Storage compartmentsVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Information WARNING
Loose objects in the car's interior can be
thrown into the car's interior while driving, e.g.
in the event of an accident or during braking
and evasive maneuvers. There is risk of inju‐
ries. Secure loose objects in the car's inte‐
rior.◀
CAUTION
Anti-slip pads such as anti-slip mats can
damage the dashboard. There is risk of prop‐
erty damage. Do not use anti-slip pads.◀
Storage compartments The following storage compartments are avail‐
able in the vehicle interior:▷Glove compartment on the front passenger
side, refer to page 173.▷Glove compartment on the driver's side,
refer to page 174.▷Compartments in the doors, refer to
page 174.▷Storage compartment on the center con‐
sole, refer to page 174.▷Center armrest, refer to page 174.▷Glasses compartment, refer to page 175.
Glove compartment
Front passenger side
Information WARNING
Folded open, the glove compartment
protrudes in the car's interior. Objects in the glove compartment can be thrown into the
car's interior while driving, e.g. in the event of
an accident or during braking and evasive ma‐
neuvers. There is risk of injuries. Always close
the glove compartment immediately after us‐ ing it.◀
Opening
Pull the handle.
The light in the glove compartment switches
on.
ClosingFold cover closed.
Locking
The glove compartment can be locked with an
integrated key. This prevents access to the
glove compartment.
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After the glove compartment is locked, the re‐
mote control can be handed over, such as at a
hotel, without the integrated key.
Driver's side
Information WARNING
Folded open, the glove compartment
protrudes in the car's interior. Objects in the
glove compartment can be thrown into the
car's interior while driving, e.g. in the event of
an accident or during braking and evasive ma‐
neuvers. There is risk of injuries. Always close
the glove compartment immediately after us‐
ing it.◀
Opening
Pull the handle.
ClosingFold cover closed.
Compartments in the doors WARNING
Breakable object, e.g. glass bottle, can
break in the event of an accident. Broken glass
can be scattered in the car's interior. There is
risk of injuries. Do not stow any breakable ob‐
jects in the car's interior.◀
Storage compartment on the
center console
Opening
Slide the cover forward.
Closing Slide the cover rearward.
Small storage compartment
Storage possibility for small objects, e.g.,
coins.
Center armrest Front
Overview
Located in the center armrest between the
front seats is a storage compartment and de‐
pending on how the vehicle is equipped also
an elastic band on the left side and a cover for
the snap-in adapter.
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Cupholders
Information WARNING
Unsuitable containers in the cup holder
and hot beverages can damage the cup holder
and increase the risk of injuries in the event of
an accident. There is risk of injuries or risk of
property damage. Use light-weight, unbreaka‐
ble, and sealable containers. Do not transport
hot beverages. Do not force objects into the
cup holder.◀
Front
Overview
In the center console.
Slide the cover forward.
Two cupholders are located in the center con‐
sole.
Rear
Information CAUTION
With an open cup holder, the center arm‐
rest cannot be folded back up. There is risk of
property damage. Press back the covers be‐
fore the center armrest is folded up.◀
Overview In the center armrest.
Opening1.Pull the loop and fold down the center arm‐
rest.2.Press button.
Closing
Press both covers inward back against each
other.
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Clothes hooksWARNING
Clothing articles on the clothes hooks
can obstruct the view while driving. There is
risk of an accident. When suspending clothing
articles from the hooks, ensure that they will
not obstruct the driver's view.◀
WARNING
Improper use of the clothes hooks can
lead to a danger of objects flying about during
braking and evasive maneuvers. There is risk
of injuries and risk of property damage. Only
hang lightweight objects, e.g. clothing articles,
from the clothes hooks.◀
BMW X5 M:
The clothes hooks are located in the grab han‐
dles in the rear.
BMW X6 M:
Two folding clothes hooks are provided in the
rear of the vehicle. Press sideways onto the
edge to fold open.
Storage compartments in the
trunk
Storage space under cargo floor panel
Fold up the cargo floor panel. The storage
space under the cargo floor panel is subdi‐
vided.
