BMW 2008 X3 Owner'S Manual Download Page 1

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The Ultimate

Driving Machine

Owner's Manual

for Vehicle

Summary of Contents for 2008 X3

Page 1: ...The Ultimate Driving Machine Owner s Manual for Vehicle ...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...tarting off in your new vehicle It contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in gaining maximum use and satisfaction from your BMW s unique range of technical fea tures The manual also contains information on maintenance designed to enhance operating safety and contribute to main taining the value of your BMW throughout an extended service life This manual is supplemented by ...

Page 4: ...ft Munich Germany Reprinting including excerpts only with the written consent of BMW AG Munich Order No 01 41 0 014 250 US English VIII 07 Printed in Germany Printed on environmentally friendly paper bleached without chlorine suitable for recycling ...

Page 5: ...d closing 27 Adjustments 35 Transporting children safely 38 Driving 46 Everything under control 50 Technology for comfort convenience and safety 59 Lamps 63 Air conditioner 69 Practical interior accessories Driving tips 82 Things to remember when driving Mobility 92 Refueling 94 Wheels and tires 100 Under the hood 105 Maintenance 107 Replacing components 116 Giving and receiving assistance Referen...

Page 6: ...must be fol lowed precisely in order to avoid the pos sibility of personal injury and serious damage to the vehicle Indicates information that will assist you in gaining the optimum benefit from your vehicle and enable you to care more effectively for your vehicle Refers to measures that can be taken to help protect the environment Marks the end of a specific item of informa tion Indicates special...

Page 7: ...enance and repair Advanced technology e g the use of modern materials and powerful electron ics requires specially adapted maintenance and repair methods You should therefore have the corresponding work on your vehicle per formed only by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or at a workshop that works according to BMW repair procedures with cor respondingly trained personnel If this work is not...

Page 8: ...tors wheels suspension components brake dust shields telephones including operation of any mobile phone from within the vehicle without using an externally mounted antenna or transceiver equipment for instance CBs walkie talkies ham radios or similar accessories may cause extensive dam age to the vehicle compromise its safety inter fere with the vehicle s electrical system or affect the validity o...

Page 9: ...come involved in individual problems between you and your dealer or BMW of North America LLC To contact NHTSA you may call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll free at 1 888 327 4236 TTY 1 800 424 9153 or go to http www safercar gov or write to Adminis trator NHTSA 400 Seventh Street SW Washington DC 20590 You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety by going to http www safercar go...

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Page 11: ...tches and displays is intended to familiarize you with your vehicle s operating environment The section will also assist you in becoming acquainted with the control concepts and options available for operating the various systems At a glance ...

Page 12: ...s 59 2 Front fog lamps 61 3 Turn signals 41 Roadside parking lamps 60 High beams 60 Headlamp flasher 41 Computer 48 4 Horn the entire surface 5 Washer wiper system rain sensor 42 6 Hazard warning flashers 7 Central locking system 19 8 Unlocking hood 100 ...

Page 13: ...s 12 4 Coolant temperature gauge 47 5 Fuel gauge 46 6 Button for Displaying the time 47 Service Interval Display 47 Checking oil level 102 7 Selector lever and program displays for automatic transmission 40 8 Button for Resetting trip odometer 46 Setting time 47 9 Display for Trip odometer odometer 46 Time 47 Service Interval 47 Computer 48 Checking oil level 102 ...

Page 14: ...trol systems ABS Antilock Brake System 51 ABS Antilock Brake System chassis control system for Canadian models Brake system With handbrake released 53 104 With handbrake engaged 39 With other warning lamps 53 Brake warning lamp for Canadian models Brake pads 85 Please fasten safety belt 32 Airbags 57 Front fog lamps 61 Automatic transmission 40 Turn signals 41 DSC Dynamic Stability Control xDrive ...

Page 15: ...cted from traffic conditions You may oper ate Selected audio source functions Recirculated air mode steering wheel heater Cruise control Selected telephone functions Voice command system In order to operate a system it must be switched on Telephone voice command system audio sources Press the button answer and terminate call begin dialing selected phone number Extended pressure activate deactivate...

Page 16: ...ode steering wheel heater Depending on the equipment package a button is provided for the recirculated air mode or steering wheel heater Switch recirculated air mode on and off Switch steering wheel heating on off refer to page 34 ...

Page 17: ...At a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility Reference 15 ...

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Page 19: ...ter is intended to provide you with information for complete control of your vehicle and describes its extensive array of features and accessories both for driving and for your own safety comfort and convenience Controls ...

Page 20: ...incorporated a number of options for personal adjustment You can have these programmed at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center There are vehicle related and person related adjustments Vehicle Memory and Key Mem ory You can configure up to four different basic adjustments for four different persons The only requirement is that each person use his or her own master key with remote control When yo...

Page 21: ... locking system is ready for opera tion whenever the driver s door is closed The system locks or unlocks doors liftgate fuel filler door Operating from outside via the remote control via the driver s door lock The central locking system simultaneously operates the antitheft alarm system This pre vents the doors from being unlocked via the lock buttons or door handles The remote con trol also switc...

Page 22: ...pen slightly regardless of whether it was previously locked or unlocked If you wish you can have the liftgate open only after the vehicle has been unlocked You may have this function activated deacti vated To avoid damage make sure there is suf ficient space when opening the liftgate A previously locked liftgate is also locked again after closing Before and after a drive make sure that the lift ga...

