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X3 2006
Owner's Manual
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BMW X3 2006 Owner's Manual

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Owner's Manual
Contents
A-Z
for Vehicle
The Ultimate
Driving Machine
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X3 2.5i
X3 3.0i
Owner's Manual for Vehicle
Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and security when you drive it. We therefore have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the information that we have compiled for you before starting 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 fea­tures. The manual also contains information on maintenance designed to enhance operating safety and contribute to main­taining the value of your BMW throughout an extended service life.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Informa­tion Booklet for US models or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG
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© 2006 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft Munich, Germany Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the written consent of BMW AG, Munich. Order No. 01 41 0 012 213 US English II/06 Printed in Germany Printed on environmentally friendly paper, bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.
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Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to use the index, refer to page 118.
Using this Owner's Manual
4 Notes 7 Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10 Cockpit
Controls
18 Opening and closing 26 Adjustments 33 Transporting children safely 36 Driving 43 Everything under control 47 Technology for comfort, convenience
and safety
56 Lamps 59 Air conditioner 65 Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
76 Things to remember when driving
Mobility
84 Refueling 86 Wheels and tires 92 Under the hood 97 Maintenance 99 Replacing components 107 Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
114 Technical data 118 Everything from A to Z
Reference At a glanceControlsDriving tipsMobility
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Notes

Using this Owner's Manual

Notes
We have made every effort to ensure that you are easily able to find what you need in this Owner's Manual. The fastest way to find certain topics is by using the detailed index at the end. For a brie f initial overview of your vehicle , please refer to the first chapter.
Should you sell your BMW some day, please remember to hand over the Owner's Manual as well; it is an important component of your vehicle.
Additional sources of information
If you have additional questions, your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center is always happy to advise you.
You can find information on BMW, e.g. technol­ogy, on the Internet at www.bmwusa.com.

Symbols used

Indicates precautions that must be fol-
lowed precisely in order to avoid the pos­sibility 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 equipment, country-specific equipment and optional extras, as well as equipment and functions not yet available at the time of printing.
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory, refer to
page 32. Identifies functions that can be specifically adapted for a particular key or vehi­cle. These adjustments can be performed by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Symbols on vehicle components
Indicates that you should consult the rel-
evant section of this Owner's Manual for information on a particular part or assembly.
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The individual vehicle

In purchasing your BMW, you have decided in favor of a model with individualized equipment and features. This Owner's Manual describes all models and equipment that BMW offers within the same group.
We hope you will understand that equipment and features are included that you might not have chosen for your vehicle. Sections describ­ing options and special equipment are marked
*
by asterisks ble differences between the descriptions in this manual and your own vehicle's equipment.
If equipment in your BMW is not described in this Owner's Manual, please refer to the accom­panying Supplementary Owner's Manuals.
to assist you in identifying possi-

Editorial notice

BMW pursues a policy of continuous, ongoing development that is conceived to ensure that our vehicles continue to embody the highest quality and safety standards combined with advanced, state-of-the-art technology. In iso­lated cases it is possible that the features described in this Owner's Manual could differ from those on your vehicle.
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Reference At a glanceControlsDriving tipsMobility
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For your own safety

Maintenance and repair
Notes
Advanced technology, e.g. the use of
modern materials and powerful electron­ics, requires specially adapted maintenance and repair methods. You should therefore have the corresponding work on your vehicle per­formed only by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or at a workshop that works according to BMW repair procedures with cor­respondingly trained personnel. If this work is not carried out properly, there is a danger of subsequent damage and related safety haz­ards.<
California Proposition 65 Warning
California law requires us to state the following warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of
automobile components and parts, including components found in the interior fur­nishings in a vehicle, contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects and reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Battery posts, terminals and related accesso­ries contain lead and lead compounds. Wash your hands after handling. Used engine oil contains chemicals that have caused cancer in laboratory animals. Always protect your skin by washing thoroughly with soap and water.<
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW. When you purchase accessories tested and approved by BMW and Genuine BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire the assurance that they have been thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure optimum performance when installed on your vehicle. BMW warrants these parts to be free from defects in material and workmanship. BMW will not accept any liability for damage resulting from installation of parts and accesso­ries not approved by BMW. BMW cannot test every product made by other manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a BMW safely and without risk to either the vehi­cle, its operation or its occupants. Genuine BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and other products approved by BMW, together with professional advice on using these items, are available from all BMW Sports Activity Vehi­cle Centers. Installation and operation of non-BMW approved accessories such as alarms, radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, 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 such as CBs, walkie-talkies, ham radios or sim­ilar accessories may cause extensive damage to the vehicle, compromise its safety, interfere with the vehicle’s electrical system, or affect the validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center for addi­tional information.<
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
the emission control devices and sys­tems may be performed by any automotive repair establishment or individual using any cer­tified automotive part.<
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Service and warranty

We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following warran­ties:
> New Vehicle Limited Warranty > Rust Perforation Limited Warranty > Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty > Federal Emissions Performance Warranty > California Emission Control System Limited
Warranty.
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty Information Booklet for US models or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Reporting safety defects
For US customers
The following only applies to vehicles owned and operated in the US.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, in addition to notifying BMW of North America, LLC, P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227, Telephone 1-800-831-
1117.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or BMW of North America, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: Adminis­trator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov
For Canadian customers
Canadian customers who wish to report a safety-related defect to Transport Canada, Defect Investigations and Recalls, may tele­phone the toll free hotline 1-800-333-0510, or contact Transport Canada by mail at: Trans­port Canada, ASFAD, Place de Ville Tower C, 330 Sparks Street, Ottawa ON K1A 0N5.
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At a glance
At a glance
This overview of buttons, switches and displays is intended to serve as a source of orientation in
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.
Page 12

Cockpit

Controls

Cockpit
1 Parking lamps/low beams 56 2 > Turn signals 39
> Roadside parking lamps 57 > High beams 57 > Headlamp flasher 39 > Computer
3 Front fog lamps
10
*
45
*
57
4 Horn
5 Washer/wiper system/rain sensor
6 Hazard warning flashers
7 Central locking system 18
8 Unlocking the hood 92
*
40
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Instrument cluster

At a glanceControlsDriving tipsMobilityReference
1 Speedometer
2 Indicator and warning lamps 12
3 Tachometer 43
Indicator and warning lamps 12
4 Coolant temperature gauge 44
5 Fuel gauge 43
6 Button for
> Displaying the time 44 > Service Interval Display 44
7 Selector lever and program display for
automatic transmission 38
8 Button for
> Resetting trip odometer 43 > Setting the time 44
9 Display for
> Trip odometer/odometer 43 > Time 44 > Service Interval 44 > Computer 45
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Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are identified
+
are checked for proper function each
with time you turn the ignition key. They each light
Cockpit
up once for different periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored sys­tem, the corresponding lamp will either fail to go out wh en th e e ng ine is sta rt ed, or it wil l c ome o n again during normal driving. Detailed informa­tion is provided on the specified pages.
Battery charge current
Headlamp flasher 39 High beams 57
Engine oil
+
94
Driving stability control systems/ ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS Antilock Brake System/chassis control system for Canadian models
Brake system
+
With handbrake released 50, 96 With handbrake engaged 37 With other warning lamps 50
Brake warning lamp for Canadian models
+
Brake pads
96
Please fasten safety belt
+
+
105
+
29
48
Automatic transmission +38
Turn signals 39
DSC Dynamic Stability Control/ xDrive
+
48, 49
Service Engine Soon
+
98
Service Engine Soon warning lamp for Canadian models.
Check Gas Cap
Engine electronics
*
+84
+
36
Washer fluid low 41
Coolant low 95
Flat Tire Monitor Tire Pressure Monitor
*
+
50
*
+
52
Lamp defective 56
Cruise control 41
With ignition key in position 2, this warning lamp indicates that a door or the liftgate is open.
Airbags
+
53
Front fog lamps 57
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Colors
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in different colors and combinations.
The following section explains the significance of the individual colors as well as how you should respond when they appear.
> red:
Stop the vehicle immediately or an important reminder
> yellow:
Have the system inspected as soon as possible or for your information
> green:
For your information
> blue:
For your information
Telephone*/audio sources*
Display/hide phonebook. Display entries con­secutively with buttons for fast forward/reverse
Fast forward/reverse
At a glanceControlsDriving tipsMobilityReference
> Radio
Press briefly: next station
> CD
Press briefly: skip track
Extended pressure: fast forward/reverse
> Phone
Browse through list of names
Volume

Buttons on steering wheel*

The buttons integrated into the steering wheel are provided so that you can operate a number of accessories quickly and without being dis­tracted from traffic conditions. You may oper­ate:
> 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*
Press briefly: Accept incoming call, start dialing, terminate call. Extended pressure: Activate/deactivate voice command system
On the sports steering wheel* and M sports steering wheel*, the +/– buttons for the volume are on the left side of the steering wheel.
Cruise control*
Cruise control: resuming
Cruise control: accelerating and storing + as well as decelerating and storing –
On the sports steering wheel
*
steering wheel control are on the right side of the steering wheel.
Cruise control: activating/interrupting/deacti­vating
, the +/– buttons for the cruise
*
and M sports
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Recirculated-air mode/steering wheel
heater*
Depending on the equipment, a button is provided for the recirculated-air mode or
steering wheel heater.<
Cockpit
Recirculated-air mode: switching on/off
Steering wheel heater: switching on/off, refer to page 31.
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At a glanceControlsDriving tipsMobilityReference
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Page 19
Controls
Controls
This chapter is intended to provide you with
information for complete control of your vehicle.
Its extensive array of features and accessories,
both for driving and for your own safety, comfort
and convenience, are described here.
Page 20

Opening and closing

Key set

1 Master keys with remote control
Opening and closing
Every master key with remote control con­tains an extended-life battery as a power supply, which is charged automatically in the ignition lock as you drive. You should use each master key at least twice a year in order to maintain the charge condition. Depending on which master key is detected by the vehicle during unlocking, different settings in the vehicle are requested and executed, refer to Vehicle and Key Memory on page 32.
2 Spare key
For storage in a safe place, such as in your wallet. This key does not fit in the lock of the glove compartment. This is an advantage, e.g. when valet parking. The key is not intended for constant use.
Replacement keys
You can get replacement keys or spare keys from your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.

Central locking system

The concept
The central locking system is ready for opera­tion whenever the driver's door is closed.
The system engages or releases the locks on the
> doors > liftgate > fuel filler door
Operating from outside
> via the remote control > via the driver's door lock
The anti-theft system is automatically activated whenever you activate the central locking sys­tem from outside the vehicle. This prevents the doors from being unlocked via the lock but­tons or door handles. The remote control also switches the interior lights on and off. The alarm system
*
is also armed or disarmed. For additional details on the alarm system, refer to page 24.
You can set an acoustic signal to remind you if the ignition key is still in the ignition
lock after you open the driver's door.<
Operating from inside
Via the central locking system button, refer to page 20.
When the system is locked from inside, the fuel filler door remains unlocked.
In the event of an accident of sufficient severity, the central locking system unlocks automati­cally. In addition, the hazard warning flashers and interior lamps switch on.
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Opening and closing: from
outside
Using the remote control
Protect the remote control against unau­thorized use by handing over only the
spare key, for example when using hotel valet parking.<
Because any persons or animals left unat-
tended in a parked vehicle could lock the doors from the inside, you should always keep the remote control with you; this precaution ensures that you will remain able to unlock the vehicle from the outside at all times.<
Unlocking
1. Press the button.
The driver's door and fuel filler door are unlocked.
2. Press the button again.
All remaining doors and the liftgate are unlocked.
Convenience opening mode
Press and hold the button. The windows and
*
the panorama glass sunroof
If you wish, you can have this special fea-
ture activated/deactivated.<
Engaging locks
Press the button.
If you wish, the vehicle locks automati-
cally if no door or lid is opened after unlocking. You can have your vehicle set to do this if you wish.<
As confirmation of the fact that the vehicle is properly locked, the hazard warning flashers light up.
If you wish, you can have this special fea-
ture deactivated on vehicles without an alarm system.<
are opened.
Switching off tilt alarm sensor* and interior motion sensor*
Press the button again directly after locking. For details, refer to page 25.
Switching on interior lamps
Press the button if the vehicle is locked. You can also use this function to locate your vehicle in parking garages etc.
Panic mode*
You can also trigger the alarm system in case of danger: Press the button for at least three seconds.
Deactivating alarm: press any button.
Unlocking liftgate
Press the button.
The liftgate will open slightly, regardless of whether it was previously locked or unlocked.
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 lift­gate has not been inadvertently released.<
If so desired, you can have the remote
control system open the liftgate only when the vehicle is unlocked. You can have your vehicle set to do this if you wish.<
Malfunction
The remote control may malfunction due to local radio waves. Should this occur, use the master key to unlock and relock the vehicle via the door lock.
If it is no longer possible to lock the vehicle using the remote control, its battery is dis­charged. Use this remote control during an extended drive; this will recharge the battery, refer to page 18.
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For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communications Commission regulations. Operation is gov­erned by the following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement: This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
> This device must not cause harmful inter-
Opening and closing
ference, and
> this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or changes to these devices could void the
user's authority to operate this equipment.<
Using door lock
Convenience operation
You also have the option of using the door lock to operate the windows and the panorama glass
*
sunroof
Hold the key in the positions for unlocking or locking.
key stops the operation.<
.
Watch during the closing process to be sure that no one is injured. Releasing the
Manual operation
If an electrical malfunction occurs, you can unlock or lock the driver's door with the key in the end positions of the door lock.

