2005 BMW X3 2.5I Seat belt

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
52
Automatic deactivation of front
passenger airbags
Your BMW has a seat occupation detection
system. By evaluating the weight on the front
passenger's seat, the system detects whether
or not the seat is occupied by a child in the
child-restraint system or an adult.
>When a child is seated in the child-restraint
system or with an empty seat, the front and
side airbags are deactivated on the passen-
ger side.
>When an adult is traveling in the front seat,
the front and side airbags remain active on
the passenger side.
Although not desired, it can occur in the
case of heavier children that the front
passenger airbags remain active or in the case
of very light adults or young persons that the
front passenger airbags are deactivated. In
these cases, have the person ride in the rear
seat, refer to Passenger airbag status lamp
below. Do not load the passenger seat with any
items in addition to the person to be trans-
ported. Do not fit seat covers, seat cushion pad-
ding, ball mats or other items onto the front pas-
senger seat unless they are specifically
r e c o m m e n d e d b y B M W . D o n o t p l a c e a n y i t e m s
under the seat. Otherwise, the function of the
seat occupation detection could be impaired.<
Operational readiness of airbag system
As of ignition key position 1, the warning lamp
lights up briefly, thus indicating the operational
readiness of the entire airbag system and the
safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>The warning lamp does not light up as of
ignition key position 1.
>The warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately if a malfunction occurs, as otherwise
there is a danger of the system failing to
respond in the expected manner to an impact
occurring within its normal response range.<
Passenger airbag status lamp
One of the illustrated indicator lamps is located
above the interior rearview mirror.
The indicator lamp indicates whether the front
passenger airbag system is active or not active/
OFF.
The indicator lamp is used only for the
front passenger airbag system. The indi-
cator lamp illuminates to show that the front
passenger airbag system is OFF/not active.<
>The indicator lamp goes out after a few sec-
onds.
The front passenger airbags are active, e.g.
when transporting an adult.
>The indicator lamp lights up continuously.
The front passenger airbags are deacti-
vated, e.g. when a child is traveling in the
vehicle in the child-restraint system or
when the seat is empty.
Find more information about passenger airbag
system and seat occupancy detection in sec-
tion Automatic deactivation of front passenger
airbags above.

Practical interior accessories
66
Car phone preparation*
Hands-free system
In vehicles with car phone preparation*, the
hands-free microphone is located on the head-
liner near the interior lamp.
For more information on the car phone, refer to
the Owner's Manual for Telephone.
Ski bag*
The ski bag allows the safe and clean transport
of up to 4 pairs of standard skis or up to two
snowboards.
The ski bag itself plus the additional capacity
provided by the cargo area make it possible to
transport skis with a length of up to 6.9 ft/
2.10 m. When skis of 6.9 ft/2.10 m in length are
loaded the ski bag will tend to narrow, reducing
its overall capacity.
Loading
1.Fold down the center armrest, pull off the
cover, press the button and remove the
cover.
2.Press the button again; the cover in the
cargo area opens. If you press the button firmly the first time, this also opens the
cover in the cargo area.
3.Place the ski bag between the front seats
and load.
The zipper facilitates access to the stowed
items.
4.Insert the belt tongue of the ski bag retain-
ing belt into the center safety belt buckle.
Make sure to load only clean skis into the ski
bag. Wrap sharp edges so that no damage
occurs.
Securing load
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con-
tents. Tension the retaining strap on the ten-
sioning buckle for this purpose.
Secure the ski bag in this way. If you fail to
do so, it could endanger occupants dur-
ing braking or evasive maneuvers.<
To store the ski bag, perform the above steps in
reverse order.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
75
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
990 lbs. and there will be five 150-lbs. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
240 lbs.:
990 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 240 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permitted load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage
can be transported.
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 page68,
making sure that objects cannot penetrate
the partition net.
>Do not stack cargo higher than the upper
edge of the backrests.
