Get CONTROLS -> Driving Guide for BMW IX SUV First Generation (2021-2025)

Driving

CONTROLS

Driving

Overview

Vehicle features and options

This chapter describes model-specific equip-

ment, systems, and functions that are currently

available, or may become available in the fu-

ture, even if they are not present in the vehicle.

Additional information:

Vehicle equipment, refer to page 8.

Start/Stop button

The Start/Stop button is located on the

center console.

Principle

Pressing the Start/Stop button turns drive-

ready state on/off.

Acoustic pedestrian protection

Depending on vehicle equipment and national-

market version, Acoustic Pedestrian Protection

generates a continuous driving noise in vehi-

cles with electric or electrically assisted drives.

General information

Drive-ready state turns on when the brake

pedal is pressed while pushing the Start/Stop

button.

▷

With a stationary vehicle and drive-ready

state turned on, as soon as the selector

lever position P is exited.

Pressing the Start/Stop button again turns

drive-ready state back off and turns standby

state back on.

▷

With electric driving up to approx.

20 mph/30 km/h.

Drive-ready state cannot be turned on as long

as the charging cable is connected or the

charging socket cover is open.

A speaker system broadcasts the noise to the

environment. As a result, other road users,

for instance pedestrians or cyclists, can better

perceive the vehicle.

Additional information:

▷

Drive-ready state, refer to page 47.

Standby state, refer to page 47.

Charging cable, refer to page 316.

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▷

The state of high-voltage battery charge is

sufficient.

Drive-ready state in detail

Safety information

Warning

▷

The driver's door is closed.

Charging cable is detached.

The charging socket cover is closed.

An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and

possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident,

injury, or property damage. Before leaving

the vehicle, secure the vehicle against rolling

away.

Driving

1. Depress the brake pedal.

2. Turn on drive-ready state.

3. Engage selector lever position D, B or R.

4. Depress the accelerator pedal to drive.

In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured

against rolling away, follow the following:

State of charge in strong temperature

fluctuations

▷

Set the parking brake.

On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,

turn the front wheels in the direction of

the curb.

In the case of strong temperature fluctuations

and a low state of charge of the high-voltage

battery, it may not be possible to start the ve-

hicle again at the beginning of the next trip.

Recharge vehicle with a low state of charge in

time.

▷

On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,

also secure the vehicle, for instance with

a wheel chock.

Turning on the drive-ready state

1. Close the driver's door.

Selector lever positions

Display

2. Depress the brake pedal.

The engaged selector lever position is dis-

played in the instrument cluster and on the

selector lever.

3. Press the Start/Stop button.

A signal tone sounds. Drive-ready state is

switched on.

Gear position D

Selector lever position for normal driving.

Display in the instrument cluster

The READY display indicates

that the vehicle is ready for driv-

ing.

The vehicle drives off slowly when the brake

pedal is released.

R reverse gear

Engage selector lever position R only when the

vehicle is stationary.

Driving off

N Neutral

Functional requirements

The vehicle may be pushed or roll without

drive, for instance in car washes, in selector

lever position N.

Driving is possible when the following prereq-

uisites are met:

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Parking position P

Engaging selector lever positions

Selector lever position for parking the vehicle.

In selector lever position P, the drivetrain is

blocked and the parking brake is engaged.

General information

To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you

select a gear position or reverse gear, main-

tain pressure on the brake pedal until you are

ready to drive off.

Selector lever position P is engaged automati-

cally in situations such as the following:

▷

After the drive-ready state is switched off

and selector lever position D, R or B is en-

gaged.

Functional requirements

▷

Only when the drive-ready state is switched

on and the brake pedal is depressed is it

possible to change from selector lever posi-

tion P to another selector lever position.

▷

If the driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the

driver's door is opened while the vehicle is

stationary and selector lever position D, R,

or B is engaged.

▷

The selection lever position P cannot be

changed until all technical prerequisites are

met.

