2007 BMW X3 3.0I wheel

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
37
Driving
Ignition lock
0Steering locked
1Steering unlocked
2Ignition switched on
3Starting engine
Steering locked
T h e k e y c a n b e i n s e r t ed o r r em o v e d in t h is p o s i -
tion only.
After removing the key, turn the steering wheel
slightly to the left or right until you hear the lock
engage.
Interlock with automatic transmission
The key can only be turned back to position0 or
removed if the selector lever is in position P:
interlock.
Steering unlocked
A slight steering wheel movement often makes
it easier to turn the key from0 to1.
Some power accessories are ready for opera-
tion.
Ignition switched on
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in enclosed spaces;
otherwise, inhalation of toxic exhaust
gases can cause unconsciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the
engine running, since an unattended vehicle
with a running engine is a safety hazard.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always shift
into neutral or selector lever position P and
engage the handbrake firmly before leaving the
vehicle with the engine running.<
Do not discontinue the starting procedure pre-
maturely, but also do not prolong it for more
than 20 seconds. Release the ignition key
immediately as soon as the engine starts.
When starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up while
parked; instead, start driving immediately at a
moderate engine speed.
Indicator lamps
The warning lamp lights up. Exhaust
values are deteriorating. Have the vehi-
cle checked as soon as possible.
Under certain conditions, the indicator will flash.
This indicates a serious rate of engine misfire.
When this occurs, you should reduce speed
and consult the nearest BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center as soon as possible. Severe
engine misfire, even for only a short period of
time, can seriously damage emission control
components, especially the catalytic converter.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.
The warning lamp lights up. Malfunc-
tion in the engine electronics. You can
continue to drive with reduced engine

Driving
38 output or speed. Have the system checked
immediately.
Manual transmission
1.Step on the brake.
2.Depress the clutch pedal and shift into neu-
tral.
If the clutch pedal is not depressed,
the motor will not start.<
3.Start the engine.
Automatic transmission*
1.Step on the brake.
2.Move selector lever into position P.
3.Start the engine.
Special starting conditions
In the following situations, press the accelerator
pedal halfway down while starting:
>If the engine fails to start on the first
attempt, for instance if it is very hot or cold.
>When starting the engine at very low tem-
peratures, e.g. below approx. +57/–156,
at high altitudes over approx. 3,300 ft/
1,000 m.
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is
either not burned or inadequately burned and
there is a danger of overheating and damaging
the catalytic converter.<
Switching off engine
Do not remove the ignition key when the
vehicle is rolling; otherwise, the steering
wheel lock would engage, preventing you from
steering.
When leaving the vehicle, remove the ignition
key and lock the steering. To prevent the vehi-
cle from rolling, engage the parking brake firmly
when parking.<
Manual transmission
1.Engage the parking brake firmly.
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
3.Shift into first gear or reverse.
Automatic transmission*
1.With the vehicle at a stop, move the selector
lever into position P.
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
3.Engage the parking brake firmly.
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes
the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up; an acous-
tic signal also sounds when you begin
to drive. The handbrake is still engaged.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Engaging
The lever engages automatically when you pull
up on it.
Releasing
Pull up slightly on the lever, press the button
and lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should
make it necessary to engage the hand-
brake while the vehicle is in motion, do not

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
39
engage it too forcefully. In doing so, continu-
ously press the button of the handbrake lever.
Otherwise, excessively forceful engagement of
the handbrake can cause the rear wheels to lock
and cause the rear of the vehicle to fishtail.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally engage the hand-
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming
to a stop if traffic conditions permit. The brake
lamps do not light up when the handbrake is
applied.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press
the gearshift to the right. Otherwise, an
inadvertent shift into 3rd or 4th gear could harm
the engine.<
Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. Press
the gearshift lever to the left to overcome the
resistance.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to
page40.
Parking vehicle
To prevent the vehicle from rolling,
always select position P and engage the
handbrake before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running.<
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Starting the engine
The engine can only be started in selector lever
positions P: Park or N: Neutral.
Displays in the instrument cluster
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6
The selector lever position is indicated, and in
the manual mode, the gear currently engaged.
Changing selector lever positions
>Only move the selector lever from posi-
tion P with the engine running: interlock.
>When the vehicle is stationary, step on the
brake before shifting out of P or N; other-
wise, the selector lever is locked: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping
after you select a drive position, press
on the brake pedal until you are ready to
start driving.<
A lock prevents the selector lever from being
inadvertently moved into positions R and P. To
release the lock, press the button on the front of
the selector lever handle, refer to arrow.

