
Controls
 65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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.
P Park
Select only with the vehicle stationary. The rear 
wheels are locked.
P is engaged automatically as soon as 
you switch off the engine unless N is 
engaged and on vehicles with comfort access 
the remote control is inserted in the ignition 
lock, refer to page59.<
N Neutral
Can, for example, be engaged in automatic car 
washes. The vehicle can roll.
N remains engaged 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 
page60. After approx. 30 minutes P is auto-
matically engaged.<
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, the fuel 
consumption is lowest when driving in posi-
tion D.
Kick-down
The kick-down mode provides maximum accel-
eration.
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the 
increased resistance at full throttle.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Press selector lever out of transmission 
position D toward the left: 
The sport program is activated and DS is 
displayed in the instrument cluster; in the 
BMW X6, S1 through S6 are displayed. This 
position is recommended for a performance-
oriented driving style.
When the selector lever is pressed forward or 
back, the manual mode is activated and the 
Steptronic shifts the gear. The instrument 
panel shows M1 through M6.
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.
BMW X6: 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.
>In automatic mode D, if you shift using the 
shifting paddles on the steering wheel, then 
the system switches into manual mode.
>If, after a certain amount of time, you neither 
shift with the shifting paddles nor acceler-
ate, then the system switches back into 
automatic mode D.
With the transmission position M/S 
selected, the manual mode remains 
active.<
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Driving
66 >Upshifting: pull on one of the shifting pad-
dles, arrows +.
>Downshifting: press on one of the shifting 
paddles, arrows –.
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.
Manually releasing and engaging 
transmission lock
In case of a power failure, e.g. when the 
battery is drained or disconnected, or an 
electrical malfunction, the transmission lock 
must be manually released, as otherwise the 
rear wheels are blocked and the vehicle cannot 
be towed.<
Step on the brake when manually releas-
ing the transmission lock; otherwise, 
there is a danger of the vehicle rolling.<
The transmission lock should only be released 
for towing. Reengage the transmission lock 
after parking the vehicle at its destination.
If it also becomes necessary to manually 
release the parking brake, follow this sequence:
1.Secure the vehicle against rolling.
2.Manually release the parking brake, refer to 
page63.
3.Manually release the transmission lock of 
the automatic transmission.
Releasing
1.Slide back the cover of the cup holder and 
remove the floor mat on the bar between 
the cup holders, arrow1.
2.Open the cover in the bottom of the cup 
holder with the releasing tool from the 
onboard tool kit, page250, refer to arrow2.
3.If necessary, unlock the lock
* with the inte-
grated key of the remote control, refer to 
page26, and remove it.
4.Insert the releasing tool into the opening, 
arrow3.
5.Turn the releasing tool as far as possible, 
arrow4, and then press downward and 
leave it in. The transmission lock is 
released.
Engage the transmission lock after park-
ing the vehicle at its destination. Other-
wise there is a danger of the vehicle rolling.<
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Controls
 67Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Locking
1.Pull out the releasing tool. 
The transmission lock is engaged again.
2.If necessary, insert the lock
* and lock it.
3.Close the cover in the bottom of the cup 
holder and lay in the mat again.
4.Close the cover of the cup holder and stow 
the releasing tool.
Information on jump starting and towing, from 
page262.
Turn signals/headlamp 
flasher/high beams
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To switch off manually, press the lever up to the 
resistance point.
Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator 
lamp indicates that a turn signal bulb 
needs to be replaced.<
Signaling briefly
Press lever to resistance point and hold for as 
long as you wish to signal.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever up to the resistance point. The 
turn signal flashes three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Triple turn signal"
 Triple turn signal activation is activated and 
is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Washer/wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating intermittent wipe or 
rain sensor
*
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
5Setting interval for intermittent wipe or sen-
sitivity of the rain sensor
*
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Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
82
Technology for comfort, convenience and 
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
In addition to the PDC Park Distance Control, 
the rear view camera
*, refer to page86, can 
also be switched on.
PDC assists you during parking. A slow 
approach to an object in front of or behind your 
vehicle is announced by:
>Signal tones
>Optical displays
Measurement
Ultrasonic sensors in the bumpers carry out the 
measurement.
Their range is approx. 7 ft/2 m.
The acoustic warning begins:
>at approx. 24 in/60 cm for the front
* sen-
sors and the two rear corner sensors.
>at approx. 5 ft/1.50 m for the middle sen-
sors in the rear.
System limitations
PDC cannot replace the personal assess-
ment of the traffic situation. Also make a 
direct visual check of the traffic situation around 
the vehicle. Otherwise, there could be a risk of 
accident, for example due to other road users or 
objects outside the detection range of PDC.
Loud sources of sound, inside and outside the 
vehicle, could drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Avoid approaching an object too quickly. 
Avoid starting off quickly while PDC is not 
yet activated.
Otherwise, physical circumstances could cause 
the system to issue a warning late.<
Limitations of ultrasonic measurement
The detection of objects can come up against 
the limitations of physical ultrasonic measure-
ment, for example:
>when using tow bars and towing hitches
>in the presence of thin or wedge-shaped 
objects
>in the presence of low objects
>in the presence of objects with corners and 
sharp edges
Low objects that have already been displayed, 
e.g. curbs, can disappear again from the detec-
tion area of the sensors before or after a contin-
uous tone sounds.
Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges, cannot 
be detected.
