2007 BMW X3 3.0I shift gears

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
115
Starting engine
1.Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and
let it run at a slightly elevated idling speed
for a few minutes.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the connection sequence.
If need be, have the battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow starting and towing
Obey all applicable laws and guidelines
for tow starting and towing.<
Do not allow any passengers other than
the driver to ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using tow fitting
The threaded tow fitting is stored in the
onboard tool kit, refer to page104, and must
always remain in the vehicle. It can be screwed
in at the front or rear of the BMW.
Only use the tow fitting that comes with
the vehicle and screw it in as far as it will
go. Use the tow fitting only for towing on roads.
Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do
not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise,
the tow fitting and the vehicle can be dam-
aged.<
Access to screw thread
Front
Push the cover in the bumper out of the recess
with a screwdriver.
Rear
Press on the mark provided on the cover.
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1; otherwise, the steering lock will
engage, making it impossible to steer the vehi-
cle. There is no power assist with the engine
switched off. It is therefore necessary to exert
increased effort for braking and steering.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page39.
Do not exceed a towing speed of
45 mph/70 km/h and a towing distance
of 90 miles/150 km; otherwise, the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<

Everything from A to Z
128 Front passenger airbags
– automatic deactivation56
– status57
Fuel89
– average consumption48
– capacity123
– gauge45
– quality89
Fuel cap88
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge45
Fuel filler door88
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction88
Fuel gauge45
Fuel tank contents, refer to
Filling capacities123
Full preparation package
mobile phone, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Fuses112
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control67
Gasoline
– refer to Fuel quality89
– refer to Fuel
specifications89
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge45
Gear indicator in automatic
transmission with
Steptronic39
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission39
General driving notes80
Glove compartment70
Grills, refer to
Ventilation63,66
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights122
Ground clearance84
H
Halogen lamps105
Handbrake38
– indicator lamp38
Hands-free microphone73
– refer to Car phone
preparation73
Hazard warning flashers10
HDC Hill Descent Control51
Head airbags56
Headlamp flasher40
– indicator lamp12
Headlamps105
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– control, automatic58
– replacing bulbs104
Headlamp washer reservoir
– capacity, refer to Filling
capacities123
– refer to Washer fluid42
Headlamp washer system
– headlamp washing42
– washer fluid42
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light59
Head restraints29
– installing, front30
– removing, front30
– sitting safely27
Heated mirrors32
Heated rear window
– air conditioner62
– automatic climate control66
Heated seats30
Heated steering wheel33
Heater
– rear window62,66
– windshield washer jets42
Heating
– exterior mirror32
– seats30
– steering wheel33
Heating and ventilation61,64
Heavy cargo, refer to Cargo
loading82
Height, refer to
Dimensions121Height adjustment
– seats28
– steering wheel33
High beams59
– headlamp flasher59
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs106
High Performance Synthetic
Oil100
Hill-climbing ability, refer to
Driving on poor roads
84
Hill Descent Control HDC51
Hills82
Holder for beverages70
Hood97
Horn10
Hotel function18
Hot exhaust system81
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to Brake assistant50
Hydroplaning81
I
Icy conditions, refer to
Outside temperature
warning47
Ignition37
Ignition key18
Ignition key positions, refer to
Ignition lock37
Ignition lock37
Imprint2
Indicator/warning lamp
– airbags57
– alarm system25
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
– brakes101
– coolant temperature46
– DSC51
– engine temperature46
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– fog lamps59
– front passenger airbags57
– reserve45
– safety belt warning31
– Tire Pressure Monitor54

Everything from A to Z
132 Service and warranty6
Service Engine Soon37,103
Service Interval
Display46,102
Setting interior
temperature62,65
Shifting gears in automatic
transmission with
Steptronic40
Shiftlock39
Side airbags56
Side tilt, permissible84
Side turn signals, bulb
replacement107
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely27
– with airbags27
– with head restraint27
– with safety belt27
Ski bag73
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray72
Snow chains96
Soft drink can holder, refer to
Cup holders70
SOS, refer to Initiating an
emergency call113
Spare fuses112
Spare key18
Spare wheel, refer to Compact
wheel109
Speed
– with compact wheel111
– with winter tires95
Speedometer, refer to
Instrument cluster11
Split rear backrest, refer to
Enlarging cargo area74
Sport program, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic40
Sports seat29
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems50
Starting, refer to Starting
engine37Starting difficulties
– at very low temperatures38
– jump starting114
Starting engine37
Starting off uphill, refer to
Acceleration assistant52
Status of passenger
airbags57
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steering lock37
Steering wheel10
,13
– adjustment33
– buttons on steering
wheel13
– heater33
– lock37
Steering wheel with
buttons13
Steptronic39
Storage compartments71
Storage package71
Storage package nets71
Storage space, refer to Cargo
area74
Storing desired speed, refer to
Cruise control43
Storing seat position, refer to
Seat and mirror memory30
Storing tires95
Straps, refer to Cargo
loading82
Sunroof, refer to Panorama
glass sunroof23
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching cooling function on/
off62,65
Switching off engine38
Symbols4
T
Tachometer45
Tail lamps107
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb58
– replacing bulbs107
Tank, washing systems, refer
to Washer fluid42
Tank capacity123
Technical data120
Technical modifications5
Telephone, refer to separate
operating instructions
Temperature
– air conditioner62
– automatic climate control65
– tires94
Temperature display
– outside temperature47
– outside temperature
warning47
– setting units47
Temperature gauge46
Temperature of coolant, refer
to Coolant thermometer46
Temperature warning47
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control43
Thigh support adjustment29
Three point safety belts31
Tightening torque of lug bolts,
refer to After mounting110
Tilt alarm sensor
– remote control20
– switching off20,26
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror32
Tire inflation pressures90
– monitoring, refer to Tire
Pressure Monitor54
– restoring90
Tire Pressure Monitor54
– malfunction warnings54
– resetting system54
– system limitations54
– warning lamp54
Tire replacement94