>Items that could bump against the rear win-
dow while driving must be adequately cov-
ered.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
opposite buckle.
Securing cargo
>Use the luggage net* to hold down small
and lightweight luggage and cargo, refer to
page68.
>For larger and heavier pieces, heavy-duty
cargo straps
* are available from your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. Lashing
eyes for attaching these heavy-duty cargo
straps have been provided in your vehicle's
cargo area, refer to page69.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
113
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System47
– indicator lamp12
Accessories, refer to For your
own safety6
Accident, refer to Receiving
assistance103
Activated-charcoal filter61
Adaptive Head Light53
Adding engine oil91
Adjusting seats24
– electric26
– mechanical25
– mechanical, sports seat25
Air, drying, refer to Air
conditioner57,60
Airbags51
– deactivating front passenger
side31,52
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags52
– sitting safely24
– warning lamp52
Air circulation, refer to Recir-
culated-air mode57,60
Air conditioner56,57
Air distribution
– air conditioner57
– automatic climate control60
Airing, refer to
Ventilation57,61
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation57,61
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure82
Air supply
– air conditioner57
– automatic climate control60
Air vents, refer to
Ventilation57,61AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications81
Alarm system22
– avoiding unintentional
alarms23
All-season tires, refer to
Special characteristics of
winter tires86
Anchorage points33
Antifreeze
– coolant91
– washer fluid90
Antilock Brake System
ABS47
– indicator lamp12
Anti-theft alarm system16
– refer to Alarm system22
Anti-trapping mechanism
– panorama glass sunroof21
– power windows20
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights112
Approved engine oils91
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights112
Armrest
– front64
– rear64
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray65
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control60
Automatic
– air distribution60
– air supply60
– climate control59,60
– headlamp control53
– recirculated-air control
AUC60Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic cruise control40
Automatic curb monitor29
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic36
– indicator lamp38
– interlock34
– selector lever interlock37
– shiftlock37
– towing105
– tow-starting106
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution
and supply60
Average fuel consumption44
– setting units44
Average speed45
– setting units44
Avoiding unintentional
alarms23
Axle loads, refer to
Weights112
B
Backrest, refer to Seats25
Backup lamps36
– refer to Tail lamps98
– replacing bulbs98
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit104
Bar, towing105
Battery101
– indicator lamp12
– jump starting104
– power failure102
– remote control16
– warning lamp101
Belts, refer to Safety belts27
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders63

Everything from A to Z
116 DVD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC47
– warning lamp49
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC47
– indicator lamp47
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution47
Electrical malfunctions
– automatic transmission
malfunction38
– door lock18
– driver's door18
– fuel filler door80
– panorama glass sunroof22
– tailgate19
Electronic brake-force distri-
bution EBV47
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control47
Emergency call103
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– doors18
– driver's door18
– fuel filler door80
– panorama glass sunroof22
– tailgate19
Emergency Service, refer to
Receiving assistance103
Engine
– breaking-in72
– data110
– indicator lamps34
– speed42
Engine compartment89
Engine coolant91
Engine oil90
– approved engine oils91
– indicator/warning lamp90Engine oil grades91
Engine oil level90
– indicator/warning lamp90
Engine oil pressure90
– indicator/warning lamp90
Engine oil sensor90
– indicator/warning lamp90
Engine output, refer to Engine
data110
Equipment range, refer to
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control47
Exhaust system73
Exterior mirrors28
Eye, tow-starting and
towing105
F
Failure of a current
consumer102
False alarms, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms23
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts27
Filter, refer to
– Microfilter58
– Microfilter/activated
charcoal filter61
Fine wood, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit104
