steering BMW X6 2008 User Guide

Controls
51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Interior and exterior mirrors,
automatic dimming feature*
This feature is controlled by two photocells in
the inside rearview mirror, one on the front and
one on the back.
For trouble-free operation, keep the photocells
clean and do not cover the area between the
interior rearview mirror and the windshield. Do
not attach stickers of any kind to the windshield
in front of the mirror, either.
Steering wheel
Adjusting
Do not adjust the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving. There is a risk of acci-
dent as the result of unexpected movement.<
The steering wheel can be adjusted in four
directions.
Storing steering wheel positions, refer to Seat,
mirror and steering wheel memory on page44.
Easy entry/exit*
To facilitate entry and exit, the steering wheel
temporarily moves into the uppermost position.
Steering wheel heating*
Press the button.
When the steering wheel heater is switched on,
the LED in the button lights up.
Programmable buttons on steering
wheel
You can program the buttons individually.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
iDrive, for operating principle 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.

Adjusting
52 4.Select "Steering wheel buttons" and press
the controller.
A list of different functions appears:
>"Navigation voice instructions"
Voice instructions for the navigation
system
*
>"Air recirculation on / off"
Permanently shutting off outside air,
refer to AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control
* on page106
>"Mute on / off"
Mutes the audio sources
>"Monitor on / off"
Switches the Control Display on/off
>"Telephone list"
*
Display/hide phone book or last list of
stored phone numbers
>"Next entertainment source"
Changes audio source
5.Select the desired function and press the
controller.
6.Select the button if necessary and press the
controller.
You can operate the selected function using the
corresponding button.
Operating function
Press the corresponding button on the steering
wheel.
If you have programmed "Navigation voice
instructions" for one of the buttons:
>To switch voice instructions on/off:
Hold the button down.
>To repeat the last voice instruction:
Press the button.

Driving
62
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is 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 page56.<
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
page57. 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.
Kick-down
The kick-down 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 S1 through
S6 appears in the instrument panel. This posi-tion is recommended for a performance-ori-
ented driving style.
To use the automatic function again, press the
selector lever to the right into position D.
Changing gears using selector lever
When the selector lever is pressed forward or
back, the manual mode is activated and the
Steptronic shifts the gear. The instrument
panel shows M1 through M6.
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.
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.
With the transmission position M/S
selected, the manual mode remains
active.<
>Upshifting: pull on one of the shifting pad-
dles, arrows +.

Driving
66
Capacity
approx. 6.3USquarts/6liters.
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 o r in poor roa d co nditions
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
1Storing speed and maintaining or increas-
ing
2Storing speed and maintaining or decreas-
ing
3Deactivating cruise control
4Resuming stored speed
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press, arrow1, or briefly pull, arrow2
lever.
The speed currently being driven is stored and
maintained. It is indicated on the speedometer
and briefly in the instrument panel.
The controlled speed can drop on uphill grades
if the engine output is insufficient. If the engine
braking effect is not sufficient on a downhill
grade, the system lightly brakes the vehicle.
Increasing speed
Repeatedly press the lever up to or beyond the
resistance point, arrow1, until the desired
speed is set.
>Each time the lever is pressed to the resis-
tance point, the speed is increased by
approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pressed beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed
increases by a maximum of 5 mph or
10 km/h.
The system stores the setting and maintains
the set speed.
Accelerating with lever
Accelerate slightly:
Press the lever up to the resistance point,
arrow1, until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerate more rapidly:
Press the lever beyond the resistance point,
arrow1, until the desired speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. The system stores the
setting and maintains the set speed.
Reducing speed
Repeatedly pull the lever up to the resistance
point or beyond, arrow2, until the desired
speed is displayed.
>Each time the lever is pulled up to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed decreases
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.

