
Controls
 79Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Tachometer
Do not operate the engine with the needle in the 
red overspeed zone of the gauge, refer to arrow. 
At high revs in this range, the flow of fuel is 
interrupted to protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
Should the coolant, and with it the engine 
become too hot, a warning lamp lights up. In 
addition, a message appears on the Control 
Display.
Checking coolant level, refer to page262.
Engine oil temperature*
When the engine is at operating temperature, 
the engine oil temperature is between approx. 
170 7/80 6 and approx. 250 7/120 6.
When the engine oil temperature is too high, a 
warning lamp lights up in  the instrument panel.
Energy control*
Displays the current fuel consumption. This 
allows you to see whethe r your current driving 
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions. 

Things to remember when driving
144
Driving on poor roads
Your BMW is at home on all roads and surfaces. 
It combines a 4-wheel drive system with the 
advantages of a normal passenger car.Do not drive on unpaved terrain, as other-
wise the vehicle may be damaged. <
When you are driving on poor roads, there are a 
few points which you shou ld strictly observe for 
your own safety, for that  of your passengers, 
and for the safety of the vehicle:
> Familiarize yourself wi th the vehicle before 
driving off and avoid taking risks at all costs.
> Adapt your driving spee d to the road condi-
tions. The steeper and rougher the road 
surface is, the lower  the speed should be.
> If you want to drive on very steep uphill or 
downhill gradients, ma ke sure beforehand 
that the engine oil and coolant levels are 
near the MAX mark, refer to page 259.
BMW X5: you can operate your vehicle on 
uphill and downhill gradients with a maxi-
mum slope of 50 %.
> On very steep downhill slopes, use Hill 
Descent Control HDC, refer to page 98. 
BMW X5: it is possible to start off on inclines 
of up to 33 %. The permissible body roll is 
50 %.
> While driving, watch carefully for obstacles 
such as rocks or holes. Try to avoid these 
obstacles whenev er possible.
> Make sure that the undercarriage does not 
touch the ground, for example on crests and 
bumpy roads. The ground clearance of the 
vehicle is a maximum of approx. 8 in/20 cm. 
Please note that the ground clearance can 
vary depending on lo ading and the driving 
conditions of the vehicle.
> Only drive through road  surface water up to 
a maximum water depth of
> BMW X5 20 in/50 cm
> BMW X6 17 in/45 cm
and only drive at walking speed; do not 
remain stationary. >
After driving through water at low speed, 
lightly press the brake pedal several times 
to dry the brakes and to prevent the braking 
effect from being  reduced by wetness.
> Depending on the condition of the surface, 
it may be practical to briefly activate DTC, 
refer to DTC Dynamic Traction Control on 
page 97.
> If the drive wheels spin on one side, depress 
the accelerator pedal su fficiently so that the 
driving stability control systems can distrib-
ute the drive forces to the individual wheels.
Please note the following points after driving on 
poor roads to maintain the driving safety of your 
BMW:
> Clean the coarsest dirt from the body.
> Clean mud, snow, ice etc. from the wheels 
and tires and check the tires for damage. 

Under the hood
260
BMW X6
1Filler neck for washer  fluid of the headlamp 
and windshield cleaning systems, refer to 
page 75
2 Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding 
engine oil on page 261 3
Starting-aid termin al, refer to page280
4 Expansion tank for  coolant, refer to 
page 262
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on 
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking engine oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil 
level check.
The condition for the most accurate indication 
of the oil level possible is measurement with the 
engine at operating temperature, i.e. following 
an uninterrupted drive of at least 6 miles/10 km. 
You can display the oil  level while driving or 
when stopped on a level surface with the engine 
running.
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 "Info sources" and press the control-
ler.
4. Select "Service Info" and press the control-
ler. 

Under the hood
262
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil has critical signifi-
cance for the operation and service life of an 
engine. BMW continuously approves specific 
oils after confirming their suitability for use in its 
vehicles with extensive testing.
Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center 
will be happy to answer detailed ques-
tions on approved oils. <
You can also call BMW of North America at 
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information. Do not use oil additives, as these may 
result in engine damage.<
Alternative oil types
If none of the approved o ils is available, you can 
also use other oils for adding small amounts 
between oil changes. One of the following oil 
specifications must be  indicated on the pack-
aging:
Gasoline engines
> preferably: BMW Longlife-01,
BMW Longlife-01 FE, or 
BMW Longlife-04
> alternatively: BMW Longlife-98, API SM 
or higher
Diesel engines
>BMW Longlife-04
Viscosity grades
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and 
is specified in SAE grades.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on 
the climatic conditions  in the region in which 
you normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong  to the SAE classifi-
cations 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 and 
5W-30. <
These oils can be used for driving at all outside 
temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system 
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant 
can cause burns. <
Coolant is composed of equal parts water and a 
coolant additive. Not all commercially available 
additives are suitable for your BMW. Your BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicl e Center can recommend 
suitable additives.
Only use suitable ad ditives, otherwise 
engine damage may result. The additives 
present a health hazard; observe the instruc-
tions on the containers. <
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives. <
Checking coolant level
1.Do not open the hood  until the engine has 
cooled down.
2. Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then  continue turning to 
open.
3. The coolant level is co rrect when the cool-
ant level is between the MIN and MAX 
marks, refer to the di agram adjacent to the 
filler neck.
4. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to 
the specified level; do not overfill.
5. Turn the cap until ther e is an audible click.
6. Have the reason for  the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible. 

