2010 BMW ACTIVEHYBRID X6 tow

Driving
18
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are shifted automatically. Depend-
ing on operating conditions, the vehicle is
driven electrically or with the combustion
engine.
The fuel consumption is the lowest in transmis-
sion position D.
Kick-down
The kick-down mode provides maximum accel-
eration.
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the
increased resistance at full throttle.
Due to the high power requested, the combus-
tion engine is started and is assisted by the
electric motors as needed.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Press selector lever out of transmission
position D toward the left:
The sport program is activated, S and the
engaged gear are displayed in the instrument
panel. This position is recommended for a per-
formance-oriented driving style.
With the sport program activated, the combus-
tion engine is always started.
When the selector lever is pressed forward or
back, the manual mode is activated and the
Steptronic shifts the gear. For example, M3 is
displayed in the instrument panel.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combination
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example,
a downshift that would cause the engine to
overrev will not be executed by the system. The selected gear is briefly displayed in the instru-
ment panel, followed by the current gear.
To use the automatic function again, press the
selector lever to the right into position D.
Changing gears using shifting paddles
on steering wheel
The shifting paddles make it possible to quickly
change gears since both hands can remain on
the steering wheel.
>Upshifting: pull on one of the shifting pad-
dles, arrows +.
>Downshifting: press on one of the shifting
paddles, arrows –.
The gear change using the shifting paddles can
be executed in automatic mode D or in manual
mode M/S.
When the shifting paddles are actuated during
electric driving, the combustion engine starts.
Changing gears in manual mode M/S
With manual mode activated, gear changes are
executed using the shifting paddles or the
selector lever.
With the transmission position M/S selected,
the manual mode remains active.
Changing gears in automatic mode D
Even in automatic mode D, gear shifts can be
executed using the shifting paddles.
The combustion engine starts.
Then if a certa in amount of time pas ses witho ut
a gear change being executed using the shifting
paddles or a corresponding acceleration, then
the transmission returns to automatic shifting
of the forward gears.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
27
Using energy recovery
Energy recovery is displayed in the instrument
panel.
Coasting mode
In coasting mode, e.g. when rolling toward a
traffic signal, the high-voltage battery is
charged by energy recovery.
Braking
The most efficient energy recovery and charg-
ing of the high-voltage battery are achieved
with moderate braking.
Switching off functions currently not
required
Functions such as air conditioning, seat heat-
ing, or rear window defrosting consume a lot of
energy and require additional fuel. Their influ-
ence is particularly pronounced in city traffic
and stop & go operation. For this reason, it is a
good idea to switch these functions off when
they are not really needed.
Having maintenance carried out
Have the vehicle serviced regularly in order to
achieve the optimum economy and service life
of your vehicle. BMW recommends having the
maintenance performed by a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center. Also pay attention to
the BMW maintenance system, refer to the
BMW X6 Owner's Manual.
General driving notes
Driving through water
Maximum water depth: 17 in/45 cm
Only drive through water up to the above-
mentioned depth at no greater than walk-
ing speed; otherwise, the engine, electrical sys-
tem, and transmission can be damaged.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent pressure on the brake pedal
can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and
possibly even brake failure.<
With a fully charged high-voltage battery,
the combustion engine is switched on
when driving downhill in order to avoid over-
loading the high-voltage battery.<
The braking effect of the engine can be further
increased by downshifting in the manual mode
of the automatic transmission, if necessary into
first gear, refer to page18. This prevents an
excessive strain on the brakes.
Do not drive in idle or with drive readiness
mode deactivated; otherwise, there is no
braking action from the energy recovery or from
the engine and no power-assistance for braking
and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<

Giving and receiving assistance
38 5.Attach the second end of the cable to the
negative terminal of the battery or to the
engine or body ground of the vehicle to be
started.
Charging: 12 Volt battery
1.Start the engine on the assisting vehicle
and activate drive readiness, allowing the
assisting vehicle to run at idle for several
minutes at slightly increased speed.
2.Start the engine on your vehicle in the usual
way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the connection sequence.
Have the battery checked if necessary.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Charging: High-voltage battery
1.Start the engine on the assisting vehicle
and activate drive readiness, allowing the
assisting vehicle to run at idle for several
minutes at slightly increased speed.
2.Switch on the ignition of your vehicle when
prompted by the corresponding message
on the Control Display. The charging
begins.
3.The charging is concluded when this is
prompted by a corresponding message on
the Control Display.
4.Start the combustion engine of your own
vehicle.
5.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the connection sequence.
Have the hybrid system checked if necessary.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Charging interrupted
The charging may be interrupted, for example if
the battery power of the assisting vehicle is
insufficient.
Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse of
the sequence described above and contact
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Tow-starting and towing
Getting towed:
Have your BMW ActiveHybrid X6 trans-
ported only on a flat bed of a tow truck;
otherwise, the high-voltage system may be
damaged.<
In special circumstances, it is possible to have
the vehicle towed on the road for short dis-
tances, e.g. in order to remove the vehicle from
a dangerous area.
No tow-starting
The engine cannot be started by tow-starting.
Start the engine by jump starting it, refer to
page37.
Have the cause of the starting difficulties elimi-
nated.
Towing the vehicle
Towing your BMW ActiveHybrid X6 with a tow
rope or tow bar is only possible in special cir-
cumstances for short distances, e.g. in order to
remove the vehicle from a dangerous area. Oth-
erwise, the hybrid system can be damaged.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
39
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow-fitting should always be car-
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the
front or rear of the BMW.
It is located in the onboard toolkit under the
floor panel flap in the cargo bay.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing only on roads. Avoid lateral
loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehi-
cle by the tow fitting. Otherwise damage to the
tow fitting and the vehicle can occur.<
Access to screw thread
Cover panel on left and right side of bumper:
press on the arrow symbol on the cover panel.
Front:
Rear:
Towing methods
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or body
and chassis parts, otherwise damage may
result.<
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes in public traffic is not permitted. Familiar-
ize yourself with the regulations on towing in the
respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle may not be lighter
than the vehicle to be towed, otherwise it
will not be possible to reliably control vehicle
response.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an offset
angle, observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
>When mounted at an angle, the tow bar will
exert lateral forces, tending to push the
vehicle sideways.
Only attach the tow bar to the tow fittings,
as attachment to other vehicle parts can
lead to damage.<
With tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Only attach tow ropes to the tow fittings, as
attachment to other vehicle parts can lead to
damage.<
Hybrid system safety
Working on the vehicle
The hybrid system of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6
is a closed system.
Safety is assured as long as no work is per-
formed on the technical components.
Therefore, have changes to and work on the
vehicle, e.g. installation of accessories, carried
out only by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center or by a repair shop that works in accor-
dance with BMW guidelines using appropriately
trained personnel.
Have maintenance and repair of the vehi-
cle carried out only by the service depart-
ment or by a repair shop that works in accor-
dance with BMW guidelines using appropriately

