BMW X3 3.0SI 2008 Owner's Guide

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
29
1Head restraint height
2Shoulder support
Head restraint height
>To raise: move switch upward.
>To lower: move switch downward.
Shoulder support
Move switch forward or back.
You can use the adjustable upper backrest for
supplementary support in the shoulder region.
This provides a relaxed sitting position and
helps relieve stress on the shoulder muscles.
The distance of the head restraint from the back
of the head is adjusted with the upper backrest.
Adjusting lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contours of the backrest
to obtain additional support in the lumbar
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a
relaxed, upright sitting position.
>To increase or decrease curvature: press
front or rear section of switch.
>To move curvature up or down: press upper
or lower section of switch.
Sports seat*
With this seat, you can also adjust the tilt and
the thigh support:
Upward tilt
Pull the lever, arrow 1, repeatedly until you
reach the desired tilt.
Downward tilt
Push the lever, arrow 2, repeatedly until you
reach the desired tilt.
Thigh support
Pull the lever, arrow 3, and slide the thigh sup-
port in the longitudinal direction.
Head restraints
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. Only
remove a head restraint if no one is riding in the
seat in question. Reinstall the head restraint
before passengers ride in the seat; otherwise
the head restraint cannot perform its important
safety function.<
Active front head restraints
In the event of a rear-end collision of sufficient
severity, the active head restraint reduces the
distance to the head.

Adjustments
30 Do not use seat or head-restraint covers
which could impair the operability of the
active head restraint. Otherwise, the protective
function of the active head restraint is not
ensured and its potential to reduce injuries in a
rear-end collision cannot be fully utilized.
Have the active head restraints reset after being
triggered in a rear-end collision. Have work on
your vehicle done only by a BMW Sports Activ-
ity Vehicle Center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, this
restraint device will not function.<
Please contact a BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center if the front head restraints
are to be removed and installed.<
Front seats: adjusting height
>To raise: pull upward.
>To lower: press button, arrow 1, and slide
head restraint downward.
Front seats: adjusting distance to back
of head
>To move forward: pull upward.
>To move back: press button and slide back
head cushion.Do not insert objects behind head cush-
ion, as otherwise operability of head
restraint is impaired.<
Luxury seat*
You can adjust the distance to the back of the
head with the shoulder support, refer to
page28.
Adjusting height
You can adjust the height of the head restraint
electrically.
Adjusting side extensions
You can fold the side extensions on the head
restraint forward for increased lateral support in
the resting position.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
31
Rear seats: adjusting height
>To raise: pull upward.
>To lower: press button, arrow 1, and slide
head restraint downward.
The center head restraint is not height-adjust-
able.
Removal
1.Pull the head restraint upward to the stop.
2.Press button, arrow 1, and pull head
restraint all the way out.
Heated seats*
Front
Press once for each temperature level. Maxi-
mum temperature when three LEDs are lit.
To switch off:
Press the button and hold it longer.
Rear
Functions the same as front seat heating, two
temperature levels.
Seat and mirror memory*
You can store and select three different adjust-
ment settings for the driver's seat and exterior
mirrors.
The adjustment of the lumbar support is not
stored in the memory.
Storing
1.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 2.
2.Set the desired seat and exterior mirror
position.
3.Press the button:
The LED in the button lights up.
4.Press the desired memory button 1, 2 or3:
The LED goes out.

Adjustments
32
Requesting a stored setting
Do not request a position from the mem-
ory while the vehicle is moving; otherwise,
there is a risk of accident from unexpected seat
movement.<
Convenience mode
1.Open the driver's door after unlocking or
turn the ignition key to position 1.
2.Briefly press the desired memory button 1,
2 or3.
The adjustment procedure is canceled when
you press one of the seat adjustment buttons or
use one of the memory buttons.
Safety feature
1.Close the driver's door and turn the ignition
key to position 0 or 2.
2.Press the desired memory button 1, 2 or3
and maintain pressure until the adjustment
process has been completed.
If the button has been pressed inadvert-
ently:
Press the button again, the LED goes out.
You can have your vehicle programmed
to automatically recall your own individual
stored adjustment settings for the seat and
exterior mirror position whenever you use your
personal remote control to unlock the vehicle.<
If you make use of this setting, be sure
that the footwell behind the driver's seat
is unobstructed before unlocking the vehicle.
If you fail to do so, any persons, animals or
objects behind the seat could be injured or
damaged by a rearward movement of the
seat.<
Safety belts
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimum protection,
please follow the instructions on page27.<
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.
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in
the belt buckle.
Safety belt reminder for front seats
The indicator lamp flashes or lights up.
In addition, a signal sounds. Please
make sure that the safety belts are
being worn correctly.
The safety belt reminder is activated if the
safety belt on the driver's side has not yet been
fastened.
At speeds greater than 5 mph/8 km/h, the
safety belt reminder is also activated if the pas-
senger side safety belt has not yet been fas-
tened, if objects are placed on the passenger's
seat, or if the driver or front passenger's safety
belt is released.
Releasing
1.Hold the belt firmly.
2.Press the red button in the buckle.
3.Guide the belt back into its reel.
The upper shoulder strap's anchorage point will
be in the correct position for seat occupants of

