bmw x6 BMW X6 2012 E71 User Guide

Opening and closing
30
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
flap remains unlocked.
Automatic locking
You can also set the situations in which the
vehicle is locked.
1."Settings"
2."Door locks"
3.Select the desired function:
>"Lock if no door is opened"
The central locking system locks the
vehicle after a short time, unless a door
has been opened.
>"Lock after start. to drive"
The central locking system locks the
vehicle when you drive away.
The function is switched on and is stored
for the remote control currently in use.
Unlocking and opening
>Either unlock the doors 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 and closing
32
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.
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 in 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 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 canceled 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 release the liftgate, refer to
page31.
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.

Controls
33Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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.<
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.<
1."Settings"
2."Tailgate"
3.Turn the controller until the desired open-
ing height is selected.
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.
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 in the center console
again.
The opening process is interrupted if you
set the vehicle in motion. Make sure that the closing path of the lift-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may
result.<

Controls
37Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Engage transmission position N.
4.Release the parking brake.
5.Switch off the engine.
6.Leave the remote control in the ignition
lock.
Malfunction
The Comfort Access function may malfunction
due to local radio waves. Then open or close the
vehicle with the buttons on the remote control
or with a key. To start the engine following this,
insert the remote control in the ignition lock.
The warning lamp in the instrument
panel lights up when an attempt is
made to start the engine: starting the
engine is not possible. The remote control is
not in the vehicle or has a malfunction. Take
along the remote control into the vehicle or
have it checked. Insert another remote control
into the ignition lock if necessary.
The warning lamp in the instrument
panel lights up when the engine is
running: the remote control is no
longer in the vehicle. After switching off the
engine, the engine can only be started again
within approx. 10 seconds if no door has been
opened.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
panel lights up and a message
appears on the Control Display:
replace the battery of the remote control.
Replacing battery
The remote control for Comfort Access con-
tains a battery which must be replaced if neces-
sary.1.Remove integrated key from remote con-
trol, refer to page26.
2.Remove cover.
3.Lay in new battery with positive side facing
upward.
4.Press cover closed.
Dispose of used batteries at a recycling
center or at your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, exercise care when
closing the windows and keep them in
your field of vision until they are shut.
Always take along the remote control when you
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for
example, operate the windows and injure them-
selves.<
Opening, closing
>Press switch to resistance point:
The window continues to open as long as
you keep the switch pressed.
>Press switch beyond resistance point:
The window opens automatically. Pressing

Opening and closing
38 the switch again stops the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner
by pulling the switch.
Separate switches for the rear windows are
located in the rear.
For information on using convenient opening
and closing at the door lock or with the remote
control, refer to page28 or29.
For information on convenient closing with
Comfort Access, refer to page36.
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the windows with the
remote control removed or the ignition
switched off for approx. 1 minute, as long as
neither of the front doors has been opened.
Pinch protection system
If the closing force rises beyond a predefined
threshold during closing, the system will stop
moving the window prior to lowering it again
slightly.
Despite the pinch protection system,
inspect the window's travel path prior to
closing it, as the safety system might fail to
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as
thin objects, and the window would continue
closing.
Do not install any accessories in the range of
movement of the windows, otherwise the pinch
protection system will be impaired.<
Closing without pinch protection
system
In case of danger from outside or if, for example,
ice on the window prevents normal closing, pro-
ceed as follows:
1.Pull the switch beyond the resistance point
and hold. The pinch protection system is
limited and the window opens slightly if the
closing force exceeds a certain value.
2.Pull the switch beyond the resistance point
and hold again within approx. 4 seconds.
The window closes without the pinch pro-
tection system.
Safety switch
With the safety switch, you can prevent the rear
windows from being opened or closed via the
switches in the rear passenger area, by chil-
dren, for example. The LED lights up when this
safety feature is activated.
Always press the safety switch when chil-
dren ride in the rear, otherwise uncon-
trolled closing of the windows could lead to
injuries.<
BMW X5: panoramic glass
sunroof*
The panoramic glass sunroof is ready for oper-
ation with the ignition switched on, refer to
page58.
To prevent injuries, exercise care when
closing the panoramic glass sunroof and
keep it in your field of vision until it is closed.
Always take along the remote control when you
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for
example, operate the roof and injure them-
selves.<

Opening and closing
40 The roof closes without the pinch protection
system.
Following interruptions in electrical
power supply
After a power loss, the sunroof may only
respond to the raise command. Then have the
system initialized. BMW recommends having
this work carried out by your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.
BMW X6: glass sunroof*,
electric
The glass sunroof is ready for operation when
the ignition is switched on, refer to page58.
To prevent injuries, exercise care when
closing the glass sunroof and keep it in
your field of vision until it is closed.
Always take along the remote control when you
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for
example, operate the roof and injure them-
selves.<
Raising
Press the switch.
The closed glass sunroof is raised and the slid-
ing visor opens slightly.
Do not use force to close the sliding visor
with the glass sunroof in its raised posi-
tion, otherwise the mechanism will be dam-
aged.<
Opening, closing
>Slide the switch back to the resistance
point.
The glass sunroof and the sliding visor open together as long as you continue to hold the
switch in this position.
>Briefly press the switch back beyond the
resistance point.
The glass sunroof and the sliding visor open
automatically. Briefly pressing the switch
stops the motion.
You can close the glass sunroof in a similar
manner by sliding the switch forward. The slid-
ing visor remains open and can be closed by
hand.
For information on using convenient opening
and closing with the remote control or at the
door lock, refer to page28 or29.
For information on convenience closing with
Comfort Access, refer to page36.
Automatic opening and closing
Briefly press the switch beyond the resistance
point.
The following movements are also automatic:
>With the sunroof open, press the switch:
The sunroof is opened all the way.
>With the sunroof raised, briefly press the
switch in the opening direction: the sunroof
is opened all the way.
Briefly pressing the switch stops the motion.
Comfort position
In the comfort position, the sunroof is not com-
pletely open; this reduces wind noise in the
passenger compartment.
Each time the glass sunroof is opened or closed
all the way, it stops in the comfort position. If
you wish, you can continue the motion by actu-
ating the switch.
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the roof for approx.
1 minute, as long as no door has been opened.
Pinch protection system
If the glass sunroof meets with resistance from
about the middle of the roof opening when clos-
ing or when lowering from the raised position,