Page 23: ...is button to operate the central locking system when the front doors are closed This button only unlocks or locks the doors and the liftgate It does not activate the anti theft system If only the driver s door was unlocked from the outside and you press the but ton then with the driver s door still open the passenger side door the tailgate and the fuel filler door will unlock too If the driver s d...

Page 24: ...behind the cover to the side refer to arrow The liftgate is released The liftgate is locked again as soon as it is closed Closing The handle recesses on the interior trim of the liftgate make it easier to pull down Avoid injuries by making sure that the lift gate s closing region is clear and unob structed Windows Keep windows in your line of sight while closing Failure to do so can result in bodi...

Page 25: ...the window prevents a normal closing press the switch past the resistance point and hold it there The window will close without the pinch protection system Following interruptions in electrical power supply After disconnecting the battery the pinch pro tection system must be reinitialized To do this open and close the windows once and continue pull the switch for longer than approx 2 sec onds afte...

Page 26: ...position In the comfort position the sunroof is not com pletely open This reduces the wind noise in the passenger compartment Each time the panorama glass sunroof is com pletely opened or closed it stops in the comfort position If you wish you can resume the motion by activating the switch After switching off ignition You can operate the panorama glass sunroof for approx 1 minute as long as no doo...

Page 27: ...an acoustic alarm Switching on the hazard warning flashers Flashing the high beams Arming and disarming alarm system When you lock or unlock the vehicle either with the remote control or at the door lock the alarm system is armed or disarmed at the same time If the alarm system has been properly armed the hazard warning flashers light up once You can have different confirmation sig nals set to con...

Page 28: ...rama glass sunroof must be completely closed Avoiding unintentional alarms The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor may be switched off at the same time This pre vents unintentional alarms e g in the following situations In duplex garages When being transported on car carrying trains aboard ship or on a trailer When animals are to remain in the vehicle Switching off tilt alarm sensor and i...

Page 29: ...sitive individuals For airbag locations and additional information on airbags refer to page 57 Head restraint A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the risk of damage to the cervical vertebrae in acci dents Adjust the head restraint so that its mid dle lies approximately at the height of your ears Otherwise there is an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident Head restraints refe...

Page 30: ...safety systems con tinue to provide optimized protection follow the adjustment instructions above Longitudinal direction Pull the lever 1 and slide the seat into the desired position After you release the lever move the seat for ward or backward slightly so that it engages fully Height Pull the lever 2 and apply weight to or remove weight from the seat as needed Backrest Pull the lever 3 and apply...

Page 31: ...ture up or down press upper or lower section of switch Sports seat With this seat you can also adjust the tilt and the thigh support Upward tilt Pull the lever arrow 1 repeatedly until you reach the desired tilt Downward tilt Push the lever arrow 2 repeatedly until you reach the desired tilt Thigh support Pull the lever arrow 3 and slide the thigh sup port in the longitudinal direction Head restra...

Page 32: ...unction Please contact a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center if the front head restraints are to be removed and installed Front seats adjusting height To raise pull upward To lower press button arrow 1 and slide head restraint downward Front seats adjusting distance to back of head To move forward pull upward To move back press button and slide back head cushion Do not insert objects behind head cu...

Page 33: ...rature level Maxi mum temperature when three LEDs are lit To switch off Press the button and hold it longer Rear Functions the same as front seat heating two temperature levels Seat and mirror memory You can store and select three different adjust ment settings for the driver s seat and exterior mirrors The adjustment of the lumbar support is not stored in the memory Storing 1 Turn the ignition ke...

Page 34: ...locking the vehicle If you fail to do so any persons animals or objects behind the seat could be injured or damaged by a rearward movement of the seat Safety belts To ensure that the safety systems con tinue to provide optimum protection please follow the instructions on page 27 Make sure the safety belts are worn in all occu pied seats every time you drive Although air bags enhance safety by prov...

Page 35: ...ic based on the view in the mirrors otherwise there is an increased risk of accident 1 Adjustments 2 Switching over to the other mirror or to the automatic parking function Storing the mirror positions refer to Seat and mirror memory on page 31 Manual adjustments The mirrors can also be manually adjusted by pressing at the edges of the mirror glass To prevent the exterior mirrors on this vehicle f...

Page 36: ...area between the interior rearview mirror and the windshield Do not attach any kind of sticker to the windshield in front of the mirror either Steering wheel Adjustments Do not adjust the steering wheel while the vehicle is moving There is a risk of acci dent from unexpected movement 1 Fold the lever down 2 Adapt the longitudinal position and height of the steering wheel to the seat position 3 Fol...

Page 37: ...jury to the child if the airbag is triggered even with a child restraint system For more information on automatic deactivation of the front passenger airbags refer to page 57 Installing child restraint systems Follow the child restraint system manu facturer s instructions for selection installation and use of the child restraint sys tem Otherwise the degree of protection can be reduced On the pass...

Page 38: ...he front Child restraint system with tether strap The top tether strap attachment points are only intended for attachment of child restraint systems other uses can damage the attachment points For child restraint systems with tether straps there are three additional attachment points refer to arrows under covers in the floor of the cargo area Remove the corresponding cover before use Routing of te...