Everything from A to Z
48
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
Accident, what to do after40
After an accident40
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications33
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Approved axle weights, refer
to Weights46
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights46
Axle weights, refer to
Weights46
B
Battery
– 12 V battery36
– charging36
– high-voltage battery36
Battery disposal
– vehicle battery36
BMW homepage4
BMW website4
Brake rotors28
Brakes
– breaking-in26
– refer to Braking safely27
Brake system
– breaking-in26
– disk brakes28
Braking safely27
Breaking-in rear axle
differential26
Break-in period26
Button for starting engine13
C
Capacities46
Capacity of cargo bay46Cargo bay
– capacity46
Car wash
– before driving in15
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
CHARGE, Energy recovery16
Charge state display21
Charging high-voltage
battery37
Checking the air pressure,
refer to Tire inflation
pressure34
Climate23
Closing fuel filler cap32
Cockpit8
Components, high-voltage
system12
Consumption display
– charge state display21
Copyright2
Cruise control19
Cylinders, refer to Drive
system44
D
Data
– capacities46
– dimensions45
– engine44
– high-voltage system44
– hybrid system44
– technical data44
– weights46
Dimensions45
Displacement, refer to Drive
system44
Displays, refer to Instrument
panel8
Disposal
– vehicle battery36DRIVE, Driving with
combustion engine16
Drive readiness14
Driving through water27
Driving tips, refer to General
driving notes26
E
eBOOST16
eDRIVE, Electric driving15
Electrical malfunction
– fuel filler door32
Electric drive readiness14
Electric driving, eDRIVE15
Emergency operation, refer to
Manually operating fuel filler
door32
Energy recovery, CHARGE16
Engine
– breaking-in26
– data44
– speed44
– starting14
Engine compartment35
Engine output, refer to Drive
system44
Engine speed44
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting39
F
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely27
For your own safety5

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
49
Fuel33
– capacity46
– display22
– high-quality brands33
– quality33
– saving26
– specifications33
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge22
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge22
Fuel filler door32
– closing32
– releasing manually32
G
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel33
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge22
General driving notes26,27
Getting towed38
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights46
H
Height, refer to
Dimensions45
High-voltage battery36
High-voltage system
– components12
High water, refer to Driving
through water27
Hills27
Homepage4
Hybrid system
– air-conditioning
functions23
– components12
– contact with water40
– deactivation40
– display21
– functions13
– safety39
Hybrid system safety39
I
Ignition13
– switched on13
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness13
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on13
Imprint2
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure34
Instrument cluster, refer to
Instrument panel8
Instrument panel8
J
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting37
Jump starting37
K
Knock control33
L
Length, refer to
Dimensions45
Luggage compartment
capacity, refer to Cargo bay
capacity46
M
Malfunction
– fuel filler door32
Manual operation
– fuel filler door32
N
Noises, refer to Cooling of the
high-voltage system23
Nylon rope, refer to Tow-
starting and towing38
O
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications33
P
Power, refer to Drive
system44
Pressure, tires34
Pressure compensation,
refueling32
R
Radio position, refer to Radio
readiness13
Radio readiness13
– switched on13
Refueling32
– preparation32
– pressure compensation32
Regeneration, refer to Energy
recovery16
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge22
Roof load capacity46
Rope, refer to Tow-starting
and towing38
S
Safety5
Screw thread for tow fitting39
Silent start14
Speedometer8
Sport program, manual mode
M/S18
Start/Stop button13
Starting, refer to Starting
engine14
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting37
Starting difficulties, jump
starting37
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires34

Everything from A to Z
50 Symbols4
T
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities46
Technical alterations, refer to
For your own safety5
Technical data44
Teleservice Report5
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control19
The individual vehicle5
Tire inflation pressures34
Tires
– inflation pressure34
Torque
– engine44
Tow fitting39
Towing38
– tow fitting39
Tow-starting38
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions45
Turn signals
– indicator lamp8
Two-Mode Active
Transmission16
U
Used batteries
– refer to Disposal36
V
Vehicle
– breaking-in26
– measurements, refer to
Dimensions45
– weights46
Vehicle battery, refer to
12 Volt batteries36
W
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water27
Website4Weights46
What to do after an
accident40
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions45
Wheels and tires34
Width, refer to Dimensions45