▷

After standby state is switched off, if selec-

tor lever position N is engaged.

Before leaving the vehicle, make sure to en-

gage selector lever position P and apply the

parking brake. Otherwise, the vehicle may be-

gin to move.

Before shifting out of selector lever position

P, remove the charging cable from the vehi-

cle; otherwise, the gearshift request will not

be executed.

Additional information:

Parking brake, refer to page 131.

Engage selector lever position R, N, D,

B

1. Fasten driver's seat belt.

B, gear position with high energy

recovery

2. Tilt or pull the selector lever into the desired

direction, past a resistance point, if needed.

The selector lever automatically returns to

the center position when released.

Principle

Selector lever position B is a gear position with

a high energy recovery.

Changing between selector lever position D

and B: pull selector lever to D/B.

General information

Selector lever position B offers the following

characteristics:

▷

High level of energy recovery when the ac-

celerator pedal is released.

Major deceleration when releasing the ac-

celerator pedal to a standstill of the vehicle.

The vehicle does not drive off when the

brake pedal is released.

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Engaging selector lever position P

Engaging selector lever position N

NOTICE

Selector lever position P is automatically en-

gaged when standby state is switched off.

The wheels are blocked. There is a risk

of damage to property. Do not switch off

standby if the vehicle is meant to coast, e.g.,

in a car wash.

1. Depress the brake pedal.

Press the button.

2. Turn on drive-ready state.

3. Engage selector lever position N.

4. Switch off drive-ready state.

The parking brake is applied and the

transmission lock is engaged.

When stopping the vehicle

In this way, standby state remains switched

on, and a Check Control message is dis-

played.

Selector lever position D or R

The vehicle can roll.

On inclines, the system prevents rolling back

against the set driving direction and provides

drive-off support.

Irrespective of standby state, the selector lever

position P is automatically engaged after ap-

prox. 35 minutes.

Selector lever position B

The system prevents the vehicle from rolling

away when the vehicle has come to a standstill

and the accelerator pedal is not pressed.

If the system is not operational, you may not

be able to change the selector lever position.

Electronically unlock the transmission lock, if

needed.

Driving off

Engage a gear position and step on the accel-

erator pedal to drive off.

Electronic unlocking of the

transmission lock

The parking brake is released automatically.

Rolling or pushing the vehicle

General information

In some situations, the vehicle is supposed to

roll without its own drive for a short distance,

for instance in a car wash or to be pushed.

General information

Unlock the transmission lock electroni-

cally, e.g., to maneuver the vehicle out of a

hazardous area in the event of a malfunction.

Before unlocking the transmission lock, secure

the vehicle against rolling away, for instance

with a wheel chock.

Engaging selector lever position N

1. Quickly press the Start/Stop button three

times without pressing the brake.

2. Depress the brake pedal.

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3. Press the selector lever to position N until

position N is shown on the selector lever.

surrounding traffic closely and actively inter-

vene where appropriate

An appropriate Check Control message is

displayed.

Warning

4. Maneuver the vehicle from the hazardous

area and secure it against rolling away.

When driving in electric mode, pedestrians

and other road users might pay less attention

to the vehicle due to the lack of engine noise.

There is a risk of accident, injury, or property

damage. Adjust driving style to traffic condi-

tions. Watch surrounding traffic closely and

actively intervene where appropriate

Turning off drive-ready state

Park the vehicle. Noises from the electrical sys-

tem such as for cooling the high-voltage sys-

tem might still be audible.

After stopping the vehicle:

1. Apply brake and engage the parking brake.

2. Press the Start/Stop button.

Warning

The READY indicator goes out and a signal

tone sounds.

Without energy recovery, the braking effect

of the electric motor is unavailable. The vehi-

cle could roll further than anticipated. There

is a risk of accident, injury, or property dam-

age. Adjust driving style to traffic conditions.