Opening and closing: from inside

1. Turn key.
The driver's door and fuel filler door are unlocked.
2. Turn key again.
All remaining doors and the liftgate are unlocked.
As confirmation of the fact that the vehicle is properly locked, the hazard warning flashers light up.
If you wish, you can have this special fea­ture deactivated on vehicles without an
alarm system.<
20
You can use this 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 but­ton, with the driver's door still open, then the passenger-side door, the liftgate and the fuel filler door will also unlock. If the driver's door is closed, it will be locked.<
The central locking system locks auto-
matically after you begin to drive. You can have your vehicle set to do this if you wish.<
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Unlocking and opening doors
> Either unlock all of the doors by using the
central locking system button and then pull on the door handle above the armrest or
> pull the door handle of each door twice: the
first time unlocks the door, the second time opens it.
Engaging locks
> Either lock all doors via the central locking
system button or
> press down the lock buttons of the doors.
To prevent you from being locked out, the opened driver's door cannot be locked using the lock button.
Because any persons or animals left unat-
tended in a parked vehicle could lock the doors from the inside, you should always keep the vehicle key with you; this precaution ensures that you will remain able to unlock the vehicle from the outside at all times.<
You can set an acoustic signal to remind
you if the ignition key is still in the ignition lock after you open the driver's door.<
Opening manually
In the event of an electrical malfunction:
1. Fold up the floor cover in the cargo area.
2. Release the jack from the bracket.
3. Press the lever 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

Liftgate

To avoid damage, make sure there is suf­ficient space when opening the liftgate.<
Opening from outside
Press the button, refer to arrow, or the but­ton on the remote control. The liftgate opens slightly. It can be pivoted upward.
When the liftgate is open, the cargo area and interior are lit up.
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the liftgate make it easier to pull down.
Avoid injuries by making sure that the lift­gate's closing region is clear and unob-
structed.<
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Page 24

Windows

Keep windows in your line of sight while
closing. Failure to do so can result in bodily injury. Always remove the key when leaving the vehi­cle; otherwise, children could operate the win­dows and injure themselves.<
tions, such as very thin objects, and the window would continue closing. You can disable the pinch protection system by pressing the switch past the resistance point and holding it. Do not install any accessories in the movement range of the window as this could impair the function of the pinch protection system.<
Opening, closing
Opening and closing
As of ignition key position 1:
> Press the switch to the resistance point:
The window continues to open as long as you press the switch.
> Press the switch past the resistance point:
The window opens automatically. Pressing again stops the opening motion.
You can close the windows in the same manner by pulling the switch.
In the back, separate switches are provided in the armrests.
For convenience operation using the remote control or the door lock, refer to pages 19, 20.
After switching off ignition
You can operate the windows for up to 1 minute as long as no door has been opened.
Following interruptions in electrical power supply
After disconnecting the battery, the pinch pro­tection system must be reinitialized. To do this, open and close the windows once and continue pull the switch for longer than 2 seconds after closing.
Safety switch
With the safety switch, you can prevent the rear windows from being opened or closed via the switches in the rear passenger area, by chil­dren, for example. The LED lights up when this safety function is activated.
Press the safety switch when children ride in the rear; otherwise, unsupervised
closing of the windows could lead to injuries.<
Pinch protection system
If the closing force rises beyond a predefined threshold during closing, the system will imme­diately stop moving the window prior to lower­ing it slightly.
Despite the presence of the pinch protec-
tion system, inspect the window's travel path prior to closing it, as the safety system might fail to detect certain kinds of obstruc-
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Panorama glass sunroof*

The panorama glass sunroof is ready for opera­tion with the ignition key in position 2.
Keep panorama glass sunroof in your line
of sight while closing. Failure to do so can result in bodily injury. Always remove the key when leaving the vehi­cle; otherwise, children could operate the sun­roof and injure themselves.<
Raising, opening, closing
Automatic opening and closing
Briefly press the switch past the resistance point and then release it. Briefly pressing the switch again stops the motion.
Opening and closing panorama glass sunroof and sliding visor together
Briefly press the switch past the resistance point twice consecutively. Briefly pressing the switch again stops the motion.
Comfort position
Each time the panorama glass sunroof is com­pletely opened or closed, it stops in the comfort position. If you wish, you can resume the motion by activating the switch.
In the comfort position, the wind noise in the interior is reduced.
Press the switch or slide it in the desired direc­tion up to the resistance point. Release the switch to stop the motion.
The sliding visor is opened slightly when the panorama glass sunroof is raised.
The panorama glass sunroof can be opened or closed independently with the sliding visor open.
Ventilation setting
The panorama glass sunroof is raised and the sliding visor is opened slightly: briefly press the switch twice consecutively.
After switching off ignition
You can operate the panorama glass sunroof for approx. 1 minute as long as no door has been opened.
Pinch protection system
If the panorama glass sunroof or sliding visor encounter resistance when closing from roughly one third of the roof opening or when closing from the raised position, the closing action is interrupted and the panorama glass sunroof and sliding visor reopen a little.
Despite the presence of the pinch protec-
tion system, inspect the sunroof's travel path prior to closing it, as the safety system might fail to detect certain kinds of obstruc­tions, such as very thin objects, and the sunroof would continue closing. You can disable the pinch protection system by pressing the switch past the resistance point and holding it.<
Following interruptions in electrical power supply
After a power supply interruption, it may only be possible to raise the sunroof. The system must be initialized. BMW recommends having this work carried out by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
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Closing manually
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can move the panorama glass sunroof manually.
1. Pull the cover firmly downward to remove.
2. Insert the Allen wrench from the compart-
Opening and closing
ment beneath the cargo area floor, refer to page 103, into the proper opening and turn the panorama glass sunroof in the desired direction. The arrow in the illustration indi­cates the rotation direction for closing the sunroof.

Alarm system*

The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
> When a door, the hood, or the liftgate is
opened.
> To movements inside the vehicle: interior
motion sensor, refer to description below.
> When the car's inclination changes, for
instance if an attempt is made to jack it up and steal the wheels or to raise it prior to towing away.
> To interruptions in battery voltage.
The alarm system signals unauthorized manip­ulations for a short time by:
> Sounding 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 acknowledgment signals set to confirm arming and disarm-
ing.<
You can open the liftgate even when the system is armed by using the button of the remote control, refer to page 19. When the liftgate is closed, it is locked again and monitored.
Switching off alarm
> Unlock the vehicle using the remote control,
refer to page 19.
> Turn the ignition key to position 1.
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Indicator lamp displays
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor may be switched off at the same time. This pre­vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following situations:
> In duplex garages > When transporting on car-carrying trains > When animals are to remain in the vehicle
> The indicator lamp below the interior rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys­tem is armed.
> The indicator lamp flashes after the vehicle
is locked: doors, hood, or liftgate are not properly closed. Even if you do not close the alerted area, the system begins to monitor the remaining areas, and the indicator lamp flashes continuously after approx. 10 sec­onds. However, the interior motion sensor is not activated.
> The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking:
no manipulation or attempted intrusions have been detected in the period since the system was armed.
> The indicator lamp flashes for 10 seconds
after the vehicle is unlocked: an attempted entry has been detected in the period since the system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the indicator lamp will flash continuously.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm system reacts, e.g. in case of an attempted wheel theft or towing.
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor
Press the button on the remote con­trol again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and the interior motion sensor are switched off until the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse­quently locked again.
If you wish, you can have the tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion sensor perma­nently switched off. You can have this setting made at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.<
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior motion sensor to func­tion properly, the windows and panorama glass sunroof must be completely closed.
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Page 28

Adjustments

Sitting safely

The ideal sitting position can make a vital con­tribution to relaxed driving that is as fatigue-free as possible. Together with safety belts, head restraints, and airbags, sitting position plays an important role in an accident. Compliance with
Adjustments
the following instructions is important; failure to do so could impair the protective function of the safety systems.
For additional information on transporting chil­dren safely, refer to page 33.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions, to mini­mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms in the event of airbag deployment. No one and nothing is to come between the air­bags and the seat occupant. Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the front passenger side as a storage area. Make sure that the passenger sits correctly, e.g. does not rest his feet or legs on the dashboard. Oth­erwise, a triggering of the front airbag could result in leg injuries. Make sure that passengers do not lean their heads against side or head air­bags. Otherwise, a triggering of the airbag could result in injuries.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju­ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot be entirely ruled out, depending on the circum­stances. The ignition and inflation noise may provoke a mild – usually temporary – hearing loss in extremely sensitive individuals.
For airbag locations and additional information on airbags, refer to page 53.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the risk of damage to the cervical vertebrae in acci­dents.
Adjust the head restraint so that its mid­dle lies approximately at the height of
your ears. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.<
Safety belts
Make sure the safety belts are worn in all occu­pied seats every time you drive. Although air­bags enhance safety by providing added pro­tection, they are not a substitute for safety belts.
Your vehicle has five seats that are each equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Infants and chil­dren must not ride on a lap. Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits low against the hips and does not press against the abdomen. The safety belt must never rest against the throat, rub against sharp edges, pass ove r hard or frag­ile objects or be pinched. Fasten the safety belt around your body snugly, making sure that it is pulled taut across your lap and shoulder and that it is not twisted; otherwise, the belt can slide over the hips in the event of a frontal colli­sion and injure your abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing that prevents the belt from fitting prop­erly and pull the shoulder belt upward periodi­cally to readjust the tension across your lap in order to avoid a reduction in the restraining action of the safety belt.<
If the middle safety belt in the rear is used, then the wider backrest must be secured, refer to page 70, otherwise, the safety belt cannot exert any restraining action.
Safety belts, refer to page 29.
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Page 29

Seats

Note before adjusting
Never try to adjust your seat while operat-
ing the vehicle. The seat could respond with unexpected movement, and the ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an accident. On the passenger seat as well, do not incline the backrest too far to the rear while the vehicle is being driven; otherwise, there is a danger in the event of an accident of sliding under the safety belt, eliminating the protection normally provided by the belt.<
Also follow the instructions regarding the height of head restraints on page 28 and regarding safety belt damage on page 30.
Adjusting manually
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, fol­low the adjustment instructions above.<
Backrest
Pull the lever 3 and apply weight to or remove weight from the backrest as needed.
Adjusting electrically*
To ensure that the safety systems con­tinue to provide optimized protection, fol-
low 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 for­ward 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.
1 Tilt
2 Longitudinal direction
3 Height
4 Backrest
Manually adjusting head restraint, refer to Head restraints on page 28.
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Adjusting lumbar support*

Head restraints

A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the risk of damage to the cervical vertebrae in acci­dents.
Adjust the head restraint so that its mid­dle lies approximately at the height of
your ears. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.<
Adjustments
You can also adjust the contours of the backrest to obtain additional support in the lumbar region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup­plementary support to help you maintain a relaxed, upright sitting position.
> To increase or decrease curvature: press
switch forward or back.
> To move curvature up or down: press
switch up or down.
Sports seat*
With this seat, you can also adjust the tilt and the thigh support:
Upward tilt
Pull the lever 1 repeatedly until you reach the desired tilt.
Adjusting height
> To raise: pull upward. > To lower: press button, arrow 1, and slide
head restraint downward.
Front head restraint tilt angle: adjust by tilting.
Removing front head restraint
1. Pull the head restraint upward to the stop.
2. Press button, arrow 1, and pull head
restraint all the way out.
Installing front head restraint
1. Press button, arrow 1, and slide the head
restraint into its sockets.
2. Adjust the head restraint.
Downward tilt
Press the lever 2 repeatedly until you reach the desired tilt.
Thigh support
Pull the lever 3 and slide the thigh support in the longitudinal direction.
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Heated seats*

Press once for each temperature level. Highest preselected temperature when three LEDs are illuminated.
To switch off: Press the button and hold it longer.

