2005 BMW X3 2.5I width

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
73
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles equipped with a catalytic
converter, extremely high temperatures
are generated in this vehicle. Do not remove the
heat shields installed adjacent to various sec-
tions of the exhaust system, and never apply
undercoating to them. When driving, standing
at idle and while parking take care to avoid pos-
sible contact between the 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.<
Mobile communications devices in
vehicle
BMW does not recommend using mobile
communications devices, e.g. portable
phones, in the interior of the vehicle without a
direct connection to an outside antenna. Other-
wise the vehicle electronics and mobile com-
munications device can affect each other. In
addition, there is no assurance that the radia-
tion which results during transmission will be
dissipated from the vehicle interior.<
Inside rearview mirror, automatically
dimming*

The inside rearview mirror contains two photo-
cells that control the automatic dimming func-
tion. One is integrated into the mirror glass, the
other is located on the back of the mirror.
For trouble-free operation, keep the photocells
clean and do not cover the area between the
interior rearview mirror and the windshield. Do
not attach any kind of stickers on the windshield
in front of the mirror, either.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air conditioner sys-
tem during operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are thus normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page28, as
otherwise they could be damaged due to the
width of the vehicle.
Deactivate the rain sensor as otherwise dam-
age could result from undesired wiper activa-
tion, refer to page39.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between tires and
road surface, ultimately undermining your abil-
ity to steer and brake the vehicle.<
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it
is deeper than 20 in/50 cm, and then only
at walking speed. Otherwise, the vehicle's
engine, the electrical systems and the trans-
mission may be damaged.<
Use handbrake on inclines
Do not hold the vehicle in place on slopes
by slipping or riding the clutch, use the
handbrake instead. Otherwise greater clutch
wear will result.<
Safe braking
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as standard
equipment. The best way to brake is to apply
maximum pressure to the brake pedal during
emergency: panic braking. Since the vehicle
maintains steering responsiveness, you can
nevertheless avoid possible obstacles with a
minimum of steering effort.

Wheels and tires
84
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 105 mph/160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the U.S. Department of Transport.
DOT code:
Tire age
The tire's date of manufacture is indicated on
the sidewall:
DOT ... 3004 indicates that a tire was manufac-
tured in week 30 of the year 2004.BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width.
For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half, 1γ, times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to varia-
tions in driving habits, service practices and dif-
ferences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.< e.g. 235/50 R 18 97 V
Nominal width in mm
Cross-sectional
relationship in Ξ
Radial tire code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not for ZR tires
Speed rating,
before R on ZR tires
e.g. DOT xxxx xxx 3603
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire age

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
121
Steering wheel with
buttons12
Steptronic36
Storage compartments64,65
Storage package65
Storage package nets65
Storage space, refer to Cargo
area67
Storing desired speed, refer to
Cruise control40
Storing seat position, refer to
Seat and mirror memory26
Storing tires86
Straps, refer to Cargo
loading74
Supply reservoirs, washer
systems90
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off engine35
Symbols4
T
Table of contents3
Tachometer42
Tailgate19
– closing19
– emergency operation19
– emergency operation, refer
to Manual unlocking19
– opening, remote control17
– opening from outside19
– remote control17
– unlocking manually19
Tailgate lamp, replacing
bulbs98
Tail lamps98
– indicator lamp, defective
lamp53
– replacing bulbs98
Tank capacity112
Technical data110
Technical modifications6
Telephone, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Temperature
– air conditioner57
– automatic climate control60Temperature, tires85
Temperature display
– ice warning44
– outside temperature44
– setting units44
Temperature gage42
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control40
The right wheels and tires86
Thigh support
adjustment25,26
Three-point safety belt27
Tightening torque of the lug
bolts, refer to After
mounting101
Tilt alarm sensor
– remote control17
– switching off17
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror29
Tire inflation pressures82
Tires
– age84
– breaking-in72
– changing86
– changing, refer to Wheel
changes99
– condition85
– damage85
– DOT Quality Grades84
– flat99
– inflation pressure82
– inflation pressure table83
– size, refer to The right
wheels and tires86
– storage86
– temperature85
– traction84
– tread85
– tread wear84
– tread wear indicator, refer to
Tire tread85
– Uniform Tire Quality
Grading84
– winter tires86
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit95Torque
– engine110
– lug bolts101
Tow bar105
Tow fitting105
Towing105
– with automatic
transmission105
Towing eye105
Towing the vehicle105
Tow rope106
Tow sockets for tow
fitting105
Tow-starting105
Track width, refer to
Dimensions111
Traction84
Traction aid, refer to DSC47
Traction control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control47
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic36
– manual transmission36
Transmission locking
mechanism, refer to
PParking37
Transmission malfunction,
refer to Malfunction38
Transporting children
safely31
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing cargo75
Tread depth, refer to Tire
tread85
Tread wear84
Tread wear indicator in tire,
refer to Tire tread85
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer42
Trip odometer42
Trunk19
– capacity112
– opening from outside19
– refer to Cargo area67
Trunk lid, refer to Tailgate19
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions111

Everything from A to Z
122 Turn signals38
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs97
Turn signals, side, replacing
bulbs97
U
Undercarriage protection,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Units44
– outside temperature44
Universal garage-door
opener, refer to Integrated
universal remote control62
Universal portable phone
preparation, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Universal remote control62
Unlocking
– from inside18
– from outside16
– hood88
Upholstery care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
V
Valve
– insert101
– screw cap101
Vehicle
– battery101
– breaking-in72
– care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– cargo loading74
– decommissioning, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
– dimensions111
– parking35
– washing, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
– weights112
Vehicle battery101Vehicle jack99
– jacking points100
Vehicle jacking points100
Vehicle Memory30
Ventilation57,61
– draft-free58,61
Viscosity91
Voice control, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
W
Warning and indicator
lamps11
Warning triangle103
Warranty, refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models,
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models93
Warranty and service7
Washer fluid90
Washer fluid reservoir
– capacity, refer to Filling
capacities112
– refer to Windshield/
headlamp washer
system90
Weights112
Wheel/tire combination86
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions111
Wheel bolt, wrench99
Wheel changes, compact
wheel99
Wheels and tires86
Width, refer to
Dimensions111
Windows20
– convenience operation18
– safety switch20
Windshield washer
reservoir90
– capacity, refer to Filling
capacities112
Windshield washer system
– washer/wiper system38
– washer fluid90Windshield wiper blade
replacement95
Windshield wipers, refer to
Washer/wiper system38
Winter tires86
– changing99
– condition85
– storage86
Wiper blade replacement95
Wiper system38,90
Wood decor, refer to Fine
wood parts
Working in the engine
compartment88
Wrenches, refer to Onboard
tool kit95
X
xDrive48
Xenon lamps97
– replacing bulbs97