Page 39: ...trap hook to attachment point 5 Pull tether strap tight When using the cargo area cover Guide tether strap through between the rear seat backrest and the cargo area cover When driving With side airbags in the rear make sure that children do not lean out of the child s seat toward the door panel otherwise injuries can result if the side airbags are triggered Child safety lock of rear doors Slide do...

Page 40: ... safety hazard To prevent the vehicle from rolling always shift into neutral or selector lever position P and engage the handbrake firmly before leaving the vehicle with the engine running Do not discontinue the starting procedure pre maturely but also do not prolong it for more than 20 seconds Release the ignition key immediately as soon as the engine starts When starting the engine do not press ...

Page 41: ...tching off engine Do not remove the ignition key when the vehicle is rolling otherwise the steering wheel lock would engage preventing you from steering When leaving the vehicle remove the ignition key and lock the steering To prevent the vehi cle from rolling engage the parking brake firmly when parking Manual transmission 1 Engage the parking brake firmly 2 Turn the ignition key to position 1 or...

Page 42: ...ly shift with the Steptronic refer to page 41 Parking vehicle To prevent the vehicle from rolling always select position P and engage the handbrake before leaving the vehicle with the engine running Selector lever positions P R N D M S Starting the engine The engine can only be started in selector lever positions P Park or N Neutral Displays in the instrument cluster P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 T...

Page 43: ...c changes gear The instrument clus ter displays M1 to M6 Upshifts and downshifts are executed only when they will result in a plausible combination of engine and vehicle speed as a result for example a downshift that would cause the engine to overrev will not be executed by the system The gear selected will appear briefly in the instrument cluster followed by the current gear To use the automatic ...

Page 44: ... Not provided in vehicles with rain sensor You can set the wipe interval to four stages with the knurled wheel 5 In addition the wipe interval is varied automati cally depending on road speed Rain sensor The rain sensor automatically controls wiper operation as a function of the rain intensity The sensor is mounted on the windshield directly in front of the interior rearview mirror Deactivate the ...

Page 45: ...appropriate intervals Rear window wiper Rear window wiper in intermittent mode When reverse gear is engaged the wiper operates continuously You can also program the interval 1 Briefly move the wiper lever from position 0 to position 2 2 Wait for desired interval maximum of 30 seconds 3 Move the wiper lever from position 0 to position 2 again Washer fluid Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable For th...

Page 46: ...Each additional touch of the but ton increases the speed by approx 1 mph 1 km h Press and hold button The vehicle accelerates without pressure on the accelerator pedal When you release the button the system maintains and stores the current speed If the braking action of the engine is insufficient on a downhill stretch then the set vehicle can exceed the set speed Speed can drop on uphill grades if...

Page 47: ...Reference At a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility 45 Resuming stored speed Press button The vehicle accelerates to and maintains the last speed stored ...

Page 48: ...e avoided In this range the fuel supply is interrupted to protect the engine Fuel gauge Fuel tank capacity approx 17 7 US gal 67 liters Instructions for refueling can be found on page 92 If the tilt of the vehicle varies when you are driv ing in mountainous areas for example the indi cator may fluctuate slightly Reserve If the LED 1 starts to light up continuously there are still approx 2 US gal 8...

Page 49: ...ext scheduled service and remaining distance to this service are displayed in miles kilometers The remaining distance is determined on the basis of the past driving style A flashing display and a sign before the numerical value mean that the service interval has been passed by the displayed number of miles kilometers Please make an appointment with your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center Clock If ...

Page 50: ...you can display the following functions in a different unit of measure Outside temperature Changing units of measure 7 6 During the display hold down the button in the turn signal lever until the display changes Outside temperature warning If the outside temperature falls below approx 37 57 36 the computer switches auto matically to the outside temperature display In addition an acoustic signal so...

Page 51: ...ays the estimated cruising range available with the remaining fuel The current fuel level is measured and the range is calculated taking into account the driving style over the last 20 miles 30 km Always refuel as soon as possible once your cruising range falls to below 30 miles 50 km otherwise engine functions are not ensured and damage can occur Average speed The calculation of the average speed...

Page 52: ...ox 1 second each time you shift into reverse or move the selector lever into position R Wait for one second to pass before moving You can have a signal tone programmed into the system to verify that the PDC is active Activating manual mode In ignition key position 2 press the button the LED lights up Deactivating manual mode Press the button again the LED goes out The system is automatically deact...

Page 53: ...ock Brake System ABS prevents the wheels from locking during braking Safe steering response is maintained even during full braking This results in an increase in the active safety ABS is operational every time you start the engine Safe braking refer to page 84 Electronic brake force distribution The system controls the brake pressure in the rear wheels to ensure a stable braking behavior Brake ass...

Page 54: ... the drive forces and braking forces When the indicator lamp lights up DTC is activated Deactivating DTC Press the button again the DTC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out xDrive xDrive is the all wheel drive system of your X3 The combined effects of xDrive and DSC fur ther optimize the traction and dynamic driving characteristics The all wheel drive system xDrive variably distribute...

Page 55: ...e to the drive system The warning lamp for the brake system lights up in red together with the warn ing lamps for ABS and DSC xDrive In addition a warning signal sounds The driving stability control systems have failed It is then possible to exert driving force only via the rear axle If the brake system warning lamp lights up in yellow in the described combination then the EBV Electronic brake for...

