2004 BMW X3 2.5I oil change

Everything under control
46
Between the blue and red fields
Normal operating range. The dial may wan-
der into 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 page 96.
When you switch on the ignition, the warn-
ing lamp 1 comes on briefly to confirm that
the system is operational.
Service Interval Display
Remaining distance until next
service due
The displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds as of ignition key
position 1 or after starting the engine.
Together with the lettering OILSERVICE or
INSPECTION, the next scheduled service
and remaining distance to this service is
shown in miles/kilometers.
The remaining distance is determined on
the basis of the past driving style.
A flashing display and a Ð 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.
Replacing brake fluid
You can have the month and year for the
scheduled brake fluid replacement dis-
played by pressing the right button in the
instrument cluster while the next sched-
uled service is being displayed. With each
button touch, the display switches
between the scheduled service and
scheduled brake fluid replacement.
When the brake fluid replacement is due,
the clock symbol also lights up. Please
make an appointment with your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Immobilization periods in which the
battery is disconnected are not taken
into account by the display. Please remem-
ber that brake fluid should be changed
every two years at the latest, even if the
display does not yet indicate that service is
required, refer to page 96.<
Clock
If you want to have a permanent clock dis-
play, you can also have the time displayed
in the display of the car radio, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio.
You can adjust the clock, also for display in
the radio, as follows.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
95
Do not fill beyond the upper mark on the
dipstick. Excess oil can damage the
engine.
Adding engine oil
While you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower mark
before adding oil, you should never allow
the oil level to fall below this mark.
BMW engines are designed to oper-
ate without additives, and their use
could even lead to damage in some cases.
This also applies to the manual transmis-
sion, automatic transmission, the differen-
tial and the power steering system.<
Recommendation: have the oil change
conducted by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center.
Continuous exposure to used oil has
caused cancer in laboratory testing.
For this reason, any skin areas that come
into contact with oil should be thoroughly
washed with soap and water.
Always store oils, grease and similar mate-
rials so that they are inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with warning labels and
information on containers.<
Always observe all applicable rules
and regulations for environmental
protection when disposing of used oil.<
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has
critical significance for the operation and
service life of an engine. Based on exten-
sive testing, BMW has approved only cer-
tain engine oils.
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.If you are unable to obtain BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil, you can add small
amounts of another synthetic oil between
oil changes. Use only oils with the API SH
specification or higher.
Ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center for details concerning the spe-
cific BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil
or synthetic oils which have been
approved.<
You can also call BMW of North America at
1-800-831-1117 or visit this website:
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this informa-
tion.
Viscosity ratings
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 are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
>These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
Coolant
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up:
Coolant level is too low; top up at
the earliest opportunity.
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys-
tem when the engine is hot. Escaping
coolant can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. You should always
store them in their original containers and
in a location which is inaccessible to chil-
dren. Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents
are flammable. Therefore, do not pour over
hot engine parts, as otherwise they could
catch fire and cause burns. Always observe
the instructions for use provided on the
containers.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
97
Maintenance
The BMW maintenance
system
The BMW maintenance system is designed
in such a way that it reliably ensures the
road safety and operating reliability of the
vehicle Ð keeping the cost for you as low as
possible.
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
driving conditions of the vehicle into
account when determining service inter-
vals:
From the point of view of maintenance,
62,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated in
short-distance urban driving are not the
equivalent of the same distance covered at
moderate speeds in long-distance high-
way travel.
The BMW maintenance system is divided
into engine oil service as well as Inspec-
tions I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the vehi-
cle covers every kind of operating situa-
tion. However, even those who drive only
short distances Ð significantly less than
6,200 miles/10,000 km annually Ð should
have the engine oil changed at least every
2 years since oil deteriorates 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 reli-
able performance, remember to have the
brake fluid changed every two years at the
latest by a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center, also refer to page 46 and 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/Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models
For detailed information on required main-
tenance items and the work involved,
please refer to the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or to the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models.
Depending on operating conditions, it may
be advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel as a precau-
tion against corrosion.
BMW recommends that you have
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center perform the maintenance and
repair.
Check that the maintenance work is
recorded in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models. These entries will serve
as proof that the vehicle has received reg-
ular maintenance.<
Care
For all information on this subject, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle brochure.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
117
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal./liters
gal./litersapprox. 17.7/67
approx. 2/8Fuel specification:
page 85
Windshield / Headlamp washer
systemquarts/liters approx. 6.9/6.5 For details: page 94
Cooling system including heater quarts/liters 10.6/10.0 for
manual
transmission
10.8/10.2 for
automatic
transmissionFor details: page 95
Engine oil and filter change quarts/liters approx. 6.6/6.2 For details: page 94
Manual, automatic transmission
and differentialÐ Lifetime fluid, no fluid
change required