Multi-function hook
WARNING
Improper use of the multifunction hooks
can lead to a danger of objects flying about
during braking and evasive maneuvers. There
is risk of injuries and risk of property damage.
Only hang lightweight objects, e.g. shopping
bags, from the multifunction hooks. Only
transport heavy luggage in the trunk if it has
been appropriately secured.◀
Depending on the installed equipment version,
there are one or two multi-function hooks in
the cargo area.
Retaining strap A retaining strap is available on the left side
trim for fastening small objects.
Net
Smaller objects can be stored in the net on the
left side of the trunk.
Storage compartment on the right
side
A waterproof storage compartment is available
on the right side of the trunk.
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Things to remember when drivingVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Breaking-in period General information
Moving parts need time to adjust to one an‐
other (break-in time).
The following instructions will help accomplish
a long vehicle life and good efficiency.
During break-in, do not use the Launch Con‐
trol, refer to page 84.
Engine, transmission, and axle drive
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but
do not exceed 5,500 rpm and
106 mph/170 km/h.
Avoid full load or kickdown under all circum‐
stances.
At 1,200 miles/2,000 km Have drive-in checkup maintenance per‐
formed.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km to
3,100 miles/5,000 km
The engine and road speed can gradually be
increased to a constant speed of
137 mph/220 km/h.Use the maximum speed of 155 mph/250 km/h
only briefly, e.g., when passing.
Tires
Tire traction is not optimal due to manufactur‐
ing circumstances when tires are brand-new;
they achieve their full traction potential after a
break-in time.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
M Compound brakes require an initial break-in
period of approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve
optimal performance between brake discs and
brake pads. Drive moderately during this
break-in period.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be ob‐
served if any of the components above-men‐
tioned have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Closing the tailgate WARNING
An open tailgate protrudes from the vehi‐
cle and can endanger occupants and other
traffic participants or damage the vehicle in the
event of an accident, braking or evasive ma‐
neuvers. In addition, exhaust fumes may enter
the vehicle interior. There is risk of injuries or
risk of property damage. Do not drive with the
tailgate open.◀
If driving with the tailgate open cannot be
avoided:▷Close all windows and the glass sunroof.Seite 184Driving tipsThings to remember when driving184
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▷Greatly increase the air flow from the vents.▷Drive moderately.
Hot exhaust systemWARNING
During driving operation, high tempera‐
tures can occur underneath the body, e.g.
caused by the exhaust gas system. If combus‐
tible materials, such as leaves or grass, come
in contact with hot parts of the exhaust gas
system, these materials can ignite. There is
risk of injuries or risk of property damage.
Do not remove the heat shields installed and
never apply undercoating to them. Make sure
that no combustible materials can come in
contact with hot vehicle parts in driving opera‐
tion, idle or during parking. Do not touch the
hot exhaust system.◀
Mobile communication devices in the
vehicle
WARNING
Vehicle electronics and mobile phones
can influence one another. There is radiation
due to the send operations of mobile phones.
There is risk of injuries or risk of property dam‐
age. If possible, in the car's interior use only
mobile phones with direct connections to an
exterior antenna in order to exclude mutual
disturbance and deflect the radiation from the
car's interior.◀
Hydroplaning
On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can
form between the tires and road surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplan‐
ing. It is characterized by a partial or complete
loss of contact between the tires and the road
surface, ultimately undermining your ability to
steer and brake the vehicle.
Driving through water
CAUTION
When driving too quickly through too
deep water, water can enter into the engine
compartment, the electrical system or the
transmission. There is risk of property damage.
When driving through water, do not exceed the
maximum indicated water level and the maxi‐
mum speed for driving through water.◀
Drive though calm water only and only if it is
not deeper than 17.6 inches/45 cm and at this
height, no faster than walking speed, up to
3 mph/5 km/h.
Braking safely
Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a stand‐
ard feature.
Applying the brakes fully is the most effective
way of braking in situations needed.
Steering is still responsive. You can still avoid
any obstacles with a minimum of steering ef‐
fort.
