BMW X3 (F25) Owners Manual: Voice activation system

• Vehicle features and options
• Using voice activation
• Possible commands
• One example: open the tone settings
• Setting the voice dialog

Vehicle features and options

This chapter describes all standard, country-specific and optional features offered with the series. It also describes features that are not necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to the selected options or country versions. This also applies to safety-related functions and systems. The respectively applicable country provisions must be observed when using the respective features and systems.

The concept

• Most functions displayed on the Control Display can be operated by voice commands via the voice activation system. The system supports you with announcements during input.
• Functions that can only be used when the vehicle is stationary cannot be used via the voice activation system.
• The system uses a special microphone on the driver's side.
• ... Verbal instructions in the Owner's Manual to use with the voice activation system.

Requirements

Via the Control Display, set a language that is also supported by the voice activation system so that the spoken commands can be identified.

Using voice activation

Activating the voice activation system

1. Press button on the steering wheel.

2. Wait for the signal.

3. Say the command.

A command that is recognized by the voice activation system is announced and displayed in the instrument cluster.

This symbol in the instrument cluster indicates that the voice activation system is active.

If no other commands are available, use function via iDrive.

Terminating the voice activation system

Briefly press the button on the steering wheel or Cancel.

Possible commands

Most menu items on the Control Display can be voiced as commands.

The available commands depend on the menu that is currently displayed on the Control Display.

There are short commands for many functions.

You may select lists such as phone lists via voice activation. Read these lists out loud exactly as they show in the respective list.

Having possible commands read aloud

You can have available commands read out loud for you: Voice commands E. g. if the "Settings" menu is displayed, the commands for the settings are read out loud.

Executing functions using short commands

Execute functions on the main menu via short commands. It almost doesn't matter which menu item is selected, e.g., Vehicle status.

List of short commands for the voice activation system, see Navigation, Entertainment, Communication Owner's Manual.

Help dialog for the voice activation system

Calling up help dialog: Help Additional commands for the help dialog:

•  Help with examples: announces information about the current operating options and the most important commands for them.
•  Help with voice activation: information about the principle of operation for the voice activation system is announced.

One example: open the tone settings

Via the main menu

The commands of the menu items are spoken just as they are selected via the controller.

1. Turn on the Entertainment sound output if needed.

2. Press button on the steering wheel.

3. Radio

4. Tone

Via short command

The desired tone settings can also be started via a short command.

1. Turn on the Entertainment sound output if needed.

2. Press button on the steering wheel.

3. Tone

Setting the voice dialog

Set system to standard dialog or use a short version.

The short version of the voice dialog plays back short messages in abbreviated form.

1. "Settings" 2. "Language/Units" 3. "Speech type:" 4. Select setting.

Adjusting the volume

Turn the volume button while giving an instruction until the desired volume is set.

• The volume remains constant even if the volume of other audio sources is changed.
• The volume is stored for the profile currently in use.

Hints on Emergency Requests

Do not use the voice activation system to initiate an Emergency Request. In stressful situations, the voice and vocal pitch can change.

This can unnecessarily delay the establishment of a phone connection.

Instead, use the SOS button, close to the interior mirror.

Environmental conditions

• Say the commands, numbers, and letters smoothly and with normal volume, emphasis, and speed.
• Always say commands in the language of the voice activation system.
• Keep the doors, windows, and glass sunroof closed to prevent noise interference.
• Avoid making other noise in the vehicle while speaking.