airbag BMW X3 2.5I 2006 E83 Owner's Manual

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
+105
Headlamp flasher39
High beams57
Engine oil
+94
Driving stability control systems/
ABS Antilock Brake System
+48
ABS Antilock Brake System/chassis
control system for Canadian models
Brake system
+
With handbrake released50, 96
With handbrake engaged37
With other warning lamps50
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
Brake pads
+96
Please fasten safety belt
+29
Airbags
+53
Front fog lamps57
Automatic transmission +38
Turn signals39
DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive
+ 48, 49
Service Engine Soon
+98
Service Engine Soon warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Check Gas Cap
* +84
Engine electronics
+36
Washer fluid low41
Coolant low95
Flat Tire Monitor
* +50
Tire Pressure Monitor
* +52
Lamp defective56
Cruise control41
With ignition key in position 2, this
warning lamp indicates that a door
or the liftgate is open.

Adjustments
26
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution 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
the following instructions is important; failure to
do so could impair the protective function of the
safety systems.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page33.
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 mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms
in the event of airbag deployment.
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags 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. Oth-
erwise, a triggering of the front airbag could
result in leg injuries. Make sure that passengers
do not lean their heads against side or head air-
bags. Otherwise, a triggering of the airbag could
result in injuries.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot
be entirely ruled out, depending on the circum-
stances. 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 page53.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of damage to the cervical vertebrae in acci-
dents.
Adjust the head restraint so that its mid-
dle lies approximately at the height of
your ears. Otherwise, there is an increased risk
of injury in the event of an accident.<
Safety belts
Make sure the safety belts are worn in all occu-
pied seats every time you drive. Although air-
bags enhance safety by providing added pro-
tection, 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 chil-
dren 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 over hard o r frag-
ile 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 colli-
sion and injure your abdomen. Avoid wearing
clothing that prevents the belt from fitting prop-
erly and pull the shoulder belt upward periodi-
cally 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
page70, otherwise, the safety belt cannot exert
any restraining action.
Safety belts, refer to page29.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
33
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 open-
ing 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 deacti-
vated. 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 page54.
Installing child restraint
systems
Follow the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions for selection,
installation and use of the child restraint sys-
tem. Otherwise, the degree of protection can be
reduced.<
On the 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 trig-
gered.<
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.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
35
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 page22, when children are in the rear of
the vehicle.

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.<

Everything from A to Z
118
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System48
– indicator lamp12
Accessories, refer to For your
own safety6
Accident, refer to Receiving
assistance107
Acknowledgment signal for
locking/unlocking
vehicle19,20
Activated-charcoal filter64
Adaptive Head Light57
Adding engine oil94
Adjusting seats27
– electrically27
– mechanically27
– mechanically Sports seat28
Airbags53
– deactivating front passenger
side33,54
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags54
– sitting safely26
– warning lamp54
Air circulation, refer to Recir-
culated-air mode60,63
Air conditioner59
Air distribution
– air conditioner60
– automatic climate control63
Airing, refer to
Ventilation61,64
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation61,64
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure86
Air vents, refer to
Ventilation61,64
Air volume60
– adjusting manually63AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications85
Alarm system24
– avoiding unintentional
alarms25
All-season tires, refer to
Special characteristics of
winter tires90
All wheel drive, refer to
xDrive49
Anchorage points73
Antifreeze
– coolant95
– washer fluid41
Antifreeze protection,
coolant95
Antilock Brake System
ABS48
– indicator lamp12
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system18,24
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights116
Approved engine oils95
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights116
Armrest
– front67
– rear68
Artificial leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray68
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control63
Automatic
– air distribution63
– air volume63
– recirculated-air control
AUC63
Automatic car wash, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochureAutomatic climate control62
Automatic cruise control41
Automatic curb monitor31
Automatic deactivation of
front passenger airbags54
Automatic headlamp
control56
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic38
– indicator lamp39
– interlock36
– selector lever interlock38
– shiftlock38
– towing109
– tow starting110
AUTO program63
Average fuel consumption46
– setting units45
Average speed46
– setting units45
Avoiding unintentional
alarms25
Axle loads, refer to
Weights116
B
Backrest, refer to Seats27
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support28
Backup lamps
– bulb replacement102
– refer to Tail lamps102
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit108
Bar, towing110
Battery105
– disposal106
– indicator lamp12
– jump starting108
– power failure106
– remote control18
– warning lamp105