Watch surrounding traffic closely and actively

intervene where appropriate

The drive-ready state is switched off automat-

ically if the driver's seat belt is not buckled

when the driver's door is opened.

If leaving the vehicle stationary for longer pe-

riods, follow the instructions in the Mobility

chapter.

Additional information:

Accelerator pedal positions,

displays

Service life of the high-voltage battery, long

stationary periods, and taking the vehicle out

of service, refer to page 327.

Driving in detail: eDRIVE

Safety information

Warning

1

Deceleration and recuperative braking

Rolling

The braking effect of the electric motor can

be stronger than for a vehicle with combus-

tion engine. Abrupt braking and slow-down

may confuse other road users. There is a

risk of accident, injury, or property damage.

Carefully release the accelerator pedal. Ad-

just driving style to traffic conditions. Watch

2

3

Acceleration or constant speed: ePOWER

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▷

The vehicle is moving.

Deceleration and recuperative

braking

Selector lever position B, D or R is set.

The accelerator pedal is not depressed or

only slightly depressed.

Deceleration

The degree of the deceleration depends on

the selector lever position, the energy recovery

setting and the driving situation.

The energy recovery is displayed in the instru-

ment cluster.

Additional information:

Depending on the degree of the deceleration,

the brake lights will come on without depress-

ing the brake pedal.

Power gauge, refer to page 147.

Energy cannot be recovered in the following

situations, for instance:

Deceleration is very pronounced in selector

lever position B.

▷

Selector lever position N is engaged.

While drive stability control systems are ac-

tive or adjusting the vehicle, even though

this is not indicated by an indicator light.

During the deceleration, energy is recovered

and the high-voltage battery is charged.

▷

The high-voltage battery is fully charged.

Reduced deceleration

When temperature of the high-voltage bat-

tery is very low or very high.

Warning

▷

The drive's operating temperature is too

high.

Without energy recovery, the braking effect

of the electric motor is unavailable. The vehi-

cle could roll further than anticipated. There

is a risk of accident, injury, or property dam-

age. Adjust driving style to traffic conditions.

Watch surrounding traffic closely and actively

intervene where appropriate

In winter the energy recovery may be tempora-

rily unavailable after startup.

Driving situations for energy recovery

If deceleration is foreseeable while driving, this

can be used for energy recovery.

In the event of danger such as with locked

wheels, energy recovery and thus deceleration

is reduced in order to prevent unstable driving

situations.

The following driving situations may be suita-

ble for this:

▷

Decelerating downhill.

Deceleration before a red traffic light.

Energy recovery

Energy recovery is also called recuperation.

Avoid late or strong braking. Instead, deceler-

ate the vehicle using energy recovery.

With energy recovery, the electric motors act

as alternators when decelerating and convert

the kinetic energy of the vehicle to electrical

energy.

Strength of recuperative braking

In selector lever position B, the energy recov-

ery is high and the deceleration is pronounced.

For driving in selector lever position D, the

strength of recuperative braking can be ad-

justed via iDrive.

The high-voltage battery is recharged in part

through energy recovery.

Energy can be recovered if the following condi-

tions are met:

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Driving

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▷

Adaptive energy recovery: energy recovery

and deceleration are automatically adapted

to the respective driving situation.

Heavily discharged high-voltage

battery

If the high-voltage battery is heavily dis-

charged while driving, the drive power and

some comfort features are reduced incremen-

tally in order to extend the range.

High energy recovery: the vehicle deceler-

ates fast, and more energy is returned to

the high-voltage battery.

▷

Average energy recovery.

Heated high-voltage battery

Low energy recovery: the vehicle deceler-

ates more slowly, and less energy is re-

turned to the high-voltage battery.

With a stationary vehicle

Additional information:

In isolated cases, when the vehicle is station-

ary, it is possible for the high-voltage battery to

overheat, for instance at extreme outside tem-

peratures and in direct sunlight. Drive-ready

state cannot be turned on if the high-voltage

battery is overheated.

