2006 BMW X3 2.5I compact wheel

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51
of the wheels. This change is detected and sig-
naled as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the
system must be initialized at the correct tire
inflation pressure.
The initialization must be repeated after
every correction of the tire inflation pres-
sure, after every tire or wheel change, and after
a trailer is hitched or unhitched.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot predict sud-
den severe tire damage caused by out-
side factors and does not detect a natural, even
pressure drop in all four tires.<
In the following situations, the system could be
delayed or malfunction:
>When the system has not been initialized
>When driving on snow-covered or slippery
road surfaces
>Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels,
high lateral acceleration.
>When driving with snow chains
When driving with a compact wheel, the Flat
Tire Monitor cannot operate.
Initializing system
The system must be reinitialized after
every correction of tire inflation pressure
and after every tire or wheel change. Do not ini-
tialize the system when driving with snow
chains or with a compact wheel.<
1.Start the engine just before driving, but do
not begin to drive.
2.Press the button for at least 4 seconds, but
not longer than 2 minutes. After the button
is released, the indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up yellow for a few sec-
onds.3.Begin driving.
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing and can be interrupted at any time with-
out requiring any input from you. The initial-
ization automatically continues when
driving resumes.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red. In addi-
tion, an acoustic signal sounds. There is
a flat tire or extensive inflation pressure
loss.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Identify damaged tire.
If identification is not possible, con-
tact your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.<
3.Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Changing a wheel on page103.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow. The
Flat Tire Monitor is malfunctioning or
out of order. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
52
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
The concept
TPM controls the tire inflation pressure in the
four mounted wheels. The system notifies you
if the tire inflation pressure has fallen signifi-
cantly in one or more tires.
Functional requirement
To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the
system must be reset at the correct tire inflation
pressure.
Always use wheels equipped with TPM elec-
tronics, including a metal valve; otherwise, there
is no guarantee that the system will function
properly.
The system must be reset after every cor-
rection of tire inflation pressure and after
every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
TPM cannot warn you of sudden, serious
tire damage due to external factors.<
The system does not function properly if it has
not been reset, e.g. it may identify a tire as flat in
spite of the fact that the tire is filled to the cor-
rect inflation pressure.
The system is inactive and cannot indicate flat
tires if a wheel not equipped with TPM electron-
ics has been mounted, e.g. a compact wheel, or
if TPM is experiencing temporary interference
from other systems or devices that use the
same frequency.
Resetting system
The system must be reset after every cor-
rection of tire inflation pressure and after
every tire or wheel change.<1.Start engine, but do not begin to drive.
2.Press the button until the yellow warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up for a
few seconds.
3.Begin driving.
After a few minutes of driving, the tire infla-
tion pressures in the tires are adopted as
the desired values to be monitored. The
resetting is completed during driving and
can be interrupted at any time without
requiring any input from you. The resetting
automatically continues when driving
resumes.
Low tire pressure message
The warning lamp lights up yellow. In
addition, a signal sounds. You have a
flat tire or a significant loss of tire pres-
sure in one or more tires.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Identify the damaged wheel or wheels.
If identification is not possible, con-
tact your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.<
3.Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Wheel changes on page103.
4.Check tire inflation pressure and correct as
needed.
The compact wheel is not equipped with the
required TPM electronics and is not monitored
when mounted.
When driving with the compact wheel, the sys-
tem indicates a malfunction.

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Have the damaged tire replaced by your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop
that is familiar with TPM and works in accor-
dance with BMW repair procedures, using
appropriately trained personnel.
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and
then lights up continuously. Flat tires
cannot be detected.
Such a message is displayed in the following
situations:
>In the event of a malfunction:
Have the system checked
>When a wheel without TPM electronics is
mounted, e.g. a compact wheel
>When TPM is experiencing temporary inter-
ference from other systems or devices that
use the same frequency
Brake force display
The brake lamps light up in two stages,
depending on how heavily you apply the brakes.
>Normal braking:
The brake lamps 1 and the center brake
lamp light up.
>Powerful braking:
The brake lamps 1 and 2 light up together
with the center brake lamp.
Airbags
The following airbags are located beneath the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags
3Side airbags in front and rear
*
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimal protection,
please follow the instructions on page26.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The
respective head airbag supports the head.
The airbags will purposely not be activated by
every collision, e.g. not by more minor acci-
dents, or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way.
Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention
system from the vehicle. Do not modify the indi-
vidual components of the system or its wiring in
any way. This includes the padded covers in the
center of the steering wheel, on the dashboard,
the doors, and the roof pillars as well as the
sides of the headliner. Do not attempt to
remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components
directly after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.

