lights BMW X3 3.0SI 2008 Owner's Manual

Practical interior accessories
74
Clothes hooks
When hanging clothing from the hooks
ensure that it will not obstruct the driver's
vision. Do not hang heavy objects on the hooks.
If you do so, they could endanger passengers
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Ashtray*
Emptying
Press the edge of the opened cover: the ashtray
moves up and can be removed.
On vehicles with the non-smoker's equipment
package, the insert is removed in the same way.
Lighter*
Press in the cigarette lighter1.
The lighter can be removed as soon as it pops
out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by
the knob only. Holding or touching it in
other areas could result in burns.
The cigarette lighter remains operational when
the ignition key has been removed. For this rea-
son, do not leave unsupervised children in the
vehicle.<
Connecting electrical devices
You can use electrical devices such as flash-
lights, car vacuum cleaners, or the like with
power ratings of up to approx. 200 W at 12 V if
at least one of the following connection points
is provided. Avoid damage to the socket caused
by inserting plugs of the wrong shape or size.
To reduce the strain on the battery, do not
leave electrical devices connected with
the engine switched off.<
Lighter socket
Remove cigarette lighter from its socket.
With the non-smoker's equipment package the
socket is covered with a removable cap.
Power socket in cargo area
Fold the cover upward.
Connection for external audio
device
You can connect an external audio device, e.g. a
CD or MP3 player, and play the sound over the
vehicle speakers. You can adjust the volume
and tone via the car radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual for the radio or for the onboard
computer.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
83
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle is depen-
dent on various factors. You can improve your
vehicle's fuel consumption and reduce the
strain on the environment with several mea-
sures, your driving style and regular mainte-
nance.
Removing unnecessary cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Removing attached parts following use
Remove auxiliary mirrors, roof or rear luggage
racks which are no longer required following
use. Attached parts on the vehicle impair the
aerodynamics and increase the fuel consump-
tion.
Closing windows and panorama glass
sunroof
An open panorama glass sunroof or an open
window also increases the aerodynamic drag,
and with it the fuel consumption.
Checking tire inflation pressures
regularly
Check the tire inflation pressures at least twice
a month and before starting off on a longer trip
and correct them if necessary.
An insufficient tire inflation pressure increases
the rolling resistance, therefore increasing fuel
consumption and tire wear.
Driving off immediately
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it
running while the vehicle remains stationary.
Instead, drive off immediately at a moderate
engine speed. This enables a cold engine to
reach its operating temperature most rapidly.
Looking well ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking by
maintaining a corresponding distance to the
vehicle driving ahead. Driving smoothly and
looking ahead reduces fuel consumption.
Avoiding high engine speeds
Only use 1st gear when starting off. Accelerate
briskly from 2nd gear while avoiding high
engine speeds and shifting up prematurely.
When the desired speed is reached, shift into
the highest possible gear and drive at constant
speed at the lowest possible engine speed.
Always remember: driving at low engine speeds
decreases fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Using overrun conditions
When approaching a red light, take your foot off
the accelerator and allow the vehicle to coast in
the highest possible gear.
On a downhill stretch of road, take your foot off
the accelerator and allow the vehicle to coast in
the suitable gear.
The flow of fuel is interrupted in overrun.
Switching off the engine during longer
stops
Switch off the engine during longer stops, e.g.
at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in traffic
jams. You already save fuel from approx. 4 sec-
onds with the engine switched off.
Switching off functions currently not
required
Functions like the air conditioner, seat heating
or the rear-window defroster require a lot of
energy and consume additional fuel. This plays
a major role especially when driving in urban
and in stop-and-go traffic. Therefore, switch off
these functions when they are not really
required.
Having maintenance carried out
Have regular maintenance performed on the
vehicle to achieve optimum the economy and
service life of your vehicle. BMW recommends
having maintenance performed by a BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. Also observe
the BMW maintenance system, refer to
page105.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
85
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 page41. When descend-
ing hills slowly, use HDC Hill Descent Control,
refer to page52.
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.<
Make sure that no fluids leak in the cargo
area; as otherwise the vehicle could be
damaged.<
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.

