2004 BMW X3 2.5I ESP

Wheels and tires
86
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð to a great extent
Ð driving safety that depend on the condi-
tion of the tires and the maintenance of the
specified tire pressure.
Check the tire inflation pressure regu-
larly and correct it if necessary,
including compact wheel: at least every
two weeks and before beginning a longer
trip. If you fail to observe this precaution
you may be driving on tires with incorrect
tire pressures, a condition that cannot only
compromise your vehicle's driving stability,
but also lead to tire damage and the risk of
an accident.
Do not drive with a depressurized, i.e. flat
tire. A flat tire will seriously impair your
vehicle's handling and braking response.
Attempts to drive on a flat tire can lead to
loss of control over the vehicle.<
Checking the pressure
Only check tire inflation pressure when the
tires are cold. That means after a maximum
of 1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the
vehicle has been parked for at least 2
hours. When tires are warm, the tire infla-
tion pressure increases.
After correcting the inflation pressure(s),
always reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
refer to page 53.
Checking inflation pressure
The inflation pressures for your standard
tires can be seen on the door pillar when
you open the driver's door.
After correcting the inflation pres-
sure(s), always reinitialize the Flat Tire
Monitor, refer to page 53.<
Inflation pressure for other tire sizes
The table below provides all the correct
inflation pressures for the specified tire
sizes at ambient temperature.
For correct identification of the right
tire inflation pressure for your tires,
observe the specifications for the corre-
sponding tire size.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
89
resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire
failure.<
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than
summer tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for treadwear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects
lodged in the tread. Check the tread pat-
tern depth.
Tire tread
The tread depth should not drop below
0.12 in/3 mm, although, for example, Euro-
pean legislation only specifies a minimum
tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread
depths below 0.12 in/3 mm, there is an
increased risk of high-speed hydroplaning,
even when only small amounts of water are
present on the road surface.
As winter tires display a noticeable loss in
their ability to cope with cold-weather driv-
ing conditions once the tread wears to
below 0.16 in/4 mm, to ensure continued safety you should always have such tires
replaced.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base,
refer to arrow, are distributed over the tire's
circumference and are marked on the tire
sidewall with TWI Ð Tread Wear Indicator.
At a tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm these
indicators, signal that the tires have
reached the legally permissible wear limit.
Tire damage
Unusual vibrations encountered dur-
ing normal vehicle operation can indi-
cate tire failure or some other vehicle
defect. This can, for example, be caused by
driving over curbs. These kinds of prob-
lems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a
strong tendency to pull to the left or right.
Should this occur, respond by immediately
reducing your speed. Proceed carefully to
the nearest BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center or professional tire center, or have
the vehicle towed in to have it, its wheels
and tires inspected.
Tire damage, extending to sudden and
complete loss of pressure in extreme
cases, can pose a potentially lethal safety
hazard for the vehicle's occupants and
other road users alike.<
Replacing wheels/tires
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled pro-
fessionals only. All BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Centers will be happy to help you

Wheels and tires
90 with specialized knowledge and corre-
sponding equipment.<
The correct wheel and tire combination
affects various systems whose function
would otherwise be impaired, e.g. ABS,
DSC or xDrive.
Have the wheel and tire assemblies bal-
anced every time either a wheel or a tire is
replaced.
BMW does not recommend the use of
retreaded tires, as otherwise driving
safety may be reduced. Possible variations
in the design and the age Ð which could be
substantial Ð of the carcasses can lead to
unusually rapid wear.<
The right 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 manufacturing tolerances mean that
even wheels and tires with identical official
size ratings could actually have different
dimensions than the approved units Ð these
differences could lead to body contact, and
with it the risk of severe accidents. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used, BMW
cannot evaluate their suitability, and there-
fore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufacturer.
After a flat tire, always remember to have
the specified wheel and tire combination
remounted on the vehicle as soon as pos-
sible.
Recommended tire brands
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire
size, classifies them as road-safe and
approves them. You can obtain a list of
these from your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center. Observe any country-specific
regulations, e.g. on making a correspond-
ing entry in the vehicle documents.
The factory-mounted tires have been spe-
cially selected to provide optimized perfor-mance when installed on your vehicle; if
properly cared for, they will provide a com-
bination of safety and excellent ride com-
fort.
Special characteristics of winter
tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in
cold winter driving conditions. Although all-
season M+S tires provide better winter
traction than summer tires, they generally
fail to provide the same levels of cold-
weather performance as winter tires.
When switching to winter tires, observe the
descriptions at Tire condition and Replac-
ing wheels/tires, refer to page 89.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for
which the winter tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to ser-
vice tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents. Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. The technicians at your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be
glad to assist you with the required profes-
sional knowledge and specialized equip-
ment.<
Storage
Store wheels or tires in a cool, dry place,
protecting them against light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against contact
with oil, grease and fuel.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation
pressure specified on the side of the tire.
Snow chains*
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
30 mph/50 km/h with snow chains
mounted.<
Only certain snow chains have been tested
by BMW and classified and approved as
safe. You can obtain a list of these from
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
BMW recommends the use of approved
narrow-link snow chains only. These snow
chains are approved exclusively for use on

