adaptive BMW X6 XDRIVE 50I 2011 Owners Manual

At a glance
11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
9BMW X6: upshifting or downshifting with
automatic transmission64
10Instrument panel12
13Ignition lock5814Buttons on steering wheel
15Horn, entire surface
18Releasing hood251 6
Parking lamps111
Low beams111
Automatic headlamp control
*111
Adaptive Light Control
*112
High-beam Assistant
*113
7
Head-up Display
*109
8
Turn signals65
High beams, headlamp flasher65
High-beam Assistant
*113
Roadside parking lamps
*113
Time, date, outside temperature,
Check Control76, 84
Computer78
11
Windshield wipers65
Rain sensor66
BMW X5: rear window wiper66
12Starting/stopping engine and
switching ignition on/off58
Telephone*:
Accepting and ending calls, start
dialing
* selected phone number,
redialing if no phone number is
selected
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice acti-
vation system
*22
Changing the radio station
Selecting a music track
Scrolling through the redial list
Next entertainment source
Recirculated-air mode, 119
Steering wheel heating
*53
Lane departure warning
*104
16
Steering wheel adjustment52
17
Cruise control
*67
Active cruise control
*68

Cockpit
12
Instrument panel
1Indicator lamps for turn signals
2Speedometer
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Active cruise control
*68
5Tachometer77
6BMW X5: energy control77
BMW X6: engine oil temperature77 or
energy control77
7Display for
>Clock/date76
>Outside temperature76
>Indicator and warning lamps83
>Speed of cruise control
*67
>Speed of active cruise control
*71
>BMW X5: reserve display for diesel
exhaust fluid2368Display for
>Odometer and trip odometer76
>Computer78
>Date and remaining travel distance
for service requirements79
>Automatic transmission positions63
>HDC Hill Descent Control97
>High-beam Assistant
*113
> There is a Check Control
message82
>Adaptive Drive
*: sport chassis and sus-
pension tuning98
9Fuel gauge78
10Resetting trip odometer76
Displaying service requirement76

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Microphone for hands-free mode for tele-
phone
* and for voice activation
system
*22
2Initiating
an emergency request273
3Reading lamps115
4Glass sunroof38, 40
5Interior lamps115
6Passenger airbag status lamp107
7Control Display16
Displays for menu navigation
8Hazard warning flashers
9Central locking system27
10Opening glove compartment127
11Automatic climate control with 2-zone
control117
Automatic climate control with 4-zone
control
*121
12Changing
>Radio station168
>Track168
13Selecting radio, CD and CD/DVD changer
*
14Selecting AM or FM waveband
16Controller16
Can be turned, pressed, or moved in four
directions
17Buttons on the controller17
Selecting menus directly
18Automatic Hold61
19Parking brake60
20Adaptive Drive
*98
21Programmable memory buttons20
22Switching Entertainment sound output on/
off and adjusting volume168
23Ejecting audio CD Manual air distribution118
Automatic air distribution and
volume117
Cooling function119
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control119
Maximum cooling119
Air volume118
Residual heat utilization119
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation118
Rear window defroster118
Seat heating
*49, 50
Active seat ventilation
*50
15
Opening liftgate30, 33
Active seat
*51
PDC Park Distance Control
*88
Top View
*90
Rear view camera
*93
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control95
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control96
HDC Hill Descent Control97
Side View
*92

Controls
27Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>Displays on Control Display:
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer
to page86
>Measuring units for consumption, route/
distances, temperature, and pressure,
refer to page86
>Language on Control Display, refer to
page86
>12h/24h clock format, refer to page85
>Date format, refer to page85
>Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to
page65
>Welcome lamps, refer to page111
>Pathway lighting, refer to page112
>Daytime driving lamps
*, refer to
page112
>High-beam Assistant
*, refer to
page113
>PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page89
>Top View
*: optical warning, refer to
page91
>Side View
*, refer to page92
>Rear view camera
*:
>Selecting functions, refer to page93
>Type of display, refer to page95
>Lane departure warning
*: last status, on/
off, refer to page104
>Head-up Display
*: selection, brightness
and position of display, refer to page109
>Automatic climate control: AUTO program
and intensity, cooling function, and auto-
matic recirculated-air control/recirculated-
air mode, temperature, air distribution, ven-
tilation temperature, starting on page117
>Programmable memory buttons: selecting
stored functions, refer to page20
>Positions of driver's seat, outside mirrors,
and steering wheel
*, refer to page44
>Adaptive Drive
*: selected chassis and sus-
pension tuning, refer to page98>Audio sources: volume and tone settings,
refer to page168
>Radio:
>Display of stored stations, refer to
page173
>Switching RDS Radio Data System on/
off
*, refer to page172
>Phone: volume setting, refer to
pages215,220
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 flap
Operating from outside
>Using the remote control
>Using the door lock
>With Comfort Access
* using the door han-
dles
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 page34.
Operating from inside
Using the button for central locking, refer to
page30. The fuel filler flap is not locked.
In an accident of sufficient severity, the central
locking system automatically unlocks the vehi-
cle. In addition, the hazard warning flashers and
interior lamps come on.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
98 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
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 kickdown 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

