2004 BMW X3 2.5I Windshield

Adjustments
32 To prevent the exterior mirrors on this
vehicle from being damaged, always
fold them in by hand before entering an
automatic car wash.<
Adjusting manually
You can also adjust the mirrors manually:
Press the edges of the mirror glass.
Storing the mirror positions, refer to Seat
and mirror memory on page 29.
Convex mirror
The mirror on the passenger's side
features a lens with a more convex
surface than the mirror installed on the
driver's side. When estimating the distance
between yourself and other traffic, bear in
mind that the objects reflected in the mirror
are closer than they appear. This means
that estimations of the distance to following
traffic should not be regarded as precise.<
Electric heaters
Both mirrors are heated automatically in
ignition key position 2.
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt
function
Automatic curb monitor*
1.Select the driver's exterior mirror with
the switch 1
2.When you engage reverse gear or
selector-lever position R, the exterior
mirror on the front passenger side tilts
downward slightly. This allows the
driver to see the area immediately adja-
cent to the vehicle Ð such as a curb Ð
when parking, etc.You can have the angle of downward
tilt set in dependence on the key
used.<
Interior rearview mirror
To reduce the dazzle effect of following
vehicles at night, turn the knob.
Interior and exterior mirrors,
automatic dimming feature*
These mirrors automatically dim through an
infinitely-variable range. They automatically
revert to their undimmed mode whenever
the transmission is placed in reverse gear
or selector lever in position R.
For trouble-free operation, keep the
photocells unobstructed and clean
and do not cover the area between the
interior rearview mirror and the windshield.
Do not attach any kind of stickers on the
windshield in front of the mirror, either.<

Driving
42 5Serrated dial for adjustment of the wipe
interval or the sensitivity of the rain sen-
sor
Retracted position
The right wiper is partially concealed by the
hood.
To move the wipers into a vertical position:
1.Switch on wipers in lever position 1
2.When the wipers are approximately
vertical, move the ignition key to
position 0.
For changing the wiper blades, refer to
page 99.
Fold the wipers back down onto the
windshield before you turn the igni-
tion key to position 1 or 2 again. If you do
not, they could be damaged.<
Intermittent mode
Not on vehicles with rain sensor.
You can set the wipe interval to four stages
with the serrated dial 5.
In addition, the wipe interval is varied auto-
matically depending on road speed.
Rain sensor*
The rain sensor is positioned on the wind-
shield, directly in front of the interior rear-
view mirror.
Deactivate the rain sensor when
passing through an automatic car
wash. Failure to do so could result in dam-
age caused by undesired wiper activa-
tion.<
Activating
>Move the lever to position 1 with the
ignition key in position 1 or higher. The
wipers travel once across the wind-
shield, regardless of the weather condi-
tions.
You can leave the lever permanently in
position 1 and then only need to activate
the rain sensor as of ignition key position 1.
To do so:
>Briefly turn the serrated dial 5 or>Cleaning windshield 1, refer to next
section.
Adjust sensitivity: turn the serrated dial 5.
Deactivating
>Move lever to position 0.
Normal wipe
The system switches automatically to inter-
mittent mode when the vehicle is not mov-
ing, not on vehicles with rain sensor.
Fast wipe
The wipers operate at normal speed when
the vehicle is not moving, not on vehicles
with rain sensor.
Cleaning windshield, rear window
and headlamps*
0Wipers retracted
1To clean windshield and headlamps
2Rear window wiper intermittent mode
3Clean the rear window
Do not use the washers if there is any
danger that the fluid will freeze on the
windshield. If you do so, your vision could
be obscured. To avoid freezing, use a
washer fluid antifreeze, refer to page 94.
Do not use the washers when the reservoir
is empty. This could cause damage to the
washer pump.<
Cleaning the windshield
The system sprays washer fluid against the
windshield and activates the wipers for a
brief period.
The windshield washer nozzles are auto-

A congenial climate
60
A congenial climate
Air conditioner
1Airflow directed toward the windshield
and side windows
2Airflow for the upper body61
3Front footwell ventilation61
4Air supply/blower615Outside air/recirculated-air mode61
6Temperature61
7Air distribution61
8Rear window defroster61
9Air conditioner61

