BMW X3 3.0I 2004 E83 Owner's Guide

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
19
In addition, the remote control offers you
another function:
>Panic mode
In case of danger, you can trigger an
alarm.
When you engage/release the vehicle
locks, you simultaneously activate/deacti-
vate the anti-theft system, arm/disarm the
alarm system, and switch the interior lamps
on/off.
As a reminder that the ignition key is
still in the ignition lock after you open
the driver's door, you can have a sound sig-
nal set.<
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
unattended in a parked vehicle could
lock the doors from the inside, you should
always take the vehicle's keys with you so
that the vehicle can be opened again from
the outside at any time.<
Unlocking
Press the button.
Press the button once to unlock the driverÕs
door only; press a second time to unlock all
remaining doors as well as the tailgate and
the fuel filler door.
Convenience opening mode
Press and hold the button. The windows
and the sliding panel of the panorama glass
roof are opened.
Press the button a second time and hold.
The panorama glass roof is opened.
If you desire, you can have this spe-
cial feature activated/deactivated on
a vehicle-specific basis.<
Locking and securing
Press the button.
If you desire, the vehicle locks auto-
matically if no door or lid is opened
after unlocking. You may have this function
set on a vehicle-specific basis if you wish.<
Switching off the tilt alarm sensor*
and interior motion sensor*
Press the button once again directly
after locking.
For details, refer to page 25.
Switching on the interior lamps
If the vehicle is locked, press the
button.
Panic mode*
By pressing and holding the button for
more than approx. two seconds, you can
trigger the alarm system in response to any
impending danger.
To switch off the alarm: press any of the
buttons.
Unlocking tailgate
Press the button.
The tailgate will open slightly, regardless of
whether it was previously locked or
unlocked.
Before and after a trip, ensure that the
tailgate has not been opened uninten-
tionally.
A previously locked tailgate is also locked
after closing.<
If you desire, the tailgate can only be
opened using the remote control if the
vehicle is unlocked. This can be adjusted.<
Malfunctions
The remote control system may be affected
by other units or equipment operating in
the immediate vicinity of your vehicle.
Should the remote control fail to operate
owing to interference of this kind, you can
respond by using the master key to unlock
your vehicle at one of the doors.
In case of faults, please contact your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. You can
also obtain replacement keys there.
If it is no longer possible to lock the vehicle
via the remote control, the battery is dis-
charged. Use this remote control during an
extended drive; this will recharge the bat-
tery, refer to page 18.

Opening and closing
20
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply
with part 15 of the FCC Ð Federal Commu-
nications Commission Ð regulations. Oper-
ation 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 fol-
lowing two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or
changes to these devices could void
the user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.<
Using the door lock
One turn of the key in the driver's door lock
unlocks the driver's door only.
Turning the key a second time unlocks all of
the remaining doors, the tailgate and the
fuel filler door.
You can have a signal set to confirm
that the vehicle's locks have engaged
securely.<
Convenience operation
You also have the option of operating the
windows and the panorama glass roof from
the driver's door lock.>To open:
With the door closed, turn the key to the
Unlock position and hold it there.
>To close:
With the door closed, turn the key to the
Lock position and hold it there.
Watch during the closing process to
be sure that no one is injured. Releas-
ing the key stops the operation.<
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical defect:
You can turn the key all the way to the
right or left in the door lock to lock or
unlock the driver's door.
Opening and closing Ð from
inside
You can use this button to operate the cen-
tral locking system when the front doors
are closed. With this button, only the doors
and the tailgate are unlocked or locked.
The anti-theft system is not activated.
If only the driver's door was unlocked
from the outside and you press the
button, then, with the driver's door still
open, the passenger-side door, the tailgate
and the fuel filler door will also unlock.
If the driver's door is closed, it will be
locked.<
The central locking system locks
automatically after driving off. This
can be adjusted to be vehicle-specific or
key-specific.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
21
Unlocking and opening the doors
1.Press the button for central locking sys-
tem
2.Pull the respective door handle above
the armrest
or
individually pull on the door handle of each
door twice to unlock and open.
Engaging the locks
>Press button for central locking system
or
>press down the individual safety lock
buttons.
To prevent you from being locked
out, the opened driver's door can-
not be locked using the safety lock but-
ton.<
Because any persons or animals left
unattended in a parked vehicle could
lock the doors from the inside, you should
always take the vehicle's keys with you so
that the vehicle can be opened again from
the outside at any time.<
Tailgate
Opening from outside
Press the button in the handle strip. The
tailgate is unlocked and opens somewhat.
During opening, the tailgate pivots
upward and to the rear. Ensure that
adequate clearance is available before
opening.<
When the tailgate is open, the cargo area
and interior are lit up.
Manual unlocking
In the event of an electrical defect:
1.Fold up the floor cover in the cargo area
2.Press the lever to the right.
The tailgate is locked again as soon as you
close it.
Closing
The handle recesses on the interior trim of
the tailgate make it easier to pull down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the tailgate is clear
when it is closed, as with all closing proce-
dures.<
Operate the vehicle only when the
tailgate is completely closed. Other-
wise, exhaust fumes could penetrate the
interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances should make it
absolutely necessary to operate the vehicle
with the tailgate open:
1.Close all windows and the glass roof
2.Greatly increase the air supply of the air
conditioner or automatic climate con-
trol, refer to page 60 or 63.

