BMW X6M 2009 E71 Owner's Guide
Page 31 of 317
Controls
 29Reference
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Communications
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Mobility
>Language on Control Display, refer to 
page 90
> 12h/24h clock format, refer to page 89
> Date format, refer to page 89
> Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to 
page 73
> Welcome lamps, refer to page 110
> Pathway lighting, refer to page 111
> Daytime driving lamps
*, refer to 
page 111
> PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page 92
> Rear view camera
*:
> Selecting functions, refer to page 93
> Type of display, refer to page 95
> Head-Up Display
*: selection, brightness 
and position of display, refer to page 107
> Automatic climate control: AUTO program 
and intensity, cooling function, and auto-
matic recirculated air control/recirculated 
air mode, temperature, air distribution, tem-
perature in the upper  body region, refer to 
text starting on page 115
> Programmable memory buttons: selecting 
stored functions, refer to page 21
> Positions of driver's  seat, outside mirrors, 
and steering wheel
*, refer to page 50
> Adaptive Drive
*: selected chassis and sus-
pension tuning, refer to page 99
> Audio sources: volume and tone settings, 
refer to page 175
> Radio:
>Display of stored stations, refer to 
page 178
> Switching RDS Radio Data System on/
off
*, refer to page 181
> Phone: volume setting, refer to 
pages 226,232
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system functions when the 
driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
> Doors
> Liftgate
> Fuel filler door
Operating from outside
>via the remote control
> via the door lock
> with comfort access
* via the door handles
The interior lamps and the courtesy lamps
* are 
also switched on and off with the remote con-
trol. The alarm system
 is armed/disarmed at the 
same time.
You can find more detailed information on the 
alarm system
 on page 38.
Operating from inside
Via the button for centra l locking, refer to 
page 32. The fuel filler door is not locked.
In an accident of sufficient severity, the central 
locking system automati cally unlocks the vehi-
cle. In addition, the hazard warning flashers and 
interior lamps come on.
Opening and closing:
Using remote control
Persons or animals left unattended in a 
parked vehicle can lock the doors from 
the inside. Always take  along the remote control 
when leaving the vehicle so that the vehicle can 
then be opened  from the outside. < 
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Opening and closing
30
Unlocking
Press the  button. 
This unlocks the vehicle.
Setting unlocking behavior
You can set whether the first press of the button 
unlocks only the driver's  door or the entire vehi-
cle.
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16.
1. Press the  button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4. Select "Vehicle / Tire s" and press the con-
troller.
5. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Door locks" is selected and 
press the controller.
6. Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
7. Select "Unlock button" and press the con-
troller.
8. Select a menu item:
>"All doors"
Press the  button once  to unlock the 
entire vehicle.
> "Driver's door only"
Press the  button once to unlock only 
the driver's door and the fuel filler door.
Press the button twic e to unlock the 
entire vehicle. 9.
Press the controller.
The setting is stored fo r the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Comfort opening
Press and hold the  button. The windows and 
the glass sunroof
*/panorama glass sunroof* 
are opened.
Locking
Press the  button.
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if 
persons are inside because unlocking 
from the inside is not possible without special 
knowledge. <
Switching on interior lamps
With vehicle locked:
Press the  button.
You can also use this fu nction to locate your 
vehicle in parking garages etc.
Panic mode*
You can also trigger the alarm system in case of 
danger:
Press the  button for at least 3 seconds.
Switch off alarm: press any button.
Unlocking liftgate
Press the  button for approx. 1 second.
The liftgate will open s lightly, regardless of 
whether it was previously locked or unlocked. 
Page 33 of 317
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During opening, the liftgate pivots back 
and up. Ensure that adequate clearance is 
available before opening. 
To prevent accidentally locking yourself out, 
never lay the remo te control in the cargo bay. 
A previously locked liftgate is also locked again 
after closing. <
If pointed or sharp- edged objects could 
strike the rear window  while driving, be 
sure to provide protecti on around all edges. 
Failure to do so could re sult in damage to the 
heating conductors of  the rear window.<
Setting confirmation signals
You can activate or deac tivate the confirmation 
signals.
1. Press the  button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4. Select "Vehicle / Tire s" and press the con-
troller.
5. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Door locks" is selected and 
press the controller.
6. Select "Confirmation" and press the con-
troller.
7. Select the desired signal.
8. Press the controller. 
 The signal is activated.
Malfunctions
The remote control may malfunction due to 
local radio waves. Should the remote control fail 
to operate due to interference of this kind, 
unlock and lock the vehicle via the door lock 
using a key.
If it is no longer possible to lock the vehicle 
using the remote control,  then the battery is 
discharged. Use this remote control during an 
extended drive; this w ill recharge the battery, 
refer to page 28.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with 
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communication 
Commission regulations. Operation is gov-
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
LX8766S 
LX8766E 
LX8CAS
LX8CAS2
Compliance statement: 
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC 
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two 
conditions:
> This device must not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
> this device must accept any interference 
received, including in terference that may 
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devices could void the 
user's authority to operate this equipment. < 
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Opening and closing
32
Opening and closing:
Using door lock
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if 
persons are inside  because unlocking 
from the inside is not  possible without special 
knowledge. <
When unlocking
1.Turning the key once unlocks the driver's 
door and the fuel filler door.
2. Turning the key a second time unlocks the 
remaining doors and the liftgate.
Convenience operation
You can use the door lock to operate the win-
dows and the glass sunroof
*/panorama glass 
sunroof
*.
Turn and hold the key  in the positions for 
unlocking or locking.
Watch during the closing process to be 
sure that no one is injured. Rotating the 
key back into the initial position stops the 
movement. <
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can 
turn a key all the way to  the right or left in the 
door lock to lock or unlock the driver's door.
Opening and closing: 
From inside
This button serves to unlock or lock doors and 
the liftgate, with the front doors closed. It does 
not activate the anti-theft  system. The fuel filler 
door remains unlocked.
You can also set the si tuations in which the 
vehicle is locked.
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16.
1. Press the  button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Settings" an d press the controller.
4. Select "Vehicle / Tire s" and press the con-
troller.
5. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Door locks" is selected and 
press the controller.
6. Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
7. Select a menu item:
>"Relock door if not opened" 
The central locking system automati-
cally locks the vehicl e after a short time 
when no door has been opened. 
Page 35 of 317
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>"Lock after driving" 
The central locking system automati-
cally locks the vehicle as soon as you 
start to drive.
8. Press the controller. 
 The setting is selected.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Unlocking and opening
> Either unlock the door s together with the 
button for the central locking system and 
then pull the door handle above the armrest 
or
> pull on the door handle  of each door twice: 
the first time unlocks the door, the second 
time opens it.
Locking
> Use the central locking  button to lock all of 
the doors simultaneously, or
> press down the lock button of a door. 
To prevent you from being locked out, the 
open driver's door cannot be locked using 
the lock button.
Persons or animals left unattended in a 
parked vehicle can lock the doors from 
the inside. Always take  along the remote control 
when leaving the vehicle so that the vehicle can 
then be opened from the outside. <
Doors
Automatic soft closing*
To close the doors, merely push them gently. 
The closing process will then be carried out 
automatically.
Make sure that the closing path of the 
doors is clear; otherwise injuries may 
result. <
BMW X5: liftgate
During opening, the liftgate pivots back 
and up. Ensure that adequate clearance is 
available before opening. <
Opening from inside
Press the button: the liftgate opens somewhat 
unless it has been locked.
Opening from outside
Press the button on the liftgate or the  button 
on the remote control for approx. 1 second: 
The liftgate opens somewhat. It can be swung 
upward.
Opening manually
In case of an electrical malfunction:
1. From the cargo bay, pr ess out the handle in 
the liftgate, refer to arrow, with a screw-
driver and pull. The liftgate is unlocked. 
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Opening and closing
34
2.
Open the liftgate and press in the handle.
The liftgate is locked again as soon as it is 
closed.
Closing
Make sure that the closing path of the lift-
gate is clear, othe rwise injuries may 
result. <
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the 
liftgate make it easier to pull down. If pointed or sharp-edged objects could 
strike the rear window  while driving, be 
sure to provide protection around all edges. 
Failure to do so could re sult in damage to the 
heating conductors of the rear window. <
Automatic liftgate operation*
Adjusting opening height
You can adjust how far the liftgate is to open.
When adjusting the opening height, make 
sure that at least approx. 4 in/10 cm of 
clearance is available above the liftgate. Other-
wise, the ceiling height could be insufficient for 
the opened liftgate if, for example, the loading 
state changes. <
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16. 1.
Press the  button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Settings" an d press the controller.
4. Select "Vehicle / Tire s" and press the con-
troller.
5. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Door locks" is selected and 
press the controller.
6. Select "Tailgate" and press the controller.
7. Turn the controller. The adjustment is 
applied; the fiel d can be changed.
Opening liftgate
The liftgate opens automatically when you:
>Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate when the vehi cle is unlocked. 
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>Press the button in the center console.
> Press the  button on the remote control 
for approx. 1 second.
To stop the opening process:
> Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate.
> Press and hold the  button on the remote 
control.
> Press the button on the inside of the lift-
gate.
> Press the button on the center console 
again.
The opening process is  interrupted if you 
set the vehicle in motion. <
Closing liftgate
Make sure that the closing path of the lift-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may 
result. <
Function requirement:
The tailgate is closed.
The liftgate closes automatically when you 
press the button on the inside of the liftgate. To stop the closing process:
>
Press the button on the inside of the lift-
gate.
> Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate.
