
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 

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. 

Controls
 51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Press the  button: 
The LED in the button lights up.
4. Press the desired memory button 1 or 2: 
The LED goes out.
The positions of the driver's seat, the exte-
rior rearview mirrors, and steering wheel are 
stored for the remote  control currently in 
use.
Calling up automatically
You can choose when the stored positions of 
the driver's seat, exterior rearview mirrors, and 
steering wheel are activated.
> Calling up when unlocking vehicle
> Calling up when opening driver's door
When using this feat ure, always make 
sure that the footwell  behind the driver's 
seat is empty and unobstructed. Failure to do 
so could cause injury to persons or damage to 
objects behind the seat as a result of a rearward 
movement of the seat. <
The system cancels the adjustment procedure 
when you briefly press one of the seat adjust-
ment switches or one of the memory buttons.
Selecting calling up automatically
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.
1. Open 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 "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
7. Select "Last seat pos." and press the con-
troller.
8. Select "After unlock ing" or "After door 
opened".
9. Press the controller.
Deactivating calling up automatically
Select "Deactivated" an d press the controller.
Calling up manually
Do not call up a position from the memory 
while the vehicle is moving. There is a risk 
of accident from unexpected movement of the 
seat or steering wheel. <
Comfort mode
1.Open the driver's door after unlocking or 
switch on radio readiness.
2. Briefly press the de sired memory button 1 
or 2.
The system cancels the adjustment procedure 
when you briefly press one of the seat adjust-
ment switches or one of the memory buttons.
Safety feature
1. Close the driver's door and switch the igni-
tion on or off.
2. Press the desired memory button 1 or 2 
and maintain pressure  until the adjustment 
process has been completed.
If the  button was pressed inadvertently: 
press the button again; the LED goes out. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 175Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
You have the following choices:
>"FM" and "AM": radio reception
> "WB": Weather Band station
> "SAT": satellite radio
*
>"CD": CD player or changer*
>"AUX": AUX-In connection, USB audio 
interface
*
>"Set": depending on the audio source, 
other adjustments can be made, e.g. with 
the radio: update st ation with strongest 
reception, store station, tone control, sam-
ple stations.
From another menu, you can change 
directly to the scr een last displayed, 
refer to Comfort opening of menu items, 
page 18.<
From radio readiness, the selected audio 
source is stored for the remote control currently 
in use.
Switching on/off
To switch the Entertainment sound output on 
and off:
Press knob 1 on the CD player.
 This symbol on the  Control Display indi-
cates that sound output is switched off.
For equipment with a single drive, the sound 
output is available for approx. 20 minutes with 
the ignition switched off.
Switch on the sound output again for this pur-
pose.
Adjusting volume
Turn knob 1 on the CD player until the desired 
volume is set.
You can also adjust the  volume with buttons on 
the steering wheel, refer to page 11.
From radio readiness, the setting is stored for 
the remote control currently in use.
Tone control
You can alter various tone  settings, e.g. treble 
and bass, or the speed-dependent volume 
increase.
The tone settings are set for all audio sources at 
once.
From radio readiness, the settings are stored 
for the remote contro l currently in use.
Changing tone settings
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
4. Select "Audio" or "Tone / Volume" and 
press the controller.
The tone settings can also be selected when 
you have opened "Entertainment" in the start 
menu:
Select "Set" and then "Tone", and press the 
controller.
Treble and bass
1. Select "Treble / Bass" and press the con-
troller. 

