2005 BMW X3 3.0I Owner's Manual

Under the hood
88
Under the hood
Never attempt to perform any service or
repair operations on your vehicle without
the required professional technical training. If
you are not familiar with the regulations to be
observed, have work on your vehicle carried out
only by a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
or a workshop that uses personnel trained in
accordance with BMW requirements. If this
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
hazards.<
Hood
Unlocking
Pull the lever located under the left side of the
instrument cluster.
Opening
Press the release handle and open the hood.
Closing
Let the hood fall from approx. 1 ft/30 cm so that
you hear it engage.
Observe the same precautions that apply
to all closing operations by ensuring that
the hood's travel range is clear and unob-
structed before allowing the hood to fall into
position.
If you see any signs that the hood is not com-
pletely closed while driving your vehicle, you
should stop at once and close it securely.<

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
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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-

Under the hood
92 sure to escape, then continue turning to
open.
3.The coolant level is correct if the upper end
of the red float bar is at least at the same
height as the top edge of the filler neck,
refer to arrow. The bar end may only pro-
trude by a maximum of ιin/2 cm, i.e. up to
the second mark on the float bar, refer also
to sketch beside the filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level – do not overfill.
5.Screw on the cap and tighten firmly.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up red despite
the handbrake being released:
Stop immediately.
The brake fluid in the reservoir has fallen to
below the minimum level. At the same time, a
considerably longer brake pedal travel may be
noticeable. Have the system checked immedi-
ately.
During continued driving increased brake
pedal pressure may be necessary, and
considerably longer braking distances may
result. Please adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.<
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up.
The brake pads have reached their min-
imum pad thickness. Have brake pads
replaced immediately.
For your own safety: use only brake pads
that BMW has approved for your particu-
lar vehicle model. As BMW cannot assess the
suitability of other brake pads for use in your
vehicle, we are unable to assume continued
responsibility for the vehicle's operating safety
if non-approved pads are installed.<

Reference
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93
Maintenance
The BMW maintenance
system
The BMW maintenance system supports the
preservation of the traffic and operating safety
of your BMW.
Regular maintenance is not only required for
the safety of the vehicle, it also improves the
resale value.
Service Interval Display
The BMW maintenance system takes the driv-
ing conditions of the vehicle into account when
determining service intervals:
From the point of view of maintenance,
62,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated in
short-distance urban driving are not the equiva-
lent of the same distance covered at moderate
speeds in long-distance highway travel.
The BMW maintenance system is divided into
engine oil service as well as Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals accord-
ing to the actual loads on the vehicle covers
every kind of operating situation. However,
even those who drive only short distances,
significantly less than 6,200 miles/10,000 km
annually, should have the engine oil changed at
least every 2 years since oil deteriorates over
time, regardless of use.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic: it absorbs
moisture from the atmosphere over the
course of time. To ensure that the brake system
continues to provide safe and reliable perfor-
mance, remember to have the brake fluid changed at least every two years by a BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center, also refer to the
Service and Warranty Information Booklet for
US models or the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.<
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models
For detailed information on required mainte-
nance items and the work involved, please refer
to the Service and Warranty Information Book-
let for US models or to the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Depending on operating conditions, it may be
advisable to have the body checked for damage
from rocks or gravel as a precaution against cor-
rosion.
BMW recommends that you have your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center per-
form the maintenance and repair.
Check that the maintenance work is recorded in
the Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models. These
entries will serve as proof that the vehicle has
received regular maintenance.<
OBD connector
The interface socket for the Onboard Diagnos-
tics is located on the left of the driver's side at

Maintenance
94 the bottom of the instrument cluster and under
a cover. The cover has the letters OBD on it.
The most important components for the com-
position of the emissions can be checked by a
device via this interface.
If the Service Engine Soon indicator
lamp lights up either continuously or
intermittently, this indicates a malfunc-
tion in the emissions-related electronic sys-
tems. Although the vehicle remains operational,
you should have the systems checked by your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center at the ear-
liest possible opportunity.
The illuminated indicator informs you of the
need for service, not that you need to stop the
vehicle. However, the systems should be
checked by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center at the next opportunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this indicates
a high level of engine misfire. Reduce speed
and contact the nearest BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center immediately. Severe engine
misfiring over even a short period of time can
seriously damage emission control system
components, especially the catalytic converter.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
If the fuel filler cap is not on tight enough,
the OBD system can detect leaking vapor
and the indicator lamp will light up. If the fuel
filler cap is then tightened, the indicator lamp
will usually go out after a short period of time.<
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or more
sensing and diagnostic modules or a recording
device capable of recording or transmitting cer-
tain vehicle data or information. In addition, if
you have a Subscription Service Agreement for
the BMW Assist system, certain vehicle infor-
mation may be transmitted or recorded in order
to provide such services.
Care
For all information on this subject, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle brochure.

Reference
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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.<