
Controls
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Mobility
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "FTM" is  selected and press 
the controller.
6. Start the engine, but do not start driving.
7. Select "Reset" and press the controller.
8. Select "Yes" and press the controller. The 
message "resetting FTM …" is displayed.
9. Start to drive.
The initialization finishes during driving.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red. A 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, an acoustic signal 
sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation 
pressure loss.
If you have deactivated DS C, it will be activated 
automatically.
1. Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h.
In case of further air loss of the defective 
wheel, its position will be indicated to you 
on the Control Display.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires as provided at the factory,  refer to page
256, do not continue driving. 
Continuing to drive with a flat tire could 
cause severe accidents. <
2. At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If the tire inflation pressure in all four 
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor 
may not have been initialized. The system 
must then be initialized. <
3. In the event of complete  tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guide values:
> With a light load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km
> With a medium load: 
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 
4 persons without luggage: 
approx. 95 miles/150 km
> With a full load: 
4 or more persons, cargo bay full: 
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed 
speeds of 50 mph/80 km/h or else you 
run the risk of causing an accident. In the event 
of pressure loss, vehicl e handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distance and altered natural 
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations or  loud noises occur while 
the vehicle is being driven , this can indicate final 
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and 
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible, 
otherwise pieces of the tire could become 
detached and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact the BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. <
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
The concept
TPM checks the tire inflation pressure in the 
four mounted tires. The system reports when  

Controls
 103Reference
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Mobility
6.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
7. Select "Reset" and press the controller.
8. Select "Yes" and press the controller.
9. Start to drive.
The tires are shown in gray and "Resetting 
TPM..." is displayed.
After a few minutes of driving, the set tire infla-
tion pressures in the tire s are applied as the set 
values to be monitored.  Resetting finishes dur-
ing driving. The tires ar e shown in green on the 
Control Display.
If a flat tire is detected during resetting 
and applying the tire inflation pressures, 
all tires are shown in yellow on the Control Dis-
play. The message "Tir e low!" is displayed.<
Message with low tire inflation 
pressure
The warning lamp lights up yellow. A 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, an acoustic signal 
sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation 
pressure loss.
1. Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h. If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires as provided at the factory, 
refer to page 256, do not continue driving. 
Continuing to drive with a flat tire could 
cause severe accidents. <
2. In the event of complete  tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guide values:
> With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
> With a medium load:
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km
> With a full load:
4 or more persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed 
speeds of 50 mph/80 km/h or else you 
run the risk of causing an accident. In the event 
of pressure loss, vehicl e handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distance and altered natural 
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations or  loud noises occur while 
the vehicle is being driven , this can indicate final 
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and 
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible, 
otherwise pieces of the tire could become 
detached and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact the BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. <
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and 
then lights up continuously. The tires 
are shown in gray on the Control Dis-
play and a message is displayed. No flat tire can 
be detected.
A message like this is displayed in the following 
situations:
> In case of a malfunction:
Have the system checked 

Things to remember when driving
138
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to 
each other. To ensure that your vehicle contin-
ues to provide optimized economy of operation 
throughout an extended service life, we request 
that you devote careful  attention to the follow-
ing section.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and vehicle speeds, 
however do not exceed:
> Gasoline engine
4,500 rpm or 100 mph/160 km/h
> Diesel engine
3,500 rpm or 90 mph/150 km/h
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick-down mode during these 
initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be 
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors  associated with their 
manufacture, tires do no t achieve their full trac-
tion potential until afte r an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during 
this break-in period.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if com-
ponents mentioned above must be replaced 
after subsequent driving operation.
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle depends 
on various factors. Through a few simple steps, 
your driving style, and  regular maintenance, you 
can have a positive influence on your fuel con-
sumption and environmental impact.
Removing unnecessary cargo
Additional weight incr eases fuel consumption.
Removing add-on parts after use
Remove unneeded auxiliary  mirrors, roof or rear 
luggage racks after use. Add-on parts attached 
to the vehicle impede the aerodynamics and 
increase the fuel consumption.
Closing windows and glass sunroof*/
panorama glass sunroof* 
An open glass sunroof/panorama glass sunroof 
or open windows likewise increase the drag 
coefficient and therefore the fuel consumption.
Checking tire in flation pressures 
regularly
Check and correct the tire  inflation pressure as 
needed at least twice a month and before long 
trips.
An insufficient tire inflation pressure increases 
the rolling resistance an d thus increases the 
fuel consumption and tire wear.
Driving off immediately
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it 
running while the vehicl e remains stationary. 
Instead, begin to drive  at a moderate engine  

