ABS BMW X6 XDRIVE 2009 E71 Owner's Manual

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
96
Cleaning rear view camera
The lens of the rear view camera is located on
the liftgate.
The picture quality of the rear view camera may
be impaired by dirt. Clean the lens with a moist,
nonabrasive cloth.
The lens is automatically heated in case of frost.
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped wi th an extended array
of systems designed to enhance and maintain
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Braking safely, refer to page 140.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking
during a lane change, dr iving stability and steer-
ing response are improved further.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure st able braking behavior.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short- est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce th
e pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction lo ss in the driving wheels
when starting off and accelerating. The system
also identifies unstable driving conditions, such
as a loss of traction at the rear of the vehicle or
sliding of the vehicle in its front wheels. In these
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe
course within physical lim its by reducing engine
output and through braking actions in the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style remains the responsibility of the driver.
Therefore, do not restrict the additional safety
margin with a risky driving style, as otherwise
there is a risk of an accident. <
Deactivating DSC
Press the button until the DSC indicator lamp in
the instrument panel lights up, but not longer
than approx. 10 seconds. DTC Dynamic Trac-
tion Control and DSC ar e deactivated together.
Stabilizing intervention s are now not carried
out.
A message appears on the Control Display.
Please note any supplementary information
that appears there.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.

Driving tips
139Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
speed. This is the fastest way for the cold
engine to reach its operating temperature.
Thinking ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.
To do so, maintain the appropriate distance
from the vehicle in front of you. An anticipatory
and smooth driving style reduces fuel con-
sumption.
Avoiding high engine speeds
Driving at a low engine speed reduces fuel con-
sumption and minimizes wear.
Taking advantage of coasting
The flow of fuel is interrupted when coasting.
Switching off engine during longer
stops
Switch off the engine at longer stops such as
traffic signals, railroad cr ossings, or in traffic
jams. Even having the en gine switched off for
approx. 4 seconds results in fuel savings.
Switching off functions currently not
required
Functions such as air conditioning, seat heat-
ing, or rear window defrosting consume a lot of
energy and require additional fuel. Their influ-
ence is particularly pron ounced in city traffic
and stop & go operation. For this reason, it is a
good idea to switch th ese functions off when
they are not really needed.
Having maintenance carried out
Have the vehicle serviced regularly in order to
achieve the optimum economy and service life
of your vehicle. BMW recommends having the
maintenance performed by a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center. Also pay attention to
the BMW maintenance system, refer to
page 263.
General driving notes
Closing liftgate
Operate the vehicle only when the liftgate
is completely closed. Otherwise, exhaust
fumes could enter into the passenger compart-
ment. <
If it is absolutely necessa ry to drive with the lift-
gate open:
1. Close all windows as well as the glass sun-
roof
*/panorama glass sunroof*.
2. Increase the air volume of the automatic cli-
mate control to a high level, refer to
page 116.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to it, and neve r apply undercoating to
them. When driving, stan ding at idle and while
parking take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it
the risk of serious property damage as well as
personal injury. Do not touch hot tailpipes, as
otherwise there is a danger of burns. <
Diesel particulate filter*
Soot particles are collected in the diesel partic-
ulate filter and are periodically cleared out
through high-temperature combustion. This
cleaning process lasts fo r several minutes. You
may sometimes notice it by the fact that the
engine temporarily runs a little less smoothly
and requires a somewhat higher engine speed
to achieve the usual powe r. You may also notice
additional sounds and small amounts of smoke
coming from the exhaust, even for a brief time
after switching off the engine.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-

Things to remember when driving
140
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contac
t between the tires and
the road surface, ultima tely undermining your
ability to steer and brake the vehicle. <
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread
depth of the tires decreases, also refer to Mini-
mum tread depth on page 255.
Driving through water
Maximum water depth:
>BMW X5 20 in/50 cm
> BMW X6 17 in/45 cm
Only drive through water up to the above-
mentioned depth at no greater than walk-
ing speed; otherwise, the engine, electrical sys-
tem, and transmission can be damaged. <
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pre ssure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the gear in which the least br
aking is required. Even
light but consistent pressure on the brake pedal
can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and
possibly even brake failure. <
The braking effect of the engine can be further
increased by downshifting in the manual mode
of the automatic transmis sion, if necessary into
first gear, refer to page 71. This prevents an
excessive strain on the brakes.
Do not drive in idle or with the engine
stopped, otherwise there will be no
engine braking action or support of the braking
force and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in op erating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to re spond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic climate
control system during operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page 57,
otherwise they could be damaged due to the
width of the vehicle.
Release the parking brake, particularly when
you have activated Auto matic Hold, refer to
page 67.