Seat and mirror memory*

You can store and select three different adjust­ment 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 key to position 1 or 2.
2. Set the desired seat and exterior mirror
position.
3. Press the
The LED in the button lights up.
4. Press the desired memory button 1, 2 or 3:
The LED goes out.
M
EMORY button:
Requesting a stored setting
Do not request a position from the mem­ory while the vehicle is moving; otherwise,
there is a risk of accident from unexpected seat movement.<
Convenience mode
1. Open the driver's door after unlocking or
turn the ignition key to position 1.
2. Briefly press the desired memory button 1,
2 or 3.
The system immediately cancels the adjust­ment procedure when you press one of the seat adjustment buttons or use one of the memory buttons.
Safety feature
1. Close the driver's door and turn the ignition
key to position 0 or 2.
2. Press the desired memory button 1, 2 or 3
and maintain pressure until the adjustment process has been completed.
If you press the Press the button again, the LED goes out.
You can have your vehicle programmed
to automatically recall your own individual stored adjustment settings for the seat and exterior mirror position whenever you use your personal remote control to unlock the vehicle.<
If you make use of this setting, be sure
that the footwell behind the driver's seat is unobstructed before unlocking 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.<
M
EMORY button accidentally:

Safety belts

To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimal protection, please follow the instructions on page 26.<
Make sure the safety belts are worn in all occu­pied seats every time you drive. Although air­bags enhance safety by providing added pro-
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tection, they are not a substitute for safety
belts.
In the rear, the middle belt buckle embossed with the word CENTER is intended exclusively for use by passengers riding in the center posi­tion.
Adjustments
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in the belt buckle.
The upper shoulder strap's anchorage point will be in the correct position for seat occupants of every build if the seat is correctly adjusted, refer to page 26.
Releasing
1. Hold the belt firmly.
2. Press the red button in the buckle.
3. Guide the belt back into its reel.
Damage to safety belts
When strained by an accident or when
damaged: have the safety belt system, including the belt tensio ners, replaced a nd have belt anchorage points inspected. Have this work done only by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or by a workshop that works according to BMW repair procedures with cor­respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, there can be no guarantee that the safety devices will function properly.<

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors
The passenger side mirror is more curved
than the driver's mirror. Objects in the mirrors are closer than they appear. Do not esti­mate the distance to following traffic based on the view in the mirrors; otherwise, there is an increased risk of accident.<
Safety belt reminder for front seats
The indicator lamp flashes or lights up. In addition, a signal sounds. Please make sure that the safety belts are
being worn correctly.
The safety belt reminder is activated if the safety belt on the driver's side has not yet been fastened. At speeds greater than 5 mph/8 km/h, the safety belt reminder is also activated if the passenger side safety belt has not yet been fastened, if heavy objects are placed on the passenger's seat, or if the driver or front pas­senger's safety belt is released.
30
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 29.
*
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 from being damaged, always fold them in by hand before entering an automatic car wash.<
Page 33
Automatic heating*
When the outside temperature falls below a specified temperature, both outside mirrors are automatically heated whenever the engine is running or the ignition is switched on.
In vehicles without an alarm system: tilt the small lever forward.
Automatically dimming mirrors, refer to page 77.
Tilting down passenger's mirror, automatic parking function*
Activating
1. Select the driver's exterior mirror with
switch 1.
2. When you shift into reverse or move the
selector-lever into position R, the exterior mirror glass on the front passenger side tilts downward slightly. This allows the driver to see the area immediately adjacent to the vehicle – such as a curb – when parking, etc.
You can have the angle of downward tilt adjusted.<
Deactivating
Select the passenger side mirror with switch 1.
Interior rearview mirror

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. Fold the lever back up.
Steering wheel heater*
The button for steering wheel heater is located on the steering wheel, refer to page 13.
Steering wheel heater: switching on/off
The steering wheel heater operates as of igni­tion key position 2.
Press the button to activate or deactivate this system.
When the heater is switched on, the LED in the button lights up.
To reduce glare from vehicle headlights behind you when driving at night, turn the knob.
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Vehicle Memory, Key Memory

How the system functions
You have probably frequently wished that you could configure individual functions of your vehicle to reflect your own personal require­ments. In developing your vehicle, BMW has incorporated a number of options for personal adjustment. You can have these programmed at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Adjustments
There are vehicle-related and person-related adjustments: Vehicle Memory and Key Mem­ory. 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 your vehicle is unlocked with the remote control, the vehicle recognizes the individual user by means of a data exchange with the key, and makes adjustments accordingly.
In order for you to distinguish between the mas­ter keys with remote control, color-coded decals are supplied together with the keys.
What the system can do
Ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center about the possibilities of Vehicle Memory and Key Memory.
You will see this symbol throughout the Owner's Manual. It is to remind you at
appropriate places of the settings that are avail­able to you.<
Following configuration of memory func-
tions, vehicle operation may differ from the description in the Owner's Manual. Should you wish to sell your BMW some day, please remember to have the memory functions reset to the factory default settings.<
Examples of Vehicle Memory
> Different acknowledgment signals to con-
firm locking/unlocking of the vehicle, refer to page 19.
> Activating/deactivating function for path-
way lighting, refer to page 56.
> Activating/deactivating daytime running
lamps, refer to page 56.
> Active PDC Park Distance Control is acous-
tically indicated by a signal tone when you shift into reverse or move the selector lever into position R, refer to page 47.
> Different acknowledgment signals to con-
firm arming/disarming the alarm system, refer to page 24.
> After an outside temperature warning has
been issued, the computer display returns to the previous setting, refer to page 45.
> Acoustic warning if the ignition key remains
in the ignition lock after the driver's door has been opened, refer to page 18.
Examples of Key Memory functions
> Locking the vehicle after starting to drive,
refer to page 20.
> Automatic adjustment of the driver's seat
and exterior mirror position for each person when unlocking the vehicle, refer to page 29.
> Angle of downward tilt of passenger side
mirror, refer to page 31.
> Setting units of measure for displays in the
instrument cluster for time, outside temper­ature, distance driven and fuel consump­tion, refer to page 45.
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Transporting children safely

The right place for children

Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger
themselves and/or others, for example by open­ing the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research has demonstrated that the safest place for children is in the rear seat.
Children younger than 13 or smaller than
5 ft/150 cm should only ride in the rear, in child restraint systems provided in accordance with their age, weight, and height. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.<
Children older than 13 must be secured with a safety belt as soon as they have outgrown a suitable child restraint system due to their age, height, and weight.
All seats in your BMW, except for the driver's seat, correspond to the recommendations of the norm SAE J1819 for safely securing child restraint systems in motor vehicles.
Exception for the front passenger seat
If it should be necessary to use a child
restraint system on the front passenger seat, the front and side airbags must be deacti­vated. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury to the child if the airbag is triggered, even with a child restraint system. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be happy to advise you.<
For more information on automatic deactivation of the front passenger airbags, refer to page 54.

Installing child restraint systems

Follow the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions for selection, installation and use of the child restraint sys­tem. Otherwise, the degree of protection can be reduced.<
On the passenger's seat
Before installing a child restraint system
in the passenger seat, make sure that the front and side airbag on the passenger seat have been deactivated. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury when the airbag is trig­gered.<
Child seat security
All rear seat safety belts and the safety belt for the front passenger can be locked to prevent their being pulled out in order to fasten child restraint systems.
Locking safety belt
1. Secure child restraint system with the belt.
2. Pull safety belt strap all the way out.
3. Allow safety belt to retract and pull it snugly
against the child restraint system. The safety belt is locked.
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Unlocking safety belt
1. Open safety belt buckle.
2. Remove child restraint system.
3. Allow safety belt strap to retract all the way.
Child restraint system with tether strap
Only use the tether strap attachment points to fasten child restraint systems;
otherwise, the attachment points can be dam­aged.<
Outer seats:
1. Slide head restraints upward.
2. Guide fastening strap through the bracket
of the head restraint.
3. Slide head restraint into the lowest position.
4. Hook fastening strap to attachment point.
Middle seat:
1. Fold center arm rest slightly forward.
2. Guide fastening strap through the opening.
For child restraint systems with a tether strap,
Transporting children safely
there are three additional attachment points, refer to arrows. To gain access to this anchor fitting, lift the plastic plug with the aid of a screwdriver.
Routing of tether strap
3. Fold center arm rest back.
4. Hook fastening strap to attachment point.
When using the cargo area cover:
Fastening strap must run between the rear backrest and the cargo area cover.
LATCH child-restraint fixing system*
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil­dren.
To attach a LATCH child's seat, consult the instruction manual and safety notices
from the manufacturer of the child's seat.<
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Access to anchorage points
The picture shows the right rear seat as an example. The anchorage points for the LATCH child-restraint fixing system are located behind the cover caps. Remove the cover caps toward the front. Press into place to reinstall.
Before attachment of the LATCH child-restraint fixing system, remove the cover caps and pull the belt out of the region of the child-restraint fixing system.

For driving

With rear side airbags, 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 down the safety levers on the rear doors:
The door can now be opened from the outside only.
Safety switch for power windows
Press the safety switch for the power windows, refer to page 22, when children are in the rear of the vehicle.
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Driving

Ignition lock

Driving
0 Steering locked
Th e ke y can b e in serte d or rem oved i n th is pos i­tion only.
After removing the key, turn the steering wheel slightly to the left or right until you hear the lock engage.
Interlock
Automatic transmission: To turn the key back to position 0 or to remove it, first place the selector lever in position P.
1 Steering unlocked
A slight steering wheel movement often makes it easier to turn the key from 0 to 1.
Some power accessories are ready for opera­tion.
2 Ignition switched on
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
3 Starting engine

Starting engine

Do not run the engine in enclosed spaces;
otherwise, inhalation of toxic exhaust gases can cause unconsciousness and death. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas. Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the
engine running, since an unattended vehicle with a running engine represents a safety haz­ard. To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always shift into neutral or selector lever position P and engage the handbrake before leaving the vehi­cle with the engine running.<
Do not discontinue the starting procedure pre­maturely, but 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 the accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the motor to warm up while idling. Begin driving immediately with moderate engine speed.
Indicator lamps
The warning lamp lights up. Exhaust values are deteriorating. Have the vehi­cle checked as soon as possible.
Under certain conditions, the indicator will flash. This indicates a serious rate of engine misfire. When this occurs, you should reduce speed and consult the nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center as soon as possible. Severe engine misfire, even for only a short period of time, can seriously damage emission control components, especially the catalytic converter.
Display of the previously described mal­function on Canadian models.
The warning lamp lights up. Malfunc­tion in the engine electronics. You can
continue to drive with reduced engine output or speed. Have the system checked immediately.
Manual transmission
1. Apply the handbrake.
2. Depress the clutch pedal and shift into neu-
tral.
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If the clutch pedal is not depressed,
the motor will not start.<
3. Start the engine.
Automatic transmission
1. Step on the brake.
2. Move selector lever into position P.
3. Start the engine.
Special starting conditions
In the following situations, press the accelerator pedal halfway down while starting:
> If the engine fails to start on the first
attempt, for instance, if it is very hot or cold.
> When starting the engine at very low tem-
peratures, below approx. +57/–156, at high altitudes over approx. 3,300 ft/ 1,000 m.
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is not burned or inadequately burned and there is a danger of overheating and damaging the cat­alytic converter.<
3. Apply the handbrake.

Handbrake

The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up; an acous­tic signal also sounds when you begin to drive. The handbrake is still engaged.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Engaging
The lever engages automatically.
Releasing

Switching off engine

Do not remove the ignition key when the
vehicle is rolling; otherwise, the steering wheel lock would engage during steering. When leaving the vehicle, remove the ignition key and lock the steering. When parking on downward inclines, engage the handbrake; oth­erwise, the vehicle could start to roll.<
Manual transmission
1. Apply the handbrake.
2. Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
3. Shift into first gear or reverse.
Automatic transmission
1. With the vehicle at a stop, move the selector
lever into position P.
2. Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Pull up slightly on the lever, press the button and lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should
make it necessary to engage the hand­brake while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it too stron gly. In doing so, c ontinuously press the button of the handbrake lever. Otherwise, strong application of the handbrake can lead to overbraking of the rear axle and to associated 'fishtailing' of the vehicle rear end.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally engage the hand­brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable. The brake lamps do not light up when the hand­brake is applied.<
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Manual transmission

Driving
Displays in the instrument cluster
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press the gearshift to the right. Otherwise, an
inadvertent shift into 3rd or 4th gear could harm the engine.<
Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. Press the gearshift lever to the left to overcome the resistance.

Automatic transmission with Steptronic*

In addition to fully automatic operation, you can also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to page 39.
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 + –
Engine started
The engine can only be started in selector lever positions P: Park or N: Neutral.
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
The selector lever position is indicated, and in the manual mode the gear currently engaged.
Changing selector lever positions
> The selector lever can be moved out of the
position P when the ignition is switched on or the engine is running: interlock.
> When the vehicle is stationary, step on the
brake before shifting out of P or N; other­wise, the selector lever is locked: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you select a drive position, main-
tain pressure on the brake pedal until you are ready to start driving.<
A lock prevents the selector lever from being inadvertently moved into positions R and P. To release the lock, press the button on the front of the selector lever handle, refer to arrow.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The transmission locks to prevent the rear wheels from turning.
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R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
To use the automatic function again, move the selector lever to the right into position D.
N Neutral
You can shift into neutral, for example, in auto­matic car washes. The vehicle can roll.
D Drive, automatic position
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con­sumption is the lowest when the vehicle is driven in position D.
Kick-down
The kick-down mode provides maximum accel­eration. Press the accelerator pedal past the increased resistance point at the full-throttle position.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Move the selector lever from position D toward the left into the M/S shifting slot. The Sport program is activated and SD appears in the instrument cluster. This position is rec­ommended for a performance-oriented driving style.
When you push the selector lever forward or pull it back, this activates the manual mode and Steptronic changes gear. The instrument clus­ter shows M1 through M5.
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.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. A malfunc­tion has occurred in the transmission
system. Avoid heavy loads. While it will still remain possible to move the selector lever to any desired position, the trans­mission will revert to its default mode with only a limited number of forward gears. Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Instructions on towing, tow starting and jump starting begin on page 108.

