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.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
85
tribute the drive torque to the individual
wheels.
Please bear the following points in mind after
driving on poor roads, in order to preserve the
road safety of your BMW:
>Clean the heavy dirt from the body.
>Clean mud, snow, ice and other materials
from the wheels and tires. Check the tires
for damage.
Replacing components
110
Inserting compact wheel
The compact wheel is reinserted in the reverse
sequence of its removal.
When attaching the retaining strap to the
compact wheel, make sure the belt is
threaded through 2 rim openings, with one
unoccupied hole between them; otherwise, the
compact wheel could come loose in an acci-
dent.<
Preparing wheel change
1.Observe the safety precautions on
page109.
2.Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling:
Place the wheel chock behind the front
wheel on the side of the vehicle opposite
the side being raised. If the vehicle is parked
on a downward slope, place the wheel
chock securely in front of this wheel. If the
road surface is steeply inclined, take addi-
tional preventive steps to stop the vehicle
from rolling.
3.Loosen the wheel lugs by a half turn.
Jacking up vehicle
1.Position the vehicle jack at the jacking point
closest to the wheel so that the entire sur-
face of the jack base perpendicularly con-
tacts the ground under the jacking point.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not attempt
to raise another vehicle model with it or to
raise any load of any kind. To do so could
cause accidents and personal injury.<2.Guide the jack head into the rectangular
recess of the jacking point when cranking
up, refer to drawing inset.
3.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised from the ground.
Mounting a wheel
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel.
2.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub. Clean the lug bolts.
3.Position the new wheel or compact wheel.
Secure the wheel by screwing at least two
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes. When you
mount wheels other than Genuine BMW
light-alloy wheels, different lug bolts may
also be required.
4.Screw in the remaining lug bolts. Tighten all
the bolts securely in a diagonal pattern.
5.Lower the jack and remove it from beneath
the vehicle.
After mounting
1.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
To ensure safety, always have the lug
bolts checked with a calibrated
torque wrench as soon as possible to
ensure that they are tightened to the speci-
fied torque. The tightening torque is
101 lb ft/140 Nm.<
2.Stow the defective wheel in the cargo area.
3.Check and correct the tire inflation pressure
at the earliest opportunity.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
129
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview12
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory18
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure90
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– Tire Pressure Monitor54
Initializing, refer to Power
failure23,24
INSPECTION46
Instrument cluster11
Instrument lighting60
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated universal remote
control67
Interior lamps60
– remote control20
Interior motion sensor26
– switching off20,26
Interior rearview mirror33
– automatic dimming
feature33
– compass68
Interlock37
Intermittent mode of the
wipers41
Interval indicator, Service46
J
Jacking points110
– vehicle jack110
Jump starting114
K
Key Memory18
Keys18
– key-specific settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Kick-down40
L
Labeling, tires93
Lamps and bulbs104
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing load83
LATCH child restraint fixing
system35
LEDs light-emitting
diodes105
Length, refer to
Dimensions121
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs108
Liftgate22
– closing22
– emergency operation22
– manually opening22
– opening from outside22
– remote control20
Liftgate lamp, replacing
bulbs108
Lifting handle, compact
wheel109
Light-alloy wheels, care, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs105
Lighter72
Lighter socket72
Lighting of instruments60
Lights, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams58
Light switch58
Load
– determining load limit82
– refer to Cargo loading82
Lock buttons, doors, refer to
Locking21
Locking
– from inside21
– with the remote control19
Low beams58
– automatic58
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb58
– replacing bulbs105Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support29
Lug bolts110
– torque110
Luggage compartment22
– capacity122
– cover, refer to Cargo area
cover75
– floor cover76
– increasing volume74
– opening/closing, refer to
Liftgate22
– opening from outside22
– opening with remote
control20
– refer to Cargo area
74
Luggage compartment lid
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually22
– opening with remote control,
refer to Unlocking liftgate20
– refer to Liftgate22
Luggage compartment net,
refer to Partition net75
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack84
Lug wrench109
Lumbar support29
M
Maintenance102
– refer to Service Interval
Display46
Maintenance system102
Malfunctions
– automatic transmission40
– door lock21
– fuel filler door88
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Manual air distribution62,65
Manual operation
– door lock21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door88
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
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