2005 BMW X3 2.5I coolant temperature

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
11
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator and warning lamps11
3Tachometer42
Indicator and warning lamps11
4Coolant temperature gage42
5Fuel gage42
6Button for
>Displaying the time43
>Service Interval Display43
7Selector lever and program display for
automatic transmission36
8Button for
>Resetting trip odometer42
>Setting the time43
9Display for
>Trip odometer/odometer42
>Time43
>Service Interval43
>Computer44 Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
The indicator and warning lamps identified by
the Χ are subjected to an operation check each
time you switch on the engine. They each light
up once for different periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored sys-
tem, the corresponding lamp will either fail to go
o u t w h e n t h e e n g i n e i s s t a r t e d , o r i t w i l l c o m e o n
again during normal driving. Detailed informa-
tion is provided on the specified pages.
Please fasten safety belt +27
Airbags
+51
Brake system
+
With handbrake released49, 92
With handbrake engaged 35
With other warning lamps49

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
91
Do not fill beyond the upper mark on the
dipstick. Excess oil can damage the
engine.<
Adding engine oil
Do not add oil until the oil level has dropped to
just above the lower marking on the dipstick,
refer to page90.
Add oil within the next 30 miles/50 km,
otherwise engine damage could result.<
Store oil, grease etc., well out of the reach
of children; always observe all warning
labels on the containers.<
Oil change
Have oil changed only at your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center or at a workshop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical
significance for the operation and service life of
an engine. Based on extensive testing, BMW
has approved only certain engine oils.
Use only approved BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil, you can add small
amounts of another synthetic oil between oil
changes. Use only oils with the API SH specifi-
cation or higher.
Ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center for details concerning the specific
BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil or syn-
thetic oils which have been approved. 1-800-831-1117 or visit this website:
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
BMW engines are designed to operate
without additives, and their use could
even lead to damage in some cases.<
Viscosity ratings
Viscosity is the oil flow rating as defined in
SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class depends
on the climate conditions in the area where you
typically drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes 5W-40
and 5W-30.<
These oils may be used for driving in all ambient
temperatures.
Coolant
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up: coolant
level is too low; top off at the next
opportunity.
Do not open the cooling system when the
engine is hot. Escaping coolant can cause
burns.<
Coolant consists of water and coolant additive.
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW Sport Activ-
ity Vehicle Center for suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, as otherwise
engine damage may result. The additives
present a health hazard.<
Always observe all applicable environ-
mental laws and regulations when dis-
posing of used coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
115
Circulation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode57,60
Cleaning, vehicle, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning rear window39
Cleaning windows,
reservoir90
Cleaning windshield39
Clock43,44
– 12/24 hour mode44
– setting, also refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
– setting time43
Closing
– from inside18
– from outside16
Clothes hooks65
Clutch72
– breaking-in72
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine34
Combination of wheel/tire86
Compact wheel, wheel
changes99
Compartments, refer to
Storage compartments64
Computer44
– also refer to Owner's Manual
for Onboard Computer
– functions44
Condensation, refer to
– Air conditioner57,60
– Parking vehicle73
Connecting a car vacuum
cleaner, refer to Power
socket65
Consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption44
Consumption indicator, refer
to Fuel gage42
Controls, refer to Cockpit10Convenience operation
– from outside18
– panorama glass sunroof18
– windows18
Coolant91
– level91
– temperature gage42
– warning lamp91
Cooling, refer to
Temperature57,60
Cooling system filling
capacity, refer to Filling
capacities112
Copyright2
Cruise control40
– buttons on steering
wheel12
– indicator lamp40
Cruising range45
Cup holders63
Curb weight, refer to
Weights112
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data110
D
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting54
Dashboard system, refer to
Cockpit10
Data, technical110
– dimensions111
– engine110
– filling capacities112
– weights112
Daytime driving lamps53
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control47
– warning lamp49
Deactivating front passenger
airbags31,52
Decommissioning the vehicle,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Defective lamp53
Defects7Defrosting windows58,60
– air conditioner58
– automatic climate control60
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
– air conditioner58
– automatic climate control60
Defrosting windshield, refer to
Defrosting windows58,60
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows58,60
Digital clock43
Dimensions111
Dipstick, engine oil90
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals38
Disc brakes73
Displacement, refer to Engine
data110
Display illumination, refer to
Instrument lighting54
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting54
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster11
Disposal
– engine oil91
– vehicle battery101
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control46
Door keys16
Door lock18
Doors, manual operation18
DOT Quality Grades84
Draft-free ventilation58,61
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams53
Driving notes72
Driving on poor roads76
Driving stability control
systems47
Driving through water76
Drying the air, refer to Air
conditioner57,60
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control47
– indicator lamp47

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

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
119
Nozzles, refer to
Ventilation57,61
Nylon rope, refer to Tow-
starting and towing105
O
OBD connector93
Octane rating, refer to Fuel
quality81
Odometer42
Oil
– approved engine oils91
– capacity112
– dipstick90
Oil change interval
– refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models,
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models
– refer to Service Interval
Display43
Oil consumption90
Oil grades91
Oil level90
– warning lamp90
Oil pressure90
– warning lamp90
Oil sensor90
– warning lamp90
OIL SERVICE43
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal101
Onboard computer, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Onboard Diagnostics OBD
interface socket93
Onboard tool kit95
Opening and closing
– from inside18
– from outside16
– using the door lock18
– using the remote control16
Output, refer to Engine
data110Outside air
– air conditioner57
– automatic climate control60
Outside temperature display
– changing unit of measure44
– in computer44P
Panorama glass sunroof21
– automatic opening and
closing21
– closing with electrical
malfunction22
– comfort operation18
– comfort position21
– initializing21
– power failure21
– remote control17
Parcel shelf, refer to Cargo
area cover67
Park Distance Control PDC46
Parking aid, refer to PDC Park
Distance Control46
Parking brake, refer to
Handbrake35
Parking lamps53
– replacing bulbs97
Parking lamps/low beams53
Parking vehicle35
Partition net68
Parts and accessories, refer to
For your own safety6
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function29
Pathway lighting53
PDC Park Distance Control46
Plastic, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Pollen, refer to
– Microfilter58
– Microfilter/activated
charcoal filter61
Portable phone, refer also to
separate Owner's Manual
Power failure
– battery102
– panorama glass sunroof21
– windows20Power seat adjustment26
Power socket65,69
Power windows20
– initializing20
– safety switch20
Pressure, tires82
Pressure monitoring, tires49
– Flat Tire Monitor49
Programming settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory30
Protective function, panorama
glass sunroof21
Puncture, Flat Tire Monitor49
R
Radiator, refer to Coolant91
Radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Radio-control key, refer to
Master key with remote
control16
Radio navigation, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Rain sensor39
Range, setting units44
Reading lamps
– front55
– rear55
Rear backrests, folding67
Rear seat back, folding67
Rearview mirrors, exterior28
Rear window defroster
– air conditioner57
– automatic climate control61
Rear window safety switch20
Rear window wiper39
– wiper blade replacement95
Recirculated-air mode
– air conditioner57
– automatic climate control60
Reflector, refer to Tail
lamps98
Refueling80
– fuel filler door80
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range45