
Practical interior accessories
62
Practical interior accessories
Integrated universal remote
control*
The concept
The integrated universal remote control
replaces up to three different hand-held trans-
mitters for various items of radio-controlled
equipment such as door openers and house
alarm systems. The integrated universal remote
control recognizes and learns the transmitted
signal of each of the original hand-held trans-
mitters.
The signal of an original hand-held transmitter
can be programmed on one of the three mem-
ory buttons1. Once this is done, each of the
devices can be actuated with the appropriately
programmed memory button 1. The indicator
lamp 2 confirms transmission of the signal.
Should you sell your vehicle one day, be sure to
delete the stored programs beforehand for your
safety, refer to page63.
To prevent possible damage or injury,
before programming or using the inte-
grated universal remote control, always inspect
the immediate area to make certain that no peo-
ple, animals or objects are within the travel
range of the device. Also, comply with the
safety precautions of the original hand-held
transmitter.<
Checking compatibility
If you see this symbol on the packaging
or in the manual supplied with the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter, it is safe to
assume that it is compatible with the integrated
universal remote control.
If you have additional questions, please
consult your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center or call 1-800-355-3515.
You can also visit these websites:
www.bmwusa.com or
www.homelink.com. HomeLink is a registered trademark owned by
Johnson Controls, Inc.<
Programming
1Memory buttons
2Indicator lamp
Fixed-code hand-held transmitters
1.Turn the ignition key to position 2.
2.For initial use:
Press both outer buttons 1 for approx.
20 seconds, maintaining pressure until the
indicator lamp2 starts to flash. The three
memory buttons1 are cleared.
3.Hold the original hand-held transmitter at a
distance of approx. 2 in/5 cm to 8 in/20 cm
from the memory buttons1.
The required distance between the
hand-held transmitter and memory
buttons1 depends on the relevant system
of the original hand-held transmitter used.<
4.Simultaneously press the transmit button
on the original hand-held transmitter and
the desired memory button 1 of the inte-
grated universal remote control. Initially, the
indicator lamp2 flashes slowly. Release
both buttons as soon as the indicator
lamp2 flashes rapidly. If the indicator
lamp2 does not flash rapidly after approx.
15 seconds, change the distance.
5.To program other original hand-held trans-
mitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
63
The corresponding memory button1 is now
programmed with the signal of the original
hand-held transmitter.
You can use the system when the engine is run-
ning or when the ignition is switched on.
If the system cannot be operated after
repeated programming, check whether
the original hand-held transmitter uses an alter-
nating-code system. To do so, either read the
instructions of the original hand-held transmit-
ter or press and hold down the programmed
memory button 1 of the integrated universal
remote control. If the indicator lamp 2 on the
integrated universal remote control flashes rap-
idly for a short time then lights up for approx.
2 seconds, this indicates that the original hand-
held transmitter uses an alternating-code sys-
tem. In the case of an alternating-code system,
program the memory buttons 1 as described at
the section on alternating-code transmitters.<
Alternating-code transmitters
Consult the operating instructions of the unit
you wish to set when programming the univer-
sal remote control. You will find information
there on the possibilities for synchronization.
When programming hand-held transmitters
that employ an alternating code, please follow
these additional instructions:
P r o g ra m m in g w i ll b e ea s i er w it h t h e a i d o f
a second person.<
1.Park your vehicle within the range of the
remote-controlled equipment.
2.Program the integrated universal remote
control as described above at Fixed-code
hand-held transmitters.
3.Locate the button at the receiver of the
equipment to be set, e.g. on the drive.
4.Press the button on the receiver of the
device you want to set up. After step 4, you
have approx. 30 seconds for step 5.
5.Press the programmed memory button1
of the integrated universal remote control
three times. The corresponding memory button1 is now
programmed with the signal of the original
hand-held transmitter.
If you have questions, please contact your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.<
Clearing memory buttons
Press both outer buttons 1 for approx. 20 sec-
onds until the indicator lamp2 starts to flash:
all of the memory buttons are cleared.
The memory of individual memory buttons 1
cannot be cleared.
Cup holders
Front
Depending on your optional equipment, the
center console contains either one or two cup
holders.
Passenger side*
The cup holder for the front passenger is
located beneath the air/heating vent.
1.Press the trim piece below the air/heating
vent, arrow.
2.Insert cup.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
65
Storage compartment in the
instrument panel*
Opening
Press the button in the direction of the arrow.
Closing
Fold the cover down.
Storage package*
Your convenience is enhanced by:
>Armrest, front
>Sliding lashing eyes in cargo area, refer to
page69
>Floor cover in cargo area that can be used in
two positions, refer to page69
>Nets in cargo area, on rear side of front seat,
and in passenger footwell
Clothes hooks
When suspending clothing from the
hooks ensure that it will not obstruct the
driver's vision. Do not hang heavy objects on
the hooks. If you do so, they could cause endan-
ger passengers during braking or evasive
maneuvers.<
Ashtray*
Press the edge of the opened cover: the ashtray
moves up and can be removed.
On vehicles with the non-smoking package, the
insert is removed in the same way.
Lighter*
Press in the cigarette lighter1.
The lighter can be removed as soon as it pops
out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by
the knob only. Holding or touching it in
other areas could result in burns.
The cigarette lighter remains operational when
the ignition key has been removed. For this rea-
son, do not leave unsupervised children in the
vehicle.<
Power socket
The cigarette lighter socket can be used as a
power socket to plug in hand flashlights, car
vacuum cleaners, etc., with power ratings of up
to approx. 200 W at 12 V. Avoid damage to the
socket caused by inserting plugs of a different
shape or size. With the non-smoker's equip-
ment package the socket is covered with a
removable cap.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
95
Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
The onboard tool kit is located in a compart-
ment on the left in the cargo area.
