2005 BMW X3 2.5I key

Driving
36 Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Engaging
The lever engages automatically and the indica-
tor lamp in the instrument cluster lights up from
ignition key position 1.
Releasing
Pull up slightly on the lever, press the button
and lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should
make it necessary to engage the hand-
brake while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it
too strongly. In doing so, continuously press the
button of the handbrake lever. Strong applica-
tion of the handbrake can lead to overbraking of
the rear axle and to associated 'fishtailing' of the
vehicle rear end.
The brake lamps do not light up when the hand-
brake is applied.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally engage the hand-
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming
to a stop at a traffic light if the traffic conditions
are suitable.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, make
sure that you press the gearshift lever to
the right to prevent inadvertently shifting into
3rd or 4th.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on slopes by
slipping or riding the clutch. Otherwise greater
clutch wear will result.<
Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. Press
the gearshift lever to the left to overcome the
resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will turn on
automatically when the ignition key is in posi-
tion 2.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to
page37.
Selector-lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Starting engine
The engine can only be started in selector lever
positions P: Park or N: Neutral.

Driving
38 To use the automatic function again, move the
selector lever to the right into position D.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. A malfunc-
tion has occurred in the transmission
system. Avoid heavy loads.
While it will still remain possible to move the
selector lever to any desired position, the trans-
mission will revert to its default mode with only
a limited number of forward gears.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Information on towing and jump starting, refer
to page105.
Turn signals/headlamp
flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator
lamp indicates that a turn signal bulb has
gone out. After the ignition is switched off,
make sure that the roadside parking lamps have
not been left on.<
Signaling briefly
Press lever to resistance point and hold for as
long as you wish to signal.
Washer/wiper system/
rain sensor*
0Wipers retracted
1Intermittent or rain sensor operation
2Normal wiper speed
3Fast wipe
4Brief wipe
5Select interval time or set sensitivity of rain
sensor
Fold-out position
The right wiper is partially concealed by the
hood.
To move the wipers into a vertical position:
1.Switch on wipers in lever position 1.
2.When the wipers are approximately vertical,
move the ignition key to position 0.
For changing the wiper blades, refer to page95.
Fold the wipers back down onto the wind-
shield before you turn the ignition key to
p o s i t i o n 1 o r 2 a g a i n . I f y o u d o n o t , t h e y c o u l d b e
damaged.<
Intermittent mode
Not on vehicles with rain sensor.
You can set the wipe interval to four stages with
the serrated dial 5.
In addition, the wipe interval is varied automati-
cally depending on road speed.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
39
Rain sensor*
The rain sensor automatically controls wiper
operation as a function of the rain intensity. It is
positioned on the windshield, directly in front of
the inside rearview mirror.
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing
through an automatic car wash. Failure to
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper activation.<
Activating
As of ignition key position 1 move the lever to
position1. The wipers travel once across the
windshield, regardless of the weather condi-
tions.
You can leave the lever permanently in posi-
tion 1 and then only need to activate the rain
sensor as of ignition key position 1. To do so:
>Briefly turn the serrated dial 5 or
>clean the windshield 1, refer to next section
Adjusting sensitivity
Turn the serrated dial 5.
Deactivating
Switch lever to position 0.
Normal wiper speed
The system switches automatically to intermit-
tent mode when the vehicle is not moving, not
on vehicles with rain sensor.
Fast wipe
The wipers operate at normal speed when the
vehicle is not moving, not on vehicles with rain
sensor.
Cleaning windshield, rear window and
headlamps*
0Wipers retracted
1Cleaning windshield and headlamps
2Rear window wiper intermittent mode
3Cleaning rear window
Do not use the washers if there is any
danger that the fluid will freeze on the
windshield. If you do so, your vision could be
obscured. To avoid freezing, use a washer fluid
antifreeze, refer to page90. Do not use the
washers when the reservoir is empty. This
could cause damage to the washer pump.<
Cleaning windshield
The system sprays washer fluid against the
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief
period.
The windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated as of ignition key position 2.
Cleaning headlamps*
When the vehicle lighting system is switched
on, the headlamps are cleaned at regular and
appropriate intervals.
Rear window wiper
Rear window wiper in intermittent mode. When
reverse gear is engaged, the wiper operates
continuously.
You can also program the interval:
1.Briefly move the wiper lever from position 0
to position 2.
2.Wait for desired interval; maximum of
30 seconds.

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.

