2005 BMW X3 2.5I wheel

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to use
the index, refer to page113.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
At a glance
10Cockpit
Controls
16Opening and closing
24Adjustments
31Transporting children safely
34Driving
42Everything under control
46Technology for comfort, convenience
and safety
53Lamps
56A congenial climate
62Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
72Things to remember when driving
Mobility
80Refueling
82Wheels and tires
88Under the hood
93Maintenance
95Replacing components
103Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
110Technical data
113Everything from A to Z

Notes
6
For your own safety
Maintenance and repair
Advanced technology, e.g. the use of
modern materials and high-performance
electronics, requires specially adapted mainte-
nance and repair methods. Therefore, only have
corresponding work on your BMW carried out
by a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a
workshop that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. If work is carried out improperly, there is
a danger of consequential damage and the
related safety risks.<
California Proposition 65 Warning
California law requires us to state the following
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of
automobile components and parts,
including components found in the interior fur-
nishings 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 fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products 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 accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Batter-
ies also contain other chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer. Wash your
hands after handling. Used engine oil contains
chemicals that have caused cancer in labora-
tory animals. Always protect your skin by wash-
ing thoroughly with soap and water.<
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested and
approved by BMW and Genuine BMW Parts,
you simultaneously acquire the assurance that
they have been thoroughly tested by BMW to
ensure optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free from
defects in material and workmanship.
BMW will not accept any liability for damages
resulting from installation of parts and accesso-
ries not approved by BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made by other
manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a
BMW safely and without risk to either the vehi-
cle, its operation or its occupants.
Genuine BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and
other products approved by BMW, together
with professional advice on using these items,
are available from all BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms, radios,
amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension
components, brake dust shields, telephones,
including operation of any mobile phone from
within the vehicle without using an externally
mounted antenna, or transceiver equipment, for
instance CBs, walkie-talkies, ham radios or sim-
ilar accessories may cause extensive damage
to the vehicle, compromise its safety, interfere
with the vehicle's electrical system or affect the
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. Refer to
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center for
additional information.<
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performed by any automotive
repair establishment or individual using any cer-
tified automotive part.<

Cockpit
12
Colors
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
different colors and combinations.
The following section explains the significance
of the individual colors as well as how you
should respond when they appear.
>red:
Stop the vehicle immediately
or
an important reminder
>yellow:
Have the system inspected as soon as
possible
or
For your information
>green:
For your information
>blue:
For your information
Buttons on steering wheel*
The buttons integrated into the steering wheel
are provided so that you can operate a number
of accessories quickly and without being dis-
tracted from traffic conditions. You may oper-
ate:
>Selected audio source functions
>Recirculated-air mode/steering wheel
heater Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
Driving stability control systems/
ABS Antilock Brake System
+49
ABS Antilock Brake System/chassis
control system for Canadian models
Brake pads
+92
DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive
+ 47, 49
Flat Tire Monitor
+49
Automatic transmission
+36
Engine oil
+90
Service Engine Soon
+94
Service Engine Soon warning lamp for
Canadian models
Check Gas Cap
* +80
Engine electronics
+34
Battery charge current
+101
Topping off coolant91
Topping off washer fluid90
Lamp defective53
Turn signals38
Front fog lamps54
Headlamp flasher38
High beams54
Cruise control40
Indicates from ignition key in posi-
tion 2 when a door or the tailgate is
opened.

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
13
>Cruise control
>Selected telephone functions
>Voice command system
In order to operate a system, the corre-
sponding system must be switched on.<
Telephone*/voice command system*
Press briefly:
Accept incoming call, start dialing, terminate
call.
Extended pressure:
Activate/deactivate voice command system
Telephone*/audio sources*
Display/hide phonebook. Display the entries
consecutively with the buttons for fast forward/
reverse
Fast forward/reverse
>Radio
Press briefly: next station
>CD
Press briefly: skip track
Extended pressure: fast forward/reverse
>Phone
Browse through list of names
Volume
On the sports steering-wheel* the buttons +/–
for volume are located on the left-hand side of
the steering wheel.
Cruise control*
Cruise control: resumeCruise control: storing and accelerating
+ as
well as braking and storing
–
On the sports steering-wheel* the buttons +/–
for the cruise control are located on the right-
hand side of the steering wheel.
Cruise control: activating/interrupting/deacti-
vating
Recirculated-air mode/steering wheel
heater*
Depending on the equipment, there is a
button for the recirculated-air mode or
steering wheel heater.<
Switching recirculated-air mode on and off
Steering wheel heater: switching on/off, refer to
page28.

