wheel BMW X3 2012 Owners Manual

ContentsThe fastest way to find information on a partic‐
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to
page 268.6Notes
At a glance
12Cockpit16iDrive22Voice activation system25Integrated Owner's Manual in the vehicle
Controls
30Opening and closing46Adjusting55Transporting children safely58Driving68Displays80Lamps85Safety94Driving stability control systems99Driving comfort109Climate control116Interior equipment122Storage compartments
Driving tips
128Things to remember when driving131Loading134Saving fuel
Navigation
138Navigation
Entertainment
156Tone158Radio166CD/multimediaCommunication188Professional mobile phone preparation
package198Office207Contacts209ConnectedDrive
Mobility
218Refueling220Fuel221Wheels and tires229Engine compartment231Engine oil234Maintenance236Replacing components243Breakdown assistance248Care
Reference
254Technical data258Short commands of the voice activation
system268Everything from A to Z
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

quires suitable maintenance and repair meth‐
ods.
Therefore, have this work performed only by a
BMW center or a workshop that works accord‐
ing to BMW repair procedures with appropri‐
ately trained personnel.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.
Parts and Accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts and ac‐
cessories approved by BMW. When you pur‐
chase accessories tested and approved by
BMW and Genuine BMW Parts, you simultane‐
ously 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 de‐
fects in material and workmanship. BMW will not
accept any liability for damage resulting from in‐
stallation 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 prod‐
ucts approved by BMW, together with profes‐
sional advice on using these items, are available
from all BMW 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 trans‐
ceiver equipment, for instance, CBs, walkie-
talkies, ham radios or similar accessories, may
cause extensive damage to the vehicle, com‐
promise its safety, interfere with the vehicle's
electrical system or affect the validity of the
BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW center
for additional information. Maintenance, re‐
placement, or repair of the emission control de‐
vices and systems may be performed by any au‐tomotive repair establishment or individual
using any certified automotive part.
California Proposition 65 Warning
California laws require 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, con‐
tain or emit chemicals known to the State of Cal‐
ifornia to cause cancer and birth defects and re‐
productive 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.
Service and warranty
We recommend that you read this publication
thoroughly. Your vehicle is covered by the fol‐
lowing 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.
Your vehicle has been specifically adapted and
designed to meet the particular operating con‐
ditions and homologation requirements in your
country and continental region in order to deliver
the full driving pleasure while the vehicle is op‐
erated under those conditions. If you wish to op‐
erate your vehicle in another country or region,
Seite 7Notes7
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

CockpitVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipmentis also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
All around the steering wheel
1Rear window safety switch   432Power windows  423Exterior mirror operation   524LampsFront fog lamps  83Parking lamps  80Low beams  80Automatic headlamp con‐
trol   81
Adaptive light control   82
High-beam Assistant   82Instrument lighting  845Steering column stalk, leftTurn signal  62High beams, head‐
lamp flasher   62Seite 12At a glanceCockpit12
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

High-beam Assistant  82Roadside parking lamps   82Computer  756Steering wheel buttons, leftStore speed   100Resume speed   100Cruise control on/off, interrupt‐
ing   997Instrument cluster   688Steering wheel buttons, rightEntertainment sourceVolumeVoice activation  22Professional mobile phone prepa‐
ration package   1889Steering column stalk, rightWindshield wipers   62Rain sensor  63Clean the windshields and head‐
lamps   64Rear window wiper   6410Start/stop the engine and switch
the ignition on/off   5911Horn12Steering wheel heating   5413Adjust the steering wheel   5414Open the tailgate  3715Unlock hood  229Seite 13CockpitAt a glance13
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Voice activation systemVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
The concept▷Most functions that are displayed on the
Control Display can be operated by spoken
commands via the voice activation system.
The system prompts you to make your en‐
tries.▷Functions that can only be used when the
vehicle is stationary cannot be operated us‐
ing the voice activation system.▷The system uses a special microphone on
the driver's side.▷›...‹ Verbal instructions in the Owner's
Manual to use with the voice activation sys‐
tem.
Requirements
Via the Control Display, set a language that is
also supported by the voice activation system
so that the spoken commands can be identified.
Set the language, refer to page 78.
Using voice activation
Activating the voice activation system
1. Press the button on the steering
wheel.2.Wait for the signal.3.Say the command.
The command is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
This symbol in the instrument cluster indi‐
cates that the voice activation system is active.
If no other commands are available, operate the
function in this case via iDrive.
Terminating the voice activation
system
Briefly press the button on the steering
wheel or ›Cancel‹.
Possible commands
Most menu items on the Control Display can be
voiced as commands.
The available commands depend on which
menu is currently displayed on the Control Dis‐
play.
There are short commands for functions of the
main menu.
Some list entries, e.g. Phone book entries, can
also be selected via the voice activation system.
Speak these list entries exactly as they are dis‐
played in the respective list.
Having possible commands read aloud
You can have the available commands read out
loud for you: ›Voice commands‹
For example, if the "Settings" menu is displayed,
the commands for the settings are read out loud.
Executing functions using short
commands
Functions on the main menu can be performed
directly by means of short commands, nearly ir‐
Seite 22At a glanceVoice activation system22
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

