light out warning light BMW X3 3.0I 2007 E83 Owner's Manual

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
13
Colors
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
different colors and combinations.
The following section explains the significance
of the individual colors as well as how you
should respond when they appear.
>red:
Stop the vehicle immediately
or
An important reminder
>yellow:
Have the system inspected as soon as
possible
or
For your information
>green:
For your information
>blue:
For your information
Buttons* on steering wheel
The buttons integrated into the steering wheel
are provided so that you can operate a number
of accessories quickly and without being dis-
tracted from traffic conditions. You may oper-
ate:
>Selected audio source functions
>Recirculated-air mode/steering wheel
heater
>Cruise control
>Selected telephone functions
>Voice command system
In order to operate a system, it must be
switched on.<
Telephone*/voice command system*/
audio sources*
>Press the button: answer and terminate call,
begin dialing selected phone number
>Extended pressure: activate/deactivate
voice command system
Display/hide phonebook. Display entries con-
secutively with buttons for fast forward/reverse
Fast forward/reverse
>Radio
Press the button: next stored station
Extended pressure: station search function
>CD
Press the button: skip track
Extended pressure: fast forward/reverse
>Phone
Browse through list of names
Volume
Cruise control*
Resume
+ accelerate and store, – decelerate and store
Activate/interrupt/deactivate

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
19
Examples of Vehicle Memory
>Different confirmation signals to confirm
locking/unlocking of the vehicle, refer to
page19.
>Activating/deactivating function for path-
way lighting, refer to page58.
>Activating/deactivating daytime running
lamps, refer to page58.
>Active PDC Park Distance Control is acous-
tically indicated by a signal tone when you
shift into reverse or move the selector lever
into position R, refer to page49.
>Different confirmation signals to confirm
arming/disarming of alarm system, refer to
page25.
>After an outside temperature warning has
been issued, the computer display returns
to the previous setting, refer to page47.
>Acoustic warning if the ignition key remains
in the ignition lock after the driver's door has
been opened, refer to page19.
Examples of Key Memory functions
>Locking the vehicle after starting to drive,
refer to page21.
>Automatic adjustment of the driver's seat
and exterior mirror position for each person
when unlocking the vehicle, refer to
page30.
>Setting units of measure for instrument
cluster displays of time, outside tempera-
ture, distance driven, and fuel consumption,
refer to page47.
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system is ready for opera-
tion whenever the driver's door is closed.
The system locks or unlocks:
>doors
>liftgate
>fuel filler door
Operating from outside
>via the remote control
>via the driver's door lock
The central locking system simultaneously
operates the antitheft alarm system. This pre-
vents the doors from being unlocked via the
lock buttons or door handles. The remote con-
trol also switches the interior lamps on and off.
The alarm system
* is also armed or disarmed.
For additional details on the alarm system, refer
to page25.
You can set an acoustic signal to remind
you if the ignition key is still in the ignition
lock after you open the driver's door.<
Operating from inside
Via the central locking system button, refer to
page21.
When the system is locked from inside, the fuel
filler door remains unlocked.
In the event of an accident of sufficient severity,
the central locking system unlocks automati-
cally. In addition, the hazard warning flashers
and interior lamps switch on.
Opening and closing:
Using the remote control
Persons or animals left unattended in a
parked vehicle can lock the doors from
the inside. For this reason, bring the remote
control with you whenever you leave the vehicle
so that you will always be able to unlock the
vehicle from outside.<
Unlocking
1.Press the button.
The driver's door and fuel filler door are
unlocked.
2.Press the button again.
All remaining doors and the liftgate are
unlocked.

