BMW X3 2.5I 2006 E83 Workshop Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
49
Deactivating 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.<
Reactivating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. DSC is now acti-
vated.
xDrive
xDrive is the all-wheel drive system of your X3.
The combined effects of xDrive and DSC fur-
ther optimize the traction and dynamic driving
characteristics. The all-wheel drive system
xDrive variably 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 condi-
tions. 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 walk-
ing 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.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
50
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.
Malfunction in vehicle stability control
systems
The warning lamp lights up yellow. DBC
Dynamic Brake Control is malfunction-
ing. Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.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 brak-
ing. 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 possi-
ble to exert driving force only via the
rear axle. If the brake warning lamp
lights up yellow in the described combi-
nation, the EBV Electronic brake-force distribu-
tion 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 all-
wheel drive system xDrive are no longer avail-
able. It is then possible to exert driving force
only via the rear axle. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the four mounted tires as you
drive. The system triggers an alert whenever
the inflation pressure in one tire drops signifi-
cantly in relation to the pressure in another tire.
When a loss of pressure occurs, the rolling
radius changes and with it, the rotational speed

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
51
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 sud-
den 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 ini-
tialize 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 instru-
ment cluster lights up yellow for a few sec-
onds.3.Begin driving.
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing and can be interrupted at any time with-
out requiring any input from you. The initial-
ization automatically continues when
driving resumes.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red. In addi-
tion, 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, con-
tact your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.<
3.Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Changing a wheel on page103.
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.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
52
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 signifi-
cantly 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 elec-
tronics, including a metal valve; otherwise, there
is no guarantee that the system will function
properly.
The system must be reset after every cor-
rection 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 cor-
rect inflation pressure.
The system is inactive and cannot indicate flat
tires if a wheel not equipped with TPM electron-
ics 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
The system must be reset after every cor-
rection of tire inflation pressure and after
every tire or wheel change.<1.Start engine, but do 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 infla-
tion 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, con-
tact your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.<
3.Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Wheel changes on page103.
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 sys-
tem indicates a malfunction.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
53
Have the damaged tire replaced by your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop
that is familiar with TPM and works in accor-
dance 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:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags
3Side airbags in front and rear
*
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimal protection,
please follow the instructions on page26.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag 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 acci-
dents, 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 indi-
vidual 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.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
54 In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag 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. Unprofes-
sional attempts to service the system could
lead to failure in an emergency or undesired air-
bag activation, either of which could result in
personal injury.<
Airbag warnings and information are also pro-
vided 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 pas-
senger 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 page33.
When teenagers or adults assume certain sit-
ting 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
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 rec-
ommended 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 depend-
ing 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 pas-
senger 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.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
55
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.<

Lamps
56
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
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 page57.
The parking lamps will discharge the bat-
tery. 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 page99.
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 deacti-
vated 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 posi-
tion.
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 posi-
tion, 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 low-
beam 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 exte-
rior lamps are automatically switched off after
the vehicle is parked.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
57
Automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for the driver's judg-
ment in determining when the vehicle lamps
should be switched on. For example, the sys-
tem 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 page56.
The LED next to the symbol lights up.
In order not to blind oncoming traffic, the Adap-
tive Head Light is not active when driving in
reverse and only points toward the passenger
side when the vehicle is stationary.
Malfunction
The LED next to the symbol for automatic head-
lamp control flashes. Adaptive Head Light is
malfunctioning or has failed. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside 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 bat-
tery. For this reason, avoid using them for
extended periods; otherwise, it may no longer
be possible to start the engine.<
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.

Lamps
58 If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Instrument lighting
Turn the knurled wheel to adjust the illumina-
tion 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 acti-
vated/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 igni-
tion is switched off.<