respective of which menu item is currently se‐
lected, e.g., ›Vehicle status‹.
List of short commands of the voice activation
system, refer to page 258.
Help dialog for the voice activation
system
Calling up help dialog: ›Help‹
Additional commands for the help dialog:▷›Help with examples‹: information about the
current operating options and the most im‐
portant commands for them are announced.▷›Help with voice activation‹: information
about the principle of operation for the voice
activation system is announced.
Example: playing back a CD
1.Switch on the Entertainment sound output
if necessary.2. Press the button on the steering
wheel.3.›C D and multimedia‹
The medium last played is played back.4. Press the button on the steering
wheel.5.›C D track ...‹ e.g., CD track 4.
Setting the voice dialog
You can set whether the system should use the
standard dialog or a shorter version.
In the shorter variant of the voice dialog, the an‐
nouncements from the system are issued in an
abbreviated form.
On the Control Display:
1."Settings"2."Language/Units"3."Speech mode:"4.Select the setting.
Adjusting the volume
Turn the volume button while giving an instruc‐
tion until the desired volume is set.
▷The volume remains constant even if the
volume of other audio sources is changed.▷The volume is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Notes on Emergency
Requests
Do not use the voice activation system to initiate
an Emergency Request. In stressful situations,
the voice and vocal pitch can change. This can
unnecessarily delay the establishment of a tel‐
ephone connection.
Instead, use the SOS button, refer to
page 243, in the vicinity of the interior mirror.
Environmental conditions
▷Say the commands, numbers, and letters
smoothly and with normal volume, empha‐
sis, and speed.▷Always say commands in the language of
the voice activation system.▷When selecting a radio station, use the com‐
mon pronunciation of the station name:Seite 23Voice activation systemAt a glance23
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Unlocking the tailgate separately
Press the button on the exterior of the tailgate.
This corresponds to pressing the
button.
Do not place the remote control in the
cargo area
Take the remote control with you and do not
leave it in the cargo area; otherwise, the remote
control is locked inside the vehicle when the tail‐
gate is closed.◀
Malfunction
Comfort Access may not function properly if it
experiences interference from external sources
such as mobile phones, metal objects, overhead
power lines, transmission towers, etc.
In this case, open or close the vehicle using the
buttons on the remote control or use the
integrated key in the door lock.
To subsequently start the engine, hold the re‐
mote control against the marked area on the
steering column, refer to page 31.
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds to:
▷Opening of a door, the hood or the tailgate.▷Movements in the vehicle.▷Changes in the vehicle tilt, e.g., during at‐
tempts to steal a wheel or when towing the
car.▷Interruptions in battery voltage.
The alarm system briefly indicates tampering:
▷By sounding an acoustic alarm.▷By switching on the hazard warning system.▷By flashing the high beams.Arming and disarming the alarm
system
General information
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with
the remote control, Comfort Access or at the
door lock the alarm system is armed or disarmed
at the same time.
Door lock and armed alarm system
Unlocking via the door lock will trigger the alarm
on some country-specific versions.
In order to terminate this alarm, unlock vehicle
with the remote control or switch on the ignition,
if necessary, by emergency detection of the re‐
mote control.
Tailgate and armed alarm system
The tailgate can be opened using the remote
control, even if the alarm system is armed.
Press the button on the remote control
for approx. 1 second.
After the tailgate is closed, it is locked and moni‐
tored again by the alarm system. The hazard
warning system flashes once.
In some vehicle equipment variants, the tailgate
can only be opened using the remote control if
the vehicle was unlocked first.
Panic mode Press the button on the remote control
for at least 3 seconds.
Switching off the alarm▷Unlock the vehicle using the remote control.▷With Comfort Access: if you are carrying the
remote control with you, pull on the door
handle.Seite 41Opening and closingControls41
