
Controls
 63Reference
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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
 65Reference
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With the transmission position M/S 
selected, the manual mode remains 
active.<
>Upshifting: pull on one of the shifting pad-
dles, arrows +.
>Downshifting: press on one of the shifting 
paddles, arrows –.
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.
Turn signals/headlamp 
flasher/high beams
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To switch off manually, press the lever up to the 
resistance point.Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator 
lamp indicates that a turn signal bulb 
needs to be replaced.<
Signaling briefly
Press lever to resistance point and hold for as 
long as you wish to signal.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever up to the resistance point. The 
turn signal flashes three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Triple turn signal"
 Triple turn signal activation is activated and 
is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Washer/wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating intermittent wipe or 
the rain sensor
 
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps* 

Controls
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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
70 action or apply the brakes if necessary, espe-
cially when the system is actively following a 
vehicle in front of you. Otherwise, driving condi-
tions can result which lead to a violation of the 
law or elevated risk of an accident.
The minimum initial activation speed is 20 mph/
30 km/h, and the maximum speed is 110 mph/
180 km/h. However, you can also activate the 
system while stopped, refer to While standing, 
page71.
One lever for all functions
1Storing and increasing the desired speed
2Storing and reducing the desired speed
3Interrupting the system, refer to page71, or 
deactivating the system, refer to page72
4Retrieving the stored desired speed and 
distance, refer to page71, or driving away, 
refer to While standing, page71
5Selecting the distance to the vehicle ahead 
of you, refer to page70
Storing the current speed
Briefly press, arrow1, or briefly pull, arrow2 
lever.The system stores the current vehicle speed. It 
is indicated on the speedometer and briefly in 
the instrument panel.
Increasing the desired speed
Press or tap the lever up to or beyond the resis-
tance point, arrow1, until the desired speed is 
displayed.
The displayed speed is stored and the vehicle 
reaches the stored speed if the road is clear.
>Each time the button is briefly pressed to 
the resistance point, the desired speed 
increases by approx. 1 mph/1 km/h.
>Each time the button is briefly pressed 
beyond the resistance point, the desired 
speed increases by a maximum of 5 mph/
10 km/h.
Reducing the desired speed
Pull the lever, arrow2, until the desired speed is 
displayed.
The functions are the same as those when 
increasing the desired speed.
Selecting the distance
>Press the rocker down briefly: 
Increase the distance.
>Press the rocker up briefly: 
Decrease the distance. 

Controls
 71Reference
At a glance
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Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The selected distance is displayed in the instru-
ment panel.
Use good judgement to select the appro-
priate following distance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and State driving 
recommendations for safe following distance. 
Otherwise, a violation of the law or risk of an 
accident could result.<
Interrupting the system
Press the lever up or down and additionally 
depress the brake if the vehicle is stationary. 
The mark in the speedometer changes color 
and the distance indicator goes out.
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
>When the safety belt is unbuckled and the 
driver's door is opened while the vehicle is 
stationary
>When the system has not detected objects 
for an extended period, e. g. on a road with 
very little traffic without road edge mark-
ings, or if the radar sensors are dirty, refer to 
page72
If the system is interrupted, actively inter-
vene by braking and, if necessary, with 
evasive maneuvers; otherwise, there is the dan-
ger of an accident occurring.<
Calling up the stored desired speed and 
distance
While driving
Press button4, refer to page68. 
All of the displays in the instrument panel lights 
up.
While standing
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine 
running, engage position P of the auto-
matic transmission and apply the parking brake. 
Otherwise, the vehicle may begin to roll.<
If a vehicle detected ahead of you slows to a halt 
and your vehicle is also brought to a halt by the 
system:
>If the vehicle ahead of you drives away, your 
vehicle accelerates automatically as long as 
mark 1 for the desired speed in the speed-
ometer is green.
>If the vehicle ahead of you drives away when 
mark 1 is orange, depress the accelerator 
briefly or press button 4.
Rolling bars in the distance indicator 3 
mean that the vehicle ahead of you has 
driven away.
If you are standing behind a vehicle with your 
brake pedal depressed and the system is deac-
tivated or interrupted: Distance 1, closest
Distance 2
Distance 3
Distance 4, furthest
This distance is set when you acti-
vate the system. 

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