
 5Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The individual vehicle
When purchasing your BMW, you have decided 
in favor of a model with individualized equip-
ment and features. This Owner's Manual 
describes the entire array of options and equip-
ment available with a specific BMW model.
Please bear in mind that the manual may con-
tain information on accessories and equipment 
that you have not specified for your own vehicle. 
Sections describing options and special equip-
ment are marked by asterisks 
* to assist you in 
identifying possible differences between the 
descriptions in this manual and your own vehi-
cle's equipment.
If equipment in your BMW is not described in 
this Owner's Manual, please refer to the accom-
panying Supplementary Owner's Manuals.
Editorial notice
BMW pursues a policy of continuous, ongoing 
development that is conceived to ensure that 
our vehicles continue to embody the highest 
quality and safety standards combined with 
advanced, state-of-the-art technology. For this 
reason, it is possible that the features described 
in this Owner's Manual could differ from those 
on your vehicle.
For your own safety
Maintenance and repairs
Advanced technology, e.g. the use of 
modern materials and high-performance 
electronics, requires specially adapted mainte-
nance and repair methods. Therefore, have cor-
responding work on your BMW performed only 
by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or 
a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel. If this work is not carried out prop-
erly, there is a danger of subsequent damage 
and related safety hazards.<
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts 
and accessories approved by BMW. 
When you purchase accessories tested and 
approved by BMW and Genuine BMW Parts, 
you simultaneously acquire the assurance that 
they have been thoroughly tested by BMW to 
ensure optimum performance when installed 
on your vehicle. 
BMW warrants these parts to be free from 
defects in material and workmanship. 
BMW will not accept any liability for damage 
resulting from installation of parts and accesso-
ries not approved by BMW. 
BMW cannot test every product made by other 
manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a 
BMW safely and without risk to either the vehi-
cle, its operation or its occupants. 
Genuine BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and 
other products approved by BMW, together 
with professional advice on using these items, 
are available from all BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Centers. 
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, radios, 
amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension 
components, brake dust shields, telephones, 
including operation of any mobile phone from 
within the vehicle without using an externally 
mounted antenna, or transceiver equipment 
such as CBs, walkie-talkies, ham radios, or sim-
ilar accessories may cause extensive damage 
to the vehicle, compromise its safety, interfere 
with the vehicle's electrical system or affect the 
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. Refer to 
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center for 
additional information.<
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of 
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performed by any automotive 
repair establishment or individual using any cer-
tified automotive part.<
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Adjusting
46 3.Press the  button: 
The LED in the button lights up.
4.Press the desired memory button1 or2: 
the LED goes out.
The positions of the driver's seat, the exte-
rior mirrors, and steering wheel are stored 
for the remote control currently in use.
Activating
Do not activate the memory function 
while the vehicle is moving. There is a risk 
of accident from unexpected movement of the 
seat or steering wheel.<
Comfort mode
1.After unlocking, open the driver's door or 
switch on radio readiness, refer to page59.
2.Briefly press the desired memory button1 
or 2.
The adjusting procedure is canceled if you 
briefly press a seat-adjusting switch or one of 
the memory buttons.
Safety feature
1.Close the driver's door and switch the igni-
tion on or off, refer to page59.
2.Press the desired memory button1 or2 
and maintain pressure until the adjustment 
process has been completed.
If the  button was pressed inadvertently: 
press the button again; the LED goes out.
Activating with the remote control
The driver's seat position last set is stored for 
the remote control currently in use.
You can select whether or not the seat is reset 
to that position automatically.
When using this feature, always make 
sure that the footwell behind the driver's 
seat is empty and unobstructed. Failure to do 
so could cause injury to persons or damage to 
objects behind the seat as a result of a rearward 
movement of the seat.
the memory buttons.
Selecting automatic activation
1."Settings"
2."Door locks"
3."Last seat position auto."
 The function for automatically recalling the 
last seat position is switched on and is stored 
for the remote control currently in use.
