
Notes
4
Notes
Using this Owner's Manual
We have made every effort to ensure that
you are able to find what you need in this
Owner's Manual as quickly as possible.
The fastest way to find certain topics is by
using the detailed index at the end. For a
brief initial overview, please refer to the first
chapter.
Should you sell your BMW some day,
please remember to hand over the Owner's
Manual as well; it is an important compo-
nent of your vehicle.
Additional sources of information
If you have additional questions, your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center is always
happy to advise you.
You can find information on BMW, e.g.
technology, on the Internet at
www.bmwusa.com.
Symbols used
Indicates precautions that must be
followed precisely in order to avoid
the possibility of personal injury and seri-
ous damage to the vehicle.
Contains information that will assist
you in gaining the optimum benefit
from your vehicle and enable you to care
more effectively for your vehicle.
Refers to measures that can be taken
to help protect the environment.
<
Marks the end of a specific item of infor-
mation.
*
Indicates special equipment, country-
specific equipment and optional extras
when available.
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory, refer
to page 33. Identifies functions that
can be specifically adapted for a particular
key or vehicle. These adjustments can be
performed either by yourself or by your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Symbols on vehicle components
Indicates that you should consult the
relevant section of this Owner's Man-
ual for information on a particular part or
assembly.

Cockpit
12
Indicator and warning
lamps
Technology that monitors itself
The indicator and warning lamps identified
by the
+ symbol are subjected to an oper-
ation check each time you switch on the
engine. They each light up once for differ-
ent periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored
system, the corresponding lamp will either
fail to go out when the engine is started, or
it will come on again during normal driving.
Detailed information is provided on the
specified pages.
Please fasten safety belt
+ 30
Airbags
+ 54
Brake system
+
With handbrake released 52/ 96
With handbrake set 38
With other warning lamps 52
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
Driving stability control systems/
Antilock Brake System
+ 53
Antilock Brake System ABS/
Chassis control system for Cana-
dian models
Brake pads
+ 96
Dynamic Stability Control DSC/
xDrive
+ 50/ 52
Flat Tire Monitor
+ 53
Automatic transmission
+ 39
Engine oil + 94
Service Engine Soon
+ 98
Service Engine Soon
+ 37
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Check Gas Cap
+
Engine electronics + 37
Battery charge current
+ 105
Topping up coolant 95
Topping up washer fluid 94
Lamp defective 57
Turn signal indicators 41
Fog lamps 58
Headlamp flasher 41
High beams 58
Cruise control 43

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
33
Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory
How the system functions
You have probably frequently wished that
you could configure individual functions of
your vehicle to reflect your own personal
requirements. In developing your vehicle,
BMW has incorporated a number of
options for personal adjustment. You can
have these programmed at your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
There are vehicle-related and person-
related adjustments: Vehicle Memory and
Key Memory. You can configure up to four
different basic adjustments for four differ-
ent persons. The only requirement is that
each person uses his or her own master
key with remote control.
When your vehicle is unlocked with the
remote control, the vehicle recognizes the
individual user by means of a data
exchange with the key, and makes adjust-
ments accordingly.
In order for you to distinguish between the
remote control master keys, colored decals
are supplied together with the keys.
What the system can do
Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
can provide you with details on the capabil-
ities of the Vehicle Memory and Key Mem-
ory systems.
You will see this symbol throughout
the Owner's Manual. It is to remind
you at appropriate places of the settings
that are available to you.<
Examples of Vehicle Memory
functions
>Different acknowledgment signals to
confirm locking/unlocking of the vehi-
cle, refer to page 18
>Activate/deactivate function for path-
way lighting, refer to page 57
>Activate/deactivate daytime driving
lamps, refer to page 57
>Setting measurement units for displays
in the instrument cluster of the time,
outside temperature, distance driven
and fuel consumption, refer to page 47
>Active PDC is indicated by an acoustic
sound signal when reverse gear or
selector-lever position R is engaged,
refer to page 49
>The rear window defroster switches on
automatically, refer to page 61
>Different acknowledgment signals to
confirm arming/disarming the alarm
system, refer to page 25
>After an ice warning has been issued,
the display of the computer returns to
the previous adjustment, refer to
page 47
>Acoustic warning if the ignition key
remains in the ignition lock after the
driver's door has been opened, refer to
page 21.
Examples of Key Memory functions
>On unlocking, first unlock the driver's
door, then the entire vehicle, refer to
page 19
>Locking the vehicle after moving off,
refer to page 20
>Automatic adjustment of the driver's
seat and exterior mirror position for
each person when unlocking the vehi-
cle, refer to page 30
>Angle of downward tilt of mirror on pas-
senger side, refer to page 32.

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
53
available. See your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center to have the system
repaired.
Flat Tire Monitor
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the
inflation pressures in the four fitted tires as
you drive. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure drops sig-
nificantly in relation to the pressure another
tire.
The check of the tire inflation pressure is
based on monitoring the relative speeds of
the wheels. A flat tire is detected and
reported on the basis of a deviation in cer-
tain speed ratios.
Functional requirement
So that the Flat Tire Monitor can learn the
correct inflation pressure, please perform
the following:
1.Check the inflation pressures in all tires
2.Compare with the inflation pressure
table on page 87 and correct if neces-
sary
3.Initialize the system.
Limits of the system
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate
sudden severe tire damage caused
by outside factors and does not detect a
natural, even pressure drop in all four
tires.<
In the following situations, on the other
hand, there can be delays in detecting tire
pressure losses, and even system failure:
>When driving on snow-covered or slip-
pery road surfaces
>In the case of performance-oriented
driving: slip on the drive wheels, high
lateral acceleration
>False alarms and undetected loss of
pressure may occur when you are driv-
ing with snow chains fitted>When driving with a compact wheel, the
Flat Tire Monitor cannot operate.
Initializing the system
Perform the initialization immediately
every time you correct the inflation
pressure, change a tire or change a wheel
or all wheels. A drive is required for this
purpose.<
1.Before the start of driving, start the
engine, but do not drive off
2.Press the button until the yellow indica-
tor lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up for a few seconds
3.Drive off.
It takes a few minutes until the Flat Tire
Monitor can detect and indicated a flat tire.
Do not initialize the system when driv-
ing with snow chains or with a com-
pact wheel.<
Flat tire
Indicator lamp
The symbol in the instrument clus-
ter lights up in yellow.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle
carefully. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers
2.Identify damaged tire
If identification is not possible,
contact your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center.<
3.Replace the damaged tire, refer to
Changing a wheel on page 103.

Lamps
58
Activating the Adaptive Head Light
In ignition key position 2, turn the
light switch to the position 'Auto-
matic headlamp control'.
When the vehicle is backing up, the
Adaptive Head Light is inactive; when
the vehicle is at a standstill, it is only active
in one direction.<
Malfunction
The LED above the symbol for automatic
headlamp control flashes. Please have it
checked by your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center.
Instrument lighting
Turn the serrated dial to adjust the illumina-
tion intensity.
High beams/standing lamps
1High beams Ð blue indicator lamp
2Headlamp flasher Ð blue indicator lamp
3Standing lamps
Standing lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just
one side of your vehicle when parking.
When using this function, comply with
national regulations:
In ignition key position 0 or with ignition key
removed:
Allow the lever to engage in the corre-
sponding turn signal indicator position.
Fog lamps*
A green indicator lamp appears in
the instrument cluster to indicate
that the front fog lamps are on.
If the automatic headlamp control is
activated, the low beams will come on
automatically when you switch on the fog
lamps.<
Interior lamps
The interior lamps operate automatically.
If you desire, the interior lamps are
switched on after mechanical unlock-
ing of the vehicle. You may have this func-
tion activated/deactivated if you wish.<