Turn signals/ headlamp flasher

1 High beams
2 Headlamp flasher
3 Turn signals
Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator lamp indicates that a turn signal bulb has
gone out.<
Signaling briefly
Press lever to resistance point and hold for as long as you wish to signal.
Touch signaling
Press lever to resistance point. The signal flashes three times.
If you wish, you can have this function activated.<
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Washer/wiper system/
rain sensor*
Driving
0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent or rain sensor operation
2 Normal wiper speed
3 Fast wipe
4 Brief wipe
5 Select interval time or set sensitivity of
rain sensor
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 rain sensor when passing through an automatic car wash. Failure to
do so could result in damage caused by undes­ired wiper activation.<
Activating
As of ignition key position 1 move the lever to position 1. The wipers travel once across the windshield, regardless of the weather condi­tions.
You can leave the lever permanently in posi­tion 1 and then only need to activate the rain sensor as of ignition key position 1. To do so:
> Briefly turn the knurled wheel 5 or > Cleaning windshield 1, refer to page 41
Fold-out position
The right wiper is partially concealed by the hood. To move the wipers into a vertical position:
1. Switch on wipers in lever position 1.
2. When the wipers are approximately vertical,
move the ignition key to position 0.
For changing the wiper blades, refer to page 99.
Fold the wipers back down onto the wind­shield before you turn the ignition key to
po si tion 1 o r 2 ag ai n. I f y ou do no t, th ey coul d b e damaged.<
Intermittent mode
Not on 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 automati­cally depending on road speed.
Adjusting sensitivity
Turn the knurled wheel 5.
Deactivating
Switch lever to position 0.
Normal wiper speed
The system switches automatically to intermit­tent mode when the vehicle is not moving, not on vehicles with rain sensor.
Fast wipe
The wipers operate at normal speed when the vehicle is not moving, not on vehicles with rain sensor.
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Cleaning windshield, rear window and
headlamps*
0 Wipers retracted
1 Cleaning windshield and headlamps
2 Rear window wiper intermittent mode
3 Cleaning rear window
Do not activate the washer if there is
any danger of the fluid freezing on the windshield. If you do so, your vision could be obscured. To avoid freezing, use a washer fluid antifreeze, refer to Washer fluid. Do not activate the washer when the washer fluid is empty as this will damage the washer pump.<
Cleaning windshield
The system sprays washer fluid against the windshield and activates the wipers for a brief period. The washer jets are automatically heated whenever the engine is running or the ignition is switched on.
Cleaning headlamps*
When the vehicle lighting system is switched on, the headlamps are cleaned at regular and 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
this reason, keep it away from sources of flame and store it only in its original containers. Store it so that it is inaccessible to children. Always follow the instructions for use provided on the containers.<
Reservoir for washer fluid
Fill with water and, if required, with an antifreeze additive according to manufacturer's recom­mendations.
To maintain the mixing ratio, mix the
washer fluid before adding it to the reser­voir.<
Capacity
Approx. 3.2 US quarts/3 liters.
With headlamp washer system
6.9 quarts/6.5 liters.
*
approx.

Cruise control*

The vehicle maintains and stores the speed that you set as of a speed of approx. 20 mph/ 30 km/h.
You can use cruise control whenever the sys­tem is active while the engine is running.
On the sports steering wheel
*
steering wheel control are on the right side of the steering wheel.
, the +/– buttons for the cruise
*
and M sports
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Do not use the cruise control under unfa-
vorable conditions that do not permit a constant speed, e.g. when driving on winding roads or in heavy traffic or when negotiating poor road conditions such as snow, rain, ice, or a loose road surface. Otherwise, you could lose
Driving
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.<
If the braking action of the engine is insufficient on a downhill stretch, the controlled speed can be exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill grades if the engine output is insufficient.
Decelerating
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up green: System ready for operation using the buttons on the steering wheel.
Activating system
As of ignition key position 2: Press button on steering wheel; the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster comes on. You are able to use the cruise control.
Deactivating system
Press the button repeatedly until the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out. The cruise control is also deactivated when the ignition key is turned to position 0. The speed stored in the memory is deleted in the process.
Maintaining speed, storing, and accelerating
Briefly press + button: The system maintains and stores the current vehicle speed. Each additional touch of the but­ton increases the speed by approx. 1 mph/ 1km/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.
Briefly press – button: Each press of the button decreases the vehi­cle's speed by roughly 1 mph/1 km/h, provided that you have already activated the cruise con­trol.
Press and hold – button: With the cruise control active, the system auto­matically reduces the fuel supply to slow the vehicle. When you release the button, the sys­tem maintains and stores the current speed.
Interrupting cruise control
When the system is activated, press button 1. The indicator lamp stays on. You can use the cruise control again whenever required by requesting the speed that was stored last.
In addition, the system is automatically inter­rupted in response to the following conditions:
> When you apply pressure to the brake pedal > When you apply pressure to the clutch
pedal or when you move the automatic transmission selector lever from D to N
> If you exceed or fall below the controlled
speed for an extended period, by pressing the accelerator, for example
> When DSC is activated
Resuming stored speed
Press button: The vehicle accelerates to and maintains the last speed stored.
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Page 45

Everything under control

Odometer

1 Odometer
2 Trip odometer
Odometer
You can activate the displays shown in the illus­tration in ignition key position 0 or with the igni­tion key removed by pressing the button in the instrument cluster.
Trip odometer
To reset to zero:
1. Ignition key in position 1.
2. Press and hold the button until the trip
odometer is reset to zero.

Tachometer

Fuel gauge

Fuel tank capacity: approx. 17.7 gallons/ 67 liters. Instructions for refueling can be found on page 84.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, when you are driv­ing in mountainous areas, for example, the indi­cator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
If the LED 1 starts to light up continuously, there are still approx. 2 gallons/8 liters of fuel left in the tank.
Refuel well before the tank is empty. If you drive down to the last drop, engine
functions are no longer assured and damage can occur.<
When you switch on the ignition, the LED comes on briefly to confirm that the system is operational.
Engine speeds in the red warning field must absolutely be avoided.
In this range, the fuel supply is interrupted to protect the engine.
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Coolant temperature gauge

Blue
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate engine and vehicle speeds.
Between blue and red fields
Normal operating range. It is permissible for the dial to drift up to the red field.
Everything under control
Red
Comes on while driving: The engine is overheated. Switch off the engine immediately and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to page 95.
When you switch on the ignition, the warning lamp 1 comes on briefly to confirm that the sys­tem is operational.
Together with the message OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION, the next 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 you wish to have a continuous clock display, you can also have the time displayed in the dis­play of the car radio, refer to Owner's Manual for Radio.
You can set the clock to also be displayed in the radio, as follows.
Setting time

Service Interval Display

Remaining distance until next service due
The displays shown in the illustration appear for a few seconds as of ignition key position 1 or after starting the engine.
44
As of ignition key position 1:
Hours
1. Hold button 2 pressed for a few seconds
until the hours are displayed and the colon flashes.
2. Press button 1 repeatedly until the desired
hour is set.
Minutes
3. Press button 2 to change to the minutes
display.
4. Press button 1 repeatedly until the desired
minutes are set.
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5. Press button 2 to confirm the time.
The set time is transferred to the display of the radio or displayed in the instrument cluster.
Display mode
Ignition key in position 0 or removed:
Press button 1.
The time and display of the miles/kilometers appear for a few seconds.

Computer*

Mode selection
As of ignition key position 1, you can call up information from the computer using the com­puter button in the turn signal lever.
A new function appears each time you briefly press the computer button.
The following information is displayed in the sequence indicated:
> Time > Outside temperature > Average fuel consumption > Cruising range > Average speed
As of ignition key position 1, the last active set­ting is displayed.
If you wish, you can display the following functions in a different unit of measure.<
Outside temperature
Changing unit 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/+3 6, the computer switches auto­matically to the outside temperature display. In addition, an acoustic signal sounds and the display flashes for a short time. There is an increased risk of icy conditions.
After an outside temperature warning has been issued, the display returns to the
previous setting. You can have this activated/ deactivated.<
Ice can also occur at temperatures greater than +37,57/+3 6. For this rea-
son, drive carefully on bridges and shaded roadways, for example. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of accidents.<
Clock
12 or 24 hour mode
If your vehicle is equipped with a computer, you can have the time displayed in the 12 or 24 hour mode.
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During the display, hold down the computer
button in the turn signal lever until the display changes.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for the time during which the engine is running.
Reset average consumption: Press the computer button in the turn indicator lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Everything under control
Cruising range
Displays 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 does not take into account periods in which the vehicle is parked with the engine switched off.
Resetting average speed: press the computer button in the turn indicator lever for approx. 2seconds.
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Technology for comfort, convenience and
safety

PDC Park Distance Control*

The concept
PDC provides extra safety and convenience during parking maneuvers. Audible signals indi­cate that you are approaching an object in front of or behind your vehicle. To measure the dis­tance, there are four ultrasonic sensors in each bumper. An acoustic signal begins to sound when the front sensors and the rear corner sensors are within approx. 2 ft/60 cm of an obstacle and when the rear middle sensors are within approx. 5 ft/1,50 m of an obstacle.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached slowly, as is usually the case when parking. Avoid approaching objects too fast; otherwise, the system may give warning of physical obsta­cles too late.<
If you are driving with a trailer, the rear sensors cannot take any meaningful measurements. Consequently, they do not switch on.
Automatic mode
In ignition key position 2, the system is auto­matically activated after approx. one second each time you shift into reverse or move the selector-lever into position R. Wait for this short time span 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 deactivated once the vehicle travels approx. 160 ft/50 m or exceeds a speed of roughly 20 mph/30 km/h; the LED goes out. You can reactivate the sys­tem manually as needed.
Signal tones
An intermittent tone from a rear speaker signals the distance to an object behind the vehicle as you approach it. An intermittent tone from a speaker beneath the dashboard signals the distance to an object in front of the vehicle as you approach it. As the distance between vehicle and object decreases, the intervals between the tones become shorter. The signal tone becomes con­tinuous once the distance to the nearest object falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx. 3seconds:
> if you rem ain in fro nt of a n obje ct t hat is only
detected by one of the corner sensors
> if you are moving parallel to a wall
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Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a short con­tinuous tone sounds. PDC is malfunctioning. Switch off PDC. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that they will continue to operate effectively. When using high-pressure washers, do not spray sensors for long periods and keep the sprayer at least 4 in/10 cm away from the sen­sors.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the vehicle and any obstructions always remains with the driver. Even when sensors are involved, there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be detected. The system is also subject to the physical limits that apply to all forms of ultra­sonic measurement, such as those encoun­tered with tow bars and trailer couplings, or thin and wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects already displayed, e.g. a curb, can come into the blind spot of the sensors before a continuous tone sounds. The system may fail to detect higher obstacles such as ledges. Loud sources of sound, inside and outside the vehicle, could drown out the PDC signal tone.<

Driving stability control systems

Your BMW is equipped with an extended array of systems designed to enhance and maintain vehicle stability even under unfavorable driving conditions.
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
ABS Antilock 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 78.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the rear wheels to ensure a stable braking behavior.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When the brake pedal is depressed quickly, this system automatically generates a maximum braking force distribution and thus helps keep the braking distance to a minimum during full braking. This system exploits all of the benefits provided by ABS.
As long as you want full braking to continue, do not reduce pressure on the brake.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents slip at the drive wheels when starting off and accelerating. DSC also detects unstable driving conditions, such as a fishtailing of the vehicle's rear end or the sliding of the vehicle on its front wheels. In these circum­stances, DSC helps keep the vehicle on a safe path, within physical limits, by reducing engine output and by applying the brakes in individual wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start the engine.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving style always remains the responsibility of the driver. Do not reduce the additional safety mar­gin again by taking unnecessary risks.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp goes out shortly after the engine starts.
When the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC is controlling the drive and braking forces.
When the indicator lamp stays lit: DSC has been switched off with the button.
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Deactivating DSC
Reactivating DSC
Press the button; the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up continuously. DSC is now deactivated.
Stabilizing interventions of the chassis control system DSC are no longer available. However, the braking interventions that simulate the function of the differential lock continue to be active.
In the following exceptional circumstances, it may be useful to switch off DSC for a short period:
> When rocking the vehicle and starting off in
deep snow or on loose road surfaces
> On sandy road surfaces > On poor surfaces with deep ruts > If the wheels spin on muddy surfaces > When driving with snow chains
As a result of the braking interventions,
the brakes may be subjected to additional loads when the system is switched off. In order to limit the brake temperature, brief automatic suppression of the brake activation is possible. To maintain vehicle stability, always drive with the system switched on when possible.<
Press the button again; the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out. DSC is now acti­vated.
xDrive
xDrive is the all-wheel drive system of your X3. The combined effects of xDrive and DSC fur­ther optimize the traction and dynamic driving characteristics. The all-wheel drive system xDrive variably distributes the drive torque to the front and rear axle depending on the driving situation and prevailing road conditions.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept
HDC is a system for hill descent assistance that reduces the speed on steep downward inclines and makes it even easier to control the driving characteristics of your BMW under these condi­tions. The vehicle moves at slightly more than walking speed without active intervention from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehicle speeds below approx. 20 mph/35 km/h. When driving down steep hills with a speed below approx. 20 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed automatically down to slightly more than walk­ing speed, approx. 5 mph/8 km/h, and then maintains this speed at a constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary this automatically controlled speed within a range extending from approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to 15 mph/25 km/h. You can specify a target speed within the same range by using the +/– buttons of the cruise control on the steering wheel.
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Activating system
Press the button; the LED lights up.
The LED flashes when the brakes are applied automatically.
Deactivating system
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
HDC is deactivated immediately above approx. 35 mph/60 km/h and after approx. 10 seconds when the ignition is switched off.
Using HDC
With manual transmission: Use HDC in first gear and in reverse, because in the higher gears the engine's braking action diminishes.
With automatic transmission: You can use HDC in every drive position.
Malfunction
If the LED in the button goes out in the HDC mode or fails to light up when the button is pressed: HDC is temporarily not available, because the brake temperature is too high.
If one of the malfunctions described
below occurs, proceed cautiously and defensively. When driving on poor roads, avoid using the full throttle or kick-down positions of the accelerator as well as heavy and panic brak­ing. Otherwise, the drive train may be damaged or accidents can occur.<
The red brake warning lamp lights up together with the warning lamps for ABS and DSC/xDrive. In addition, a warning signal sounds. ABS, DSC, HDC and xDrive have failed. It is then possi­ble to exert driving force only via the rear axle. If the brake warning lamp
lights up yellow in the described combi­nation, the EBV Electronic brake-force distribu­tion is still available. Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.
The warning lamp lights up continu-
ously and a warning signal sounds:
DSC or the xDrive all-wheel system has failed. The stabilizing interventions of DSC or the all­wheel drive system xDrive are no longer avail­able. It is then possible to exert driving force only via the rear axle. Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Malfunction in vehicle stability control
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
systems
The warning lamp lights up yellow. DBC Dynamic Brake Control is malfunction­ing. Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
Display of the previously described mal­function on Canadian models.
50