Deactivating automatic recall
Deactivate "Last seat position automatic".
Head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its center 
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise there is 
increased danger of injury in the event of an 
accident. Only remove the head restraints if the 
respective seat is not occupied. Reinstall the 
head restraints before transporting passen-
gers, as otherwise the head restraint cannot 
provide its protective function.<
Height
Adjust the head restraint so that its center is 
approximately at ear level.
Distance
Adjust the distance so that the head restraint is 
as close as possible to the back of the head.
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Controls
 63Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>the vehicle is braked to a stop during driving
In the instrument panel, the indicator 
lamp changes from green to red and 
the indication AUTO H goes out.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
Before you start to drive, either release the 
parking brake manually, refer to page61, or 
reactivate Automatic Hold, refer to page62.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine 
running, shift the selector lever into posi-
tion P of the automatic transmission and make 
sure that the parking brake is set. Otherwise, 
the vehicle may begin to roll.<
Malfunction
If the parking brake fails or malfunctions, secure 
the vehicle against rolling, e.g. with a wheel 
chock, if you leave the vehicle.
Releasing parking brake manually
In the event of an electrical power loss or elec-
trical malfunction, you can release the parking 
brake manually.
Before manually releasing the parking 
brake and each time you park the vehicle 
without setting the parking brake, make sure 
that the automatic transmission is in position P, 
refer to page65. Be sure to pay attention to the 
information in the instrument panel. 
In addition, secure the vehicle against rolling, 
e.g. with a wheel chock. Otherwise there is a 
danger that the vehicle could roll if parked on a 
steep slope.<
If it becomes necessary to also release the 
transmission lock of the automatic transmission 
manually, follow this sequence:
1.If necessary, start by releasing the parking 
brake manually.
2.Then release the automatic transmission's 
transmission lock manually, refer to 
page66.
Jump starting and towing, refer to information 
starting on page262.
Releasing
1.Open the left-hand side panel in the cargo 
bay.
2.Remove the first-aid kit 
* and warning trian-
gle
* if necessary. Close the bracket of the 
warning triangle.
3.Insert the releasing tool, contained in the 
onboard tool kit under the floor panel, refer 
to page250, at the releasing point.
4.Firmly pull the releasing tool upward against 
the mechanical resistance, refer to arrow, 
until a considerable increase in force is felt 
and the parking brake is then clearly heard 
to release.
5.Stow the releasing tool, warning triangle
* 
and first-aid kit* and close the left side 
panel in the cargo bay.
Only have a malfunction corrected by the 
nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
Center or a workshop that works in accordance 
with BMW guidelines and uses appropriately 
trained personnel. If the parking brake has been 
released manually in response to a malfunction, 
only technicians can return it to operation.<
Following manual release, the actual sta-
tus of the parking brake may deviate from 
that displayed by the indicator lamp.<
Operation after interruptions in power 
supply
The parking brake can only be used again 
if it was manually released due to an inter-
ruption in the supply of electrical power. Other-
wise the operation of the parking brake is not 
ensured and there is a danger of the vehicle roll-
ing despite the parking brake being set.<
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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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Maintenance
244
Maintenance
BMW maintenance system
The BMW maintenance system supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The service schedule also 
includes operations related to the vehicle's 
comfort and convenience features, such as 
replacement of the filters for the inside air. 
The ultimate objective is to ensure economical 
maintenance by providing the ideal service for 
your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell 
your BMW, a complete dealer service history 
will prove to be an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current and future service 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Control Display to show 
remaining distances and times of selected 
maintenance intervals and legally mandated 
deadlines, refer to page74:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads, front and rear separately
>Brake fluid
>Vehicle check>Legally mandated inspections depending 
on local regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required for 
maintenance continuously in the remote con-
trol during driving. After accessing the data 
stored in the remote control, your BMW Service 
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of 
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. You should therefore hand over the remote 
control you last used to drive to the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor when you take your vehicle in for 
service.