Opening and closing
20
Convenience opening mode
Press and hold the button.
The windows and the panorama glass sunroof
*
are opened.
If you wish, you can have this special fea-
ture activated/deactivated.<
Engaging locks
Press the button.
Hazard warning flashers flash once.
If you wish, you can have this special fea-
ture deactivated on vehicles without an
alarm system.<
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside
when people are in it since they will be
unable to unlock it from the inside if they do not
know the special procedure.<
If you unlock the vehicle, but do not open
any doors, the central locking system
automatically relocks the vehicle after a short
time. If you wish, you can have this special fea-
ture activated/deactivated.<
Switching off tilt alarm sensor* and
interior motion sensor*
Press the button again directly after
locking.
For details, refer to page26.
Switching on interior lamps
With the vehicle locked:
Press the button.
You can also use this function to locate your
vehicle in parking garages etc.
Panic mode*
You can also trigger the alarm system* in case
of danger:
Press the button for at least 3 seconds.
Deactivating alarm: press any button.
Unlocking liftgate
Press the button.
The liftgate will open slightly, regardless of
whether it was previously locked or unlocked.If you wish, you can have the liftgate open
only after the vehicle has been unlocked.
You may have this function activated/deacti-
vated.<
To avoid damage, make sure there is suf-
ficient space when opening the liftgate.
A previously locked liftgate is also locked again
after closing.
Before and after a drive, make sure that the lift-
gate has not been inadvertently released.<
Malfunction
The remote control may malfunction due to
local radio waves.
Should this occur, use the master key to unlock
and relock the vehicle via the door lock.
If it is no longer possible to lock the vehicle
using the remote control, its battery is dis-
charged. Use this remote control during an
extended drive; this will recharge the battery,
refer to page18.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communications
Commission regulations. Operation is gov-
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
>This device must not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
>this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or
changes to these devices could void the
user's authority to operate this equipment.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
49
Technology for comfort, convenience and
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
PDC provides extra safety and convenience
during parking maneuvers. Audible signals indi-
cate that you are approaching an object in front
of or behind your vehicle. To measure the dis-
tance, there are four ultrasonic sensors in each
bumper.
An acoustic signal begins to sound when the
front sensors and the rear corner sensors are
within approx. 2 ft/60 cm of an obstacle and
when the rear middle sensors are within approx.
5 ft/1.50 m of an obstacle.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching objects too fast; otherwise,
the system may give warning of physical obsta-
cles too late.<
If you are driving with a trailer, the rear sensors
cannot take any meaningful measurements.
Consequently, they do not switch on.
Automatic mode
In ignition key position 2, the system is auto-
matically activated after approx. 1 second each
time you shift into reverse or move the selector-
lever into position R. Wait for one second to
pass before moving.
You can have a signal tone programmed
into the system to verify that the PDC is
active.<
Activating manual mode
In ignition key position 2, press the button; the
LED lights up.
Deactivating manual mode
Press the button again, the LED goes out.
The system is automatically deactivated once
the vehicle travels approx. 160 ft/50 m or
exceeds a speed of roughly 20 mph/30 km/h;
the LED goes out. You can reactivate the sys-
tem manually as needed.
Signal tones
An intermittent tone from a rear speaker signals
the distance to an object behind the vehicle as
you approach it.
An intermittent tone from a speaker beneath
the dashboard signals the distance to an object
in front of the vehicle as you approach it.
As the distance between vehicle and object
decreases, the intervals between the tones
become shorter. The signal tone becomes con-
tinuous once the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx.
3seconds:
>If you remain in front of an object that is only
detected by one of the corner sensors
>If you are moving parallel to a wall

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
52
Activating HDC
Press the button; the LED lights up.
The LED flashes when the brakes are applied
automatically.
Deactivating HDC
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
HDC is deactivated immediately above approx.
35 mph/60 km/h and after approx. 10 seconds
when the ignition is switched off.
Using HDC
Manual transmission:
Use HDC in low gears and in reverse.
Automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive position.
Malfunction
If the LED in the button goes out in the HDC
mode or fails to light up when the button is
pressed:
HDC is temporarily not available, because the
brake temperature is too high.
Malfunction in vehicle stability control
systems
The warning lamp lights up yellow.
The brake assistant is malfunctioning.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.
If one of the malfunctions described
below occurs, drive with restraint and
caution and avoid full braking; otherwise, acci-dents can occur. When driving on poor road
surfaces, avoid full throttle or kickdown position
of the accelerator pedal as these could cause
damage to the drive system.<
The warning lamp for the brake system
lights up in red, together with the warn-
ing lamps for ABS and DSC/xDrive. In
addition, a warning signal sounds.
The driving stability control systems
have failed. It is then possible to exert
driving force only via the rear axle.
If the brake system warning lamp lights
up in yellow in the described combination, then
the EBV Electronic brake-force distribution is
still available. Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.
The warning lamp lights up continu-
ously and a warning signal sounds:
Both DSC and DTC or the xDrive all-
wheel drive system have failed.
The stabilizing interventions of DSC or the all-
wheel drive system xDrive are no longer avail-
able. It is then possible to exert driving force
only via the rear axle. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Acceleration assistant
The acceleration assistant allows you to conve-
niently start off on inclines. You do not have to
use the handbrake.
1.Hold the vehicle with the brake pedal.
2.Step off the brake and immediately start off
with no trouble.
The acceleration assistant holds the vehi-
cle for approx. 2 seconds after the brake
is released. Depending on the load or when
towing a trailer, it is also possible for the vehicle
to roll backward slightly during this interval.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
53
After releasing the brake, start driving immedi-
ately; otherwise, the acceleration assistant will
no longer hold the vehicle after approx. 2 sec-
onds and the vehicle will start to roll back-
ward.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp for the brake system
lights up in yellow. The acceleration
assistant has failed. The vehicle will not
be held after the brake is released. Have the
system checked as soon as possible.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the four mounted tires as you
drive. The system triggers an alert whenever
the inflation pressure in one tire drops signifi-
cantly in relation to the pressure in another tire.
When a loss of pressure occurs, the rolling
radius changes and with it, the rotational speed
of the wheels. This change is detected and sig-
naled as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the
system must be initialized at the correct tire
inflation pressure.
The initialization must be carried out after
each correction of the tire inflation pres-
sure and after every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot predict sud-
den severe tire damage caused by out-
side factors and does not detect a natural, even
pressure drop in all four tires.<
In the following situations, the system could be
delayed or malfunction:
>When the system has not been initialized
>When driving on snow-covered or slippery
road surfaces>Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels,
high lateral acceleration.
>When driving with snow chains
*
When driving with a compact wheel, the Flat
Tire Monitor cannot operate.
Initializing system
The initialization is completed while driv-
ing and can be interrupted at any time.
The initialization automatically continues when
driving resumes.
Do not initialize the system when driving with
snow chains
* or with a compact wheel.<
1.Start the engine just before driving, but do
not begin to drive.
2.Press the button for at least 4 seconds, but
not longer than 2 minutes. After the button
is released, the indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up yellow for a few sec-
onds.
3.Begin driving.
The initialization is completed while driving,
without requiring any further input from you.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red. In addi-
tion, an acoustic signal sounds. There is
a flat tire or extensive inflation pressure
loss.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Identify damaged tire.
If identification is not possible, con-
tact your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.<