Controls
83Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Rear view camera*
The concept
The rear view camera in the liftgate displays the
area behind your vehicle on the Control Display.
Also check the traffic situation around the
vehicle during parking and maneuvering
with direct vision, as otherwise danger of an
accident could result, for example, from road
users or objects located outside the picture
area of the rear view camera.<
Switching on
Automatically
With the engine running, shift into reverse.
If the image of the Park Distance Control
PDC appears in the Control Display, you
can switch the image to the rear view camera,
refer to Displays on page85.<
Manually
Press the button.
PDC is activated at the same time, refer to
page81.
If the image of the Park Distance Control
PDC appears in the Control Display, you
can switch the image to the rear view camera,
refer to Displays on page85.<
Switching off
Automatically
When driving forward at over approx. 12 mph/
20 km/h or after driving approx. 164 ft/50 m.
Manually
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Driver assistance functions
The following functions can improve the effect
of the rear view camera depending on the situa-
tion.
They can only be activated when the liftgate is
completely closed.
Pathway lines
The pathway lines are shown in the picture of
the rear view camera. They help you to estimate
the space required when parking and maneu-
vering on level roads.
To estimate the space required, turn the steer-
ing wheel so that the pathway lines guide into
the parking space or the maneuvering area you
have chosen.
The pathway lines are dependent on the current
steering angle and are continuously adjusted to
the steering wheel movements.
Turning lines
The static turning lines are displayed in the pic-
ture of the rear view camera and show you the
course of the smallest possible turning circle on
level roads.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
84
Using pathway and turning lines
1.Position the vehicle so that the turning lines
guide within the limits of the parking space.
2.Turn the steering wheel so that the pathway
lines cover the corresponding turning lines.
This results in a steering wheel position that
makes full use of the smallest possible turning
circle of the vehicle when parking.
Virtual camera panning
The displayed picture area is dependent on the
current speed:
At low speeds, the camera view is panned
toward the street, and at higher speeds toward
the horizon.
This enables the currently relevant picture area
to be shown enlarged on the Control Display.
To activate the virtual camera panning, select
the camera view "Camera view: full screen",
refer to Displays on page85.
Obstacle marking
Spatially shaped markings are shown in the pic-
ture of the rear view camera. Their stepped col-
ors correspond to the markings of the Park Dis-
tance Control and support you in estimating the
distance to the object shown.
The obstacle marking is deactivated when driv-
ing in reverse from approx. 12 mph/20 km/h.
Activating driver assistance functions
The driver assistance functions can be active at
the same time. The zoom function for trailer
towing can only be activated individually with
the rear view camera switched on.
With rear view camera switched on
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the controller.
2.Select the desired function and press the
controller.
You can also adjust the brightness of the cam-
era view.
With rear view camera switched off
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 / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Maneuvering aids" is
selected and press the controller.
6.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
7.Select the desired functions and press the
controller.
The settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.

Controls
85Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Displays
You can have the picture from the rear view
camera displayed in several formats and in
combination with the PDC Park Distance Con-
trol, refer to page82.
In addition, you also have the option of display-
ing only the PDC Park Distance Control.
>"Camera picture and PDC"
The rear view camera picture is shown in
the main window of the Control Display.
>"Camera view: full screen"
The picture of the rear view camera is
shown on the entire Control Display.
>"Camera view: main window"
The picture of the rear view camera is
shown in the main window of the Control
Display.
>"PDC in main window only"
PDC is shown in the main window of the
Control Display.
Selecting displays
1.Select "Maneuvering aids" and press the
controller, refer to Driver assistance func-
tions.
2.Turn the controller until "View selection" is
selected and press the controller.
3.Select the desired display and press the
controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Setting brightness
You can set the brightness of the camera view
with the rear view camera switched on.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.1.Press the controller.
2.Turn the controller until "Brightness" is
selected and press the controller.
3.Set the desired brightness.
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 with 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 page127.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking
during a lane change, driving stability and steer-
ing response are improved further.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.

