
Opening and closing
28
Opening and closing:
Using remote control
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle 
could lock the doors from the inside. 
Always take along the remote control when 
leaving the vehicle so that the vehicle can then 
be opened from the outside.<
Unlocking
Press the  button. 
This unlocks the vehicle.
Setting unlocking behavior
You can set whether the first press of the button 
unlocks only the driver's door or the entire vehi-
cle.
1."Settings"
2."Door locks"
3."Unlock button"
4.Select a menu item:
>"All doors"
Press the   button once to unlock the 
entire vehicle.
>"Driver's door only"
Press the  button once to unlock only 
the driver's door and the fuel filler flap.
Press the button twice to unlock the 
entire vehicle.
5.Press the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Comfort opening
Press and hold the  button. The windows and 
the glass sunroof
*/panoramic glass sunroof* 
are opened.
Locking
Press the  button.
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if 
persons are inside because unlocking 
from the inside is not possible without special 
knowledge.<
Switching on interior lamps
With vehicle locked:
Press the  button.
You can also use this function to locate your 
vehicle in parking garages etc.
Panic mode*
You can also trigger the alarm system in case of 
danger:
Press the  button for at least 3 seconds.
Switch off alarm: press any button.
Unlocking liftgate
Press the  button for approx. 1 second.
The liftgate will open slightly, regardless of 
whether it was previously locked or unlocked.
During opening, the liftgate pivots back 
and up. Ensure that adequate clearance is 
available before opening. 
To prevent accidentally locking yourself out, 
never lay the remote control in the cargo area. A 
previously locked liftgate is also locked again 
after closing.<
If pointed or sharp-edged objects could 
strike the rear window while driving, be 
sure to provide protection around all edges. 
Failure to do so could result in damage to the 
heating conductors of the rear window.<
Confirmation signals
You can activate or deactivate the confirmation 
signals. 

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Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp under the interior rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking: the 
doors, hood, or liftgate are not properly 
closed. Even if you do not close the alerted 
area, the system begins to monitor the 
remaining areas, and the indicator lamp 
flashes continuously after approx. 
10 seconds. However, the interior motion 
sensor is not activated.
>The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking: 
your vehicle has not been disturbed while 
you were away.
>The indicator lamp flashes after unlocking 
until the remote control is inserted into the 
ignition lock, however for a maximum of 
approx. 5 minutes: your vehicle has been 
disturbed while you were away.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm 
system reacts, e.g. in case of an attempted 
wheel theft or towing.
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass sunroof
*/
panoramic glass sunroof
* must be completely 
closed.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor 
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following 
situations:>In stacking garages
>When transporting on car-carrying trains, 
by sea or on a trailer
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
Press the  button on the remote control 
again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then 
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and 
the interior motion sensor are switched off until 
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Comfort Access*
Comfort Access enables you to access your 
vehicle without having to hold the remote con-
trol in your hand. It is sufficient to carry the 
remote control with you, e.g. in your jacket 
pocket. The vehicle automatically detects the 
related remote control in the immediate vicinity 
or in the interior.
Comfort Access supports the following func-
tions:
>Unlocking/locking vehicle
>Convenient closing
>Opening liftgate
>Starting engine
Functional requirements
>The vehicle can only be unlocked if the 
vehicle detects that the remote control car-
ried is not located in the vehicle interior.
>The next unlocking and locking cycle is not 
possible until after approx. 2 seconds.
>The engine can only be started if the vehicle 
detects that the remote control is located in 
the vehicle. 

Opening and closing
36
Comparison with ordinary remote 
control
You can control the functions mentioned previ-
ously with Comfort Access or by pressing the 
buttons on the remote control. Therefore, 
please familiarize yourself with the information 
on opening and closing beginning on page26 
beforehand.
The special features when using Comfort 
Access are described in the following.
Should a short delay occur when opening 
or closing the windows or the glass sun-
roof
*/panoramic glass sunroof*, the system 
checks whether a remote control is located in 
the vehicle. Please repeat opening or closing if 
necessary.<
Releasing
Completely grasp a door handle, arrow1. 
This corresponds to pressing the  button.
Locking
Touch the area highlighted in the picture, 
arrow2, with your finger for approx. 1 second.
This corresponds to pressing the 
button.
Please make sure that all electronic sys-
tems/consumers are switched off before 
locking to save the battery.<
Convenient closing
Hold a finger or the back of a hand on the sur-
face, arrow2.
The windows and the glass sunroof
*/pan-
oramic glass sunroof
* are closed.Watch during the closing process to be 
sure that no one is injured. Removing the 
hand from the door handle immediately stops 
the closing process.<
Opening liftgate
Press the button on the liftgate. 
This corresponds to pressing the  button.
If a remote control accidentally left in the 
cargo area is detected in the locked vehi-
cle after the liftgate is closed, then the liftgate 
opens again. The hazard warning flashers flash 
and a signal
* sounds.<
Switching on radio readiness
By briefly pressing the Start/Stop button, you 
switch on the radio readiness, refer to page58.
When doing so, do not depress the brake 
pedal, otherwise the engine will start.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion if a remote control is located in the interior 
of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in the igni-
tion lock, refer to page58.
As long as no remote control is detected in the 
vehicle, it is only possible to restart the engine 
within approx. 10 seconds after it is switched 
off if no door has been opened.
Switching off engine
>Remote control not in ignition lock:
After switching off the engine, the transmis-
sion is automatically switched into trans-
mission position P.
>Remote control in ignition lock:
If transmission position N is engaged, the 
transmission remains in this position after 
the engine is switched off.
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle can roll if you proceed according to 
the following steps:
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2.Depress brake pedal. 