Flat Tire Monitor FTM*

The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla­tion pressures in the four mounted tires as you drive. The system triggers an alert whenever the inflation pressure in one tire drops signifi­cantly in relation to the pressure in another tire.
When a loss of pressure occurs, the rolling radius changes and with it, the rotational speed
Page 53
of the wheels. This change is detected and sig-
naled as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the system must be initialized at the correct tire inflation pressure.
The initialization must be repeated after every correction of the tire inflation pres-
sure, after every tire or wheel change, and after a trailer is hitched or unhitched.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot predict sud­den 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 a compact wheel, the Flat Tire Monitor cannot operate.
Initializing system
The system must be reinitialized after
every correction of tire inflation pressure and after every tire or wheel change. Do not ini­tialize the system when driving with snow chains or with a compact wheel.<
1. Start the engine just before driving, but do
not begin to drive.
2. Press the button for at least 4 seconds, but
not longer than 2 minutes. After the button is released, the indicator lamp in the instru­ment cluster lights up yellow for a few sec­onds.
3. Begin driving.
The initialization is completed during driv­ing and can be interrupted at any time with­out requiring any input from you. The initial­ization automatically continues when driving resumes.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red. In addi­tion, an acoustic signal sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation pressure
loss.
1. Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering maneuvers.
2. Identify damaged tire.
If identification is not possible, con­tact your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.<
3. Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Changing a wheel on page 103.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow. The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunctioning or out of order. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
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TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*

The concept
TPM controls the tire inflation pressure in the four mounted wheels. The system notifies you if the tire inflation pressure has fallen signifi­cantly in one or more tires.
Functional requirement
To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the system must be reset at the correct tire inflation pressure.
Always use wheels equipped with TPM elec­tronics, including a metal valve; otherwise, there is no guarantee that the system will function properly.
The system must be reset after every cor­rection of tire inflation pressure and after
every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
TPM cannot warn you of sudden, serious tire damage due to external factors.<
The system does not function properly if it has not been reset, e.g. it may identify a tire as flat in spite of the fact that the tire is filled to the cor­rect inflation pressure.
The system is inactive and cannot indicate flat tires if a wheel not equipped with TPM electron­ics has been mounted, e.g. a compact wheel, or if TPM is experiencing temporary interference from other systems or devices that use the same frequency.
Resetting system
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
The system must be reset after every cor­rection of tire inflation pressure and after
every tire or wheel change.<
1. Start engine, but do not begin to drive.
2. Press the button until the yellow warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up for a few seconds.
3. Begin driving.
After a few minutes of driving, the tire infla­tion pressures in the tires are adopted as the desired values to be monitored. The resetting is completed during driving and can be interrupted at any time without requiring any input from you. The resetting automatically continues when driving resumes.
Low tire pressure message
The warning lamp lights up yellow. In addition, a signal sounds. You have a flat tire or a significant loss of tire pres-
sure in one or more tires.
1. Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering maneuvers.
2. Identify the damaged wheel or wheels.
If identification is not possible, con­tact your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.<
3. Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Wheel changes on page 103.
4. Check tire inflation pressure and correct as
needed.
The compact wheel is not equipped with the required TPM electronics and is not monitored when mounted.
When driving with the compact wheel, the sys­tem indicates a malfunction.
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Have the damaged tire replaced by your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that is familiar with TPM and works in accor­dance with BMW repair procedures, using appropriately trained personnel.
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and then lights up continuously. Flat tires cannot be detected.
Such a message is displayed in the following situations:
> In the event of a malfunction:
Have the system checked
> When a wheel without TPM electronics is
mounted, e.g. a compact wheel
> When TPM is experiencing temporary inter-
ference from other systems or devices that use the same frequency

Brake force display

The brake lamps light up in two stages, depending on how heavily you apply the brakes.
> Normal braking:
The brake lamps 1 and the center brake lamp light up.
> Powerful braking:
The brake lamps 1 and 2 light up together with the center brake lamp.

Airbags

The following airbags are located beneath the marked covers:
1 Front airbags
2 Head airbags
3 Side airbags in front and rear
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con­tinue to provide optimal protection,
please follow the instructions on page 26.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and front passenger by responding to frontal impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro­vide adequate restraint. When needed, the head and side airbags he lp provide protection in the event of side impact. The relevant side air­bag supports the side upper body area. The respective head airbag supports the head.
The airbags will purposely not be activated by every collision, e.g. not by more minor acci­dents, or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or modify them in any other way. Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention system from the vehicle. Do not modify the indi­vidual components of the system or its wiring in any way. This includes the padded covers in the center of the steering wheel, on the dashboard, the doors, and the roof pillars as well as the sides of the headliner. Do not attempt to remove or dismantle the steering wheel. Do not touch the individual components directly after the system has been triggered, because there is a danger of burns.
*
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In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air­bag generators executed only by a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that works according to BMW repair procedures with correspondingly trained personnel and has the required explosives licenses. 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 information are also pro­vided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front passenger airbags
By evaluating the pressure on the seat cushion of the front passenger seat, the system detects whether or not the seat is occupied. The front and side airbags for the passenger are activated or deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp located above the
inside rearview mirror indicates whether the front passenger airbag system is currently deactivated or activated, refer to Status of pas­senger airbag in the section below.<
Before transporting a child in the front
passenger seat, follow the safety notices and instructions under Transporting children safely, refer to page 33. When teenagers or adults assume certain sit­ting positions, the front and side airbags on the passenger side can deactivate; this causes the indicator lamp for the front passenger airbag to light up. If this happens, have them change their sitting position so that the passenger airbag is
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the desired status cannot be achieved by changing their sitting position, then have the person ride in the back. Do not attach seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or other items to the passenger seat unless they are specifically rec­ommended by BMW. Do not place any items under the seat which could press against the seat from below. Otherwise, a correct analysis of the seat cushion is not ensured.<
Status of passenger airbags
The indicator lamp for the passenger airbag indicates the operational readiness of the front and side airbag on the passenger side depend­ing on whether or not the seat is occupied. The indicator lamp indicates whether the passenger airbags are activated or deactivated.
> The indicator lamp lights up when a child
sitting as directed in a child restraint system designed for this is detected. The front and side airbags on the passenger side are not activated.
> 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 pas­senger are activated.
> The indicator lamp does not light up when
the seat is empty. However, the front and side airbags for the passenger are not activated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
As of ignition key position 1, the warning lamp lights up briefly, thus indicating the operational readiness of the entire airbag system and the safety belt tensioners.
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Airbag system malfunction
> Warning lamp does not come on with the
ignition key in position 1 or higher.
> The warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately if a malfunction occurs; otherwise, there is a danger of the system failing to respond in the expected manner to an impact occurring within its normal response range.<
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Lamps

Parking lamps/low beams

Lamps
Parking lamps
The front, rear and side vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the parking
lamps for parking. For the additional option of roadside parking lamps on one side of the vehicle only, refer to page 57.
The parking lamps will discharge the bat­tery. For this reason, avoid using them for
extended periods; otherwise, it may no longer be possible to start the engine.<
Low beams
When you switch off the ignition with
the headlamps on, the headlamps go
out and only the parking lamps remain on.
Defective lamps
The indicator lamp lights up:
At least one bulb of the exterior lighting
on the vehicle is defective.
Replacing bulbs, refer to page 99.
Pathway lighting
When you activate the headlamp flasher after parking the vehicle and switching off the lamps, the low beams will come on for a brief period.
You may also have this function deacti­vated if you wish.<
Lights on warning
If you turn the ignition key to position 0, an acoustic signal sounds when you open the driver's door for a few seconds to remind you that the lights have not yet been switched off.
Daytime running lamps*
If so desired, the light switch can remain in the low beam or automatic headlamp control posi­tion. The exterior lamps are automatically switched off after the vehicle is parked.
You can switch on the parking lamps when needed using the standard procedure described under Parking lamps.
You can have the daytime running lamps activated on your vehicle.<
Automatic headlamp control*
When you set the switch to this posi­tion, the system activates and switches
on and off the low beams in response to changes in ambient light conditions, for instance, in tunnels, at dawn and dusk, and in rain and snow.
When you enter a tunnel with bright ceiling lighting, this can delay the switching on of your low beams. A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can also cause the headlamps to come on.
The low beams remain switched on regardless of the ambient light when you
*
switch on the front fog lamps When the daytime running lamps are activated as described in the section above, the low­beam headlamps are always switched on when the switch is in this position and the ignition is on.<
If so desired, the light switch can remain in the automatic headlamp control position. The exte­rior lamps are automatically switched off after the vehicle is parked.
.
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Page 59
Automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for the driver's judg­ment in determining when the vehicle lamps should be switched on. For example, the sys­tem cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid safety risks, you should always switch on the lamps manually under these conditions.<
You can have the sensitivity of the head-
lamp control adjusted.<

Adaptive Head Light*

The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp control system that enables better illumination of the road surface. Depending on the steering angle and other assumptions, the light from the headlamp follows the course of the road.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
In ignition position 2, turn the light switch into the automatic headlamp control position, refer to page 56.
The LED next to the symbol lights up.
In order not to blind oncoming traffic, the Adap­tive Head Light is not active when driving in reverse and only points toward the passenger side when the vehicle is stationary.

High beams/ roadside parking lamps

1 High beams
2 Headlamp flasher
3 Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also have the option of lighting up just one side of your vehicle when parking. When doing so, be sure to comply with national regulations.
After switching off the engine, press the lever past the resistance point in the corresponding direction 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat­tery. For this reason, avoid using them for
extended periods; otherwise, it may no longer be possible to start the engine.<
Malfunction
The LED next to the symbol for automatic head­lamp control flashes. Adaptive Head Light is malfunctioning or has failed. Have the system checked as soon as possible.

Front fog lamps*

Briefly press the button once again to switch on/off.
The parking lamps or low beams must be switched on for the fog lamps to operate. The green indicator lamp lights
up when the fog lamps are on.
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If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Lamps

Instrument lighting

Turn the knurled wheel to adjust the illumina­tion intensity.

