ABS BMW X3 3.0I 2004 E83 Owner's Manual

Cockpit
12
Indicator and warning
lamps
Technology that monitors itself
The indicator and warning lamps identified
by the
+ symbol are subjected to an oper-
ation check each time you switch on the
engine. They each light up once for differ-
ent periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored
system, the corresponding lamp will either
fail to go out when the engine is started, or
it will come on again during normal driving.
Detailed information is provided on the
specified pages.
Please fasten safety belt
+ 30
Airbags
+ 54
Brake system
+
With handbrake released 52/ 96
With handbrake set 38
With other warning lamps 52
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
Driving stability control systems/
Antilock Brake System
+ 53
Antilock Brake System ABS/
Chassis control system for Cana-
dian models
Brake pads
+ 96
Dynamic Stability Control DSC/
xDrive
+ 50/ 52
Flat Tire Monitor
+ 53
Automatic transmission
+ 39
Engine oil + 94
Service Engine Soon
+ 98
Service Engine Soon
+ 37
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Check Gas Cap
+
Engine electronics + 37
Battery charge current
+ 105
Topping up coolant 95
Topping up washer fluid 94
Lamp defective 57
Turn signal indicators 41
Fog lamps 58
Headlamp flasher 41
High beams 58
Cruise control 43

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
21
Unlocking and opening the doors
1.Press the button for central locking sys-
tem
2.Pull the respective door handle above
the armrest
or
individually pull on the door handle of each
door twice to unlock and open.
Engaging the locks
>Press button for central locking system
or
>press down the individual safety lock
buttons.
To prevent you from being locked
out, the opened driver's door can-
not be locked using the safety lock but-
ton.<
Because any persons or animals left
unattended in a parked vehicle could
lock the doors from the inside, you should
always take the vehicle's keys with you so
that the vehicle can be opened again from
the outside at any time.<
Tailgate
Opening from outside
Press the button in the handle strip. The
tailgate is unlocked and opens somewhat.
During opening, the tailgate pivots
upward and to the rear. Ensure that
adequate clearance is available before
opening.<
When the tailgate is open, the cargo area
and interior are lit up.
Manual unlocking
In the event of an electrical defect:
1.Fold up the floor cover in the cargo area
2.Press the lever to the right.
The tailgate is locked again as soon as you
close it.
Closing
The handle recesses on the interior trim of
the tailgate make it easier to pull down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the tailgate is clear
when it is closed, as with all closing proce-
dures.<
Operate the vehicle only when the
tailgate is completely closed. Other-
wise, exhaust fumes could penetrate the
interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances should make it
absolutely necessary to operate the vehicle
with the tailgate open:
1.Close all windows and the glass roof
2.Greatly increase the air supply of the air
conditioner or automatic climate con-
trol, refer to page 60 or 63.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
50
Limits of the system
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always
remains with the driver. Even when sensors
are involved, there is a blind spot in which
objects cannot be detected. The system is
also subject to the physical limits that apply
to all forms of ultrasonic measurement,
such as those encountered with tow bars
and trailer couplings, or thin and wedge-
shaped objects etc. Low objects already
displayed, e.g. a curb, can also disappear
from the detection area of the sensors
again before a continuous tone sounds.
Loud sources of sound, inside and outside
the vehicle, could drown out the PDC sig-
nal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free of ice
or snow in order to ensure that they
will continue to operate effectively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Keep the spray at least 4 in/10 cm away
from the sensors.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended
array of systems designed to enhance and
maintain vehicle stability under extreme
conditions. The following section describes
these functions based on ABS, DSC, HDC
and xDrive.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS enhances active safety by preventing
the wheels from locking under braking. The
vehicle continues to be steerable during
hard braking.
ABS also includes Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV.
Safe braking, refer to page 77.
Electronic brake-force distribution
EBV
EBV controls the brake system's applica-
tion pressure at the rear wheels to ensure
stable deceleration.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
The Dynamic Brake Control actively sup-
ports the driver in dangerous braking situa-
tions. Quickly pumping the brake pedal
increases the braking effect with low pedal
pressure so that the shortest possible
braking distance is achieved. This system
exploits all of the benefits provided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake
pedal for the duration of the brake applica-
tion. DBC is deactivated when you release
the brake pedal.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
The concept
DSC maintains vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
The DSC is operational every time you start
the engine.
The system optimizes the driving stability
during acceleration and when starting from
a standstill. The system recognizes any
tendency for the vehicle to assume an
unstable attitude such as oversteer or
understeer; it then counteracts this ten-
dency with a combination of graduated
reductions in engine torque and selective
braking intervention at individual wheels.
