Driving
62
For your safety
Automatic Hold is automatically deactivated
when:
>The engine is switched off
>The driver's door is open and the safety belt
of the driver is disconnected
>The vehicle is braked to a stop during driv-
ing
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 page60, or
reactivate Automatic Hold, refer to page61.
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 page64. 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.<
Jump starting and towing, refer to information
starting on page274.
Releasing
1.Open the left-hand side panel in the cargo
area.
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 page262, 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 area.
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.<
Driving
64
R Reverse
Select only with the vehicle stationary.
A lock prevents the transmission from being
inadvertently shifted into position R. To release
the lock, press 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 page58.<
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
page59. 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 position
D.
Kickdown
The kickdown 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 dis-
played in the instrument panel; in the BMW X6,
S4 is displayed, for example. This position is
recommended for a performance-oriented driv-
ing style.
When the selector lever is pressed forward or
back, the manual mode is activated and the
Steptronic shifts the gear. The transmission
position, e. g. M4, is indicated 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.
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.
Driving
66 5Setting interval for intermittent wipe or sen-
sitivity of rain sensor
Switching on wipers
Pull the lever upward, arrow1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode with the vehicle stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance
point.
The system reverts to normal speed with the
vehicle stationary.
Intermittent wipe or rain sensor
With the rain sensor, the wiper operation is con-
trolled automatically as a function of the rain
intensity. The rain sensor is located on the
windshield, directly in front of the interior rear-
view mirror.
Activating intermittent operation or
rain sensor
Press the button, arrow3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Setting interval for intermittent wipe or
sensitivity of rain sensor
Turn the thumbwheel5.
Deactivating intermittent operation or
rain sensor
Press the button again, arrow3. The LED goes
out.
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing
through an automatic car wash. Failure to
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper activation.<
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
Pull the lever, arrow4.
The system sprays washer fluid against the
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief
period.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched
on, the headlamps are also cleaned at regular
and appropriate intervals.
Do not use the washers if there is any
danger that the fluid will freeze on the
windshield. If you do so, your vision could be
obscured. To avoid freezing, use a washer fluid
antifreeze, refer to Washer fluid. Do not use
washing mechanisms when the washer fluid
reservoir is empty, otherwise you will damage
the washer pump.<
Windshield washer nozzles
Both windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated with the engine running or the igni-
tion switched on.
BMW X5: rear window wiper
1Intermittent mode. When reverse gear is
engaged, continuous operation is switched
on automatically
2Cleaning the rear window
Controls
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caused by damage incurred during parking, for
example.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communications
Commission regulations. Operation is gov-
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
>OAYARS3-A
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
>This device must not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
>This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or changes to
these devices could void the user's authority to
operate this equipment.
System limits
Speed range
Best results are achieved when using the sys-
tem on well-developed roads and highways.
The desired speed can be selected between
20 mph/30 km/h and 110 mph/180 km/h.
The system can also be activated when station-
ary.
Comply with the legal speed limit in every situa-
tion when using the system.
Detection range
The detection capacity of the system and the
automatic braking capacity are limited. For
instance, two-wheeled vehicles driving ahead
of you might not be detected.
Because of the limitations to the detec-
tion capacity of the system, you should be
alert at all times so that you can intervene
actively, if necessary; otherwise, there is the
danger of an accident occurring.<
Deceleration
The system does not decelerate when a sta-
tionary obstacle is located in the same lane, e.g.
a vehicle at a red traffic light or at the end of a
traffic congestion.
The system also does not respond to:
>Pedestrians or similarly slow road users.
>Red traffic lights.
>Stationary objects.
>Cross traffic.
>Approaching traffic.
A warning might not be issued when
approaching a stationary or very slow-
moving obstacle. Take action yourself, other-
wise there is a risk of an accident.<
Controls
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Switching on/off manually
Press the button.
>On: LED lights up.
>Off: LED goes out.
If Top View is displayed, switch o n the rea r vie w
camera using iDrive, refer to page95.
Optical warning
The approach to an object can be shown on the
Control Display.
When the distance to an object is small, the
PDC display correspondingly shows a red bar in
front of the vehicle.
The display appears as soon as Top View is
activated.
If the last image selected was the rear view
camera, this is displayed again. To switch to
Top View:
1.Select the "Switch off rear view cam-
era" on the Control Display.
