2004 BMW X3 2.5I SAV belt

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
54
Brake force display
The brake force display indicates the inten-
sity with which you are applying your
brakes to drivers of following vehicles.
The display consists of two stages:
>Normal braking:
Brake lamp 1 lights up on both sides of
the vehicle together with the center
brake lamp
>Heavy braking and braking with ABS:
Brake lamps 1 and 2 light up on both
vehicle sides together with the center
brake lamp.
Airbags
The following airbags are located beneath
the marked covers:
1Front airbags for driver and front pas-
senger
2Head airbags in front and rear
3Side airbags in front and rear
*
Protective effect
The front airbags help protect the driver
and front passenger by responding to fron-
tal impacts in which safety belts alone can-not provide adequate restraint. When
needed, the head and side airbags help
provide protection in the event of side
impact. The relevant side airbag supports
the side upper body area. The relevant
head airbag supports the head and pro-
vides protection against objects entering
the vehicle.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered
in every impact situation, e.g. less severe
accidents, certain roll-over situations or
rear-end collisions.
The rear seat side airbags may
already have been deactivated by a
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Labels in the rear door opening should indi-
cate the status of your rear seat side air-
bags. If you are uncertain of their status, or
wish to have the airbags activated or deac-
tivated, please contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.<
For information on the correct sitting posi-
tion, refer to page 27.
Do not apply adhesive materials to
the cover panels of the airbags, cover
them or modify them in any other way.
Do not attempt to remove the airbag reten-
tion system from the vehicle. Never modify
or tamper with either the wiring or the indi-
vidual components in the airbag system.
This category includes the upholstery in the
center of the steering wheel, on the instru-
ment cluster, the side trim panels on the
doors, and the roof pillars along with 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 trig-
gered, because there is a danger of burns.
If you note any indication of system mal-
function, if you desire to have an airbag
deactivated, or if the airbag retention sys-
tem is triggered in response to an accident,
you should always entrust all inspection,
repair and dismantling operations to your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Unprofessional attempts to service the sys-
tem could lead to failure in an emergency
or undesired airbag activation, either of
which could result in personal injury.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
55
To ensure compliance with official safety
regulations, please also entrust disposal of
airbag generators to a BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center.<
Airbag warning information is also provided
on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front
passenger airbags
Your BMW has a seat occupation detection
system. By evaluating the weight on the
front passenger's seat, the system detects
whether or not the seat is occupied by a
child in the child-restraint system or an
adult.
>When a child is seated in the child-
restraint system or with an empty seat,
the front and side airbags are deacti-
vated on the passenger's side
>When an adult is traveling in the front
seat, the front and side airbags remain
active on the passenger side.
With heavier children, the front pas-
senger airbags can remain active, or
with very light adults or teenagers the front
passenger airbags can be deactivated
unintentionally.
The condition of the front passenger air-
bags is indicated via the telltale lamp, refer
to Indicator lamps in the following. In this
case transport the corresponding persons
on the rear seat.
Except when persons to be transported, do
not increase the load on the front passen-
ger seat with additional items. Do not fit
seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball
mats or other items to the front passenger
seat unless they are specifically recom-
mended by BMW. Do not place any items
under the seat. Otherwise, the function of
the seat occupation detection could be
impaired.<
Indicator/warning lamp
Airbag system operational
The airbag indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster indicates the operational readiness
of the entire airbag system and the safety
belt tensioners as of ignition key position 1.
The indicator lamp goes out after a few
seconds.
The telltale lamp above the interior rear-
view mirror indicates whether the passen-
ger airbag system is activated or deacti-
vated as of ignition key position 1.
The telltale lamp refers exclusively to
the passenger airbag system.<
>The telltale lamp goes out after a few
seconds.
The front passenger airbags are active,
e.g. when transporting an adult
>The telltale lamp lights up continuously.
The front passenger airbags are deacti-
vated, e.g. when a child is traveling in
the vehicle in the child-restraint system
or when the seat is empty.