Wheels and tires
86
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
The condition of the tires and the maintenance
of the specified tire pressure are crucial not only
to the tire's service life, but also to driving com-
fort and most importantly, driving safety.
Checking pressure
Only check tire inflation pressure when the tires
are cold. This means after a maximum of
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has
been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are
warm, the tire inflation pressure increases.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
and correct it as needed, even on the
compact wheel: at least twice a month and
before starting long trips. If you fail to observe
this precaution, you may be driving on tires with
incorrect tire pressures, a condition that can not
only compromise your vehicle's driving stability,
but also lead to tire damage and the risk of an
accident.
Do not drive with deflated, i.e. flat tires. A flat tire
will seriously impair your vehicle's handling and
braking response. Attempts to drive on a flat tire
can lead to loss of control over the vehicle.<
After correcting the tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor
* or reset
the Tire Pressure Monitor
*, refer to pages51,
52.<
Pressure specifications
The table on the next page provides all the cor-
rect inflation pressures for the specified tire
sizes at ambient temperature.
The inflation pressures in the table apply
to BMW-approved tire sizes and recom-
mended tire brands. Your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center will be glad to supply this infor-
mation. tion pressure for your tires, please note the fol-
lowing:
>Tire size for your vehicle
>Load status
>Maximum permissible driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for speeds
up to 100 mph/160 km/h
For normal driving at speeds of up to 100 mph/
160 km/h and to achieve an optimal driving
comfort, take note of the tire inflation pressures
listed on the following page in the column for
speeds up to max. 100 mph/160 km/h and
adjust your tire pressure as needed.
These tire inflation pressures are also listed on
the door pillar and can be seen with the driver's
door open.
The maximum permissible speed for
these tire inflation pressures is 100 mph/
160 km/h. Do not exceed this speed; failure to
heed this limit can lead to tire damage and acci-
dents.<
Tire inflation pressures for speeds
above 100 mph/160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds
above 100 mph/160 km/h, take note of
the tire inflation pressures listed in the column
for speeds above 100 mph/160 km/h in the
table on the following page and adjust your tire
pressure as needed. Failure to due so can lead
to tire damage and accidents.<

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Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits; failure to do so could put you in violation
of the law.
X3 2.5i/3.0i
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
of up to max.
100 mph/160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those above
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
235/55 R 17 99 H M+S 29/200 32/220 29/200 32/220 32/220 38/260
215/60 R 17 96 H M+S
235/50 R 18 97 H M+S32/220 35/240 32/220 35/240 35/240 41/280
Front: 235/50 R 18 97 V
Rear: 255/45 R 18 99 V32/220
––
32/22032/220
––
32/22035/240
––
38/260
Front: 235/45 R 19 95 W
Rear: 255/40 R 19 96W32/220
––
35/24032/220
––
35/24035/240
––
41/280
Compact wheel:
T 135/90 R 17 104 M61/420 61/420 61/420 61/420 61/420 61/420
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page116

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103
Liftgate lamp
5 Watt bulb
1.Take out the bulb holder.
2.Replace the bulb.
Wheel changes
Safety precautions to observe in the
event of a flat tire and during all tire
changes:
Park the vehicle as far as possible from passing
traffic. Park on a firm, flat, surface. Switch on the
hazard warning flashers.
Lock the steering wheel with the wheels point-
ing straight ahead. Engage the handbrake and
shift into first gear or reverse, or move the
selector lever to position P.
All passengers should be outside the vehicle
and well away from your immediate working
area, behind a guardrail, for instance.
If a warning triangle or portable hazard warning
lamp is required, set it up on the roadside at an
appropriate distance from the rear of the vehi-
cle. Comply with all safety guidelines and regu-
lations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm surface
which is not slippery. The vehicle or the jack
could slip to the side if you attempt to raise the
vehicle on a soft or slippery surface such as
snow, ice, tile, etc.
Position the jack on a firm support surface.
Do not use a wooden block or similar object as a
support base for the jack, as this would prevent
it from extending to its full support height and
reduce its load-carrying capacity.To avoid serious or fatal injury: never lie under
the vehicle, and never start the engine while it is
supported by the jack.<
What you will need
Open liftgate and raise or remove floor cover,
refer to page72.
1Vehicle jack
2Lug wrench
3Chocks, folding
In order to avoid rattling noises later, note the
position of the tools when you remove them and
return them to their original position when you
are through using them.
Compact wheel
The compact wheel is located under the cargo
area on the undercarriage of the vehicle.
Removing compact wheel
1.Unscrew bolt, refer to arrow1.
2.Fold up lifting handle, refer to arrow2.

Replacing components
104 3.Turn the handle to the left as far as possible,
refer to arrow3.
Turning the handle releases the com-
pact wheel. Its weight of approx.
18 lbs./8 kg is then entirely supported by
the handle.<
4.Slowly lower the handle as far as possible,
refer to arrow4.
5.Pull the compact wheel to the rear so that it
is still securely resting in its compact wheel
receptacle.
6.If need be, turn the wheel in the compact
wheel receptacle so that the attachment of
the retaining strap to the rim points toward
the rear.
7.Rotate the clamp by 180°, refer to arrows 1,
and unhook the retaining strap from the
clamp, refer to arrow 2.
8.Take out the compact wheel toward the
back.
9.Fasten the retaining strap to the compact
wheel receptacle and resecure the compact
wheel receptacle by reversing the above
steps.
The width of the defective wheel prevents
it from fitting into the compact wheel receptacle in place of the compact wheel
itself.<
Inserting compact wheel
The compact wheel is reinserted in the reverse
sequence of its removal.
When attaching the retaining strap to the
compact wheel, make sure the belt is
threaded through 2 rim openings, with one
unoccupied hole between them; otherwise, the
compact wheel could come loose in an acci-
dent.<
Preparing wheel change
1.Observe the safety precautions on
page103.
2.Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling:
place the wheel chock behind the front
wheel on the side of the vehicle opposite
the side being raised. If the vehicle is parked
on a downward slope, place the wheel
chock securely in front of the tire. If the
wheel must be changed on a surface with
a more severe slope, take additional pre-
cautions to secure the vehicle from rolling.
3.Loosen the lug bolts by a γ turn.
Jacking up vehicle
1.Position the vehicle jack at the jacking point
closest to the wheel so that the entire sur-
face of the jack base perpendicularly con-
tacts the ground under the jacking point.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not attempt
to raise another vehicle model with it or to
raise any load of any kind. To do so could
cause accidents and personal injury.<

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2.Guide the jack head into the rectangular
recess of the jacking point when cranking
up, refer to drawing inset.
3.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised from the ground.
Mounting a wheel
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel.
2.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub. Clean the lug bolts.
3.Position the new wheel or compact wheel.
Secure the wheel by screwing at least two
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes. When you
mount wheels other than Genuine BMW
light-alloy wheels, different lug bolts may
also be required.
4.Screw in the remaining lug bolts. Tighten all
the bolts securely in a diagonal pattern.
5.Lower the jack and remove it from beneath
the vehicle.
After mounting
1.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
To ensure safety, always have the lug
bolts checked with a calibrated
torque wrench as soon as possible to
ensure that they are tightened to the speci-
fied torque. The tightening torque is
101lbft/140Nm.<
2.Stow the defective wheel in the cargo area.
3.Check and correct the tire inflation pressure
at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems and valve stem
seal caps from dirt and contamina-tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source
of gradual air loss.<
4.Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor
* or reset
the Tire Pressure Monitor
*, refer to
pages51, 52.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor
when driving with a compact wheel.<
5.Replace the damaged tire with a new one as
soon as possible and have the new wheel
balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. Do not deacti-
vate DSC; otherwise, unstable driving condi-
tions may result.<
Mounting the compact wheel can change the
driving characteristics. For example, it can
reduce tracking stability during braking, extend
braking distances, and alter self-steering char-
acteristics in the limit range. With winter tires,
these characteristics are more pronounced.
Only one compact wheel may be
mounted. You should re-equip with
wheels and tires of the original size as quickly as
possible.<
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
will be happy to advise you on all questions con-
cerning the battery.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up. The battery
is no longer being charged. The alterna-
tor V-belt is defective or there is a mal-
function in the charge current circuit of the
alternator. Have the system checked immedi-
ately.