Controls
61Reference
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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.<
Controls
63Reference
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Mobility
Procedure
1.Switch on the ignition.
2.Press the button with the brake depressed.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
panel goes out as soon as the parking
brake is ready for operation again.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
Any noises which occur are normal. Startup
may take several seconds.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to
page64.
Transmission positions
P R N D M/S + –
To prevent the vehicle from creeping
after you select a driving position, main-
tain pressure on the brake pedal until you are
ready to start.<
Displays in instrument panel
The transmission position is indicated and, in
manual mode, the gear currently engaged, e.g.
M3.
Engaging transmission position
>You can only engage transmission posi-
tions D, R or N when the engine is running.>With the vehicle stationary, depress the
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N;
otherwise the shift command will not be
executed: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping
after you select a driving position,
maintain pressure on the brake pedal until
you are ready to start.<
Shifting into D, R, N
Briefly press the selector lever in the desired
direction, beyond a resistance point if neces-
sary. When shifting out of P or into R, simulta-
neously push the unlock button1.
The engaged transmission position is displayed
on the selector lever.
The selector lever immediately returns to the
center position when released.
Engaging P
Press buttonP.
Also observe the additional information on the
automatic transmission.
The transmission automatically shifts into
park if you release the driver's safety belt
and open the driver's door with the engine run-
ning while in reverse or drive.<
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
67Reference
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Mobility
Do not use washing mechanisms when
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, other-
wise you will damage the washer pump.<
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. For
this reason, keep it away from ignition
sources and store only in the closed original
container out of reach of children. Otherwise,
there is the danger of bodily injury. Always
observe the instructions for use provided on the
containers.<
Filler neck for washer fluid
Only add washer fluid with the engine
cooled down to exclude contact with hot
engine components. Otherwise there is a dan-
ger of fire and to personal safety if the fluid is
spilled.<
All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser-
voir.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix
the washer fluid before filling.<
Capacity
Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
The cruise control with a braking function is
available for use at speeds of approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h and higher. The vehicle stores and
maintains the speed that you set using the lever
mounted on the steering column. To keep the
specified speed constant, the system brakes if
the engine braking effect is not sufficient on a
downhill grade.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g. when driving on winding
roads, in heavy traffic or in poor road conditions
such as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface.
Otherwise you could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident.<
One lever for all functions
1Maintaining, storing and increasing the
speed
2Maintaining, storing and reducing the
speed
3Interrupting and deactivating the system
4Resuming stored speed
Maintaining, storing and increasing the
speed
Press the lever to the resistance point, arrow1:
The system maintains and stores the current
vehicle speed. The display1 in the speedome-
ter shows the controlled speed, refer to
page68.
Each time the lever is pressed, the speed
increases by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
Driving
68 Press the lever to the resistance point for an
extended period:
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. When you release the
lever, the system maintains and stores the cur-
rent speed.
Press the lever beyond the resistance point:
Increase the speed by a maximum of 5 mph or
10 km/h to the next position on the speedome-
ter.
Press the lever beyond the resistance point for
an extended period:
The vehicle accelerates more rapidly.
Maintaining, storing and reducing the
speed
Pull the lever, arrow2:
The functions are the same as1, only that the
speed is reduced.
Interrupting the system
Press the lever up or down, arrow3:
The display1 in the speedometer change color;
refer to page68.
In addition, the system is interrupted:
>When the brakes are applied
>When transmission position D is disen-
gaged
>When DTC is activated or DSC is deacti-
vated
>When DSC is activated
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up if the
cruise control has been deactivated
automatically, e.g. by a control inter-
vention of the DSC. A message appears on the
Control Display.
Resuming cruising speed
Press button4:
The stored speed is resumed and maintained.
Deactivating the system
>Press the lever up or down twice, arrow3.>Switch off the ignition
The stored speed is cleared.
Displays in instrument panel
1Stored desired speed
>Green: the system is active.
>Orange: the system is interrupted.
2Selected desired speed appears briefly
If --- mph or --- km/h appears briefly in
the instrument panel, the conditions nec-
essary for operation may currently not be met.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up if the sys-
tem has failed. A message appears on
the Control Display. Detailed informa-
tion is provided from page82.
Active cruise control*
With active cruise control you can select a
desired speed which is then automatically
maintained when driving on open roadways and
is varied to maintain a selected distance setting
to slower moving vehicles ahead.
