 134
Slide show, refer
  to Displaying 
images 212
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof, 
electric 45
– refer to Panorama glass  sunroof 42
Slope assistant, refer to  Starting assistant 99
Smokers' package, refer to 
Ashtray 128
Snap-in adapter 233
Snow chains 257
Socket for Onboard  Diagnostics interface 264
Socket for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock 65
Sockets, refer to Connecting  electrical devices 129
Soft closure aid, refer to  Automatic soft closing 33
Song search, refer to 
Sampling tracks 189
SOS, refer to Initiating an  emergency request 279
Spare fuses 278
Spare remote control 28
Spare wheel
– refer to Changing  wheels 275
– refer to Compact wheel 275