Refueling
92
Refueling
Fuel cap
Opening
Always switch off the engine before
refueling. Otherwise, no fuel can be dis-
pensed into the tank and the Service Engine
Soon lamp lights up.<
1.Open fuel filler door. To do so, briefly press
it at the rear edge.
2.Turn fuel filler cap counterclockwise.
3.Place the fuel filler cap in the bracket
attached to the fuel filler door.
Closing
Replace the cap and turn it clockwise until you
hear a clearly audible click.
Be careful not to crush the cap leash between
the gas cap and the vehicle.
The warning lamp
* lights up.
The fuel cap is not properly closed or is
missing. Check whether the fuel cap is
properly closed.
Manually releasing fuel filler door
When a malfunction is occurring, you can
unlock the fuel-filler flap manually:
1.Open the cover flap on the right-hand side
panel of the cargo area, refer to page78.
2.Pull the green button. The fuel filler flap is
released.
Always take all applicable precautions
and comply with all regulations when han-
dling fuels. Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full, these con-
tainers can leak, cause an explosion, and lead to
fire in the event of a collision.<
Observe the following when refueling
When handling fuels, comply with all
applicable safety precautions posted at
the service station.<
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid lifting the filler
nozzle while filling the tank; otherwise, this can
result in:
>Premature pump shutoff
>Reduced efficiency in the fuel-vapor recov-
ery system
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks
off the first time.

Under the hood
102
Engine oil
Engine oil consumption depends on driving
style and operating conditions.
Warning lamp
Engine oil pressure
The warning lamp lights up red:
The engine oil pressure is too low.
Stop the vehicle immediately and
switch off the engine. Check the engine oil level
and top off as needed. If the oil level is correct:
Have the system checked immediately.
Do not continue driving. The engine could
be damaged because of inadequate lubri-
cation.<
Engine oil level
The warning lamp lights up yellow dur-
ing driving. An acoustic signal also
sounds and "+1.0 " is displayed in the
instrument cluster, refer to page102.
The oil level is at its absolute minimum; top off
engine oil as soon as possible. Until then, do not
drive more than approx. 125 miles/200 km.
The warning lamp lights up yellow after
the engine is switched off. In addition, a
signal sounds.
Top off engine oil at the earliest opportunity,
e.g. with your next refueling.
The warning lamp lights up yellow
within 30 seconds after starting the
engine:
The oil level sensor has failed. It is not possible
to take a current or meaningful measurement.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Checking oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil
level control.
For the most precise possible display of the oil
level, the engine must be at operating tempera-
ture, i.e. after at least 6.5 miles/10 km of unin-
terrupted driving. You can have the oil level dis-
played while you drive or while the vehicle is standing on a flat surface with the engine run-
ning.
You can have the current oil level displayed in
the instrument cluster.
Press button1. The oil level is checked and dis-
played for approx. 15 seconds.
In order to cancel the display early, press but-
ton 1 again.
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being detected
This process can last approx. 3 minutes
while standing on a flat surface and approx.
5 minutes while driving.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
103
3Oil level at minimum
A t y o u r e a rl ie s t o p p ortunity, add 1 US quart/
1 l i t e r e n g i n e o i l , a l s o r e f e r t o A d d i n g e n g i n e
oil.
4Oil level too high
Have vehicle checked immediately;
otherwise, overfilled oil can lead to
engine damage.<
5Oil level sensor has failed
It is not possible to take a current or mean-
ingful measurement.
Do not add engine oil. It is possible to con-
tinue driving. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Add the maximum quantity of 1 US quart/1 liter
of oil only after the warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up, refer to page102, or
when the oil level measurement "+1.0 " appears
on the display.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km;
otherwise, engine damage could result.<
Keep oil, grease, etc. out of reach of chil-
dren and heed warnings on the contain-
ers. Otherwise, you could endanger your
health.<
Oil change
Have the oil changed only by your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical
significance for the operation and service life of
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-
cific oils after confirming their suitability for use
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Only use approved BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil, you can add small
amounts of another synthetic oil in between oil
changes. Only use oils with the API SH specifi-
cation or higher.
Ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center for more details concerning BMW
High Performance Synthetic Oil or other
approved synthetic oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
BMW engines are designed to operate
without additives, and their use could
even lead to damage in some cases.<
Viscosity classes
Viscosity is the oil flow rating as defined in
SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class depends
on the climate conditions in the area where you
typically drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving in all ambient
temperatures.

Under the hood
104
Coolant
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up: coolant
level is too low; top off at the next
opportunity.
Do not open the cooling system when the
engine is hot. Escaping coolant can cause
burns.<
Coolant consists of water and coolant additive.
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center for suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise,
engine damage may result. The additives
are harmful to your health, so follow the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Always observe all applicable environ-
mental laws and regulations when dis-
posing of used coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Allow engine to cool.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to
open.
3.The coolant level is correct when it is
between the MIN and MAX marks, also refer
to illustration next to filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level – do not overfill.
5.Screw on the cap and tighten snugly.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss cor-
rected as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up red despite
the handbrake being released.
The brake fluid in the reservoir has
fallen to below the minimum level. At the same
time, a considerably longer brake pedal travel
may be noticeable. Have the system checked
immediately.
During continued driving, increased brake
pedal travel may be necessary, and con-
siderably longer braking distances may result.
Please adapt your driving style accordingly.<
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.