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

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
125
Range
Ð setting units 47
Rear armrest, refer to
Center armrest 68
Rear backrests
Ð folding 71
Rear center armrest 68
Rear fog lamps
Ð bulb replacement 102
Rear lamps
Ð bulb replacement 102
Rear seat back
Ð folding 71
Rearview mirrors
Ð exterior 31
Rear window defroster
Ð air conditioner 61
Ð automatic climate
control 65
Rear window safety
switch 22
Rear window wiper 43
Recirculated-air mode
Ð air conditioner 61
Ð automatic climate
control 64
Reclining seat 28
Refueling 84
Ð fuel filler door 84
Remaining distance to next
vehicle service 46
Remote control
Ð fault 19
Ð garage-door opener 66
Ð tailgate 19
Removing condensation,
windows
Ð air conditioner 62
Ð automatic climate
control 64
Replacement fuses 106
Replacement of tires
Ð wheel changes 103
Replacement tire 103
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 99
Replacing light bulbs 99
Reporting safety defects 7
Reservoir, washer
system 94Restraint systems, refer to
Safety belts 30
Reverse 39
Reverse gear
Ð automatic transmission
with Steptronic 40
Ð manual transmission 39
Rims 90
Roadside Assistance 107
Roll-up cover, refer to
Cargo area cover 71
RON, refer to Fuel
quality 85
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 79
Rope, refer to Tow-starting
and towing 109
Rotating coin holder, refer
to Storage
compartments 68
S
Safe sitting position with
safety belts 27
Safety belts 30
Ð sitting safely 27
Ð warning lamp 30
Safety belt tensioners, refer
to Safety belts 27
Safety belt warning
Ð indicator lamp 30
Safety defects, reporting 7
Safety feature
Ð power windows 22
Safety systems, refer to
ABS Antilock Brake
System 50
Safety systems, refer to
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 50
Screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit 99
Seat, electric power 29
Seat heating 30
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory 29
Securing cargo 79
Selector lever, automatic
transmission 40Selector lever interlock,
refer to Shiftlock 40
Service and warranty
notes 7
Service Engine
Soon 38, 98
Service Interval
Display 46, 97
Setting the units 47
Setting units 47
Shiftlock, changing the
selector-lever
positions 40
Side airbags 54
Side lamps 57
Side tilt 80
Side turn signal indicators
Ð bulb replacement 101
Sitting safely 27
Ð with airbag 27
Ð with safety belts 27
Ski bag 70
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray 69
Sockets 69, 73
SOS, refer to Starting an
emergency call 107
Spare fuses 106
Spare key 18
Spare tire, refer to Wheel
changes 103
Special oils, refer to
Approved oils 95
Special washing
program 42
Specified oils 95
Speedometer 11
Speedometer, refer to
Instrument
cluster 11
Sport program
Ð automatic transmission
with Steptronic 40
Sports seat 28
Stability control, refer to
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 50
Standing lamps 58
Starting, engine 37
Starting, refer to Starting
the engine 37