Controls
111Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lights off and daytime driving lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime driving lamps*
2Low beams and welcome lamps
3Automatic headlamp control
*, daytime
driving lamps
*, welcome lamps, Adaptive
Light Control
* and high-beam assistant*
If you open the driver's door with the ignition
switched off, the exterior lighting is automati-
cally switched off when the light switch is in
position0, 2 or 3.
If necessary, switch on the parking lamps,
switch position1.
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the
parking lamps for parking.
The parking lamps drain the battery. Do
not leave them switched on for long peri-
ods of time, otherwise it may no longer be pos-
sible to start the engine. It is better to switch on
the roadside parking lamps on one side, refer to
page113.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
Automatic headlamp control*
In switch position3, the system activates the
low beams and switches them on or off in response to changes in ambient light condi-
tions, for instance, in a tunnel, at dawn and dusk
and in case of precipitation. Adaptive Light
Control
* is active. The LED next to the symbol
lights up when the low beams are on. You can
activate the daytime driving lamps, refer to
page112. In the situations named above, the
system then automatically switches over to the
low beams.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can
cause the lights to be switched on.
The low beams remain switched on inde-
pendent of the ambient lighting condi-
tions when you switch on the fog lamps
*.<
The automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal
judgment in determining when the lamps
should be switched on in response to ambient
lighting conditions. For example, the sensors
cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid
safety risks, you should always switch on the
low beams manually under these conditions.<
Welcome lamps
When parking the vehicle, if you leave the light
switch in position2 or3, the parking lamps and
the interior lamps light up briefly when the vehi-
cle is unlocked.
Activating/deactivating welcome
lamps
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Welcome light"

Lamps
112 Welcome lamps are activated and are
stored for the remote control currently in use.
Pathway lighting
If you activate the headlamp flasher after
switching off the ignition with the lamps
switched off, the low beams come on and
remain on for a certain time.
Setting the duration or deactivating
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Pathway light.:"
4.Set a time of duration or 0 s to deactivate
the function.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Daytime driving lamps*
The daytime driving lamps light up in position0,
1 and 3. If the light switch remains in position1,
the parking lamps light up after the ignition is
switched off.
Activating/deactivating daytime
driving lamps
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"3."Daytime running lamps"
Daytime driving lamps are activated and are
stored for the remote control currently in use.
Adaptive Light Control*
The concept
Adaptive Light Control is a variable headlamp
control system that enables better illumination
of the road surface. Depending on the steering
angle and other parameters, the light from the
headlamp follows the course of the road.
In sharp curves, e.g. serpentines, or during turn-
ing, up to a speed of approx. 45 mph/70 km/h
one of the two fog lamps
* is switched on as a
turning lamp. This provides improved illumina-
tion of the area inside the curve.
Activating Adaptive Light Control
With the ignition switched on, turn the light
switch to position 3, refer to page111.
The turning lamps are automatically switched
on depending on the steering angle or the use
of turn signals.
Standstill function
*: to avoid blinding oncoming
traffic, the Adaptive Light Control directs light
towards the front passenger side when the
vehicle is at a standstill. When driving in reverse,
both turning lamps are active.

Controls
133Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Reach into the recess and pull toward the front.
When you fold back the backrest, be sure
that the catch engages securely. The red
warning indicator disappears in the recess
when the catch is engaged. If it is not properly
engaged, transported cargo could enter the
passenger compartment during braking or eva-
sive maneuvers and endanger the vehicle occu-
pants.<
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
observe the safety belt information on
page42.<
Storage compartments in
cargo area
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the fol-
lowing storage compartments are provided in
the cargo area.
>Storage compartments behind the remov-
able side panels on the right and left side of
the cargo area
* and under the floor panel
flap, storage compartment
* right side of
cargo area.
>Storage tray
* under the floor panel flap,
capacity approx. 21 gal/80 liters.
>Retaining straps
* on the left and right side
panel for securing small objects.
>Lashing rail with lashing eyes
*. You can
secure heavy-duty cargo straps on the lash-
ing eyes.
They can be removed at the notches in the
rails. To move the lashing eyes, press the
button.Read and comply with the information
enclosed with the heavy-duty cargo
straps.<
Floor panel flap
To access the onboard vehicle tool kit etc.
To open, swing up the flap by the handle, refer
to arrow.
The floor panel flap can be locked
*.
Adaptive fixing system*
The adaptive fixing system is used to divide up
the cargo area. It consists of two brackets with a
telescopic rail and retaining straps. These are
guided into the two rails on the cargo area floor.
Before using the adaptive fixing system,
fold up and lock the rear seat backrest;
otherwise, the cargo could be thrown into the
vehicle interior in an accident.<
1Brackets
2Telescopic rail
3Notch in the cargo area rail
Mounting brackets
The two brackets are connected with a tele-
scopic rail.

