
Displaying the button assignment
Use a finger to touch the buttons. Do not wear
gloves or use objects.
The 
key assignment is displayed at the top edge
of the screen. ▷
To display short information: touch the but‐
ton.
▷ To display detailed information: touch the
button for an extended period.
Entering letters and numbers
1. Turn the controller: select letters or num‐
bers.
2. Select additional letters or numbers if
needed.
3. "OK": confirm the entry. Symbol Function
  Press the controller: delete the letter
or number.   Press the controller for an extended
period: delete all letters or numbers.   Enter a blank space.
Switching between letters and
numbers
Depending on the menu, you can switch be‐
tween entering letters and numbers.
Symbol Function
  Enter the letters.
  Enter the numbers. Switching between upper and lower
case letters
Depending on the menu, you can switch be‐
tween entering uppercase and lowercase let‐
ters.
Symbol Function
       Move the controller forward:
switch from upper to lower case
letters.        Move the controller forward:
switch from lower to upper case
letters. Entry comparison
Entry of names and addresses: the selection is
narrowed 
down every time a letter is entered and
letters may be added automatically.
The entries are continuously compared to the
data stored in the vehicle.
▷ Only those letters are offered during the en‐
try for which data is available.
▷ Destination search: town/city names can be
entered 
using the spelling of language avail‐
able on the Control Display.
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls
At a glance   

Voice activation system*
The concept
▷
The voice activation system can be used to
operate 
functions by means of spoken com‐
mands. The system prompts you to make
your entries.
▷ Functions that can only be used when the
vehicle 
is stationary cannot be operated us‐
ing the voice activation system.
▷ The system uses a special microphone lo‐
cated 
in the area of the interior rearview mir‐
ror.
▷ ›...‹ Verbal instructions in the Owner's
Manual 
to use with the voice activation sys‐
tem.
Requirements
Via the Control Display, set a language that is
also supported by the voice activation system
so 
that the spoken commands can be identified.
Set the language, refer to page  80.
Using voice activation
Activating the voice activation system
1.   Press the button on the steering
wheel.
2. Wait for the signal.
3. Say the command.
The command appears on the Control Dis‐
play.   The symbol on the Control Display indicates
that the voice activation system is active.
If no other commands are available, continue
operating the function via iDrive. Terminating the voice activation
system
Briefly press the button on the steering wheel
or ›Cancel‹.
Possible commands
Most 
menu items on the Control Display can be
voiced as commands.
The available commands depend on the menu
that is currently displayed on the Control Dis‐
play.
The functions of the main menu have short com‐
mands.
Some list items, such as the phone book en‐
tries*, can also be selected via the voice activa‐
tion system. Say the list items exactly as they are
displayed on the list.
Having possible commands read aloud
To have the available commands read out
loud: ›Voice commands‹
For example, if the "Settings" menu is displayed,
the commands for the settings are read out loud.
Executing functions using short
commands
Functions on the main menu can be performed
directly by means of short commands, irrespec‐
tive of which menu item is currently selected, for
instance ›Vehicle status‹.
List of short commands of the voice activation
system, refer to page  295.
Help dialog for the voice activation
system
Calling up help dialog: ›Help‹
Additional commands for the help dialog:
▷ ›Help with examples‹: information about the
current operating options and the most im‐
portant 
commands for them are announced.
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Voice activation system 

▷
›Help with voice activation‹: information
about 
the principle of operation for the voice
activation system is announced.
Example: playing back a CD
1. Switch on the Entertainment sound output
if necessary.
2.   Press the button on the steering
wheel.
3. ›C D and multimedia‹
The medium last played is played back.
4.   Press the button on the steering
wheel.
5. ›C D track ...‹ e.g., CD track 4.
Setting the voice dialog
You 
 can set whether the system should use the
standard dialog or a shorter version.
In the shorter variant of the voice dialog, the an‐
nouncements from the system are issued in an
abbreviated form.
On the Control Display:
1. "Settings"
2. "Language/Units"
3. "Speech mode:"
4. Select the setting. Adjusting the volume
Turn 
the volume button while giving an instruc‐
tion until the desired volume is set.
▷ The volume remains constant even if the
volume of other audio sources is changed.
▷ The volume is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Notes on Emergency
Requests
Do 
 not use the voice activation system to initiate
an Emergency Request. In stressful situations,
the voice and vocal pitch can change. This can
unnecessarily delay the establishment of a tel‐
ephone connection.
Instead, use the SOS button*, refer to
page  280, in the vicinity of the interior mirror.
Environmental conditions
▷ Say the commands, numbers, and letters
smoothly and with normal volume, empha‐
sis, and speed.
▷ Always say commands in the language of
the voice activation system.
▷ When selecting a radio station, use the com‐
mon pronunciation of the station name.
▷ Keep doors, windows and */panoramic
glass sunroof* closed to prevent noise in‐
terference.
▷ Avoid making other noise in the vehicle
while speaking.
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls
At a glance   