Opening and closing
22
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can
operate the panorama glass sunroof manually.
1.Pull off the cover firmly downward.
2.Insert the Allen wrench from the compart-
ment beneath the cargo area floor, refer to
page99, into the proper opening and turn
the panorama glass sunroof 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 movements inside the vehicle: interior
motion sensor, refer to Tilt alarm sensor
and interior motion sensor.
>To changes in the vehicle tilt angle such as
occur during attempts to steal the wheels or
tow the vehicle.
>To interruptions in battery voltage.The system responds to unauthorized vehicle
entry and attempted theft by simultaneously
activating:
>The acoustic alarm for approx. 30 seconds.
>The hazard warning flashers for approx.
5minutes.
>The high beams, which flash on and off in
the same rhythm.
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
If the alarm system has been properly armed,
the hazard warning flashers light up once.
You can have different acknowledgment
signals set to confirm arming and disarm-
ing.<
You can also open the tailgate with the system
armed using the button on the remote con-
trol, refer to page17. When you close the tail-
gate, the system is rearmed.
Switching off alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote control,
refer to page17.
or
>Turn the ignition key to position 1.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp below the interior rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
23
>The indicator lamp flashes when the vehicle
is locked: door(s) or tailgate are not com-
pletely closed. Even if you do not close the
alerted area, the system begins to monitor
the remaining areas, and the indicator lamp
flashes continuously after 10 seconds.
However, the interior motion sensor is not
activated.
>The indicator lamp goes out when the vehi-
cle is unlocked: no manipulation or
attempted intrusions have been detected in
the period since the system was armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes for 10 seconds
after the vehicle is unlocked: an attempted
entry has been detected in the period since
the system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the indicator
lamp will flash continuously.
Tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm
system reacts, e.g. in case of an attempted
wheel theft or towing.
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and panorama glass
sunroof must be completely closed.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following
situations:
>In stacking garages
>When transporting on car-carrying trains
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor
Press the button on the remote control
again directly after locking.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and
the interior motion sensor are switched off until
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
If you wish, the tilt alarm sensor and inte-
rior motion sensor are permanently
switched off. You can have this set at your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.<
If you interrupt the convenience closing of
the windows and panorama glass sunroof
within the first 10 seconds and then reinitiate
the action, this will unintentionally switch off the
tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor.
If this has occurred, the system must be dis-
armed and then rearmed.<

Adjustments
24
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed driving that is as fatigue-free
as possible. The sitting position plays an impor-
tant role together with the safety belts, head
restraints and airbags in providing occupants
with maximum levels of passive safety in an
accident. Therefore, observe the following
instructions, as otherwise the protective func-
tion of the safety systems may be impaired.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page31.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions, to mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms
in the event of airbag deployment.
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Make
sure that the front passenger is correctly seated
and does not place feet or legs against the
instrument panel, as otherwise leg injuries can
result if the front airbag is triggered. Never let an
occupant's head rest near or on a side airbag
because the inflating airbag could cause a seri-
ous or fatal injury.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild – usually temporary – hearing
loss in extremely sensitive individuals.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page31.
Safety belts
Make sure the safety belts are worn in all occu-
pied seats every time you drive. Although air-
bags enhance safety by providing added pro-
tection, they are not a substitute for safety
belts.
Your vehicle has five seats that are all equipped
with a safety belt.
Occupants should sit upright and be
properly restrained at all times: infants
and small children in appropriate child-restraint
systems; larger children and adults using the
safety belts.
Never allow more than one person to wear a sin-
gle safety belt. Infants and children must not
ride on a lap.
Expectant mothers should always wear their
safety belts, taking care to position the lap belt
against the lower hips, where it will not exert
pressure against the abdominal area. The
safety belt must not rest against the neck, nor
be wedged in any way or permitted to rub
against sharp edges. Avoid twisting the belt
while routing it snugly across the hips and
shoulder, as close to the body as possible, with-
out resting against hard or fragile objects. Oth-
erwise, in the event of a frontal impact, a loose
lap belt could slide over your hips, leading to
abdominal injury. Avoid wearing clothing that
prevents the belt from fitting properly and pull
the shoulder belt upward periodically to read-
just the tension across your lap in order to avoid
a reduction in the restraining action of the
safety belt.<
If the middle safety belt in the rear is used, then
the wider backrest must be secured, refer to
page67, otherwise, the safety belt cannot exert
any restraining action.
For fastening safety belts, refer to page27.

Adjustments
28 3.Guide the belt back into its reel.
The upper shoulder strap's anchorage point will
be in the correct position for seat occupants of
every build if the seat is correctly adjusted, refer
to page24.
The two rear safety belt buckles integrated into
the rear seat are for passengers sitting on the
left and right. The belt buckle embossed with
the word CENTER is intended exclusively for
use by passengers riding in the center posi-
tion.<
Safety belt reminder for front seats
The indicator lamp flashes or lights up.
In addition, a signal sounds. Please
make sure that the safety belts are
being worn correctly.
The safety belt reminder is activated if the
safety belt on the driver's side has not yet been
fastened.
At speeds greater than 5 mph/8 km/h, the
safety belt reminder is also activated if the pas-
senger side safety belt has not yet been fas-
tened, if heavy objects are placed on the pas-
senger's seat, or if the front passenger's safety
belt is released.
Damage to safety belts
If the safety belts are damaged or
stretched in an accident: have the entire
belt system, including the tensioning mecha-
nisms, replaced at your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center or at a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Have the belt
anchorage points inspected for damage at the
same time. Failure to observe this precaution
may prevent the safety belts from effectively
providing optimal protection when needed. If a
child-restraint system was in the vehicle during
an accident, consult the manufacturer's
instructions regarding replacement.<
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving. There is a risk of acci-
dent from unexpected movement.<
1.Fold the clamping lever downward.
2.Adapt the steering wheel in the longitudinal
direction and height of the seat position.
3.Fold the clamping lever back up.
Steering wheel heater*
The button for steering wheel heater is located
on the steering wheel, refer to page12.
Steering wheel heater: switching on/off
The steering wheel heater operates as of igni-
tion key position 2.
Press the button to activate or deactivate this
system.
The indicator lamp within the button lights up
when the steering wheel heater is in operation.
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
The mirror on the passenger side fea-
tures a lens with a more convex surface
than the mirror installed on the driver's side.
When estimating the distance between yourself
and other traffic, bear in mind that the objects
reflected in the mirror are closer than they
appear. This means that estimations of the