
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
111
Protect valve stems with valve stem
seal caps from dirt and contamina-
tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source
of gradual air loss.<
4.Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor
* or reset
the Tire Pressure Monitor
*, refer to
pages53, 54.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor
when driving with a compact wheel.<
5.Replace the defective tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
Mounting the compact wheel can change the
driving characteristics. For example, it can
reduce tracking stability during braking, extend
braking distances, and alter self-steering char-
acteristics in the limit range. With winter tires,
these characteristics are more pronounced.
Only one compact wheel may be
mounted. You should re-equip with
wheels and tires of the original size as soon as
possible.<
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
will be happy to advise you on all questions con-
cerning the battery.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up. The battery
is no longer being charged. The alterna-
tor V-belt is defective or there is a mal-
function in the charge current circuit of the
alternator. Have the system checked immedi-
ately.Do not continue driving if the V-belt is
defective. The engine could be damaged
due to overheating.
Moreover, an increased amount of force is
required for steering if there is a sharp drop in
the onboard supply voltage.<
Charging battery
Charge the battery in the vehicle only when the
engine has been switched off. For connections,
refer to Jump starting on page114.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of following
replacement at your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center or bring them to a collection
point. Maintain the battery in an upright position
for transport and storage. Always secure the
battery to prevent it from tipping over during
transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power supply interruption,
some equipment is subject to limited use and
must be reinitialized. Individual settings are also
lost and must be updated again:
>Panorama glass sunroof
It may be only possible to raise the sunroof.
The system must be initialized, refer to
page24.
>Power windows
The pinch protection system must be reini-
tialized, refer to page23.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page30.
>Time
Must be set again, refer to page46.

Giving and receiving assistance
116
Towing methods
To avoid damage, do not lift the vehicle by
the tow fitting or body and suspension
parts.<
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes on public roads is not permitted. Familiar-
ize yourself with the regulations on towing in the
specific country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the vehicle to be towed; otherwise,
it will not be possible to safely control vehicle
response.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an offset
angle, please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be strictly limited in corners.
>When mounted at an angle, the tow bar will
exert lateral forces, tending to push the
vehicle sideways.
Secure the tow bar to the tow fittings
only. Otherwise, other vehicle parts could
be damaged.<
With tow-rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow-rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Secure the tow rope to the tow fittings only.
Otherwise, other vehicle parts could be dam-
aged.<
With tow truck
Do not tow the X3 with only the front or
rear axle raised; otherwise, the wheels
could lock and the transfer case could be dam-
aged.
If possible, do not tow start the vehicle; jump
start the engine instead, refer to page114.
Vehicles equipped with catalytic convertors
should only be tow started when the engine is
cold. It is not possible to tow start an engine
equipped with an automatic transmission.
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2.Switch on ignition, refer to page37.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
depressed and slowly release the clutch.
After the engine starts, immediately
depress the clutch again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
Do not activate the HDC Hill Descent
Control during tow starting, refer to
page51.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
131
Precious wood, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Pressure, tires90
Pressure monitoring,
tires53,54
Programming settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Puncture, Flat Tire Monitor53
R
Radiator, refer to Coolant101
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 sensor41
Range, setting units47
Reading lamps
– front60
– rear60
Rear armrest, refer to Armrest,
rear71
Rear backrests, folding74
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps107
Rear lamps and reflector, refer
to Tail lamps107
Rear parcel shelf, refer to
Cargo area cover75
Rear seat back, folding74
Rearview mirrors, exterior32
Rear window defroster
– air conditioner62
– automatic climate control66
Rear window safety switch23
Rear window wiper42
– wiper blade
replacement104
Rechargeable flashlight71
Recirculated-air mode
– air conditioner62
– automatic climate control66Refueling88
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range48
Remaining distance until
service46
Remote control19
– garage-door opener67
– liftgate20
– malfunction20
Removing condensation,
windows
– air conditioner62
– automatic climate control65
Replacement fuses112
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs104
Replacing tires
– new wheels and tires94
– wheel changes108
Replacing windshield
wipers104
Reporting an accident, refer to
Initiating an emergency
call113
Reporting safety defects7
Required oil grades, refer to
Approved engine oils100
Reserve indicator lamp, refer
to Fuel gauge45
Restraint systems
– for children34
– refer to Safety belts31
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
– manual transmission39
Roadside Assistance, refer to
Receiving assistance113
Roadside parking lamps59
Roller cover for cargo area,
refer to Cargo area cover75
Roof load capacity, refer to
Weights122
Roof-mounted luggage
rack84
Rope, refer to Tow starting
and towing115Rotating coin holder, refer to
Storage compartments71
Run-flat indicator, refer to Flat
Tire Monitor53
S
Safety belts31
– safe sitting position27
– warning lamp31
Safety belt tensioners, refer to
Safety belts31
Safety defects7
Safety feature, window23
Safety systems, refer to
– ABS Antilock Brake
System50
– Airbags56
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control50
– xDrive51
Screw thread for tow
fitting115
Seat heating30
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory30
Seats
– adjusting electrically28
– adjusting sports seat29
– heating30
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory30
– sitting safely27
– storing the setting30
Securing, vehicle, with the
remote control19
Securing cargo, refer to Cargo
loading82
Selector lever
– automatic transmission39
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic39
Selector lever interlock, refer
to Shiftlock39
Selector-lever positions,
automatic transmission39
Service, refer to Receiving
assistance113

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

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
133
Tires
– age93
– breaking-in80
– changing94
– changing, also refer to Wheel
changes108
– coding93
– condition94
– damage94
– DOT Quality Grades93
– flat108
– inflation pressure90
– inflation pressure table92
– size, refer to Correct wheels
and tires95
– storage95
– temperature94
– traction93
– tread94
– tread wear93
– Uniform Tire Quality
Grading93
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth94
– winter tires95
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit104
Torque
– engine120
– lug bolts110
Touch signaling41
Tow bar116
Tow fitting115
Towing115
– with automatic
transmission115
Towing eye115
Towing the vehicle115
Tow rope116
Tow sockets for tow
fitting115
Tow starting115
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor54
Track width, refer to
Dimensions121
Traction93Traction control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control50
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic39
– manual transmission39
Transmission locking
mechanism, refer to
PPark40
Transmission malfunction,
refer to Malfunction40
Transporting children
safely
34
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing cargo83
Traveling on poor roads84
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tread depth94
Tread wear93
Tread wear indicator in tires,
refer to Minimum tread
depth94
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer45
Trip odometer45
Trunk lid, refer to Liftgate22
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions121
Turning lamp59
Turn signals40
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs106
– side, replacing bulbs107
U
Units47
– outside temperature47
Universal garage-door
opener, refer to Integrated
universal remote control67
Universal remote control67
Unlocking
– from inside21
– hood97
– with the remote control19Unlocking and locking doors
with the remote control19
Upholstery care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
V
Valve screw caps, refer to
After mounting110
Vehicle
– battery111
– breaking-in80
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– cargo loading82
– dimensions121
– disposal, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– locking from inside21
– parking38
– washing, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– weights122
Vehicle battery111
Vehicle jack109
– jacking points110
Vehicle Memory18
Ventilation63,66
– draft-free63,66
Viscosity100
Voice command system, refer
to separate Owner's Manual
W
Warning and indicator lamps,
overview12
Warning triangle113
Warranty, refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models,
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models102
Warranty and service6
Washer fluid42