
Adjusting
48
Adjusting
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In the 
interaction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the seat position 
plays an important role in an accident. To 
ensure that the safety systems operate with 
optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to 
observe the instructions contained in the fol-
lowing section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page 61.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at 
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock  positions, to mini-
mize the risk of injuries  to your hands and arms 
in the event of airbag deployment. 
No one and nothing is to  come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passeng er is sitting correctly 
and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument 
cluster, otherwise leg in juries can occur if the 
front airbag is triggered. 
Make sure that occupants do not rest their head 
on the side or head airbag, otherwise injuries 
can occur if the airbags are triggered. <
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot 
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This e ffect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page 105.
Head restraint
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. <
BMW X5: push the head restraints of the 3rd 
row seats
* into the top position.
Head restraints, refer to page 52.
Safety belts
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but  they do not represent a 
substitute.
BMW X5: depending on its equipment, your 
vehicle has either five or seven seats, which are 
all provided with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to  ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the  belt lies low around the 
hips in the lap area and does not press on the 
abdomen. The safety belt  may not lie across the 
neck, rub on sharp edges, be routed over solid 
or breakable objects or  be pinched. Wear the 
safety belt without twisting, snugly across the 
lap and shoulders, as close to the body as pos-
sible. Otherwise the belt can slip over the hips 
in the lap area in a fronta l impact and injure the 
abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing that prevents 
the belt from fitting prop erly and pull the belt in 
the upper body area period ically to readjust the 
tension, in order to avoid a reduction in the 
restraint of the safety belt. 
If the center safety belt  in the rear is used, the 
larger backrest half mu st be locked, refer to 
page 132, otherwise the center safety belt has 
no restraining action. <
Safety belts, refer to page 54. 

Controls
 55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in 
the belt buckle.
Safety belt reminder for driver's seat 
and passenger seat
The indicator lamp lights up and a 
signal sounds. A message also 
appears on the Control Display. 
Please check whether the safety belt is cor-
rectly fastened.
The safety belt reminder is operative at speeds 
above approx. 5 mph/8 km/h. It can also be acti-
vated if objects are placed on the passenger 
seat.
Releasing
1. Grasp the belt firmly.
2. Press the red button in the buckle.
3. Guide the belt into its reel.
The shoulder strap's anchorage point will be 
correct for adult seat occupants of every build if 
the seat is correctly  adjusted, refer to page 49.
BMW X5: the two rear safety belt buckles inte-
grated into the rear seat are for passengers sit-
ting on the left and right. The belt buckle 
embossed with the word CENTER is intended 
exclusively for use by passengers riding in the 
center position.
Damage to safety belts
In the event of loads caused by accidents 
or other damage: replace the belt system 
including the safety be lt tensioners and any 
child restraint devices, an d have the belt anchor 
points checked. Only have  this work carried out 
at a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or at a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with corres pondingly trained per-
sonnel. Otherwise correct operation of this 
safety equipment is not guaranteed. <
Belt-force limiter
The effect of the belt-force limiter on the 
driver's seat is dependent on the position of the 
driver's seat. To maintain the long-term accuracy of this 
function, the driver's seat
 must be calibrated if a 
corresponding message  is displayed on the 
Control Display.
Calibrating driver's seat
The warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage also appears on the Control Dis-
play. Please calibrate the driver's 
seat.
1. Move the driver's seat forward until it stops.
2. Move the driver's seat forward again. It 
briefly moves toward the front in the pro-
cess.
3. Set the desired seating position again.
The calibration is comp leted when the message 
on the Control Display disappears. Should this 
message continue to be  displayed, repeat the 
calibration. If the message does not disappear 
even after repeated calibration, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
Never carry out calibration while the vehi-
cle is moving, as this can cause accidents.
Make sure that no persons or objects become 
wedged during the calibration process, as this 
can cause injuries or damage. <
Seat heating*
Front
The temperature setting progresses one step 
through its control sequence each time you 
press the button. The maximum temperature is 
supplied when three LEDs are lit.
To switch off: press the button longer. 

Controls
 61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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. 