The individual settings are stored for a maximum
of 
four remote controls. They are stored for two
remote controls if Comfort Access* is in use.
Personal Profile settings
The following functions and settings can be
stored in a profile.
More information on the settings can be found
under:
▷ Assigning the programmable memory but‐
tons, refer to page  22.
▷ Response of the central locking system
when the car is being unlocked, refer to
page  30.
▷ Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to
page  33.
▷ Driver's seat, exterior mirror and steering
wheel positions*, refer to page  53.
▷ Settings for the display on the Control Dis‐
play and in the instrument cluster:
▷12h/24h clock format, refer to
page  79.
▷ Date format, refer to page  79.
▷ Brightness of the Control Display, refer
to page  80.
▷ Language on the Control Display, refer
to page  80.
▷ Units of measure for fuel consumption,
distance covered/remaining distances,
and temperature, refer to page  80.
▷ Show visual warning for the Park Distance
Control PDC*, refer to page  111.
▷ Show visual warning for Top View*, refer to
page  114.
▷ Show Side View*, refer to page  116.
▷ Backup camera*:
▷Function selection, refer to page  113.
▷ Type of display, refer to page  114.
▷ Lane departure warning*: last setting, on/
off, refer to page  93.
▷ Head-up Display*: selection, brightness and
position of the display, refer to page  117.▷
Adaptive Drive*: selected chassis and sus‐
pension tuning, refer to page  99.
▷ Light settings:
▷Triple turn signal activation, refer to
page  66.
▷ Welcome lamps, refer to page  81.
▷ Headlamp courtesy delay feature, refer
to page  81.
▷ Daytime running lights, refer to
page  82.
▷ High-beam Assistant*, refer to
page  83.
▷ Automatic climate control with 2-zone con‐
trol: settings, refer to page  120.
▷ Navigation:
▷Voice activation, refer to page  163.
▷ Route criteria, refer to page  161.
▷ Map view settings, refer to page  164.
▷ Entertainment:
▷Tone control, refer to page  172.
▷ Radio, stored stations, refer to
page  180.
▷ CD/multimedia, audio source listened to
last, refer to page  181.
▷ Telephone: volume, refer to page  220.
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system becomes active
when the driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and re‐
leases the locks on the following:
▷ Doors.
▷ Tailgate.
▷ Fuel filler flap.
Operating from the outside
▷ Via the remote control.
▷ Via the door lock*.
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance   

Language
Setting the language
To set the language on the Control Display:
1.
"Settings"
2. "Language/Units"
3. "Language:" 4.
Select the desired language.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Setting the voice dialog
To 
switch between a standard dialog and a short
dialog.
1. "Settings"
2. "Language/Units"
3. "Speech mode"
4. Select the desired dialog. Units of measure
Setting the units of measure
To 
set the units for fuel consumption, route/dis‐
tance, temperature, and pressure: 1.
"Settings"
2. "Language/Units" 3.
Select the desired menu item.
4. Select the desired unit.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Brightness
Setting the brightness
To set the brightness of the Control Display:
1. "Settings"
2. "Control display"
3. "Brightness" 4.
Turn the controller until the desired bright‐
ness is set.
5. Press the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Depending on the light conditions, the bright‐
ness control may not be clearly visible.
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Displays 

