Practical interior accessories
68 Do not place heavy and hard objects on
the cover. If you do so, they could endan-
ger occupants during braking maneuvers. Do
not allow the cover to snap back into place, as
otherwise it could be damaged.<
Removal
1.Press the side buttons, refer to arrow1.
2.Pull the cassette towards the rear, refer to
arrow2.
Installation
Push the cassette forward into the two side
holders until it locks in place.
Stowing* when rear seat back is folded
down
Holders for the cassette are fitted to the backs
of the rear seat backs, refer to arrows1.
Guide in the cassette from the right side until it
locks in place, refer to arrow 2. Here, the cargo
area cover must always point in the direction of
travel and the loop of the partition net must
point upward.
You can pull out the partition net and insert it in
the holders in the roof area above.
Partition net*
Hooking partition net into place
Pull the partition net out of the cassette by the
strap. Push together the bar on both sides, refer
to arrows 1, and insert in the brackets. Then
press the bar all the way upward in the middle,
refer to arrow 2, so that it engages in the brack-
ets.
Letting down partition net
Grasp bar on one side on the partition net, press
upward and push together, then release from
the brackets.
Do not allow the partition net to snap back
into place, as otherwise there is a danger
of injury and the partition net could be dam-
aged.<
Behind side trim panel
Press the button to open.
Things to remember when driving
76 >Read and comply with the information
enclosed with the heavy-duty cargo straps.
Always position and secure the load as
described above. If you do not, it can even
endanger the passengers during braking or
evasive maneuvers.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page112, as excessive loads can pose a
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of freeway safety laws.
You should never transport heavy or hard
objects unsecured in the passenger compart-
ment, as they could fly around and pose a safety
hazard to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt
braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as a optional
accessory for your BMW. Please observe the
information contained in the installation instruc-
tions.
Loading luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
its handling and steering response. You should
therefore always remember not to exceed the
approved roof weight, the approved gross vehi-
cle weight or the axle loads when loading the
rack.
You can find the specified weights in the Tech-
nical data section on page112.
Make sure that the load is evenly distributed,
and that it does not extend outward to beyond
the limits of the loading surface. Always load the
heaviest pieces first – on the bottom. Be sure
that adequate clearance is maintained for rais-
ing the glass sunroof, and that objects do not
project into the opening path of the tailgate.
Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or being lost
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and
braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.
Driving on poor roads
Your X3 is at home on all paved and unpaved
roads. It combines all-wheel drive with the
advantages of a normal passenger car.
Driving on unpaved terrain can cause
damage to the vehicle.<
When you are driving on poor roads, there are a
few points which you should strictly observe –
for your own safety, for that of your passengers,
and for the safety of the vehicle:
>Familiarize yourself with the vehicle before
you begin driving. Do not take risks with the
vehicle under any circumstances.
>Always adapt the driving speed to the road
conditions. The more steep and uneven the
roadway is, the lower the speed should be.
>You can operate your vehicle on uphill and
downhill gradients with a maximum slope of
50 %. If you wish to drive on uphill and
downhill grades of this nature, make sure
beforehand that the engine oil and coolant
levels are near the MAX mark, refer to
pages90 and91.
>For very steep downhill driving, use HDC
Hill Descent Control, refer to page48. It is
possible to start off on upward inclines of up
to 32 %.
The permitted side tilt is 32 %.
>While driving, watch carefully for obstacles
such as rocks or holes. Try to avoid these
obstacles whenever possible.
>Avoid that the body makes contact with the
ground, e.g. on the crests of hills and bumpy
roads. The ground clearance of the vehicle
is a maximum of approx. 8.0 in/20 cm.
Please be aware that the ground clearance
can vary depending on the load and operat-
ing conditions of the vehicle.
>Do not drive in water that is deeper than
20 in/50 cm. If you must drive through water
up to that depth, drive at a walking speed
and do not stop.
After leaving the water, press on the foot-
brake gently several times while driving at a
low speed. The brake applications will help
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
111
Dimensions
All dimensions in inches/millimeters. Smallest turning circle dia.: 38.4 ft/11.7 m.
Height with roof rack
*: 66.0 in/1,674 mm.
Everything from A to Z
118
J
Jacking points100
Jumping, refer to Jump
starting104
Jump starting104
K
Key Memory30
Keys16
Kick-down37
L
Lamps and bulbs95
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo75
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system33
LEDs light-emitting diodes98
Length, refer to
Dimensions111
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs98
Lifting handle, compact
wheel99
Light-alloy wheels, care, refer
to the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs98
Lighter65
Lighter socket65
Lighting of instruments54
Lights, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams53
Lights on warning53
Light switch53
Load, refer to Cargo
loading74
Lock buttons, doors, refer to
Locking19
Locking
– from inside18
– from outside16
Locking, vehicle
– from inside18
– from outside16Locking and unlocking doors
– from inside18
– from outside16
Low beams53
– automatic53
– indicator lamp, defective
lamp53
– replacing bulbs96
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support26
Lug bolts100
– torque101
Luggage compartment19
– capacity112
– cover, refer to Cargo area
cover67
– floor cover69
– increasing volume67
– opening/closing, refer to
Tailgate19
– opening from outside19
– opening with remote
control17
– refer to Cargo area67
– remote control17
Luggage compartment cover,
refer to Cargo area cover67
Luggage compartment lid,
refer to Tailgate19
Luggage compartment net,
refer to Partition net68
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack76
Lug wrench99
Lumbar support26
M
Maintenance93
Maintenance system93
Malfunctions
– automatic transmission38
– door lock18
– fuel filler door80
– panorama glass sunroof22
– tailgate19Manual operation
– door lock18
– driver's door18
– fuel filler door80
– panorama glass sunroof22
– tailgate19
Manual transmission36
Master key16
– with remote control16
Maximum speed, with winter
tires86
Mechanical seats25
Memory, refer to
– Seat and mirror memory26
– Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory30
Microfilter
– air conditioner58
– automatic climate control61
Microphone, refer to Car
phone preparation66
Microphone for telephone66
Mini-Disc operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
Mirrors28
– automatic curb monitor29
– mirror heating29
– mirror memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory26
Multi-function steering wheel,
refer to Buttons on steering
wheel12
Multifunction switch
– turn signals/headlamp
flasher38
– washer/wiper system38N
Navigation system, refer to
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer/Radio
and Navigation System
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints25
Nets65
Non-smoker's equipment
package65
Everything from A to Z
120 Remaining distance for
Service43
Remote control16
– garage-door opener62
– malfunction17
– tailgate17
Removing condensation,
windows
– air conditioner58
– automatic climate control60
Replacement fuses102
Replacement keys16
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs95
Replacing tires
– new wheels and tires86
– wheel changes99
Replacing windshield
wiper95
Reporting safety defects7
Reserve indicator lamp, refer
to Fuel gage42
Restraint systems
– for children31
– refer to Safety belts27
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic37
– manual transmission36
Roadside Assistance, refer to
Receiving assistance103
Roadside parking lamps54
– replacing bulbs97
Roll-up cover, refer to Cargo
area cover67
Roof load, refer to
Weights112
Roof-mounted luggage
rack76
Rope, refer to Tow-starting
and towing105
Rotating coin holder, refer to
Storage compartments64
Run-flat indicator, refer to Flat
Tire Monitor49
S
Safety belts27
– sitting safely24
– warning lamp27
Safety belt tensioners, refer to
Safety belts27
Safety defects, reporting7
Safety feature, power
windows20
Safety systems, refer to
– ABS Antilock Brake
System47
– Airbags51
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control47
– xDrive48
Screwdriver, refer to Onboard
tool kit95
Seat heating27
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory26
Seats
– adjusting electrically26
– adjusting sports seat25
– heating27
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory26
– sitting safely24
– storing the setting26
Securing cargo, refer to Cargo
loading74
Selector lever, automatic
transmission37
Selector lever interlock, refer
to Shiftlock37
Selector-lever positions,
automatic transmission36
Service, refer to Receiving
assistance103
Service and warranty7
Service Engine Soon34,94
Service Interval Display43,93
Setting interior
temperature57,60
Shifting gears, with automatic
transmission with
Steptronic37Shiftlock37
Side airbags51
Side tilt, permissible76
Side turn signals, replacing
the bulbs97
Sitting safely24
– with airbags24
– with safety belts24
Ski bag66
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray65
Snow chains87
SOS, refer to Initiating an
emergency call103
Spare fuses102
Spare key16
Spare tire, refer to Wheel
changes99
Spare wheel, refer to Compact
wheel99
Specified oils91
Speed
– with compact wheel101
– with winter tires86
Speedometer11
– refer to Instrument
cluster11
Sport program, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic37
Sports seat25
Stability control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control47
Starting, refer to Engine34
Starting difficulties
– jump starting104
Starting engine34,35
Starting problems at very low
temperatures35
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steering lock34
Steering wheel10,12
– adjustment28
– buttons12
– lock34
Steering wheel heater28