2004 BMW X3 2.5I Wiper sensor

Cockpit

10

Cockpit
Controls

1

Parking lamps/low beams57

2

>

Turn signal indicators41

>

Standing lamps58

>

High beams58

>

Headlamp flasher41

>

Computer47

3

Fog lamps58

4

Horn

5

Washer/Wiper system/Rain sensor41

6

Hazard warning flashers

7

Central locking system18

8

Unlocking the engine hood92

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
41
appear briefly in the instrument cluster fol-
lowed by the current gear.
To obtain maximum acceleration, for
passing maneuvers, etc., during
operation in the manual mode, use the
kickdown or downshift manually.<
Shifting from M/S to the selector-lever
positions P, R and N is only possible by
going through D.
Possible displays
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
Malfunctions
If the indicator lamp lights up, there
is a function fault in the transmis-
sion system.
While it will remain still possible to move
the selector lever to any desired position,
the transmission will revert to operation in
its default mode with only a limited number
of forward gears.
Avoid high loads and drive to the nearest
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Never work in the engine compart-
ment with any of the forward or
reverse gears engaged, as the vehicle
could start to move.<
Information on jump-starting and towing
starts on page 108.
Turn signal indicators/
headlamp flasher
1High beams Ð blue indicator lamp
2Headlamp flasher Ð blue indicator lamp
3Turn signal indicators Ð green indicator
accompanied by periodic clicking
sound from the relay
If the flashing indicator lamp and the
clicking from the relay are both faster
than normal, this indicates that one of the
turn signal indicator bulbs is defective.<
Signaling briefly
Press the lever up to but not beyond the
resistance point. It then returns to the cen-
ter position when released.
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*
0Wipers retracted
1Intermittent or rain sensor operation
2Normal wipe
3Fast wipe
4Brief wipe

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-

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
77
to a fire, and with it the risk of serious prop-
erty damage as well as personal injury.<
Parking the vehicle
Condensation forms in the air conditioner
system during operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed
water under the vehicle are thus normal.
Before driving into the car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to
page 31, as otherwise they could be dam-
aged due to the width of the vehicle.
Deactivate the rain sensor as otherwise
damage could result from undesired wiper
activation, refer to page 42.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water can form between tires and
road surface. This phenomenon is referred
to as hydroplaning, and is characterized by
a partial or complete loss of contact
between tires and road surface, ultimately
undermining your ability to steer and brake
the vehicle.<
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 20 in/50 cm,
and then only at walking speed. Otherwise,
the vehicle's engine, the electrical systems
and the transmission may be damaged.<
Safe braking
Emergency stops
The best way to brake is to apply maximum
pressure to the brake pedal during emer-
gency Ð panic stops. Since the vehicle
maintains steering responsiveness, you
can nevertheless avoid possible obstacles
with a minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits indicates
to the driver that ABS is in its active mode. Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Otherwise, even light
but consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possi-
bly even brake failure.<
Wet conditions
While driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is a good idea to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles. Watch traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat which is gener-
ated by the brake applications helps to dry
the brake pads and rotors. The required
braking force will then be available when
you need it.
On a grade
You can retain full and unimpaired braking
efficiency by downshifting to a gear in
which only minimal brake applications are
needed when descending long or steep
downhill stretches.
You can further enhance the engine's brak-
ing effect by selecting a lower gear in the
automatic transmission's manual mode,
downshifting as far as first gear on
extremely steep stretches, refer to
page 38. This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem.
During slower downhill driving, use the Hill
Descent Control HDC, refer to page 51.
Never drive with the clutch pressed,
with the transmission in Neutral or
with the engine switched off, as otherwise
there is no engine braking when the trans-
mission is in Neutral, and no power-assist
for brakes and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
accelerator and brake pedals and obstruct
their movement.<
Corrosion
When the vehicle is driven only occasion-
ally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
123
High beams
Ð bulb replacement 100
Ð headlamp flasher 58
Ð indicator lamp 12
High Performance
Synthetic Oil 95
Hill-climbing ability, refer to
Driving on bad roads 80
Hill descent assistance,
refer to HDC 51
Hill Descent Control
HDC 51
Hills 77
Holder for beverage
cans 67
Horn 10
Hydraulic Brake Assistant,
refer to DBC 50
Hydroplaning 77
I
Ice warning 47
Ignition 37
Ignition key 18
Ignition lock 37
Imprint 2
Indicator/warning lamp
Ð airbags 55
Ð alarm system 25
Ð brake system 96
Ð DSC 51
Ð Flat Tire Monitor 53
Ð fog lamps 58
Ð reserve 45
Ð safety belt warning 30
Indicator/warning lamps 12
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 33
Inflation pressure, tires 86
Inflation pressure
monitoring, refer to Flat
Tire Monitor 53
Instrument cluster 10, 11
Instrument illumination 58
Instrument lighting 58
Integrated universal remote
control 66
Interior lamps 58Interior mirror
Ð automatic dimming
feature 32
Interior motion
sensor 22, 25
Ð switching off 19
Interior rearview mirror 32
Interlock, refer to Ignition
lock 37
Intermittent
Ð operation, wipers 41
J
Jacking points 104
Jumping, refer to Jump-
starting 108
Jump-starting 108
K
Key Memory 33
Keys 18
Kickdown 40
L
Lamps and bulbs 99
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing the load 79
Leather care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
LEDs light-emitting
diodes 103
License plate lamp
Ð bulb replacement 102
Lifting handle, compact
wheel 104
Light-alloy wheels, care,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs 103
Lighter 69
Lighter socket 69
Lighting of instruments 58
Lighting of the instruments,
refer to Instrument
lighting 58Lights, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams 57
Lights on warning 57
Load, refer to Loading 78
Loading
Ð securing the load 79
Ð stowing cargo 79
Ð vehicle 78
Loading area
Ð lid, refer to Tailgate 21
Load securing devices 79
Locking
Ð from inside 20
Ð from outside 18
Locking and unlocking
doors
Ð from inside 20
Ð from outside 18
Longlife oils
Ð approved oils 95
Low beams 57
Ð automatic 57
Ð bulb replacement 100
Ð indicator lamp 57
Low-fuel warning light,
refer to Fuel gauge 45
Lug bolts 104
Luggage compartment,
refer to Cargo area
Luggage rack, refer to
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 79
Lumbar support 29
M
Maintenance 97
Maintenance system,
BMW 97
Malfunction in automatic
transmission system 41
Manual operation
Ð doors 20
Ð driver's door 20
Ð fuel filler door 84
Ð glass roof 24
Ð panorama glass roof 24
Ð tailgate 21
Manual transmission 39
Master keys with remote
control 18