Transporting children safely
62
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restra int device with the 
belt.
2. Pull out the belt we bbing completely.
3. Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and 
pull taut against the child restraint device. 
The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2. Remove the child restraint device.
3. Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com-
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fixing 
system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
Follow the system manufacturer's 
instructions on inst allation and use of 
LATCH child restraint devi ces; otherwise, their 
protective function may be reduced. <
Before attaching the child 's seat, pull the belt 
away from the region of  the child restraint fixing 
system.
BMW X5: before installing the child's 
seat, remove the covers
* from the 
mounts for the LATCH anch or fittings, as other-
wise the LATCH anchor  fittings have no 
restraining effect. < Make sure that the 
LATCH mounts have 
properly clicked into  place and that the 
child restraint device is  resting snugly against 
the backrest. Otherwise, the protective action 
may be reduced. <
The mounts for the LATC H anchors are located 
at the points indicated by the arrows.
Child restraint device with tether strap
Only use the top tether mounting points 
to secure child restraint devices, other-
wise the mounting poin ts could be damaged.
Do not mount child restraint devices on the 
3rd row seats in the BMW X5; otherwise the 
protection provided by these child restraint 
devices may be reduced. <
BMW X5
There are three additional mounting points for 
child restraint devices with  a tether strap on the 
2nd row seats, refer to arrows. Fold out before 
using the center mounting point. 

Controls
 63Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
BMW X6
For child restraint devices with tether strap, 
there are two additional attachment points on 
the back of the rear se at backrests, refer to 
arrows.
Placement of tether strap
Make sure that the  tether strap is not 
routed over sharp edges and does not 
twist on its way to the  attachment point; other-
wise, the belt cannot pr operly secure the child 
restraint device in the event of an accident.<
BMW X5
1 Direction of travel
2 Head restraint
3 Tether strap hook
4 Mounting point 5
Backrest
6 Tether strap of child restraint device
When using the cargo bay cover, route the 
tether strap through between the backrest of 
the 2nd row seats and the cargo bay cover.
BMW X6
1 Direction of travel
2 Head restraint
3 Tether strap hook
4 Mounting point
5 Backrest
6 Tether strap of child restraint device
When using the cargo bay cover, route the 
tether strap through between the rear seat 
backrest and the cargo bay cover. 

Transporting children safely
64
Attaching tether strap to the backrest 
of the 2nd row seats
BMW X5:
On outer seats:
1.Slide the head re straint upward.
2. Guide the tether stra p between the head 
restraint brackets.
3. Hook in the tether st rap on the mounting 
point with the hook.
4. Slide the head restra int into the bottom 
position.
5. Pull tether strap taut.
O n  c e n t e r  s e a t  w i t h  e q u i pment with two rows of 
seats:
1. Fold the center armr est somewhat toward 
the front.
2. Guide the tether strap through the opening 
in the center armrest.
3. Fold back and engage the center armrest.
4. Hook in tether strap on mounting point.
5. Pull tether strap taut. On center seat with equipment with three rows 
of seats:
1.
Slide the head restraint upward.
2. Guide the tether strap between the head 
restraint brackets.
3. Hook in the tether st rap on the mounting 
point with the hook.
4. Slide the head restraint into the bottom 
position.
5. Pull tether strap taut.
BMW X6:
1. Route tether strap over the middle of the 
head restraint.
2. Hook in the tether st rap on the mounting 
point with the hook.
3. Pull tether strap taut until it compresses the 
cushion of the head restraint, thus prevent-
ing the tether strap from sliding off.
On trips
Child-safety locks for rear doors
Slide down the safety le ver on the rear doors: 
The door can now be opened from the outside 
only.
Safety switch for power windows
Always press the safety switch for the power 
windows, refer to page 42, when children are 
riding in the rear of the vehicle. 