Opening and closing
22
Electric power windows
Opening and closing windows
As of ignition key position 1:
>Press the switch up to the resistance
point:
The window continues to move as long
as you continue to press the switch
>Press the switch beyond the resistance
point:
The window moves downward auto-
matically. Briefly press the switch again
to stop the opening movement.
You can close the windows in the same
manner by pulling the switch.
After switching off the ignition
You can operate the electric power win-
dows for up to 15 minutes as long as nei-
ther of the front doors has been opened.
When leaving the vehicle parked,
always remove the remote control
from the ignition lock and close the doors;
this precaution prevents children from
operating the electric power windows and
injuring themselves, etc.<
For convenience operation with the door
lock, refer to page 20.
Anti-trapping mechanism
If the closing force rises beyond a pre-
defined threshold during closing, the sys-
tem will immediately stop moving the win-
dow prior to lowering it slightly.
Despite the anti-trapping mechanism
you should always inspect the win-
dow'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 window would continue
closing.
You can disable the anti-trapping mecha-
nism by pressing the switch beyond the
resistance point and holding it.<
Following interruptions in electrical
power supply
After disconnecting the battery, the anti-
trapping mechanism must be reinitialized.
To do this, open and close the windows
once and continue pull the switch for 2 sec-
onds 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 indicator
lamp lights up when this safety feature is
activated.
Press the safety switch whenever
children are riding in the rear of the
vehicle. Careless use of the electric power
windows can lead to injury.<
You can deactivate the function again
as of ignition key position 1.<
Accessories in the window area
After installing any accessory Ð such as a
clamp-on antenna for a portable phone Ð
within the window's travel range, you will
need to have the system reinitialized for
use under the new conditions. Please con-
tact your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Cen-
ter.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
23
Panorama glass roof*
To prevent injuries, exercise care
when closing the panorama glass roof
and keep it in your field of vision until it is
shut.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the remote control and close the doors to
prevent children from operating the glass
roof and injuring themselves, etc.<
Raising, opening, closing
The glass roof and sliding panel are opera-
tional as of ignition key position 1.
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can operate the panorama glass roof
for up to 1 minute as long as neither of the
doors has been opened.
Opening the glass roof and sliding
panel together
Within 2 seconds, push the switch back-
ward twice beyond the resistance point.
The glass roof moves to the convenience
position and the sliding panel opens com-
pletely. To open the glass roof fully at a
standstill, slide the switch backward
beyond the resistance point.
Sliding the switch again stops the motion.
Closing the glass roof and sliding
panel together
Within 2 seconds, push the switch forward
twice beyond the resistance point.
The glass roof and sliding panel close com-
pletely.
Sliding the switch again stops the motion.
Operating sliding panel
>Opening, closing:
Slide the switch up to the resistance
point in the desired direction.
The motion continues for as long as the
switch is held
>Automatic opening, closing:
Slide the switch beyond the resistance
point in the desired direction.
Sliding the switch again stops the
motion.
Operating glass roof
>Opening, closing:
Slide the switch up to the resistance
point in the desired direction.
The motion continues for as long as the
switch is held
>Automatically in convenience position:
Slide the switch beyond the resistance
point in the desired direction.
In the convenience position, the glass
roof is not fully opened.
Sliding the switch again stops the
motion.
>Automatic opening and closing:
Slide the switch beyond the resistance
point in the desired direction. The glass
roof moves initially into the conven-
ience position. To open or close fully at
a standstill, slide the switch beyond the
resistance point in the desired direc-
tion.
Sliding the switch again stops the
motion
>To raise: slide switch
To lower: slide switch forward.
Sliding the switch again stops the
motion.
Ventilation setting
In the ventilation setting, the glass roof is
raised and the sliding panel opens to a gap:
Press the switch twice within 2 seconds.
Pressing the switch again stops the
motion.

