2005 BMW X3 2.5I oil dipstick

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
89
Engine compartment
1Reservoir for windshield and headlamp
washer system90
2Body ground: negative terminal104
3Auxiliary terminal for jump starting104
4Engine oil filler neck91
5Brake fluid reservoir92
6Dipstick for engine oil90
7Coolant expansion tank91

Under the hood
90
Washer fluid
Headlamp* and windshield washer
system
The antifreeze for the washer systems is
flammable. For this reason, keep it away
from sources of flame and store it only in its
original containers. Store it so that it is inacces-
sible to children. Always observe the instruc-
tions for use provided on the containers.<
We recommend that you mix the washer
fluid before adding it to the reservoir.<
Capacity of the windshield washer system:
approx. 3.2 US quarts/3 liters.
Capacity for equipment with headlamp washer
system: approx. 6.9 US quarts/6.5 liters.
Fill with water and, if required, with an antifreeze
additive according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
Engine oil
Engine oil consumption depends on driving
style and operating conditions.
Warning lamp
Engine oil pressure
The warning lamp lights up red:
Stop the vehicle immediately and
switch off the engine. Check the engine
oil level; top off as required. If the oil level is cor-
rect: have the system checked immediately.
Do not continue driving. The engine could
be damaged because of inadequate lubri-
cation.<
Engine oil level
The warning lamp lights up yellow while
driving:
The oil level is at the absolute mini-
mum. Add engine oil as soon as possible. Until
then, do not drive more than approx. 30 miles/
50 km.
The warning lamp lights up yellow after
the engine is switched off:
Top off engine oil at the earliest oppor-
tunity, e.g. when refueling.
Engine oil sensor
The warning lamp lights up yellow
within 20 seconds after starting the
engine:
The oil level sensor is defective. Have checked
as soon as possible.
Checking oil level
1.With the engine at operating temperature,
i.e. after at least 6 miles/10 km of uninter-
rupted driving, park the vehicle in a horizon-
tal position.
2.Switch off engine.
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dipstick out
and wipe it off with a clean lint-free. cloth,
paper towel, or similar material.
4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way into
the guide tube and pull it out again.
The oil should extend to between the two
marks on the dipstick.
5.Push the oil dipstick into the dipstick tube
as far as possible again.
The oil quantity between the two marks of the
dipstick is approx. 1.1 US quarts/1 liter.

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
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

Refueling
To ensure that you always have all the essential
data at hand when refueling, we recommend
that you fill in the following tables with the spec-
ifications and information that apply to your
vehicle. Consult the index for individual specifi-
cations. Fuel
Engine oil
The oil quantity between the two marks on
the dipstick is approx. 1.1 US quarts/1 liter.
Tire inflation pressures
Designation
Please enter your preferred fuel here.
Quality
Summer tires
FrontRearWinter tires
FrontRear
Up to 4 persons
5 persons or 4 plus luggage