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Indicator lamp on the interior rearview
mirror▷The indicator lamp flashes briefly every
2 seconds:
The system is armed.▷The indicator lamp flashes after locking:
The doors, hood or tailgate is not closed
properly, but the rest of the vehicle is se‐
cured.
After 10 seconds, the indicator lamp flashes
continuously. Interior motion sensor and tilt
alarm sensor are not active.▷The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking:
The vehicle has not been tampered with.▷The indicator lamp flashes after unlocking
until the engine is started, but no longer than
approx. 5 minutes:
An alarm has been triggered.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored.
The alarm system responds in situations such
as attempts to steal a wheel or when the car is
towed.
Interior motion sensor
The windows and glass sunroof must be closed
for the system to function properly.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor
can be switched off together, such as in the fol‐
lowing situations:
▷In automatic car washes.▷In duplex garages.▷During transport on car-carrying trains, at
sea or on a trailer.▷When animals are to remain in the vehicle.
Switching off the tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor
Press the remote control button again
within 10 seconds as soon as the vehicle
is locked.
The indicator lamp lights up for approx. 2 sec‐
onds and then continues to flash.
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor
are switched off until the vehicle is locked again.
Power windows
General information Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for example,
cannot operate the power windows and injure
themselves.◀
Opening
▷ Press the switch to the resistance
point.
The window opens while the switch is held.
Seite 42ControlsOpening and closing42
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Seat and mirror memory
General information
Two different driver's seat and exterior mirror
positions can be stored and retrieved for each
remote control. Settings for the backrest width
and lumbar support are not stored in memory.
Storing
1.Switch on the ignition.2.Set the desired position.3. Press the button. The LED in the
button lights up.4.Press the desired button 1 or 2. The LED
goes out.
If the M button is pressed accidentally:
Press the button again.
The LED goes out.
Calling up settings Do not retrieve the memory while driving
Do not retrieve the memory setting while
driving, as an unexpected movement of the seat
or steering wheel could result in an accident.◀
Comfort function
1.Open the driver's door.2.Switch off the ignition.3.Briefly press the desired button 1 or 2.
The corresponding seat position is performed
automatically.
The procedure stops when a switch for adjust‐
ing the seat or one of the buttons is pressed.
Safety mode1.Close the driver's door or switch on the ig‐
nition.2.Press and hold the desired button 1 or 2 until
the adjustment procedure is completed.
Calling up of a seat position
deactivated
After a brief period, the calling up of stored seat
positions is deactivated to save battery power.
To reactivate calling up of a seat position:
▷Open or close the door or tailgate.▷Press a button on the remote control.▷Press the Start/Stop button.
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
At a glance
1Adjusting2Left/right, Automatic Curb Monitor3Fold in and out
General information
The mirror on the passenger side is more curved
than the driver's side mirror.
Seite 52ControlsAdjusting52
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Interior rearview mirror
Reducing the blinding effect
From behind when driving at night: turn the
knob.
Interior rearview mirror, automatic
dimming feature
The concept
Photocells are used for control:
▷In the mirror glass.▷On the back of the mirror.
Functional requirement
For proper operation:
▷Keep the photocells clean.▷Do not cover the area between the inside
rearview mirror and the windshield.Steering wheel
General information Do not adjust while driving
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving; otherwise, an unexpected movement
could result in an accident.◀
Adjusting1.Fold the lever down.2.Move the steering wheel to the preferred
height and angle to suit your seating posi‐
tion.3.Fold the lever back.
Steering wheel heating
Switching on/off Press the button.
▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.Seite 54ControlsAdjusting54
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490