Driving
40
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
transmission locks to prevent the rear wheels
from turning.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
You can shift into neutral, for example, in auto-
matic car washes. This allows the vehicle to roll.
D Drive, automatic position
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con-
sumption is the lowest when the vehicle is
driven in position D.
Kick-down
The kick-down mode provides maximum accel-
eration.
Press the accelerator pedal past the increased
resistance point at the full-throttle position.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Move the selector lever from position D toward
the left into the M/S shifting slot.
The Sport program is activated and SD appears
in the instrument cluster. This position is rec-
ommended for a performance-oriented driving
style.
When you push the selector lever forward or
pull it back, this activates the manual mode and
Steptronic changes gear. The instrument clus-
ter displays M1 to M6.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combination
of engine and vehicle speed; as a result, for example, a downshift that would cause the
engine to overrev will not be executed by the
system. The gear selected will appear briefly in
the instrument cluster, followed by the current
gear.
To use the automatic function again, move the
selector lever to the right into position D.
Malfunction
Red warning lamp
The transmission is overheated.
Reduce speed immediately and stop at
a suitable location so that the transmis-
sion can cool down again. It is possible to con-
tinue driving moderately.
Have the system checked immediately.
Yellow warning lamp
A malfunction has occurred in the trans-
mission system. Avoid heavy loads.
While it will still remain possible to move
the selector lever to any desired position, the
transmission will revert to its default mode with
only a limited number of forward gears.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Instructions on towing, tow starting and jump
starting begin on page114.
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
41
Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator
lamp indicates that a turn signal bulb has
gone out.<
Signaling briefly
Press lever to resistance point and hold for as
long as you wish to signal.
Touch signaling
Press lever to resistance point.
The signal flashes three times.
If you wish, you can have this function
activated.<
Washer/wiper system/
rain sensor*
0Wipers retracted
1Intermittent or rain sensor operation
2Normal wiper speed
3Fast wipe
4Brief wipe
5Select interval time or set sensitivity of
rain sensor
Fold-out position
The right wiper is partially concealed by the
hood.
To move the wipers into a vertical position:
1.Switch on wipers in lever position 1.
2.When the wipers are approximately vertical,
move the ignition key to position 0.
For changing the wiper blades, refer to
page104.Fold the wipers back down onto the wind-
shield before you turn the ignition key to
p o s i t i o n 1 o r 2 a g a i n . I f y o u d o n o t , t h e y c o u l d b e
damaged.<
Intermittent mode
Not provided in vehicles with rain sensor.
You can set the wipe interval to four stages with
the knurled wheel 5.
In addition, the wipe interval is varied automati-
cally depending on road speed.
Rain sensor*
The rain sensor automatically controls wiper
operation as a function of the rain intensity.
The sensor is mounted on the windshield,
directly in front of the interior rearview mirror.
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing
through an automatic car wash. Failure to
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper activation.<
Activating
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher,
move the lever to position1. The wipers travel
once across the windshield, regardless of the
weather conditions.
You can leave the lever permanently in posi-
tion1 and then only need to activate the rain
sensor whenever the ignition key is in position 1
or higher. To do so:
>Briefly turn the knurled wheel 5 or
>Clean the windshield 1, refer to page42
Adjusting sensitivity
Turn the knurled wheel 5.
Deactivating
Switch lever to position 0.
Normal wiper speed
The system switches automatically to intermit-
tent mode when the vehicle is not moving, not
on vehicles with rain sensor.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
43
Cruise control*
The vehicle maintains and stores the speed that
you set at speeds greater than approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h.
You can use cruise control whenever the sys-
tem is active while the engine is running.
Do not use the cruise control under unfa-
vorable conditions that do not permit a
constant speed, e.g. when driving on winding
roads or in heavy traffic or when negotiating
poor road conditions such as snow, rain, ice, or
a loose road surface. Otherwise, you could lose
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up green: sys-
tem ready for operation using the but-
tons on the steering wheel.
Activating system
With ignition key in position 2 or higher:
Press button on steering wheel; the indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on. The
cruise control mode is enabled.
Deactivating system
Press the button repeatedly until the indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
The cruise control is also deactivated when the
ignition key is turned to position 0. The speed
stored in the memory is deleted in the process.
Maintaining speed, storing, and
accelerating
Briefly press + button:
The system maintains and stores the current
vehicle speed. Each additional touch of the but-ton increases the speed by approx. 1 mph/
1km/h.
Press and hold + button:
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. When you release the
button, the system maintains and stores the
current speed.
If the braking action of the engine is insufficient
on a downhill stretch, then the set vehicle can
exceed the set speed. Speed can drop on uphill
grades if the engine output is insufficient.
Decelerating
Briefly press – button:
Each press of the button decreases the vehi-
cle's speed by roughly 1 mph/1 km/h, provided
that you have already activated the cruise con-
trol.
Press and hold – button:
With the cruise control active, the system auto-
matically reduces the fuel supply to slow the
vehicle. When you release the button, the sys-
tem maintains and stores the current speed.
Interrupting cruise control
When the system is activated, press the button.
The indicator lamp stays on. You can use the
cruise control again whenever required by
requesting the speed that was stored last.
In addition, the system is automatically inter-
rupted in response to the following conditions:
>When you apply pressure to the brake pedal
>When you apply pressure to the clutch
pedal or when you move the automatic
transmission selector lever from D to N
>If you exceed or fall below the set speed for
an extended period, by pressing the accel-
erator, for example
>When DSC is activated