The pulsing of the brake pedal indicates that
ABS is in its active mode.
In certain braking situations, the perforated
brake discs can cause functional problems.
However, this has no effect on the perform‐
ance and operational reliability of the brake.
Objects in the movement area around
pedals and floor area
WARNING
Objects in the driver's floor area can limit
the pedal distance or block a depressed pedal.
There is risk of an accident. Stow objects in
the vehicle such that they are secured and
cannot enter into the driver's floor area. Use
floor mats that are suitable for the vehicle and
can be safely attached to the floor. Do not use
loose floor mats and do not layer several floor
mats. Make sure that there is sufficient clear‐
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are securely fastened again after they were re‐
moved, e.g. for cleaning.◀
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet, salted, or in heavy rain,
press brake pedal ever so gently every few
miles.
Ensure that this action does not endanger
other traffic.
The heat generated in this process helps dry
the brake discs and pads.
In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
Hills WARNING
Light but consistent brake pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brakes wearing out
and possibly even brake failure. There is risk of
an accident. Avoid placing excessive stress on
the brake system.◀
WARNING
In idle or with the engine switched off,
safety-relevant functions are restricted or not
available anymore, e.g. braking effect of the
engine or braking force and steering support.
There is risk of an accident. Do not drive in idle
or with the engine switched off.◀
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear that requires least braking efforts. Other‐
wise the brakes may overheat and reduce
brake efficiency.
You can increase the engine's braking effect
by shifting down in sequential mode, refer to
page 81.
Brake disc corrosion Corrosion on the brake discs and contamina‐
tion on the brake pads are furthered by the fol‐
lowing circumstances:▷Low mileage.▷Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.▷Infrequent use of the brakes.
Corrosion will built up when the maximum
pressure applied to the brake pads during
braking is not reached - thus discs don't get
cleaned.
Corrosion buildup on the brake discs will cause
a pulsating effect on the brakes in their re‐
sponse - generally that cannot be corrected.
Condensation under the parked
vehicle
When using the automatic climate control,
condensation water develops collecting under‐
neath the vehicle.
These traces of water under the vehicle are
normal.
Ground clearance CAUTION
If ground clearance is insufficient, there
might be contact with the front or rear spoiler
e.g. when driving over curbs or entering into
underground car parking garages. There is risk
of property damage. Ensure that there is suffi‐
cient ground clearance available.◀
Driving on poor roads The vehicle combines all-wheel drive with the
advantages of a normal automobile.
CAUTION
Objects in unpaved areas, e.g. stones or
branches, can damage the vehicle. There is
risk of property damage. Do not drive on un‐
paved terrain.◀
For your own safety, for the safety of passen‐
gers and of the vehicle, heed the following
points:
▷Become familiar with the vehicle before
starting a trip; do not take risks in driving.Seite 186Driving tipsThings to remember when driving186
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LoadingVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Information WARNING
High gross weight can overheat the tires,
damage them internally, and cause a sudden
drop in tire inflation pressure. There is risk of
an accident. Pay attention to the permitted
load capacity of the tires and never exceed the
permitted gross weight.◀
CAUTION
Fluids in the cargo area can cause dam‐
age. There is risk of property damage. Make
sure that no fluids leak in the cargo area.◀
WARNING
Loose objects in the car's interior can be
thrown into the car's interior while driving, e.g.
in the event of an accident or during braking
and evasive maneuvers. There is risk of inju‐
ries. Secure loose objects in the car's inte‐
rior.◀
Determining the load limit1.Locate the following statement on your ve‐
hicle’s placard:▷The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed XXX kgor YYY lbs. Otherwise, damage to the
vehicle and unstable driving situations
may result.2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or
YYY pounds.4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load ca‐
pacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,000 lbs and there will be four 150 lbs
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity
is 400 lbs: 1,000 lbs minus 600 lbs =
400 lbs.5.Determine the combined weight of lug‐
gage and cargo being loaded on the vehi‐
cle. That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.Seite 188Driving tipsLoading188
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