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3.Engage transmission position N.
4.Release the parking brake.
5.Switch off the engine.
6.Leave the remote control in the ignition 
lock.
Malfunction
The Comfort Access function may malfunction 
due to local radio waves. Then open or close the 
vehicle with the buttons on the remote control 
or with a key. To start the engine following this, 
insert the remote control in the ignition lock.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when an attempt is 
made to start the engine: starting the 
engine is not possible. The remote control is 
not in the vehicle or has a malfunction. Take 
along the remote control into the vehicle or 
have it checked. Insert another remote control 
into the ignition lock if necessary.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer in the vehicle. After switching off the 
engine, the engine can only be started again 
within approx. 10 seconds if no door has been 
opened.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
replace the battery of the remote control.
Replacing battery
The remote control for Comfort Access con-
tains a battery which must be replaced if neces-
sary.1.Remove integrated key from remote con-
trol, refer to page26.
2.Remove cover.
3.Lay in new battery with positive side facing 
upward.
4.Press cover closed.
Dispose of used batteries at a recycling 
center or at your BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the windows and keep them in 
your field of vision until they are shut. 
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for 
example, operate the windows and injure them-
selves.<
Opening, closing
>Press switch to resistance point: 
The window continues to open as long as 
you keep the switch pressed.
>Press switch beyond resistance point: 
The window opens automatically. Pressing  

Opening and closing
38 the switch again stops the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch.
Separate switches for the rear windows are 
located in the rear.
For information on using convenient opening 
and closing at the door lock or with the remote 
control, refer to page28 or29.
For information on convenient closing with 
Comfort Access, refer to page36.
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the windows with the 
remote control removed or the ignition 
switched off for approx. 1 minute, as long as 
neither of the front doors has been opened.
Pinch protection system
If the closing force rises beyond a predefined 
threshold during closing, the system will stop 
moving the window prior to lowering it again 
slightly.
Despite the pinch protection system, 
inspect the window's travel path prior to 
closing it, as the safety system might fail to 
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as 
thin objects, and the window would continue 
closing. 
Do not install any accessories in the range of 
movement of the windows, otherwise the pinch 
protection system will be impaired.<
Closing without pinch protection 
system
In case of danger from outside or if, for example, 
ice on the window prevents normal closing, pro-
ceed as follows:
1.Pull the switch beyond the resistance point 
and hold. The pinch protection system is 
limited and the window opens slightly if the 
closing force exceeds a certain value.
2.Pull the switch beyond the resistance point 
and hold again within approx. 4 seconds. 
The window closes without the pinch pro-
tection system.
Safety switch
With the safety switch, you can prevent the rear 
windows from being opened or closed via the 
switches in the rear passenger area, by chil-
dren, for example. The LED lights up when this 
safety feature is activated.
Always press the safety switch when chil-
dren ride in the rear, otherwise uncon-
trolled closing of the windows could lead to 
injuries.<
BMW X5: panoramic glass 
sunroof*
The panoramic glass sunroof is ready for oper-
ation with the ignition switched on, refer to 
page58.
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the panoramic glass sunroof and 
keep it in your field of vision until it is closed. 
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for 
example, operate the roof and injure them-
selves.< 