False warnings
Under the following conditions, PDC may dis-
play a warning even though no obstacle is 
present in the detection range:
>in heavy rain
>when the sensors are heavily soiled or iced-
over
>when the sensors are covered with snow
>on rough road surfaces
>in large, rectangular buildings with smooth 
walls, e.g. underground garages
>in the presence of heavy exhaust
>due to the presence of other ultrasonic 
sources such as street sweepers, steam 
cleaners, or neon lamps.
Automatic activation
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, shift the selector lever into position R.
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Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
96 3."Tire Pressure Monitor - TPM"
The status is displayed.
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
>If a wheel without TPM electronics is 
mounted, e.g. a compact wheel
*
>If TPM is temporarily interfered with by 
other systems or devices which use the 
same radio frequency
Explanation according to the NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
Systems
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), 
should be checked monthly when cold and 
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended 
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle plac-
ard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehi-
cle has tires of a different size than the size indi-
cated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation 
pressure label, you should determine the 
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has 
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring 
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pres-
sure telltale when one or more of your tires is 
significantly underinflated. Accordingly, when 
the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as 
possible, and inflate them to the proper pres-
sure. Driving on a significantly underinflated tire 
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire 
failure. Underinflation also reduces fuel effi-
ciency and tire tread life, and may affect the 
vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute 
for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver's 
responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, 
even if underinflation has not reached the level 
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire 
pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a 
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when 
the system is not operating properly. The 
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with 
the low tire pressure telltale. When the system 
detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for 
approximately one minute and then remain con-
tinuously illuminated. This sequence will con-
tinue upon subsequent vehicle startups as long 
as the malfunction exists. When the malfunc-
tion indicator is illuminated, the system may not 
be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as 
intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a 
variety of reasons, including the installation of 
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the 
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning 
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction 
telltale after replacing one or more tires or 
wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the 
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow 
the TPMS to continue to function properly.
Active steering*
The concept
The active steering actively varies the steering 
angle of the front wheels in relation to the steer-
ing wheel movements. In addition, it also varies 
the steering force required for steering depend-
ing on the vehicle's speed.
When you are driving in the low road speed 
range, e.g. in a town or when parking, the steer-
ing angle increases, i.e. the steering becomes 
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Controls
 103Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
 Welcome lamps are activated and are 
stored for the remote control currently in use.
Pathway lighting
If you activate the headlamp flasher after 
switching off the ignition with the lamps 
switched off, the low beams come on and 
remain on for a certain time.
Setting the duration or deactivating
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Pathway light.:"
4.Set a time of duration or 0 s to deactivate 
the function.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Daytime driving lamps*
The daytime driving lamps light up in position0, 
1 and 3. If the light switch remains in position1, 
the parking lamps light up after the ignition is 
switched off.
Activating/deactivating daytime 
driving lamps
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"3."Daytime running lamps"
 Daytime driving lamps are activated and are 
stored for the remote control currently in use.
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp 
control system that enables better illumination 
of the road surface. Depending on the steering 
angle and other parameters, the light from the 
headlamp follows the course of the road.
In sharp curves, e.g. serpentines, or during turn-
ing, up to a speed of approx. 45 mph/70 km/h 
one of the two fog lamps
* is switched on as a 
turning lamp. This provides improved illumina-
tion of the area inside the curve.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
With the ignition switched on, turn the light 
switch to position 3, refer to page102.
The turning lamps are automatically switched 
on depending on the steering angle or the use 
of turn signals.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive 
Head Light directs light towards the front pas-
senger side when the vehicle is at a standstill. 
When driving in reverse, both turning lamps are 
active.
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Lamps
104
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one 
side of your vehicle when parking.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down beyond the resistance point for approx. 
1 second, arrow3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave them switched on for 
long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer 
be possible to start the engine.<
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction 
up to the resistance point, arrow 3.
High-beam assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high 
beams on and off again. The process is con-
trolled by a sensor on the front side of the inte-
rior rearview mirror. The Assistant makes sure 
that the high beams are switched on whenever 
the traffic situation permits. This relieves you of 
eyestrain and at the same time offers you the 
best possible visibility. Naturally, you can inter-vene at any time and switch the high beams on 
and off as usual.
Activating system
1.Turn the light switch to position3, refer to 
page102.
2.With the low beams on, briefly press the 
turn signal lever toward the high-beam set-
ting.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when the high-beam 
assistant is activated. The system 
automatically switches the high beams on and 
off, reacting not only to oncoming traffic and 
traffic ahead, but also to sufficient illumination, 
e.g. in built-up areas.
Switching high beams on and off 
manually
If you wish or the situation requires it, you can 
intervene at any time:
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on 
the high beams, but you want to use low 
beams, simply switch them on using the 
turn signal lever. This deactivates the high-
beam assistant. 
To reactivate the system, briefly press the 
turn signal lever toward the high-beam 
position.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on 
the low beams, but you want to use high 
beams, simply switch them on in the usual 
way. This deactivates the system and you 
must switch to low beams manually.
To reactivate the system, briefly press the 
turn signal lever toward the high-beam 
position.
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Controls
 107Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Climate
1Air toward the windshield and side windows
2Air for the upper body region, refer to Front 
ventilation on page111
3Air to footwell
4Automatic climate control with 2-zone con-
trol, refer to page108
Automatic climate control with 4-zone con-
trol, refer to page112
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