Adaptive recuperation, recuperative braking,

refer to page 309.

Setting the strength of energy recovery

1.

Apps menu

A Check Control message is displayed.

2. "Vehicle"

Another message will indicate when drive-

ready state is available again.

3. "Driving settings"

4. "Drivetrain and chassis"

5. "Energy recovery in D"

6. Select the desired setting.

While driving

If the high-voltage battery overheats while

driving, the drive power is reduced incremen-

tally in order to cool down the high-voltage

battery. The ePOWER power gauge in the in-

strument cluster decreases.

What to do if high-voltage battery is

fully charged

If the high-voltage battery is fully charged, the

electric motor will be unable to recover addi-

tional energy when driving off. To maintain the

usual level of deceleration from energy recov-

ery, the vehicle is decelerated by its normal

brake when the accelerator pedal is released.

This can cause the brake to overheat in certain

situations, e.g., when driving downhill or apply-

ing continuous, gentle braking.

If the temperature increases further, park

the vehicle until the high-voltage battery has

cooled down.

If the power gauge falls to 0, the drive-ready

state is switched off and the vehicle comes to a

stop.

iX M60: Launch Control

A Check Control message is displayed.

As such, the driver must apply the brake when

driving on long downhill stretches with a fully

charged high-voltage battery.

Principle

Launch Control enables optimum acceleration

on roads with good traction under dry sur-

rounding conditions.

If necessary, adjust your charging strategy,

e.g., do not fully charge the high-voltage bat-

tery before driving downhill.

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General information

Using Launch Control causes premature com-

ponent wear since this function represents a

very heavy load for the vehicle.

My Modes

Principle

My Modes influence vehicle handling and the

customizable effects for the overall experience

inside the vehicle.

If used frequently over the service life of the ve-

hicle, the torque from Launch Control will pos-

sibly be reduced in order to reduce component

wear.

The vehicle can be adapted depending on the

situation using the various My Modes.

Do not turn the steering wheel when driving off

with Launch Control.

General information

Depending on the equipment, the following

systems are affected, for instance:

Do not use Launch Control when breaking in

the vehicle.

Additional information:

▷

Drivetrain.

Break-in, refer to page 304.

Steering.

Chassis.

Driving off with Launch Control

1. Turn on drive-ready state.

Cruise control.

Display in the instrument cluster.

Comfort features in the vehicle interior.

BMW IconicSounds.

2. Activate drive mode: "SPORT".

3. Enabling the driving dynamics setting:

"SPORT PLUS".

4. With the left foot, press down forcefully on

the brake.

Overview

5. Engage forward gear.

Button in the vehicle

6. Press the accelerator pedal all the way

down and hold.

The Launch Control information is dis-

played in the instrument cluster and the ve-

hicle begins to vibrate.

7. Release the brake within a few seconds of

the Launch Control information illuminating.

The vehicle accelerates.

Launch Control stays on as long as the

Launch Control information is displayed

and the accelerator pedal is not released.

My Modes

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More My Modes

Displays in the instrument cluster

Depending on the vehicle equipment, more My

Modes are available that change the ambiance

in the vehicle interior:

If applicable, the driving mode

selected is displayed on the in-

strument cluster.

▷

Expressive Mode.

Digital Art Mode.

Relax Mode.

My Modes in detail

Silent Mode.

General information

Various My Modes are available depending on

vehicle equipment.

Selecting My Modes

1.

Press the button.

My Modes that influence the handling charac-

teristics are also referred to as driving mode.

2. "Switch mode"

3. Select the desired mode.

Personal Mode

Driving mode for comfort oriented settings.

Configuring My Modes

Some modes can be configured individually.

Sport Mode

Driving mode for increased agility of the vehi-

cle.

1.

Press the button.

Individual settings, e.g., for driving dynamics,

chassis, and drive system, can be configured

as needed.