Active cruise control represents a technological
advance over the familiar cruise control and is a
welcome relief from the constant adjustment of
speed that can accompany driving in traffic on
highways or other high-speed thoroughfares.
Especially on longer trips and in traffic conges-
tion, the system can reduce fatigue and tension,
while increasing your enjoyment of driving.
Please use it safely and responsibly.
In addition to holding a steady cruising speed, if
you encounter slower vehicles ahead, active
Driving
72 1.Select the desired speed using the lever,
arrow 1 or arrow 2, or press button 4 to
retrieve a stored speed.
2.Release the brake pedal.
3.When the vehicle ahead of you drives away,
press on the accelerator briefly or press
button 4.
Deactivating the system
>When driving, press the lever up or down
twice.
>When stationary, do the same while
depressing the brake pedal.
>Switch off the ignition.
The displays go out, and the stored desired
speed and distance are deleted.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
>Green: the system is active.
>Orange: the system is interrupted.
2Lights up yellow: vehicle detected ahead
Display also used for warnings, please read
all information on warnings.
3Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up as soon as the sys-
tem is activated
The bars roll: the vehicle in front of you has
driven off
4Brief display of stored desired speed
If the display --- mph/---km/h appears
briefly, the conditions necessary for oper-
ation may currently not be met.<
Warning lamps
Display 2 flashes red and a signal
sounds.
The system requests that the you
intervene by braking and carrying
out evasive maneuvers, if neces-
sary. The system cannot independently restore
the distance to the vehicle ahead.
This display does not relieve the driver of the
responsibility to adapt his or her desired driving
speed and style to the traffic conditions.
Display 2 flashes yellow.
The conditions necessary for
operation of the system are no
longer met, e. g. due to ABS or
DSC intervention. The system
applies the brakes until you actively assume
control.
Radar sensor
Position
The radar sensor is integrated in the bumper.
Dirty or covered sensor
A dirty or covered sensor may hinder the detec-
tion of vehicles.
>If necessary, clean the radar sensor.
Remove layers of snow and ice carefully.
>Do not cover the view field of the radar sen-
sor.
Malfunction
The system cannot be activated if the radar
sensor is not aligned correctly. This may be
Controls Overview
76
Controls Overview
Odometer, outside
temperature display, clock
1Knob in the instrument cluster
2Time, outside temperature, and date
3Odometer and trip odometer
Knob in the instrument panel
>With ignition switched on
Press knob:
Resetting trip odometer
Press the knob for approx. 5 seconds:
Displaying service requirements, refer to
page79
>With ignition switched off
Press knob:
Briefly displaying time, outside temperature
and odometer
Units of measure
To select the respective units of measure, miles
or km for the odometer as well as 7 or 6 for
the outside temperature, refer to page86.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Time, date, outside temperature
From radio readiness the outside temperature
and the time are displayed.
Setting the time, refer to page85.
Retrieving date
Press the button on turn signal lever upward;
the date appears.
To set the date, refer to page85.
Pressing the button upward or downward sev-
eral times changes the display between clock,
outside temperature, date, and Check Control
messages, refer to page84.
Outside temperature warning
If the display drops to +377/+36, a signal
sounds and a warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. There is
an increased danger of ice.
Even at temperatures above +377/
+36 ice can form. Therefore, drive care-
fully, e.g. on bridges and sections of road in the
shade, otherwise there is an increased accident
risk.<
Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting trip odometer:
Press knob 1 in the instrument panel with the
ignition switched on.
When vehicle is parked
To briefly display the time, outside temperature
and mileage after the remote control has been
removed from the ignition lock:
Press knob 1 in the instrument panel.
Controls
79Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Opening the computer via iDrive
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Onboard info" or "Trip computer"
Displays on the "Onboard info":
>Cruising range
>Distance from destination
>Estimated time of arrival if:
>Entering a distance manually in the com-
puter, see below.
>A destination was entered in the naviga-
tion system
*, refer to page149.
Displays on the "Trip computer":
>Departure time
>Trip duration
>Trip distance
Both displays show:>The average speed and
>The average fuel consumption.
Resetting the fuel consumption and
speed
You can reset the values for the average speed
and average fuel consumption:
1.Select the respective menu item and press
the controller.
2.To confirm your selection, press the con-
troller again.
Resetting the trip computer
You can reset all values:
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Trip computer"
3."Reset"
Service requirements
The remaining driving distance and the date for
the next maintenance are displayed briefly with
the ignition switched on.
To determine the extent of maintenance
required, you can also display the remaining
distance or the service date individually in the
instrument panel.