Interior lamps

The interior lamps operate automatically.
If you wish, the interior lamps are switched on after mechanical unlocking
of the vehicle. 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 closed.<
Switching interior lamps on and off
Briefly press button 1.
If you want the interior lamps to remain off all the time, press and hold the button for approx. 3seconds.
Press the button briefly to revert to normal operation.
You can have your interior lamps set to dim smoothly to the desired level when
you switch them on or off.<
Front reading lamps*
Switch on and off with buttons 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 igni­tion is switched off.<
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Air conditioner

Air conditioner

1 Airflow directed toward the windshield and
side windows
2 Airflow for the upper body 61
3 Airflow to footwell 61
4 Air volume 60
5 Recirculated-air mode 60
6 Temperature 60
7 Air distribution 60
8 Rear window defroster 60
9 Cooling function 60
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Air volume
You can vary the air volume in steps 1 through 4. The heating or cooling output is more effective with a higher air volume.
Switching system on/off
Turn air volume rotary switch to 0. The blower and air conditioning system are completely switched off, the air flow is shut off.
To switch on the air conditioning system, set an
Air conditioner
arbitrary air volume.
Temperature
To increase the temperature, turn to the right, toward red. For a lower temperature, turn the rotary switch counterclockwise toward blue.
Air distribution
You can direct air to flow onto the windows , toward the upper body and into the footwell . Intermediate settings are possible.
Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant odors outside the vehicle by tem-
porarily suspending the supply of outside air. The system then recirculates the air currently within the vehicle.
If condensation starts to form on the
inside window surfaces during operation in the recirculated-air mode, you should switch it off and increase the air supply as needed. The recirculated-air mode should not be used over a sustained period of time; otherwise, the air quality inside the vehicle will steadily deteri­orate.<
Defrosting windows and removing condensation
Rear window defroster
The rear window heating switches off automatically after a certain amount of time.
Switching cooling function on/off
When the air conditioning 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.
60
1. Air volume 1 at level 4.
2. Temperature 2 toward right, red.
3. Air distribution 3 in position .
4. Deactivate recirculated-air mode 5.
5. Switch on the rear window heating 4 to
defrost the rear window.
Page 63
Ventilation
1 Knurled wheels for opening and closing the
air vents through an infinitely variable range
2 Levers for changing airflow direction
3 Knurled wheel for more or less cool air from
the air vents for the upper body region
Ventilation for cooling
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. A substantial reduction in air supply indicates that the filter should be replaced before normal maintenance.
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Automatic climate control*

Air conditioner
1 Airflow directed toward the windshield and
side windows
2 Airflow for the upper body 64
3 Airflow to footwell 64
4 Manually varying air distribution 63
5 Adjusting temperature 63
6 Temperature display 63,
Air volume 63
7 Manually varying air volume 63
62
8 Defrosting windows and removing
condensation 63
9 Rear window defroster 64
10 Switching cooling function on/off 63
11 Outside air/AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control/recirculated-air mode 63
12 AUTO program 63
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A congenial climate
For almost all conditions, the AUTO pro­gram 12 offers the optimal air distribution and air volume, refer to AUTO program below. You need only select an interior temperature that you find pleasant.
The following sections contain more detailed information on the available setting options.
Your vehicle has been designed to auto-
matically select your personal climate­control settings whenever you unlock the doors using your individually programmed remote control.<
AUTO program
The AUTO program handles the adjustment of air distribution to the
windshield and side windows, in the direction of the upper body, and in the foot­well. It also adapts your instructions for the air volume and temperature to outside influences throughout the year, e.g. solar radiation or win­dow condensation.
The cooling is switched on automatically along with the AUTO program.
When you change between different tem­perature settings in rapid succession, the
system does not have enough time to achieve the desired temperature.<
Manually adjusting air volume
By pressing the lower button, you can reduce the air volume. You can increase it by pressing the upper button.
You can reactivate the automatic
air volume mode by pressing the AUTO button.
Switching system on/off
At the lowest fan speed, press the lower button to turn off the automatic climate control com­pletely. All displays disappear.
Press any button to turn the automatic climate control back on again.
Defrosting windows and removing condensation
This program quickly removes ice and condensation from the wind­shield and front door windows.
Manually switching air distribution on/ off
You can direct air to flow onto the
windows , toward the upper
body and into the footwell .
You can reactivate the automatic
air distribution mode by selecting
the AUTO button.
Temperature
Set the desired temperature.
The automatic climate control
assures that this temperature is
reached as quickly as possible any
time of year, using maximum cool­ing or heating capacity as needed, and then keeps this temperature constant.
Switching cooling function on/off
When the air conditioning 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.
The cooling function is automatically switched on along with the AUTO program. It is only pos­sible to cool the passenger compartment with the engine running.
AUC Automatic Recirculated-air Control/recirculated air mode
You can set the desired operating
mode by pressing the button
repeatedly:
> LEDs off: outside air continuously flows into
the vehicle.
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> Left LED on, AUC mode: a sensor detects
pollutants in the outside air. The system suspends the supply of outside air as needed and recirculates the air currently within the vehicle. As soon as the concen­tration of pollutants in the outside air has decreased sufficiently, the system switches automatically back to supplying outside air.
> Right LED on, recirculated-air mode: the
outside air supply into the vehicle is shut off continuously. The system then recirculates
Air conditioner
the air currently within the vehicle.
If condensation starts to form on the
inside window surfaces during operation in the recirculated-air mode, you should switch it off and increase the air supply as needed. The recirculated-air mode should not be used over a sustained period of time; otherwise, the air quality inside the vehicle will steadily deteri­orate.<
Rear window defroster
The rear window heating switches off automatically after a certain amount of time.
Ventilation for cooling
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/activated-charcoal filter*
The microfilter removes dust and pollen from the incoming outside air. The activated-char­coal filter provides additional protection by fil­tering gaseous pollutants from the outside air. This combined filter is replaced when mainte­nance is performed by your BMW Sports Activ­ity Vehicle Center. A substantial reduction in air supply indicates that the filter should be replaced before normal maintenance.
Ventilation
1 Knurled wheels for opening and closing the
air vents through an infinitely variable range
2 Levers for changing airflow direction
3 Knurled wheel for more or less cool air from
the air vents for the upper body region
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Practical interior accessories

Integrated universal remote control*

The concept
The integrated universal remote control replaces up to three different hand-held trans­mitters for various items of radio-controlled equipment such as door openers and house alarm systems. The integrated universal remote control recognizes and learns the transmitted signal of each of the original hand-held trans­mitters.
The signal of an original hand-held transmitter can be programmed on one of the three mem­ory buttons 1. Once this is done, each of the devices can be actuated with the appropriately programmed memory button 1. The LED 2 indi­cates transmission of the signal.
Should you sell your vehicle one day, be sure to delete the stored programs beforehand for your security, refer to page 66.
To prevent possible damage or injury,
before programming or using the inte­grated universal remote control, always inspect the immediate area to make certain that no peo­ple, animals or objects are within the travel range of the device. Also, comply with the safety precautions of the original hand-held transmitter.<
Checking compatibility
If you see this symbol on the packaging 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 registered trademark of Johnson Controls, Inc.<
Programming
1 Memory buttons
2 LED
Fixed-code hand-held transmitters
1. Turn the ignition key to position 2.
2. For initial use:
Press both outer buttons 1 for approx. 20 seconds, maintaining pressure until the LED 2 starts to flash. All stored programs are deleted.
3. Hold the original hand-held transmitter at a
distance of approx. 2in/5cm to 8in/20cm from the memory buttons 1.
The required distance between the hand-held transmitter and memory
buttons 1 depends on the relevant system of the original hand-held transmitter used.<
4. Simultaneously press the transmit button
on the original hand-held transmitter and the desired memory button 1 of the inte­grated universal remo te control. Initially, the LED 2 flashes slowly. Release both buttons as soon as the LED 2 flashes rapidly. If the LED 2 does not flash rapidly after approx. 15 seconds, then change the distance.
5. To program other original hand-held trans-
mitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.
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The corresponding memory button 1 is now
programmed with the signal of the original hand-held transmitter.
You can use the system when the engine is run­ning or when the ignition is switched on.
If the system cannot be operated after
repeated programming, check whether the original hand-held transmitter uses an alter­nating-code system. To do so, either read the instructions of the original hand-held transmit­ter or press and hold down the programmed memory button 1 of the integrated universal remote control. If the LED 2 on the integrated universal remote control flashes rapidly for a short time then lights up for approx. 2 seconds, this indicates that the original hand-held trans­mitter uses an alternating-code system. In the case of an alternating-code system, program the memory buttons 1 as described in the sec­tion below on alternating-code transmitters.<
Alternating-code transmitters
Practical interior accessories
Consult the operating instructions of the unit you wish to set when programming the univer­sal remote control. You will find information there on the possibilities for synchronization. When programming hand-held transmitters that employ an alternating code, please follow these additional instructions:
Programming will be easier with the aid of
a second person.<
1. Park your vehicle within the range of the
remote-controlled equipment.
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 remote control three times.
The corresponding memory button 1 is now programmed with the signal of the original hand-held transmitter.
If you have questions, please contact your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.<
Deleting stored programs
Press both outer buttons 1 for approx. 20 sec­onds, maintaining pressure until the LED 2 starts to flash: all stored programs are deleted.
It is not possible to delete individual programs.

Cup holders

Do not place glass containers in the cup holders; otherwise, there is a danger of
injury in the event of an accident.<
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 the air vent.
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To open: briefly press the cover in the middle.
To close: press the cover in the middle and slide the cup holder in.
Rear
A cup holder is located in the center armrest at the rear: Press the button to open.

Glove compartment

Opening
Locking
Use one of the master keys. A master key is also required for unlocking.
If you only hand over the spare key, e.g. for valet parking at a hotel, refer to
page 18, then the glove compartment cannot be unlocked.<
Rechargeable flashlight
The flashlight is located on the left side of the glove compartment. It can remain plugged in continuously. Remove the flashlight from the socket whenever you need it.
To avoid damage, be sure that the flash­light is switched off when it is inserted
into its holder.<

Storage compartments

Armrest, front*
Pull the handle. The lamp inside the glove com­partment comes on.
Closing
Fold the cover up.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci­dent while the vehicle is being driven,
close the glove compartment immediately after use.<
The armrest contains two storage compart­ments.
> Compartment for CDs:
Press button 1.
> Compartment for coins and miscellaneous
items:
Press button 2.
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Armrest, rear
The rear armrest contains a storage compart­ment:
To open, pull the cover upward.
Storage compartment in the instrument panel*
Practical interior accessories
Clothes hooks
When suspending clothing from the
hooks ensure that it will not obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang heavy objects on the hooks. If you do so, they could endanger passengers during braking or evasive maneu­vers.<

Ashtray*

Emptying
Press the edge of the opened cover: the ashtray moves up and can be removed.
On vehicles with the non-smoker's equipment package, the insert is removed in the same way.
Opening
Press the button in the direction of the arrow.
Closing
Fold the cover down.
Storage package*
Your convenience is enhanced by:
> Armrest, front > Sliding lashing eyes in cargo area, refer to
page 73
> Floor cover in cargo area that can be used in
two positions, refer to page 72
> Nets in cargo area, on rear side of front seat,
and in passenger footwell
68

Lighter*

Press in the cigarette lighter 1. The lighter can be removed as soon as it pops out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by
the knob only. Holding or touching it in other areas could result in burns. The cigarette lighter remains operational when the ignition key has been removed. For this rea­son, do not leave unsupervised children in the vehicle.<
Page 71

Connecting electrical devices

You can use electrical devices such as flash­lights, 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.
Lighter socket
Remove cigarette lighter from its socket. With the non-smoker's equipment package the socket is covered with a removable cap.
Power socket in cargo area

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 disen­gage the door.
Fold the cover upward.

Car phone preparation*

Hands-free system
In vehicles with car phone preparation*, the hands-free microphone is located on the head­liner near the interior lamp.
For more information on the car phone, refer to the Owner's Manual for Telephone.
2. Press the button again; the door in the
cargo area opens. If you press the button firmly the first time, this also opens the door in the cargo area.
3. Place the ski bag between the front seats
and load. The zipper facilitates access to the stowed items.
4. Insert the latch plate of the ski bag retaining
belt into the center safety belt buckle.
Make sure to load only clean skis into the ski bag. Wrap sharp edges so that no damage occurs.
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Securing load
Removing ski bag
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con­tents. Tension the retaining strap on the ten­sioning buckle for this purpose.
Always secure the ski bag in this way. If you fail to do so, it can endanger occu-
pants during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
To store the ski bag, perform the above steps in reverse order.
Inserting ski bag
Practical interior accessories
The ski bag is located in the cargo area under the floor cover.
1. Fold down the center armrest and pull off
the cover.
2. Remove the tray behind the cover with a
screwdriver by placing it against the indi­cated location in the center of the tray.
3. Position the ski bag on the lower edge of the
opening, refer to arrow 1, then insert it, refer to arrow 2.
Pull the handle forward and remove the ski bag upward.
Do not position cargo at the opening. If you do, it can endanger the passengers
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<