Page 56: ... severe tire damage caused by out side factors and does not detect a natural even pressure drop in all four tires In the following situations the system could be delayed or malfunction When the system has not been initialized When driving on snow covered or slippery road surfaces Sporty driving style slip in the drive wheels high lateral acceleration When driving with snow chains When driving with...

Page 57: ... system is deactivated and is unable to detect flat tires if a wheel not equipped with TPM electronics has been mounted e g a compact wheel or if TPM is experiencing tem porary interference from other systems or devices that use the same frequency Resetting system The system must be reset after every cor rection of tire inflation pressure and after every tire or wheel change 1 Start engine but do ...

Page 58: ...lated When the low tire pressure warning lamp lights up you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible and inflate them to the proper pressure Driving on a signif icantly underinflated tire causes the tire to over heat and can lead to tire failure Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life and may affect the vehicle s handling and stop ping ability Please note that t...

Page 59: ...executed only by a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that works according to BMW repair procedures with correspondingly trained personnel and that has the required explosives licenses Oth erwise unprofessional attempts to service the system could lead to failure in an emergency or undesired airbag activation either of which could result in personal injury Airbag warnings and informa...

Page 60: ...ir bags has illuminated This indicates that the system has detected the child s seat and that the front passenger airbags have been deactivated The indicator lamp does not come on as long as a person of sufficient size and in a correct sitting position is detected on the seat The front and side airbags for the pas senger are activated The indicator lamp does not light up when the seat is empty In ...

Page 61: ...indicator lamp lights up At least one bulb of the exterior lighting on the vehicle is defective Replacing bulbs refer to page 107 Door handle lighting When the parking lamps or low beams are switched on the interior door handles are also illuminated The intensity of the lighting is adjusted using the instrument lighting control Welcome lamps If when parking the vehicle you leave the light switch i...

Page 62: ... 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 tight curves e g serpentines or when mak ing turns up to a speed of approx 43 mph 70 km h a turning lamp is switched on and illu minates the inside of the curve Activating Adaptive Head Light With the ignition on turn the light switch to the Au...

Page 63: ...e courtesy lamps LED lamps are located in both exterior mirrors to illuminate the exterior area before the front doors If you wish you can have the interior lamps switch on after you unlock the vehi cle mechanically You may have this function activated deactivated if you wish If the interior lamps remain switched on after locking the vehicle one of the doors or the liftgate may not be completely c...

Page 64: ...2 Rear reading lamps Switch on and off with the button To avoid discharging the battery all of the vehicle s interior lamps are automatically extinguished approx 15 minutes after the igni tion is switched off ...

Page 65: ...ditioner Air conditioner 1 Airflow directed toward windshield and side windows 2 Airflow toward upper body 65 3 Airflow to footwell 65 4 Air volume 64 5 Recirculated air mode 64 6 Temperature 64 7 Air distribution 64 8 Rear window defroster 64 9 Cooling function 64 ...

Page 66: ...rt of the rear window defroster Switching cooling function on off When the cooling function is on the air is cooled dehumidified and then reheated depending on the temperature setting Depending on the weather the windshield may fog over briefly when the engine is started Recirculated air mode You can respond to unpleasant odors outside the vehicle by tem porarily suspending the supply of outside a...

Page 67: ...ing Adjust the vents to direct the flow of cool air in your direction for instance if the interior has become too warm Draft free ventilation Set the vent outlets so that the air flows past you and is not directed straight at you Microfilter The microfilter removes dust and pollen from the incoming outside air It is replaced when maintenance is performed by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center ...

Page 68: ...8 4 Manually varying air distribution 67 5 Adjusting temperature 67 6 Temperature display 67 Air volume 67 7 Manually varying air volume 67 8 Defrosting windows and removing condensation 67 9 Rear window defroster 68 10 Switching cooling function on off 67 11 Outside air AUC Automatic recirculated air control recirculated air mode 68 12 AUTO program 67 ...

Page 69: ...perature is reached as quickly as possible any time of year using maximum cool ing or heating capacity as needed and then keeps this temperature constant The highest setting produces the maximum heat output regardless of the outside tempera ture The lowest setting activates maximum air conditioning When you change between different tem perature settings in rapid succession the system does not have...

Page 70: ...hicle will steadily deteri orate Rear window defroster The rear window heating switches off automatically after a certain amount of time Depending on your equipment package the upper wires are used as an antenna and are not part of the rear window defroster Ventilation 1 Knurled wheels for opening and closing the air vents through an infinitely variable range 2 Levers for changing airflow directio...

Page 71: ...ing or in the manual supplied with the origi nal hand held transmitter then it is safe to assume that the radio controlled device is compatible with the integrated universal remote control If you have additional questions please ask at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or call 1 800 355 3515 You can find also information on the Internet at www bmwusa com or www homelink com HomeLink is a reg...

Page 72: ...uipment 2 Program the integrated universal remote control as described above in the section on Fixed code hand held transmitters 3 Locate the button on the receiver of the equipment to be set e g on its drive unit 4 Press the button on the receiver of the device you want to set up After step 4 you have approx 30 seconds for step 5 5 Press the programmed memory button 1 of the integrated universal ...