2.Press the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Image on the Control Display
Switching on the rear view camera
using iDrive
With Top View activated:
1.Select the "Rear view camera" symbol.
2.Press the controller.
The image of the rear view camera is displayed.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Brightness
With Top View switched on:
1.Select the symbol.
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is displayed and then press the controller.
Contrast
With Top View switched on:
1.Select the symbol.
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is displayed and then press the controller.
Displaying turning lines and pathway
lines
>The static, red turning line shows the lateral
space required when the wheel is fully
turned.
>The variable, green pathway lines assist you
in estimating the amount of lateral space
actually required.
The pathway lines depend on the current
steering angle and are continuously
adapted to movements of the steering
wheel.
1.Select the symbol.
2.Press the controller.
Turning lines and pathway lines are displayed.
Controls
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Cameras
The two camera lenses are located on the sides
of the bumper.
The presence of dirt can impair image quality.
Clean the objective, refer to page260.
Rear view camera*
The concept
The rear view camera assists you when parking
and maneuvering in reverse. To accomplish
this, the region behind your vehicle is shown on
the Control Display.
System limitations
Also make a direct visual check of the
traffic situation around the vehicle. Other-
wise, there could be a risk of accident, for exam-
ple due to other road users or objects outside
the image range of the rear view camera.<
T he r e a r v i e w c a m e r a i s n o t a b l e t o de t e c t
objects at greater heights or protruding
objects such as projections from walls.<
Automatic activation
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, shift the selector lever into position R.
The image of the rear view camera is displayed
when the system has been switched on using
iDrive.
Automatic deactivation
The system switches off and the LED goes out:
>After approx. 33 ft/10 m when driving for-
ward>At speeds over approx. 9 mph/15 km/h
when driving forward
Switch the system back on as needed.
Switching on/off manually
Press the button.
>On: LED lights up.
>Off: LED goes out.
If PDC is displayed, switch on the rear view
camera using iDrive, refer to page89.
Assistance functions
Function requirements
>Rear view camera is switched on.
>Liftgate is completely closed.
Pathway lines
>Can be displayed in the image of the rear
view camera when the transmission is in
reverse.
>Help estimate the required amount of space
when parking and maneuvering on a flat
road surface.
>Depend on the current steering angle and
are continuously adapted to movements of
the steering wheel.
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
94 To display parking aid lines using iDrive, refer to
page94.
Turning lines
>Can be displayed in the image of the rear
view camera.
>Show the path of the smallest turning circle
on a flat road surface.
>When the steering wheel is turned, only one
turning line is displayed.
To display parking aid lines using iDrive, refer to
page94.
Parking using pathway and turning
lines
1.Position the vehicle so that the turning lines
lead into the margins of the parking space.2.Turn the steering wheel so that the pathway
lines coincide with the corresponding turn-
ing line.
Obstacle marking
>Three-dimensionally shaped markings can
be displayed in the image of the rear view
camera.
Their color gradation corresponds to the mark-
ings in PDC. This helps estimate the distance to
the object pictured.
To display obstacle marking using iDrive, refer
to page94.
Activating assistance functions
Several assistance functions can be active at
the same time.
Displaying parking aid lines
1.Select the "Parking aid lines" symbol.
2.Press the controller.
Pathway and turning lines are displayed.
Displaying obstacle marking
1.Select the "Obstacle marking" symbol.
2.Press the controller.
Controls
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Three-dimensionally-shaped markings are dis-
played.
Image on the Control Display
Switching on the rear view camera
using iDrive
With PDC activated:
1.Select the "Rear view camera" symbol.
2.Press the controller.
The image of the rear view camera is displayed.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Brightness
With the rear view camera switched on:
1.Select the symbol.
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is displayed and then press the controller.
Contrast
With the rear view camera switched on:
1.Select the symbol.
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is displayed and then press the controller.
Camera
The lens of the rear view camera is under the
grasping lip of the liftgate.
The presence of dirt can impair image quality.
Clean the lens with a moist, nonabrasive cloth.
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array
of systems designed to enhance and maintain
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Braking safely, refer to page140.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking
during a lane change, driving stability and steer-
ing response are improved further.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels
when starting off and accelerating. The system
also identifies unstable driving conditions, such
as a loss of traction at the rear of the vehicle or
sliding of the vehicle in its front wheels. In these
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe
course within physical limits by reducing engine
output and through braking actions in the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style remains the responsibility of the driver.