2006 BMW X3 3.0I ignition

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
43
Everything under control
Odometer
1Odometer
2Trip odometer
Odometer
You can activate the displays shown in the illus-
tration in ignition key position 0 or with the igni-
tion key removed by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster.
Trip odometer
To reset to zero:
1.Ignition key in position 1.
2.Press and hold the button until the trip
odometer is reset to zero.
Tachometer
Engine speeds in the red warning field must
absolutely be avoided.
In this range, the fuel supply is interrupted to
protect the engine.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 17.7 gallons/
67 liters. Instructions for refueling can be found
on page84.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, when you are driv-
ing in mountainous areas, for example, the indi-
cator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
If the LED1 starts to light up continuously,
there are still approx. 2 gallons /8 liters of fuel
left in the tank.
Refuel well before the tank is empty. If
you drive down to the last drop, engine
functions are no longer assured and damage
can occur.<
When you switch on the ignition, the LED
comes on briefly to confirm that the system is
operational.

Everything under control
44
Coolant temperature gauge
Blue
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate
engine and vehicle speeds.
Between blue and red fields
Normal operating range. It is permissible for the
dial to drift up to the red field.
Red
Comes on while driving:
The engine is overheated. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to page95.
When you switch on the ignition, the warning
lamp1 comes on briefly to confirm that the sys-
tem is operational.
Service Interval Display
Remaining distance until next service
due
The displays shown in the illustration appear for
a few seconds as of ignition key position 1 or
after starting the engine.Together with the message OIL SERVICE or
INSPECTION, the next scheduled service and
remaining distance to this service are displayed
in miles/kilometers.
The remaining distance is determined on the
basis of the past driving style.
A flashing display and a – sign before the
numerical value mean that the service interval
has been passed by the displayed number of
miles/kilometers. Please make an appointment
with your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Clock
If you wish to have a continuous clock display,
you can also have the time displayed in the dis-
play of the car radio, refer to Owner's Manual for
Radio.
You can set the clock to also be displayed in the
radio, as follows.
Setting time
As of ignition key position 1:
Hours
1.Hold button2 pressed for a few seconds
until the hours are displayed and the colon
flashes.
2.Press button1 repeatedly until the desired
hour is set.
Minutes
3.Press button2 to change to the minutes
display.
4.Press button1 repeatedly until the desired
minutes are set.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
45
5.Press button2 to confirm the time.
The set time is transferred to the display of the
radio or displayed in the instrument cluster.
Display mode
Ignition key in position 0 or removed:
Press button1.
The time and display of the miles/kilometers
appear for a few seconds.
Computer*
Mode selection
As of ignition key position 1, you can call up
information from the computer using the com-
puter button in the turn signal lever.
A new function appears each time you briefly
press the computer button.
The following information is displayed in the
sequence indicated:
>Time
>Outside temperature
>Average fuel consumption
>Cruising range
>Average speed
As of ignition key position 1, the last active set-
ting is displayed.
If you wish, you can display the following
functions in a different unit of measure.<
Outside temperature
Changing unit of measure 7/6
During the display, hold down the button in the
turn signal lever until the display changes.
Outside temperature warning
If the outside temperature falls below approx.
+37.57/+36, the computer switches auto-
matically to the outside temperature display.
In addition, an acoustic signal sounds and the
display flashes for a short time. There is an
increased risk of icy conditions.
After an outside temperature warning has
been issued, the display returns to the
previous setting. You can have this activated/
deactivated.<
Ice can also occur at temperatures
greater than +37,57/+36. For this rea-
son, drive carefully on bridges and shaded
roadways, for example. Otherwise, there is an
increased risk of accidents.<
Clock
12 or 24 hour mode
If your vehicle is equipped with a computer, you
can have the time displayed in the 12 or 24 hour
mode.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
47
Technology for comfort, convenience and
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
PDC provides extra safety and convenience
during parking maneuvers. Audible signals indi-
cate that you are approaching an object in front
of or behind your vehicle. To measure the dis-
tance, there are four ultrasonic sensors in each
bumper.
An acoustic signal begins to sound when the
front sensors and the rear corner sensors are
within approx. 2 ft/60 cm of an obstacle and
when the rear middle sensors are within approx.
5 ft/1,50 m of an obstacle.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching objects too fast; otherwise,
the system may give warning of physical obsta-
cles too late.<
If you are driving with a trailer, the rear sensors
cannot take any meaningful measurements.
Consequently, they do not switch on.
Automatic mode
In ignition key position 2, the system is auto-
matically activated after approx. one second
each time you shift into reverse or move the
selector-lever into position R. Wait for this short
time span before moving.
You can have a signal tone programmed
into the system to verify that the PDC is
active.<
Activating manual mode
In ignition key position 2, press the button; the
LED lights up.
Deactivating manual mode
Press the button again, the LED goes out.
The system is automatically deactivated once
the vehicle travels approx. 160 ft/50 m or
exceeds a speed of roughly 20 mph/30 km/h;
the LED goes out. You can reactivate the sys-
tem manually as needed.
Signal tones
An intermittent tone from a rear speaker signals
the distance to an object behind the vehicle as
you approach it.
An intermittent tone from a speaker beneath
the dashboard signals the distance to an object
in front of the vehicle as you approach it.
As the distance between vehicle and object
decreases, the intervals between the tones
become shorter. The signal tone becomes con-
tinuous once the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx.
3seconds:
>if y o u r e m a in i n f ro n t o f a n o b j e c t t ha t is o n ly
detected by one of the corner sensors
>if you are moving parallel to a wall