First-aid kit104
Flat tire99
– compact wheel99
– Flat Tire Monitor49
– refer to Tire inflation
pressure82
– refer to Wheel changes99Flat Tire Monitor49
– indicator lamp50
Flooding, refer to Driving on
poor roads76
Floor cover69
Fog lamps, indicator lamp54
Folding rear seat back67
Front airbags51
Front fog lamps54
– replacing bulbs97
Fuel81
– average consumption44
– capacity112
– gage42
– quality81
Fuel consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption44
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gage42
Fuel filler door80
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction80
Fuel gage42
Fuel tank contents, refer to
Filling capacities112
Fuses102
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control62
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality81
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gage42
Gear change
– manual transmission36
Gear indicator with automatic
transmission with
Steptronic37
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic36
– manual transmission36
General driving notes72

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
117
Glove compartment64
Grills, refer to
Ventilation57,61
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights112
Ground clearance76
H
Halogen lamps96
Handbrake35
– indicator lamp35
Hands-free microphone, refer
to Car phone preparation66
Hands-free system66
Hazard warning flashers10
HDC Hill Descent Control48
Head airbags51
Headlamp control,
automatic53
Headlamp flasher38
– indicator lamp12
Headlamps96
– care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– replacing bulbs95
Headlamp washer
reservoir90
– capacity, refer to Filling
capacities112
Headlamp washer system90
– headlamp washing39
– washer fluid90
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light53
Head restraints25
Heated mirrors29
Heated rear window
– air conditioner57
– automatic climate control61
Heated seats27
Heated steering wheel28
Heater
– rear window57,61
– windshield washer jets39Heating
– exterior mirror29
– seats27
– steering wheel28
Heating and ventilation56,59
Heavy cargo, refer to Cargo
loading74
Height, refer to
Dimensions111
Height adjustment
– seats25,26
– steering wheel28
High beams54
– headlight flasher54
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs96
High Performance Synthetic
Oil91
Hill-climbing ability, refer to
Driving on poor roads76
Hill descent assistance, refer
to HDC Hill Descent
Control48
Hill Descent Control HDC48
Hills74
Holder for cups63
Hood88
Horn10
Hotel function16
Hot exhaust system73
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC Dynamic Brake
Control47
Hydroplaning73
I
Ice warning44
Ignition34
Ignition key16
Ignition lock34
Imprint2
Index113Indicator/warning lamp
– airbags52
– alarm system22
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic38
– brakes92
– coolant temperature42
– DSC47
– engine temperature42
– Flat Tire Monitor50
– fog lamps54
– front passenger airbags52
– reserve42
– safety belt warning27
Indicator/warning lamps,
overview11
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory30
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure82
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor49
Inside rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature73
INSPECTION message43
Instrument cluster11
Instrument lighting54
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated universal remote
control62
Interior lamps55
– remote control17
Interior motion sensor23
– switching off17,23
Interior rearview mirror29
Interlock34
Intermittent operation,
wipers38
Interval indicator, Service43

Everything from A to Z
120 Remaining distance for
Service43
Remote control16
– garage-door opener62
– malfunction17
– tailgate17
Removing condensation,
windows
– air conditioner58
– automatic climate control60
Replacement fuses102
Replacement keys16
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs95
Replacing tires
– new wheels and tires86
– wheel changes99
Replacing windshield
wiper95
Reporting safety defects7
Reserve indicator lamp, refer
to Fuel gage42
Restraint systems
– for children31
– refer to Safety belts27
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic37
– manual transmission36
Roadside Assistance, refer to
Receiving assistance103
Roadside parking lamps54
– replacing bulbs97
Roll-up cover, refer to Cargo
area cover67
Roof load, refer to
Weights112
Roof-mounted luggage
rack76
Rope, refer to Tow-starting
and towing105
Rotating coin holder, refer to
Storage compartments64
Run-flat indicator, refer to Flat
Tire Monitor49
S
Safety belts27
– sitting safely24
– warning lamp27
Safety belt tensioners, refer to
Safety belts27