Maintenance
106
Emissions values
The warning lamp lights up. Exhaust
values are deteriorating. Have the vehi-
cle checked as soon as possible.
Under certain conditions, the indicator will flash.
This indicates a serious rate of engine misfire.
When this occurs, you should reduce speed
and consult the nearest BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center as soon as possible. Severe
engine misfire even for only a short period of
time can seriously damage emission control
components, especially the catalytic converter.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
When the fuel filler cap is not properly
tightened, the OBD system can detect
the vapor leak and the indicator lamp will light
up. If the filler cap is subsequently tightened,
the indicator lamp should go out within a few
days.<
Event data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or more
sensing and diagnostic modules or a recording
device capable of recording or transmitting cer-
tain vehicle data or information. In addition, if
you have a Subscription Service Agreement for
the BMW Assist system, certain vehicle infor-
mation may be transmitted or recorded in order
to provide such services.
Care
You can find useful information on caring for
your BMW in the Caring for your vehicle bro-
chure.

Replacing components
114 Protect valve stems with valve stem
seal caps from dirt and contamina-
tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source
of gradual air loss.<
4.Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor
* or reset
the Tire Pressure Monitor
*, refer to
pages54, 55.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor
when driving with a compact wheel.<
5.Replace the defective tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
Mounting the compact wheel can change the
driving characteristics. For example, it can
reduce tracking stability during braking, extend
braking distances, and alter self-steering char-
acteristics in the limit range. With winter tires,
these characteristics are more pronounced.
Only one compact wheel may be
mounted. You should re-equip with
wheels and tires of the original size as soon as
possible.<
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
will be happy to advise you on all questions con-
cerning the battery.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up. The battery
is no longer being charged. The alterna-
tor V-belt is defective or there is a mal-
function in the charge current circuit of the
alternator. Have the system checked immedi-
ately.Do not continue driving if the V-belt is
defective. The engine could be damaged
due to overheating.
Moreover, an increased amount of force is
required for steering if there is a sharp drop in
the onboard supply voltage.<
Charging battery
Charge the battery in the vehicle only when the
engine has been switched off. For connections,
refer to Jump starting on page117.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of following
replacement at your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center or bring them to a collection
point. Maintain the battery in an upright position
for transport and storage. Always secure the
battery to prevent it from tipping over during
transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power supply interruption,
some equipment is subject to limited use and
must be reinitialized. Individual settings are also
lost and must be updated again:
>Panorama glass sunroof
It may be only possible to raise the sunroof.
The system must be initialized, refer to
page24.
>Power windows
The pinch protection system must be reini-
tialized, refer to page23.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page31.
>Time
Must be set again, refer to page47.

Giving and receiving assistance
116
Giving and receiving assistance
Receiving assistance
The Roadside Assistance of the BMW Group
offers you assistance in the event of a break-
down around the clock, as well as on weekends
and public holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance control center in your home country can
be found in the Contact brochure.
In the case of vehicles with the corresponding
equipment, you can use buttons in the head-
liner to contact Roadside Assistance or initiate
an emergency call.
When the emergency call is initiated, a tele-
phone connection is established to the BMW
Assist Response Center.
In vehicles with BMW Assist enabled, if the cur-
r e n t p o s i t io n o f yo ur v e h ic le c a n b e d e t er m i n ed ,
it will be transmitted to the BMW Assist
Response Center.
The conditions for initiating an emergency call
or contacting Roadside Assistance:
>Ignition key in position 1 or higher
>The car phone is logged on to a mobile tele-
phone network
>The emergency call system is operable
Access to buttons*
To open the cover:
Briefly press the cover, refer to arrow.
1Emergency call
2Roadside Assistance
Initiating an emergency call*
Press button 1 for at least 2 seconds.
The LED above the button lights up. As soon as
a voice connection to the BMW Assist
Response Center has been established, the
LED flashes. If the LED flashes, but you are
unable to hear the emergency Response Cen-
ter, you may still be heard by the Response
Center.
For technical reasons, the emergency call
cannot be guaranteed under the most
unfavorable conditions.<
Under certain conditions, an emergency call is
initiated automatically immediately after a
severe accident. The automatic emergency call
is not affected by the button being pressed.
Roadside Assistance*
Press button 2 for at least 2 seconds.
The LED above the button lights up. As soon as
a voice connection to Roadside Assistance has
been established, the LED flashes.
On a country-specific basis, with BMW Assist
enabled, the current position of your vehicle is
determined at the same time.
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is stored behind the right
side panel in the cargo area.
To open the side trim panel: press the button.