Everything under control
42
Everything under control
Odometer
1Odometer
2Trip odometer
Odometer
You can activate the displays shown in the illus-
tration in ignition key position 0 or with the igni-
tion key removed by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster.
Trip odometer
To reset to zero:
1.Ignition key in position 1.
2.Press and hold the button until the trip
odometer is reset to zero.
Tachometer
Engine speeds in the red warning field must
absolutely be avoided.
In this range, the fuel supply is interrupted to
protect the engine.
Fuel gage
If the indicator lamp 1 starts to light up continu-
ously, there are approx. 2 gallons /8 liters of fuel
in the tank.
Fuel tank capacity:
Approx. 17.7 gallons/67 liters.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, when you are driv-
ing in mountainous areas, for example, the indi-
cator may fluctuate slightly.
Refuel well before the tank is empty, as
otherwise engine functions will not be
ensured and damage can occur if you drive
down to the last drop.<
When you switch on the ignition, the indicator
lamp comes on briefly to confirm that the sys-
tem is operational.
Coolant temperature gage
Blue
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate
engine and vehicle speeds.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
43
Between blue and red fields
Normal operating range. It is permissible for the
dial to drift up to the red field.
Red
Comes on while driving:
The engine is overheated. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to page91.
When you switch on the ignition, the warning
lamp1 comes on briefly to confirm that the sys-
tem is operational.
Service Interval Display
Remaining distance until next service
due
The displays shown in the illustration appear for
a few seconds as of ignition key position 1 or
after starting the engine.
Together with the message OIL SERVICE or
INSPECTION, the next scheduled service and
remaining distance to this service are displayed
in miles/kilometers.
The remaining distance is determined on the
basis of the past driving style.
A flashing display and a '– sign' before the
numerical value mean that the service interval
has been passed by the displayed number of
miles/kilometers. Please make an appointment
with your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Clock
If you want to have a continuous clock display,
you can also have the time displayed in the dis-
play of the car radio, refer to Owner's Manual for
Radio.
You can adjust the clock, also for display in the
radio, as follows.
Setting time
As of ignition key position 1:
Hours
1.Hold button2 pressed for a few seconds
until the hours are displayed and the colon
flashes.
2.Press button1 repeatedly until the desired
hour is set.
Minutes
3.Press button2 to change to the minutes.
4.Press button1 repeatedly until the desired
minutes are set.
5.Press button2.
Time is confirmed.
The set time is transferred to the display of the
radio or displayed in the instrument cluster.
Display mode
Ignition key in position 0 or removed:
Press button1.
The time and display of the miles/kilometers
appear for a few seconds.

Everything under control
44
Computer*
Mode selection
As of ignition key position 1, you can call up
information from the computer using the com-
puter button in the turn signal lever.
A new function appears each time you briefly
press the computer button.
The displays appear in the following order:
Time, outside temperature, average fuel con-
sumption, cruising range, average speed.
As of ignition key position 1, the last active set-
ting is displayed.
If you desire, you can display the following
functions in a different unit of measure.<
Outside temperature
Changing unit of measure 7/6
During the display, hold down the button in the
turn signal lever until the display changes.
Ice warning
If the outside temperature falls below approx.
+37.57/+36, the computer switches auto-
matically to the outside temperature display. In
addition, an acoustic signal sounds and the dis-
play flashes for a short time.After an ice warning has been issued, the
display returns to the previous setting.
You can have this activated/deactivated.<
Please bear in mind that the ice warning
does nothing to alter the fact that black
ice may be present on roads at temperatures
higher than +37.57/+36, for instance, on
bridges and shaded roads.<
Clock
12 or 24 hour mode
If your vehicle is equipped with a computer, you
can have the time displayed in the 12 or 24 hour
mode.
During the display, hold down the computer
button in the turn signal lever until the display
changes.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for
the time during which the engine is running.
Reset average consumption: press the com-
puter button in the turn indicator lever for
approx. 2 seconds.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
46
Technology for comfort, convenience and
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
PDC provides extra safety and convenience
during parking maneuvers. Signal tones indi-
cate the current distance to an object behind or
in front of your vehicle. Four ultrasonic sensors
in both the bumpers monitor the distance to the
nearest object.
The front and rear sensors on the corners have
a range of approx. 2 ft/60 cm. The two rear mid-
dle sensors have a range of approx. 5 ft/1.50 m
and the two front middle sensors of approx.
2.6 ft/80 cm.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching objects too fast, otherwise
the system may give warning of physical obsta-
cles too late.<
If you tow a trailer, the rear sensors cannot take
any practical measurements. Therefore, they
do not switch on.
Automatic mode
In ignition key position 2, the system is auto-
matically activated after approx. one second
each time you shift into reverse or move the
selector-lever into position R. Wait for this short
time span before moving. The system switches
off when you shift out of reverse.
You can have a signal tone programmed
into the system to verify that the PDC is
active.<
Manual mode
In ignition key position 2, press the button; the
indicator lamp lights up.
Deactivating manual mode
Press the button again; the indicator lamp goes
out.
After driving a distance of more than approx.
160 ft/50 m or exceeding a speed of approx.
20 mph/30 km/h, the system switches off and
the indicator lamp goes out. You can reactivate
the system manually as needed.
Signal tones
The distance to an object behind the vehicle is
signaled, in accordance with the position, by an
intermittent tone from a speaker in the rear.
The distance to an object in front of the vehicle
is signaled by an intermittent tone from a loud-
speaker beneath the instrument cluster.
As the distance between vehicle and object
decreases, the intervals between the tones
become shorter. The signal tone becomes con-
tinuous once the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
The signal tone is canceled after approx. 3 sec-
onds when the distance to an object remains
constant during this time, if you are moving par-
allel to a wall, for instance.