2005 BMW X3 2.5I wheel

Driving
34
Driving
Ignition lock
0 Steering locked
T h e k e y c a n b e in s e r t e d o r r e m o v e d in t h i s p o s i-
tion only.
After removing the key, turn the steering wheel
slightly to the left or right until you hear the lock
engage.
Interlock
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
To turn the key back to position 0 or to remove
it, first place the selector lever in position P.
1 Steering unlocked
A slight steering wheel movement often makes
it easier to turn the key from 0 to 1.
Some power accessories are ready for opera-
tion.
2 Ignition switched on
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
3 Starting engine
Engine
Do not allow the engine to warm up while idling.
Begin driving immediately at moderate engine
speed.
The engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased idle
speeds at startup are normal and should decrease as the engine warms up. If engine
speed does not decrease, service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharging, always
switch off electrical devices which are not in use
and the ignition when the vehicle is not being
driven.
Do not run the engine in closed rooms, as
otherwise inhaling toxic exhaust gases
can cause unconsciousness and death. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the
engine running, since an unattended vehicle
with a running engine represents a safety haz-
ard.
When driving, standing at idle and while parking
take care to avoid possible contact between a
hot exhaust system and any highly flammable
materials such as hay, leaves, grass etc. Such
contact could lead to a fire, resulting in serious
personal injury and property damage.<
Indicator lamps
If the Service Engine Soon indicator
lamp comes on either continuously or
intermittently, this indicates a malfunc-
tion in the emissions-related electronic sys-
tems. Although the vehicle remains operational,
you should have the systems checked by your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center at the ear-
liest possible opportunity.
The illuminated indicator informs you of the
need for service, not that you need to stop the
vehicle. However, the systems should be
checked by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center at the next opportunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this indicates
a high level of engine misfire. Reduce speed
and contact the nearest BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center immediately. Severe engine
misfiring over even a short period of time can
seriously damage emission control system
components, especially the catalytic converter.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
35
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
The warning lamp lights up. Malfunc-
tion in the engine electronics. You can
continue to drive with reduced engine
output or speed. Have the system checked
immediately.
Starting engine
When starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Step on the clutch when starting the vehicle.
A locking mechanism prevents the engine from
starting if the clutch is not depressed.
Do not end the starting procedure too early, but
do not prolong it for more than 20 seconds.
Release the ignition key immediately as soon as
the engine starts.
If the engine fails to start on the first attempt, for
instance, if it is very hot or cold:
Press the accelerator pedal halfway down while
engaging the starter.
During a cold start at very low temperatures,
below approx. +57/–156, at high altitudes
over 3,300 ft/1,000 m:
>Engage the starter for approx. 10 seconds
the first time.
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway down
while engaging the starter.
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is
not burned or inadequately burned and there is
a danger of overheating and damaging the cat-
alytic converter.<
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Shift into neutral.
3.Press the clutch pedal.
If the clutch pedal is not pressed, the engine
cannot be started.
4.Start the engine.Before leaving the vehicle with the engine
running, place the gearshift lever in neu-
tral position and engage the handbrake.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a
potential safety hazard.<
Automatic transmission
1.Press the brake pedal.
2.Engage selector-lever position P or N.
3.Start the engine.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling,
always select position P and engage the
handbrake before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running. Never leave an unattended
vehicle with the engine running, as such a vehi-
cle represents a potential safety hazard.<
Switching off engine
Do not remove the ignition key when the
vehicle is moving, as otherwise the steer-
ing could lock.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
ignition key and lock the steering.
When parking on downward inclines, engage
the handbrake.<
Manual transmission
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Automatic transmission
Engage selector-lever position P, turn ignition
key to position 1 or 0.
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes
the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up red. An
acoustic signal also sounds when you
begin to drive. The handbrake is
engaged.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
37
Possible displays
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
The selector lever position is indicated, and in
the manual mode the gear currently engaged.
Range selection
An interlock prevents inadvertent gearshifts
into selector-lever positions R and P. To cancel
the interlock, press the button on the front of
the selector-lever knob, refer to arrow.
Shiftlock
With the vehicle stationary, press the brake
pedal before shifting out of P or N; the shift
command will not be executed unless the brake
is applied.
To prevent the vehicle from 'creeping' after you
select a gear, maintain pressure on the brake
pedal until you are ready to start.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling,
always select position P and engage the
handbrake before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running.<
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
transmission locks to prevent the rear wheels
from turning.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
For example, engage in automatic car washes.
The vehicle can roll.
D Drive, automatic shift program
This position is designed for driving under all
normal operating conditions. All forward gears
are available.
