Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to use
the index, refer to page48.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
At a glance
8Cockpit
Controls
12Driving
21Everything under control
23Climate
Driving tips
26Things to remember when driving
Mobility
32Refueling
34Wheels and tires
35Engine compartment
36Replacing components
37Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
44Technical data
48Everything from A to Z
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
17
The transmission position and the currently
engaged gear are displayed.
Selecting transmission position
>You can select transmission positions D, R
or N only when drive readiness is activated.
>With the vehicle stationary, depress the
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N;
otherwise the shift command will not be
executed: shiftlock.
Hold the brake pedal down until start-
ing to drive; otherwise, the vehicle can
begin to move.<
Shifting into D, R, N
Briefly press the selector lever in the desired
direction, beyond a resistance point if neces-
sary. When shifting out of P or into R, simulta-
neously push the unlock button1.
The engaged transmission position is displayed
on the selector lever.
The selector lever immediately returns to the
center position when released.
Shifting into P
Press buttonP.When the vehicle is stationary and the
transmission is in the R, D, or M/S posi-
tion, if you disconnect the driver's seat safety
belt and open the driver's door without stepping
on any of the pedals, then the transmission
shifts into position P.<
R Reverse
Select only with the vehicle stationary.
An interlock prevents inadvertent gearshifts
into transmission position R. To release the
lock, push the unlock button1.
During electric driving, please note that
pedestrians and other road users may fail
to notice the vehicle in the usual way due to the
lack of engine noise. For example, proceed with
particular caution when pulling into and out of a
parking space.<
P Park
Select only with the vehicle stationary. The rear
wheels are locked.
The transmission automatically shifts into
P as soon as you switch off the engine.
Unless position N is selected and the remote
control is in the ignition lock.<
N Neutral
Can be selected in automatic car washes, for
example. The vehicle can roll.
The transmission remains in N even after
the engine is switched off whenever you
leave the remote control in the ignition lock.
This function is used, for example, in a car wash,
refer to page15. After approx. 30 minutes P is
automatically engaged.<
Shifting into N
It is possible to select N even when the ignition
is switched on.
I t i s t h u s p o s s i b l e t o m o v e t h e v e h i c l e , e . g . i n t h e
event of a malfunction, even if it is not possible
to activate drive readiness.
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.
Mobility
This section helps you maintain your
mobility by supplying important information
on vital topics including fuels and lubricants,
wheels and tires, service, maintenance
and roadside assistance.
Mobility
Wheels and tires
34
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure BMW ActiveHybrid X6
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
up to a max. of
100 mph/160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those
exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications
in the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
255/50 R 19 107 H M+S XL 35/240 38/260 38/260 41/280
Front: 275/40 R 20 106 W XL 38/260 - 41/280 -
Rear: 315/35 R 20 110 W XL - 38/260 - 41/280
Front: 285/35 R 21 105 W XL 38/260 - 41/280 -
Rear: 325/30 R 21 108 W XL - 38/260 - 41/280
Compact wheel
*:
T 155/80 R 19 114 M60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page46.
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