Under the engine hood
96
Checking coolant level and topping
up coolant
Check the coolant level with the engine
cold, approx. 687/206:
1.Turn the cap of the expansion tank
counterclockwise to allow any accumu-
lated pressure to escape, then continue
turning to open
2.The coolant level is correct if the upper
end of the red float bar is at least at the
same height as the top edge of the filler
neck, refer to arrow. The bar end may
only protrude by a maximum of i in/
2 cm, i.e. up to the second mark on the
float bar, refer also to sketch beside the
filler neck
3.If necessary, add coolant. Slowly add
coolant until the correct level is reached
Ð do not overfill.
Always observe all applicable rules
and regulations for environmental
protection when disposing of used anti-
freeze and anticorrosion agents.<
Brake system
Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up red
despite the handbrake being
released: stop immediately.
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. Contact the nearest
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.During continued driving increased
brake pedal pressure may be neces-
sary, and considerably longer braking dis-
tances may result. Please adapt your driv-
ing style accordingly.<
Warning lamp for Canadian models.
Brake pads
The indicator lamp comes on.
The brake pads have reached their
minimum pad thickness. See your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center imme-
diately to have the pads replaced.
For your own safety: use only brake
pads that BMW has released for your
particular vehicle model. As BMW cannot
assess the suitability of other brake pads
for use on your vehicle, we are unable to
assume continued responsibility for the
vehicle's operating safety if non-approved
pads are installed.<
For additional information on the brake sys-
tem, refer to page 77.

Laws and regulations
98
Laws and regulations
California Proposition 65
Warning
California laws require us to state the fol-
lowing warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of
automobile components and parts,
including components found in the interior
furnishings in a vehicle, contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects and
reproductive harm. In addition, certain flu-
ids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Battery posts, terminals
and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds. Wash your hands after
handling. Used engine oil contains chemi-
cals that have caused cancer in laboratory
animals. Always protect your skin by wash-
ing thoroughly with soap and water.<
OBD connector
The interface socket for the Onboard Diag-
nostic is located on the left of the driver's
side at the bottom of the instrument cluster
and under a cover. The cover has the let-
ters OBD on it.
The most important components for the
composition of the emissions can be
checked by a device across this interface. If the Service Engine Soon indicator
lamp comes on either continuously
or intermittently, this indicates a
fault in the emissions-related electronic
systems. Although the vehicle remains
operational, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center at the earliest possible
opportunity.
The illuminated indicator lamp informs you
of the need for service, not that you need to
stop the vehicle. However, the systems
should be checked by your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center at the next opportu-
nity.
If the indicator lamp blinks or flashes, this
indicates a high level of engine misfire.
Reduce speed and contact the nearest
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center imme-
diately. Severe engine misfiring over even a
short period of time can seriously damage
emission control system components,
especially the catalytic converter.
Service Engine Soon indicator lamp
for Canadian models.
If the fuel filler cap is not on tight
enough, the OBD system can detect
leaking vapor and the indicator lamp will
light up. If the fuel filler cap is then tight-
ened, the indicator lamp will usually go out
after a short period of time.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
121
Coolant 95
Ð indicator lamp 95
Ð level 96
Ð temperature gauge 45
Coolant temperature
gauge 45
Cooling, refer to
Temperature 61
Copyright 2
Cruise control
Ð buttons in steering
wheel 14
Ð indicator lamp 43
Cruise control, refer to
Ð Programmable cruise
control 43
Cruising range 48
Cup holder, refer to
Beverage holders 67
Curb weight 116
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data 114
D
Dashboard system, refer to
Cockpit 10
Data, technical
Ð dimensions 115
Ð engine 114
Ð filling capacities 117
Ð weights 116
Daytime driving lamp 57
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control 50
Ð indicator lamp 50
Decommissioning the
vehicle, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure 97
Defect, refer to Manual
operation
Defects 7
Defrosting, windows 61
Ð air conditioner 62
Ð automatic climate
control 64
Ð rear window
defroster 61, 65Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
Ð air conditioner 62
Ð automatic climate
control 64
Defrosting windshield, refer
to Defrosting
windows 62, 64
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting
windows 62, 64
Digital clock 46
Dimensions 115
Dipstick, engine oil 94
Directional indicators, refer
to Turn signal
indicators 41
Discs brakes 76, 77
Displacement, refer to
Engine data 114
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 58
Displays, refer to
Instrument
cluster 11
Disposal
Ð batteries 106
Ð oil 95
Doors
Ð locking and unlocking 20
Ð manual operation 20
DOT Quality Grades 88
Draft-free ventilation 61, 65
Drawbar support load 116
Driving lamps, refer to
Parking lamps/low
beams 57
Driving notes 76
Driving on bad roads 80
Driving stability control
systems 50
Driving through water 80
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 50
Ð indicator lamp 51
E
Electrical malfunction
Ð door lock 20
Ð doors 20
Ð driver's door 20
Ð fuel filler door 84
Ð panorama glass roof 24
Ð tailgate 21
Electric power windows 22
Electronic Stability
Program ESP, refer to
Dynamic Stability
Control 50
Emergency actuation, refer
to Manual operation
Emergency call 107
Engine
Ð breaking in 76
Ð data 114
Ð indicator lamp 37
Ð malfunction in electronic
circuitry 38
Ð speed 45
Engine compartment 93
Engine coolant 95
Engine hood 92
Engine oil 95
Ð indicator/warning
lamp 94
Ð prescribed oils 95
Engine oil grades 95
Engine oil level 94
Ð indicator/warning
lamp 94
Engine oil pressure 94
Ð indicator/warning
lamp 94
Engine oil sensor 94
Ð indicator/warning
lamp 94
Engine output, refer to
Engine data 114
Engine temperature, refer
to Coolant
temperature 45
Equipment range, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for