2. Select mode.

3. "Settings"

4. Select the desired settings.

"SPORT PLUS": Under Driving Dynamics, this

setting deactivates Dynamic Stability Control,

thus limiting driving stability.

Changing the start mode

Some modes can be set as the start mode.

▷

Dynamic Stability Control, refer to

page 209.

The set start mode activates when drive-ready

state is turned on.

▷

Setting for increased driving dynamics, re-

fer to page 210.

1.

Press the button.

Efficient Mode

Drive mode for tuning with optimized energy

consumption and anticipatory display.

2. Select mode.

3. "Settings"

4. "Start mode"

Additional information:

Efficient mode, refer to page 310.

Max Range, refer to page 312.

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My Modes Design

My Programs in detail

Specific depictions of a mode can be shown on

the control display under My Modes Design.

My Pro-

grams

Description

"REAR

This program creates an at-

1.

Press the button.

SEAT VIEW" mosphere that encourages

sleep for children in the rear.

2. "My Modes design"

Activating/deactivating My

Programs

My Programs

1.

Apps menu

Principle

2. "All apps"

Various vehicle functions in the vehicle interior

are adapted to each other in a program.

3. "REAR SEAT VIEW"

When a program is selected, for example, the

interior lighting, climate control, and music se-

lection are adjusted.

Parking brake

Principle

Safety information

The parking brake is used to prevent the vehi-

cle from rolling away when it is parked.

Warning

People or animals in the vehicle can lock the

doors from the inside and lock themselves in.

In this case, the vehicle cannot be opened

from the outside. There is a risk of injury.

Take the vehicle key with you so that the ve-

hicle can be opened from the outside.

Safety information

Warning

An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and

possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident,

injury, or property damage. Before leaving

the vehicle, secure the vehicle against rolling

away.

Warning

In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured

against rolling away, follow the following:

For some national-market versions, unlock-

ing from the inside is only possible with par-

ticular knowledge.

▷

Set the parking brake.

If persons or animals spend a lengthy time

in the vehicle and are thereby exposed to ex-

treme temperatures, there is a risk of injury

or danger to life. Do not lock the vehicle from

the outside when there are people or animals

in it. Do not leave babies, toddlers or animals

alone in the vehicle.

On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,

turn the front wheels in the direction of

the curb.

▷

On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,

also secure the vehicle, for instance with

a wheel chock.

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Warning

The parking brake is engaged and transmis-

sion lock is engaged.

Unattended children or animals in the vehicle

can cause the vehicle to move and endanger

themselves and traffic, for example, due to

the following actions:

While driving

Use while driving serves as an emergency

braking function.

▷

Establishing standby.

Press and hold the parking brake but-

ton. The vehicle brakes hard for as long

as the parking brake button is pressed.

Releasing the parking brake.

Opening and closing the doors or win-

dows.

The indicator light in the instrument

cluster illuminates red, a signal sounds,

and the brake lights illuminate.

▷

Engaging selector lever position N.

Using vehicle equipment.

There is a risk of accident, injury, or property

damage. Do not leave children or animals un-

attended in the vehicle. Take the vehicle key

with you when exiting and lock the vehicle.

A Check Control message is displayed.

The parking brake is engaged and the trans-

mission lock is set when the vehicle is station-

ary.

Overview

Engaging the parking brake

automatically

In some situations, the parking brake is en-

gaged automatically, e.g., through Automatic

Hold.

Button in the vehicle

Additionally, the system can be set to auto-

matically engaging the parking brake when the

drive-ready state is turned off.

1.

Apps menu

2. "Vehicle"

3. "Driving settings"

4. "Drivetrain and chassis"

5. "Parking brake"

Parking brake

6. Select the desired setting.

Setting the parking brake

In selector lever position N, the parking brake

will not be engaged automatically.

With a stationary vehicle

Press the parking brake button.

The LED illuminates.

The indicator light in the instrument

cluster illuminates red.

