oil change BMW X3 XDRIVE 30I 2009 E83 Owner's Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
47
Coolant temperature gauge
Blue
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate
engine and vehicle speeds.
Between blue and red fields
Normal operating range. It is permissible for the
dial to drift up to the red field.
Red
Comes on while driving:
The engine is overheated. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to page105.
When you switch on the ignition, the warning
lamp1 comes on briefly to confirm that the sys-
tem is operational.
Service Interval Display
Remaining distance until next service
due
The displays shown in the illustration appear for
a few seconds once the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1 or after starting the engine.Together with the message OIL SERVICE or
INSPECTION, the next scheduled service and
remaining distance to this service are dis-
played.
The remaining distance is determined on the
basis of the past driving style.
A flashing display and a – sign before the
numerical value mean that the service interval
has been passed by the displayed number of
miles/kilometers. Please make an appointment
with your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Clock
If you wish to have a continuous clock display,
you can also set the car radio display to show
the time, refer to Owner's Manual for Radio.
You can set the clock or the time that appears in
the car radio display as follows.
Setting time
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher:
Hours
1.Hold button2 pressed for a few seconds
until the hours are displayed and the colon
flashes.
2.Press button1 repeatedly until the desired
hour is set.
Minutes
3.Press button2 to change to the minutes
display.
4.Press button1 repeatedly until the desired
minutes are set.
5.Press button2 to confirm the time.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
57
Airbags
The following airbags are located beneath the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags
3Side airbags in front and rear
*
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimum protection,
please follow the instructions on page27.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag cushions the side upper body area. The
respective head airbag cushions the head.
The airbags are intentionally not triggered in
every collision situation, e.g. they are not trig-
gered not in less serious accidents, or rear-end
collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way.
Keep the instrument cluster and the windshield
in the region of the passenger free of foreign
objects, i.e. do not cover them with adhesive foil
or coatings, and do not use these areas to
mount brackets, e.g. for a navigation device or
mobile phone.
Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention
system from the vehicle. Do not modify the indi-
vidual components of the system or its wiring in
any way. This includes the padded covers in the center of the steering wheel, on the instrument
cluster, the doors, and the roof pillars as well as
the sides of the headliner. Do not attempt to
remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components
directly after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel and
that has the required explosives licenses. Oth-
erwise, unprofessional attempts to service the
system could lead to failure in an emergency or
undesired airbag activation, either of which
could result in personal injury.<
Airbag warnings and information are also pro-
vided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front
passenger airbags
By evaluating the pressure on the seat cushion
of the front passenger seat, the system detects
whether or not the seat is occupied. Depending
on the detection result, the system correspond-
ingly activates or deactivates the front and side
airbags for the passenger.
The indicator lamp located above the
inside rearview mirror indicates whether
the front passenger airbag system is currently
deactivated or activated, refer to Status of pas-
senger airbags in the section below.<
Before transporting a child in the front
passenger seat, read the safety notices
and follow the safety instructions under Trans-
porting children safely on page35.
When teenagers or adults assume certain sit-
ting positions, the front and side airbags on the
passenger side can deactivate; this causes the
indicator lamp for the front passenger airbag to
light up. If this happens, have them change their
sitting position so that the passenger airbag is
activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the
desired status cannot be achieved by changing
their sitting position, then have the person ride

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.

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
135
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 sunroof25
Electronic brake-force
distribution51
Electronic Stability Program,
refer to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control51
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– doors21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door92
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Emergency request121
Emergency Service, refer to
Receiving assistance121Engine
– breaking-in82
– data128
– indicator lamps38
– overheated, refer to Coolant
thermometer47
– speed46
– starting38
– switching off39
Engine compartment102
Engine coolant105
Engine coolant
temperature47
Engine oil103
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils104
– approved engine oils104
– electronic oil level
control103
– indicator/warning lamp103
– possible displays103
– required oil grades104
– specifications, also refer to
Approved engine oils104
Engine oil grades104
Engine oil level, indicator/
warning lamp103
Engine oil pressure103
– indicator/warning lamp103
Engine output, refer to Engine
data128
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 system
84
Exterior mirrors33
– automatically dimming34
External audio device74
Eye, tow starting and
towing123
F
Failure of electrical
accessories120
False alarms, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms26
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts32
Filter, refer to
– Microfilter65
– Microfilter/activated
charcoal filter68
First-aid kit122
Flat tire116
– compact wheel117
– Flat Tire Monitor54
– refer to Tire inflation
pressure94
– refer to Wheel changes116
– Tire Pressure Monitor55
Flat Tire Monitor54
– indicator lamp54
– initializing system54
– snow chains100
– 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
Front fog lamps61
– replacing bulbs115
Front passenger airbags
– automatic deactivation57
– status58
Fuel93
– average consumption49
– capacity131
– gauge46
– quality93
– refer to Average fuel
consumption49
– saving83

