BMW X3 XDRIVE 30I 2009 E83 Owner's Manual

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99
age and related safety hazards. Make sure that
the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of
retreaded tires; otherwise, driving safety
may be reduced. The causes for this include the
possibly different tire casing structures and the
often wide variations in their age, which can
result in a limited service life.<
Correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact and with it, the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
You can ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center for the correct wheel-and-tire combina-
tion.
The correct wheel-and-tire combination affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC or xDrive.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After tire
damage, always remember to have the original
wheel and tire combination remounted on the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Wheels equipped with electronics for
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When installing new tires or when changing
from summer tires to winter tires or vice versa,
only use wheels equipped with TPM electron-
ics; otherwise, the Tire Pressure Monitor can-
not detect a flat tire, refer to page55. Your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be
happy to advise you in this regard.
Recommended tire brands
BMW recommends particular tire brands for
each tire size. You will recognize them by the
clearly visible BMW identification on the tire
sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling characteris-
tics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use on win-
ter road surfaces or at temperatures below
+457/+76. Although all-season M+S tires do
provide better winter traction than summer
tires, they generally fail to provide the same lev-
els of cold-weather performance as winter tires.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for
which the winter tires are rated.<
Storage
Store wheels or tires in a cool, dry place, pro-
tecting them from light whenever possible. Pro-
tect the tires from contact with oil, grease and
fuel. Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation
pressure indicated on the side wall of the tire.
Changing wheels from one axle to
another
BMW does not recommend changing the front
wheels to the back or vice versa as this can
impair handling characteristics.

Wheels and tires
100
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains are tested,
classified as road-safe, and recommended by
BMW. You can obtain a list of these from your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center. It is only
permissible to use them in pairs and on the rear
wheels.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions when
installing snow chains.
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of 30 mph/
50 km/h with snow chains mounted.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor
*
with snow chains installed; otherwise, the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When you are driving with snow chains, it can
be beneficial to temporarily activate DTC, refer
to page52.<

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101
Under the hood
Never attempt to perform any service or
repair operations on your vehicle without
the required professional technical training. If
you are not familiar with the regulations to be
observed, have work on your vehicle carried out
only by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Cen-
ter or at a workshop that works according to
BMW repair procedures with appropriately
trained personnel. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam-
age and related safety hazards.<
Hood
Unlocking
Pull the lever located under the left side of the
instrument cluster.
Opening
To avoid causing damage, make sure that
wiper arms are resting against the wind-
shield before opening the hood.<
Press the release handle and open the hood.
Closing
Close the hood with force by allowing it to fall
from a height of approx. 1 ft/30 cm. It must
engage audibly.
Avoid injuries by making sure that the
hood's closing region is clear and unob-
structed.
If you see any signs that the hood is not com-
pletely closed while driving your vehicle, you
should stop at once and close it securely.<

Under the hood
102
Important components in the engine compartment
1Filler neck for washer fluid of the headlamp
and windshield washer system, refer to
page43
2Body ground, negative terminal, refer to
page122
3Jump starting terminal, refer to page1224Filler neck for engine oil, refer to
Adding engine oil
5Reservoir for brake fluid, refer to page105
6Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page105. In vehicles with a gasoline
engine, the expansion tank is on the other
side

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103
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 page103.
The oil level is at its absolute minimum; top off
e n g i n e o i l a s s o o n a s p ossible. 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.

Under the hood
104 3Oil level at minimum
At your earliest opportunity, add 1 US quart/
1 liter engine oil, also refer to Adding engine
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 page103, 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 the SAE classes
0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40, and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving in all ambient
temperatures.

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105
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.Only open the hood after the engine has
cooled down.
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 mal-
function on Canadian models.

Maintenance
106
Maintenance
BMW maintenance system
The BMW maintenance system supports the
preservation of the road and operating safety of
your BMW.
Regular maintenance is not only required for
the safety of the vehicle, it also improves the
resale value.
Service Interval Display
The BMW maintenance system takes the driv-
ing conditions of the vehicle into account when
determining service intervals:
From the maintenance standpoint,
62,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated in
short-distance urban driving are not the equiva-
lent of the same distance covered at moderate
speeds in long-distance highway travel.
The BMW maintenance system is divided into
engine oil service and Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals accord-
ing to the actual loads on the vehicle covers
practically every kind of operating situation.
However, even those who drive only short dis-
tances, significantly less than 6,200 miles/
10,000 km annually, should have the engine oil
changed at least every 2 years since oil deterio-
rates over time, regardless of use.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic: it absorbs
moisture from the atmosphere over the
course of time. To ensure that the brake system
continues to provide safe and reliable perfor-
mance, remember to have the brake fluid
changed at least every two years by a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center, also refer to the
Service and Warranty Information Booklet for
US models or the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.<
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service
and repair operations performed at your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnostics
The chief components that make up the emis-
sions content can be checked by a device that
uses the OBD socket.
This socket is located under a cover on the left
side of the driver's footwell, just under the
instrument cluster.

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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 mal-
function 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
108
Care
Car-care products
BMW recommends that your vehicle be
cleaned, cared for, and maintained using prod-
ucts that have been approved by BMW for this
purpose.
Regular cleaning and care makes a significant
contribution to maintaining the value of your
BMW.
Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will
be happy to advise you on products and ser-
vices for the cleaning, care, and maintenance of
your BMW.
Genuine BMW Care Products are materi-
als tested, lab tested, and field tested and
offer optimum care, maintenance, and protec-
tion for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleansers that contain alcohol
or solvents; they can damage your vehi-
cle.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances
that are dangerous or pose health risks.
For this reason, always read and comply with
the warnings and danger notices on the pack-
aging. Open the doors or windows on your vehi-
cle whenever cleaning the interior. Make sure
that there is sufficient ventilation when working
in enclosed spaces. Use only products that are
provided for cleaning vehicles.<
Exterior care
Washing your vehicle
In the winter months, it is especially
important to ensure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Heavy soiling and
road salts can result in damage to the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them. Failure to do so
may lead to a reduction in braking efficiency and
also to corrosion of the brake rotors.<
Car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes.
Before driving into the car wash, check whether
the system is suitable for your BMW. To do so,
pay attention to the following points:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to
page129
>If necessary: fold in the exterior mirrors,
refer to page33.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Deactivate rain sensor
* to prevent undes-
ired wiper operation.
>Deactivate rear window wiper and protect
from damage. Ask the operator of the car
wash about suitable protection measures
should the need arise.
>Remove additional add-on components,
e.g. spoilers or telephone antennas; other-
wise, they could be damaged.
Steam cleaners/high pressure cleaning
jets
When using steam cleaners or high pres-
sure cleaning jets, be sure to maintain a
sufficient distance and do not exceed a maxi-
mum temperature of 1407/606.
Insufficient distance or excessive pressure or
temperature can damage parts of the vehicle or
water can penetrate to the interior of the vehi-
cle. Follow the operating instructions for the
high pressure cleaning jet.<
Do not aim high pressure cleaning jets at
sensors such as those of the Park Dis-
tance Control for long periods of time and main-
tain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.<