Make sure the date is set correctly, refer 
to page80, otherwise the effectiveness 
of CBS Condition Based Service is not 
ensured.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center. 
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<
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Everything from A to Z
282 Children, transporting55
Child restraint devices55
Child restraint fixing system 
LATCH56
Child-safety locks58
Child seats55
Chime, refer to Check 
Control77
Cigarette lighter, refer to 
Lighter121
Cleaning your BMW, refer to 
Care246
Clock71
– 12h/24h mode80
– setting time79
Closing
– from inside30
– using remote control27
Closing fuel filler cap224
Clothes hooks119
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting 
engine60
Comfort access35
– observe in car wash37
– replacing battery37
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14
Comfort start, refer to Starting 
engine60
Compact wheel
– inflation pressure231
– wheel change256
Compartment for remote 
control, refer to Ignition 
lock59
Compartments, refer to 
Storage compartments119
Compass, digital116
Computer73
– displays in instrument 
panel73
– displays on Control 
Display74
Concierge service216
Condition Based Service 
CBS244Connecting car vacuum 
cleaner, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices121
Connecting headphones188
Consumption, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption73
Consumption indicator, 
energy control72
Consumption statistics, refer 
to Average fuel 
consumption73
Contacts, creating213
Control Center, refer to 
iDrive
16
Control Display, refer to 
iDrive16
– setting brightness80
– switching on/off19
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Controls DVD system in 
rear187
Convenience operation
– glass sunroof28,29
– glass sunroof with comfort 
access36
– windows28,29
– windows with comfort 
access36
– with comfort access36
Coolant243
– checking level243
– temperature72
Cooling, maximum110
Cornering Brake Control 
CBC88
Country codes DVD173
Country information from 
BMW Online157
Courtesy lamps, refer to 
Interior lamps106
Cradle for telephone or mobile 
phone119
Criteria for route150
Cruise control69
Cruising range73
Cup holders119Current playback
– external devices185
– of music collection180
Customer Relations218
Cylinders, refer to Engine 
data268
D
Data268
– capacities272
– dimensions269
– engine268
– technical data268
– weights271
Data transfer220
Date71
– display format80
– retrieving71
– setting80
Daytime driving lamps103
Defrosting windows109
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation109
Defrost position, refer to 
Defrosting windows109
Deleting a trip149
Deleting special 
destinations146
Destination, entering by town/
city name141
Destination address, 
entering141,147
Destination entry using BMW 
Assist145
Destination for navigation
– entering141
– entering by voice147
– entering via map146
Destination guidance150
– bypassing a route 
section151
– changing specified 
route150
– continuing150
– starting150
– voice instructions152
– volume of voice 
instructions152
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Reference 291
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Settings
– changing on Control 
Display79
– clock, 12h/24h mode80
– configuring, refer to 
Personal Profile26
– DVD174
– language81
Settings for the map 
display153
Setting speed limit78
Setting time, refer to 
Preselecting activation 
times114
Shifting, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic65
Shift paddles65
Short commands of voice 
activation system273
Short route in navigation, refer 
to Selecting route150
Shoulder support45
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer172
– CD player172
Side airbags98
Side marker lamps, replacing 
bulbs251
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely43
– with airbags43
– with head restraint43
– with safety belts43
Ski bag125
Slide show, refer to Displaying 
images195
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof, 
electric40
– refer to Panorama glass 
sunroof38
Slope assistant, refer to 
Starting assistant92
Smokers' package, refer to 
Ashtray120
SMS208Snap-in adapter
– inserting/removing212
– use202
Snow chains238
Socket for Onboard 
Diagnostics interface245
Socket for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock59
Sockets, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices121
Soft closure aid, refer to 
Automatic soft closing30
Soot particle filter, refer to 
Diesel particulate filter131
SOS, refer to Initiating an 
