Things to remember when driving
80 Please read the information provided with
the heavy-duty cargo straps.
Always position and secure cargo as
described above. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during braking or
evasive maneuvers.
Use only the lashing eyes, refer to page73, to
fasten the heavy-duty cargo straps; otherwise,
the heavy-duty cargo straps could loosen or the
vehicle could be damaged.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page116, as excessive loads can pose a
safety hazard and may also place you in viola-
tion of road safety laws.
You should never transport heavy or hard
objects unsecured in the passenger compart-
ment, as they could be thrown about 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 an 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 load capacity, the approved
gross vehicle weight, or the axle loads when
loading the rack.
These specifications can be found under
Weights on page116.
Make sure that the load is evenly distributed,
and that it does not extend outward beyond the
limits of the loading surface. Always stow the
heaviest pieces at the bottom. Be sure that ade-
quate clearance is maintained for raising the
glass sunroof and that objects do not project
into the opening path of the liftgate.Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off
while you drive.
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 and that of your passengers,
as well as to protect 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
pages94 and95.
>When descending very steep hills, use
HDC Hill Descent Control, refer to page49.
It is possible to start off on 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 having the body make 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 operating conditions of the vehicle.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
115
Dimensions
All dimensions in inches/millimeters. Smallest turning circle dia.: 38.4 ft/11.7 m.
Height with roof rack
*: 66.0 in/1674 mm.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
123
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor50
– Tire Pressure Monitor52
Initializing, refer to Power
supply interruption22,23
INSPECTION44
Instrument cluster11
Instrument lighting58
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated universal remote
control65
Interior lamps58
– remote control19
Interior motion sensor25
– switching off19,25
Interior rearview mirror31
– automatic dimming
feature77
Interlock36
Intermittent mode of the
wipers40
Interval indicator, Service44
J
Jacking points104
Jump starting108
K
Key Memory32
Keys18
– key-specific settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory32
Kick-down39
L
Labeling, tires88
Lamps and bulbs99
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo79
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system34LEDs light-emitting
diodes100
Length, refer to
Dimensions115
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs102
Liftgate21
– closing21
– emergency operation21
– opening from outside21
– opening manually21
– remote control19
Liftgate lamp, replacing
bulbs103
Lifting handle, compact
wheel103
Light-alloy wheels, care, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs100
Lighter68
Lighter socket69
Lighting of instruments58
Lights, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams56
Lights on warning56
Light switch56
Load
– determining load limit78
– refer to Cargo loading78
Lock buttons, doors, refer to
Locking21
Locking
– from inside20
– from outside19
Low beams56
– automatic56
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb56
– replacing bulbs100
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support28
Lug bolts104
– torque105Luggage compartment21
– capacity116
– cover, refer to Cargo area
cover71
– floor cover72
– increasing volume70
– opening/closing, refer to
Liftgate21
– opening from outside21
– opening with remote
control19
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo area70
Luggage compartment cover,
refer to Cargo area cover71
Luggage compartment lid
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually21
– opening with remote control,
refer to Unlocking liftgate19
Luggage compartment lid,
refer to Liftgate21
Luggage compartment net,
refer to Partition net72
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack80
Lug wrench103
Lumbar support28
M
Maintenance97
– refer to Service Interval
Display44
Maintenance system97
Malfunctions
– automatic transmission39
– door lock20
– fuel filler door84
– liftgate21
– panorama glass sunroof24
Manual air distribution60,63
Manual operation
– door lock20
– driver's door20
– fuel filler door84
– liftgate21
– panorama glass sunroof24
Manual transmission38
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
125
Power socket in cargo area69
Power windows22
– initializing22
– safety switch22
Precious wood, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Pressure, tires86
Pressure monitoring,
tires50,52
Programming settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory32
Puncture, Flat Tire Monitor50
R
Radiator, refer to Coolant95
Radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Radio-control key, refer to
Master key with remote
control18
Radio navigation, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Rain sensor40
Range, setting units45
Reading lamps
– front58
– rear58
Rear armrest, refer to Armrest,
rear68
Rear backrests, folding70
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps102
Rear reflector, refer to Tail
lamps102
Rear seat back, folding70
Rearview mirrors, exterior30
Rear window defroster
– air conditioner60
– automatic climate control64
Rear window safety switch22
Rear window wiper41
– wiper blade replacement99
Rechargeable flashlight67Recirculated-air mode
– air conditioner60
– automatic climate control63
Refueling84
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range46
Remaining distance for
Service44
Remote control19
– garage-door opener65
– liftgate19
– malfunction19
Removing condensation,
windows
– air conditioner60
– automatic climate control63
Replacement fuses106
Replacement keys18
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs99
Replacing tires
– new wheels and tires89
– wheel changes103
Replacing windshield
wiper99
Report an accident, refer to
Initiating an emergency
call107
Reporting safety defects7
Required oil grades, refer to
Approved engine oils95
Reserve indicator lamp, refer
to Fuel gauge
43
Restraint systems
– for children33
– refer to Safety belts29
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic39
– manual transmission38
Roadside Assistance, refer to
Receiving assistance107
Roadside parking lamps57
Roller cover for cargo area,
refer to Cargo area cover71
Roll-up cover, refer to Cargo
area cover71Roof load capacity, refer to
Weights116
Roof-mounted luggage
rack80
Rope, refer to Tow starting
and towing109
Rotating coin holder, refer to
Storage compartments67
Run-flat indicator, refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor50
S
Safety belts29
– safe seating position26
– warning lamp30
Safety belt tensioners, refer to
Safety belts29
Safety defects, reporting7
Safety feature
– panorama glass sunroof23
– window22
Safety systems, refer to
– ABS Antilock Brake
System48
– Airbags53
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control48
– xDrive49
Screw thread for tow
fitting109
Seat heating29
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory29
Seats
– adjusting electrically27
– adjusting sports seat28
– heating29
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory29
– sitting safely26
– storing the setting29
Securing cargo, refer to Cargo
loading78
Selector lever
– automatic transmission38
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic38