BMW X3 3.0I 2004 E83 Owner's Guide

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
29
Adjustments
Height adjustment: pull or press.
To reach the lowest positions, press
button 1.<
To adjust the front head restraint tilt angle:
adjust by tilting.
Removal Ð front
1.Pull the head restraint upward to the
stop
2.Press button 1 and remove the head
restraint.
Installation Ð front
1.Press button 1 and slide the head
restraint into its supports
2.Adjust the head restraint.
Power seat*
To ensure that the safety systems
continue to provide optimal protec-
tion, please observe the adjustment
instructions on page 27.<
1Angle
2Longitudinal direction
3Height
4Backrest angle Set the head restraint manually, refer to left
column.
Lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contours of the
backrest to obtain additional support in the
lumbar region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive
supplementary support to help you main-
tain a relaxed, upright sitting position.
>Press the front or rear of the switch:
Increase or decrease curvature
>Press the upper or lower end of the
switch:
Increase the upper or lower curvature.
Seat and mirror memory*
You can store and select three different
adjustment settings for the driver's seat
and exterior mirrors.
The adjustment of the lumbar support is not
stored in the memory.
Storing
1.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 2
2.Set the desired seat and exterior mirror
position

Adjustments
30 3.Press MEMORY button:
The indicator lamp in the button lights
up
4.Press the desired memory button 1, 2
or 3:
The indicator lamp goes out.
Selecting a stored setting
Do not call up a position from the
memory while the vehicle is moving,
as otherwise there is a risk of accident from
unexpected seat movement.<
Convenience mode
1.Open the driver's door after unlocking
or turn the ignition key to position 1
2.Briefly press the desired memory but-
ton 1, 2 or 3.
The system immediately cancels the
adjustment procedure when you press
one of the seat adjustment buttons or
use one of the memory buttons.
Safety feature
1.Close the driver's door and turn the
ignition key to position 0 or 2
2.Press the desired memory button 1, 2
or 3 and maintain pressure until the
adjustment process has been com-
pleted.
If you press the
MEMORY button
accidentally:
Press the button a second time Ñ the indi-
cator lamp goes out.<
You can have your vehicle pro-
grammed to automatically dial in your
own individual adjustment settings for the
seat and exterior mirror position whenever
you use your personal remote control to
unlock the vehicle.<
If you make use of this adjustment, be
sure that the footwell behind the
driver's seat is unobstructed before
unlocking the vehicle. If you fail to do so,
any persons, animals or objects behind the
seat could be injured or damaged by a
rearward movement of the seat.<
Heated seats*
The seat cushion and backrest can be
heated when the ignition key is in
position 2.
To call up different temperature levels:
Press the button repeatedly.
To switch off from a higher heat setting:
Press the button and hold it slightly longer.
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.
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage
in the belt buckle.
Please fasten safety belt warning
lamp:
Lights up for a few seconds or until
safety belts are fastened. Depending on
you vehicle version, a signal
* sounds
simultaneously.

Reference
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31
Releasing
1.Press the red button in the buckle
2.Hold the belt
3.Guide the belt back into its reel.
The upper shoulder strap's anchorage
point will be in the correct position for seat
occupants of every build if the seat is cor-
rectly adjusted, refer to page 27.
The two rear safety belt buckles integrated
in the rear seat are for passengers sitting
on the left and right. The belt buckle
embossed with the word CENTER is
intended exclusively for use by passengers
riding in the center position.<
Damage to safety belts
If the safety belts are damaged or
stretched in an accident: have the
entire belt system, including the tensioning
mechanisms, replaced at your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center. Have the belt
anchorage points inspected for damage at
the same time. Failure to observe this pre-
caution may prevent the safety belts from
effectively providing optimal protection
when needed. If a child-restraint system
was in the vehicle during an accident, con-
sult the manufacturer's instructions regard-
ing replacement.<
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving. There is a risk
of accident from unexpected movement.< 1.Fold the clamping lever downward
2.Adapt the steering wheel in the longitu-
dinal direction and height of the seat
position
3.Fold the clamping lever back up.
Steering wheel heating*
The button for steering wheel heating is
located in the steering wheel, refer to
page 14.
Steering wheel heating: switching on/off.
The steering wheel heating operates from
ignition key position 2.
Press the button to activate or deactivate
this system.
The indicator lamp within the button lights
up when the steering wheel heating is in
operation.
Mirrors
Adjusting exterior mirrors
1Mirror switch for 4-way adjustment
2Left/right selector switch