DSC provides optimal stability within the
limits defined by the laws of physics.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. An appro-
priate driving style always remains the
responsibility of the driver. Avoid using the
additional safety margin provided by the
system as an excuse for taking unneces-
sary risks.
Do not make any modifications to the DSC
system. Never allow anyone other than
authorized professional technicians to
carry out service or repairs on the system.<

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
52
Activating the system
Press the button; the indicator lamp comes
on.
The indicator lamp flashes when the brakes
are applied automatically.
Deactivating the system
Press the button again; the indicator lamp
goes out.
Above approx. 35 mph/60 km/h HDC is
immediately deactivated, and when the
ignition is switched off after approx.
10 seconds.
Using HDC
On manual transmission vehicles:
Use HDC in first gear and in reverse gear,
as in the higher gears the engine braking
effect diminishes.
On automatic transmission vehicles:
You can use HDC in every drive position.
Malfunction
If the indicator lamp in the button goes out
in the HDC mode or fails to light up when
the button is pressed:
HDC is temporarily not available, as the
brake temperature is too high.
Malfunctions of the driving stability
control systems
The red brake warning lamp lights
up together with the warning lamps
for ABS and DSC/xDrive. In addi-
tion, a warning signal sounds:
ABS, DSC and xDrive have failed.
Drive may then only be carried out
via the rear axle. Please have it checked by the nearest BMW Sports Activ-
ity Vehicle Center.
Proceed cautiously and defensively.
When driving on poor roads, refrain
from using full throttle and avoid pressing
the accelerator beyond the kickdown point.
Otherwise the drive train may be damaged
or accidents can occur.<
If the brake warning lamp lights up yellow in
the described combination, the Electronic
brake-force distribution EBV is still avail-
able.
Indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up in yellow.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC is
defective. Have the system checked and
repaired at your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center as soon as possible.
Warning lamp for 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
available. Drive may then only be carried
out via the rear axle. Please have it
checked by the nearest BMW Sports Activ-
ity Vehicle Center.
Proceed cautiously and defensively.
When driving on poor roads, refrain
from using full throttle and avoid pressing
the accelerator beyond the kickdown point.
Otherwise the drive train may be damaged
or accidents can occur.<
The warning lamp lights up:
Malfunction in the driving stability
control systems. HDC is no longer

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
54
Brake force display
The brake force display indicates the inten-
sity with which you are applying your
brakes to drivers of following vehicles.
The display consists of two stages:
>Normal braking:
Brake lamp 1 lights up on both sides of
the vehicle together with the center
brake lamp
>Heavy braking and braking with ABS:
Brake lamps 1 and 2 light up on both
vehicle sides together with the center
brake lamp.
Airbags
The following airbags are located beneath
the marked covers:
1Front airbags for driver and front pas-
senger
2Head airbags in front and rear
3Side airbags in front and rear
*
Protective effect
The front airbags help protect the driver
and front passenger by responding to fron-
tal impacts in which safety belts alone can-not provide adequate restraint. When
needed, the head and side airbags help
provide protection in the event of side
impact. The relevant side airbag supports
the side upper body area. The relevant
head airbag supports the head and pro-
vides protection against objects entering
the vehicle.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered
in every impact situation, e.g. less severe
accidents, certain roll-over situations or
rear-end collisions.
The rear seat side airbags may
already have been deactivated by a
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Labels in the rear door opening should indi-
cate the status of your rear seat side air-
bags. If you are uncertain of their status, or
wish to have the airbags activated or deac-
tivated, please contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.<
For information on the correct sitting posi-
tion, refer to page 27.
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 reten-
tion system from the vehicle. Never modify
or tamper with either the wiring or the indi-
vidual components in the airbag system.
This category includes the upholstery in the
center of the steering wheel, on the instru-
ment cluster, the side trim panels on the
doors, and the roof pillars along with 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 trig-
gered, because there is a danger of burns.
If you note any indication of system mal-
function, if you desire to have an airbag
deactivated, or if the airbag retention sys-
tem is triggered in response to an accident,
you should always entrust all inspection,
repair and dismantling operations to your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Unprofessional attempts to service the sys-
tem could lead to failure in an emergency
or undesired airbag activation, either of
which could result in personal injury.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
77
to a fire, and with it the risk of serious prop-
erty damage as well as personal injury.<
Parking the vehicle
Condensation forms in the air conditioner
system during operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed
water under the vehicle are thus normal.
Before driving into the car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to
page 31, as otherwise they could be dam-
aged due to the width of the vehicle.