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
61
Air supply/blower
You can select blower speeds 1
to 4. The heating and ventilation
become more and more effec-
tive as the air supply settings
are increased. In position 0, the
blower and heater are switched off. The air
supply is blocked in position 0.
Temperature
To increase the temperature of
the interior, turn to the right.
Air distribution
You can direct air to flow onto
the windows , toward the
upper body and into the
footwell . All intermediate
settings are possible. In the
setting, there is a low flow of air onto the
windows to keep them free of condensa-
tion.
Rear window defroster
When the rear window
defroster is activated,
the indicator lamp comes on.
The rear window defroster switches off
automatically.
You can have your vehicle pro-
grammed in such a way that the rear
window defroster switches on automati-
cally. It is then switched on at outside tem-
peratures of less than approx. +46/397
within 5 minutes of the engine start.<
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and Ñ depending on the
temperature setting Ñ warmed
again. Depending on the weather, the
windshield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started. You can reduce conden-
sation forming on the windows by switch-
ing on the air conditioning.
During air conditioning condensation
forms, which then exits under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water of this
kind are thus normal.<
Outside air/recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant
odors outside the vehicle by
temporarily switching off the
outside air supply. The system then recir-
culates the air currently within the vehicle.
If condensation starts to form on the
inside window surfaces during opera-
tion in the recirculated-air mode, you
should switch it off while also increasing air
supply as required. The recirculated-air
mode should not be used over a sustained
longer period of time, as the air quality
inside the vehicle deteriorates.<
Ventilation
The air vents for the upper body area can
be adjusted:
1Serrated dials 1 for steplessly opening
and closing the air vents
2Selector levers for airflow direction
3Use the serrated dial 3 to adjust the
amount of cool air that is added to the
airflow emerging from the vent outlets
for the upper body
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vents to direct the flow of cool
air in your direction, for instance, if the inte-
rior has become too warm, etc.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the vent outlets so that the air flows
past you and is not directed straight at you.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
63
Automatic climate control*
1Airflow directed toward the windshield
and side windows
2Airflow for the upper body65
3Air to footwell65
4Individual air distribution64
5Temperature64
6Display for temperature 64
and air supply64
7Air supply/blower 648Defrosting windshield and windows
and removing condensation 64
9Rear window defroster 65
10Air conditioner 64
11Outside air/AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control/Recirculated-air
mode 64
12Automatic air distribution and
supply 64

A congenial climate
64
A congenial climate
Use the automatic facility by operating the
AUTO button 12. Select an interior tem-
perature that is comfortable for you.
Detailed setting options are described for
you in the following section.
Your vehicle has been designed to
automatically select your personal cli-
mate-control settings whenever you unlock
the doors using your individually pro-
grammed remote control.<
If you want, you can have this function
deactivated.<
Automatic air distribution and supply
The AUTO program adjusts the
airflow and distribution patterns
for you while also using your
preselected temperature setting as the
basis for adjusting the interior climate to
adapt to external influences Ð summer, win-
ter.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO pro-
gram by selecting specific air
distribution patterns for your
personal comfort, the auto-
matic air supply remains in
operation. You can direct air to
flow onto the windows , toward the
upper body , and into the footwell .
You can reactivate the automatic air distri-
bution mode by selecting the AUTO button.
Temperature
The figures in the display pro-
vide a general indication of inte-
rior temperature. When you
start the vehicle, this system
ensures that the selected tem-
perature is achieved as quickly
as possible. It then maintains this tempera-
ture, regardless of the season.
Air supply/blower
You can vary the air supply by
pressing the upper or lower
button. This switches off the
automatic program for the air
supply, and the word AUTO
goes out in the display. The automatic
mode for air distribution remains in opera-
tion as before. You can reactivate the auto-
matic air supply mode by selecting the
AUTO button.
If you press the lower button when at the
lowest blower speed, all displays go out:
the blower, heating and air conditioner are
switched off. The outside air supply is
closed. You can restart the automatic cli-
mate control by pressing any of its buttons.
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation
This program quickly removes
ice and condensation from the
windshield and door windows.
Air conditioner
The air is cooled and dehumid-
ified and Ñ depending on the
temperature setting Ñ warmed
again. Depending on the weather, the
windshield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started. The window mist is
reduced during A/C operation.
The air conditioner comes on automatically
when you select the AUTO program.
During air conditioning condensation
forms, which then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water of this
kind are thus normal.<
Outside air/AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control/
Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant
odors or pollutants in the imme-
diate environment by tempo-
rarily suspending the supply of outside air.
The system then recirculates the air cur-
rently within the vehicle. Press the button

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
93
Engine compartment
1Reservoir for windshield and headlamp
washer system94
2Body ground Ð negative terminal108
3Auxiliary terminal for jump-starting108
4Engine oil filler neck95 5Brake fluid reservoir96
6Dipstick for engine oil94
7Coolant expansion tank96

Under the engine hood
94
Washer fluid
Windshield and headlamp washer
system
Antifreeze agent for the washer sys-
tems is inflammable. For this reason,
keep it away from sources of flame and
store it only in its original containers. Store
it so that it is inaccessible to children.
Always observe the instructions for use
provided on the containers.<
We recommend that you mix the
washer ßuid before adding it to the
reservoir.<
Capacity:
approx. 6.9 US quarts/6.5 liters.
Fill with water and, if required, with an anti-
freeze additive according to manufac-
turer's recommendations.
Engine oil
Indicator lamp
Engine oil pressure
The indicator lamp lights up red:
Stop the vehicle immediately and
switch off the engine. Check the
engine oil level; top up as required. If the oil
level is correct: contact the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Do not continue driving. The engine
could be damaged because of inade-
quate lubrication.<
Engine oil level
The indicator lamp lights up yellow
while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute mini-
mum. Add engine oil as soon as possible.
Until then, do not drive more than
approx. 30 miles/50 km.
The indicator lamp lights up yellow
after the engine is switched off:
Top up engine oil at the earliest
opportunity Ð when refueling.
Engine oil sensor
The indicator lamp lights up yellow
within 20 seconds after starting the
engine:
The oil level sensor is defective. Please
have it checked by a BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center.
Checking oil level
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface
2.Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating temperature
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean lint-
free cloth, paper towel, or similar mate-
rial
4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out again
5.The oil should extend to between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As is the case with fuel economy, the rate
at which the engine uses oil is strongly
influenced by driving style and operating
conditions.
The oil quantity between the two marks of
the dipstick is approx. 1.1 US quarts/1 liter.