Adjustments
32 To prevent the exterior mirrors on this
vehicle from being damaged, always
fold them in by hand before entering an
automatic car wash.<
Adjusting manually
You can also adjust the mirrors manually:
Press the edges of the mirror glass.
Storing the mirror positions, refer to Seat
and mirror memory on page 29.
Convex mirror
The mirror on the passenger's side
features a lens with a more convex
surface than the mirror installed on the
driver's side. When estimating the distance
between yourself and other traffic, bear in
mind that the objects reflected in the mirror
are closer than they appear. This means
that estimations of the distance to following
traffic should not be regarded as precise.<
Electric heaters
Both mirrors are heated automatically in
ignition key position 2.
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt
function
Automatic curb monitor*
1.Select the driver's exterior mirror with
the switch 1
2.When you engage reverse gear or
selector-lever position R, the exterior
mirror on the front passenger side tilts
downward slightly. This allows the
driver to see the area immediately adja-
cent to the vehicle Ð such as a curb Ð
when parking, etc.You can have the angle of downward
tilt set in dependence on the key
used.<
Interior rearview mirror
To reduce the dazzle effect of following
vehicles at night, turn the knob.
Interior and exterior mirrors,
automatic dimming feature*
These mirrors automatically dim through an
infinitely-variable range. They automatically
revert to their undimmed mode whenever
the transmission is placed in reverse gear
or selector lever in position R.
For trouble-free operation, keep the
photocells unobstructed and clean
and do not cover the area between the
interior rearview mirror and the windshield.
Do not attach any kind of stickers on the
windshield in front of the mirror, either.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
33
Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory
How the system functions
You have probably frequently wished that
you could configure individual functions of
your vehicle to reflect your own personal
requirements. In developing your vehicle,
BMW has incorporated a number of
options for personal adjustment. You can
have these programmed at your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
There are vehicle-related and person-
related adjustments: Vehicle Memory and
Key Memory. You can configure up to four
different basic adjustments for four differ-
ent persons. The only requirement is that
each person uses his or her own master
key with remote control.
When your vehicle is unlocked with the
remote control, the vehicle recognizes the
individual user by means of a data
exchange with the key, and makes adjust-
ments accordingly.
In order for you to distinguish between the
remote control master keys, colored decals
are supplied together with the keys.
What the system can do
Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
can provide you with details on the capabil-
ities of the Vehicle Memory and Key Mem-
ory systems.
You will see this symbol throughout
the Owner's Manual. It is to remind
you at appropriate places of the settings
that are available to you.<
Examples of Vehicle Memory
functions
>Different acknowledgment signals to
confirm locking/unlocking of the vehi-
cle, refer to page 18
>Activate/deactivate function for path-
way lighting, refer to page 57
>Activate/deactivate daytime driving
lamps, refer to page 57
>Setting measurement units for displays
in the instrument cluster of the time,
outside temperature, distance driven
and fuel consumption, refer to page 47
>Active PDC is indicated by an acoustic
sound signal when reverse gear or
selector-lever position R is engaged,
refer to page 49
>The rear window defroster switches on
automatically, refer to page 61
>Different acknowledgment signals to
confirm arming/disarming the alarm
system, refer to page 25
>After an ice warning has been issued,
the display of the computer returns to
the previous adjustment, refer to
page 47
>Acoustic warning if the ignition key
remains in the ignition lock after the
driver's door has been opened, refer to
page 21.
Examples of Key Memory functions
>On unlocking, first unlock the driver's
door, then the entire vehicle, refer to
page 19
>Locking the vehicle after moving off,
refer to page 20
>Automatic adjustment of the driver's
seat and exterior mirror position for
each person when unlocking the vehi-
cle, refer to page 30
>Angle of downward tilt of mirror on pas-
senger side, refer to page 32.