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
50
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a short con-
tinuous tone sounds. PDC is malfunctioning.
Switch off PDC. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they will continue to operate effectively.
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray sensors for long periods and keep the
sprayer at least 4 in/10 cm away from the sen-
sors.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are involved,
there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be
detected. The system is also subject to the
physical limits that apply to all forms of ultra-
sonic measurement, such as those encoun-
tered with tow bars and trailer couplings, or thin
and wedge-shaped objects. Low objects
already displayed, e.g. curb edges, can come
into the blind spot of the sensors before or after
a continuous tone sounds. The system may fail
to detect higher obstacles such as projections
from walls.
Loud sources of sound, inside and outside the
vehicle, could drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array
of systems designed to enhance and maintain
vehicle stability even under unfavorable driving
conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents the wheels from locking during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. This results in an
increase in the active safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Safe braking, refer to page81.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure a stable braking behavior.
Brake assistant
When the brake pedal is depressed quickly, this
system automatically generates a maximum
braking force distribution and thus helps keep
the braking distance to a minimum during full
braking. This system exploits all of the benefits
provided by ABS.
As long as you want full braking to continue, do
not reduce pressure on the brake.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents slip at the drive wheels when
starting off and accelerating. The system also
detects unstable driving conditions, such as a
fishtailing of the vehicle's rear end or the sliding
of the vehicle on its front wheels. In these cir-
cumstances, DSC helps keep the vehicle on a
safe path, within physical limits, by reducing
engine output and by applying the brakes in
individual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style always remains the responsibility of the
driver. Do not squander the additional margin of
safety by driving dangerously; otherwise, you
run the risk of causing an accident.<
Deactivating DSC
Maintain pressure on the button until the DSC
indicator lamp lights up, but do not press for
longer than approx. 10 seconds. DTC Dynamic
Traction Control and DSC are deactivated

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
51
jointly. These systems do not take their cus-
tomary stabilizing actions.
To increase vehicle stability, reactivate DSC as
soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
For monitoring purposes
When the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC is controlling the drive and braking
forces.
When the indicator lamp lights up:
DSC is deactivated.
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
DTC is a variation of DSC that is optimized for
forward momentum for particular road condi-
tions, e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. In
this mode, the system assures maximum for-
ward momentum, but with limited driving stabil-
ity. For this reason, drive with corresponding
caution.
In the following exceptional circumstances, it
may be useful to temporarily activate DTC:
>When driving on snow-covered inclines, in
slush, or on unplowed, snow-covered roads
>When freeing a stuck vehicle or starting up
in deep snow, sand, or on a loose ground
surface
>When driving with snow chains
*
Activating DTC
Press the button; the DTC indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
For monitoring purposes
When the indicator lamp flashes:
DTC is controlling the drive forces and
braking forces.
When the indicator lamp lights up:
DTC is activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster goes out.
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.
You can activate HDC at vehicle speeds below
approx. 20 mph/35 km/h. If it is traveling down a
steep slope at a speed below approx. 20 mph/
35 km/h, the vehicle then automatically decel-
erates down to slightly more than walking
speed, approx. 5 mph/8 km/h, and then keeps
this speed 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.