2008 BMW X3 3.0SI ECU

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
69
Practical interior accessories
Integrated universal remote
control*
The concept
The integrated universal remote control can
replace as many as three hand-held transmit-
ters for various radio-controlled accessories,
such as garages, exterior gates, or lighting sys-
tems. The integrated universal remote control
recognizes and learns the transmitted signal of
each of the original hand-held transmitters.
The signal of an original hand-held transmitter
can be programmed on one of the three mem-
ory buttons1. Then, the programmed memory
button1 can operate the device whenever the
ignition is switched on. The LED2 indicates
transmission of the signal.
Should you sell your vehicle one day, be sure to
delete the stored programs beforehand for your
security, refer to page70.
To prevent possible damage or injury,
before programming or using the inte-
grated universal remote control, always inspect
the immediate area to make certain that no peo-
ple, animals or objects are within the travel
range of the device. Also, comply with the
safety precautions of the original hand-held
transmitter.<
Checking compatibility
If you see this symbol on the packaging
or in the manual supplied with the origi-
nal hand-held transmitter, then it is safe
to assume that the radio-controlled device is
compatible with the integrated universal
remote control.
If you have additional questions, please
ask at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center or call: 1-800-355-3515.
You can find also information on the Internet at:
www.bmwusa.com or
www.homelink.com. HomeLink is a registered trademark of
Johnson Controls, Inc.<
Programming
1Memory buttons
2LED
Fixed-code hand-held transmitters
1.Turn the ignition key to position 2.
2.For initial use: press the left and right mem-
ory button1 for approx. 20 seconds until
the LED2 flashes rapidly. All stored pro-
grams are deleted.
3.Hold the original hand-held transmitter at
a distance of approx. 4 in/10 cm to 12 in/
30 cm from the memory buttons1.
The required distance between the
hand-held transmitter and memory
buttons1 depends on the relevant system
of the original hand-held transmitter used.<
4.Simultaneously press the transmit button
on the original hand-held transmitter and
the desired memory button 1 of the inte-
grated universal remote control. Initially, the
LED2 flashes slowly. Release both buttons
as soon as the LED2 flashes rapidly. If the
LED2 does not flash rapidly after approx.
15 seconds, then change the distance and
repeat the step.
5.To program other original hand-held trans-
mitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.

Practical interior accessories
76
Securing load
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con-
tents. Tension the retaining strap on the ten-
sioning buckle for this purpose.
Always secure the ski bag in this way.
If you fail to do so, it can endanger occu-
pants during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
To store the ski bag, perform the above steps in
reverse order.
Inserting ski bag
The ski bag is located in the cargo area under
the floor cover.
1.Fold down the center armrest and pull off
the cover.
2.Remove the tray behind the cover panel
with a screwdriver. Pivot the handle of the
screwdriver upward, arrow1, and simulta-
neously pull toward the front, arrow2.3.Position the ski bag on the lower edge of the
opening, refer to arrow 1, then insert it, refer
to arrow 2.
Removing ski bag
Pull the handle forward and remove the ski bag
upward.
Do not position cargo at the opening. If
you do, it can endanger the passengers
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Cargo area
When loading, follow the instructions on
page85.
Enlarging cargo area
The rear backrest is split. You can fold down
both seats individually to enlarge the cargo
area.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
77
Reach into the opening and pull forward, refer
to arrow.
Before folding down the rear backrests,
remove the cover caps for the LATCH
child restraint fixing system. Otherwise, impres-
sions can be left in the seat cushion.<
When you fold the backrest upright again,
be sure that the catch engages securely.
This causes the red warning field in the recess
to disappear. Otherwise, cargo can be thrown
into the passenger compartment during brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers, thus endangering the
passengers.<
To ensure that the safety belts continue
to provide optimum protection, please
follow the instructions on page27.<
Ski bag*
To create a flat cargo surface, you can remove
the ski bag and replace it with a tray before fold-
ing the rear backrest forward. The tray is
inserted in the same way as inserting the ski
bag, refer to Inserting ski bag on page76.
Cargo area cover
Pull the cargo area cover out by the handle and
hook it into the rear holders.You can carry light objects such as articles of
clothing on the cargo area cover.
Never place heavy, hard objects on the
cover. If you do so, they could endanger
passengers during braking or evasive maneu-
vers.
Do not allow the cover to snap back into place;
this can damage it.<
Removal
1.Press the side buttons, refer to arrow1.
2.Pull the case toward the rear, refer to
arrow2.
Installation
Push the case forward into the two side holders
until it locks into place.
Stowing* when rear backrest is folded
down
Holders for the case are mounted on the backs
of the rear seat backs, refer to arrows1.
Guide the case in from the right side until it
locks into place, refer to arrow 2. As you do this,
the cargo area cover must always point in the
direction of travel and the loop of the partition
net must point upward.