Page 73: ... approx 3 4 sec onds The display indicates the number of the currently set compass zone To change the zone setting repeatedly press the adjusting button briefly until the number of the compass zone that applies to your current position is displayed The compass will be operational again after approx 10 seconds Calibrating digital compass In the following situations the digital compass must be calib...

Page 74: ... is automatically stored after approx 10 seconds Cup holders Use lightweight unbreakable containers otherwise there is a risk of injury in an accident Do not push unsuitable containers into the cup holder as this can damage it Front Depending on your optional equipment the center console contains either one or two cup holders Passenger side The cup holder for the front passenger is located beneath...

Page 75: ... socket whenever you need it To avoid damage be sure that the flash light is switched off when it is inserted into its holder Storage compartments Armrest front The armrest contains two storage compart ments Compartment for CDs Press button 1 Compartment for coins and miscellaneous items Press button 2 Armrest rear The rear armrest contains a storage compart ment To open pull the cover upward Stor...

Page 76: ...is rea son do not leave unsupervised children in the vehicle Connecting electrical devices You can use electrical devices such as flash lights car vacuum cleaners or the like with power ratings of up to approx 200 W at 12 V if at least one of the following connection points is provided Avoid damage to the socket caused by inserting plugs of the wrong shape or size To reduce the strain on the batte...

Page 77: ... for Telephone Ski bag The ski bag allows the safe and clean transport of up to four pairs of standard skis or up to two snowboards The ski bag allows you to stow skis up to a length of up to 6 8 ft 2 1 m When skis of 6 8 ft 2 1 m in length are loaded the ski bag will tend to narrow reducing its overall capacity Loading 1 Fold down the center armrest pull off the cover panel press the button and d...

Page 78: ...r armrest and pull off the cover 2 Remove the tray behind the cover panel with a screwdriver Pivot the handle of the screwdriver upward arrow 1 and simulta neously pull toward the front arrow 2 3 Position the ski bag on the lower edge of the opening refer to arrow 1 then insert it refer to arrow 2 Removing ski bag Pull the handle forward and remove the ski bag upward Do not position cargo at the o...

Page 79: ...he tray is inserted in the same way as inserting the ski bag refer to Inserting ski bag on page 76 Cargo area cover Pull the cargo area cover out by the handle and hook it into the rear holders You can carry light objects such as articles of clothing on the cargo area cover Never place heavy hard objects on the cover If you do so they could endanger passengers during braking or evasive maneu vers ...

Page 80: ...dle refer to arrow 2 so that it engages in the brackets Lowering partition net Grasp bar on one side on the partition net press upward and push the ends of the bar together then release from the brackets Behind side trim panel Press the button to open Floor cover Opening For access to the jack etc To open raise the cover by the handle refer to arrow If needed you can remove or raise the floor cove...

Page 81: ...the brackets down to slide them into the desired position 3 Make sure the brackets have seated securely They must engage audibly Do not place any cargo on the brackets this can cause them to disengage Dividing cargo area You have the following possibilities for place ment of the cargo between the backrest and the telescoping rail between the telescoping rail and the retain ing strap Positioning th...

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Page 83: ...Driving tips This section is designed to provide you with extra support by supplying information useful in dealing with specific driving and operating conditions Driving tips ...

Page 84: ...omenon is referred to as hydroplaning and can lead to partial or complete loss of traction vehi cle control and braking effectiveness Reduce your speed on wet roads Brake system Your vehicle must travel approx 300 miles 500 km before the brake pads and rotors achieve the optimum pad surface and wear patterns required for trouble free operation and long service life later on To break in the separat...

Page 85: ...the vehicle driving ahead Driving smoothly and looking ahead reduces fuel consumption Avoiding high engine speeds Only use 1st gear when starting off Accelerate briskly from 2nd gear while avoiding high engine speeds and shifting up prematurely When the desired speed is reached shift into the highest possible gear and drive at constant speed at the lowest possible engine speed Always remember driv...

Page 86: ...d wiper activation refer to page 42 Hydroplaning When driving on wet or slushy roads reduce road speed If you do not a wedge of water can form between tires and road sur face This phenomenon is referred to as hydro planing and is characterized by a partial or complete loss of contact between tires and road surface ultimately undermining your abil ity to steer and brake the vehicle The danger of hy...

Page 87: ...inants accumulate on the brake pads This occurs because the minimal pressure which must be exerted by the pads during brake applications to clean the rotors is not reached Should corrosion form on the brake rotors the brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating effect that even extended application will fail to cure Brake pads The warning lamp lights up The brake pads have reached their min imum ...

Page 88: ...eavy cargo when the rear seat is not occupied secure the safety belt on each side in the buckle on the opposite side Securing cargo Use the luggage net or draw straps to hold down small and lightweight luggage and cargo refer to page 78 For larger and heavier pieces heavy duty cargo straps are available from your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center These heavy duty cargo straps are secured to lashi...

Page 89: ...stances Always adapt your driving speed to the road conditions The more steep and uneven the roadway is the lower the speed should be You can operate your vehicle on uphill and downhill gradients with a maximum slope of 50 If you wish to drive on uphill and downhill grades of this nature make sure beforehand that the engine oil and coolant levels are near the MAX mark refer to pages 102 and 104 Wh...

