airbag BMW X3 3.0I 2007 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
+111
Headlamp flasher40
High beams59
Engine oil
+99
Driving stability control systems/
ABS Antilock Brake System
+50
ABS Antilock Brake System/chassis
control system for Canadian models
Brake system
+
With handbrake released52, 101
With handbrake engaged38
With other warning lamps52
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
Brake pads
+82
Please fasten safety belt
+31
Airbags
+56
Front fog lamps59
Automatic transmission +39
Turn signals40
DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive
+ 50, 51
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
+51
Service Engine Soon
+103
Service Engine Soon warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Check Gas Cap
* +88
Engine electronics
+37
Topping off washer fluid42
Coolant low101
Flat Tire Monitor
* +53
Tire Pressure Monitor
* +54
Lamp defective58
Cruise control43
With ignition key in position 2, this
warning lamp indicates that a door
or the liftgate is open.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
27
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 page34.
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 page56.
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.<
Head restraints, refer to page29.
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 or 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 is used, the larger part
of the backrest must be locked in position, refer
to page74; otherwise, the middle safety belt
cannot exert any restraining action.<
Safety belts, refer to page31.

Transporting children safely
34
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.
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.<
For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags, refer to page56.
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
After installing a child restraint system on
the passenger seat, make sure that the
front and side airbag on the front passenger
side have been deactivated. Otherwise, there is
an increased risk of injury when the airbags are
triggered.<
Child seat security
In order to permit installation of child restraint
systems, all rear safety belts and the front pas-
senger safety belt can be locked to prevent
them from being pulled out.
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.
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open safety belt buckle.
2.Remove child restraint system.
3.Allow safety belt strap to retract all the way.

Transporting children safely
36 Outer seats:
1.Slide head restraint upward.
2.Guide upper tether strap between the sup-
ports of the head restraint.
3.Attach tether strap hook to attachment
point.
4.Slide head restraint into the lowest position.
5.Pull tether strap tight.
Middle seat:
1.Fold center armrest slightly forward.
2.Guide tether strap through the opening.
3.Fold center armrest back.
4.Attach tether strap hook to attachment
point.
5.Pull tether strap tight.
When using the cargo area cover:
Guide tether strap through between the rear
seat backrest and the cargo area cover.
When driving
With side airbags in the rear, 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 page23, when children are in the rear of
the vehicle.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
56
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 optimum protection,
please follow the instructions on page27.<
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 cushions the side upper body area. The
respective head airbag cushions the head.
The airbags are intentionally not triggered in
every collision situation, e.g. they are not trig-
gered not in less serious accidents, 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.
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
that has the required explosives licenses. Oth-
erwise, unprofessional attempts to service the
system could lead to failure in an emergency or
undesired airbag 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. Depending
on the detection result, the system correspond-
ingly activates or deactivates the front and side
airbags for the passenger.
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, read the safety notices
and follow the safety instructions under Trans-
porting children safely on page34.
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

