2009 BMW X6 XDRIVE Off road

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

Everything under control
78
Everything under control
Odometer, outside
temperature display, clock
1Knob in the instrument panel
2 Time, outside temperature, and date
3 Odometer and trip odometer
Knob in the instrument panel
>With ignition switched on
Press knob:
Resetting trip odometer
Press the knob for approx. 5 seconds:
Displaying service requirements, refer to
page 82
> With ignition switched off
Press knob:
Briefly displaying time, outside temperature
and odometer
Units of measure
To select the respective units of measure, miles
or km for the odometer as well as 7 or 6 for
the outside temperat ure, refer to page89.
The setting is stored fo r the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Time, date, outside temperature
From radio readiness the outside temperature
and the time are displayed.
Setting the time, refer to page 88.
Retrieving date
Press the button on turn signal lever upward;
the date appears.
To set the date, refer to page 89.
Pressing the button upward or downward sev-
eral times changes the display between clock,
outside temperature, da te, and Check Control
messages, refer to page 86.
Outside temperature warning
If the display drops to +37 7/+3 6, a signal
sounds and a warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. There is
an increased danger of ice.
Even at temperatures above +37 7/
+3 6 ice can form. Therefore, drive care-
fully, e.g. on bridges and sections of road in the
shade, otherwise there is an increased accident
risk.<
Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting trip odometer:
Press knob 1 in the instrument panel with the
ignition switched on.
When vehicle is parked
To briefly display the time, outside temperature
and mileage after the re mote control has been
removed from the ignition lock:
Press knob 1 in the instrument panel.

Controls
93Reference
At a glance
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Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
Rear view camera*
The concept
The rear view camera in the liftgate displays the
area behind your vehicle on the Control Display.
Also check the traffic situation around the
vehicle during parking and maneuvering
with direct vision, as otherwise danger of an
accident could result, for example, from road
users or objects locate d outside the picture
area of the rear view camera. <
Switching on
Automatically
With the engine running, shift into reverse.
If the image of the PDC Park Distance
Control appears on the Control Display,
you can switch the image to the rear view cam-
era, refer to Displays on page 95.<
Manually
Press the button.
PDC is activated at th e same time, refer to
page 91.
If the image of the PDC Park Distance
Control appears on the Control Display,
you can switch the image to the rear view cam-
era, refer to Displays on page 95.<
Switching off
Automatically
When driving forward at over approx. 12 mph/
20 km/h or after driving approx. 164 ft/50 m.
Manually
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Driver assistan ce functions
The following functions can improve the effect
of the rear view camera depending on the situa-
tion.
They can only be activated when the liftgate is
completely closed.
Pathway lines
The pathway lines are shown in the picture of
the rear view camera. They help you to estimate
the space required when parking and maneu-
vering on level roads.
The pathway lines are dependent on the current
steering angle and are continuously adjusted to
the steering wheel movements.
Turning lines
The static turning lines are displayed in the pic-
ture of the rear view camera and show you the
course of the smallest possible turning circle on
level roads.

Controls
97Reference
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Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
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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.