emergency request261
Spare fuses
259
Spare remote control26
Spare wheel
– refer to Changing 
wheels256
– refer to Compact wheel256
Special destinations144
Special oils, refer to Approved 
engine oils243
Specified oil grades, refer to 
Approved engine oils243
Speed
– with compact wheel258
– with winter tires238
Speed limit warning, refer to 
Speed limit78
Speedometer12
Speed Volume161
Split screen, refer to Control 
Display, switching on/off19
Split screen content, refer to 
Display for split screen 
content, selecting19
Sport program, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic65
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems88
Start/Stop button59
Starting, refer to Starting 
engine60Starting assistance, refer to 
Jump starting262
Starting assistant92
Starting difficulties, jump 
starting262
Starting off on slopes, refer to 
Starting assistant92
State/province, for 
navigation141
Station selection, radio163
Status of this Owner's Manual 
at time of printing5
Steam cleaners247
Steering wheel
– adjusting53
– automatic adjustment, refer 
to Steering wheel 
memory45
– buttons on steering 
wheel11
– easy entry/exit54
– heating54
– memory45
Steering with variable ratio, 
refer to Active steering96
Steptronic, refer to Sport 
program and manual mode 
M/S65
Storage compartments119
Storing a trip148
Storing sitting position, refer 
to Seat, mirror and steering 
wheel memory45
Storing tires
238
Storing vehicle249
Storing your vehicle249
Street, entering, 
navigation142
Summer tires, refer to Wheels 
and tires229
SVCD173
SW, waveband163
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching cooling function on 
and off110
Switching off engine60
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Reference 293
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Transmission positions, refer 
to Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic64
Transporting children 
safely55
Transport securing device, 
refer to Securing cargo134
Tread depth, refer to Minimum 
tread depth236
Trip-distance counter, refer to 
Trip odometer71
Trip odometer71
Turning circle, refer to 
Dimensions269
Turn signals67
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs251,254
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR235
Units
– average fuel 
consumption80
– temperature80
Universal garage-door 
opener, refer to Integrated 
universal remote 
control115
Universal remote control115
Unlocking
– from inside30
– liftgate28
– setting behavior28
– using remote control27
– without key, refer to Comfort 
access35
Unlocking and locking doors 
using remote control27
Unlocking without key, refer to 
Comfort access35
Updating the navigation 
data140
USB audio interface183
Used batteries
– refer to Disposal258
– refer to Replacing battery37
V
Valve screw caps, refer to 
After mounting258
VCD173
Vehicle
– battery258
– breaking-in130
– loading133
– measurements, refer to 
Dimensions269
– parking60
– storing249
– weights271
Vehicle care, refer to Care246
Vehicle jack257
– jacking points257
Ventilation111
– draft-free111
– in the rear111
– rear automatic climate 
control113
– 3rd row seats112
– while stationary114
Vent outlets of automatic 
climate control107
Vents, refer to Ventilation111
Video menu174
Video playback173
Voice, refer to Destination 
guidance through voice 
instructions152
Voice activation system22
– short commands273
Voice instructions for 
navigation system152
– repeating152
– switching on/off152
– volume152
Volume160
– audio sources160
– mobile phone205
– voice instructions152
Volume balance, tone 
setting161
Volume of warning tones81
W
Warning lamps, refer to 
Indicator and warning 
lamps13
Warning messages, refer to 
Check Control77
Warning tone, volume81
Warning triangle261
Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian 
models244
Washer/wiper system67
– rain sensor68
– washer fluid69
– windshield washer 
nozzles68
Washer fluid69
– capacity of the reservoir69
Water on roads, refer to 
Driving through water132
Water penetration247
Waveband for radio163
Wear indicators in tires, refer 
to Minimum tread depth236
Weather reports165
Website4
Weights271
Wheel/tire combination, refer 
to New wheels and tires237
Wheel/tire damage236
Wheelbase, refer to 
Dimensions269
Wheels and tires229
Width, refer to 
Dimensions269
Windows37
– convenience operation28
– convenience operation from 
outside29
– convenience operation with 
comfort access36
– opening, closing37
– pinch protection system38
– safety switch38
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