Practical interior accessories
78 You can pull out the partition net and insert it
into the holders in the roof area above.
Partition net*
Do not allow the partition net to snap back
into place; otherwise, there is a danger of
injury and the partition net could be damaged.<
Hooking partition net into place
Pull the partition net out of the case by the
strap. Press the ends of the bar toward each
other, refer to arrows 1, and insert into the
brackets. Then press the bar all the way upward
in the middle, refer to arrow 2, so that it engages
in the brackets.
Lowering partition net
Grasp bar on one side on the partition net, press
upward and push the ends of the bar together,
then release from the brackets.
Behind side trim panel
Press the button to open.
Floor cover
Opening
For access to the jack etc.
To open, raise the cover by the handle, refer to
arrow.
If needed, you can remove or raise the floor
cover.
Raising
Swing up the floor cover and hook it onto the
handle of the cargo area cover by its catch.
Lashing eyes, rail*
You can secure heavy-duty cargo straps to the
lashing eyes on the cargo area floor.
The lashing eyes are stored in the cargo area
under the floor cover. They can be inserted into

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
79
the openings in the rails. To slide the lashing
eyes, press the button.
Read and follow instructions accompany-
ing the heavy-duty cargo straps.<
Adaptive attachment system*
The adaptive attachment system is to divide up
the cargo area. It is comprised of two brackets
with a telescoping rail and a retaining strap.
These brackets are guided in the two rails on
the cargo area floor.
Before using the adaptive attachment
system, fold the rear backrests into the
upright position until they engage and then
hang the partition net
* in position. Otherwise,
the cargo can be hurled into the passenger
compartment in the event of an accident.<
1Bracket
2Telescoping rail
3Recess in the cargo area rail
Inserting brackets
The two brackets are connected by a telescop-
ing rail.
1.Insert each of the brackets into the respec-
tive recess in the rail on the cargo area floor.
2.Press the brackets down to slide them into
the desired position.
3.Make sure the brackets have seated
securely. They must engage audibly.
Do not place any cargo on the brackets;
this can cause them to disengage.<
Dividing cargo area
You have the following possibilities for place-
ment of the cargo:
>between the backrest and the telescoping
rail
>between the telescoping rail and the retain-
ing strap
Positioning the cargo between the telescoping
rail and the retaining strap:
1.Place the cargo against the telescoping rail.
Press the button, arrow1 and pull the
retaining strap around the cargo, arrow2.
2.Hook the retaining strap to the recess3 on
the telescoping rail.
3.Press the button on the bracket, arrow1.
The retaining strap is pulled tight.
You can also hook the two retaining
straps to each other.<
If you no longer require the adaptive attachment
system, unhook the retaining strap and route it
by the hook to the bracket to avoid damage.
Then slide the attachment system forward to
utilize the cargo area as efficiently as possible.
Removing brackets
Press down on the brackets, slide them to the
recesses in the rails, and remove.