Transporting children safely
34
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest
place for children in a vehicle is in the rear
seat.
Older children should be tightly secured
with a safety belt, after they have outgrown
a booster seat that is appropriate for their
age, height and weight.
A child sitting in the rear seat and not
properly restrained may place his or
her head on or near the airbag, if so
equipped. For example, a child Ñ even
though belted Ñ may fall asleep with his or
her head against the side airbag. It may be
difficult for a driver to ensure that children
in the rear seat will remain properly posi-
tioned at all times and do not place their
heads on or near the side airbag. There-
fore, we recommend that the rear side air-
bags, if provided, be deactivated if you plan
to transport children in the rear seat.<
Deactivation of the rear seat side
airbags
The rear seat side airbags may already
have been deactivated by a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center. Labels in the rear
door opening should indicate the status of
your rear seat side airbags. If you are
uncertain of their status, or wish to have the
airbags activated or deactivated, please
contact your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center.
Child-restraint system in rear
Children under 13 years of age and
children less than 5 ft/150 cm tall
should always ride in the rear and the
restraint systems should be properly
adjusted.<
Younger children should be secured in an
appropriate forward-facing child-restraint system that has first been properly secured
with a safety belt.
All rear seating positions in your vehicle
meet the recommendations of SAE J1819,
an industry-recommended practice for
securing child-restraint systems in motor
vehicles.
Exception for the front passenger
seat
Should it become necessary to use a
child-restraint system on the front
passenger seat, the airbags on the passen-
ger's side must be deactivated. The pas-
senger airbag indicator lamp above the
interior rearview mirror must light up con-
tinuously. Otherwise, the front passenger
airbags remain active and there is consid-
erable risk of injury to children if the airbags
are triggered, even with a child-restraint
system. In this case, children should be
seated in the rear and the system should be
checked at your BMW Sport Activity Vehi-
cle Center.<
Never install a rearward-facing child-
restraint system in the front passen-
ger seat of this vehicle if the passenger air-
bag is not deactivated. If you do so, the
child could be severely injured when the
airbag is triggered.
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag
supplemental restraint system for the front
passenger. Because the backrest on any
rearward-facing child-restraint system Ð of
the kind designed for infants under 1 year
and 20 Ibs/9 kg Ð would be within the air-
bag's deployment range, you should never
mount such a system in the front passenger
seat, since the impact of the airbag against
the child restraint's backrest could lead to
serious or fatal injuries.<
More information on automatic deactiva-
tion of the front passenger airbags, refer to
page 55.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
35
Installing child-restraint
systems
Before installing any child-restraint system
or child seat, read the following:
Observe the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions for instal-
lation and use. Otherwise the degree of
protection can be reduced.
After an accident, have all parts of the rele-
vant vehicle safety belt system checked by
a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center and
replaced if necessary.<
Commercially-available child-restraint sys-
tems are designed to be secured with a lap
belt or with the lap belt portion of a combi-
nation lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or
inadequately installed restraint systems
can increase the risk of injury to children.
Always read and follow the instructions that
come with the system.
Child seat security
All of the rear belt retractors and the front
passenger's safety belt can be locked for
mounting and securing child-restraint sys-
tems.
Information regarding this is located near
the buckle latch of each safety belt.
To lock the safety belt
Pull the entire length of the belt from the
belt retractor. Allow the reel to retract the
belt somewhat and engage the buckle,
then tighten the belt against the child-
restraint system. The retraction mechanism
is now locked.
To unlock the safety belt
Release the buckle, remove the child-
restraint system and allow the belt retractor
to reel the belt completely in.
Child-restraint system with tether
strap
If you use a child-restraint system with a
tether strap, three additional tether anchor-
age points have been provided, refer to the
arrows in the illustration. Depending on the
location selected for seating in the rear
passenger area, attach the tether strap to
the corresponding anchorage point to
secure the child-restraint system, as
shown in the illustration below.
Each seating position is fitted with a head
restraint.
Outer seating positions:
Lift the head restraint and pass the tether
strap between the head restraint and the
seat back. It is recommended to readjust
the head restraint into the lowest possible
position.
Center seating position:
The head restraint must be adjusted into
the lowest possible position. Pass the
tether strap over the head restraint.