Mobility
 249Reference
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Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
The condition of the tires and the maintenance 
of the specified tire pres sure are crucial not only 
to the tire's service life, but also to driving com-
fort and most importantly, driving safety.
Checking pressure
Only check tire inflation  pressure when the tires 
are cold. This means after a maximum of 
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has 
been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are 
warm, the tire inflation pressure increases.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly 
and correct it as needed, even on the 
compact tire
*: at least twice a month and before 
starting long trips. If you fail to observe this pre-
caution, you may be driving on tires with incor-
rect tire pressures, a condition that can not only 
compromise your vehicle's driving stability, but 
also lead to tire damage and the risk of an acci-
dent. Do not drive with de pressurized, i.e. flat 
tires, except run-flat tires. A flat tire will seri-
ously impair your vehicle's handling and braking 
response. Attempts to dr ive on a flat tire can 
lead to a loss of control over the vehicle. <
After correcting the tire inflation pressure, 
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to 
page 100, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor, 
refer to page 102.<
Pressure specifications
The tables below provide all the correct inflation 
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient 
temperature.
The inflation pressures apply to the 
tire sizes and tire brands respectively 
approved and recommended by BMW; a list 
of these is available from your BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center. <
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressure for your  tires, observe the follow-
ing:
> Tire sizes of your vehicle
> Load conditions
> Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pre ssures for speeds 
up to 100 mph/160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph/160 km/h, 
adjust pressures to the re spective tire inflation 
pressures listed on the  following pages in the 
column Traveling speeds up to max. of 
100 mph/160 km/h to achieve optimum driving 
comfort.
These pressure specifications can be found on 
the door post when you open the driver's door.
The permissible top speed for these tire 
inflation pressures is 100 mph/160 km/h. 
Do not exceed this speed, otherwise tire dam-
age and accidents may result. < 

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Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B, 
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the 
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate 
heat when tested under controlled conditions 
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. 
Sustained high temperature can cause the 
material of the tire to  degenerate and reduce 
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to 
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to 
a level of performance  which all passenger car 
tires must meet under  the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A 
represent higher levels of performance on the 
laboratory test wheel than the minimum 
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is 
established for a tire  that is properly 
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, 
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat 
buildup and possible tire failure. <
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side 
of the tire, refer to page256.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires. 
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires freq uently for tread wear, 
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged 
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of  0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed 
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of 
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth 
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less 
suitable for winter conditions. For the sake of 
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base are 
distributed over the ti
re's circumference and 
are marked on the side of the tire with TWI – 
Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread has been 
driven down to the we ar indicators, a tread 
depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-pr ofile tires cause wheels, 
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazards  and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal 
vehicle operation can indi cate tire failure or 
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These 
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other 
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong 
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so , drive carefully to the 
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or 
tire shop that works ac cording to BMW repair 
procedures with corres pondingly trained per-
sonnel. If necessary, have the vehicle towed 
there. Otherwise, tire damage can be extremely 
dangerous to vehicle occupants and other road 
users. < 

Wheels and tires
256
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side 
of the tire. 
Run-flat tires consist of partially self-contained 
tires and special rims.  The sidewall reinforce-
ment ensures that the tire retains some residual 
safety in the event of pr essure drop and driving 
remains possible to a restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
> With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of 
a flat tire page 101
> With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire  inflation pressure 
page 103
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and  tires installed only 
by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
Center or a tire shop that works according to 
BMW repair procedures  with correspondingly 
trained personnel. If this  work is not carried out 
properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam-
age and related safety ha zards. Make sure that 
the new wheels are balanced. <
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend that you use 
retreaded tires, as driving safety may be 
impaired. The causes for  this include the possi-
bly different tire casing  structures and the often 
wide variations in their age, which can result in a 
limited service life. <
The right wheels and tires
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires and vice versa, 
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. Your 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be 
happy to advise you.
BMW recommends that you use only 
wheel and tire combinations that BMW 
has tested and approved for your particular 
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean  that even wheels and 
tires with identical offi cial size ratings could 
actually have different  dimensions than the 
approved units – these differences could lead to 
body contact, and with it  the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are 
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability, 
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving 
safety. <
When changing to larger wheels and tires, 
it may be necessary to make changes to 
the wheel-well trim piec e, as otherwise road 
users could be endangered or the vehicle could 
be damaged. Only have th is work carried out by 
a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a 
workshop that works in accordance with BMW 
guidelines and uses appropriately trained per-
sonnel. <
You can ask your BMW Sp orts Activity Vehicle 
Center for the correct wheel/tire combination.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects 
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g.  ABS, DSC, xDrive, 
Dynamic Performance Control in the BMW X6, 
or Flat Tire Monitor.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of  a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. Following 
tire damage, have the or iginal wheel and tire 
combination remounted on the vehicle as soon 
as possible.
Wheels with electronics for 
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or changing from 
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use 
wheels with TPM electronics, otherwise the  