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
33
every build if the seat is correctly adjusted, refer
to page27.
In the rear, the middle belt buckle embossed
with the word CENTER is intended exclusively
for use by passengers riding in the center posi-
tion.
Damage to safety belts
When strained by an accident or when
damaged: have the safety belt system,
including the belt tensioners, replaced and have
belt anchorage points inspected. Have this
work done only by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center or by a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise,
there can be no guarantee that the safety
devices will function properly.<
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
The passenger side mirror is more curved
than the driver's mirror. Objects in the
mirrors are closer than they appear. Do not esti-
mate the distance to following traffic based on
the view in the mirrors; otherwise, there is an
increased risk of accident.<
1Adjustments
2Switching over to the other mirror or to the
automatic parking function
*
Storing the mirror positions, refer to Seat and
mirror memory on page31.
Manual adjustments
The mirrors can also be manually adjusted by
pressing at the edges of the mirror glass.
To prevent the exterior mirrors on this
vehicle from being damaged, always fold
them in by hand before entering an automatic
car wash.<
Automatic heating
When the outside temperature falls below a
specified temperature, both outside mirrors are
automatically heated whenever the engine is
running or the ignition is switched on.
Tilting down passenger's mirror,
automatic parking function*
Activating
1.Select the driver's exterior mirror with
switch 1.
2.Shift into reverse or engage selector lever
position R.
The mirror glass tilts downward slightly on
the passenger side. This allows the driver to
see the area immediately adjacent to the
vehicle – such as a curb – when parking, etc.
Deactivating
Select the passenger side mirror with switch1.

Adjustments
34
Interior rearview mirror
To reduce glare from vehicles behind you when
you are driving at night, tilt the mirror by turning
the button.
Interior and exterior mirror,
automatically dimming*
This function is controlled by two photocells in
the inside rearview mirror. One is integrated into
the mirror glass, the other is located on the back
of the mirror.
For trouble-free operation, keep the photocells
clean and do not cover the area between the
interior rearview mirror and the windshield. Do
not attach any kind of sticker to the windshield
in front of the mirror, either.
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving. There is a risk of acci-
dent from unexpected movement.<
1.Fold the lever down.
2.Adapt the longitudinal position and height
of the steering wheel to the seat position.
3.Fold the lever back up.
Steering wheel heater*
The button for steering wheel heater is located
on the steering wheel, refer to page13.
With the ignition switched on, press the
button.
When the heater is switched on, the
LED in the button lights up.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
35
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 page57.
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
LATCH child restraint fixing
system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
For attachment and use of LATCH child
restraint fixing systems, follow the oper-
ating and safety instructions of the system
manufacturer.<
Before attaching the child's seat, pull the belt
out of the vicinity of the child's seat attachment
points.
Make sure that the LATCH anchors have
correctly engaged and the child restraint
system is resting snugly against the backrest.<
Rear seats
The anchorage points for the LATCH mounts
are located behind the cover caps. Before
installing the child's seat, pull the cover caps
out toward the front.
Child restraint system with tether strap
The top tether strap attachment points
are only intended for attachment of child
restraint systems; other uses can damage the
attachment points. there are three additional attachment points,
refer to arrows, under covers in the floor of the
cargo area. Remove the corresponding cover
before use.
Routing of tether strap
Make sure that the tether strap is not
routed over sharp objects and does not
twist on its way to the attachment point; other-
wise, the belt can fail to properly secure the
child restraint system in the event of an acci-
dent.<
1Direction of travel
2Head restraint
3Child restraint system tether strap
4Tether strap hook
5Cargo area floor
6Attachment point
7Backrest
Before using the attachment points, remove the
cover caps.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
37
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.

Driving
38
Driving
Ignition lock
0Steering locked
1Steering unlocked
2Ignition switched on
3Starting engine
Steering locked
T h e k e y c a n b e in s e r t e d o r r e m o v e d in t h i s p o s i-
tion only.
After removing the key, turn the steering wheel
slightly to the left or right until you hear the lock
engage.
Interlock with automatic transmission
The key can only be turned back to position0 or
removed if the selector lever is in position P:
interlock.
Steering unlocked
A slight steering wheel movement often makes
it easier to turn the key from0 to1.
Some power accessories are ready for opera-
tion.
Ignition switched on
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in enclosed spaces;
otherwise, inhalation of toxic exhaust
gases can cause unconsciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the
engine running, since an unattended vehicle
with a running engine is a safety hazard.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always shift
into neutral or selector lever position P and
engage the handbrake firmly before leaving the
vehicle with the engine running.<
Do not discontinue the starting procedure pre-
maturely, but also do not prolong it for more
than 20 seconds. Release the ignition key
immediately as soon as the engine starts.
When starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up while
parked; instead, start driving immediately at a
moderate engine speed.
Indicator lamps
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 mal-
function on Canadian models.
The warning lamp lights up. Malfunc-
tion in the engine electronics. You can
continue to drive with reduced engine