Controls
41Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
the closing process is interrupted and the glass
sunroof opens all the way.
Despite the pinch protection system,
inspect the sunroof's travel path prior to
closing it, as the safety system might fail to
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as
very thin objects, and the sunroof would con-
tinue closing.<
Closing without pinch protection
system
When there is danger outside the vehicle, pro-
ceed as follows:
1.Slide the switch forward past the resistance
point and hold it there. The pinch protection
system is limited and the sunroof opens
slightly if the closing force exceeds a certain
value.
2.Within about 4 seconds, slide the switch
forward again beyond the resistance point
and hold it there. The roof closes without
the pinch protection system.
Following interruptions in electrical
power supply
After a power loss, the sunroof may only
respond to the raise command. Then have the
system initialized. BMW recommends having
this work carried out by your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.

Adjusting
42
Adjusting
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In the
interaction with the safety belts, the head
restraints and the airbags, the seat position
plays an important role in an accident. To
ensure that the safety systems operate with
optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to
observe the instructions contained in the fol-
lowing section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page54.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions, to mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms
in the event of airbag deployment.
No one and nothing should come between the
airbags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Make
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly
and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument
cluster, otherwise leg injuries can occur if the
front airbag is triggered.
Make sure that passengers keep their heads
away from the side airbag and do not lean
against the cover of the head airbag, otherwise
injuries can occur when the airbags are trig-
gered.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page107.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its center
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise there is
increased danger of injury in the event of an
accident.<
BMW X5: push the head restraints of the 3rd
row seats
* into the top position.
Head restraints, refer to page45.
Safety belts
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a
substitute.
BMW X5: depending on its equipment, your
vehicle has either five or seven seats, which are
all provided with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's
lap. Make sure that the belt lies low around the
hips in the lap area and does not press on the
abdomen. The safety belt may not lie across the
neck, rub on sharp edges, be routed over solid
or breakable objects or be pinched. Wear the
safety belt without twisting, snugly across the
lap and shoulders, as close to the body as pos-
sible. Otherwise the belt can slip over the hips
in the lap area in a frontal impact and injure the
abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing that prevents
the belt from fitting properly and pull the belt in
the upper body area periodically to readjust the
tension, in order to avoid a reduction in the
restraint of the safety belt.
If the center safety belt in the rear is used, the
larger backrest half must be locked, refer to
page132, otherwise the center safety belt has
no restraining action.<
Safety belts, refer to page48.

Adjusting
46
Active front head restraints
In the event of a rear-end collision of sufficient
severity, the active head restraint reduces the
distance to the head.
Do not use seat covers or head restraint
covers that could impede the proper
functioning of the active head restraint. Other-
wise, there is no assurance that the active head
restraint will perform its protective function and
it is not possible to take advantage of its injury-
reducing potential in the event of a rear-end
collision.
Have the active head restraints reset after they
are triggered in a rear-end collision. Have this
work carried out only at a BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center or at a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise,
correct operation of this safety equipment is not
guaranteed.<
Removal and installation of the front head
restraints should be performed by a BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center.<
Front seats: height adjustment
Adjust the head restraint so that its center is
approx. at ear level.
You can adjust the height of the head restraints
electrically.
Front seats: adjusting distance from
back of head
Press the button and pull the headrest cushion
forward or push it back.
Do not place any objects behind the
headrest cushion. Otherwise, you can
impair the proper function of the head
restraint.<
Comfort seat*
You can adjust the distance from the back of the
seat occupant's head using the shoulder sup-
port, refer to page44.
Adjusting side extensions
You can fold the side extensions on the head
restraint forward for increased lateral support in
the resting position.

Controls
47Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
BMW X5: rear seats and 3rd row seats*,
adjusting height
>To raise: pull up.
>To lower: press the button, arrow1, and
push the head restraint downward.
In vehicles equipped with 3rd row seats, the
height of the middle head restraint is not adjust-
able.
Removing
1.Pull the head restraint upward to the stop.
2.Press the button, arrow1, and pull the head
restraint all the way out.
BMW X5: rear seats
2nd row seats
With a divided* row of seats you can adjust
both sides individually.
Never adjust the 2nd row seats while the
vehicle is moving, as otherwise the pas-
sengers on the 3rd row seats could be injured.
Make sure that the locking devices of the 2nd
row seats engage properly. Otherwise the
restraining effect of the safety belts during an
accident could be reduced.<
Longitudinal direction*
1.Pull the lever and slide the seat into the
desired position.
2.Release the lever and move the seat slightly
forward or back so that it engages properly.
Backrest*
The backrests can be adjusted in four steps.
Pull the lever and apply weight to or remove
weight from the backrest as needed.
Access to 3rd row seats*
Pull the lever and fold the seat forward.
The handle recess on the interior trim of
the door pillar makes climbing in easier.<
When folding back the 2nd row seats,
make sure that the footwell under the
2nd row seats is clear. Otherwise persons in the