Deactivate the rain sensor as otherwise
damage could result from undesired wiper
activation, refer to page 42.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water can form between tires and
road surface. This phenomenon is referred
to as hydroplaning, and is characterized by
a partial or complete loss of contact
between tires and road surface, ultimately
undermining your ability to steer and brake
the vehicle.<
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 20 in/50 cm,
and then only at walking speed. Otherwise,
the vehicle's engine, the electrical systems
and the transmission may be damaged.<
Safe braking
Emergency stops
The best way to brake is to apply maximum
pressure to the brake pedal during emer-
gency Ð panic stops. Since the vehicle
maintains steering responsiveness, you
can nevertheless avoid possible obstacles
with a minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits indicates
to the driver that ABS is in its active mode. Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Otherwise, even light
but consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possi-
bly even brake failure.<
Wet conditions
While driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is a good idea to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles. Watch traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat which is gener-
ated by the brake applications helps to dry
the brake pads and rotors. The required
braking force will then be available when
you need it.
On a grade
You can retain full and unimpaired braking
efficiency by downshifting to a gear in
which only minimal brake applications are
needed when descending long or steep
downhill stretches.
You can further enhance the engine's brak-
ing effect by selecting a lower gear in the
automatic transmission's manual mode,
downshifting as far as first gear on
extremely steep stretches, refer to
page 38. This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem.
During slower downhill driving, use the Hill
Descent Control HDC, refer to page 51.
Never drive with the clutch pressed,
with the transmission in Neutral or
with the engine switched off, as otherwise
there is no engine braking when the trans-
mission is in Neutral, and no power-assist
for brakes and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
accelerator and brake pedals and obstruct
their movement.<
Corrosion
When the vehicle is driven only occasion-
ally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are

Wheels and tires
90 with specialized knowledge and corre-
sponding equipment.<
The correct wheel and tire combination
affects various systems whose function
would otherwise be impaired, e.g. ABS,
DSC or xDrive.
Have the wheel and tire assemblies bal-
anced every time either a wheel or a tire is
replaced.
BMW does not recommend the use of
retreaded tires, as otherwise driving
safety may be reduced. Possible variations
in the design and the age Ð which could be
substantial Ð of the carcasses can lead to
unusually rapid wear.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that
BMW has tested and approved for your
particular vehicle. Variations in factors such
as manufacturing tolerances mean that
even wheels and tires with identical official
size ratings could actually have different
dimensions than the approved units Ð these
differences could lead to body contact, and
with it the risk of severe accidents. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used, BMW
cannot evaluate their suitability, and there-
fore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufacturer.
After a flat tire, always remember to have
the specified wheel and tire combination
remounted on the vehicle as soon as pos-
sible.
Recommended tire brands
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire
size, classifies them as road-safe and
approves them. You can obtain a list of
these from your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center. Observe any country-specific
regulations, e.g. on making a correspond-
ing entry in the vehicle documents.
The factory-mounted tires have been spe-
cially selected to provide optimized perfor-mance when installed on your vehicle; if
properly cared for, they will provide a com-
bination of safety and excellent ride com-
fort.
Special characteristics of winter
tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in
cold winter driving conditions. Although all-
season M+S tires provide better winter
traction than summer tires, they generally
fail to provide the same levels of cold-
weather performance as winter tires.
When switching to winter tires, observe the
descriptions at Tire condition and Replac-
ing wheels/tires, refer to page 89.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for
which the winter tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to ser-
vice tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents. Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. The technicians at your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be
glad to assist you with the required profes-
sional knowledge and specialized equip-
ment.<
Storage
Store wheels or tires in a cool, dry place,
protecting them against light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against contact
with oil, grease and fuel.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation
pressure specified on the side of the tire.
Snow chains*
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
30 mph/50 km/h with snow chains
mounted.<
Only certain snow chains have been tested
by BMW and classified and approved as
safe. You can obtain a list of these from
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
BMW recommends the use of approved
narrow-link snow chains only. These snow
chains are approved exclusively for use on

Under the engine hood
94
Washer fluid
Windshield and headlamp washer
system
Antifreeze agent for the washer sys-
tems is inflammable. For this reason,
keep it away from sources of flame and
store it only in its original containers. Store
it so that it is inaccessible to children.
Always observe the instructions for use
provided on the containers.<
We recommend that you mix the
washer ßuid before adding it to the
reservoir.<
Capacity:
approx. 6.9 US quarts/6.5 liters.
Fill with water and, if required, with an anti-
freeze additive according to manufac-
turer's recommendations.
Engine oil
Indicator lamp
Engine oil pressure
The indicator lamp lights up red:
Stop the vehicle immediately and
switch off the engine. Check the
engine oil level; top up as required. If the oil
level is correct: contact the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Do not continue driving. The engine
could be damaged because of inade-
quate lubrication.<
Engine oil level
The indicator lamp lights up yellow
while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute mini-
mum. Add engine oil as soon as possible.