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
50
Activating system
Press the button; the LED lights up.
The LED flashes when the brakes are applied
automatically.
Deactivating system
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
HDC is deactivated immediately above approx.
35 mph/60 km/h and after approx. 10 seconds
when the ignition is switched off.
Using HDC
With manual transmission:
Use HDC in first gear and in reverse, because in
the higher gears the engine's braking action
diminishes.
With automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive position.
Malfunction
If the LED in the button goes out in the HDC
mode or fails to light up when the button is
pressed:
HDC is temporarily not available, because the
brake temperature is too high.
Malfunction in vehicle stability control
systems
The warning lamp lights up yellow. DBC
Dynamic Brake Control is malfunction-
ing. Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.If one of the malfunctions described
below occurs, proceed cautiously and
defensively. When driving on poor roads, avoid
using the full throttle or kick-down positions of
the accelerator as well as heavy and panic brak-
ing. Otherwise, the drive train may be damaged
or accidents can occur.<
The red brake warning lamp lights up
together with the warning lamps for
ABS and DSC/xDrive. In addition, a
warning signal sounds. ABS, DSC, HDC
and xDrive have failed. It is then possi-
ble to exert driving force only via the
rear axle. If the brake warning lamp
lights up yellow in the described combi-
nation, the EBV Electronic brake-force distribu-
tion is still available. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.
The warning lamp lights up continu-
ously and a warning signal sounds:
DSC or the xDrive all-wheel system has
failed.
The stabilizing interventions of DSC or the all-
wheel drive system xDrive are no longer avail-
able. It is then possible to exert driving force
only via the rear axle. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the four mounted tires as you
drive. The system triggers an alert whenever
the inflation pressure in one tire drops signifi-
cantly in relation to the pressure in another tire.
When a loss of pressure occurs, the rolling
radius changes and with it, the rotational speed

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
54 In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel and has
the required explosives licenses. Unprofes-
sional attempts to service the system could
lead to failure in an emergency or undesired air-
bag activation, either of which could result in
personal injury.<
Airbag warnings and information are also pro-
vided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front
passenger airbags
By evaluating the pressure on the seat cushion
of the front passenger seat, the system detects
whether or not the seat is occupied. The front
and side airbags for the passenger are activated
or deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp located above the
inside rearview mirror indicates whether
the front passenger airbag system is currently
deactivated or activated, refer to Status of pas-
senger airbag in the section below.<
Before transporting a child in the front
passenger seat, follow the safety notices
and instructions under Transporting children
safely, refer to page33.
When teenagers or adults assume certain sit-
ting positions, the front and side airbags on the
passenger side can deactivate; this causes the
indicator lamp for the front passenger airbag to
light up. If this happens, have them change their
sitting position so that the passenger airbag is
activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the
desired status cannot be achieved by changing
their sitting position, then have the person ride
in the back. Do not attach seat covers, seat
cushion padding, ball mats or other items to the
passenger seat unless they are specifically rec-
ommended by BMW. Do not place any items
under the seat which could press against the
seat from below. Otherwise, a correct analysis
of the seat cushion is not ensured.<
Status of passenger airbags
The indicator lamp for the passenger airbag
indicates the operational readiness of the front
and side airbag on the passenger side depend-
ing on whether or not the seat is occupied. The
indicator lamp indicates whether the passenger
airbags are activated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child
sitting as directed in a child restraint system
designed for this is detected.
The front and side airbags on the passenger
side are not activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on as
long as a person of sufficient size and in a
correct sitting position is detected on the
seat. The front and side airbags for the pas-
senger are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when
the seat is empty.
However, the front and side airbags for the
passenger are not activated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
As of ignition key position 1, the warning lamp
lights up briefly, thus indicating the operational
readiness of the entire airbag system and the
safety belt tensioners.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
55
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not come on with the
ignition key in position 1 or higher.
>The warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately if a malfunction occurs; otherwise,
there is a danger of the system failing to
respond in the expected manner to an impact
occurring within its normal response range.<

Lamps
56
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
Parking lamps
The front, rear and side vehicle lighting
is switched on. You can use the parking
lamps for parking. For the additional
option of roadside parking lamps on one side of
the vehicle only, refer to page57.
The parking lamps will discharge the bat-
tery. For this reason, avoid using them for
extended periods; otherwise, it may no longer
be possible to start the engine.<
Low beams
When you switch off the ignition with
the headlamps on, the headlamps go
out and only the parking lamps remain
on.
Defective lamps
The indicator lamp lights up:
At least one bulb of the exterior lighting
on the vehicle is defective.
Replacing bulbs, refer to page99.
Pathway lighting
When you activate the headlamp flasher after
parking the vehicle and switching off the lamps,
the low beams will come on for a brief period.
You may also have this function deacti-
vated if you wish.<
Lights on warning
If you turn the ignition key to position 0, an
acoustic signal sounds when you open the
driver's door for a few seconds to remind you
that the lights have not yet been switched off.
Daytime running lamps*
If so desired, the light switch can remain in the
low beam or automatic headlamp control posi-
tion.
The exterior lamps are automatically switched
off after the vehicle is parked.
You can switch on the parking lamps when
needed using the standard procedure
described under Parking lamps.
You can have the daytime running lamps
activated on your vehicle.<
Automatic headlamp control*
When you set the switch to this posi-
tion, the system activates and switches
on and off the low beams in response
to changes in ambient light conditions, for
instance, in tunnels, at dawn and dusk, and in
rain and snow.
When you enter a tunnel with bright ceiling
lighting, this can delay the switching on of your
low beams.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can
also cause the headlamps to come on.
The low beams remain switched on
regardless of the ambient light when you
switch on the front fog lamps
*.
When the daytime running lamps are activated
as described in the section above, the low-
beam headlamps are always switched on when
the switch is in this position and the ignition is
on.<
If so desired, the light switch can remain in the
automatic headlamp control position. The exte-
rior lamps are automatically switched off after
the vehicle is parked.