Driving
68
automatically held in place when standing. 
When driving up inclines, the system prevents 
your vehicle from rolling 
backward in an undes-
ired way.
After the engine is star ted, the system can be 
activated and deactiva ted at any time the 
driver's seat is occupied  until the next time the 
engine is switched off.
Activating
Press the button. The LED in the button lights 
up and the indication  AUTO H appears in the 
instrument panel.
Automatic Hold is activated.
If the vehicle is bein g held by Automatic 
Hold, the indicator light in the instru-
ment panel also lights up in green.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
Deactivating
Press the button again, the LED in the button 
and the indication AUTO H in the instrument 
panel go out.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.
If the vehicle is being  held by Automatic Hold, 
then press on the brake  pedal to deactivate it.
When the parking brake is  set manually, refer to 
page 67, Automatic Hold is  automatically deac-
tivated.
Driving
With Automatic Hold acti vated, the vehicle is 
automatically prevented from rolling after it 
comes to a stop. The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up in green.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
If the transmission is in a drive position, simply 
press on the gas pedal to begin driving. The 
brake is automatically re leased and the indica-
tor lamp goes out.
Before driving into  the car wash, deacti-
vate Automatic Hold; otherwise, the park-
ing brake will be automatically set after stop-
ping and the vehicle can no longer roll. <
Parking
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold 
and you switch off the motor, the parking brake 
is automatically set.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel changes from green to red.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
The parking brake is not set if you have 
already switched off the engine while the 
vehicle is rolling to a stop.
Automatic Hold is deactivated. <
You can manually rele ase the parking brake 
even after switching off th e motor as long as the 
remote control remains in  the ignition lock, refer 
to page 67. Use this function in car washes, for 
example.
When leaving the vehicle, always take 
along the remote control; this precaution 
prevents children from  releasing the parking 
brake, for example. <
For your safety
Automatic Hold is auto matically deactivated 
when:
> the engine is switched off
> no one is detected in the driver's seat when 
the engine is running 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
106
the upholstery in the center of the steering 
wheel, on the instrument cluster, the doors, and 
the roof pillars as well as
 the sides of the head-
liner. Do not attempt to  remove or dismantle the 
steering wheel. Do not  touch the individual 
components immediately after the system has 
been triggered, because there is a danger of 
burns. 
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or 
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, remova l, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trained personnel and has 
the required explosives licenses. Otherwise 
unprofessional attempts  to service the system 
could lead to failure in an emergency or undes-
ired airbag triggering, either of which could 
result in personal injury. <
Warnings and information on the airbags is also 
provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front 
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on  the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passeng er seat. The front and 
side airbags on the front passenger side are 
activated or deactivated  accordingly by the sys-
tem.
The current status of the front passenger 
airbag, i.e. deactivated or activated, is 
indicated by the indicator  lamp over the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front 
passenger airbags in the following. <
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, read the safety informa-
tion and follow the inst ructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page 61.
When teenagers and adults assume certain sit-
ting positions, this can cause the front and side 
airbags to deactivate. The indicator lamp for the 
front passenger airbags lights up when this 
occurs. In these cases, change the sitting posi-
tion so that the front passenger airbags are acti-
vated and the indicator la mp goes out. If the 
desired status cannot be  produced by changing  the sitting position, transport the correspond-
ing person on the rear se
at. Do not fit seat cov-
ers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or other 
items onto the front passenger seat unless they 
are specifically recomme nded by BMW. Do not 
lay objects under the seat which could press 
against the seat from below. Otherwise a cor-
rect evaluation of the occupied seat surface 
cannot be ensured. <
Operating state of front passenger 
airbags
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for  the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front 
and side airbags on the front passenger side 
depending on the seat occupation. The indica-
tor lamp shows whether the front passenger 
airbags are activated or deactivated.
> The indicator lamp light s up when a child in 
a child restraint device  intended for the pur-
pose is properly detected on the seat.
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are not activated.
Most child's seats are detected by the 
system. Especially the child's seats 
required by the NHTSA at the time the vehi-
cle is manufactured. Af ter installing a child's 
seat, make sure that  the indicator lamp for 
the front passenger airbags lights up. This 
indicates that the child's seat has been 
detected and the front passenger airbags 
are not activated. <
> The indicator lamp does not light up when, 
for example, a correctly seated person of 
sufficient height is detected on the seat.