Until then, do not drive more than
approx. 30 miles/50 km.
The indicator lamp lights up yellow
after the engine is switched off:
Top up engine oil at the earliest
opportunity Ð when refueling.
Engine oil sensor
The indicator lamp lights up yellow
within 20 seconds after starting the
engine:
The oil level sensor is defective. Please
have it checked by a BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center.
Checking oil level
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface
2.Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating temperature
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean lint-
free cloth, paper towel, or similar mate-
rial
4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out again
5.The oil should extend to between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As is the case with fuel economy, the rate
at which the engine uses oil is strongly
influenced by driving style and operating
conditions.
The oil quantity between the two marks of
the dipstick is approx. 1.1 US quarts/1 liter.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
97
Maintenance
The BMW maintenance
system
The BMW maintenance system is designed
in such a way that it reliably ensures the
road safety and operating reliability of the
vehicle Ð keeping the cost for you as low as
possible.
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
driving conditions of the vehicle into
account when determining service inter-
vals:
From the point of view of maintenance,
62,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated in
short-distance urban driving are not the
equivalent of the same distance covered at
moderate speeds in long-distance high-
way travel.
The BMW maintenance system is divided
into engine oil service as well as Inspec-
tions I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the vehi-
cle covers every kind of operating situa-
tion. However, even those who drive only
short distances Ð significantly less than
6,200 miles/10,000 km annually Ð should
have the engine oil changed at least every
2 years since oil deteriorates 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 reli-
able performance, remember to have the
brake fluid changed every two years at the
latest by a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center, also refer to page 46 and to the
Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models.<
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models
For detailed information on required main-
tenance items and the work involved,
please refer to the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or to the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models.
Depending on operating conditions, it may
be advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel as a precau-
tion against corrosion.
BMW recommends that you have
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center perform the maintenance and
repair.
Check that the maintenance work is
recorded in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models. These entries will serve
as proof that the vehicle has received reg-
ular maintenance.<
Care
For all information on this subject, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle brochure.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
119
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
A/C operation
Ð air conditioner 60
Ð automatic climate
control 63
ABS Antilock Brake
System 50
Ð indicator lamp 50
Accessories 6
Activated-charcoal filter 65
Adaptive Head Light 57
Adding engine oil 95
Adjusting seats 27
Ð electric 29
Ð mechanical 28
Air, drying, refer to A/C
operation 61, 64
Airbags 54
Ð deactivating 34
Ð indicator lamp 55
Ð sitting safely 27
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode 61, 64
Air conditioner 60, 63
Air distribution
Ð air conditioner 61
Ð automatic climate
control 64
Airing, refer to
Ventilation 61, 65
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation 61, 65
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 86
Air supply
Ð air conditioner 61
Ð automatic climate
control 64
Air vents, refer to
Ventilation 61, 65
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications 85Alarm system 24
Ð avoiding unintentional
alarms 25
Anchorages 73
Antifreeze
Ð coolant 95
Ð washer fluid 94
Antifreeze protection
Ð coolant 95
Anti-theft alarm system 18
Ð refer to Alarm system 24
Anti-trapping mechanism
Ð panorama glass roof 24
Ð power windows 22
Approved engine oils 95
Approved gross vehicle
weight 116
Armrest 68
Ð front 68
Ð rear 68
Artificial leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray 69
Ð front 69
Ð rear 69
AUC Automatic
recirculated-air
control 64
Automatic
Ð air distribution 64
Ð air supply 64
Automatic car wash, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate
control 63
Automatic cruise control 43
Automatic curb monitor 32
Automatic headlamp
control 57
Automatic program, refer to
automatic air-
distribution 64Automatic rear window
cleaning 43
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC 64
Automatic transmission
Ð malfunction 41
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 39
Ð indicator lamp 41
Ð interlock 37
Ð selector lever interlock 40
Ð shiftlock 40
Average fuel
consumption 48
Average speed 48
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 25
Axle load, permitted 116
B
Backrests, refer to
Adjusting seats 28
Backup lamps 39
Ð replacing bulbs 102
Bad roads 80
Bar, towing 109
Batteries, disposal 106
Battery 105
Ð indicator lamp 12, 105
Ð jump-starting 108
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 30
Beverage holders 67
Black ice, refer to Ice
warning 47
Blower
Ð air conditioner 61
Ð automatic climate
control 64
BMW maintenance
system 97
BMW sports seat 28
Bore, refer to Engine
data 114