engine oil BMW X3 3.0I 2007 E83 Owner's Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
5
Your 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 describ-
ing options and special equipment are marked
by asterisks
* to assist you in identifying possi-
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 accom-
panying Supplementary Owner's Manuals.
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 iso-
lated cases it is possible that the features
described in this Owner's Manual could differ
from those on your vehicle.
For your own safety
Maintenance and repair
Advanced technology, e.g. the use of
modern materials and powerful electron-
ics, requires specially adapted maintenance
and repair methods. You should therefore have
the corresponding work on your vehicle per-
formed only by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center or at a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If this work is
not carried out properly, there is a danger of
subsequent damage and related safety haz-
ards.<
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 fur-
nishings 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 accesso-
ries 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.<

Cockpit
12
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are identified
with
+ are checked for proper function each
time you turn the ignition key. They each light
up once for different periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored sys-
tem, the corresponding lamp will either fail to go
o u t w h e n t h e e n g i n e i s s t a r t e d , o r i t w i l l c o m e o n
again during normal driving. Detailed informa-
tion is provided on the specified pages.
Battery charge current
+111
Headlamp flasher40
High beams59
Engine oil
+99
Driving stability control systems/
ABS Antilock Brake System
+50
ABS Antilock Brake System/chassis
control system for Canadian models
Brake system
+
With handbrake released52, 101
With handbrake engaged38
With other warning lamps52
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
Brake pads
+82
Please fasten safety belt
+31
Airbags
+56
Front fog lamps59
Automatic transmission +39
Turn signals40
DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive
+ 50, 51
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
+51
Service Engine Soon
+103
Service Engine Soon warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Check Gas Cap
* +88
Engine electronics
+37
Topping off washer fluid42
Coolant low101
Flat Tire Monitor
* +53
Tire Pressure Monitor
* +54
Lamp defective58
Cruise control43
With ignition key in position 2, this
warning lamp indicates that a door
or the liftgate is open.

Everything under control
46
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.
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 page101.
When you switch on the ignition, the warning
lamp1 comes on briefly to confirm that the sys-
tem is operational.
Service Interval Display
Remaining distance until next service
due
The displays shown in the illustration appear for
a few seconds once the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1 or after starting the engine.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 set the car radio display to show
the time, refer to Owner's Manual for Radio.
You can set the clock or the time that appears in
the car radio display as follows.
Setting time
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher:
Hours
1.Hold button2 pressed for a few seconds
until the hours are displayed and the colon
flashes.
2.Press button1 repeatedly until the desired
hour is set.
Minutes
3.Press button2 to change to the minutes
display.
4.Press button1 repeatedly until the desired
minutes are set.
5.Press button2 to confirm the time.

Things to remember when driving
84
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an optional
accessory for your BMW. Please familiarize
yourself with the information contained in the
installation instructions.
Loading luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect 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 page122.
The roof load must be evenly distributed and
must not extend outward beyond the limits of
the loading surface. Always stow the heaviest
pieces on 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 safety 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 your driving speed to the road
conditions. The more steep and uneven the
roadway is, the lower the speed should be.
>You can operate your vehicle on uphill and
downhill gradients with a maximum slope
of 50 %. If you wish to drive on uphill and
downhill grades of this nature, make sure
beforehand that the engine oil and coolant
levels are near the MAX mark, refer to
pages99 and101.
>When descending very steep hills, use
HDC Hill Descent Control, refer to page51.
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.
>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 foot-
brake gently several times while driving at a
low speed. The brake applications will help
to dry the brakes, thus preventing a reduc-
tion in braking performance caused by the
moisture.
To clean the handbrake, apply the lever
slightly at approx. 25 mph/40 km/h and con-
tinue to drive for approx. 200 yards/
200 meters, provided that traffic conditions
allow you to do so.
>Depending on the road condition, it can be
useful to temporarily activate DTC, refer to
DTC Dynamic Traction Control on page51.
>If the drive wheels spin on one side, depress
the accelerator pedal far enough to permit
the driving stability control systems to dis-

Under the hood
98
Important components in the engine compartment
1Filler neck for washer fluid of the headlamp
and windshield washer system, refer to
page42
2Body ground, negative terminal, refer to
page114
3Jump starting terminal, refer to page1144Filler neck for engine oil, refer to
Adding engine oil
5Reservoir for brake fluid, refer to page101
6Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page101. In vehicles with a gasoline
engine, the expansion tank is on the other
side

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
99
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
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 dur-
ing driving. An acoustic signal also
sounds and "+1.0 " is displayed in the
instrument cluster, refer to page99.
The oil level is at its absolute minimum; top off
engine oil as soon as possible. Until then, do not
drive more than approx. 125 miles/200 km.
The warning lamp lights up yellow after
the engine is switched off. In addition, a
signal sounds.
Top off engine oil at the earliest opportunity,
e.g. with your next refueling.
The warning lamp lights up yellow
within 30 seconds after starting the
engine:
The oil level sensor has failed. It is not possible
to take a current or meaningful measurement.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Checking oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil
level control.
For the most precise possible display of the oil
level, the engine must be at operating tempera-
ture, i.e. after at least 6.5 miles/10 km of unin-
terrupted driving. You can have the oil level dis-
played while you drive or while the vehicle is standing on a flat surface with the engine run-
ning.
You can have the current oil level displayed in
the instrument cluster.
Press button1. The oil level is checked and dis-
played for approx. 15 seconds.
In order to cancel the display early, press but-
ton 1 again.
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being detected
This process can last approx. 3 minutes
while standing on a flat surface and approx.
5 minutes while driving.