Closing is not cancel ed when you put the 
vehicle into motion. <
Manually opening or closing
In case of an electrical  defect of the automatic 
liftgate operation function:
1. Manually rele ase the liftgate, refer to 
page 33.
2. Open or close the liftgate slowly and with-
out making sudden movements.
BMW X5: tailgate
Opening
Pull the lever and swing  the tailgate downward.
The open tailgate can support loads of up 
to 550 lbs./250 kg. <
Closing
Fold the tailgate up and press closed.
BMW X6: liftgate
During opening, the liftgate pivots back 
and up. Ensure that adequate clearance is 
available before opening. < 
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Opening and closing
36
Opening from inside
Press the button: the liftgate opens somewhat 
unless it has been locked.
Opening from outside
Press the button on the liftgate or the  button 
on the remote control for approx. 1 second: 
The liftgate opens somewhat. It can be swung 
upward.
Opening height*
You can open the liftgate to two heights. Unlock 
the liftgate and swing it upward.
Completely opening liftgate
If the liftgate is in the lower position, pull it down 
approx. 12 in/30 cm and then release it.Do not push the liftgat e up from the lower 
position; otherwise, it can spring back and 
cause personal injury. <
Adjusting opening height
You can set the liftgate to open immediately 
into the upper position or  to initially only open to 
the lower position. 1.
To open the liftgate completely, see above.
2. For the lower position, position 1:
Turn sleeves of both liftgate supports in the 
direction of the arrow until the line markings 
align in position 1.
For the upper position, position 2:
Turn sleeves of both liftgate supports in the 
direction of the arrow until the line markings 
align in position 2.
With automatic liftgate operation
* you 
can set the opening height using iDrive, 
refer to page 37.<
Opening manually
In case of an electrical malfunction:
1. From inside the cargo bay, use a screw-
driver to pu sh out cover 1  on the liftgate.
2. Push catch  2 in the direction of the arrow. 
Page 39 of 317
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3.Open the liftgate and press the cover back 
into place.
The liftgate is locked again as soon as it is 
closed.
Closing
Make sure that the closing path of the lift-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may 
result. <
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the 
liftgate make it easier to pull down. If pointed or sharp- edged objects could 
strike the rear window  while driving, be 
sure to provide protecti on around all edges. 
Failure to do so could re sult in damage to the 
heating conductors of  the rear window.<
Automatic liftgate operation*
Adjusting opening height
You can adjust how far the liftgate is to open.
When adjusting the opening height, make 
sure that at least approx. 4 in/10 cm of 
clearance is available ab ove the liftgate. Other-
wise, the ceiling height co uld be insufficient for 
the opened liftgate if, for example, the loading 
state changes. <
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.
1. Press the  button.
This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4. Select "Vehicle / Tire s" and press the con-
troller. 5.
Change to upper field  if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Door locks" is selected and 
press the controller.
6. Select "Tailgate" and press the controller.
7. Turn the controller. The adjustment is 
applied; the field can be changed.
Opening liftgate
The liftgate opens automatically when you:
>Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate when the vehicle is unlocked.
> Press the button in the center console.
> Press the  button on  the remote control 
for approx. 1 second. 
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Opening and closing
38
To stop the opening process:
>
Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate.
> Press and hold the  bu tton on the remote 
control.
> Press the button on the inside of the lift-
gate.
> Press the button on the center console 
again.
The opening process is interrupted if you 
set the vehicle in motion. <
Closing liftgate
Make sure that the closing path of the lift-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may 
result. <
The liftgate closes automatically when you 
press the button on the inside of the liftgate.
To stop the closing process:
> Press the button on the inside of the lift-
gate.
> Press the button on the outside of the lift-
gate.
Closing is not canceled when you put the 
vehicle into motion. <
The liftgate also cl oses automatically 
without pressing the bu tton if it is loaded 
with an additional weight of approx. 11 lbs./5 kg, 
e.g. snow or ice.<
Manually opening or closing
In case of an electrical  defect of the automatic 
liftgate operation function:
1. Manually rele ase the liftgate, refer to 
page 36.
2. Open or close the liftgate slowly and with-
out making sudden movements.
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the liftgate is 
opened
> To movements in the vehicle: interior 
motion sensor, refer to page 39
> To changes in the vehicle's tilt if someone 
attempts to steal th e wheels or tow the 
vehicle
> To interruptions in battery voltage
Unauthorized operations  are briefly signaled by 
the alarm system:
> with an acoustic alarm
> by switching on
 the hazard warning flashers
> by flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at  the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
With the system armed, the liftgate can also be 
opened using the  button of the remote con-
trol, refer to page 30. When the liftgate is 
closed, it is once again locked and monitored.
Switching off alarm
> Unlock the vehicle using the remote control, 
refer to page 30.
> Insert the remote contro l all the way into the 
ignition lock.