Wheels and tires
256
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of partially self-contained
tires and special rims. The sidewall reinforce-
ment ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pr essure drop and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
> With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of
a flat tire page 101
> With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure
page 103
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center or a tire shop that works according to
BMW repair procedures with correspondingly
trained personnel. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam-
age and related safety ha zards. Make sure that
the new wheels are balanced. <
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend that you use
retreaded tires, as driving safety may be
impaired. The causes for this include the possi-
bly different tire casing structures and the often
wide variations in their age, which can result in a
limited service life. <
The right wheels and tires
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. Your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be
happy to advise you.
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical offi cial size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety. <
When changing to larger wheels and tires,
it may be necessary to make changes to
the wheel-well trim piec e, as otherwise road
users could be endangered or the vehicle could
be damaged. Only have th is work carried out by
a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a
workshop that works in accordance with BMW
guidelines and uses appropriately trained per-
sonnel. <
You can ask your BMW Sp orts Activity Vehicle
Center for the correct wheel/tire combination.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC, xDrive,
Dynamic Performance Control in the BMW X6,
or Flat Tire Monitor.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. Following
tire damage, have the or iginal wheel and tire
combination remounted on the vehicle as soon
as possible.
Wheels with electronics for
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics, otherwise the

Everything from A to Z
296
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display texts used to select
individual functions, and
indicates where to find them
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake System 96
Accessories 6
Access to 3rd row seats 54
Acoustic signal, refer to Check Control 85
Activated-charcoal filter 119
"Activation time" for parked- car ventilation 122
Active seat 57
Active seat ventilation 56
Active steering 104
– malfunction 104
– warning lamp 104
Adaptive brake lamp, brake force display 105
Adaptive Drive 99
Adaptive fixing system 133
Adaptive Head Light 112
"Add digits" for mobile phone 228
Address for navigation
– deleting 159
– entering 151,158
– selecting 159
– storing 158
– storing current position 158
"Add to destination list" 153
Adjusting confirmation signals for locking and unlocking 31
Adjusting opening
height 34,36, 37 Adjusting temperature with
expanded-scope automatic
climate control 116
Adjusting the tone during audio operation, refer to
Tone control 175
Adjusting thigh support 49,50
"After door opened" 51
"After unlocking" 51
Airbags 105
– sitting safely 48
– warning lamp 107
Air distribution
– automatic 115,120
– manual 116
Airing, refer to Ventilation 118
Air recirculation 117
– AUC Automatic recirculated-air control 117
– recirculated-air mode 117
"Air recirculation on / off" 59
Air vents 11
4
– refer to Ventilation 118
Air vents of automatic climate control 114
Air volume 116,120
AKI, refer to Fuel specifications 245
Alarm system 38
– avoiding unintentional alarms 39
– interior motion sensor 39
– switching off alarm 38
– switching off tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor 39
– tilt alarm sensor 39
"All channels" in Satellite
radio 185
"All doors" 30
Alloy wheels 267 All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 257
"All stations" displaying in
radio mode, 178
All-wheel drive, refer to xDrive 97
Alterations, tech nical, refer to
For your own safety 5
"AM", reception
range 175,178
"Angle of view"
– DVD changer 197
– DVD system in rear 209
Antenna for mobile phone 220
Antifreeze
– coolant 262
– washer fluid 75
Antilock Brake System
ABS 96
Anti-theft system
– refer to Alarm system 38
– refer to Central locking system 29
Approved axle weights, refer
to Weights 289
Approved engine oils 262
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights 289
Armrest, refer to Center armrest, front 127
Around the center console 14
Around the steering wheel 10
Arrival time
– refer to Computer 80
– refer to Starting destination guidance 162
"Arrow display" in navigation 163
"Arrow display pop-up
instructions" 149
Arrow view for navigation system 163

Everything from A to Z
298
"BMW
Assist" 236,237, 238, 239
BMW Assist
– activating 240
– concierge service 239
– contacting BMW Customer Relations 238
– offered services 235
– roadside assistance 236
– TeleServices 237
"BMW Contact" 230
"BMW Contact Numbers" 230
BMW homepage 4
BMW maintenance system 263
"BMW Service settings" 241
BMW Teleservice call
– automatic 237
– manual 237
BMW TeleServices 237
BMW TeleServices services
– displaying 238
– updating 238
BMW website 4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup holders 127
Brake assistant 96
Brake force display 105
Brake lamps
– brake force display 105
– replacing bulbs 270,273
Brake rotors 140
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake System 96
– brake assistant 96
– brake force display 105
– breaking-in 138
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control 96
– electronic brake-force distribution 96
– parking brake 67
– refer to Braking safely 140
– warning lamp 13 Brake system
138
– brake pads 138
– breaking-in 138
– disk brakes 140
Braking safely 140
Breakdown, Flat Tire Monitor 100
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance 280
Breaking-in brake pads 138
Breaking-in d