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Raising, opening, closing
Raising
Press the switch.
The closed sunroof is tilted and the sliding visor 
opens slightly.
Do not use force to close the sliding visor 
with the glass sunroof in its raised posi-
tion, otherwise the mechanism will be dam-
aged.<
Opening, closing
Sliding visor
You can move the sliding visor independently 
with the sunroof closed or raised.
>Slide the switch back to the resistance 
point.
The sliding visor opens as long as you keep 
the switch in this position.
>Briefly press the switch back beyond the 
resistance point.
The sliding visor will open automatically. 
Briefly pressing the switch stops the 
motion.
You can close the sliding visor in a similar man-
ner by sliding the switch forwards.
Panoramic glass sunroof
With the sliding visor open, proceed as 
described under Sliding visor.
For information on using convenient opening 
and closing at the door lock or with the remote 
control, refer to page28 or29.
For information on convenient closing with 
Comfort Access, refer to page36.
Opening and closing sunroof and 
sliding visor together
Briefly press the switch beyond the resistance 
point twice consecutively.
Briefly pressing the switch stops the motion.
Comfort mode
>Press the switch twice with the sunroof 
open:
The sunroof is raised.
>When the sunroof is raised, briefly press the 
switch twice in the opening direction:
The sunroof is opened all the way.
Comfort position
In the comfort position, the sunroof is not com-
pletely open; this reduces wind noise in the 
passenger compartment.
Each time the panoramic glass sunroof is com-
pletely opened or closed, it stops in the comfort 
position. If desired, continue the motion follow-
ing this with the switch.
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the roof for approx. 
1 minute, as long as no door has been opened.
Pinch protection system
If the panoramic glass sunroof or sliding visor 
encounter resistance when closing from 
roughly one third of the sunroof opening or 
when closing from the raised position, the clos-
ing action is interrupted and the panoramic 
glass sunroof and sliding visor reopen a little.
Despite the pinch protection system, 
inspect the sunroof's travel path prior to 
closing it, as the safety system might fail to 
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as 
very thin objects, and the sunroof would con-
tinue closing.<
Closing without pinch protection 
system
In case of danger from outside, slide the switch 
forward beyond the resistance point and hold.  

Opening and closing
40 The roof closes without the pinch protection 
system.
Following interruptions in electrical 
power supply
After a power loss, the sunroof may only 
respond to the raise command. Then have the 
system initialized. BMW recommends having 
this work carried out by your BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center.
BMW X6: glass sunroof*, 
electric
The glass sunroof is ready for operation when 
the ignition is switched on, refer to page58.
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the glass sunroof and keep it in 
your field of vision until it is closed.
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for 
example, operate the roof and injure them-
selves.<
Raising
Press the switch.
The closed glass sunroof is raised and the slid-
ing visor opens slightly.
Do not use force to close the sliding visor 
with the glass sunroof in its raised posi-
tion, otherwise the mechanism will be dam-
aged.<
Opening, closing
>Slide the switch back to the resistance 
point.
The glass sunroof and the sliding visor open together as long as you continue to hold the 
switch in this position.
>Briefly press the switch back beyond the 
resistance point.
The glass sunroof and the sliding visor open 
automatically. Briefly pressing the switch 
stops the motion.
You can close the glass sunroof in a similar 
manner by sliding the switch forward. The slid-
ing visor remains open and can be closed by 
hand.
For information on using convenient opening 
and closing with the remote control or at the 
door lock, refer to page28 or29.
For information on convenience closing with 
Comfort Access, refer to page36.
Automatic opening and closing
Briefly press the switch beyond the resistance 
point.
The following movements are also automatic:
>With the sunroof open, press the switch:
The sunroof is opened all the way.
>With the sunroof raised, briefly press the 
switch in the opening direction: the sunroof 
is opened all the way.
Briefly pressing the switch stops the motion.
Comfort position
In the comfort position, the sunroof is not com-
pletely open; this reduces wind noise in the 
passenger compartment.
Each time the glass sunroof is opened or closed 
all the way, it stops in the comfort position. If 
you wish, you can continue the motion by actu-
ating the switch.
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the roof for approx. 
1 minute, as long as no door has been opened.
Pinch protection system
If the glass sunroof meets with resistance from 
about the middle of the roof opening when clos-
ing or when lowering from the raised position,  

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the closing process is interrupted and the glass 
sunroof opens all the way.
Despite the pinch protection system, 
inspect the sunroof's travel path prior to 
closing it, as the safety system might fail to 
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as 
very thin objects, and the sunroof would con-
tinue closing.<
Closing without pinch protection 
system
When there is danger outside the vehicle, pro-
ceed as follows:
1.Slide the switch forward past the resistance 
point and hold it there. The pinch protection 
system is limited and the sunroof opens 
slightly if the closing force exceeds a certain 
value.
2.Within about 4 seconds, slide the switch 
forward again beyond the resistance point 
and hold it there. The roof closes without 
the pinch protection system.
Following interruptions in electrical 
power supply
After a power loss, the sunroof may only 
respond to the raise command. Then have the 
system initialized. BMW recommends having 
this work carried out by your BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center.