Opening and closing
24 If the glass roof and sliding panel are
closed:
Press the switch once.<
Anti-trapping mechanism
If the glass roof and sliding panel encoun-
ter resistance when closing from roughly
one third of the roof opening or when clos-
ing from the raised position, the closing
action is interrupted and the glass roof and
sliding panel reopen a little.
Despite the anti-trapping mechanism
you should always inspect the roof'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 window would continue closing.
The anti-trapping mechanism for closing
the panorama glass roof is deactivated if
the switch is pressed beyond the resis-
tance point and held there. The closing
action is interrupted when you release the
switch.<
Following interruptions in electrical
power supply
Following interruptions in electrical power,
for instance, when the battery is discon-
nected, it is possible that the glass roof will
extend to its tilt-up position, but fail to
respond to other commands. For initializa-
tion, please contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can operate the glass roof manually:1.Pull the cover downward
2.Insert the Allen key from the compart-
ment beneath the cargo area floor, refer
to page 103, in the proper opening and
turn the panorama glass roof in the
desired direction. Direction of rotation
for closing, refer to arrow.
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the tailgate is
opened
>To movement in the vehicle's interior Ð
interior motion sensor
>To variations in the vehicle tilt angle
such as occur during attempts to steal
the wheels or tow the vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized vehi-
cle entry and attempted theft by simulta-
neously activating:
>An acoustic alarm, which lasts for a
period of approx. 30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers for approx.
5 minutes

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
25
>The high beams, which flash on and off
in the same rhythm.
Arming and disarming the alarm
system
When the vehicle is locked or unlocked
with the key or the remote control, the
alarm system is also simultaneously armed
or disarmed.
If the alarm system has been properly
armed, the hazard warning flashers light up
once.
You can have different acknowledg-
ment signals set to confirm arming
and disarming.<
You can also open the tailgate with the sys-
tem armed using the button on the
remote control, refer to page 19. When you
close the tailgate, the system is rearmed.<
Switching off the alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote
control, refer to page 19
>Turn the ignition key to position 1.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes during arm-
ing: door(s), the hood or tailgate are not
completely closed. Even if you do not
close the alerted area, the system
begins to monitor the remaining areas,
and the indicator lamp flashes continu-
ously after 10 seconds. However, the
interior motion sensor is not activated >If the indicator lamp goes out when the
system is disarmed: no manipulation or
attempted intrusions have been
detected in the period since the system
was armed
>If the indicator lamp flashes for 10 sec-
onds after the system is disarmed: an
attempted entry has been detected in
the period since the system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the indica-
tor lamp will flash continuously.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor may be switched off at the same
time. You can do this to prevent a false
alarm from being triggered in garages with
elevator ramps, for instance, or when the
vehicle is transported by trailer or train:
Lock twice:
>Press the button on the remote
control twice consecutively
>Lock using the door lock twice.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor are
deactivated as long as the system is
armed.
If you wish, the tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor are perma-
nently switched off. You can have this set
at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Cen-
ter.<
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior motion sensor to
function properly, the windows and pan-
orama glass roof must be completely
closed.
However, be sure to switch off the interior
motion sensor Ð refer to Avoiding uninten-
tional alarms Ð when you
>leave children or animals in the vehicle
>the windows or panorama glass roof
are to remain open.
The tilt alarm sensor and interior
motion sensor are switched off inad-