Page 90: ...se bear the following points in mind after driving on poor roads in order to preserve the road safety of your BMW Clean the heavy dirt from the body Clean mud snow ice and other materials from the wheels and tires Check the tires for damage ...

Page 91: ...Reference At a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility 89 ...

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Page 93: ...ility This section helps you maintain your mobility by supplying important information on vital topics including fuels and lubricants wheels and tires service maintenance and breakdown assistance Mobility ...

Page 94: ...ion is occurring you can unlock the fuel filler flap manually 1 Open the cover flap on the right hand side panel of the cargo area refer to page 78 2 Pull the green button The fuel filler flap is released Always take all applicable precautions and comply with all regulations when han dling fuels Never carry spare fuel containers in your vehicle Whether empty or full these con tainers can leak caus...

Page 95: ...ny gasoline below the speci fied minimum fuel grade Otherwise the engine could be damaged Use high quality brands Field experience has indicated significant dif ferences in fuel quality volatility composition additives etc among gasolines offered for sale in the United States and Canada Fuels contain ing up to and including 10 ethanol or other oxygenates with up to 2 8 oxygen by weight that is 15 ...

Page 96: ...specifications The table on the next page provides all the cor rect inflation pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient temperature The inflation pressures in the table apply to BMW approved tire sizes and recom mended tire brands Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be glad to supply this infor mation For correct identification of the right tire infla tion pressure for your tires ...

Page 97: ...fications in the table are indicated in psi kilopascal with cold tires Cold ambient temperature 235 55 R 17 99 H M S 32 220 32 220 32 220 32 220 32 220 38 260 235 50 R 18 97 H M S 32 220 35 240 32 220 35 240 35 240 41 280 Front 235 50 R 18 97 V Rear 255 45 R 18 99 V 32 220 32 220 32 220 32 220 35 240 38 260 Front 235 45 R 19 95 W Rear 255 40 R 19 96 W 32 220 35 240 32 220 35 240 35 240 41 280 Comp...

Page 98: ...ear The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified gov ernment test course For example a tire graded 150 would wear one and one half 1γ times as well on the govern ment course as a tire graded 100 The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use however and may depart significan...

Page 99: ...esent on the road surface Winter tires display a noticeable loss in their ability to cope with cold weather driving condi tions once the tread wears to below 0 16 in 4 mm To ensure continued safety you should always have such tires replaced Wear indicators at the tread groove base refer to arrow are distributed over the tire s circum ference and are marked on the side of the tire with TWI Tread We...

Page 100: ...r to have the original wheel and tire combination remounted on the vehicle as soon as possible Wheels equipped with electronics for TPM Tire Pressure Monitor When installing new tires or when changing from summer tires to winter tires or vice versa only use wheels equipped with TPM electron ics otherwise the Tire Pressure Monitor can not detect a flat tire refer to page 55 Your BMW Sports Activity...

Page 101: ...r It is only permissible to use them in pairs and on the rear wheels Follow the manufacturer s instructions when installing snow chains Do not exceed a vehicle speed of 30 mph 50 km h with snow chains mounted Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor with snow chains installed otherwise the instrument might issue an incorrect reading When you are driving with snow chains it can be beneficial to temp...

Page 102: ... there is a danger of subsequent dam age and related safety hazards Hood Unlocking Pull the lever located under the left side of the instrument cluster Opening To avoid causing damage make sure that wiper arms are resting against the wind shield before opening the hood Press the release handle and open the hood Closing Close the hood with force by allowing it to fall from a height of approx 1 ft 3...

Page 103: ...indshield washer system refer to page 43 2 Body ground negative terminal refer to page 117 3 Jump starting terminal refer to page 117 4 Filler neck for engine oil refer to Adding engine oil 5 Reservoir for brake fluid refer to page 104 6 Expansion tank for coolant refer to page 104 In vehicles with a gasoline engine the expansion tank is on the other side ...

Page 104: ...sounds Top off engine oil at the earliest opportunity e g with your next refueling The warning lamp lights up yellow within 30 seconds after starting the engine The oil level sensor has failed It is not possible to take a current or meaningful measurement Have the system checked as soon as possible Checking oil level Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil level control For the most precis...

Page 105: ...edures with correspondingly trained personnel Approved engine oils The quality of the engine oil selected has critical significance for the operation and service life of an engine BMW continuously approves spe cific oils after confirming their suitability for use in its vehicles with extensive testing Only use approved BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil If you are unable to obtain BMW High Perfor ...

Page 106: ...ank counter clockwise to allow any accumulated pres sure to escape then continue turning to open 3 The coolant level is correct when it is between the MIN and MAX marks also refer to illustration next to filler neck 4 If the coolant is low slowly add coolant up to the specified level do not overfill 5 Screw on the cap and tighten snugly 6 Have the reason for the coolant loss cor rected as soon as ...

Page 107: ... from the atmosphere over the course of time To ensure that the brake system continues to provide safe and reliable perfor mance remember to have the brake fluid changed at least every two years by a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center also refer to the Service and Warranty Information Book let for US models or the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models Service and Warranty Informat...

Page 108: ...ribed malfunction on Canadian models When the fuel filler cap is not properly tightened the OBD system can detect the vapor leak and the indicator lamp will light up If the filler cap is subsequently tightened the indicator lamp should go out within a few days Event data recorders Your vehicle may be equipped with one or more sensing and diagnostic modules or a recording device capable of recordin...