ifferential 138
Break-in period 138
"Brightness" 89
– DVD changer 196
– DVD system in rear 208
Brightness
– of Control Display 89
– of the rear view camera 95
– on Head-Up Display 108
"Brightness / Position" 108
Button for starting engine 65
Buttons on steering wheel 11
Bypassing traffic congestion 169
C
Calibrating driver's seat 55
California Proposition 65 Warning 6
"Call" 228,239
Call
– accepting 226
– displaying accepted 229
– ending 227
– in absence 229
– starting 227
Calling
– from phone book 228
– from Top 8 list 229
– redialing 229
– refer to telephone operating instructions
Camera, refer to Rear view camera 93
"Camera picture and PDC" 95"Camera view
– full screen"
95
– main window" 95
Can holder, refer to Cup holders 127
Capacities 290
Capacity of cargo bay 289
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery 277
"Car Data" 81
Care 265
– car-care products 265
– carpets 267
– car washes 265
– CD/DVD-player 268
– chrome components 266
– displays 268
– exterior 265
– fine wooden
components 267
– hand washing 266
– headlamps 266
– high-pressure cleaning jets 266
– interior 267
– leather 267
– light-alloy wheels 267
– paint 266
– plastic components 267
– rubber gaskets 266
– running boards 267
– safety belts 268
– sensors and cameras 267,268
– upholstery materials and cloth-covered paneling 267
– windows 266
–
wiper blades 266
Cargo
– refer to Loading 141
– securing 143
– securing with ski bag 134
Cargo area, refer to Cargo
bay 130
Cargo area cover, refer to Roll- up cover 130

Reference 309
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Redial" for mobile phone228
Reflectors, refer to Tail
lamps 270,273
Refueling 244
Releasing
– hood 258
– refer to Unlocking 40
"Relock door if not
opened" 32
Remaining distance, refer to Cruising range 80
Remaining distance to destination, refer to
Computer 80
Remote control 28
– comfort access 39
– DVD system in rear 205
– garage door opener 123
– liftgate 30
– malfunction 31,41
– replacing battery 41
Removing condensation on
the windows 116
"Repeat directory"
– for DVD system in
rear 210,212
– in audio mode 190
"Repeat" for DVD system in
rear 211
"Repeat track"
– for DVD system in
rear 210,212
– in audio mode 190
Replacement fuses 278
Replacement of tires 256
– changing wheels 275
– new wheels and tires 256
Replacing bulbs, refer to Lamps and bulbs 269
Replacing wheels/tires, refer
to New wheels and tires 256
Replacing wiper blades 269
Reporting an accident, refer to
Initiating an emergency
request 279
Reporting safety defects 7
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel gauge 80 "Reset"
101,103
– DVD changer 196
– DVD system in rear 209
– the stopwatch 87
– tone settings 177
Reset, refer to Resetting tone settings 177
Residual heat 118
R

estraint systems
– for children 61
– refer to Safety belts 54
Retreaded tires 256
"Return"
– DVD changer 197
– DVD system in rear 209
Reverse
– CD changer 190
– CD player 190
– DVD changer 195
Reverse gear, automatic transmission with
Steptronic 71
Road map 164
"Roadside Assistance" 236
Roadside Assistance 280
Roadside assistance 236
Roadside parking lamps 112
Roller sun blinds 126
Roll-up cover 130
Roof load capacity 289
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 143
Rope, refer to Tow-starting and towing 281
Rotary pushbutto n, refer to
iDrive 16
Route 160
– changing 166
– displaying 163
– displaying arrow display 163
– displaying map view 164
– displaying roads and towns/ cities 164
– displaying towns/cities 164
– list 164
– selecting 160
– selecting criteria 160RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to Run-
flat tires 256
Runflat System Component RSC, refer to Run-Flat
Tires 256
Run-flat tires 256
– continuing driving with a
damaged tire 101,103
– flat tire 101,103
– new wheels and tires 256
– tire inflation pressure 101,103 ,249
– tire replacement 256
S
Safety5
Safety belts 54
– damage 55
– sitting safely 48
– warning lamp 55
Safety belt tensioners
– refer to Airbags 105
– refer to Safety belts 54
Safety systems
– ABS Antilock Brake System 96
– airbags 105
– driving stability control systems 96
– DSC Dynamic Stability Control 96
– safety belts 54
Safety tires, refer to Run-flat tires 256
"SAT" 175,184
Satellite radio 184
– displaying additional information 185
– enabling 184
– selecting channel 185
– storing channel 185
"Scan"
– for DVD system in rear 211
– sampling stations in radio
mode 179