Controls
99Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
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Mobility
Displays* in instrument panel
1Display for target speed
2 HDC display
Malfunction
HDC is temporarily unavailable in the following
situations due to a high brake temperature:
>The LED in the button and the display HDC
go out during HDC operation.
> The LED in the button and the HDC display
do not light up when the button is pressed.
Malfunction of driving stability control
systems
When driving on poor roads, avoid using
full throttle or pressing the accelerator
beyond the kick-down point and also avoid
heavy braking. Otherwise, the drive train may be
damaged or accidents can occur. <
Adaptive Drive*
The concept
Adaptive Drive reduces the body roll which
occurs when cornering qu ickly or during fast
evasive maneuvers. In addition, Adaptive Drive
reduces the steering angle requirement,
improves the running comfort and increases
the dynamic driving characteristics of your
BMW.
Chassis and susp ension tuning
You can choose between two types of chassis
and suspension tuning. >
Normal:
The comfortable basic setting offers opti-
mum comfort when traveling.
> Sport:
The sporty basic setting offers increased
driving agility.
Selecting chassis and suspension
tuning
Press the button.
The system switches between the two chassis
and suspension tuning settings.
>Sport:
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT
is displayed in the instrument panel.
> Normal:
The LED in the button goes out.
The selection of the chassis and suspension
tuning setting is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Starting assistant
The starting assistant en ables you to start off
conveniently on slopes. The parking brake is
not required fo r this purpose.
1. Hold the vehicle with the footbrake.
2. Release the footbrake and immediately
drive off quickly.
The starting assistant holds the vehicle
for approx. 2 seconds after releasing the
footbrake. Depending on the load, the vehicle
may also roll back slight ly during this time.
After releasing the footbrake, immediately start
quickly, otherwise the starting assistant no

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.

Lamps
110
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lights off and daytime driving lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime driving lamps*
2Low beams and welcome lamps
3 Automatic head lamp control
*, daytime
driving lamps
*, welcome lamps and Adap-
tive Head Light
*
If you open the driver's door with the ignition
switched off, the exteri or lighting is automati-
cally switched off when the light switch is in
position 0, 2 or 3.
If necessary, switch on the parking lamps,
switch position 1.
Parking lamps
In switch position 1, the front, rear and side
vehicle lighting is switch ed on. You can use the
parking lamps for parking.
The parking lamps drain the battery. Do
not leave them switched on for long peri-
ods of time, otherwise it may no longer be pos-
sible to start the engine. It is better to switch on
the roadside parking lamp s on one side, refer to
page 112.<
Low beams
The low beams light up wh en the light switch is
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
Automatic headlamp control*
In switch position 3, the system activates the
low beams and switches them on or off in
response to changes in ambient light condi-
tions, for instance, in a tunnel, at dawn and dusk
and in case of precipitation. Adaptive Head
Light
* is active. The LED next to the symbol
lights up when the low beams are on. You can
activate the daytime driving lamps, refer to
page 111. In the situations named above, the
system then automatically switches over to the
low beams.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can
cause the lights to be switched on.
The low beams remain switched on inde-
pendent of the ambient lighting condi-
tions when you switch on the fog lamps
*. <
The automatic headla mp control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal
judgment in determin ing when the lamps
should be switched on in response to ambient
lighting conditions. For example, the sensors
cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid
safety risks, you should always switch on the
low beams manually un der these conditions.<
Welcome lamps
When parking the vehicle, if you leave the light
switch in position2 or 3, the parking lamps and
the interior lamps light up briefly when the vehi-
cle is unlocked.
Activating/deactivating welcome
lamps
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.

Lamps
112
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp
control system that enables better illumination
of the road surface. Depending on the steering
angle and other parameters, the light from the
headlamp follows the course of the road.
In tight curves, e.g. serp entines, or when turn-
ing, one of the two front fog lamps is also
switched on up to a speed of approx. 45 mph/
70 km/h. This provides improved illumination of
the area inside the curve.
Activating Adapti ve Head Light
With the ignition switched on, turn the light
switch to position 3, refer to page 110.
The turning lamps are au tomatically switched
on depending on the steering angle or the use
of turn signals.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive
Head Light directs light towards the front pas-
senger side when the vehicle is at a standstill.
When driving in reverse, both turning lamps are
active.
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1 High beams
2 Headlamp flasher
3 Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one
side of your vehicle when parking.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or
down beyond the resist ance point for approx.
1second, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave th em switched on for
long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer
be possible to start the engine. <
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction
up to the resistance point, arrow 3.
Fog lamps*
First, switch on the parking lamps or the low
beams. The green indicator lamp in the instru-
ment panel lights up whenever the fog lamps
are on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps. <