Page 109: ...e a significant contribu tion to road safety Therefore comply fully with the following instructions during bulb replace ment If you are not familiar with the specified procedures or they are not described here BMW recommends having this work carried out at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center Never touch the glass of new bulbs with your bare fingers as even minute amounts of contamination will ...

Page 110: ...ea do not prohibit this To avoid risk of potentially fatal injuries due to the extremely high voltages at which these units operate service work should always be entrusted to qualified personnel Halogen low beams H7 bulb 55 watts Always wear gloves and eye protection the atmosphere inside the H7 bulb is pressurized Failure to observe this precaution can lead to injuries should the bulb be dam aged...

Page 111: ...lower edge against the bracket and press it in until the lamp base locks into place Make sure that the cover does not fall into the engine compartment otherwise the vehicle can be damaged or other road users can be endangered Front passenger side Before replacing the bulb remove the reservoir of the windshield washer system from the bracket refer to Halogen low beams on page 108 For bulb replaceme...

Page 112: ...pivot headlamp out on this side and remove toward the front 3 Turn the lamp base at the back of the head lamp to the left and remove it 4 Disconnect the cable connector 5 Slide new bulb onto plug connector be sure it snaps firmly into place 6 Install in the reverse order Tail lamps Turn signal lamp PY21WSV bulb 21 watts Other bulbs W16W bulb 16 watts 1 Brake lamp 2 Parking lamp rear lamp LED 3 Tur...

Page 113: ...el with the wheels point ing straight ahead Engage the handbrake and shift into first gear or reverse or move the selector lever to position P All passengers should be outside the vehicle and well away from your immediate working area behind a guardrail for instance If a warning triangle or portable hazard warning lamp is required set it up on the roadside at an appropriate distance from the rear ...

Page 114: ...om pact wheel Its weight of approx 18 lbs 8 kg is then entirely supported by the handle 4 Slowly lower the handle as far as possible refer to arrow 4 5 Pull the compact wheel to the rear so that it is still securely resting in its compact wheel receptacle 6 If need be turn the wheel in the compact wheel receptacle so that the attachment of the retaining strap to the rim points toward the rear 7 Ro...

Page 115: ...wheels only Do not attempt to raise another vehicle model with it or to raise any load of any kind To do so could cause accidents and personal injury 2 Guide the jack head into the rectangular recess of the jacking point when cranking up refer to drawing inset 3 Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are changing is raised from the ground Mounting a wheel 1 Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the wh...

Page 116: ...tery Warning lamp The warning lamp lights up The battery is no longer being charged The alterna tor V belt is defective or there is a mal function in the charge current circuit of the alternator Have the system checked immedi ately Do not continue driving if the V belt is defective The engine could be damaged due to overheating Moreover an increased amount of force is required for steering if ther...

Page 117: ...use with a sub stitute of another color or amperage rating as this could lead to a circuit overload ultimately resulting in a fire in the vehicle Open the glove compartment and turn the two quick release fasteners to the left refer to arrows Spare fuses plastic tweezers and information about fuse allocation are stored with the fuses ...

Page 118: ...stem is operable Access to buttons To open the cover Briefly press the cover refer to arrow 1 Emergency call 2 Roadside Assistance Initiating an emergency call Press button 1 for at least 2 seconds The LED above the button lights up As soon as a voice connection to the BMW Assist Response Center has been established the LED flashes If the LED flashes but you are unable to hear the emergency Respon...

Page 119: ...itch off any electrical systems and com ponents in both vehicles Ensure that there is no contact between the bodywork on the two vehicles other wise there is a danger of short circuits Connecting jumper cables Connect the jumper cables in the correct order failure to do so could generate sparks and cause injury In your BMW the so called jump starting termi nal in the engine compartment functions a...

Page 120: ...ing that comes with the vehicle and screw it in as far as it will go Use the tow fitting only for towing on roads Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting e g do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting Otherwise the tow fitting and the vehicle can be dam aged Access to screw thread Front Push the cover in the bumper out of the recess with a screwdriver Rear Press on the mark provided on the cover ...

Page 121: ...tow rope is taut To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on vehicle components when towing always use nylon ropes or nylon straps Secure the tow rope to the tow fittings only Otherwise other vehicle parts could be dam aged With tow truck Do not tow the X3 with only the front or rear axle raised otherwise the wheels could lock and the transfer case could be dam aged Have the X3 transported onl...

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Page 123: ...Reference This chapter contains technical data and the index that will direct you as quickly as possible to the information you seek Reference ...

Page 124: ...isplacement Number of cylinders cu in cm3 182 8 2996 6 182 8 2996 6 Maximum power at engine speed hp rpm 215 6250 260 6600 Maximum torque at engine speed Ib ft Nm rpm 185 251 2750 225 305 2750 An engine performance test is authorized only on an appropriate chassis dynamometer ...

Page 125: ...Reference At a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility 123 Dimensions All dimensions in inches millimeters Smallest turning circle dia 38 4 ft 11 7 m Height with roof rack 66 0 in 1674 mm ...

