
iDrive
18
Menu items in the Owner's Manual
In the Owner's Manual, menu items that can be 
selected are set in quotation marks, e.g. "Set-
tings".
Changing between panels
After selecting a menu item, e.g. "Radio", a new 
menu is displayed on a panel. The panels can 
overlap.
Move the controller to the left or right to change 
between the panels.
White arrows pointing to the left or right indi-
cate that additional windows can be opened.
Opening the Options menu
Press the OPTIONbutton.
The "Options" menu is displayed.
Another possibility: move the controller to the 
right repeatedly until the "Options" menu 
appears.
The "Options" menu contains the following:
>Screen settings, refer to page19.
>Control options for the selected menu.
Adjusting settings
1.Select a field.
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is displayed.
3.Press the controller to confirm the setting.
The scroll bar on the right side indicates 
whether additional menu items or set-
tings can be selected that are currently not vis-
ible.<
Example: setting the clock
1.Press the MENUbutton.
The main menu is displayed.
2.Turn the controller until "Settings" is high-
lighted, and then press the controller.
3.Turn the controller until "Time/Date" is 
highlighted, and then press the controller. 

At a glance
 19Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
4.Turn the controller until "Time:" is high-
lighted, and then press the controller.
5.Turn the controller to set the hours and 
press the controller.
6.Turn the controller to set the minutes and 
press the controller.
Status information
1Time
2Display for:
>Reception strength of the wireless 
network, depends on the mobile phone
>Incoming, outgoing or missed call
>SMS
* received
3Display for:
>Entertainment:
Radio, CD/DVD, external devices, TV
*
>Telephone*:
Name of the mobile phone paired with 
the vehicle4Sound output is switched off or
 display for traffic bulletins
*:
>"TI": 
Traffic bulletins are switched on.
>No display: 
Traffic bulletins are switched off.
Other displays:
The status information is temporarily hidden 
when there are Check Control instructions or 
during inputs using the voice activation sys-
tem
*.
Switching Control Display 
off/on
1.Press the OPTIONbutton.
2."Switch off control display"
To switch on, press the controller.
Split screen view, Split screen*
Additional information, e.g. from the computer, 
can be displayed on the right side of the split 
screen.
On the split screen, this information remains 
visible even when you change to another menu.
Switching split screen view on and off*
1.Press the OPTIONbutton.
2."Split screen"
 The split screen is activated.
Selecting display for split screen 
content*
When the split screen is switched on, you can 
select the content displayed on the screen. 

Controls
 29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1."Settings"
2."Door locks"
3."Flash when lock/unlock"
4.Press the controller.
 Flashing when locking/unlocking the vehi-
cle is switched on.
Malfunctions
The remote control may malfunction due to 
local radio waves. Should the remote control fail 
to operate due to interference of this kind, 
unlock and lock the vehicle using the door lock 
using a key.
If it is no longer possible to lock the vehicle 
using the remote control, then the battery is 
discharged. Use this remote control during an 
extended drive; this will recharge the battery, 
refer to page26.
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:
LX8766S 
LX8766E 
LX8CAS
LX8CAS2
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.<
Opening and closing:
Using door lock
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if 
persons are inside because unlocking 
from the inside is not possible without special 
knowledge.<
When unlocking
1.Turning the key once unlocks the driver's 
door and the fuel filler flap.
2.Turning the key a second time unlocks the 
remaining doors and the liftgate.
Convenient opening and closing
You can use the door lock to operate the win-
dows and the glass sunroof
*/panoramic glass 
sunroof
*.
Turn and hold the key in the positions for 
unlocking or locking.
Watch during the closing process to be 
sure that no one is injured. Rotating the 
key back into the initial position stops the 
movement.<
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can 
turn a key all the way to the right or left in the 
door lock to lock or unlock the driver's door. 

Opening and closing
34 The liftgate closes automatically when you 
press the button on the inside of the liftgate.
To stop the closing process:
>Press the button on the inside of the lift-
gate.
>Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate.
Closing is not canceled when you put the 
vehicle into motion.<
The tailgate also closes automatically 
without pressing the button if it is loaded 
with an additional weight of approx. 11 lbs./5 kg, 
e.g. snow or ice.<
Manually opening or closing
In case of an electrical malfunction:
1.Push out cover 1 on the liftgate with a 
screwdriver.
2.Push the catch 2 in the direction of the 
arrow.
3.Open or close the liftgate slowly and with-
out making sudden movements.
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the liftgate is 
opened
>To movements in the vehicle: interior 
motion sensor, refer to page35
>To changes in the vehicle's tilt if someone 
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the 
vehicle
>To interruptions in battery voltage
Unauthorized operations are briefly signaled by 
the alarm system:
>With an acoustic alarm
>By switching on
 the hazard warning flashers
>By flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
With the system armed, the liftgate can also be 
opened using the  button of the remote con-
trol, refer to page28. When the liftgate is 
closed, it is once again locked and monitored.
Switching off alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote control, 
refer to page28.
>Insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock. 

Controls
 61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic Hold
The concept
This function assists you as you drive by auto-
matically setting and releasing the parking 
brake, e.g. when you are stopped at a traffic sig-
nal or in stop-and-go traffic. 
When Automatic Hold is activated, the vehicle is 
automatically held in place when standing. 
When driving up inclines, the system prevents 
your vehicle from rolling backward in an undes-
ired way.
After the engine is started, the system can be 
activated and deactivated at any time the 
driver's seat is occupied until the next time the 
engine is switched off.
Activating
Press the button. The LED in the button lights 
up and the indication AUTO H appears in the 
instrument panel.
Automatic Hold is activated.
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic 
Hold, the indicator light in the instru-
ment panel also lights up in green.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
Deactivating
Press the button again, the LED in the button 
and the indication AUTO H in the instrument 
panel go out.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold, 
then press on the brake pedal to deactivate it.When the parking brake is set manually, refer to 
page60, Automatic Hold is automatically deac-
tivated.
Driving
With Automatic Hold activated, the vehicle is 
automatically prevented from rolling after it 
comes to a stop.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up in green.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
If the transmission is in a drive position, simply 
press on the gas pedal to begin driving. The 
brake is automatically released and the indica-
tor lamp goes out.
Before driving into the car wash, deacti-
vate Automatic Hold; otherwise, the park-
ing brake will be automatically set after stop-
ping and the vehicle can no longer roll.<
Parking
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold 
and you switch off the motor, the parking brake 
is automatically set.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel changes from green to red.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
The parking brake is not set if you have 
already switched off the engine while the 
vehicle is rolling to a stop.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.<
You can manually release the parking brake 
even after switching off the motor as long as the 
remote control remains in the ignition lock, refer 
to page60. Use this function in car washes, for 
example.
When leaving the vehicle, always take 
along the remote control; this precaution 
prevents children from releasing the parking 
brake, for example.< 

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. 

Controls
 73Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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.<