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
57
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 functional status of the front and
side airbag on the passenger side depending on
whether or not the seat is occupied. By lighting
up, the indicator lamp indicates that the pas-
senger airbags 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 deactivated.
Most child seats are detected by the
system. It is particularly advisable to
use the child seats approved by NHTSA at
the time the vehicle was produced. After
installing a child's seat, make sure that the
indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags has illuminated. This indicates that the
system has detected the child's seat and
that the front passenger airbags have been
deactivated.<
>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.
In this case, the front and side airbags for
the passenger are deactivated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
When the ignition key is moved into position 1,
the warning lamp lights up briefly, thus indicat-
ing the operational readiness of the entire air-
bag system and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not come on when the
ignition key is moved into position 1.
>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
124
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System50
– indicator lamp12
Acceleration assistance
– refer to Acceleration
assistant52
– refer to DSC50
Acceleration assistant52
Accessories, refer to For your
own safety5
Accident, refer to Receiving
assistance113
Activated-charcoal filter66
Adaptive Head Light59
Adding engine oil100
Adjusting seats28
– electrically28
– mechanically28
– mechanically, Sports seat29
Airbags56
– deactivating front passenger
side34,56
– front passenger side,
deactivating34,56
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags57
– sitting safely27
– warning lamp57
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode62,66
Air conditioner61
Air distribution
– air conditioner62
– automatic climate control65
Airing, refer to
Ventilation63,66
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation63,66Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure90
Air vents, refer to
Ventilation63,66
Air volume62
– adjusting manually65
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications89
Alarm system25
– avoiding unintentional
alarms26
All-season tires, refer to
Special characteristics of
winter tires95
All wheel drive, refer to
xDrive51
Anchorage points76
Antifreeze
– coolant101
– washer fluid42
Antilock Brake System
ABS50
– indicator lamp12
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system19,25
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights122
Approved engine oils100
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights122
Armrest
– front71
– rear71
Artificial leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray72
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control66
Audio device, external72Automatic
– air distribution65
– air volume65
– recirculated-air control
AUC66
Automatic car wash, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control64
Automatic cruise control43
Automatic curb monitor32
Automatic deactivation of
front passenger airbags56
Automatic headlamp
control58
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic39
– indicator lamp40
– interlock37
– selector lever interlock39
– shiftlock39
– towing115
– tow starting116
AUTO program65
Average fuel consumption48
– setting units47
Average speed48
– setting units47
Avoiding unintentional
alarms26
Axle loads, refer to
Weights122
B
Backrest, refer to Seats28
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support29
Backup lamps, bulb
replacement107
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit114

Everything from A to Z
126 Charge-current indicator
lamp12,111
Check Gas Cap, warning
lamp12,88
Child's seat, refer to Child
restraint systems34
Child restraint fixing system
LATCH35
Child restraint systems34
– installing34
– with tether strap35
Child-safety locks36
Child seat security34
Chock109
Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter72
Circulation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode62,66
Cleaning, vehicle, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning rear window42
Clock46,47
– 12 or 24 hour mode47
– setting, also refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
– setting time46
Closing
– from inside21
– with the remote control19
Clothes hooks71
Clutch80
– breaking-in80
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting
engine37
Combination of wheel/tire95
Compact wheel, wheel
changes109
Compartments, refer to
Storage compartments71
Compartments in cargo area,
refer to Behind side trim
panel76Compass, digital68
Computer47
– also refer to Owner's Manual
for Onboard Computer
– functions47
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked81
Confirmation signal for
locking/unlocking
vehicle19,21
Connecting car vacuum
cleaner, refer to Connecting
electrical devices72
Connecting electrical
devices72
Consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption48
Consumption indicator, refer
to Fuel gauge45
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenience operation
– from outside21
– panorama glass sunroof21
– windows21
Coolant101
– level101
– temperature gauge46
– warning lamp101
Cooling, refer to
Temperature62,65
Copyright2
Correct wheels and tires95
Cruise control43
– buttons on steering
wheel13
– indicator lamp43
Cruising range48
Cup holders70
Curb weight, refer to
Weights122
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data120
D
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting60
Dashboard system, refer to
Cockpit10
Data, technical120
– dimensions121
– engine120
– filling capacities123
– weights122
Daytime running lamps58
Deactivating front passenger
airbags34,56
Defective lamp58
Defects7
Defrosting windows62,65
– air conditioner62
– automatic climate control65
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
– air conditioner62
– automatic climate control65
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows62,65
Digital clock46
Digital compass68
Dimensions121
Dimming mirror33
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals40
Disk brakes82
Displacement, refer to Engine
data120
Display illumination, refer to
Instrument lighting60
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting60
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster11
Disposal, vehicle battery111
Disposal of the vehicle, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control49
Door keys18

