
Controls
 47Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Active front head restraints
In the event of a rear-end collision of sufficient 
severity, the active head restraint reduces the 
distance to the head.
Do not use seat covers or head restraint 
covers that could impede the proper 
functioning of the active head restraint. Other-
wise, there is no assurance that the active head 
restraint will perform its protective function and 
it is not possible to take advantage of its injury-
reducing potential in the event of a rear-end 
collision.
Have the active head restraints reset after they 
are triggered in a rear-end collision. Have this 
work carried out only at a BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center or at a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, 
correct operation of this safety equipment is not 
guaranteed.<
Removal and installation of the front head 
restraints should be performed by a BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center.<
Front seats: height adjustment
You can adjust the height of the head restraints 
electrically.
Front seats: adjusting distance from 
back of head
>Forward: pull up.
>Back: press the button and slide the head-
rest cushion toward the rear.
Do not place any objects behind the 
headrest cushion. Otherwise, you can 
impair the proper function of the head 
restraint.<
Comfort seat*
You can adjust the distance f r o m  t h e  b a c k  o f  t h e  
seat occupant's head using the shoulder sup-
port, refer to page45.
Adjusting side extensions
You can fold the side extensions on the head 
restraint forward for increased lateral support in 
the resting position.
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Adjusting
48
BMW X5: rear seats and 3rd row seats*, 
adjusting height
>To raise: pull up.
>To lower: press the button, arrow1, and 
push the head restraint downward.
In vehicles equipped with 3rd row seats, the 
height of the middle head restraint is not adjust-
able.
Removing
1.Pull the head restraint upward to the stop.
2.Press the button, arrow1, and pull the head 
restraint all the way out.
BMW X5: rear seats
2nd row seats [Second row seats]
With a divided* row of seats you can adjust 
both sides individually.
Never adjust the 2nd row seats while the 
vehicle is moving, as otherwise the pas-
sengers on the 3rd row seats could be injured.
Make sure that the locking devices of the 2nd 
row seats engage properly. Otherwise the 
restraining effect of the safety belts during an 
accident could be reduced.<
Longitudinal direction*
1.Pull the lever and slide the seat into the 
desired position.
2.Release the lever and move the seat slightly 
forward or back so that it engages properly.
Backrest*
The backrests can be adjusted in four steps.
Pull the lever and apply weight to or remove 
weight from the backrest as needed.
Access to 3rd row seats*
Pull the lever and fold the seat forward.
The handle recess on the interior trim of 
the door pillar makes climbing in easier.<
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Controls
 49Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
When folding back the 2nd row seats, 
make sure that the footwell under the 
2nd row seats is clear. Otherwise persons in the 
3rd row seats could be injured or objects dam-
aged.<
Warning lamp for 2nd row seats: 
lights up when the 2nd row seats are 
not locked. A message also appears 
on the Control Display.
3rd row seats*
The 3rd row seats are divided and offer space 
for two persons.
Folding up backrest
Before folding the seats up, remove the roll-up 
cover, refer to page122, and if need be, slide 
the 2nd row seats slightly forward.
1.Pull the lever, refer to arrow. The backrest is 
unlocked.
2.Fold up and engage the backrest.
Make sure that the catch engages 
securely. If it is not properly engaged, 
transported cargo could enter the passen-
ger compartment during braking or evasive 
maneuvers and endanger the vehicle occu-
pants.<
3.Push the head restraints into the top posi-
tion.
Folding backrest down
1.Push down the head restraint, refer to 
page48.
2.Pull the lever, refer to arrows. The backrests 
are released.
3.Fold the backrest down.
Safety belts
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
observe the adjustment instructions on 
page43.<
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.
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in 
the belt buckle.
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Transporting children safely
56
Child seat security
The rear safety belts
>BMW X5: all safety belts of the 2nd and 
3rd
* row seats
>BMW X6: all safety belts of the 2nd row 
seats
and the safety belt for the front passenger can 
be locked to prevent extension in order to per-
mit attachment of child restraint devices.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint device with the 
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing 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 installation and use of 
LATCH child restraint devices; otherwise, their 
protective function may be reduced.
system.
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 LATCH 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 points 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.
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Transporting children safely
58
Attaching tether strap to the backrest 
of the 2nd row seats
BMW X5:
On outer seats:
1.Slide the head restraint upward.
2.Guide the tether strap between the head 
restraint brackets.
3.Hook in the tether strap on the mounting 
point with the hook.
4.Slide the head restraint into the bottom 
position.
5.Pull tether strap taut.
On the center seat when equipped with two 
rows of seats:
1.Fold the center armrest 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 the center seat when equipped 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 strap 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 strap 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 lever 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 page38, when children are 
riding in the rear of the vehicle.
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Controls
 119Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>Do not connect USB hard disks.
>Do not use the USB interface to recharge 
external devices.
Center armrest front
A storage compartment is located under the 
armrest between the front seats and, depend-
ing on the vehicle's equipment, also a cover for 
the mobile phone bracket or the snap-in 
adapter. Also refer to page202.
Opening cover
Push cover down slightly and press the button. 
The cover folds upward.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such 
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks 
over the vehicle's speaker system:
>AUX-IN connection, refer to page183
>USB audio interface, refer to page183
Storage compartments
Compartments are located in the doors, in the 
center console in the front and rear
* as well as 
in the rear console in the X6.
Storage nets
* are located on the backrests of 
the front seats.
Do not stow hard or sharp-edged objects 
in the storage nets; otherwise there is an 
increased risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent.<
Clothes hooks
When hanging clothing on the hooks, 
ensure that it will not obstruct the driver's 
vision. Do not hang heavy objects on the hooks. 
If you do so, they could cause personal injury to 
occupants during braking or evasive maneu-
vers.<
BMW X5
Clothes hooks are located near the grab han-
dles in the rear.
BMW X6
To fold out, press against upper edge.
Cup holders
Use lightweight, unbreakable containers 
and do not transport hot beverages; oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident. Do not force unsuitable 
containers into the cup holders, as otherwise 
damage can result.<
Front
Slide the cover back.
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Practical interior accessories
120
Rear
BMW X5
Unlock the center armrest with the button in the 
lower section of the opening and fold down.
Press the button; the cover folds forward.
With the 3rd row seats
*:
Fold down the center armrest.
Press the button; the cup holders are opened.
The cup holders of the 3rd row seats are 
located in the center console between the 
seats.
BMW X6
Slide the cover forward.
Remove the beverage container before 
folding the rear seat backrest forward or 
using the ski bag; otherwise it may cause dam-
age.<
Ashtray
Front
To open the cover, slide it forward.
Rear
BMW X6
Slide the cover back.
Remove the insert to empty.
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Practical interior accessories
122
In storage compartment under center 
armrest
Access to socket*:
Pull off the cover.
BMW X6: in rear console
Slide the cover back.
Access to socket:
Pull off the cover.
Rear center armrest
BMW X6 and BMW X5 with 3rd row 
seats*
Pull on the loop and fold down the center arm-
rest.
BMW X5 without 3rd row seats*
Unlock the center armrest with the button in the 
lower section of the opening and fold down.
Cargo bay
BMW X5: roll-up cover
Pull out the roll-up cover and hook it into the 
brackets.
Do not place heavy or hard objects on the 
roll-up cover. If you do so, they may 
already pose a danger to vehicle occupants dur-
ing braking or evasive maneuvers. 
Do not allow the roll-up cover to snap back, oth-
erwise it can be damaged.<
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