Practical interior accessories
66
Practical interior accessories
Integrated universal remote
control*
The concept
The integrated universal remote control
replaces up to three different hand-held
transmitters for various items of radio-con-
trolled equipment such as door openers
and house alarm systems. The integrated
universal remote control recognizes and
learns the transmitted signal of each of the
original hand-held transmitters.
The signal of an original hand-held trans-
mitter can be programmed on one of the
three memory buttons 1. Following that,
each of the devices can be actuated with
the appropriately programmed memory
button 1. The indicator lamp 2 flashes to
confirm transmission of the signal.
If the vehicle is sold, the memory of the
memory buttons 1 should be cleared, refer
to page 67.
To prevent possible damage or injury,
before programming or using the inte-
grated universal remote control, always
inspect the immediate area to make certain
that no people, animals or objects are
within the travel range of the device. Also,
comply with the safety precautions of the
original hand-held transmitter.<
Checking the compatibility
If you see this symbol on the pack-
aging or in the manual supplied with
the original hand-held transmitter, it
is safe to assume that it is compatible with
the integrated universal remote control.
If you have additional questions,
please consult your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center or call
1-800-355-3515.
You can also visit these websites:
www.bmwusa.com or
www.homelink.com. HomeLink is a registered trademark owned
by Johnson Controls, Inc.<
Programming
1Memory buttons
2Indicator lamp
Fixed-code hand-held transmitter
1.Turn the ignition key to position 2
2.For initial use:
Press both outer buttons 1 for approx.
20 seconds, maintaining pressure until
the indicator lamp 2 starts to flash. The
three memory buttons 1 are cleared
3.Hold the original hand-held transmitter
at a distance of approx. 2 in/5 cm to
8 in/20 cm to the memory buttons 1
The required distance between
the hand-held transmitter and
memory keys 1 depends on the relevant
system of the original hand-held trans-
mitter used.<
4.Simultaneously press the transmit but-
ton on the original hand-held transmit-
ter and the desired memory key 1 of the
integrated universal remote control. Ini-
tially, the indicator lamp 2 flashes
slowly. Release both buttons as soon
as the indicator 2 lamp flashes rapidly. If
the indicator lamp 2 does not flash rap-
idly after approx. 15 seconds, change
the distance
5.To program other original hand-held
transmitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
109
on page 93. The symbol + is embossed on
the cover.
1.Open the cover of the BMW auxiliary
terminal for jump-starting, refer to
arrow 1
2.Connect one terminal clamp of the pos-
itive/+ jumper cable to the positive ter-
minal of the battery or a auxiliary termi-
nal of the vehicle providing starting
assistance
3.Connect the second terminal clamp of
the positive/+ jumper cable to the posi-
tive terminal of the battery or to a auxil-
iary terminal of the vehicle to be started.
On your BMW, there is a special nut as
body ground or negative terminal on the
suspension strut dome, refer to arrow 2
4.Attach one end of the jumper cable
minus/Ð to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground
of the vehicle providing assistance
5.Connect the second terminal clamp of
the negative/Ð jumper cable to the neg-
ative terminal of the battery or to the
engine or body ground of the vehicle to
be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the support vehicle's engine and
let it run at an increased idling speed for
a few minutes
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in
the usual way.
If the first start attempt is not success-
ful, wait a few minutes before another
attempt in order to allow the discharged
battery to recharge
3.Allow the engines to run for several
minutes
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by
reversing the connection sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged at a BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Towing
Always observe all applicable towing
laws and regulations. Do not tow the
BMW X3 with the axle raised, as otherwise
the transfer case can be damaged.<
Towing with a commercial tow truck
>Use only a flatbed carrier
>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Do not use a wheel lift.
Never allow passengers to ride on a
towed vehicle for any reasons.<
Tow fitting
The threaded tow fitting is stored in the tool
kit mounted on the inside of the compart-
ment and should always remain in the vehi-
cle. This fitting is designed for installation in
the tow sockets located at the front and
rear of the vehicle.
Access to tow sockets
Front
Use a screwdriver to lever out the cover
upward at the recess.