Practical interior accessories
134 1.Insert the brackets at the respective notch
in the rail on the cargo area floor.
2.Press down the brackets to push them into
the desired position.
3.Check the firm seating of the brackets.
They must be clearly heard to engage.
Do not lay cargo on the brackets, as oth-
erwise they could be unlocked.<
Dividing up cargo area
You can position the cargo as follows:
>Between the rear seat backrest and the
telescopic rail
>Between the telescopic rail and the retain-
ing strap
Positioning cargo between telescopic rail and
retaining strap:
1.Lay the cargo on the telescopic rail. Press
the button, arrow1, and route the retaining
strap around the cargo, arrow2.
2.Hook the retaining strap into the mount3
on the telescopic rail.
3.Press the button of the bracket, arrow1.
The retaining strap is tensioned.
You can also hook both retaining straps
into each other.<
When you are finished using the adaptive fixing
system, unhook the retaining strap and guide it
back into the bracket in order to prevent dam-
age and injury.
Then slide the fastening system toward the
front in order to permit the best possible use of
the cargo area.
Removing brackets
Press down the brackets, slide them up to the
notches of the rails and remove them.
Depending on your vehicle's equipment pack-
age, you can store the adaptive fixing system
under the floor panel in the cargo area.
Ski bag*
The ski bag is designed for safe, clean transport
of up to 4 pairs of standard skis or up to
2snowboards.
With the ski bag you can stow skis with a length
of up to 6.9 ft/2.10 m. When skis of 6.9 ft/
2.10 m in length are loaded, the ski bag will tend
to contract, reducing its overall capacity.
Before loading the ski bag, fold in the dis-
play screen of the DVD system in the
rear
*, as otherwise the display screen could be
damaged.<
Loading
1.Fold down the center armrest, press the
button and open the cover.
2.Press the button again; the cover in the
cargo area opens. If you press the button
firmly the first time, this cover also opens.
3.Extend the ski bag between the front seats
and fill it. The zipper facilitates access to the
stowed items and drying of the ski bag.
4.BMW X5: insert the latch plate of the ski bag
retaining strap into the center safety belt
buckle that is marked CENTER.

Everything from A - Z
292
Everything from A - Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System95
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control68
Accessories5
Access to 3rd row seats47
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control82
Activated-charcoal filter121
Active cruise control68
– distance, selecting70
– indicator lamp72
– radar sensor72
– warning lamps72
Active seat51
Active seat ventilation50
Active steering105
– malfunction105
– warning lamp105
Adaptive brake lamp
– brake force display106
Adaptive Drive98
Adaptive fixing system133
Adaptive Light Control112
Address, entering149,155
Address for navigation
– entering149
Adjusting opening
height31,33
Adjusting temperature with
expanded-scope automatic
climate control118
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control168
Adjusting thigh
support43,44
Airbags107
– sitting safely42
– warning lamp108Air distribution
– automatic117,121
– manual118
Airing, refer to Ventilation120
Air recirculation119
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control119
– recirculated-air mode119
Air vents116
– refer to Ventilation120
Air vents of automatic climate
control116
Air volume118,
122
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications235
Alarm system34
– avoiding unintentional
alarms35
– interior motion sensor35
– switching off alarm34
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor35
– tilt alarm sensor35
Albums of music
collection189
Alloy wheels259
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires250
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive97
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
AM, waveband171
Antenna for mobile phone212
Antifreeze
– coolant255
– washer fluid67
Antilock Brake System
ABS95
Anti-theft system, refer to
Alarm system34Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system27
Approved axle weights, refer
to Weights283
Approved engine oils255
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights283
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, front128
Around the center console14
Around the steering wheel10
Arrival time, refer to
Computer79
Ashtray
– front129
– rear129
Assist, refer to separate
operating instructions
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems95
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control119
Audio168
– controls168
– switching on/off168
– tone control168
– volume168
Audio CDs, DVD system in
rear202
Audio device, external128
Automatic
– air distribution117,121
– air volume
117,121
– cruise control68
– headlamp control111
– liftgate operation31
– steering wheel adjustment,
refer to Easy entry/exit53
Automatically switching high-
beams on and off, refer to
High-beam Assistant113
Automatic car washes258