2004 BMW X3 2.5I SAV service

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.

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
99
Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
The onboard tool kit is located in a com-
partment on the left under the cargo area.
Replacing wiper blades
Front
1.Move the wiper to a fold-out position,
refer to page 42
2.Lift the wiper arm and press the secur-
ing spring, refer to arrow
3.Pull the wiper blade off toward the
wiper arm
4.Insert the new blade and snap it into
place.
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.<
Rear
1.Lift the wiper arm
2.Pull off the wiper blade, refer to arrow
3.Insert a new wiper blade.
Lamps and bulbs
The lamps and bulbs make essential contri-
butions to the safety of your vehicle. There-
fore, comply fully with the following instruc-
tions during bulb replacement. If you are
not familiar with the specified procedures,
BMW recommends having the replace-
ments carried out at your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs
with your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life.
To install, use a clean cloth, napkin etc. or
hold the bulb by its metal socket.<
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
To prevent short circuits, before
working on any electrical system,
equipment or accessory you should always
switch it off and disconnect the cable from
the battery's negative terminal before start-
ing.
To avoid possible injury or equipment dam-
age when changing bulbs, observe any
instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
101
4.Apply the lamp base with the lower
edge to the bracket and press it in until
the lamp base locks in place.
Make sure that the cover does not fall
into the engine compartment, as oth-
erwise the vehicle can be damaged or
other road users can be endangered.<
Front passenger side
Before replacing the bulb, remove the res-
ervoir for the windshield washing system
from the bracket. To do so, loosen the bolt,
refer to arrow, and place the reservoir to
one side.
Bear in mind that the windshield
washing system reservoir is heavy. If
you do not, injuries or damage to the vehi-
cle can occur.<
For bulb replacement procedure, refer to
Driver's side.
Xenon lamps*
The service life of these bulbs is very long
and the probability of a failure is very low,
provided that they are not switched on and
off an unusual number of times. If one of
these bulbs should nevertheless fail, it is
possible to continue driving with great cau-
tion using the fog lamps, provided traffic
laws in your area do not prohibit this.
To avoid risk of potentially fatal inju-
ries: owing to the extremely high volt-
ages at which these units operate, service
work should always be entrusted to quali-
fied personnel.<
Parking and standing lamps
5 Watt bulb
In case of a defect, please contact your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Turn signal indicator, front
21 Watt bulb
Access to the turn signal indicator is at the
edge of the lamp unit, refer to arrow.
Make sure that the lamp base does
not fall into the engine compartment,
as otherwise the vehicle can be damaged
or other road users can be endangered.<
1.Turn the lamp base and remove it
2.Replace the bulb
3.Insert the lamp base. If it does not snap
in place immediately, turn the lamp
base until it does.
Side-mounted turn signal indicators
5 Watt bulb
1.Use finger pressure against the rear
end of the lamp, refer to arrow, to press
it forward for removal
2.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left and pull it out
3.Install in the opposite order.

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

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