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Releasing the parking brake

After a power interruption

To reestablish parking brake operability after

a power interruption, an initialization may be

required.

Releasing the parking brake manually

1. Turn on drive-ready state.

1. Turn on standby state.

2.

Press the button while pressing on

the brake pedal.

2.

3.

Press the parking brake button.

The LED and the indicator light go out.

The parking brake is released.

Press the parking brake button

again after 2 seconds.

The transmission lock remains engaged

until a gear position is selected.

The Check Control messages for the park-

ing brake go out.

Releasing the parking brake

automatically

The parking brake is released automatically

when you drive off.

Possible function-related noises are nor-

mal.

The indicator light indicates that the

parking brake is ready for operation

again.

The LED and the indicator light go out.

Using the parking brake via iDrive

The parking brake can also be engaged or dis-

engaged via iDrive. Additionally, further infor-

mation is displayed.

Automatic Hold

Principle

1.

Apps menu

Automatic Hold assists the driver by automat-

ically applying and releasing the brake, for ex-

ample, in stop-and-go traffic.

2. "Vehicle"

3. "Driving settings"

4. "Drivetrain and chassis"

5. "Parking brake"

When a gear position is engaged, the vehicle

is automatically held in place when it is station-

ary.

6. Select the desired setting.

On uphill grades the system prevents the vehi-

cle from rolling back when driving off.

Malfunction

If the parking brake fails or malfunctions, se-

cure the vehicle so that it does not roll away

before you exit.

General information

The parking brake is automatically engaged

under the following conditions:

A Check Control message is displayed.

▷

If drive-ready state is turned off.

Secure the vehicle against rolling away, for in-

stance with a wheel chock, after getting out of

the vehicle.

The driver’s door is open for more than one

second and no pedal is pressed during this

time.

▷

If the parking brake is used to brake the

vehicle to a stop while driving.

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In selector lever position N, Automatic Hold is

temporarily deactivated.

Overview

Button in the vehicle

Safety information

Warning

An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and

possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident,

injury, or property damage. Before leaving

the vehicle, secure the vehicle against rolling

away.

In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured

against rolling away, follow the following:

Automatic Hold

▷

Set the parking brake.

On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,

turn the front wheels in the direction of

the curb.

Activating Automatic Hold

1. Turn on drive-ready state.

▷

On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,

also secure the vehicle, for instance with

a wheel chock.

2.

Press the button.

The LED illuminates.

The indicator light illuminates green.

Automatic Hold is activated.

Warning

Unattended children or animals in the vehicle

can cause the vehicle to move and endanger

themselves and traffic, for example, due to

the following actions:

After every vehicle restart, the last se-

lected setting is active.

▷

Establishing standby.

Automatic Hold holding the vehicle

Automatic Hold is activated and the driver’s

door is closed.

Releasing the parking brake.

Opening and closing the doors or win-

dows.

After stopping, the vehicle is automat-

ically secured against rolling away as

soon as the indicator light illuminates

green.

▷

Engaging selector lever position N.

Using vehicle equipment.

There is a risk of accident, injury, or property

damage. Do not leave children or animals un-

attended in the vehicle. Take the vehicle key

with you when exiting and lock the vehicle.

Driving off

Press the accelerator pedal to drive off.

The brake is released automatically and the

indicator light of the parking brake is no longer

illuminated.

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Automatic parking brake application

The parking brake is automatically set if drive-

ready state is switched off while the vehicle is

being held by Automatic Hold or if the vehicle

is exited.

The indicator light changes from green

to red.

The parking brake is not set automatically if

the drive-ready state was switched off while

the vehicle was coasting. Automatic Hold is

temporarily deactivated in this case.

Deactivate Automatic Hold

Press the button.

The LED goes out.

The indicator light goes out.

Automatic Hold is switched off.

If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold,

also press on the brake pedal when switching

off.

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CONTROLS -> Driving for Your BMW IX SUV First Generation (2021-2025)

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