Mobility
 275Reference
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3.Apply gentle pressure  to the bulb while 
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
4. Insert the bulb socket in the liftgate and 
engage it.
5. Replace the cover.
License plate lamp
5-Watt bulb, C5W
1.Slide the lamp to the right with a screw-
driver, refer to arrow 1.
2. Remove the lamp, arrow 2.
3. Replace the bulb.
4. Reinstall the lamp.
Center brake lamp
This lamp uses LED technology for operation. 
In case of a defect, please go to a BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center  or a workshop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trained personnel.
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires as 
standard. As a result, it  is not necessary to 
change the wheel immediately in the case of air 
loss in the event of a breakdown.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
> With Flat Tire Monitor,  refer to Indication of 
a flat tire page 101
> With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure 
page 103
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side 
of the tire, refer to Run-flat tires, page 256.
When mounting new tires, or changing from 
summer to winter tires or  vice versa, use run-flat 
tires for your own safety.  No spare tire is avail-
able in case of a flat tire. Your BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center  will be happy to advise 
you. Also refer to New wheels and tires, 
page 256.
BMW X6: do not rotate the front wheels to 
the rear or vice versa, as otherwise the 
handling characteristic s will be negatively 
affected. <
Suitable tools for changing tires are avail-
able as accessories at your BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center. <
Jacking points for vehicle jack
The jacking points for the vehicle jack are 
located in the positions shown.
Compact wheel*
Safety precautions in the event of a flat 
tire or wheel change: park the vehicle as  

Everything from A to Z
298
"BMW 
Assist" 236,237, 238, 239
BMW Assist
– activating 240
– concierge service 239
– contacting BMW Customer  Relations 238
– offered services 235
– roadside assistance 236
– TeleServices 237
"BMW Contact" 230
"BMW Contact  Numbers" 230
BMW homepage 4
BMW maintenance  system 263
"BMW Service settings" 241
BMW Teleservice call
– automatic 237
– manual 237
BMW TeleServices 237
BMW TeleServices services
– displaying 238
– updating 238
BMW website 4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup  holders 127
Brake assistant 96
Brake force display 105
Brake lamps
– brake force display 105
– replacing bulbs 270,273
Brake rotors 140
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake  System 96
– brake assistant 96
– brake force display 105
– breaking-in 138
– CBC Cornering Brake 
Control 96
– electronic brake-force  distribution 96
– parking brake 67
– refer to Braking safely 140
– warning lamp 13 Brake system
138
– brake pads 138
– breaking-in 138
– disk brakes 140
Braking safely 140
Breakdown, Flat Tire  Monitor 100
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance 280
Breaking-in brake pads 138
Breaking-in d
ifferential 138
Break-in period 138
"Brightness" 89
– DVD changer 196
– DVD system in rear 208
Brightness
– of Control Display 89
– of the rear view camera 95
– on Head-Up Display 108
"Brightness / Position" 108
Button for starting engine 65
Buttons on steering wheel 11
Bypassing traffic  congestion 169
C
Calibrating driver's seat 55
California Proposition 65  Warning 6
"Call" 228,239
Call
– accepting 226
– displaying accepted 229
– ending 227
– in absence 229
– starting 227
Calling
– from phone book 228
– from Top 8 list 229
– redialing 229
– refer to telephone operating  instructions
Camera, refer to Rear view  camera 93
"Camera picture and PDC" 95"Camera view
– full screen"
95
– main window" 95
Can holder, refer to Cup  holders 127
Capacities 290
Capacity of cargo bay 289
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery 277
"Car Data" 81
Care 265
– car-care products 265
– carpets 267
– car washes 265
– CD/DVD-player 268
– chrome components 266
– displays 268
– exterior 265
– fine wooden 
components 267
– hand washing 266
– headlamps 266
– high-pressure cleaning  jets 266
– interior 267
– leather 267
– light-alloy wheels 267
– paint 266
– plastic components 267
– rubber gaskets 266
– running boards 267
– safety belts 268
– sensors and  cameras 267,268
– upholstery materials and  cloth-covered paneling 267
– windows 266
–
  wiper blades 266
Cargo
– refer to Loading 141
– securing 143
– securing with ski bag 134
Cargo area, refer to Cargo 
bay 130
Cargo area cover, refer to Roll- up cover 130