Opening and closing
26 vertently if convenience closing of windows
and panorama glass roof is interrupted
within the first 10 seconds and then reiniti-
ated. If this has occurred, the system must
be disarmed and then rearmed.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
27
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital
contribution to relaxed driving that is as
fatigue-free as possible. The sitting posi-
tion plays an important role together with
the safety belts and airbags in providing
occupants with maximum levels of passive
safety in an accident. Therefore, observe
the following instructions, as otherwise the
protective function of the safety systems
may be impaired.
For additional information on transporting
children safely, refer to page 34.
Sitting safely with airbags
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and the air-
bags. 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 front passenger is cor-
rectly seated, i.e. feet or legs not resting on
the instrument panel, as otherwise leg inju-
ries can result if the knee and front airbag is
triggered.
Never let an occupant's head rest near or
on a side airbag because the inflating air-
bag could cause a serious or fatal injury.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions
injuries resulting from contact with airbags
cannot be fully excluded, depending on the
circumstances. The ignition and inflation
noise may provoke a mild Ð usually tempo-
rary Ð hearing loss in extremely sensitive
individuals.
For airbag locations and additional infor-
mation on airbags, refer to page 54.
Sitting safely with safety belts
Even though there is an airbag, wear a
safety belt every time you get in the vehi-
cle. Although airbags enhance safety by
providing added protection, they are not a
substitute for safety belts.
Your vehicle has five seats that are all
equipped with a safety belt.
Occupants should sit upright and be
properly restrained at all times:
infants and small children in appropriate
child-restraint systems; larger children and
adults using the safety belts.
Expectant mothers should always wear
their safety belts, taking care to position
the lap belt against the lower hips, where it
will not exert pressure against the abdomi-
nal area.
Never allow more than one person to wear
a single safety belt. Never allow infants and
small children to ride in a passengers lap.
Do not route the belt across your neck, or
run it across sharp edges. Be sure that the
belt does not become caught or jammed.
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it firmly
across the hips and shoulder. Do not allow
the belt to rest against hard or fragile
objects. Otherwise, in the event of a frontal
impact, a loose lap belt could slide over
your hips, leading to abdominal injury.
Avoid wearing clothing that prevents the
belt from fitting properly and pull the lap
belt periodically to readjust the tension
across your shoulder in order to avoid a
reduction in the retention effect of the
safety belt.<
For fastening safety belts, refer to page 30.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never try to adjust your seat while
operating the vehicle. The seat could
respond with unexpected movement, and

Adjustments
28 the ensuing loss of vehicle control could
lead to an accident.
Especially on the passenger's side, do not
incline the backrest too far to the rear while
the vehicle is being driven, as 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.<
Please observe the information on using
safety belts provided on page 30 and the
information on the head restraints on
page 28.
Seat adjustment
To ensure that the safety systems
continue to provide optimized protec-
tion, please observe the adjustment
instructions above.<
1Longitudinal direction
Pull the lever 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
2Height
Pull the lever and apply weight to or
remove weight from the seat as
required3Backrest angle
Pull the lever and apply weight to or
remove weight from the backrest as
requiredAdjusting the BMW sports seat*
You can also adjust the tilt and the thigh
support:
1Upward tilt:
Pull the lever as many times as required
to set the desired tilt
2Downward tilt:
Press the lever as many times as
required to set the desired tilt
3Thigh support:
Pull the lever and move the thigh sup-
port in the longitudinal direction
Head restraints
Align the head restraints so that their
center is approximately at ear level,
as otherwise the risk of spinal injuries is
increased in the event of an accident.<