Under the hood
100 3Oil level at minimum
A t yo ur e a r li es t o p p ortunity, add 1 US quart/
1 liter engine oil, also refer to Adding engine
oil.
4Oil level too high
Have vehicle checked immediately;
otherwise, overfilled oil can lead to
engine damage.<
5Oil level sensor has failed
It is not possible to take a current or mean-
ingful measurement.
Do not add engine oil. It is possible to con-
tinue driving. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Add the maximum quantity of 1 US quart/1 liter
of oil only after the warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up, refer to page99, or when
the oil level measurement "+1.0 " appears on
the display.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km;
otherwise, engine damage could result.<
Keep oil, grease, etc. out of reach of chil-
dren 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
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 spe-
cific oils after confirming their suitability for use
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Only use approved BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil, you can add small
amounts of another synthetic oil in between oil
changes. Only use oils with the API SH specifi-
cation 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 the 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.

Maintenance
102
Maintenance
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 driv-
ing 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 equiva-
lent 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 accord-
ing to the actual loads on the vehicle covers
practically every kind of operating situation.
However, even those who drive only short dis-
tances, significantly less than 6,200 miles/
10,000 km annually, should have the engine oil
changed at least every 2 years since oil deterio-
rates 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 perfor-
mance, remember to have the brake fluid
changed at least every two years by a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center, also refer
to the Service and Warranty Information Book-
let for US models or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models.<
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models
for additional information on service require-
ments.
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 pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle'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 speci-
fied regular maintenance.<
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnostics
The chief components that make up the emis-
sions content can be checked by a device that
uses the OBD socket.
This socket is located under a cover on the left
side of the driver's footwell, just under the dash-
board.

Everything from A to Z
124
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System50
– indicator lamp12
Acceleration assistance
– refer to Acceleration
assistant52
– refer to DSC50
Acceleration assistant52
Accessories, refer to For your
own safety5
Accident, refer to Receiving
assistance113
Activated-charcoal filter66
Adaptive Head Light59
Adding engine oil100
Adjusting seats28
– electrically28
– mechanically28
– mechanically, Sports seat29
Airbags56
– deactivating front passenger
side34,56
– front passenger side,
deactivating34,56
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags57
– sitting safely27
– warning lamp57
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode62,66
Air conditioner61
Air distribution
– air conditioner62
– automatic climate control65
Airing, refer to
Ventilation63,66
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation63,66Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure90
Air vents, refer to
Ventilation63,66
Air volume62
– adjusting manually65
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications89
Alarm system25
– avoiding unintentional
alarms26
All-season tires, refer to
Special characteristics of
winter tires95
All wheel drive, refer to
xDrive51
Anchorage points76
Antifreeze
– coolant101
– washer fluid42
Antilock Brake System
ABS50
– indicator lamp12
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system19,25
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights122
Approved engine oils100
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights122
Armrest
– front71
– rear71
Artificial leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray72
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control66
Audio device, external72Automatic
– air distribution65
– air volume65
– recirculated-air control
AUC66
Automatic car wash, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control64
Automatic cruise control43
Automatic curb monitor32
Automatic deactivation of
front passenger airbags56
Automatic headlamp
control58
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic39
– indicator lamp40
– interlock37
– selector lever interlock39
– shiftlock39
– towing115
– tow starting116
AUTO program65
Average fuel consumption48
– setting units47
Average speed48
– setting units47
Avoiding unintentional
alarms26
Axle loads, refer to
Weights122
B
Backrest, refer to Seats28
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support29
Backup lamps, bulb
replacement107
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit114

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
127
Door lock21
Doors
– locking and unlocking from
inside21
– manual operation21
– unlocking and locking,
confirmation signals19,21
DOT Quality Grades93
Draft-free ventilation63,66
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams58
Driving notes80
Driving on poor roads84
Driving stability control
systems50
Driving through water84
Driving tips, refer to Driving
instructions80
Drying air, refer to Switching
cooling function on/
off62,65
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control50
– indicator lamp51
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control51
– indicator lamps51
DVD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC50
– indicator lamp51
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC51
– indicator lamps51
E
Electrical malfunctions
– automatic transmission
malfunction40
– door lock21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door88
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Electronic brake-force
distribution50Electronic Stability Program,
refer to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control50
Emergency call113
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– doors21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door88
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Emergency Service, refer to
Receiving assistance113
Engine
– breaking-in80
– data120
– indicator lamps37
– overheated, refer to Coolant
thermometer46
– speed45
– starting37
– switching off38
Engine compartment98
Engine coolant101
Engine coolant
temperature46
Engine oil99
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils100
– approved engine oils100
– electronic oil level control99
– indicator/warning lamp99
– possible displays99
– required oil grades100
– specifications, also refer to
Approved engine oils100
Engine oil grades100
Engine oil level, indicator/
warning lamp99
Engine oil pressure99
– indicator/warning lamp99
Engine output, refer to Engine
data120
Equipment package, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for
US models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian modelsESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control50
Exhaust system81
Exterior mirrors
32
– automatically dimming33
External audio device72
Eye, tow starting and
towing115
F
Failure of electrical
accessories112
False alarms, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms26
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts31
Filter, refer to
– Microfilter63
– Microfilter/activated
charcoal filter66
First-aid kit114
Flat tire108
– compact wheel109
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– refer to Tire inflation
pressure90
– refer to Wheel changes108
– Tire Pressure Monitor54
Flat Tire Monitor53
– indicator lamp53
– initializing system53
– snow chains96
– system limits53
– warning errors53
Flooding, refer to Driving
through water81
Floor cover76
Fog lamps, indicator lamp59
Folding rear seat back74
Four wheel drive, refer to
xDrive51
Front airbags56
Front fog lamps59
– replacing bulbs107