Everything from A to Z
124 Maximum axle loads 116
Maximum roof weight 116
MD operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard computer
Mechanical seats 28
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory 29
Memory, refer to Vehicle
Memory, Key Memory 33
Microfilter
Ð air conditioner 62
Ð automatic climate
control 65
Microphone, refer to Car
phone preparation 70
Microphone for
telephone 70
Mileage, refer to Engine
data 114
Mini-Disc operation, refer
to Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard computer
Mirror
Ð automatic curb
monitor 32
Ð mirror heating 32
Ð mirror memory, refer to
Seat and mirror
memory 29
Mirror dimming feature 32
Mirrors 31
Mobile Service, refer to
Roadside Assistance 107
Modifications, technical 6
Multifunction switch
Ð turn signal indicators/
headlamp flasher 41
Ð washer/wiper system 41
N
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints 28
Next Service
indicator 46, 97
Nozzles, refer to
Ventilation 61, 65
Nylon rope 109
O
OBD connector 98
Octane number, refer to
Fuel quality 85
Odometer 45
Oil
Ð approved engine oils 95
Ð dipstick 94
Oil change interval, refer to
Next Service indicator 97
Oil change interval, refer to
Service Manual
Oil consumption 94
Oil grades 95
Oil level 94
Oil pressure 94
Oil sensor
Ð indicator lamp 94
OILSERVICE 46, 97
Onboard Diagnostic OBD
interface socket 98
Onboard tool kit 99
Opening and closing 18
Ð from inside 20
Ð from outside 18
Ð using the door lock 20
Ð using the remote
control 18
Operating on bad roads 80
Output, refer to Engine
data 114
Outside air 61
Ð air conditioner 61
Ð automatic climate
control 64
Outside temperature
display
Ð changing unit of
measure 47
Ð in computer 47
Overview indicator/warning
lamps 12
P
Package tray, refer to
Cargo area 71Panorama glass roof 23
Ð comfort operation 20
Ð manual operation 24
Ð protective function 24
Park Distance Control
PDC 49
Parking
Ð vehicle 38
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control PDC 49
Parking brake, refer to
Handbrake 38
Parking lamps 57
Ð bulb replacement 101
Parking lamps/low
beams 57
Parking the vehicle 38
Particulate filter, refer to
Microfilter 62
Partition net 72
PDC Park Distance
Control 49
Plastic, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Pollen, refer to
Microfilter 62
Pollen, refer to Microfilter/
Activated charcoal
filter 65
Power seat 29
Pressure, tires 86
Pressure monitoring,
tires 53
Ð Flat Tire Monitor 53
Programming settings,
refer to Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory 33
Protective function
Ð panorama glass roof 24
Puncture
Ð Flat Tire Monitor 53
R
Radiator, refer to
Coolant 95
Radio, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Radio navigation, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Rain sensor 42