For more information on the operating prin-
ciple of the front passenger airbag system
and seat occupation detection, refer to
Automatic deactivation of the front passen-
ger airbags.

Practical interior accessories
70
Car phone preparation*
Hands-free system
On vehicles with car phone preparation*
the hands-free microphone is located on
the headliner near the interior lamp.
For more information on the car phone,
refer to Owner's Manual for Telephone.
Ski bag*
The ski bag allows the safe and clean
transport of up to four pairs of standard skis
or up to two snowboards.
The ski bag itself plus the additional capac-
ity provided by the luggage compartment
make it possible to transport skis with a
length of up to 2.10 m. When skis of 2.10 m
in length are loaded the ski bag will tend to
contract, reducing its overall capacity.
Loading
1.Pull down the center armrest, press the
button and take out the cover
2.Press the button again; the cover in the
luggage compartment opens. If you
press the button firmly the first time, this also opens the cover in the luggage
compartment
3.Extend the ski bag between the front
seats. The zipper allows more conve-
nient access to stored objects and can
also be left open to allow the ski bag to
dry
4.Insert the belt tongue of the ski bag belt
in the center safety belt buckle.
Please ensure that the skis are clean before
loading them into the bag. Take care to
avoid damage from sharp edges.
Securing the load
Secure the bag's contents by tightening
down the strap at the buckle.
Secure the ski bag in this way. If you
fail to do so, it could move around and
endanger occupants during braking or eva-
sive maneuvers.<
To store the ski bag, perform the above
steps in reverse order.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
79
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward and as
low as possible, placing it directly
behind the bulkhead behind the rear
seats
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Pull out the partition net, refer to
page 72, making sure that objects can-
not penetrate the partition net
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat
is not occupied, secure each safety belt
in the opposite buckle.
Cargo, securing
>Use the luggage net* to hold down
small and lightweight luggage and
cargo, refer to page 72
>For larger and heavier pieces, load
securing equipment
* is available from
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Cen-
ter. Lashing eyes for attaching these
heavy-duty straps have been provided
in your vehicle's luggage compartment,
refer to page 73
>Read and comply with the information
enclosed with the load-securing
devices.Always position and secure the load
correctly. If you do not, it can even
endanger the passengers during braking or
evasive maneuvers.
Never exceed either the approved gross
vehicle weight or either of the approved
axle loads, refer to page 116, as excessive
loads can pose a safety hazard, and may
also place you in violation of freeway safety
laws.
You should never transport heavy or hard
objects unsecured in the passenger com-
partment, as they could fly around and
pose a safety hazard to the vehicle's occu-
pants even during abrupt braking or eva-
sive maneuvers .<
Roof-mounted luggage
rack*
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's cen-
ter of gravity when loaded, they have a
major effect on its handling and steering
response.
You should therefore always remember not
to exceed the approved roof weight, the
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle
loads when loading the rack.
You can find the specified weights in the
Technical data section on page 116.
Make sure that the load is not too heavy,
and that it does not extend outward to
beyond the limits of the loading surface.
Always load the heaviest pieces first Ð on
the bottom. Be sure that adequate clear-
ance is maintained for raising the glass
roof, and that objects do not project into
the opening path of the tailgate.
Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or being
lost during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration
and braking maneuvers. Take corners gen-
tly.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
105
Mounting compact wheel
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel
2.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt
from the mounting surfaces of the
wheel and hub. Clean the lug bolts
3.Position the new wheel or compact
wheel. Secure the wheel by turning at
least two lug bolts into opposite bolt
holes
4.Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Tighten all the bolts securely in a diag-
onal pattern
5.Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the vehicle
6.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pat-
tern
7.Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems and valve stem
seal caps against dirt and contamina-
tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source
of gradual air loss.<
After mounting the compact wheel or cor-
recting the inflation pressure, reinitialize
the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to page 53.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not attempt
to raise another vehicle model with it or to
raise any load of any kind. To do so could
cause accidents and personal injury.
To ensure safety, always have the lug bolts
checked with a calibrated torque wrench to
ensure that they are tightened to the spec-
ified torque of 101 lb ft/140 Nm as soon as
possible.<
Stow the defective wheel in the luggage
compartment.
When you mount wheels other than Genu-
ine BMW light-alloy wheels, different lug
bolts may also be required.
Replace the defective tire as soon as pos-
sible and have the new wheel/tire bal-
anced.
Driving with the compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. Do not
deactivate DSC, as otherwise unstable
driving conditions may result.<
The driving characteristics change, for
example reduced track stability on braking,
extended braking distance, and altered
self-steering characteristics in the limit
range. In conjunction with winter tires,
these characteristics are more pro-
nounced.
Only one compact wheel may be
mounted. You should re-equipping to
wheels and tires of the original size as
quickly as possible.<
Battery
Battery care
The battery is 100% maintenance-free, i.e.,
the electrolyte will last for the life of the bat-
tery when the vehicle is operated in a tem-
perate climate.
Please contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center with any ques-
tions concerning the battery.<
Do not disconnect the battery when
the engine is running. If you do so, the
ensuing voltage surge will damage the
vehicle's onboard electronics.<
Indicator lamp
The battery charge-current indica-
tor lamp lights up:
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a defect on the alternator
V-belt or charge current circuit of the alter-
nator. Contact the nearest BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.
Do not continue driving if the V-belt is
defective. The engine could be dam-
aged due to overheating.
Moreover, an increased amount of force is
required for steering if the onboard supply
voltage falls dramatically.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
119
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
A/C operation
Ð air conditioner 60
Ð automatic climate
control 63
ABS Antilock Brake
System 50
Ð indicator lamp 50
Accessories 6
Activated-charcoal filter 65
Adaptive Head Light 57
Adding engine oil 95
Adjusting seats 27
Ð electric 29
Ð mechanical 28
Air, drying, refer to A/C
operation 61, 64
Airbags 54
Ð deactivating 34
Ð indicator lamp 55
Ð sitting safely 27
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode 61, 64
Air conditioner 60, 63
Air distribution
Ð air conditioner 61
Ð automatic climate
control 64
Airing, refer to
Ventilation 61, 65
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation 61, 65
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 86
Air supply
Ð air conditioner 61
Ð automatic climate
control 64
Air vents, refer to
Ventilation 61, 65
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications 85Alarm system 24
Ð avoiding unintentional
alarms 25
Anchorages 73
Antifreeze
Ð coolant 95
Ð washer fluid 94
Antifreeze protection
Ð coolant 95
Anti-theft alarm system 18
Ð refer to Alarm system 24
Anti-trapping mechanism
Ð panorama glass roof 24
Ð power windows 22
Approved engine oils 95
Approved gross vehicle
weight 116
Armrest 68
Ð front 68
Ð rear 68
Artificial leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray 69
Ð front 69
Ð rear 69
AUC Automatic
recirculated-air
control 64
Automatic
Ð air distribution 64
Ð air supply 64
Automatic car wash, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate
control 63
Automatic cruise control 43
Automatic curb monitor 32
Automatic headlamp
control 57
Automatic program, refer to
automatic air-
distribution 64Automatic rear window
cleaning 43
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC 64
Automatic transmission
Ð malfunction 41
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 39
Ð indicator lamp 41
Ð interlock 37
Ð selector lever interlock 40
Ð shiftlock 40
Average fuel
consumption 48
Average speed 48
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 25
Axle load, permitted 116
B
Backrests, refer to
Adjusting seats 28
Backup lamps 39
Ð replacing bulbs 102
Bad roads 80
Bar, towing 109
Batteries, disposal 106
Battery 105
Ð indicator lamp 12, 105
Ð jump-starting 108
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 30
Beverage holders 67
Black ice, refer to Ice
warning 47
Blower
Ð air conditioner 61
Ð automatic climate
control 64
BMW maintenance
system 97
BMW sports seat 28
Bore, refer to Engine
data 114

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

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