Everything from A to Z
138 Maximum speed, with winter
tires99
Mechanical seats28
Memory, refer to
– Seat and mirror memory31
– Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Microfilter
– air conditioner65
– automatic climate control68
Microphone, refer to Car
phone preparation75
Microphone for telephone75
Mirrors33
– automatic curb monitor33
– mirror heating33
– mirror memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory31
Mobile phone, refer to
separate operating
instructions
Monitoring tire pressure
– refer to Flat Tire Monitor54
– refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor55
Multi-function steering wheel,
refer to Buttons on steering
wheel13
Multifunction switch
– turn signals/headlamp
flasher41
– washer/wiper system42
N
Navigation system, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints29
Nets73
New keys18
Nonsmoker's equipment
package74
Nozzles, refer to
Ventilation65,68
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
starting and towing123
O
OBD socket106
Octane rating, refer to Fuel
quality93
Odometer46
Oil
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils104
– approved engine oils104
– level103
– refilling, refer to Adding
engine oil104
Oil change interval, refer to
Service Interval Display47
Oil grades104
Oil level103
– warning lamp103
Oil pressure103
– warning lamp103
OIL SERVICE47
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal119
Onboard computer, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Onboard Diagnostics OBD
interface socket106
Onboard tool kit112
Opening and closing
– from inside21
– using the door lock21
– with the remote control19
Output, refer to Engine
data128
Outside air
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control68
Outside temperature display
– changing unit of measure48
– on computer48
Overheating of engine, refer to
Coolant thermometer47
P
Package tray, refer to Cargo
area cover77
Panic mode20Panorama glass sunroof23
– closing after electrical
malfunction25
– convenience operation21
– initializing24
– power failure24
– remote control19
Park Distance Control PDC50
Parking aid, refer to PDC Park
Distance Control50
Parking assistant, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control50
Parking brake, refer to
Handbrake39
Parking lamps59
Parking lamps/low beams59
Partition net78
Parts and accessories, refer to
For your own safety5
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function33
Pathway lighting59
PDC Park Distance Control50
Pinch protection system23
– power windows23
Pollen, refer to
– Microfilter65
– Microfilter/activated
charcoal filter68
Power failure
– battery119
– panorama glass sunroof24
– windows23
Power seat adjustment28
Power socket
– in cargo area74
– refer to Cigarette lighter
socket74
Power windows22
– initializing23
– safety switch23
Pressure, tires94
Pressure monitoring,
tires54,55
Programming settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Puncture, Flat Tire Monitor54

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
139
R
Radiator, refer to Coolant105
Radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Radio-control key, refer to
Master key with remote
control18
Radio navigation, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Rain sensor42
Range, setting units48
Reading lamps
– front61
– rear62
Rear armrest, refer to Armrest,
rear73
Rear backrests, folding76
Rear lamps
– refer to Tail lamps115
– replacing bulbs115
Rear lamps and reflector, refer
to Tail lamps115
Rear seat back, folding76
Rearview mirrors, exterior33
Rear window defroster
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control68
Rear window safety switch23
Rear window wiper43
– wiper blade
replacement112
Recirculated-air mode
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control68
Refueling92
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range49
Remaining distance until
service47
Remote control19
– garage-door opener69
– liftgate20
– malfunction20
Removing condensation,
windows
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control67Replacement fuses120
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs112
Replacing tires
– new wheels and tires98
– wheel changes116
Replacing windshield
wipers112
Reporting an accident, refer to
Initiating an emergency
request121
Reporting safety defects7
Required oil grades, refer to
Approved engine oils104
Reserve indicator lamp, refer
to Fuel gauge46
Restraint systems
– for children35
– refer to Safety belts32
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– manual transmission40
Roadside Assistance, refer to
Receiving assistance121
Roadside parking lamps60
Roller cover for cargo area,
refer to Cargo area cover77
Roll-up cover, refer to Cargo
area cover77
Roof load capacity, refer to
Weights130
Roof-mounted luggage
rack87
Rope, refer to Tow starting
and towing123
Rotating coin holder, refer to
Storage compartments73
Run-flat indicator, refer to Flat
Tire Monitor54
S
Safety belts32
– safe sitting position27
– warning lamp32
Safety belt tensioners, refer to
Safety belts32
Safety defects7Safety feature, window23
Safety systems, refer to
– ABS Antilock Brake
System51
– Airbags57
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control51
– xDrive52
Screw thread for tow
fitting123
Seat heating31
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory31
Seats
– adjusting electrically28
– adjusting sports seat29
– heating31
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory31
– sitting safely27
– storing the setting31
Securing, vehicle, with the
remote control19
Securing cargo, refer to Cargo
loading85
Selector lever
– automatic transmission40
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
Selector lever interlock, refer
to Shiftlock40
Selector-lever positions,
automatic transmission40
Service, refer to Receiving
assistance121
Service and warranty6
Service Engine Soon38,107
Service Interval
Display47,106
Setting interior
temperature64,67
Shifting gears in automatic
transmission with
Steptronic41
Shiftlock40
Side airbags57
Side tilt, permissible87
Side turn signals, bulb
replacement115