Page 126: ... 455 1036 470 Approved front axle load manual transmission automatic transmission lbs kg lbs kg 2425 1100 2425 1100 2425 1100 2535 1150 Approved rear axle load lbs kg 2778 1260 2778 1260 Approved roof load capacity lbs kg 165 75 165 75 Cargo area capacity cu ft l 71 2 011 71 2 011 Notes Fuel tank Fuel reserve US gal liters US gal liters approx 17 7 67 approx 2 8 Fuel specification page 93 Windshie...

Page 127: ...Reference At a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility 125 ...

Page 128: ...nter tires 98 All wheel drive refer to xDrive 52 Anchorage points 78 Antifreeze coolant 104 washer fluid 43 Antilock Brake System ABS 51 indicator lamp 12 Anti theft alarm system refer to Alarm system 19 25 Approved axle load refer to Weights 124 Approved engine oils 103 Approved gross vehicle weight refer to Weights 124 Armrest front 73 rear 73 Artificial leather refer to Caring for your vehicle ...

Page 129: ...acities 124 Capacity cargo area 124 Car care refer to Caring for your vehicle brochure Car care products refer to Caring for your vehicle brochure Care refer to Caring for your vehicle brochure Cargo securing 86 Cargo area 22 76 capacity 124 cover 77 emergency release refer to Opening manually 22 enlarging 76 floor cover 78 foldable rear backrest 76 hatch refer to Liftgate 22 lashing eyes 78 openi...

Page 130: ...age fuel consumption 49 Consumption indicator refer to Fuel gauge 46 Controls refer to Cockpit 10 Convenience operation from outside 21 panorama glass sunroof 21 windows 21 Coolant 104 level 104 temperature gauge 47 warning lamp 104 Cooling refer to Temperature 64 67 Copyright 2 Correct wheels and tires 98 Courtesy lamps 61 Cruise control 44 buttons on steering wheel 13 indicator lamp 44 Cruising ...

Page 131: ...ometer 47 speed 46 starting 38 switching off 39 Engine compartment 101 Engine coolant 104 Engine coolant temperature 47 Engine oil 102 additives refer to Approved engine oils 103 approved engine oils 103 electronic oil level control 102 indicator warning lamp 102 possible displays 102 required oil grades 103 specifications also refer to Approved engine oils 103 Engine oil grades 103 Engine oil lev...

Page 132: ... bulbs 107 Headlamp washer reservoir capacity refer to Filling capacities 124 refer to Washer fluid 43 Headlamp washer system headlamp washing 43 washer fluid 43 Head Light refer to Adaptive Head Light 60 Head restraints 29 sitting safely 27 Heated mirrors 33 Heated rear window air conditioner 64 automatic climate control 68 Heated seats 31 Heated steering wheel 34 Heater rear window 64 68 windshi...

Page 133: ... from outside 22 remote control 20 Liftgate lamp replacing bulbs 111 Lifting handle compact wheel 112 Light alloy wheels care refer to Caring for your vehicle brochure Light emitting diodes LEDs 108 Lighter 74 Lighter socket 74 Lighting door handles 59 instruments 61 Lights refer to Parking lamps low beams 59 Light switch 59 Load determining load limit 85 refer to Cargo loading 85 Lock buttons doo...

Page 134: ...e oils 103 level 102 refilling refer to Adding engine oil 103 Oil change interval refer to Service Interval Display 47 Oil grades 103 Oil level 102 warning lamp 102 Oil pressure 102 warning lamp 102 OILSERVICE 47 Old batteries refer to Disposal 114 Onboard computer refer to separate Owner s Manual Onboard Diagnostics OBD interface socket 105 Onboard tool kit 107 Opening and closing from inside 21 ...

Page 135: ... windows air conditioner 64 automatic climate control 67 Replacement fuses 115 Replacing bulbs refer to Lamps and bulbs 107 Replacing tires new wheels and tires 97 wheel changes 111 Replacing windshield wipers 107 Reporting an accident refer to Initiating an emergency call 116 Reporting safety defects 7 Required oil grades refer to Approved engine oils 103 Reserve indicator lamp refer to Fuel gaug...

Page 136: ...his Owner s Manual at time of printing 5 Steering lock 38 Steering wheel 10 13 adjustment 34 buttons on steering wheel 13 heater 34 lock 38 Steering wheel with buttons 13 Steptronic 40 Storage compartments 73 Storage package 73 Storage package nets 73 Storage space refer to Cargo area 76 Storing desired speed refer to Cruise control 44 Storing seat position refer to Seat and mirror memory 31 Stori...

Page 137: ...97 Trip distance counter refer to Trip odometer 46 Trip odometer 46 Trunk lid refer to Liftgate 22 Turning circle refer to Dimensions 123 Turning lamp 60 Turn signals 41 indicator lamp 12 replacing bulbs 109 side replacing bulbs 110 U Units 48 outside temperature 48 Universal garage door opener refer to Integrated universal remote control 69 Universal remote control 69 Unlocking from inside 21 hoo...

Page 138: ...ndows 64 67 Windshield washer reservoir capacity refer to Filling capacity 124 refer to Washer fluid 43 Windshield washer system washer wiper system 42 washer fluid 43 Windshield wiper blade replacement 107 Windshield wipers refer to Washer wiper system 42 Winter tires 98 changing 111 condition 97 storage 98 Wiper blade replacement 107 Wiper system 42 Working in the engine compartment 100 Wrench s...

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