Everything from A to Z
300
Compartments, refer to 
Storage compartments 127
Compass, digital 124
Computer 80
– displays in instrument 
panel 80
– displays on Control  Display 80
– trip computer 81
"Concierge" 239
Concierge service 239
Condition Based Service  CBS 263
"Confirmation" 31
Connecting car vacuum  cleaner, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices 129
Connecting headphones 205
Consumption, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption 80
Consumption indicator, 
energy control 79
Consumption statistics, refer  to Average fuel 
consumption 80
"Contrast"
– DVD changer 196
– DVD system in rear 208
Control Center, refer to  iDrive 16
Control Display, refer to  iDrive 16
– setting brightness 89
Controller, refer to iDrive 16
Controls
– DVD changer 193
– DVD system in rear 204
– refer to Cockpit 10
Convenience operation
– glass sunroof 30,32
– glass sunroof with comfort  access 40
– windows 30,32
– windows with comfort  access 40
– with comfort access 40Coolant
262
– checking level 262
– temperature 79
Cooling, maximum 117
Cornering Brake Control 
CBC 96
Courtesy lamps, refer to  Interior lamps 113
Cradle for telephone or mobile  phone 127
Cruise control 75
Cruising range 80
Cup holders 127
Curb weight, refer to  Wei
ghts 289
"Current position" 169
Current position
– displaying 169
– entering 158
– storing 158
"Customer  Relations" 230,238
Cylinders, refer to Engine  data 286
D
Data 286
– capacities 290
– dimensions 287
– engine 286
– technical data 286
– weights 289
"Date" 89
Date 78
– display format 89
– retrieving 78
– setting 89
"Date format" 89
Daytime driving lamps 111
"Deactivated" 51
Defrosting windows 116
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation 116
Defrost position, refer to  Defrosting windows 116
"Delete all numbers" on the  mobile phone 229 "Delete data" for 
navigation 159
"Delete" for mobile  phone 229
Destination address
– deleting 159
– entering 151,153
Destination for navigation
– destination list 157
– entering 150
– selecting from address 
book 159
– selecting using 
information 156
– selecting using voice 153
– storing 158
Destination guidance 162
– canceling voice  instructions 60
– changing specified  route 160
– displaying route 163
– distance and arrival 162
– ending/continuing 162
– starting 162
– voice instructions 165
– volume of voice  instructions 166
Destination list for navigation  system 157
Destinations recently driven 
to 157
"Details"
– DVD system in the rear 212
– in audio mode 202
"Dial" for mobile phone 227
"Dial number" 227
"
Diamond button" 59
Diesel exhaust fluid
– at low temperatures 246
– at minimum 246
– refilling yourself 247
Diesel particulate filter 139
Digital clock 78
Digital compass 124
Digital radio, refer to High 
Definition Radio 181 

Everything from A to Z
302
Dynamic Performance 
Control 97
"Dynamic route" in  navigation 161
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC 96
Dynamic Traction Control  DTC 97
E
Easy entry/exit 58
Eject button, refer to Buttons 
on the CD player 174
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic 72
– door lock 32
– driver's door 32
– fuel filler door 244
– glass sunroof, electric 46
– liftgate 33
– panorama glass sunroof 44
– parking brake 69
Electric seat 49
Electronic brake-force  distribution 96
Electronic oil level check 260
Emergency operation, refer to  Manual operation
– door lock 32
– driver's door 32
– fuel filler door 244
– liftgate 33
– transmission lock, automatic  transmission 72
Emergency request 279
Emergency services, refer to  Roadside Assistance 280
"Enabled services" 241
"Enabled TeleServices" 238
"End call" 228 Engine
– breaking-in
138
– data 286
– oil temperature 79
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature 79
– speed 286
– starting 66
– starting, with comfort  access 40
– switching off 66
Engine compartment 259
Engine coolant 262
Engine oil
– adding 261
– additives, refer to Approved 
engine oils 262
– approved engine oil 262
– checking oil level 260
– electronic oil level check 260
– temperature 79
Engine oil temperature 79
Engine output, refer to Engine  data 286
Engine overheating, refer to 
Coolant temperature 79
Engine speed 286
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting engine 66
E
ntering country of  destination 151
Entering destination 151
Entering house number or  intersection 152
Entering intersection 152
Entering street 152
"Entertainment" 174
Entertainment sound output  on/off 175
"Equalizer", refer to Tone 
control 177
Equalizer, refer to Tone  control 177
"ESN" 184
ESP Electronic Stability  Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control 96 Event Data Recorders
264
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system 139
Exterior mirrors 57
– adjusting 57
– automatic dimming  feature 58
– automatic heating 58
– folding in and out 57
– tilting down passenger-side  exterior mirror 58
External audio device 127
– refer to AUX-In 
connection 200
Eye for tow-starting and  towing, refer to Tow 
fitting 281
F
Fader, refer to Tone 
control 176
Failure messages, refer to  Check Control 85
False alarm, refer to Avoiding 
unintentional alarms 39
Fastening safety belts, refer to  Safety belts 54
– warning lamp 55
Fastest route for  navigation 160
Fast forward
– CD changer 190
– CD player 190
– DVD changer 195
"Fast route" in navigation 160
Fault displays, refer to Check 
Control 85
Filler neck for washer fluid 75
First aid, refer to First-aid 
kit 279
First-aid kit 279
Fixing system, adaptive 133
Flashing during locking/ unlocking, refer to Setting 
confirmation signals 31