Controls
87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes:
DTC controls the drive forces and
brake forces.
The indicator lamps light up:
DTC is activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp
in the instrument panel goes out.
xDrive
xDrive is the 4-wheel drive system of your
BMW. The combined effects of xDrive and DSC
further optimize the traction and dynamic driv-
ing characteristics. The 4-wheel drive system
xDrive variably distributes the drive forces to
the front and rear axle depending on the driving
situation and prevailing road conditions.
Dynamic Performance Control
The concept
Dynamic Performance Control optimizes the
handling characteristics of your BMW when
starting off, cornering, and during evasive
maneuvers. To achieve this, the system variably
distributes the drive torque of the rear axle to
the two rear wheels. This further increases the
steering precision and tracking stability of your
vehicle.
Display
The instrument panel display shows how xDrive
and Dynamic Performance Control are distrib-
uting the drive torque.Press the BC button on the turn signal lever
repeatedly until the display appears, refer to
arrow.
The drive train and wheels are schematically
depicted.
Bar graphs show the current distribution of
drive torque. The longer an illuminated bar is,
the greater the drive torque in the related wheel.
Malfunction
If xDrive and Dynamic Performance Control are
malfunctioning, the instrument panel display
appears in gray.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept
HDC is a system for driving downhill in steep
terrain. This system reduces vehicle speed on
steep downhill gradients, thus allowing you to
maintain even better control of your BMW
under these conditions. The vehicle moves at
approximately walking speed without active
intervention from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehicle speeds
below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When driving
down steep hills with a speed below approx.
22 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed
automatically down to approximately walking
speed, approx. 5 mph/8 km/h, and then main-
tains this speed at a constant.
Only use HDC in transmission positions D or R.
Increasing or reducing speed
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary
this automatically controlled speed within a
range extending from approx. 4 mph/6 km/h to

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
88 15 mph/25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same
range by using the lever of the cruise control.
With downhill grade over 10Ξ you can reduce
the speed to approx. 3 mph/4 km/h. Pull the
lever of the cruise control beyond the resis-
tance point, arrow3.
1Increasing speed
2Pull to the resistance point:
Reduce speed to approx. 4 mph/6 km/h
3Pull beyond the resistance point:
With downhill grade over 10Ξ, reduce
speed to approx. 3 mph/4 km/h.
Activating HDC
Press the button; the LED lights up.
The HDC display is shown in the instrument
panel.
The LED flashes when the brakes are applied
automatically.
Deactivating HDC
Press the button again. The LED and the HDC
display go out.
HDC is automatically deactivated at speeds
over approx. 37 mph/60 km/h.
Displays* in instrument panel
1Display for target speed
2HDC display
Malfunction
HDC is temporarily unavailable in the following
situations due to a high brake temperature:
>The LED in the button and the display HDC
go out during HDC operation.
>The LED in the button and the HDC display
do not light up when the button is pressed.
Malfunction of driving stability control
systems
When driving on poor roads, avoid using
full throttle or pressing the accelerator
beyond the kick-down point and also avoid
heavy braking. Otherwise, the drive train may be
damaged or accidents can occur.<
Adaptive Drive*
The concept
Adaptive Drive reduces the body roll which
occurs when cornering quickly or during fast
evasive maneuvers. In addition, Adaptive Drive
reduces the steering angle requirement,
improves the running comfort and increases
the dynamic driving characteristics of your
BMW.

Controls
91Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires as provided at the factory,
refer to page237, do not continue driving.
Continuing to drive with a flat tire could
cause severe accidents.<
2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If the tire inflation pressure in all four
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor
may not have been initialized. The system
must then be initialized.<
3.In the event of complete tire pressure loss,
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible
distance for continued driving on the basis
of the following guide values:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, cargo bay full, or
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
4 or more persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed
speeds of 50 mph/80 km/h or else you
run the risk of causing an accident. In the event
of pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This
includes reduced tracking stability in braking,
extended braking distance and altered natural
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations or loud noises occur while
the vehicle is being driven, this can indicate final
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible,
otherwise pieces of the tire could become
detached and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact the BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. The concept
TPM checks the tire inflation pressure in the
four mounted tires. The system reports when
the tire inflation pressure has dropped consid-
erably in one or several tires.
Function requirements
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must have been reset with the
correct tire inflation pressure.
Always use wheels with TPM electronics, oth-
erwise fault-free operation of the system is not
ensured.
Reset the system again after each correc-
tion of the tire inflation pressure and after
every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
TPM cannot announce sudden serious
tire damage caused by external influ-
ences.<
The system does not function properly if it has
not been reset, e.g. a flat tire is reported despite
correct tire inflation pressures.
The system is inactive and cannot display a flat
tire if a wheel has been mounted without TPM
electronics, e.g. a compact wheel
*, or if TPM is
temporarily interfered with by other systems or
devices which use the same radio frequency.
Status display on Control Display
The tire and system status is indicated by the
color of the tires.
TPM takes the fact that the tire pressure
changes during driving into account. A correc-
tion is only required if requested by TPM with
the color.
Green
The tire pressure matches the learned set state.
"TPM active" is displayed on the Control Dis-
play.