2004 BMW X3 3.0I hood open

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility

Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to
use the index, refer to page 119.

Using this Owner's Manual

4Notes

At a glance

10Cockpit

Controls

18Opening and closing
27Adjustments
34Transporting children safely
37Driving
45Everything under control
49Technology for comfort, convenience
and safety
57Lamps
60A congenial climate
66Practical interior accessories

Driving tips

76Things to remember when driving

Mobility

84Refueling
86Wheels and tires
92Under the engine hood
97Maintenance
98Laws and regulations
99Replacing components
107Giving and receiving assistance

Reference

114Technical data
117Everything from A to Z

Opening and closing
24 If the glass roof and sliding panel are
closed:
Press the switch once.<
Anti-trapping mechanism
If the glass roof and sliding panel encoun-
ter resistance when closing from roughly
one third of the roof opening or when clos-
ing from the raised position, the closing
action is interrupted and the glass roof and
sliding panel reopen a little.
Despite the anti-trapping mechanism
you should always inspect the roof's
travel path prior to closing it, as the safety
system might fail to detect certain kinds of
obstructions, such as very thin objects, and
the window would continue closing.
The anti-trapping mechanism for closing
the panorama glass roof is deactivated if
the switch is pressed beyond the resis-
tance point and held there. The closing
action is interrupted when you release the
switch.<
Following interruptions in electrical
power supply
Following interruptions in electrical power,
for instance, when the battery is discon-
nected, it is possible that the glass roof will
extend to its tilt-up position, but fail to
respond to other commands. For initializa-
tion, please contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can operate the glass roof manually:1.Pull the cover downward
2.Insert the Allen key from the compart-
ment beneath the cargo area floor, refer
to page 103, in the proper opening and
turn the panorama glass roof in the
desired direction. Direction of rotation
for closing, refer to arrow.
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the tailgate is
opened
>To movement in the vehicle's interior Ð
interior motion sensor
>To variations in the vehicle tilt angle
such as occur during attempts to steal
the wheels or tow the vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized vehi-
cle entry and attempted theft by simulta-
neously activating:
>An acoustic alarm, which lasts for a
period of approx. 30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers for approx.
5 minutes

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
25
>The high beams, which flash on and off
in the same rhythm.
Arming and disarming the alarm
system
When the vehicle is locked or unlocked
with the key or the remote control, the
alarm system is also simultaneously armed
or disarmed.
If the alarm system has been properly
armed, the hazard warning flashers light up
once.
You can have different acknowledg-
ment signals set to confirm arming
and disarming.<
You can also open the tailgate with the sys-
tem armed using the button on the
remote control, refer to page 19. When you
close the tailgate, the system is rearmed.<
Switching off the alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote
control, refer to page 19
>Turn the ignition key to position 1.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes during arm-
ing: door(s), the hood or tailgate are not
completely closed. Even if you do not
close the alerted area, the system
begins to monitor the remaining areas,
and the indicator lamp flashes continu-
ously after 10 seconds. However, the
interior motion sensor is not activated >If the indicator lamp goes out when the
system is disarmed: no manipulation or
attempted intrusions have been
detected in the period since the system
was armed
>If the indicator lamp flashes for 10 sec-
onds after the system is disarmed: an
attempted entry has been detected in
the period since the system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the indica-
tor lamp will flash continuously.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor may be switched off at the same
time. You can do this to prevent a false
alarm from being triggered in garages with
elevator ramps, for instance, or when the
vehicle is transported by trailer or train:
Lock twice:
>Press the button on the remote
control twice consecutively
>Lock using the door lock twice.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor are
deactivated as long as the system is
armed.
If you wish, the tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor are perma-
nently switched off. You can have this set
at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Cen-
ter.<
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior motion sensor to
function properly, the windows and pan-
orama glass roof must be completely
closed.
However, be sure to switch off the interior
motion sensor Ð refer to Avoiding uninten-
tional alarms Ð when you
>leave children or animals in the vehicle
>the windows or panorama glass roof
are to remain open.
The tilt alarm sensor and interior
motion sensor are switched off inad-

Under the engine hood
92
Under the engine hood
Never attempt to perform any service
or repair operations on your vehicle
without the required professional technical
training. If you are unaware of the regula-
tions that need to be observed, BMW rec-
ommends that you have this work per-
formed at a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center, as otherwise unqualified handling
of parts and materials can lead to safety
risk for vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Hood
Unlocking
Pull the lever located under the left side of
the instrument cluster.
Opening
Press the release handle and open the
engine hood.
Closing
Let the engine hood fall from approx. 1 ft/
30 cm so that it can be heard to engage.
Observe the same precautions that
apply to all closing operations by
ensuring that the hood's travel range is
clear and unobstructed before allowing the
hood to fall into position.
If you see any signs that the hood is not
completely closed while driving your vehi-
cle, you should stop at once and close it
securely.<

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
127
Units 47
Ð outside temperature 47
Universal garage-door
opener, refer to
Integrated universal
remote control 66
Universal remote
control 66
Unlocking
Ð engine hood 92
Ð from inside 21
Ð from outside 19
Upholstery care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
V
Vacuum cleaner
connection 69
Vehicle
Ð battery 105
Ð dimensions 115
Ð loading 78
Vehicle battery 105
Vehicle jack 103
Vehicle Memory 33
Ventilation 61, 65
Ð draft-free 61, 65
Voice control, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
W
Warning and indicator
lamps 12
Warning triangle 108
Warranty, refer to Service
and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models,
Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for
Canadian models 97
Warranty and service
notes 7
Washer fluid 94
Washer fluid reservoir, refer
to Windshield/headlamp
washer system 94
Weights 116Wheel/tire combination,
refer to Replacing
wheels/tires 89
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions 115
Wheel bolts
Ð wrench 103
Wheel changes
Ð compact wheel 103
Wheels and tires 90
Width, refer to
Dimensions 115
Windows 22
Ð convenience operation 20
Window wipers
Ð replacing 99
Windshield
Ð cleaning 42
Windshield washer
Ð washer fluid 94
Windshield washer system
Ð washer/wiper system 41
Windshield wiper blade
replacement 99
Windshield wipers, refer to
Wiper/washer system 41
Winter tires
Ð changing 103
Ð condition 89
Ð storage 90
Wiper/washer reservoir 94
Wiper blade
replacement 99
Wiper system 94
Working in the engine
compartment 92
Wrenches, refer to
Onboard tool kit 99
X
xDrive 51
Xenon lamps 101
Ð replacing the bulbs 101