Cargo area

When loading, follow the instructions on page 78.
Enlarging cargo area
The rear backrest is split. You can fold down both seats individually to enlarge the cargo area.
Reach into the opening and pull forward, refer to arrow.
Before folding down the rear backrest, remove the cover caps for the LATCH
*
child-restraint fixing system impressions can be left in the seat cushion.<
When you fold back the backrest, be sure
that the catch engages securely. This causes the red warning field in the recess to dis­appear. Otherwise, cargo can be thrown into the passenger compartment during braking or
. Otherwise,
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evasive maneuvers, thus endangering the pas-
sengers.<
To ensure that the safety belts continue to provide optimal protection, please fol-
low the instructions on page 26.<
Ski bag*
To create a flat cargo surface, you can remove the ski bag and replace it with a tray before folding the rear backrest forward. The tray is inserted in the same way as inserting the ski bag, refer to Inserting ski bag. 70
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 maneu­vers. Do not allow the cover to snap back into place; this can damage it.<
Removal
1. Press the side buttons, refer to arrow 1.
2. Pull the case toward the rear, refer to
arrow 2.
Installation
Push the case forward into the two side holders until it locks into place.
Stowing* when rear seat back is folded down
Holders for the case are mounted on the backs of the rear seat backs, refer to arrows 1.
Guide in the case from the right side until it locks into place, refer to arrow 2. As you do this, the cargo area cover must always point in the direction of travel and the loop of the partition net must point upward.
You can pull out the partition net and insert it into the holders in the roof area above.
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Partition net*
Do not allow the partition net to snap back into place; otherwise, there is a danger of
injury and the partition net could be damaged.<
Hooking partition net into place
Pull the partition net out of the case by the strap. Press the ends of the bar toward each other, refer to arrows 1, and insert into the brackets. Then press the bar all the way upward in the middle, refer to arrow 2, so that it engages in the brackets.
Practical interior accessories
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.
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 cover.
Raising
Behind side trim panel
Press the button to open.
72
Swing up the floor cover and hook it onto the handle of the cargo area cover by its catch.
Page 75
Lashing eyes, rail*
You can secure heavy-duty cargo straps to the lashing eyes on the cargo area floor.
The lashing eyes are located in the cargo area under the floor cover. They can be inserted into the openings in the rails. To slide the lashing eyes, press the button.
Read and follow instructions accompany­ing the heavy-duty cargo straps.<
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Page 77
Driving tips
Driving tips
This section is designed to provide you
with extra support by supplying information
useful in dealing with specific driving
and operating conditions.
Page 78

Things to remember when driving

Breaking-in

Moving parts should be allowed to adjust to one another. To ensure that your vehicle provides maximum economy throughout a long service life, we request that you observe the following instructions.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
For the first 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and driving speeds, but do not exceed 4,500 rpm or 100 mph /160 km/h in the process.
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid press­ing the accelerator beyond the kick-down point.
After 1,200 miles/2000 km
Engine and road speed can be gradually increased.
Things to remember when driving
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac­tion potential until after an initial break-in period. For this reason, drive with extra care during the initial 200 miles/300 km.
Obey your local and state maximum speed lim­its.
When the vehicle is operated on wet or
slushy roads, a wedge of water may form between the tire and the road surface. This phe­nomenon is referred to as hydroplaning and can lead to partial or complete loss of traction, vehi­cle 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 optimal pad-surface and wear
patterns required for trouble-free operation and long service life later on.
To break in the separate handbrake drums, apply the handbrake lightly when coasting to a stop – at a traffic signal, for instance; use cau­tion to avoid posing a danger to other road users.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this procedure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on when the handbrake is applied.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the engine is running. When you move the vehicle with the engine off – e.g., by towing – substan­tially higher levels of pedal force will be required to brake the vehicle.<
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal level only after a distance driven of approx. 300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period, engage the clutch gently.
Following component replacements
Follow the break-in sequence again if compo­nents addressed above must be replaced due to subsequent driving.

General driving notes

Close the liftgate
Operate the vehicle only when the liftgate
is completely closed; otherwise, exhaust fumes could enter the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances should make it abso­lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the liftgate open:
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1. Close all windows and the panorama glass
sunroof.
2. Greatly increase the air supply of the air
conditioning system or automatic climate control, refer to page 60 or 63.
For trouble-free operation, keep the photocells clean and do not cover the 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.
Hot exhaust system
High temperatures occur in the exhaust
system of every vehicle. Do not remove the heat shields installed adjacent to various sections of the exhaust system, and never apply undercoating to them. When driving, standing at idle, and parking, take care to avoid possible contact between the hot exhaust system and any highly flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, resulting in serious personal injury and property damage.<
Mobile communications devices in vehicle
BMW does not recommend using mobile
communications devices, e.g. mobile phones, on the interior of the vehicle without a direct connection to an outside antenna. Other­wise, the vehicle electronics and mobile com­munications device can affect each other. In addition, there is no assurance that the radia­tion which results during transmission will be dissipated from the vehicle interior.<
Interior and exterior mirror, automatically dimming*
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air conditioner sys­tem during operation, and then exits under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page 30; otherwise, they could be damaged due to the width of the vehicle. Deactivate the rain sensor; otherwise, damage could result from undesired wiper activation, refer to page 40.
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 sur­face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro­planing, and is characterized by a partial or complete loss of contact between tires and road surface, ultimately undermining your abil­ity to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The danger of hydroplaning increases as tire tread depth decreases, also refer to Minimum tread depth on page 89.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it
is deeper than 20 in/50 cm, and then only at walking speed. Otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the electrical system, and the transmis­sion may be damaged.<
Two photocells are used to control the auto­matically dimming interior and exterior mirrors. One is integrated into the mirror glass, the other is located on the back of the mirror.
Using handbrake on inclines
Do not hold the vehicle in place on slopes
by slipping or riding the clutch, use the handbrake instead. Otherwise, greater clutch wear will result.<
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Safe braking
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as standard equipment. In situations in which it is required, it is best to apply the brakes fully. Since the vehi­cle maintains steering responsiveness, you can nevertheless avoid possible obstacles with a minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined with sounds from the hydraulic circuits indicates to the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Wet roads
On wet roads or in heavy rain, briefly apply light pressure to the brake pedal every few miles. Watch traffic conditions to ensure that this maneuver does not endanger other road users. The heat that is generated by the brake applica­tions helps to dry the brake pads and rotors. The full braking force will then be available when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and reduced effi-
ciency of the brake system, drive long or steep downhill grades in the gear in which the least braking is required. Otherwise, even light
Things to remember when driving
but continuous pressure on the brake can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
The braking action of the engine can be further intensified by downshifting, all the way down to first gear if need be. This strategy helps you avoid placing excessive loads on the brake sys­tem. Downshifting in manual mode of automatic transmission, refer to page 39. When descend­ing hills slowly, use HDC Hill Descent Control, refer to page 49.
Never drive with the clutch depressed,
with the transmission in neutral, or with the engine switched off; otherwise, you will have neither the braking action of the engine or nor its power assistance to the brakes or steer­ing. Never allow floor mats, carpeting, or other arti­cles to protrude into the area around the brake or accelerator pedals and obstruct their move­ment.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, during extended periods when the vehicle is not used at all, and in operating conditions where brake applications are less frequent, there is an increased tendency for corrosion to form on rotors, while contaminants 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.

Cargo loading

To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over­load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over­heating and increases the rate at which damage develops inside the tires. The ultimate result can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Determining load limit
1. Locate the following statement on your
*
vehicle's placard
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs. or YYY kg. Otherwise, the vehicle may be damaged and unstable driving con­ditions may result.<
2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
:
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3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4. The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the XXX amount equals 990 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas­sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail­able cargo and luggage load capacity is 240 lbs.: 990 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 240 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded into and/or onto the vehicle. This combined weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and lug­gage load capacity calculated in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult the manual for transporting a trailer to determine how this may reduce the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permitted load is the total of the weight of occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
> To protect passengers, use the partition
net, refer to page 72.
> Load heavy cargo as far forward and as low
as possible, placing it directly behind the rear seat backrests.
> Cover sharp edges and corners. > Do not stack cargo higher than the upper
edge of the backrests.
> Items that could bump against the rear win-
dow while driving must be adequately cov­ered.
> For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the opposite buckle.
Securing cargo
> Use the luggage net* or draw stra ps t o ho ld
down small and lightweight luggage and cargo, refer to page 73.
> For larger and heavier pieces, heavy-duty
cargo straps Sports Activity Vehicle Center. These heavy-duty cargo straps are attached using the lashing eyes in the cargo area, refer to page 73.
*
are available from your BMW
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Please read the information provided with
the heavy-duty cargo straps.
Always position and secure cargo as
described above. If you do not, it can endanger the passengers during braking or evasive maneuvers. Use only the lashing eyes, refer to page 73, to fasten the heavy-duty cargo straps; otherwise, the heavy-duty cargo straps could loosen or the vehicle could be damaged. Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer to page 116, as excessive loads can pose a safety hazard and may also place you in viola­tion of road safety laws. You should never transport heavy or hard objects unsecured in the passenger compart­ment, as they could be thrown about and pose a safety hazard to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt braking or evasive maneuvers.<

Roof-mounted luggage rack*

A special rack system is available as an optional accessory for your BMW. Please observe the information contained in the installation instruc-
Things to remember when driving
tions.
Loading luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of gravity when loaded, th ey have a major e ffect on its handling and steering response. You should therefore always remember not to exceed the approved roof load capacity, the approved gross vehicle weight, or the axle loads when loading the rack.
These specifications can be found under Weights on page 116.
Make sure that the load is evenly distributed, and that it does not extend outward beyond the limits of the loading surface. Always stow the heaviest pieces at the bottom. Be sure that ade­quate clearance is maintained for raising the glass sunroof and that objects do not project into the opening path of the liftgate.
Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off while you drive.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.

Driving on poor roads

Your X3 is at home on all paved and unpaved roads. It combines all-wheel drive with the advantages of a normal passenger car.
Driving on unpaved terrain can cause damage to the vehicle.<
When you are driving on poor roads, there are a few points which you should strictly observe – for your own safe ty and that of your passengers, as well as to protect the vehicle:
> Familiarize yourself with the vehicle before
you begin driving. Do not take risks with the vehicle under any circumstances.
> Always adapt the 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 94 and 95.
> When descending very steep hills, use
HDC Hill Descent Control, refer to page 49. It is possible to start off on inclines of up to 32%. The permitted side tilt is 32%.
> While driving, watch carefully for obstacles
such as rocks or holes. Try to avoid these obstacles whenever possible.
> Avoid having the body make contact with
the ground, e.g. on the crests of hills and bumpy roads. The ground clearance of the vehicle is a maximum of approx. 8.0 in/ 20 cm. Please be aware that the ground clearance can vary depending on the load and operating conditions of the vehicle.
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> Do not drive in water that is deeper than
20 in/50 cm. If you must drive through water up to that depth, drive at a walking speed and do not stop. After leaving the water, press on the foot­brake gently several times while driving at a low speed. The brake applications will help to dry the brakes, thus preventing a reduc­tion in braking performance caused by the moisture. For cleaning the handbrake, apply the lever slightly at approx. 25 mph/40 km/h and con­tinue to drive for approx. 200 yards/ 200 meters, provided that traffic conditions allow you to do so.
Please 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.
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Mobility
Mobility
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.
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Refueling

Fuel cap

Opening
Refueling
Always switch off the engine before refu-
eling. Otherwise, no fuel can be dis­pensed into the tank and the Service Engine Soon lamp lights up.<
1. Open fuel filler door. To do so, briefly press
it at the rear edge.
2. Turn fuel filler cap counterclockwise.
3. Put the fuel filler cap in the bracket attached
to the fuel filler door.
Closing
Replace the cap and turn it clockwise until you hear a clearly audible click.
Be careful not to crush the cap leash between the gas cap and the vehicle.
The warning lamp The fuel cap is not properly closed or is missing. Check whether the fuel cap is
properly closed.
*
lights up.
Manually releasing fuel filler door
In the event of an electrical malfunction in the system, you can release the fuel filler door man­ually:
1. Open the cover flap in the cargo area on the
right-hand side panel, refer to page 72.
2. Pull the green button. The fuel filler flap is
released.
Always observe all applicable precautions
and regulations when handling fuels. Never carry spare fuel containers in your vehi­cle. Whether empty or full, these containers can leak, cause an explosion, and lead to fire in the event of a collision.<
Observe the following when refueling
When handling fuels, comply with all
applicable safety precautions posted at the service station.<
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com­pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid lifting the filler nozzle while filling the tank; otherwise, this can result in:
> premature pump shutoff > reduced efficiency in the fuel-vapor recov-
ery system
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 17.7 gallons/67 liters, including the reserve capacity of approx. 2 gallons/8 liters.
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Never attempt to continue driving until
the tank is completely empty; this can
negatively affect engine function and can dam­age the vehicle.<

Fuel specifications

Never use leaded gasoline. Otherwise, you will cause permanent damage to your
catalytic converter.<
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended. However, you may also use gasoline with a lower AKI rating. The minimum AKI rating is 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI rat­ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds when starting at high outside temperatures. This has no effect on the engine life.
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif­ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain­ing up to and including 10% ethanol or other oxygenates with up to 2,8% oxygen by weight, that is, 15% MTBE or 3% methanol plus an equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void the applicable warranties with respect to defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
stalling, starting and drivability problems especially under certain environmental condi­tions such as high ambient temperature and high altitude. Should you encounter drivability problems that you suspect could be related to the fuel you are using, we recommend that you respond by switching to a recognized high-quality brand such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier Detergent Gasoline. Failure to comply with these recommendations may also result in unscheduled maintenance.<
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Wheels and tires

