brake fluid BMW X3 XDRIVE 30I 2009 E83 Owner's Manual

Cockpit
12
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are identified
with
+ are checked for proper function each
time you turn the ignition key. They each light
up once for different periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored sys-
tem, the corresponding lamp will either fail to go
out when the engine is started, or it will come on
again during normal driving. Detailed informa-
tion is provided on the specified pages.
Battery charge current
+119
Headlamp flasher41
High beams60
Engine oil
+103
Driving stability control systems/
ABS Antilock Brake System
+51
ABS Antilock Brake System/chassis
control system for Canadian models
Brake system
+
With handbrake released53, 105
With handbrake engaged39
With other warning lamps53
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
Brake pads
+85
Please fasten safety belts
+32
Airbags
+57
Front fog lamps61
Automatic transmission +40
Turn signals41
DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive
+ 51, 52
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
+52
Service Engine Soon
+107
Service Engine Soon warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Check Gas Cap
* +92
Engine electronics
+38
Topping off washer fluid43
Coolant low105
Flat Tire Monitor
* +54
Tire Pressure Monitor
* +55
Lamp defective59
Cruise control44
Door or liftgate open

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 parking periods, and in operat-
ing 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 assum e t h e f o r m o f a s u d d e n
blowout.<
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.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded into and/or onto the
vehicle. This combined weight may not

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

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
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.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
109
Hand washes
When washing the vehicle by hand, use ample
water and optionally Auto Shampoo. Clean the
vehicle with gentle pressure, using a sponge or
a washing brush.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or switch off the igni-
tion in order to prevent undesired wiper activa-
tion.<
Obey local regulations for washing vehi-
cles by hand.<
Headlamps
Do not rub dry and never use abrasives or
strong solvents to clean the covers.
Use shampoo or insect remover to soften
insects and then rinse with ample water.
Remove accumulated ice and snow with win-
dow deicer, not a scraper.
Windows
Use glass cleaner to clean outer and inner sur-
faces of windows and mirror glass.
Do not clean mirror glass with cleansers
that contain powdered quartz.<
Wiper blades
Clean with soapy water and replace regularly to
prevent streaking.
Wax residues and dirt on the windshield
cause streaking during wiper operation
and lead to premature wear on wiper blades and
can cause the rain sensor to malfunction.<
Caring for vehicle finish
Regular care and maintenance helps your vehi-
cle retain its value and protects its finish against
the long-term effects of finish-damaging sub-
stances.
Environmental factors that occur locally or
regionally can have a negative impact on the fin-
ish of your vehicle and may damage it. It is
therefore important to adjust the frequency and
extent of vehicle care accordingly.Immediately remove particularly corrosive sub-
stances such as spilled fuel, oil, grease, brake
fluid, tree sap, or bird droppings; otherwise,
they can damage the finish.
Repairing damages to finish
Depending on the severity of the damage,
have stone damage or scratches touched
up immediately in order to prevent rust from
forming.<
BMW recommends having paint damage pro-
fessionally repaired in accordance with factory
guidelines using Genuine BMW finish materials.
Waxing
It is time to wax the vehicle when water no
longer beads on the clean surface of the paint.
Use only products that contain carnauba wax or
synthetic waxes to protect the finish.
Rubber seals
Only treat with water or rubber cleaner.
To avoid noise or damage, do not use
care products that contain silicone when
caring for rubber seals.<
Chrome parts
Carefully clean parts such as the radiator grille,
door handles, or window frames with ample
water and added shampoo, particularly when
they have been exposed to road salts. Use
chrome polish for additional treatment.
Light-alloy wheels
By design, the system produces dust during
braking, which settles on the light-alloy wheels.
Remove it frequently with an acid-free wheel
cleaner.
Do not use corrosive, acid-containing,
strongly alkaline, or coarse cleansers or
steam cleaners hotter than 1407/606; oth-
erwise, you can damage your vehicle.<
Aluminum running boards
Superficial rust on the aluminum running
boards can be removed with a special cleanser.

Everything from A to Z
132
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System51
– indicator lamp12
Acceleration assistance
– refer to Acceleration
assistant53
– refer to DSC51
Acceleration assistant53
Accessories, refer to For your
own safety5
Accident, refer to Receiving
assistance121
Activated-charcoal filter68
Adaptive Head Light60
Adding engine oil104
Adjusting seats28
– electrically28
– mechanically28
– mechanically, Sports seat29
Airbags57
– deactivating front passenger
side35,57
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags58
– sitting safely27
– warning lamp58
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode64,68
Air conditioner63
Air distribution
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control67
Airing, refer to
Ventilation65,68
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation65,68
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure94
Air vents, refer to
Ventilation65,68Air volume64
– adjusting manually67
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications93
Alarm system25
– avoiding unintentional
alarms26
All-season tires, refer to
Special characteristics of
winter tires99
All wheel drive, refer to
xDrive52
Anchorage points78
Antifreeze
– coolant105
– washer fluid43
Antilock Brake System
ABS51
– indicator lamp12
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system25
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights130
Approved engine oils104
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights130
Armrest
– front73
– rear73
Ashtray74
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control68
Audio device, external74
Automatic
– air distribution67
– air volume67
– recirculated-air control
AUC68
Automatic climate control66
Automatic cruise control44
Automatic curb monitor33
Automatic deactivation of
front passenger airbags57Automatic headlamp
control60
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
– indicator lamp41
– interlock38
– selector lever interlock40
– shiftlock40
– towing123
– tow starting124
AUTO program67
Average fuel consumption49
– setting units48
Average speed49
– setting units48
Avoiding unintentional
alarms26
Axle weights, refer to
Weights130
B
Backrest, refer to Seats28
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support29
Backup lamps, bulb
replacement115
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit122
Bar, towing124
Battery119
– charging119
– disposal119
– indicator lamp12
– jump starting122
– power failure119
– remote control18
– warning lamp119
Belts, refer to Safety belts32
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders72