Kick-down
The kick-down mode provides maximum accel-
eration.
Press the accelerator pedal past the increased
resistance point at the full-throttle position.
M/S Manual mode and Sport Program
Move the selector lever from position D to the
left into shifting slot M/S:
The sport program is activated and SD appears
in the instrument cluster. This position is
recommended for a performance-oriented
driving style.
When the selector lever is moved briefly
towards + or –, manual operation is activated
and the Steptronic shifts gears. The instrument
cluster shows M1 through M5.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combination
of engine and vehicle speed; as a result, for
example, a downshift that would cause the
engine to overrev will not be executed by the
system. The gear selected will appear briefly in
the instrument cluster followed by the current
gear.

Driving
40 3.Move the wiper lever from position 0 to
position 2 again
To change the wiper blades, refer to page95.
Cruise control*
The vehicle maintains and stores the speed
that you set as of a speed of approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h.
You can use cruise control whenever the sys-
tem is active while the engine is running.
On the sports steering-wheel
* the buttons +/–
for the cruise control are located on the right-
hand side of the steering wheel.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up green:
System ready for operation using the
buttons on the steering wheel.
Activating system
As of ignition key position 2:
Press button on steering wheel; the indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on. You
are able to use the cruise control.
Do not use the cruise control under unfa-
vorable conditions that do not permit a
constant speed, e.g. when driving on winding
roads or in heavy traffic or when negotiating
poor road conditions such as snow, rain, ice, or
a loose road surface.<
Deactivating system
Press the button repeatedly until the indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
The cruise control is also deactivated when the
ignition key is turned to position 0. The speed
stored in the memory is deleted in the process.
Maintaining speed, storing, and
accelerating
Briefly press + button:
The system maintains and stores the current
vehicle speed. Every time you briefly press the
button, the vehicle's speed increases by
roughly 1 mph/1 km/h.
Press and hold
+ button:
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. When you release the
button, the system maintains and stores the
current speed.
If, on a downhill gradient, the engine's
braking effect is not sufficient, the con-
trolled speed can be exceeded. Speed can drop
on uphill grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.<
Decelerating
Briefly press – button:
Every time you briefly press the button, the
vehicle's speed decreases by roughly 1 mph/
1 km/h provided that you have already activated
the cruise control.
Press and hold
– button:
With the cruise control active, the system auto-
matically reduces the fuel supply to slow the
vehicle. When you release the button, the sys-
tem maintains and stores the current speed.
Interrupting cruise control
When the system is activated, press button 1.
The indicator lamp stays on. You can use the
cruise control again whenever required by
requesting the speed that was stored last.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
47
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the button flashes and a
short continuous tone sounds. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. Switch off PDC. Have the system
checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they will continue to operate effectively.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are involved,
there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be
detected. The system is also subject to the
physical limits that apply to all forms of ultra-
sonic measurement, such as those encoun-
tered with tow bars and trailer couplings, or thin
and wedge-shaped objects etc. Low objects
already displayed, e.g. a curb, can also disap-
pear from the detection area of the sensors
again before a continuous tone sounds.
Loud sources of sound, inside and outside the
vehicle, could drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free of ice or
snow in order to ensure that they will con-
tinue to operate effectively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the sensors
for a prolonged period of time. Keep the spray at
least 4 in/10 cm away from the sensors.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array
of systems designed to enhance and maintain
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents the wheels from locking during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. This results in an
increase in the active safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Safe braking, refer to page73.
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution
EBV controls the brake system's application
pressure in the rear wheels to ensure stable
deceleration.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When the brake pedal is depressed quickly, this
system automatically generates a maximal
braking force distribution and thus helps keep
the braking distance to a minimum during full
braking. This system exploits all of the benefits
provided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the brake application. DBC is
deactivated when you release the brake pedal.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents slip at the drive wheels when
starting off and accelerating. DSC also detects
unstable driving conditions, such as a fishtailing
of the vehicle's rear end or the sliding of the
vehicle on its front wheels. In these circum-
stances, DSC helps keep the vehicle on a safe
path, within physical limits, by reducing engine
output and by applying the brakes in individual
wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start the
engine.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style always remains the responsibility of the
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional
safety margin again by taking risks.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp goes out shortly
after the engine starts.
When the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC is controlling the drive and braking forces.
When the indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off with the button.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
48
Switching off DSC
Press the button; the indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up continuously.
DSC is now deactivated.
Stabilizing interventions of the chassis control
system DSC are no longer available. However,
the braking interventions that simulate the
function of the differential lock continue to be
active.