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 

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
304
Height adjustment
– seats
49
– steering wheel 58
High beams 73,112
– headlamp flasher 73
– indicator lamp 13
High Definition Radio 181
High-pressure cleaning 
jets 266
Highs, refer to Treble and  bass 175
High water, refer to Driving  through water 140
Highway, refer to Route  criteria 160
Hill Descent Control HDC 98
Hills 140
Holder for cups 127
Home address 160
"Home address" in  navigation 160
Homepage 4
Hood 258
Horn 10
Hot exhaust system 139
"Hour memo" 88
"House number" for  destination entry 153
Hydraulic brake assistant,  refer to Brake assistant 96
Hydroplaning 139
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition 
Radio 181
Ice, refer to Outside 
temperature warning 78
Ice warning, refer to Outside  temperature warning 78
ID3 tag, refer to Information on  track 188
Identification, tire 257
Identification mark, run-flat  tires 256 iDrive
16
– assistance window 20
– changing language 90
– changing menu page 19
– changing settings 88
– changing units of measure  and display type 89
– confirming selection or 
entry 19
– controller 16
– controls 16
– displays, menus 17
– selecting menu item 19
– setting brightness 89
– setting date 89
– setting time 88
– start menu 17
– status information 20
– symbols 18
Ignition 65
– switched off 65
– switched on 65
Ignition key, refer to Keys/ remote control 28
Ignition key position 1, refer to 
Radio readiness 65
Ignition key position 2, refer to  Ignition on 65
Ignition lock 65
– starting engine with comfort  access 40
Indicator/warning lamps 13
– active steering 104
– airbags 107
– DSC 13,97
– DTC 97
– fasten safety belt 55
– Flat Tire Monitor 101
– fog lamps 13
– TPM Tire Pressure 
Monitor 103
Individual air distribution 117
Individually programmable 
buttons on steering 
wheel 59
Individual settings, refer to 
Personal Profile 28
I
nflation pressure, refer to Tire  inflation pressure 249Inflation pressure monitoring
– refer to FTM Flat Tire 
Monitor 100
– refer to TPM Tire Pressure  Monitor 101
Information
– on another location 156
– on country 156
– on current position 156
– on destination location 156
"Information on 
destination" 157
"Info sources" 83
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor 100
– refer to Power failure 278
– refer to Setting date 89
– refer to Setting time 88
– seat, mirror and steering 
wheel memory 50
Installation location
– drive for navigation DVD 148
– DVD changer 193
– mobile phone 127
Instructions for navigation 
system, refer to Voice 
instructions 165
Instrument cluster
– refer to Cockpit 10
– refer to Instrument panel 12
Instrument illumination, refer 
to Instrument lighting 113
Instrument lighting 113
Instrument panel 12
– refer to Cockpit 10
Integrated key 28
Integrated universal remote 
control 123
Interesting destination for  navigation 156
"Interim time" 87
Interior lamps 113
– switching on with remote 
control 30
Interior motion sensor 39
– switching off 39 

Everything from A to Z
306
Malfunction warnings, refer to 
Check Control 85
Manual air distribution 116
Manual BMW Teleservice  call 237
"Manual" in radio mode 179
Manually releasing  transmission lock 72
Manual mode, automatic  transmission with 
Steptronic 71
Manual operation
– door lock 32
– driver's door 32
– fuel filler door 244
– transmission lock, automatic 
transmission 72
Map
– changing scale 164
– destination entry 155
"Map direction of travel" 164
"Map facing north" 164
Map facing north 164
Master key, refer to Keys/ remote control 28
Maximum cooling 117
Maximum speed
– for winter tires 257
– with compact wheel 277
Memory, refer to Seat, mirror  and steering wheel 
memory 50
"Menu"
– for DVD system in 
rear 207,209
– in DVD changer 195,197
Menus, refer to iDrive 16
Message list for traffic  information 167
Microfilter 119
Microphone
– for mobile phone 14
– for telephone 14
– for voice activation  system 14
Mirror dimming feature 58Mirrors
57
– automatic curb monitor 58
– exterior mirrors 57
– folding in and out 57
– heating 58
– interior rearview mirror 58
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror  and steering wheel 
memory 50
"Missed calls" 228
Missed calls 229
Mobile phone
– accepted calls 229
– adjusting volume 226
– calling 227
– e
 nding call 227
– installation location, refer to  Center armrest, front 127
– missed calls 229
– operation via iDrive 226
– redialing 229
– refer to separate operating 
instructions
– Top 8 229
– touch tone dialing 230
Monitor, refer to iDrive 16
Monitoring tire pressure, refer  to FTM Flat Tire 
Monitor 100
"Monitor on / off" 59
MP3, refer to Compressed 
audio files 187
Multifunction steering wheel,  refer to Buttons on steering 
wheel 11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher/high 
beams 73
– refer to Washer/wiper 
system 74
Music track, refer to  Tracks 188
"Mute on / off" 59
N
"Navigation"80,156
Navigation destination
– entering manually 151,153
– home address 160
– selecting via map 155
Navigation drive, installation 
location 148
Navigation DVD 148
– player 174
Navigation instructions, refer  to Switching voice 
instructions on/off 165
Navigation system 148
– address book 158
– changing route 166
– destination entry 150
– destination guidance in 
assistance window 148
– destination list 157
– displaying current 
position 169
– displaying route 163
– ending/continuing 
destination guidance 162
– entering a destination  manually 151,153
– last destinations 157
– navigation DVD 148
– opening 150
– route list 164
– searching for a special  destination 156
– selecting destination using  information 156
– selecting destination via 
map 155
– selecting route criteria 160
– starting destination 
guidance 162
– switching off, refer to  Ending/continuing 
destination guidance 162
– voice instructions 165
– volume adjustment 166
"Navigation voice  instructions" 59