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
133
Blower, refer to
– Air volume64
– Air volume, adjusting
manually67
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance
system106
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders72
Brake assistant51
– warning lamp53
Brake fluid105
– level105
– warning lamp105
Brake force display56
Brake lamps115
– brake force display56
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb12,59
– replacing bulbs115
Brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– warning lamp85
Brake pedal, refer to Safe
braking84
Brake rotors
– brake system82
– breaking-in82
Brakes84,105
– ABS51,84
– brake fluid105
– brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– handbrake39
– indicator/warning lamp12
Brake system105
– brake fluid105
– brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– disk brakes85
– warning lamp105
Brake wear warning
– refer to Brake pads85
– warning lamp105
Breakdown service, refer to
Receiving assistance121
Breaking-in82Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs112
Buttons on steering wheel13
C
California law
– Event Data Recorders107
– Proposition 65 Warning5
Calling, refer to telephone
operation instructions
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders72
Capacities131
Capacity, cargo area130
Care
– exterior108
– interior110
Care and maintenance
– car-care products108
– carpets110
– car washes108
– CD/DVD players110
– chrome sections109
– displays110
– fine wood components110
– finish109
– hand washes109
– headlamps109
– high pressure cleaning
jets108
– leather110
– light-alloy wheels109
– plastic components110
– rubber seals109
– running boards109
– safety belts110
– sensors110
– upholstery materials/cloth
coverings110
– windows109
– wiper blades109
Cargo, securing86Cargo area22,76
– capacity130
– cover77
– emergency release, refer to
Opening manually22
– enlarging76
– floor cover78
– foldable rear backrest76
– hatch, refer to Liftgate22
– lashing eyes78
– opening from outside22
– opening with remote
control20
– power socket74
Cargo loading85
– load86
– securing cargo86
– stowing cargo
86
– vehicle85
Caring for the vehicle
finish109
Caring for your vehicle108
Car keys, refer to Key set18
Car phone, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Car phone preparation75
Car radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Car washes84,108
Cassette operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Central locking system19
– interior21
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing a wheel116
Changing gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– manual transmission40
Changing wheels98
Charge-current indicator
lamp12,119

Everything from A to Z
136 Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge46
Fuel filler cap92
Fuel filler door92
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction92
Fuel gauge46
Fuel tank contents, refer to
Filling capacities131
Full preparation package
mobile phone, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Fuses120
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control69
Gasoline
– refer to Fuel quality93
– refer to Fuel
specifications93
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge46
Gear indicator in automatic
transmission with
Steptronic40
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission40
General driving notes84
Glove compartment72
Grills, refer to
Ventilation65,68
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights130
Ground clearance87
H
Halogen lamps113
Handbrake39
– indicator lamp39
Hands-free microphone, refer
to Car phone preparation75
Hand washes109
Hazard warning flashers10
HDC Hill Descent Control52
Head airbags57Headlamp control,
automatic60
Headlamp flasher41
– indicator lamp12
Headlamps113
– replacing bulbs112
Headlamp washer reservoir
– capacity, refer to Filling
capacities131
– refer to Washer fluid43
Headlamp washer system
– headlamp washing43
– washer fluid43
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light60
Head restraints29
– sitting safely27
Heated mirrors33
Heated rear window
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control68
Heated seats31
Heated steering wheel34
Heater
– rear window64,68
– windshield washer jets43
Heating
– exterior mirror33
– seats31
– steering wheel34
Heating and ventilation63,66
Heavy cargo, refer to Cargo
loading85
Height, refer to
Dimensions129
Height adjustment
– seats28
– steering wheel34
High beams60
– headlamp flasher60
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs114
High Performance Synthetic
Oil104
High pressure cleaning
jets108
Hill-climbing ability, refer to
Driving on poor roads87Hill Descent Control HDC52
Hills85
Holder for beverages72
Hood101
Horn10
Hotel function18
Hot exhaust system84
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to Brake assistant51
Hydroplaning84
I
Icy conditions, refer to
Outside temperature
warning48
Ignition38
Ignition key18
Ignition key positions, refer to
Ignition lock38
Ignition lock38
Imprint2
Indicator/warning lamp
– airbags58
– alarm system25
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– brakes105
– coolant temperature47
– DSC52
– engine temperature47
– Flat Tire Monitor54
– fog lamps61
– front passenger airbags58
– reserve46
– safety belt warning32
– Tire Pressure Monitor55
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview12
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory18
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure94
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor54
– Tire Pressure Monitor55