Safety defects, reporting7
Safety feature, power
windows20
Safety systems, refer to
– ABS Antilock Brake
System47
– Airbags51
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control47
– xDrive48
Screwdriver, refer to Onboard
tool kit95
Seat heating27
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory26
Seats
– adjusting electrically26
– adjusting sports seat25
– heating27
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory26
– sitting safely24
– storing the setting26
Securing cargo, refer to Cargo
loading74
Selector lever, automatic
transmission37
Selector lever interlock, refer
to Shiftlock37
Selector-lever positions,
automatic transmission36
Service, refer to Receiving
assistance103
Service and warranty7
Service Engine Soon34,94
Service Interval Display43,93
Setting interior
temperature57,60
Shifting gears, with automatic
transmission with
Steptronic37Shiftlock37
Side airbags51
Side tilt, permissible76
Side turn signals, replacing
the bulbs97
Sitting safely24
– with airbags24
– with safety belts24
Ski bag66
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray65
Snow chains87
SOS, refer to Initiating an
emergency call103
Spare fuses102
Spare key16
Spare tire, refer to Wheel
changes99
Spare wheel, refer to Compact
wheel99
Specified oils91
Speed
– with compact wheel101
– with winter tires86
Speedometer11
– refer to Instrument
cluster11
Sport program, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic37
Sports seat25
Stability control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control47
Starting, refer to Engine34
Starting difficulties
– jump starting104
Starting engine34,35
Starting problems at very low
temperatures35
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steering lock34
Steering wheel10,12
– adjustment28
– buttons12
– lock34
Steering wheel heater28

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
121
Steering wheel with
buttons12
Steptronic36
Storage compartments64,65
Storage package65
Storage package nets65
Storage space, refer to Cargo
area67
Storing desired speed, refer to
Cruise control40
Storing seat position, refer to
Seat and mirror memory26
Storing tires86
Straps, refer to Cargo
loading74
Supply reservoirs, washer
systems90
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off engine35
Symbols4
T
Table of contents3
Tachometer42
Tailgate19
– closing19
– emergency operation19
– emergency operation, refer
to Manual unlocking19
– opening, remote control17
– opening from outside19
– remote control17
– unlocking manually19
Tailgate lamp, replacing
bulbs98
Tail lamps98
– indicator lamp, defective
lamp53
– replacing bulbs98
Tank capacity112
Technical data110
Technical modifications6
Telephone, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Temperature
– air conditioner57
– automatic climate control60Temperature, tires85
Temperature display
– ice warning44
– outside temperature44
– setting units44
Temperature gage42
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control40
The right wheels and tires86
Thigh support
adjustment25,26
Three-point safety belt27
Tightening torque of the lug
bolts, refer to After
mounting101
Tilt alarm sensor
– remote control17
– switching off17
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror29
Tire inflation pressures82
Tires
– age84
– breaking-in72
– changing86
– changing, refer to Wheel
changes99
– condition85
– damage85
– DOT Quality Grades84
– flat99
– inflation pressure82
– inflation pressure table83
– size, refer to The right
wheels and tires86
– storage86
– temperature85
– traction84
– tread85
– tread wear84
– tread wear indicator, refer to
Tire tread85
– Uniform Tire Quality
Grading84
– winter tires86
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit95Torque
– engine110
– lug bolts101
Tow bar105
Tow fitting105
Towing105
– with automatic
transmission105
Towing eye105
Towing the vehicle105
Tow rope106
Tow sockets for tow
fitting105
Tow-starting105
Track width, refer to
Dimensions111
Traction84
Traction aid, refer to DSC47
Traction control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control47
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic36
– manual transmission36
Transmission locking
mechanism, refer to
PParking37
Transmission malfunction,
refer to Malfunction38
Transporting children
safely31
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing cargo75
Tread depth, refer to Tire
tread85
Tread wear84
Tread wear indicator in tire,
refer to Tire tread85
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer42
Trip odometer42
Trunk19
– capacity112
– opening from outside19
– refer to Cargo area67
Trunk lid, refer to Tailgate19
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions111