Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
49
Deactivating DSC
Press the button; the indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up continuously.
DSC is now deactivated.
Stabilizing interventions of the chassis control
system DSC are no longer available. However,
the braking interventions that simulate the
function of the differential lock continue to be
active.
In the following exceptional circumstances, it
may be useful to switch off DSC for a short
period:
>When rocking the vehicle and starting off in
deep snow or on loose road surfaces
>On sandy road surfaces
>On poor surfaces with deep ruts
>If the wheels spin on muddy surfaces
>When driving with snow chains
As a result of the braking interventions,
the brakes may be subjected to additional
loads when the system is switched off. In order
to limit the brake temperature, brief automatic
suppression of the brake activation is possible.
To maintain vehicle stability, always drive with
the system switched on when possible.<
Reactivating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. DSC is now acti-
vated.
xDrive
xDrive is the all-wheel drive system of your X3.
The combined effects of xDrive and DSC fur-
ther optimize the traction and dynamic driving
characteristics. The all-wheel drive system
xDrive variably distributes the drive torque to
the front and rear axle depending on the driving
situation and prevailing road conditions.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept
HDC is a system for hill descent assistance that
reduces the speed on steep downward inclines
and makes it even easier to control the driving
characteristics of your BMW under these condi-
tions. The vehicle moves at slightly more than
walking speed without active intervention from
the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehicle speeds
below approx. 20 mph/35 km/h. When driving
down steep hills with a speed below approx.
20 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed
automatically down to slightly more than walk-
ing speed, approx. 5 mph/8 km/h, and then
maintains this speed at a constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary
this automatically controlled speed within a
range extending from approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to
15 mph/25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same
range by using the +/– buttons of the cruise
control on the steering wheel.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
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.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
91
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains are tested,
classified as road-safe, and recommended by
BMW. You can obtain a list of these from your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center. It is only
permissible to use them in pairs and on the rear
wheels.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions when
installing snow chains.
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of 30 mph/
50 km/h with snow chains mounted.
It is not permissible to use snow chains on the
following tire sizes:
>255/45 R 18
>255/40 R 19
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor
*
with snow chains installed; otherwise, the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When you are driving with snow chains, it can
be beneficial to switch off DSC briefly, refer to
page49.<
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
121
Driving notes76
Driving on poor roads80
Driving stability control
systems48
Driving through water80
Driving tips, refer to Driving
instructions76
Drying air, refer to Switching
cooling function on/
off60,63
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control48
– indicator lamp48
DVD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Dynamic Brake Control, refer
to DBC Dynamic Brake
Control48
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
– warning lamp50
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC48
– indicator lamp48
E
Electrical malfunctions
– automatic transmission
malfunction39
– door lock20
– driver's door20
– fuel filler door84
– liftgate21
– panorama glass sunroof24
Electronic brake-force
distribution48
Electronic Stability Program,
refer to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control48
Emergency call107
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– doors20
– driver's door20
– fuel filler door84
– liftgate21
– panorama glass sunroof24Emergency Service, refer to
Receiving assistance107
Engine
– breaking-in76
– data114
– indicator lamps36
– overheated, refer to Coolant
thermometer44
– speed43
– starting36
– switching off37
Engine compartment93
Engine coolant95
Engine coolant
temperature44
Engine oil94
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils95
– approved engine oils95
– indicator/warning lamp94
– required oil grades95
Engine oil grades95
Engine oil level94
– indicator/warning lamp94
Engine oil pressure94
– indicator/warning lamp94
Engine oil sensor94
– indicator/warning lamp94
Engine output, refer to Engine
data114
Equipment range, refer to
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control48
Exhaust system77
Exterior mirrors30
– automatically dimming77
Eye, tow starting and
towing109
F
Failure of electrical
accessories106
False alarms, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms25
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts29
Filter, refer to
– Microfilter61
– Microfilter/activated
charcoal filter64
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit108
First-aid kit108
Flat tire103
– compact wheel103
– Flat Tire Monitor50
– refer to Tire inflation
pressure86
– refer to Wheel changes103
– Tire Pressure Monitor52
Flat Tire Monitor50
– indicator lamp51
– initializing system51
– snow chains91
– system limits51
– warning errors51
Flooding, refer to Driving
through water77
Floor cover72
Fog lamps, indicator lamp57
Folding rear seat back70
Four wheel drive, refer to
xDrive49
Front airbags53
Front fog lamps57
– replacing bulbs102
Front passenger airbags,
automatic deactivation54
Fuel85
– average consumption46
– capacity116
– gauge43
– quality85
Fuel cap84
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge43
Everything from A to Z
126 Selector lever interlock, refer
to Shiftlock38
Selector-lever positions,
automatic transmission38
Service, refer to Receiving
assistance107
Service and warranty7
Service Engine Soon36,98
Service Interval Display44,97
Setting interior
temperature60,63
Shifting gears with automatic
transmission with
Steptronic39
Shiftlock38
Side airbags53
Side tilt, permissible80
Side turn signals, bulb
replacement101
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely26
– with airbags26
– with head restraint26
– with safety belt26
Ski bag69
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray68
Snow chains91
Socket, refer to Cigarette
lighter socket69
Soft drink can holder, refer to
Cup holders66
SOS, refer to Initiating an
emergency call107
Spare fuses106
Spare key18
Spare wheel, refer to Compact
wheel103
Speed
– with compact wheel105
– with winter tires90
Speedometer11
– refer to Instrument
cluster11
Split rear backrest, refer to
Enlarging cargo area70
Sport program, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic39Sports seat28
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems48
Starting, refer to Starting
engine36
Starting difficulties
– at very low temperatures37
– jump starting
108
Starting engine36
Status of passenger
airbags54
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steering lock36
Steering wheel10,13
– adjustment31
– buttons on steering
wheel13
– heater31
– lock36
Steering wheel with
buttons13
Steptronic38
Storage compartments67
Storage package68
Storage package nets68
Storage space, refer to Cargo
area70
Storing desired speed, refer to
Cruise control41
Storing seat position, refer to
Seat and mirror memory29
Storing tires90
Straps, refer to Cargo
loading78
Sunroof, refer to Panorama
glass sunroof23
Supply reservoirs, washer
systems41
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching cooling function on/
off60,63
Switching off engine37
Symbols4
T
Tachometer43
Tail lamps102
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb56
– replacing bulbs102
Tank capacity116
Technical data114
Technical modifications6
Telephone, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Temperature
– air conditioner60
– automatic climate control63
Temperature, tires89
Temperature display
– outside temperature45
– outside temperature
warning45
– setting units45
Temperature gauge44
Temperature of coolant, refer
to Coolant thermometer44
Temperature warning45
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control41
The individual vehicle5
The right wheels and tires90
Thigh support adjustment28
Three point safety belts29
Tightening torque of lug bolts,
refer to After mounting105
Tilt alarm sensor
– remote control19
– switching off19,25
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror31
Tire inflation pressure
monitoring, refer to Tire
Pressure Monitor52
Tire inflation pressures86
– restoring86
Tire Pressure Monitor52
– malfunction warnings52
– resetting system52
– system limitations52
– warning lamp52