Replacing wiper blades
Front
1.Move the wiper into the fold-out position,
refer to page38.
2.Lift the wiper arm and press the securing
spring, refer to arrow.
3.Pull the wiper blade off toward the wiper
arm.
4.Insert the new blade and snap it into place.
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.<
Rear
1.Lift the wiper arm.
2.Pull off the wiper blade, refer to arrow.
3.Insert a new wiper blade.
Lamps and bulbs
The lamps and bulbs make essential contribu-
tions to the safety of your vehicle. Therefore,
comply fully with the following instructions dur-
ing bulb replacement. If you are not familiar with
the specified procedures, BMW recommends
having the replacements carried out at your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. To
install, use a clean cloth, napkin etc. or hold the
bulb by its metal socket.<
A replacement bulb set is available from your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
To prevent short circuits, before working
on any electrical system, equipment or
accessory you should always switch it off and
disconnect the cable from the battery's nega-
tive terminal before starting.
To avoid possible injury or equipment damage
when replacing bulbs, observe any instructions
provided by the bulb manufacturer.<
When maintaining the headlamps, please
comply with the instructions in the sepa-
rate Caring for your vehicle brochure.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
103
Giving and receiving assistance
Receiving assistance
The Roadside Assistance of the BMW Group
offers you assistance in the event of a break-
down around the clock, as well as on weekends
and public holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance control center in your home country can
be found in the BMW Dealer directory.
In the case of vehicles with the corresponding
equipment, you can use buttons in the head-
liner to contact Roadside Assistance or initiate
an emergency call.
When the emergency call is initiated, a tele-
phone connection is established to the BMW
Assist response center.
In vehicles with BMW Assist enabled, if the cur-
rent location of your vehicle can be determined,
it will be transmitted to the BMW Assist
response center.
The conditions for initiating an emergency call
or contacting Roadside Assistance:
>Ignition key from position 1
>The car phone is logged on to a mobile tele-
phone network
>The emergency call system is operable
Access to buttons*
To open the cover:
Briefly press the cover, refer to arrow.
1Emergency call
2Roadside Assistance
Initiating an emergency call*
Press button 1 for at least 2 seconds.
The indicator lamp over the button lights up.
As soon as the voice connection to the BMW
Assist response center has been established,
the indicator lamp flashes.
If the indicator lamp flashes, but you are unable
to hear the response center, you can still be
heard by the response center.
For technical reasons, the emergency call
cannot be guaranteed under the most
unfavorable conditions.<
Under certain conditions, an emergency call is
initiated automatically immediately after a
severe accident. The automatic emergency call
is not affected by the button being pressed.
Roadside Assistance*
Press button 2 for at least 2 seconds.
The indicator lamp over the button lights up.
As soon as the voice connection to Roadside
Assistance has been established, the indicator
lamp flashes.
On a country-specific basis, with BMW Assist
enabled, the current location of your vehicle is
determined at the same time.
Warning triangle*
To open the side trim panel: press the button.
Always observe all legal regulations
requiring a warning triangle to be carried
in the vehicle.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
105
5.Connect the second terminal clamp of the
negative/– jumper cable to the negative ter-
minal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting engine
1.Start the assisting vehicle's engine and let it
run at an increased idling speed for a few
minutes.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the connection sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged at a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting and towing
Use tow fitting
The threaded tow fitting is stored in the
onboard tool kit, refer to page95, and must
always remain in the vehicle. It can be screwed
in at the front or rear of the BMW.
To avoid damage to the tow fitting and the
vehicle, observe the following: only use
the tow fitting that comes with the vehicle and
screw it in as far as it will go. Only use the tow
fitting to tow on roads. Avoid lateral loading of
the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehicle by the
tow fitting.<
Access to screw thread
Press out the cover in the front or rear bumper
at the notch at the bottom with a screwdriver.
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1, as otherwise the steering lock will
engage, making it impossible to steer the vehi-
cle. There is no power assist with the engine
stopped. It is then necessary to exert increased
effort for braking and steering.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 30 mph/
50 km/h and a towing distance of
95 miles/150 km, as otherwise the drive train
may be damaged.<
Vehicles with manual transmission
Gear lever in neutral.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
Selector lever in N.
Towing methods
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes on public roads is not permitted.
Familiarize yourself with the regulations on tow-
ing in the respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle may not be lighter
than the vehicle to be towed, as otherwise
it will not be possible to control vehicle
response.<

Giving and receiving assistance
106 The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an offset
angle, please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be strictly limited in corners.
>When mounted at an angle, the tow bar will
exert lateral forces, tending to push the
vehicle sideways.
Secure the tow bar to the tow fitting only.
Otherwise damage could result on other
vehicle parts.<
With tow-rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow-rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Secure the tow-rope on the tow fitting only.
Otherwise damage could result on other vehicle
parts.<
With tow truck
Do not tow the X3 with only the front or
rear axle raised, as otherwise the wheels
could lock and the transfer case could be dam-
aged.<
Only have the X3 transported on a load bed.
Tow-starting
Do not tow-start vehicles with an auto-
matic transmission.
Jump starting, refer to page104.<
Vehicles with a catalytic converter should only
be tow-started when the engine is cold. It is bet-
ter to jump start the engine, refer to page104.
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with country-specific regulations.
2.Turn the ignition key to position 2.
3.Engage the 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
pedal completely depressed and slowly
release the clutch. After the engine starts,
immediately depress the clutch pedal com-
pletely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
Do not activate the HDC Hill Descent
Control during tow-starting, refer to
page48.<

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