Tire inflation pressure

Information for your safety
The condition of the tires and the maintenance of the specified tire pressure are crucial not only to the tire's service life, but also to driving com­fort and most importantly, driving safety.
Checking pressure
Wheels and tires
Only check tire inflation pressure when the tires are cold. This means after a maximum of
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are warm, the tire inflation pressure increases.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
and correct it as needed, even on the compact wheel: at least twice a month and before starting long trips. If you fail to observe this precaution, you may be driving on tires with incorrect tire pressures, a condition that can not only comprom ise your vehicle's driving stabi lity, but also lead to tire damage and the risk of an accident. Do not drive with deflated, i.e. flat tires. A flat tire will seriously impair your vehicle's handling and braking response. Attempts to drive on a flat tire can lead to loss of control over the vehicle.<
After correcting the tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor
*
the Tire Pressure Monitor
52.<
Pressure specifications
The table on the next page provides all the cor­rect inflation pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient temperature.
The inflation pressures in the table apply
to BMW-approved tire sizes and recom­mended tire brands. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be glad to supply this infor­mation.<
, refer to pages 51,
*
or reset
For correct identification of the right tire infla­tion pressure for your tires, please note the fol­lowing:
> Tire size for your vehicle > Load status > Maximum permissible driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for speeds up to 100 mph/160 km/h
For normal driving at speeds of up to 100 mph/ 160 km/h and to achieve an optimal driving comfort, take note of the tire inflation pressures listed on the following page in the column for speeds up to max. 100 mph/160 km/h and adjust your tire pressure as needed.
These tire inflation pressures are also listed on the door pillar and can be seen with the driver's door open.
The maximum permissible speed for
these tire inflation pressures is 100 mph/ 160 km/h. Do not exceed this speed; failure to heed this limit can lead to tire damage and acci­dents.<
Tire inflation pressures for speeds above 100 mph/160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds
above 100 mph/160 km/h, take note of the tire inflation pressures listed in the column for speeds above 100 mph/160 km/h in the table on the following page and adjust your tire pressure as needed. Failure to due so can lead to tire damage and accidents.<
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Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits; failure to do so could put you in violation of the law.
X3 2.5i/3.0i
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
of up to max.
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in the table are indicated in psi/ kilopascal with cold tires. Cold = ambient temperature
235/55 R 17 99 H M+S 29/200 32/220 29/200 32/220 32/220 38/260
215/60 R 17 96 H M+S 235/50 R 18 97 H M+S
Front: 235/50 R 18 97 V Rear: 255/45 R 18 99 V
Front: 235/45 R 19 95 W Rear: 255/40 R 19 96W
Compact wheel: T 135/90 R 17 104 M
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page 116
32/220 35/240 32/220 35/240 35/240 41/280
32/220
–
32/220
–
61/420 61/420 61/420 61/420 61/420 61/420
–
32/220
–
35/240
32/220
32/220
Traveling speeds
including those above
100 mph/160 km/h
–
–
32/220
–
–
35/240
35/240
–
35/240
–
–
38/260
–
41/280
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Tire identification marks

Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire makes it easier to identify and choose the right tires.
Tire size
e.g. 235/50 R 18 97 V
Nominal width in mm
Cross-sectional relationship in Ξ
Radial tire code
Wheels and tires
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating, not for ZR tires
Speed rating, before R on ZR tires
Speed code letter
Q = up to 105 mph/160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
BMW recommends that you replace all tires after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear Traction AA A B C Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified gov­ernment test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as well on the govern­ment course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may devi­ate significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits and service practices as well as differences in road characteristics and climate.
e.g. DOT xxxx xxx 0506
Manufacturer code for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire age
Tire age
The tire's date of manufacture is indicated on the sidewall: DOT ... 0506 indicates that a tire was manufac­tured in week 5 of the year 2006.
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Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test sur­faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration, cor­nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac­teristics.<
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Temperature
The temperature grades are A, B, and C, A being highest, and represent the tire’s resis­tance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corre­sponds to a level of performance that all pas­senger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep­arately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.<
M+S
Winter and all-season tires. These have better winter properties than sum­mer tires.

Tire condition

Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear, signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not fall below 0.12 in/ 3 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/3 mm, there is an increased risk of high-speed hydro­planing, even when only small amounts of water are present on the road surface. Winter tires display a noticeable loss in their ability to cope with cold-weather driving condi­tions 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 circum­ference and are marked on the side of the tire with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread has worn down to the wear indicators, then the legally permissible tread depth limit of 0.063 in/
1.6 mm has been reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires, make wheels, tires and suspension parts more
susceptible to road hazard and consequential damages.<
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam­ple, be caused by driving over curbs. The same applies to any other abnormal road behavior, such as pulling severely to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires checked immediately. Drive carefully to the nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or tire spe­cialist. Have the vehicle towed to one of these locations if necessary. Tire damage can pose a potentially lethal safety hazard for the vehicle's occupants and other road users alike.<

New wheels and tires

Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a tire shop that works according to BMW repair procedures with correspondingly trained personnel. If this work is not carried out properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam-
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age and related safety hazards. Make sure that
the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of
retreaded tires; otherwise, driving safety may be reduced. The causes for this include the possibly different tire casing structures and the often wide variations in their age, which can result in a limited service life.<
Recommended tire brands
The right wheels and tires
Wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW has tested and approved for your particular vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac­turing tolerances mean that even wheels and tires with identical official size ratings could actually have different dimensions than the approved units – these differences could lead to body contact and with it, the risk of severe acci­dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability, and therefore cannot be held liable for driving safety.<
You can ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center for the correct wheel-and-tire combina­tion.
The correct wheel-and-tire combination affects various systems whose function would other­wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC or xDrive.
To maintain good handling and vehicle response, use only tires of a single tread config­uration from a single manufacturer. After a flat tire, always have the original wheel-and-tire combination remounted on the vehicle as soon as possible.
BMW recommends particular tire brands for each tire size. You will recognize them by the clearly visible BMW identification on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest standards for safety and handling characteris­tics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold winter driving conditions. Although all-season M+S tires do provide better winter traction than summer tires, they generally fail to provide the same levels of cold-weather performance as winter tires.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for which the winter tires are rated.<
Storage
Store wheels or tires in a cool, dry place, pro­tecting them from light whenever possible. Pro­tect the tires from contact with oil, grease and fuel. Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pressure indicated on the side wall of the tire.
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 electron­ics; otherwise, the Tire Pressure Monitor can­not detect a flat tire, refer to page 52. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be happy to advise you in this regard.
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Snow chains*

Only certain fine-link snow chains are tested, classified as road-safe, and recommended by BMW. You can obtain a list of these from your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center. 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.
It is not permissible to use snow chains on the following tire sizes:
> 255/45 R 18 > 255/40 R 19
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 switch off DSC briefly, refer to page 49.<
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Under the hood

Never attempt to perform any service or
repair operations on your vehicle without the required professional technical training. If you are not familiar with the regulations to be observed, have work on your vehicle carried out only by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Cen­ter or at a workshop that works according to BMW repair procedures with appropriately trained personnel. If this work is not carried out
Under the hood
properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam­age and related safety hazards.<

Hood

Unlocking
Pull the lever located under the left side of the instrument cluster.
Closing
Close the hood with force by allowing it to fall from a height of approx. 1 ft/30 cm. It must engage audibly.
Avoid injuries by making sure that the
hood's closing region is clear and unob­structed. If you see any signs that the hood is not com­pletely closed while driving your vehicle, you should stop at once and close it securely.<
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.
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Important components in the
engine compartment
1 Reservoir for washer fluid for the headlamp
and windshield washer system 41
2 Body ground: negative terminal 108
3 Jump starting terminal 108
4 Engine oil filler neck 94
5 Reservoir for brake fluid 96
6 Dipstick for engine oil 94
7 Coolant expansion tank 95
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Engine oil

Engine oil consumption depends on driving style and operating conditions.
Warning lamp
Engine oil pressure
The warning lamp lights up red: The engine oil pressure is too low. Stop the vehicle immediately and
switch off the engine. Check the engine oil level
Under the hood
and top off as needed. If the oil level is correct: have the system checked immediately.
Do not continue driving. The engine could be damaged because of inadequate lubri-
cation.<
Engine oil level
The warning lamp lights up yellow dur­ing driving. In addition, an acoustic sig-
nal sounds. The oil level is at the absolute minimum. Add engine oil as soon as possible. Until then, do not drive more than approx. 30 miles/50 km.
The warning lamp lights up yellow after
the engine is switched off. In addition,
an acoustic signal sounds. Top off engine oil at the earliest opportunity, e.g. when refueling.
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the way into
the guide tube and pull it out again. The oil should extend to between the two marks on the dipstick.
5. Push the oil dipstick into the dipstick tube
as far as possible again.
The oil quantity between the two marks of the dipstick is approx. 1.1 US quarts/1 liter.
Do not fill beyond the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess oil can damage the
engine.<
Adding engine oil
Engine oil sensor
The warning lamp lights up yellow within 30 seconds after starting the
engine: The oil level sensor is defective. Have it checked as soon as possible.
Checking oil level
1. With the engine at operating temperature,
i.e. after at least 6 miles/10 km of uninter­rupted driving, park the vehicle in a horizon­tal position.
2. Switch off engine.
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dipstick out
and wipe it off with a clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar material.
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Do not add oil until the oil level has dropped to just above the lower marking on the dipstick, refer to page 94.
Add oil within the next 30 miles/50 km; otherwise, engine damage could result.<
Keep oil, grease, etc. out of reach of chil­dren and heed warnings on the contain-
ers. Otherwise, you could endanger your health.<
Oil change
Have the oil changed only by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that
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works according to BMW repair procedures
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 spe­cific 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 Perfor­mance Synthetic Oil, you can add small amounts of another synthetic oil in between oil changes. Only use oils with the API SH specifi­cation or higher.
Ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center for more details concerning BMW
High Performance Synthetic Oil or other approved synthetic oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at 1-800-831-1117 or visit website www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
BMW engines are designed to operate without additives, and their use could
even lead to damage in some cases.<
Viscosity classes
Viscosity is the oil flow rating as defined in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class depends on the climate conditions in the area where you typically drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to SAE classes 5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving in all ambient temperatures.

Coolant

Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up: coolant level is too low; top off at the next opportunity.
Do not open the cooling system when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant can cause
burns.<
Coolant consists of water and coolant additive. Not all commercially available additives are suit­able for your BMW. Ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center for suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise, engine damage may result. The additives
present a health hazard.<
Always observe all applicable environ­mental laws and regulations when dis-
posing of used coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1. The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture.
2. Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres­sure to escape, then continue turning to open.
3. The coolant level is correct if the upper end
of the red float bar is at least at the same height as the top edge of the filler neck, refer to arrow. The bar end may only pro­trude by a maximum of ι in/2 cm, i.e. up to the second mark on the float bar, refer also to drawing beside the 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 possible.
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Brake system

Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up red despite the handbrake being released. Stop immediately.
The brake fluid in the reservoir has fallen to below the minimum level. At the same time, a considerably longer brake pedal travel may be
Under the hood
noticeable. Have the system checked immedi­ately.
During continued driving, increased brake pedal travel may be necessary, and con-
siderably longer braking distances may result. Please adapt your driving style accordingly.<
Display of the previously described mal­function on Canadian models.
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up. The brake pads have reached their min­imum pad thickness. Have brake pads
replaced immediately.
For your own safety, use only brake pads
that BMW has approved for your particu­lar vehicle model. As BMW cannot assess the suitability of other brake pads for use in your vehicle, we are unable to assume continued responsibility for the vehicle's operating safety if non-approved pads are installed.<
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Maintenance

The BMW maintenance system

The BMW maintenance system supports the preservation of the road and operating safety of your BMW.
Regular maintenance is not only required for the safety of the vehicle, it also improves the resale value.
Service Interval Display
The BMW maintenance system takes the driv­ing conditions of the vehicle into account when determining service intervals: From the maintenance standpoint, 62,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated in short-distance urban driving are not the equiva­lent of the same distance covered at moderate speeds in long-distance highway travel.
The BMW maintenance system is divided into engine oil service and Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals accord­ing to the actual loads on the vehicle covers practically every kind of operating situation. However, even those who drive only short dis­tances, significantly less than 6,200 miles/ 10,000 km annually, should have the engine oil changed at least every 2 years since oil deterio­rates over time, regardless of use.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic: it absorbs
moisture from the atmosphere over the course of time. To ensure that the brake system continues to provide safe and reliable perfor­mance, 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 Booklet for US models or the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.<
Service and Warranty Information Booklet for US models and Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor­mation Booklet for US models and Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models for additional information on service require­ments.
BMW recommends that you have service
and repair operations performed at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center. Take the time to ensure that these service pro­cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi­cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet for US models and Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models. These entries verify that your vehicle has received the speci­fied regular maintenance.<

Socket for OBD Onboard Diagnostics

The chief components that make up the emis­sions content can be checked by a device that uses the OBD socket.
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This socket is located under a cover on the left
side of the driver's footwell, just under the dash­board.

Emissions values

The warning lamp lights up. Exhaust values are deteriorating. Have the vehi­cle checked as soon as possible.
Maintenance
Under certain conditions, the indicator will flash. This indicates a serious rate of engine misfire. When this occurs, you should reduce speed and consult the nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center as soon as possible. Severe engine misfire even for only a short period of time can seriously damage emission control components, especially the catalytic converter.
Display of the previously described 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 recording or transmitting cer­tain vehicle data or information. In addition, if you have a Subscription Service Agreement for the BMW Assist system, certain vehicle infor­mation may be transmitted or recorded in order to provide such services.

Care

You can find useful information on caring for your BMW in the Caring for your vehicle bro­chure.
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