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
54 3.Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Wheel changes on page108.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow. The
Flat Tire Monitor is malfunctioning or
out of order. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
The concept
TPM controls the tire inflation pressure in the
four mounted wheels. The system notifies you
if the tire inflation pressure has fallen signifi-
cantly in one or more tires.
Functional requirement
To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the
system must be reset at the correct tire inflation
pressure.
Always use wheels equipped with TPM elec-
tronics, including a metal valve; otherwise, there
is no guarantee that the system will function
properly.
The system must be reset after every cor-
rection of tire inflation pressure and after
every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
TPM cannot warn you of sudden, serious
tire damage due to external factors.<
The system does not function properly if it has
not been reset, e.g. it may identify a tire as flat in
spite of the fact that the tire is filled to the cor-
rect inflation pressure.
The system is deactivated and is unable to
detect flat tires if a wheel not equipped with
TPM electronics has been mounted, e.g. a
compact wheel, or if TPM is experiencing tem-
porary interference from other systems or
devices that use the same frequency.
Resetting system
The system must be reset after every cor-
rection of tire inflation pressure and after
every tire or wheel change.<
1.Start engine, but do not begin to drive.
2.Press the button until the yellow warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up for a
few seconds.
3.Begin driving.
After a few minutes of driving, the tire infla-
tion pressures in the tires are adopted as
the desired values to be monitored. The
resetting is completed during driving and
can be interrupted at any time without
requiring any input from you. The resetting
automatically continues when driving
resumes.
Low tire pressure message
The warning lamp lights up yellow. In
addition, a signal sounds. You have a
flat tire or a significant loss of tire pres-
sure in one or more tires.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Identify the damaged wheel or wheels.
If identification is not possible, con-
tact your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.<
3.Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Wheel changes on page108.
4.Check tire inflation pressure and correct as
needed.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
55
The compact wheel is not equipped with the
required TPM electronics and is not monitored
when mounted.
When driving with the compact wheel, the sys-
tem indicates a malfunction.
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:
>When a malfunction is occurring:
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
NHTSA/FMVSS-required explanation
of 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring
System
Each tire, including the spare, should be
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label,
then you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires. As an added safety
feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a
tire pressure monitoring system, TPMS, that
illuminates a low tire pressure warning lamp
when one or more of your tires are significantly
under-inflated. When the low tire pressure
warning lamp lights up, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signif-
icantly underinflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stop-
ping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver's responsibility to maintain correct
tire pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure warning lamp.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure warning lamp. When
the system detects a malfunction, the warning
lamp will flash for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upon subsequent vehi-
cle startups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunc-
tions may occur for a variety of reasons, includ-
ing the installation of replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check
the TPMS malfunction warning lamp after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to con-
tinue to function properly.Brake force display
The brake lamps light up in two stages,
depending on how heavily you apply the brakes.
>Normal braking
The brake lamps and the center brake lamp
light up.
>Heavy braking
The rear fog lamps light up as well.

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

Things to remember when driving
82
Hills
To prevent overheating and reduced effi-
ciency of the brake system, drive long or
steep downhill grades in the gear in which the
least braking is required. Otherwise, even light
but continuous pressure on the brake can lead
to high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
The braking action of the engine can be further
intensified by downshifting, all the way down to
first gear if need be. This strategy helps you
avoid placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem. Downshifting in manual mode of automatic
transmission, refer to page40. When descend-
ing hills slowly, use HDC Hill Descent Control,
refer to page51.
Never drive with the clutch depressed,
with the transmission in neutral, or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, you will
have neither the braking action of the engine or
nor its power assistance to the brakes or steer-
ing.
Never allow floor mats, carpeting, or other arti-
cles to protrude into the area around the brake
or accelerator pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimal
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up.
The brake pads have reached their min-
imum pad thickness. Have brake pads
replaced immediately.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating of the tire and increases the rate at
which damage develops inside the tires. The
ultimate result can assume the form of a sudden
blow-out.<
Determining load limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX lbs. or YYY kg. Otherwise, the vehicle
may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
990 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
240 lbs.:
990 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 240 lbs.