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
127
Door lock21
Doors
– locking and unlocking from
inside21
– manual operation21
– unlocking and locking,
confirmation signals19,21
DOT Quality Grades93
Draft-free ventilation63,66
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams58
Driving notes80
Driving on poor roads84
Driving stability control
systems50
Driving through water84
Driving tips, refer to Driving
instructions80
Drying air, refer to Switching
cooling function on/
off62,65
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control50
– indicator lamp51
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control51
– indicator lamps51
DVD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC50
– indicator lamp51
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC51
– indicator lamps51
E
Electrical malfunctions
– automatic transmission
malfunction40
– door lock21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door88
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Electronic brake-force
distribution50Electronic Stability Program,
refer to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control50
Emergency call113
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– doors21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door88
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Emergency Service, refer to
Receiving assistance113
Engine
– breaking-in80
– data120
– indicator lamps37
– overheated, refer to Coolant
thermometer46
– speed45
– starting37
– switching off38
Engine compartment98
Engine coolant101
Engine coolant
temperature46
Engine oil99
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils100
– approved engine oils100
– electronic oil level control99
– indicator/warning lamp99
– possible displays99
– required oil grades100
– specifications, also refer to
Approved engine oils100
Engine oil grades100
Engine oil level, indicator/
warning lamp99
Engine oil pressure99
– indicator/warning lamp99
Engine output, refer to Engine
data120
Equipment package, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for
US models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian modelsESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control50
Exhaust system81
Exterior mirrors
32
– automatically dimming33
External audio device72
Eye, tow starting and
towing115
F
Failure of electrical
accessories112
False alarms, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms26
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts31
Filter, refer to
– Microfilter63
– Microfilter/activated
charcoal filter66
First-aid kit114
Flat tire108
– compact wheel109
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– refer to Tire inflation
pressure90
– refer to Wheel changes108
– Tire Pressure Monitor54
Flat Tire Monitor53
– indicator lamp53
– initializing system53
– snow chains96
– system limits53
– warning errors53
Flooding, refer to Driving
through water81
Floor cover76
Fog lamps, indicator lamp59
Folding rear seat back74
Four wheel drive, refer to
xDrive51
Front airbags56
Front fog lamps59
– replacing bulbs107

Everything from A to Z
128 Front passenger airbags
– automatic deactivation56
– status57
Fuel89
– average consumption48
– capacity123
– gauge45
– quality89
Fuel cap88
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge45
Fuel filler door88
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction88
Fuel gauge45
Fuel tank contents, refer to
Filling capacities123
Full preparation package
mobile phone, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Fuses112
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control67
Gasoline
– refer to Fuel quality89
– refer to Fuel
specifications89
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge45
Gear indicator in automatic
transmission with
Steptronic39
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission39
General driving notes80
Glove compartment70
Grills, refer to
Ventilation63,66
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights122
Ground clearance84
H
Halogen lamps105
Handbrake38
– indicator lamp38
Hands-free microphone73
– refer to Car phone
preparation73
Hazard warning flashers10
HDC Hill Descent Control51
Head airbags56
Headlamp flasher40
– indicator lamp12
Headlamps105
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– control, automatic58
– replacing bulbs104
Headlamp washer reservoir
– capacity, refer to Filling
capacities123
– refer to Washer fluid42
Headlamp washer system
– headlamp washing42
– washer fluid42
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light59
Head restraints29
– installing, front30
– removing, front30
– sitting safely27
Heated mirrors32
Heated rear window
– air conditioner62
– automatic climate control66
Heated seats30
Heated steering wheel33
Heater
– rear window62,66
– windshield washer jets42
Heating
– exterior mirror32
– seats30
– steering wheel33
Heating and ventilation61,64
Heavy cargo, refer to Cargo
loading82
Height, refer to
Dimensions121Height adjustment
– seats28
– steering wheel33
High beams59
– headlamp flasher59
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs106
High Performance Synthetic
Oil100
Hill-climbing ability, refer to
Driving on poor roads
84
Hill Descent Control HDC51
Hills82
Holder for beverages70
Hood97
Horn10
Hotel function18
Hot exhaust system81
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to Brake assistant50
Hydroplaning81
I
Icy conditions, refer to
Outside temperature
warning47
Ignition37
Ignition key18
Ignition key positions, refer to
Ignition lock37
Ignition lock37
Imprint2
Indicator/warning lamp
– airbags57
– alarm system25
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
– brakes101
– coolant temperature46
– DSC51
– engine temperature46
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– fog lamps59
– front passenger airbags57
– reserve45
– safety belt warning31
– Tire Pressure Monitor54