Everything from A to Z
120 Child restraint systems33
– installing33
– with tether strap34
Child-safety locks35
Child seat security33
Chock103
Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter68
Circulation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode60,63
Cleaning, vehicle, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning rear window41
Cleaning windows,
reservoir41
Clock44,45
– 12 or 24 hour mode45
– setting, also refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
– setting time44
Closing
– from inside20
– from outside19
Clothes hooks68
Clutch76
– breaking-in76
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting
engine36
Combination of wheel/tire90
Compact wheel, wheel
changes103
Compartments, refer to
Storage compartments67
Compartments in cargo area,
refer to Behind side trim
panel72
Computer45
– also refer to Owner's Manual
for Onboard Computer
– functions45
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked77Connecting car vacuum
cleaner, refer to Connecting
electrical devices69
Connecting electrical
devices69
Consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption46
Consumption indicator, refer
to Fuel gauge43
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenience operation
– from outside20
– panorama glass sunroof20
– windows20
Coolant95
– level
95
– temperature gauge44
– warning lamp95
Cooling, refer to
Temperature60,63
Cruise control41
– buttons on steering
wheel13
– indicator lamp42
Cruising range46
Cup holders66
Curb weight, refer to
Weights116
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data114
D
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting58
Dashboard system, refer to
Cockpit10
Data, technical114
– dimensions115
– engine114
– filling capacities116
– weights116
Daytime running lamps56
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control48
– warning lamp50
Deactivating front passenger
airbags33,54Defective lamp56
Defects7
Defrosting windows60,63
– air conditioner60
– automatic climate control63
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
– air conditioner60
– automatic climate control63
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows60,63
Digital clock44
Dimensions115
Dimming mirror77
Dipstick, engine oil94
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals39
Disk brakes78
Displacement, refer to Engine
data114
Display illumination, refer to
Instrument lighting58
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting58
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster11
Disposal, vehicle battery106
Disposal of the vehicle, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control47
Door keys18
Door lock20
Doors
– locking and unlocking from
inside20
– locking and unlocking from
outside19
– manual operation20
– unlocking and locking,
acknowledgment
signals19,
20
DOT Quality Grades88
Draft-free ventilation61,64
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams56

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
121
Driving notes76
Driving on poor roads80
Driving stability control
systems48
Driving through water80
Driving tips, refer to Driving
instructions76
Drying air, refer to Switching
cooling function on/
off60,63
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control48
– indicator lamp48
DVD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Dynamic Brake Control, refer
to DBC Dynamic Brake
Control48
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
– warning lamp50
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC48
– indicator lamp48
E
Electrical malfunctions
– automatic transmission
malfunction39
– door lock20
– driver's door20
– fuel filler door84
– liftgate21
– panorama glass sunroof24
Electronic brake-force
distribution48
Electronic Stability Program,
refer to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control48
Emergency call107
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– doors20
– driver's door20
– fuel filler door84
– liftgate21
– panorama glass sunroof24Emergency Service, refer to
Receiving assistance107
Engine
– breaking-in76
– data114
– indicator lamps36
– overheated, refer to Coolant
thermometer44
– speed43
– starting36
– switching off37
Engine compartment93
Engine coolant95
Engine coolant
temperature44
Engine oil94
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils95
– approved engine oils95
– indicator/warning lamp94
– required oil grades95
Engine oil grades95
Engine oil level94
– indicator/warning lamp94
Engine oil pressure94
– indicator/warning lamp94
Engine oil sensor94
– indicator/warning lamp94
Engine output, refer to Engine
data114
Equipment range, refer to
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control48
Exhaust system77
Exterior mirrors30
– automatically dimming77
Eye, tow starting and
towing109
F
Failure of electrical
accessories106
False alarms, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms25
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts29
Filter, refer to
– Microfilter61
– Microfilter/activated
charcoal filter64
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit108
First-aid kit108
Flat tire103
– compact wheel103
– Flat Tire Monitor50
– refer to Tire inflation
pressure86
– refer to Wheel changes103
– Tire Pressure Monitor52
Flat Tire Monitor50
– indicator lamp51
– initializing system51
– snow chains91
– system limits51
– warning errors51
Flooding, refer to Driving
through water77
Floor cover72
Fog lamps, indicator lamp57
Folding rear seat back70
Four wheel drive, refer to
xDrive49
Front airbags53
Front fog lamps57
– replacing bulbs102
Front passenger airbags,
automatic deactivation54
Fuel85
– average consumption46
– capacity116
– gauge43
– quality85
Fuel cap84
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge43