2004 BMW X3 2.5I SAV brake

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.

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.

Replacing components
102
Front fog lamps
H11 bulb, 55 Watts
Always wear gloves and eye protec-
tion Ð the atmosphere within the bulb
is pressurized. Failure to observe this pre-
caution can lead to personal injury should
the bulb be damaged.<
1.Pull the cover in front of the fog lamp
forward
2.Loosen the screws, refer to arrow, and
pull out the headlamp
3.Turn the lamp base at the back of the
headlamp to the left and remove it
4.Replace the bulb.
Tail lamps
21 Watt bulb
1Turn signal indicator
2Backup lamps
3Rear lamp
4Rear lamp/brake lamp
Replacing tail lamps
1.Open the flap in the side panel, refer to
page 72
2.Lift the side panel if necessary
3.To release the plug-in connection of the
cable, press the spring, refer to arrow 1
4.To remove the back panel of the lamp,
release the retainer, refer to arrow 2
5.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb fitting
while turning it to the left for removal
and replacement
6.Install in the opposite order.
Lamps in the tailgate are defective:
Please contact your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center.
License plate lamp
10 Watt bulb
1.Press the lamp out to the side with a
screwdriver
2.Remove the lamp and replace the bulb.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
103
Tailgate lamp
5 Watt bulb
1.Pull off the bulb holder
2.Replace the bulb.
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind
translucent lenses serve as the light source
for many of the controls and displays in
your vehicle. These light-emitting diodes,
which operate using a concept similar to
that applied in conventional lasers, are offi-
cially designated as Class 1 light-emitting
diodes.
Do not remove the covers, and never
stare into the unfiltered light for sev-
eral hours, as irritation of the retina could
result.<
Changing a wheel
Safety precautions to observe in the
event of a flat tire and during all tire
changes:
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat, surface.
Switch on the hazard warning flashers.
Lock the steering wheel in straight-ahead
setting of the wheels. Set the handbrake
and engage first gear, reverse gear or
selector-lever position P.
All passengers should be outside the vehi-
cle and well away from your immediate
working area, behind a guardrail, for
instance.
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is required, set it up on the
roadside at an appropriate distance from
the rear of the vehicle. Comply with all safety guidelines and regulations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm sur-
face which is not slippery. The vehicle or
the jack could slip to the side if you attempt
to raise the vehicle on a soft or slippery sur-
face such as snow, ice, tiles, etc.
Position the jack on a firm support surface.
Do not use a wooden block or similar
object as a support base for the jack, as
this would prevent it from extending to its
full support height and reduce its load-car-
rying capacity.
To avoid serious or fatal injury: never lie
under the vehicle, and never start the
engine while it is supported by the jack.<
What you will need
Open tailgate and raise or remove floor
cover, refer to page 72.
1Vehicle jack
2Chock
3Lug wrench
In order to avoid rattling noises later, note
the position of the tools when you remove
them and return them to their original posi-
tion when you are through using them.
Compact wheel
The compact wheel is located under the
cargo area on the floor of the vehicle.

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

Everything from A to Z
120 Bottle holder, refer to
Beverage holders 67
Brake fluid 96
Ð indicator lamp 96
Ð level 96
Ð replacing 96
Brake force display 54
Brake lamps
Ð defect 57
Ð indicator lamp 12
Ð replacing the bulbs 102
Brake pads and rotors
Ð breaking-in procedure 76
Brakes 77, 96
Ð ABS 77
Ð brake fluid 96
Ð break-in procedure 76
Ð handbrake 38
Ð indicator/warning
lamp 38
Brake system
Ð brake-fluid level 96
Ð brake pads 96
Ð corrosion 77
Ð disc brakes 76, 77
Ð indicator lamp 96
Ð rotors 76, 77
Brake wear warning
Ð brake pads 96
Ð indicator lamp 96
Break-in procedures 76
Bulbs and lamps 99
Buttons in steering
wheel 14
C
California Proposition
65 Warning 98
Capacities 117
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochureCargo area 71
Ð capacity 116
Ð cover 71
Ð floor cover 72
Ð folding rear seat
backrest 71
Ð increasing volume 71
Ð lashing eyes 73
Ð manual unlocking 21
Ð opening, remote
control 19
Ð opening/closing 21
Ð opening from the
outside 21
Ð sockets 73
Ð volume 116
Cargo bay, refer to Cargo
area 71
Cargo loading 78
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Key
set 18
Car phone preparation 70
Car wash 77
Car wash, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
High temperatures 76
Central locking system 18
Ð interior 20
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety 6
Changing a wheel 103
Check Gas Cap
Ð indicator lamp 12, 84
Checking inflation
pressure 86
Child's seats, refer to
Child-restraint
systems 34
Child-restraint systems 34
Child-safety locks 36
Chock 103Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter
Ð front 69
Ð rear 69
Circulation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode 61, 64
Cleaning, vehicle, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning the windshield 42
Cleaning windows,
reservoir 94
Clean the rear window 42
Clock 46
Ð 12/24 hour mode 48
Ð setting, refer also to
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard
computer 46
Clutch 76
Ð breaking in 76
Cockpit 10
Cold start, refer to Starting
the engine 37
Comfort operation
Ð panorama glass roof 20
Compact wheel
Ð wheel changes 103
Compression ratio, refer to
Engine data 114
Computer 47
Computer, functions 48
Condensation, refer to A/C
operation 61, 64
Connecting a vacuum
cleaner, refer to Lighter
socket 69
Consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption 48
Consumption indicator,
refer to Fuel gauge 45
Contents 3
Controls, refer to
Cockpit 10
Convenience operation
Ð from outside 20
Ð windows 20

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