ESP BMW X3 3.0SI 2008 Owner's Guide

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.

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.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
119
Towing methods
To avoid damage, do not lift the vehicle by
the tow fitting or body and suspension
parts.<
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes on public roads is not permitted. Familiar-
ize yourself with the regulations on towing in the
specific country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the vehicle to be towed; otherwise,
it will not be possible to safely control vehicle
response.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an offset
angle, please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be strictly limited in corners.
>When mounted at an angle, the tow bar will
exert lateral forces, tending to push the
vehicle sideways.
Secure the tow bar to the tow fittings
only. Otherwise, other vehicle parts could
be damaged.<
With tow-rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow-rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Secure the tow rope to the tow fittings only.
Otherwise, other vehicle parts could be dam-
aged.<
With tow truck
Do not tow the X3 with only the front or
rear axle raised; otherwise, the wheels
could lock and the transfer case could be dam-
aged.<
Have the X3 transported only on a flat bed.
Tow starting
If possible, do not tow start the vehicle; jump
start the engine instead, refer to page117.
Vehicles equipped with catalytic convertors
should only be tow started when the engine is
cold. It is not possible to tow start an engine
equipped with an automatic transmission.
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2.Switch on ignition, refer to page38.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
depressed and slowly release the clutch.
After the engine starts, immediately
depress the clutch again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
Do not activate the HDC Hill Descent
Control during tow starting, refer to
page52.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
129
Door keys18
Door lock21
Doors
– locking and unlocking from
inside21
– manual operation21
– unlocking and locking,
confirmation signals19,21
DOT Quality Grades96
Draft-free ventilation65,68
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams59
Driving notes84
Driving on poor roads87
Driving stability control
systems51
Driving through water87
Driving tips, refer to Driving
instructions84
Drying air, refer to Switching
cooling function on/
off64,67
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control51
– indicator lamp52
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control52
– indicator lamps52
DVD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC51
– indicator lamp52
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC52
– indicator lamps52
E
Electrical malfunctions
– automatic transmission
malfunction41
– door lock21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door92
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25Electronic brake-force
distribution51
Electronic Stability Program,
refer to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control51
Emergency call116
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– doors21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door92
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Emergency Service, refer to
Receiving assistance116
Engine
– breaking-in82
– data122
– indicator lamps38
– overheated, refer to Coolant
thermometer47
– speed46
– starting38
– switching off39
Engine compartment101
Engine coolant104
Engine coolant
temperature47
Engine oil102
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils103
– approved engine oils103
– electronic oil level
control102
– indicator/warning lamp102
– possible displays102
– required oil grades103
– specifications, also refer to
Approved engine oils103
Engine oil grades103
Engine oil level, indicator/
warning lamp102
Engine oil pressure102
– indicator/warning lamp102
Engine output, refer to Engine
data122
Equipment package, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control51
Exhaust system84
Exterior mirrors33
– automatically dimming34
External audio device74
Eye, tow starting and
towing118
F
Failure of electrical
accessories115
False alarms, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms26
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts32
Filter, refer to
– Microfilter65
– Microfilter/activated
charcoal filter68
First-aid kit117
Flat tire111
– compact wheel112
– Flat Tire Monitor54
– refer to Tire inflation
pressure94
– refer to Wheel changes111
– Tire Pressure Monitor55
Flat Tire Monitor54
– indicator lamp54
– initializing system54
– snow chains99
– system limits54
– warning errors54
Flooding, refer to Driving
through water84
Floor cover78
Fog lamps, indicator lamp61
Folding rear seat back76
Footwell lamps61
Four wheel drive, refer to
xDrive52
Front airbags57