Digital compass*
1
Adjustment button
2 Display
The display shows you the main or secondary
compass direction in which you are driving. Operating concept
Various functions can be called up by pressing
the adjustment button with a pointed object
such 
as a pen. The following adjustment options
are displayed one after the other, depending on
how long the adjustment button is pressed:
▷ Press briefly: switch the display on/off.
▷ 3 to 6 seconds: set the compass zone.
▷ 6 to 9 seconds: calibrate the compass.
▷ 9 to 12 seconds: set left-hand/right hand
steering.
▷ 12 to 15 seconds: set the language.
Setting compass zones
Set the compass zone corresponding to the ve‐
hicle's 
 geographic location so that the compass can function correctly; refer to the world map
with compass zones.Press the adjustment button for 3‑4 seconds.
The number of the compass zone set is shown
in the display.
To change the zone setting, briefly press the
adjustment button repeatedly until the display
shows the number of the compass zone corre‐
sponding to the current location.
The compass is operational again after approx.
10 seconds.
Calibrating the digital compass
The digital compass must be calibrated in the
following situations:
▷
An incorrect compass direction is shown.
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance   

▷
The cardinal direction displayed does not
change even if the direction of travel
changes.
▷ Not all compass directions are shown.
Procedure
1. Make sure that there are no large metal ob‐
jects or overhead power lines in the vicinity
of 
the vehicle and that there is enough space
to drive in a circle.
2. Set the currently valid compass zone.
3. Press the adjustment button for 6‑7 sec‐
onds 
to call up C. Then drive at least one full
circle at a maximum speed of 4 mph/7 km/h.
When the system is calibrated, the C is re‐
placed by the compass directions.
Right-hand/left-hand steering
The 
 digital compass is set for right-hand or left-
hand steering at the factory.
Setting the language
Press the adjustment button for 12‑13 seconds.
Briefly press the adjustment button again to
switch between English "E" and German "O".
The setting is automatically saved after approx.
10 seconds.
Ashtray/cigarette lighter*
Opening
Front To open the cover, slide it forward. Rear
BMW X6
Slide the cover back.
Emptying
Take out the insert.
Lighter
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, press in the cigarette lighter.
The lighter can be removed as soon as it pops
back out.
Danger of burns
Only hold the hot lighter by its head; oth‐
erwise, there is the danger of getting burned.
Switch 
off the ignition and take the remote con‐
trol with you when leaving the vehicle so that
children cannot use the lighter and burn them‐
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Interior equipment 

Specifying the street
If 
the system does not recognize the street, one
of the following pieces of information is dis‐
played:
▷ A street name in the vicinity.
▷ The county.
▷ The coordinates of the destination.
Additional functions
Additional functions are available on the inter‐
active map after the controller is pressed. ▷   Select the symbol.
"Start guidance" or "Add as another
destination"
Add a destination as a further destination,
refer to page  159.
▷ "Exit interactive map": return to the map
view.
▷ "View in northern direction" or "View in
driving direction"
▷ "Display destination": the map section
around the destination is displayed.
▷ "Display current location": the map section
around your current location is displayed.
▷ "Find 
points of interest": the search for spe‐
cial destinations is started.
Destination entry by voice*
General information
▷ Instructions for voice activation system, re‐
fer to page  24. ▷
When making a destination entry by voice,
you can change between voice operation
and iDrive.
▷ To have the available spoken instructions
read out loud: ›Voice commands
‹.
Saying the entries
▷ The town/city, street, and house number
can be entered as a single command
*.
▷ Spell the entry if the spoken language and
the language of the system differ.
▷ Say the letters smoothly, and avoid exag‐
gerating the pronunciation and inserting
lengthy pauses between the letters.
▷ The methods of entry depend on the navi‐
gation data in use and the country and lan‐
guage settings.
Entering an address using a command*
1.   Press the button on the steering
wheel.
2. ›Enter address‹
3. Wait for a request from the system.
4. Say the address in the suggested order.
5. Continue making the entry as prompted by
the system.
If 
necessary, individually name the separate
components of the address, e.g., the town/
city.
Entering a town/city separately
The 
 town/city can be said as a complete word*.
With the destination entry menu displayed:
1.   Press the button on the steering
wheel.
2. ›City‹ or ›Spell city‹
3. Wait for the system to prompt you for the
town/city.
4. Say the name of the town/city, or name at
least the first three letters.
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Destination entry