Things to remember when driving
86 5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded into and/or onto the
vehicle. This combined weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity calculated in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permitted load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage
can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>To protect passengers, use the partition
net, refer to page78.
>Load heavy cargo as far forward and as low
as possible, placing it directly behind the
rear seat backrests.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>Do not stack cargo higher than the upper
edge of the backrests.>Items that could bump against the rear win-
dow while driving must be adequately cov-
ered.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure the safety belt on
each side in the buckle on the opposite
side.
Securing cargo
>Use the luggage net* o r d r a w s t ra p s t o h o ld
down small and lightweight luggage and
cargo, refer to page78.
>For larger and heavier pieces, heavy-duty
cargo straps
* are available from your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. These
heavy-duty cargo straps are secured to
lashing eyes mounted in the cargo area,
refer to page78.
Read the information provided with the
heavy-duty cargo straps.
Always position and secure cargo as
described above. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during braking or
evasive maneuvers.
Use only the lashing eyes, refer to page78, to
fasten the heavy-duty cargo straps; otherwise,
the heavy-duty cargo straps could loosen or the
vehicle could be damaged.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page124, as excessive loads can pose a
safety hazard and may also put you in violation
of road safety laws.
You should never transport unsecured heavy or
hard objects in the passenger compartment, as
they could be thrown around and pose a safety
hazard to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt
braking or evasive maneuvers.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
87
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an optional
accessory for your BMW. Please familiarize
yourself with the information contained in the
installation instructions.
Loading luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
its handling and steering response. You should
therefore always remember not to exceed the
approved roof load capacity, the approved
gross vehicle weight, or the axle loads when
loading the rack.
These specifications can be found under
Weights on page124.
The roof load must be evenly distributed and
must not extend outward beyond the limits of
the loading surface. Always stow the heaviest
pieces on the bottom. Be sure that adequate
clearance is maintained for raising the glass
sunroof and that objects do not project into the
opening path of the liftgate.
Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off
while you drive.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and
braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.
Driving on poor roads
Your X3 is at home on all paved and unpaved
roads. It combines all-wheel drive with the
advantages of a normal passenger car.
Do not drive off-road, as otherwise the
vehicle may be damaged.<
When you are driving on poor roads, there are a
few points which you should strictly observe –
for your own safety and that of your passengers,
as well as to protect the vehicle:
>Familiarize yourself with the vehicle before
you begin driving. Do not take risks with the
vehicle under any circumstances.
>Always adapt your driving speed to the
road conditions. The more steep and uneven the roadway is, the lower the speed
should be.
>You can operate your vehicle on uphill and
downhill gradients with a maximum slope
of 50 %. If you wish to drive on uphill and
downhill grades of this nature, make sure
beforehand that the engine oil and coolant
levels are near the MAX mark, refer to
pages102 and104.
>When descending very steep hills, use
HDC Hill Descent Control, refer to page52.
It is possible to start off on inclines of up
to 32 %.
The permitted side tilt is 32 %.
>While driving, watch carefully for obstacles
such as rocks or holes. Try to avoid these
obstacles whenever possible.
>Avoid having the body make contact with
the ground, e.g. on the crests of hills and
bumpy roads. The ground clearance of the
vehicle is a maximum of approx. 8.0 in/
20 cm. Please be aware that the ground
clearance can vary depending on the load
and operating conditions of the vehicle.
>Do not drive in water that is deeper than
20 in/50 cm. If you must drive through water
up to that depth, drive at a walking speed
and do not stop.
After leaving the water, press on the foot-
brake gently several times while driving at a
low speed. The brake applications will help
to dry the brakes, thus preventing a reduc-
tion in braking performance caused by the
moisture.
To clean the handbrake, apply the lever
slightly at approx. 25 mph/40 km/h and con-
tinue to drive for approx. 200 yards/
200 meters, provided that traffic conditions
allow you to do so.
>Depending on the road condition, it can be
useful to temporarily activate DTC, refer to
DTC Dynamic Traction Control on page52.
>If the drive wheels spin on one side, depress
the accelerator pedal far enough to permit
the driving stability control systems to dis-
tribute the drive torque to the individual
wheels.

Under the hood
100
Under the hood
Never attempt to perform any service or
repair operations on your vehicle without
the required professional technical training. If
you are not familiar with the regulations to be
observed, have work on your vehicle carried out
only by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Cen-
ter or at a workshop that works according to
BMW repair procedures with appropriately
trained personnel. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam-
age and related safety hazards.<
Hood
Unlocking
Pull the lever located under the left side of the
instrument cluster.
Opening
To avoid causing damage, make sure that
wiper arms are resting against the wind-
shield before opening the hood.<
Press the release handle and open the hood.
Closing
Close the hood with force by allowing it to fall
from a height of approx. 1 ft/30 cm. It must
engage audibly.
Avoid injuries by making sure that the
hood's closing region is clear and unob-
structed.
If you see any signs that the hood is not com-
pletely closed while driving your vehicle, you
should stop at once and close it securely.<