2004 BMW X3 3.0I tailgate

Opening and closing
18
Opening and closing
Key set
1Master keys with remote control deter-
mine the functions of the Key Memory,
refer to page 33.
You can mark the keys using the col-
ored decals you received on taking
delivery of the vehicle
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key which is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
If you have any master keys that are not
being used on a regular basis, you
should therefore remember to recharge
these units by using them to drive the
vehicle for an extended period at least
once a year.<
2Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet.
This key cannot be used to open the
lock for the glove compartment. This is
an advantage, e.g. at a hotel. The key is
not intended for constant use.
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The system engages or releases
the locks on the
>doors
>tailgate >fuel filler door.
The central locking system can be oper-
ated from the outside
>via the remote control
>via the driver's door lock
and from inside via the button for the cen-
tral locking system.
When the system is locked from inside, the
fuel filler door remains unlocked, refer to
page 20.
The anti-theft system is automatically acti-
vated whenever you activate the central
locking system from outside the vehicle.
This prevents the doors from being
unlocked via the safety lock buttons or
door handles. The alarm system is also
armed or disarmed.
In an accident, the central locking system
automatically unlocks the vehicle. In addi-
tion, the hazard warning flashers and inte-
rior lamps switch on.
You can have an acknowledgment
signal set to confirm that the vehicle is
correctly locked.<
Opening and closing Ð from
outside
Using the remote control
The remote control provides two additional
functions for the central locking system:
>Switching on the interior lamps, refer to
page 19.
You can also use this function to locate
your vehicle in parking garages etc.
>Opening the tailgate, refer to page 19.
The tailgate will open slightly, regard-
less of whether it was previously locked
or unlocked.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
19
In addition, the remote control offers you
another function:
>Panic mode
In case of danger, you can trigger an
alarm.
When you engage/release the vehicle
locks, you simultaneously activate/deacti-
vate the anti-theft system, arm/disarm the
alarm system, and switch the interior lamps
on/off.
As a reminder that the ignition key is
still in the ignition lock after you open
the driver's door, you can have a sound sig-
nal set.<
Protect the remote control against
unauthorized use by handing over
only the spare key, for example when using
hotel valet parking.<
Because any persons or animals left
unattended in a parked vehicle could
lock the doors from the inside, you should
always take the vehicle's keys with you so
that the vehicle can be opened again from
the outside at any time.<
Unlocking
Press the button.
Press the button once to unlock the driverÕs
door only; press a second time to unlock all
remaining doors as well as the tailgate and
the fuel filler door.
Convenience opening mode
Press and hold the button. The windows
and the sliding panel of the panorama glass
roof are opened.
Press the button a second time and hold.
The panorama glass roof is opened.
If you desire, you can have this spe-
cial feature activated/deactivated on
a vehicle-specific basis.<
Locking and securing
Press the button.
If you desire, the vehicle locks auto-
matically if no door or lid is opened
after unlocking. You may have this function
set on a vehicle-specific basis if you wish.<
Switching off the tilt alarm sensor*
and interior motion sensor*
Press the button once again directly
after locking.
For details, refer to page 25.
Switching on the interior lamps
If the vehicle is locked, press the
button.
Panic mode*
By pressing and holding the button for
more than approx. two seconds, you can
trigger the alarm system in response to any
impending danger.
To switch off the alarm: press any of the
buttons.
Unlocking tailgate
Press the button.
The tailgate will open slightly, regardless of
whether it was previously locked or
unlocked.
Before and after a trip, ensure that the
tailgate has not been opened uninten-
tionally.
A previously locked tailgate is also locked
after closing.<
If you desire, the tailgate can only be
opened using the remote control if the
vehicle is unlocked. This can be adjusted.<
Malfunctions
The remote control system may be affected
by other units or equipment operating in
the immediate vicinity of your vehicle.
Should the remote control fail to operate
owing to interference of this kind, you can
respond by using the master key to unlock
your vehicle at one of the doors.
In case of faults, please contact your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. You can
also obtain replacement keys there.
If it is no longer possible to lock the vehicle
via the remote control, the battery is dis-
charged. Use this remote control during an
extended drive; this will recharge the bat-
tery, refer to page 18.

Opening and closing
20
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply
with part 15 of the FCC Ð Federal Commu-
nications Commission Ð regulations. Oper-
ation is governed by the following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or
changes to these devices could void
the user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.<
Using the door lock
One turn of the key in the driver's door lock
unlocks the driver's door only.
Turning the key a second time unlocks all of
the remaining doors, the tailgate and the
fuel filler door.
You can have a signal set to confirm
that the vehicle's locks have engaged
securely.<
Convenience operation
You also have the option of operating the
windows and the panorama glass roof from
the driver's door lock.>To open:
With the door closed, turn the key to the
Unlock position and hold it there.
>To close:
With the door closed, turn the key to the
Lock position and hold it there.
Watch during the closing process to
be sure that no one is injured. Releas-
ing the key stops the operation.<
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical defect:
You can turn the key all the way to the
right or left in the door lock to lock or
unlock the driver's door.
Opening and closing Ð from
inside
You can use this button to operate the cen-
tral locking system when the front doors
are closed. With this button, only the doors
and the tailgate are unlocked or locked.
The anti-theft system is not activated.
If only the driver's door was unlocked
from the outside and you press the
button, then, with the driver's door still
open, the passenger-side door, the tailgate
and the fuel filler door will also unlock.
If the driver's door is closed, it will be
locked.<
The central locking system locks
automatically after driving off. This
can be adjusted to be vehicle-specific or
key-specific.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
21
Unlocking and opening the doors
1.Press the button for central locking sys-
tem
2.Pull the respective door handle above
the armrest
or
individually pull on the door handle of each
door twice to unlock and open.
Engaging the locks
>Press button for central locking system
or
>press down the individual safety lock
buttons.
To prevent you from being locked
out, the opened driver's door can-
not be locked using the safety lock but-
ton.<
Because any persons or animals left
unattended in a parked vehicle could
lock the doors from the inside, you should
always take the vehicle's keys with you so
that the vehicle can be opened again from
the outside at any time.<
Tailgate
Opening from outside
Press the button in the handle strip. The
tailgate is unlocked and opens somewhat.
During opening, the tailgate pivots
upward and to the rear. Ensure that
adequate clearance is available before
opening.<
When the tailgate is open, the cargo area
and interior are lit up.
Manual unlocking
In the event of an electrical defect:
1.Fold up the floor cover in the cargo area
2.Press the lever to the right.
The tailgate is locked again as soon as you
close it.
Closing
The handle recesses on the interior trim of
the tailgate make it easier to pull down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the tailgate is clear
when it is closed, as with all closing proce-
dures.<
Operate the vehicle only when the
tailgate is completely closed. Other-
wise, exhaust fumes could penetrate the
interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances should make it
absolutely necessary to operate the vehicle
with the tailgate open:
1.Close all windows and the glass roof
2.Greatly increase the air supply of the air
conditioner or automatic climate con-
trol, refer to page 60 or 63.

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-

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.

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.