Transporting children safely
36 Adjust the tether strap according to
the child-restraint manufacturer's
instructions.<
LATCH* child-restraint fixing
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for
CHildren.
The rear outer seating positions are pro-
vided with anchors for a LATCH child-
restraint fixing.
Access to anchorage points
The illustrations show the left rear seat as
an example. The anchorage points for the
LATCH child seat fixing are located behind
the cover caps.
Remove the cover caps toward the front.
Press on to remount.
Canadian models only:
The anchorage points for the LATCH child-
restraint fixing are identified by buttons.
To fit the child seat fixing LATCH, fol-
low the operating and safety instruc-
tions of the manufacturer.<
Before mounting the LATCH child-restraint
fixing, remove the cover caps.1.Engage the center safety belt into the
belt buckle
2.Pull the belt away from the area of the
child seat fixing.
For driving
With side airbags in the rear, make
sure that children do not lean out of
the child's seat toward the door panel, as
otherwise major injuries can result if the
side airbags are triggered.<
You can have the rear side airbags perma-
nently deactivated.
Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
will be happy to advise you.
Child-safety lock of rear doors
Slide down the safety levers on the rear
doors:
The door can now be opened from the out-
side only.
Safety switch for power windows
Always press the safety switch for the elec-
tric power windows, refer to page 22, when
children are in the rear of the vehicle.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Mobility
37
Driving
Ignition lock
0 Steering locked
The key can only be inserted or removed in
this position.
After removing the key, turn the steering
wheel slightly to the left or right until you
hear the lock engage.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Only move the selector lever from
position P with the engine running. To turn
the key back to position 0 or to remove it,
first place the selector lever in position P:
Interlock.<
1 Steering unlocked
A slight steering wheel movement often
makes it easier to turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual current consumers are ready for
operation.
2 Ignition switched on
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
3 Engine start
Engine
Do not allow the engine to warm up while
idling. Drive off immediately at moderate
engine speed.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at startup are normal and should decrease as the engine warms up. If engine
speed does not decrease, service is
required.
To prevent the battery from discharging,
always switch off electrical devices which
are not in use and the ignition when the
vehicle is not being driven.
Do not run the engine in closed
rooms, as otherwise inhaling toxic
exhaust gases can cause unconsciousness
and death. The exhaust gases contain car-
bon monoxide, an odorless and colorless,
but highly toxic gas. Do not leave the vehi-
cle unattended with the engine running,
since an unattended vehicle with a running
engine represents a safety hazard.
When driving, standing at idle and while
parking take care to avoid possible contact
between a hot exhaust system and any
highly flammable materials such as hay,
leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead
to a fire, resulting in serious personal injury
and property damage.<
Indicator lamps
If the Service Engine Soon indicator
lamp comes on either continuously
or intermittently, this indicates a
fault in the emissions-related electronic
systems. Although the vehicle remains
operational, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center at the earliest possible
opportunity.
The illuminated indicator informs you of the
need for service, not that you need to stop
the vehicle. However, the systems should
be checked by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center at the next opportunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this indi-
cates a high level of engine misfire. Reduce
speed and contact the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center immediately.
Severe engine misfiring over even a short
period of time can seriously damage emis-

Driving
38 sion control system components, espe-
cially the catalytic converter.
Service Engine Soon indicator lamp
for Canadian models.
Malfunction in the engine electron-
ics.
You can continue to drive with
reduced engine output or engine speed.
Please have it checked by your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Starting the engine
When starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Step on the clutch when starting the
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine from
starting if the clutch is not depressed.<
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time. Do not turn it for more
than approx. 20 seconds. Release the igni-
tion key immediately as soon as the engine
starts.<
If the engine fails to start on the first
attempt, for instance, if it is very hot or cold:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
During a cold start at very low tempera-
tures, as of approx. +57/Ð156, at high
altitudes over 3,300 ft/1,000 m:
>For the first attempt, run the start for
longer, approx. 10 seconds
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Avoid frequent starting is quick suc-
cession or repeated start attempts in
which the engine does not start. Otherwise,
the fuel is not burned or inadequately
burned and there is a danger of overheat-
ing and damaging the catalytic converter.<
Manual transmission
1.Engage the handbrake
2.Gearshift lever in idle position
3.Press the clutch pedal
4.Start the engine.Before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, place the gearshift
lever in idle position and apply the hand-
brake.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Automatic transmission
1.Press the brake pedal
2.Place the selector lever in position P
or N
3.Start the engine.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling,
always select position P and engage
the handbrake before leaving the vehicle
with the engine running.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Switching off the engine
Do not remove the ignition key when
the vehicle is moving, as otherwise
the steering could lock.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the ignition key and lock the steering.
When parking on downward inclines, apply
the handbrake.<
Manual transmission
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Automatic transmission
Engage selector-lever position P, turn igni-
tion key to position 1 or 0.
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it
brakes the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up from
ignition switch position 2 with the
handbrake set Ð an acoustic signal
also sounds when starting off.