Everything from A to Z
122 US models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control 50
Exhaust system, refer to
High temperatures 76
Exterior mirror
Ð automatic dimming
feature 32
Exterior mirrors 31
F
Fan, refer to Air
supply 61, 64
Filling the windshield
washer reservoir 94
Filter
Ð refer to Microfilter 62
Ð refer to Microfilter/
Activated charcoal
filter 65
First-aid kit 108
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing 109
Flat tire 103
Ð compact wheel 103
Ð Flat Tire Monitor 53
Flat Tire Monitor 53
Ð indicator lamp 53
Flooding, refer to Driving on
bad roads 80
Floor cover 72
Fluid level
Ð indicator lamp 94
Fog lamps 58
Ð replacing bulbs 102
Folding rear seat back 71
Folding rear seat
backrest 71
Footbrake, refer to Brake
system 77, 96
Footbrake, refer to General
driving notes 77, 96
Front/rear reading
lamps 58
Front airbags 54
Front center armrest 68Front seat adjustment 27
Fuel 85
Ð average
fuel consumption 48
Ð capacity 117
Ð gauge 45
Ð quality 85
Ð volume 48
Fuel capacity 117
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge 45
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge 45
Fuel filler cap 84
Fuel filler door 84
Ð releasing in the event of
electrical defect 84
Fuses 106
G
Garage-door opener, refer
to Integrated universal
remote control 66
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality 85
Gasoline consumption,
refer to Average fuel
consumption 48
Gasoline display, refer to
Fuel gauge 45
Gear changes, refer to
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 40
Gear display 41
Gear lever
Ð automatic transmission
with Steptronic 39
Ð manual transmission 39
General driving notes 76
Glove compartment 68
Grills, refer to
Ventilation 61, 65
Ground clearance 80
H
Halogen lamps 100
Handbrake
Ð indicator lamp 38Hands-free microphone,
refer to Car phone
preparation 70
Hands-free system 70
Hazard warning flashers 10
HDC Hill Descent
Control 51
Headlamp control,
automatic 57
Headlamp flasher 41
Ð indicator lamp 41
Headlamps 100
Ð bulb replacement 99
Headlamps, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Headlamp washer
reservoir 94
Headlamp washer
system 94
Ð cleaning headlamps 42
Ð tank capacity, refer to
Filling capacities 117
Ð washer fluid 94
Head restraints 28
Heated mirrors 32
Heated rear window
Ð air conditioner 61
Ð automatic climate
control 65
Heated seats 30
Heated steering wheel 31
Heated windshield,
automatic climate
control 64
Heating
Ð exterior mirror 32
Ð rear window 61, 65
Ð seats 30
Ð steering wheel 31
Heating and
ventilation 60, 63
Heavy cargo, refer to Cargo
loading 78
Height, refer to
Dimensions 115
Height adjustment
Ð seats 28
Ð steering wheel 31