In the following exceptional circumstances, it
may be useful to switch off DSC for a short
period:
>When rocking the vehicle and starting off in
deep snow or on loose road surfaces
>On sandy road surfaces
>On poor surfaces with deep ruts
>If the wheels spin on muddy surfaces
>When driving with snow chains
As a result of the braking interventions,
the brakes may be subjected to additional
loads when the system is switched off. In order
to limit the brake temperature, brief automatic
suppression of the brake activation is possible.
To maintain vehicle stability, always drive with
the system switched on when possible.<
Reactivating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. DSC is now acti-
vated.
xDrive
xDrive is the all-wheel drive system of your X3.
The combined effects of xDrive and DSC fur-
ther optimize the traction and dynamic driving
characteristics. The all-wheel drive system
xDrive variably distributes the drive torque to
the front and rear axle depending on the driving
situation and prevailing road conditions.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept
HDC is a system for hill descent assistance that
reduces the speed on steep downward inclines
and makes it even easier to control the driving
characteristics of your BMW under these condi-
tions. The vehicle moves at slightly more than
walking speed without active intervention from
the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehicle speeds
below approx. 20 mph/35 km/h. When driving
down steep hills with a speed below approx.
20 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed
automatically down to slightly more than walk-
ing speed, approx. 5 mph/8 km/h, and then
maintains this speed at a constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary
this automatically controlled speed within a
range extending from approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to
15 mph/25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same
range by using the +/– buttons of the cruise
control on the steering wheel.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
49
Activating system
Press the button; the indicator lamp comes on.
The indicator lamp flashes when the brakes are
applied automatically.
Deactivating system
Press the button again; the indicator lamp goes
out.
HDC is deactivated immediately above approx.
35 mph/60 km/h and after approx. 10 seconds
when the ignition is switched off.
Using HDC
In vehicles with manual transmission:
Use HDC in first gear and in reverse gear, as in
the higher gears the engine's braking action
diminishes.
On vehicles with automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive position.
Malfunction
If the indicator lamp in the button goes out in the
HDC mode or fails to light up when the button is
pressed:
HDC is temporarily not available, as the brake
temperature is too high.
Malfunction in vehicle stability control
systems
The warning lamp lights up yellow.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control is defec-
tive. Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.If one of the malfunctions described
below occurs, proceed cautiously and
defensively. When driving on poor roads, avoid
using the full throttle or kick-down positions of
the accelerator as well as heavy and panic brak-
ing. Otherwise the drive train may be damaged
or accidents can occur.<
The red brake warning lamp lights up
together with the warning lamps for
ABS and DSC/xDrive. In addition, a
warning signal sounds. ABS, DSC,
HDC and xDrive have failed. Drive may
then only be carried out via the rear
axle. If the brake warning lamp lights up
yellow in the described combination,
the EBV Electronic brake-force distribution is
still available. Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
The warning lamp lights up continu-
ously and a warning signal sounds:
DSC or the xDrive all-wheel system has
failed.
The stabilizing interventions of DSC or the all-
wheel drive system xDrive are no longer avail-
able. It is then possible to exert driving force
only via the rear axle. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Flat Tire Monitor
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the four mounted tires as you
drive. The system provides an alert whenever
the inflation pressure drops significantly in rela-
tion to the pressure in another tire.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
50 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 certain speed ratios.
Functional requirement
So that the Flat Tire Monitor can learn the cor-
rect inflation pressure, please perform the fol-
lowing steps:
1.Check the inflation pressures in all tires
2.Compare with the inflation pressure table
on page83 and correct if necessary
3.Initialize the system.
System limits
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 slippery
road surfaces.
>In the case of performance-oriented driving:
slip in the drive wheels, high lateral acceler-
ation.
>False alarms and undetected loss of pres-
sure may occur when you are driving with
snow chains fitted.
>When driving with a compact wheel, the Flat
Tire Monitor cannot operate.
Initializing system
Perform the initialization immediately
every time you correct the inflation pres-
sure, change a tire or change a wheel or all
wheels. This requires a trip.<1.Start the engine, but do not begin to drive.
2.Press the button until the yellow indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up for a
few seconds.
3.Begin driving.
It takes a few minutes until the Flat Tire Monitor
can detect and indicate a flat tire.
Do not initialize the system when driving
with snow chains or with a compact
wheel.<
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up yellow.
There is a flat tire or extensive inflation
pressure loss.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Identify damaged tire.
If identification is not possible, con-
tact your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.<
3.Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Changing a wheel on page99.
Brake Force Display
The Brake Force Display lights up in two
stages, depending on how heavily you brake.