
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92
Cameras
The lenses of the Top View cameras are on the
undersides of the exterior mirror housings.
The presence of dirt can impair image quality.
Clean the lens with a moist, nonabrasive cloth.
Side View*
The concept
Side View provides an early look at cross traffic
at blind driveways and intersections. Road
users concealed by obstacles to the left and
right of the vehicle can only be detected from
the driver's seat at the last minute. To improve
visibility, two cameras in the front of the vehicle
record the traffic situation on each side.
System limits
The maximum detection range of the cameras
is 330 ft/100 m.
Display
The images from both cameras are shown
simultaneously on the Control Display.
Check the traffic situation around the
vehicle on blind driveways and intersec-
tions with your own eyes. Otherwise, an acci-
dent could result from road users or objects
located outside the picture area of the Side
View cameras.<
Automatic deactivation
The system switches off: above approx. 9 mph/
15 km/h. If needed, switch the system back on.
Switching on/off manually
Press the button.
Image on the Control Display
The traffic area to the left and right is displayed
on the Control Display.
Guidelines at the bottom of the image show the
position of the front of the vehicle.
Brightness
With the Side View switched on:
1.Select the symbol.
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is displayed and then press the controller.
Contrast
With the Side View switched on:
1.Select the symbol.
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is displayed and then press the controller.

Controls
107Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags
3Side airbags
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
observe the adjustment instructions on
page42.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered in
every impact situation, e.g. less severe acci-
dents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way.
Keep the instrument cluster and window in the
region of the passenger seat free of foreign
materials, i.e. do not cover them with adhesive
film or covers and do not attach mounts, e.g. for
a navigation device or mobile phone to them.
Do not install cosmetic covers, seat cushions,
or other items on the front seats that are not
especially approved for seats with integrated
side airbags. Do not hang articles of clothing
such as jackets over the backrests.Do not attempt to remove the airbag restraint
system from the vehicle. Do not modify or
tamper with either the wiring or the individual
components in the airbag system. This includes
the upholstery in the center of the steering
wheel, on the instrument cluster, the doors, and
the roof pillars as well as the sides of the head-
liner. Do not attempt to remove or dismantle the
steering wheel. Do not touch the individual
components immediately after the system has
been triggered, because there is a danger of
burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel and has
the required explosives licenses. Otherwise
unprofessional attempts to service the system
could lead to failure in an emergency or undes-
ired airbag triggering, either of which could
result in personal injury.<
Warnings and information on the airbags is also
provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passenger seat. The front and
side airbags on the front passenger side are
activated or deactivated accordingly by the sys-
tem.
The current status of the front passenger
airbag, i.e. deactivated or activated, is

Controls
117Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic climate control with 2-zone control
1Seat heating and ventilation, driver's
side50
2Temperature, left side of passenger com-
partment
3AUTO program
4Temperature, right side of passenger com-
partment
5Maximum cooling
6Seat heating
and ventilation, front passen-
ger side50
7Passenger side
>Air distribution, manual
>Accessing setting for ventilation tem-
perature on the Control Display
8Switching cooling function on and off man-
ually9AUC Automatic recirculated-air control/
recirculated-air mode
10Manual air volume, switching off automatic
climate control, residual heat
11Rear window defroster
12Defrosting windows and removing conden-
sation
13Air grill for interior temperature sensor –
please keep clear and unobstructed
14Driver's side
>Air distribution, manual
>Accessing setting for ventilation tem-
perature on the Control Display
The current setting for manual air distribution is
displayed on the Control Display.
A congenial climate
The AUTO program offers the optimum air dis-
tribution and air volume for virtually all condi-
tions, refer to AUTO program below. Now you
only need to select an interior temperature
comfortable for you.
The following sections contain more detailed
information on the available setting options.
Most settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use, also refer to Personal Profile
settings on page26.AUTO program
The AUTO program handles the
adjustment of air volume and air
distribution to the windshield and
side windows, in the direction of
the upper body and in the footwell.
It also adapts your instructions for the tempera-
ture to outside influences throughout the year.
The cooling is switched on automatically with
the AUTO program. At the same time, a con-
densation sensor controls the program in such
a way that window condensation is prevented
as much as possible.

Practical interior accessories
128
Center armrest front
A storage compartment is located under the
armrest between the front seats and, depend-
ing on the vehicle's equipment, also a cover for
the mobile phone bracket or the snap-in
adapter. Also refer to page212.
Opening cover
Push cover down slightly and press the button.
The cover folds upward.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks
over the vehicle's speaker system:
>AUX-IN connection, refer to page192
>USB audio interface, refer to page192
Storage compartments
Compartments are located in the doors, in the
center console in the front and rear
* as well as
in the rear console in the X6.
Storage nets
* are located on the backrests of
the front seats.
Do not stow hard or sharp-edged objects
in the storage nets; otherwise there is an
increased risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent.<
Clothes hooks
When hanging clothing on the hooks,
ensure that it will not obstruct the driver's
vision. Do not hang heavy objects on the hooks.
If you do so, they could cause personal injury to occupants during braking or evasive maneu-
vers.<
BMW X5
Clothes hooks are located near the grab han-
dles in the rear.
BMW X6
To fold out, press against upper edge.
Cupholders
Use lightweight, unbreakable containers
and do not transport hot beverages; oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the
event of an accident. Do not force unsuitable
containers into the cupholders, as otherwise
damage can result.<
Front
Slide the cover back.

Mobility
257Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnostics interface
The chief components that make up the emis-
sions content can be checked by a device that
uses the OBD socket.
This socket is located to the left on the driver's
side, on the underside of the instrument cluster
under a cover.
Emissions
The warning lamp lights up:
The vehicle is producing higher emis-
sions. Continued driving is possible.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible.
The lamp flashes under certain conditions. This
is a sign of excessive misfiring of the engine. In
this case, you should reduce your speed and
proceed to the nearest BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center. Heavy engine misfiring causes
serious damage to the emission-relevant com-
ponents, especially the catalytic converter,
within a short time.
The warning lamp lights up if the fuel
cap has not been properly tightened
and the OBD system detects the
escape of fuel vapors. Check that the fuel cap is
correctly seated and tighten it until you hear a
clearly audible click.
Data memory
Your vehicle records data on vehicle operation,
malfunctions and user settings. These data are
stored in the vehicle and in part in the remote
control and can be read out by suitable devices
during service, for example. The read data are
used to assist in servicing and repairing your
vehicle or for the optimization and continued development of vehicle functions. In addition, if
you signed a service contract for Assist, certain
vehicle data can be sent directly from the vehi-
cle to facilitate the desired services.

Everything from A - Z
294 Breaking-in rear axle
differential138
Break-in period138
Brightness
– of Control Display86
– on Head-up Display109
Button for starting engine58
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
Calibrating driver's seat49
California Proposition 65
Warning6
Call
– accepting215
– ending216
– rejecting216
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing216
Calling, refer to the telephone
owner's manual
Camera
– refer to Rear view camera93
– refer to Top View90
Camera, Side View93
Can holder, refer to
Cupholders128
Capacities284
Capacity of cargo area283
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery270Care258
– car-care products258
– carpets260
– car washes258
– CD/DVD-player261
– chrome components259
– displays260
– exterior258
– fine wooden
components260
– hand washing259
– headlamps259
– high-pressure cleaning
jets259
– interior260
– leather260
– light-alloy wheels259
– paint259
– plastic components260
– rubber gaskets259
– running boards260
– safety belts260
– sensors and cameras260
– upholstery materials and
cloth-covered paneling260
– windows259
Cargo
– refer to Loading140
– securing142
– securing with ski bag135
Cargo area
– capacity283
– emergency actuation, refer
to Manually opening or
closing34
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually31
– expanding132
– opening
33
– opening/closing, refer to
Liftgate30,33
– opening/closing, refer to
Tailgate32
– opening from inside31
– opening from outside31
– opening with remote
control28
Cargo area, refer to Cargo
area131Cargo area cover, refer to
Luggage compartment
roller cover131
Caring for the vehicle
finish259
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
control26
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest, front128
– refer to separate operating
instructions
Car phone, refer to
Telephone212
Car radio, refer to Radio171
Car wash258
– before driving in59
– with Comfort Access36
Car washes258
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system139
CBC Cornering Brake
Control95
CBS Condition Based
Service256
CD, audio playback180
CD, refer to Playing audio
tracks, DVD system in
rear202
CD/DVD changer
– magazine, loading183
CD-/DVD player in rear197
CD changer179,183
– controls168
– fast forward/reverse181
– random play sequence180
– selecting a track180
– switching on/off168
– tone control168
– volume168
CD player179
– controls168
– fast forward/reverse181
– random play sequence180
– selecting a track180
– switching on/off168
– tone control168
– volume168

Everything from A - Z
296 Data memory257
Data transfer230
Date76
– display format85
– retrieving76
– setting85
Daytime driving lamps112
Defrosting windows118
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation118
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows118
Deleting a trip157
Destination, entering by town/
city name149
Destination address
– entering149,155
Destination entry using BMW
Assist153
Destination for navigation
– entering149
– entering by voice155
– entering via map154
Destination guidance158
– bypassing a route
section159
– changing specified
route158
– continuing158
– starting158
– voice instructions160
– volume of voice
instructions160
Diesel exhaust fluid
– at low temperatures237
– at minimum236
– refilling yourself237
Diesel particulate filter139
Digital clock76
Digital compass125
Digital radio, refer to HD
Radio172
Dimensions281
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals65
Direction announcements,
refer to Voice
instructions160Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book151
Displacement, refer to Engine
data280
Display, refer to iDrive16
Displaying images204
Displaying special
destinations154
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting115
Displays, refer to Instrument
panel12
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-up
Display109
Disposal
– battery of remote control
with Comfort Access37
– battery of the remote
control, DVD system in
rear198
– vehicle battery270
Distance, refer to
Computer79
Distance, selecting for active
cruise control70
Distance control, refer to
Active cruise control68
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer79
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control88
Door entry lighting115
Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control26
Door lock29
Door locking, confirmation
signals28
Doors
– manual operation29
– remote control28
DOT Quality Grades247
Downhill driving assistance,
refer to HDC97
Draft-free ventilation120
Drinks holder, refer to
Cupholders128
Drive-off assistant99Driver's seat, calibrating49
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams111
Driving on poor roads143
Driving stability control
systems95
Driving through water140
Driving tips, refer to General
driving notes138
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function119
Drying the air, refer to Cooling
function119
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control95
– indicator lamp13,96
DSC OFF, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control95
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control96
– activating96
– indicator lamp97
DVD
– country codes181
– settings182
– video playback181
DVD changer183
– malfunctions184
DVD changer, refer to CD
changer179
DVD menu182
DVD player, refer to CD
player179
DVD system in rear196
– CD/DVD player197
– connecting headphones197
– controls196
– displaying images from CD/
DVD204
– DVD country codes199
– external device207
– information on CD/DVD
player205
– playing audio tracks from
CD/DVD202
– playing video from CD/
DVD199
– remote control197
– switching on/off198

Reference 297
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
DVD video181
Dynamic destination
guidance159
Dynamic Performance
Control97
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC95
Dynamic Traction, refer to
Dynamic Traction
Control96
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC96
E
Easy entry/exit53
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD/DVD player168
Electrical malfunction
– door lock29
– driver's door29
– fuel filler flap234
– liftgate31
– parking brake62
Electric seat43
Electric steering wheel
adjustment53
Electronic brake-force
distribution95
Electronic oil level check253
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock29
– driver's door29
– fuel filler flap234
– liftgate31
Emergency request273
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance274Engine
– breaking-in138
– data280
– oil temperature77
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature77
– speed280
– starting59
– starting, with Comfort
Access36
– switching off59
Engine compartment252
Engine coolant255
Engine oil
– adding254
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils255
– approved engine oil255
– checking oil level253
– electronic oil level check253
– temperature77
Engine oil temperature77
Engine output, refer to Engine
data280
Engine speed280
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine59
Entering special destinations
by name153
Entertainment sound output
on/off168
Entry map for destination154
Equalizer, tone setting169
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control95
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system139
Extended connectivity of the
music player in the mobile
phone192Exterior mirrors51
– adjusting51
– automatic dimming
feature52
– automatic heating51
– folding in and out51
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror52
External audio device128
External devices
– random sequence194
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting276
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control82
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts48
– warning lamp48
Fastest route for
navigation158
Fast forward
– CD changer181
– CD player181
Fault displays, refer to Check
Control82
Filler neck for washer fluid67
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit273
First-aid kit273
Fixing system, adaptive133
Flashing during locking/
unlocking, refer to Setting
confirmation signals28
Flat tire
– changing wheels268
– compact wheel268
– Flat Tire Monitor99
– run-flat tires100,103,249
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor101
Flat Tire Monitor FTM99
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid67