2008 BMW X3 3.0SI fuel

Everything under control
48 The set time is transferred to the display of the
radio or displayed in the instrument cluster.
Display mode
Ignition key in position 0 or removed:
Press button1.
The time and display of the miles/kilometers
appear for a few seconds.
Computer
Mode selection
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher,
you can call up information from the computer
using the computer button in the turn signal
lever.
A new function appears each time you briefly
press the computer button.
The following information is displayed in the
sequence indicated:
>Time
>Outside temperature
>Average fuel consumption
>Cruising range
>Average speed
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher, the
last active setting is displayed.
If you wish, you can display the following
functions in a different unit of measure.<
Outside temperature
Changing units of measure 7/6
During the display, hold down the button in the
turn signal lever until the display changes.
Outside temperature warning
If the outside temperature falls below approx.
+37.57/+36, the computer switches auto-
matically to the outside temperature display.
In addition, an acoustic signal sounds and the
display flashes for a short time. There is an
increased risk of icy conditions.
After an outside temperature warning has
been issued, the display returns to the
previous setting. You can have this activated/
deactivated.<
Ice can also occur at temperatures
greater than +37.57/+36. For this rea-
son, drive carefully on bridges and shaded
roadways, for example. Otherwise, there is an
increased risk of accidents.<
Clock
12 or 24 hour mode
If your vehicle is equipped with a computer, you
can have the time displayed in the 12 or 24 hour
mode.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
49
During the display, hold down the computer
button in the turn signal lever until the display
changes.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for
the time during which the engine is running.
Reset average consumption:
Press the computer button in the turn indicator
lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available
with the remaining fuel. The current fuel level is
measured and the range is calculated taking
into account the driving style over the last
20 miles/30 km.
Always refuel as soon as possible once
your cruising range falls to below
30 miles/50 km; otherwise, engine functions
are not ensured and damage can occur.<
Average speed
The calculation of the average speed does not
take into account periods in which the vehicle is
parked with the engine switched off.
Resetting average speed: press the computer
button in the turn indicator lever for approx.
2seconds.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
56 The compact wheel is not equipped with the
required TPM electronics and is not monitored
when mounted.
When driving with the compact wheel, the sys-
tem indicates a malfunction.
Have the damaged tire replaced by your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop
that is familiar with TPM and works in accor-
dance with BMW repair procedures, using
appropriately trained personnel.
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and
then lights up continuously. Flat tires
cannot be detected.
Such a message is displayed in the following
situations:
>When a malfunction is occurring:
Have the system checked
>When a wheel without TPM electronics is
mounted, e.g. a compact wheel
>When TPM is experiencing temporary inter-
ference from other systems or devices that
use the same frequency
NHTSA/FMVSS-required explanation
of 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring
System
Each tire, including the spare, should be
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label,
then you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires. As an added safety
feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a
tire pressure monitoring system, TPMS, that
illuminates a low tire pressure warning lamp
when one or more of your tires are significantly
under-inflated. When the low tire pressure
warning lamp lights up, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signif-
icantly underinflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle's handling and stop-
ping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver's responsibility to maintain correct
tire pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure warning lamp.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure warning lamp. When
the system detects a malfunction, the warning
lamp will flash for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upon subsequent vehi-
cle startups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunc-
tions may occur for a variety of reasons, includ-
ing the installation of replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check
the TPMS malfunction warning lamp after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to con-
tinue to function properly.Brake force display
The brake lamps light up in two stages,
depending on how heavily you apply the brakes.
>Normal braking
The brake lamps and the center brake lamp
light up.
>Heavy braking
The rear fog lamps light up as well.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
83
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle is depen-
dent on various factors. You can improve your
vehicle's fuel consumption and reduce the
strain on the environment with several mea-
sures, your driving style and regular mainte-
nance.
Removing unnecessary cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Removing attached parts following use
Remove auxiliary mirrors, roof or rear luggage
racks which are no longer required following
use. Attached parts on the vehicle impair the
aerodynamics and increase the fuel consump-
tion.
Closing windows and panorama glass
sunroof
An open panorama glass sunroof or an open
window also increases the aerodynamic drag,
and with it the fuel consumption.
Checking tire inflation pressures
regularly
Check the tire inflation pressures at least twice
a month and before starting off on a longer trip
and correct them if necessary.
An insufficient tire inflation pressure increases
the rolling resistance, therefore increasing fuel
consumption and tire wear.
Driving off immediately
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it
running while the vehicle remains stationary.
Instead, drive off immediately at a moderate
engine speed. This enables a cold engine to
reach its operating temperature most rapidly.
Looking well ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking by
maintaining a corresponding distance to the
vehicle driving ahead. Driving smoothly and
looking ahead reduces fuel consumption.
Avoiding high engine speeds
Only use 1st gear when starting off. Accelerate
briskly from 2nd gear while avoiding high
engine speeds and shifting up prematurely.
When the desired speed is reached, shift into
the highest possible gear and drive at constant
speed at the lowest possible engine speed.
Always remember: driving at low engine speeds
decreases fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Using overrun conditions
When approaching a red light, take your foot off
the accelerator and allow the vehicle to coast in
the highest possible gear.
On a downhill stretch of road, take your foot off
the accelerator and allow the vehicle to coast in
the suitable gear.
The flow of fuel is interrupted in overrun.
Switching off the engine during longer
stops
Switch off the engine during longer stops, e.g.
at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in traffic
jams. You already save fuel from approx. 4 sec-
onds with the engine switched off.
Switching off functions currently not
required
Functions like the air conditioner, seat heating
or the rear-window defroster require a lot of
energy and consume additional fuel. This plays
a major role especially when driving in urban
and in stop-and-go traffic. Therefore, switch off
these functions when they are not really
required.
Having maintenance carried out
Have regular maintenance performed on the
vehicle to achieve optimum the economy and
service life of your vehicle. BMW recommends
having maintenance performed by a BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. Also observe
the BMW maintenance system, refer to
page105.

Mobility
This section helps you maintain your mobility
by supplying important information on
vital topics including fuels and lubricants,
wheels and tires, service, maintenance
and breakdown assistance.
Mobility

Refueling
92
Refueling
Fuel cap
Opening
Always switch off the engine before
refueling. Otherwise, no fuel can be dis-
pensed into the tank and the Service Engine
Soon lamp lights up.<
1.Open fuel filler door. To do so, briefly press
it at the rear edge.
2.Turn fuel filler cap counterclockwise.
3.Place the fuel filler cap in the bracket
attached to the fuel filler door.
Closing
Replace the cap and turn it clockwise until you
hear a clearly audible click.
Be careful not to crush the cap leash between
the gas cap and the vehicle.
The warning lamp
* lights up.
The fuel cap is not properly closed or is
missing. Check whether the fuel cap is
properly closed.
Manually releasing fuel filler door
When a malfunction is occurring, you can
unlock the fuel-filler flap manually:
1.Open the cover flap on the right-hand side
panel of the cargo area, refer to page78.
2.Pull the green button. The fuel filler flap is
released.
Always take all applicable precautions
and comply with all regulations when han-
dling fuels. Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full, these con-
tainers can leak, cause an explosion, and lead to
fire in the event of a collision.<
Observe the following when refueling
When handling fuels, comply with all
applicable safety precautions posted at
the service station.<
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid lifting the filler
nozzle while filling the tank; otherwise, this can
result in:
>Premature pump shutoff
>Reduced efficiency in the fuel-vapor recov-
ery system
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks
off the first time.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
93
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 17.7 US gal/67 liters, including the
reserve capacity of approx. 2 US gal/8 liters.
Never attempt to continue driving until
the tank is completely empty; this can
negatively affect engine function and can dam-
age the vehicle.<
Fuel specifications
Never use leaded gasoline. Otherwise,
you will damage the catalytic converter.
Do not use flex fuel or E85, i.e. fuel that is com-
prised of 85 % ethanol as these can damage the
engine and fuel supply system.<
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with a
lower AKI rating. The minimum AKI rating is 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no effect on the engine life.
Do not use any gasoline below the speci-
fied minimum fuel grade. Otherwise, the
engine could be damaged.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight,
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void
the applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
stalling, starting and drivability problems
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter drivability problems that
you suspect could be related to the fuel you are
using, we recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.<

Wheels and tires
98 age and related safety hazards. Make sure that
the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of
retreaded tires; otherwise, driving safety
may be reduced. The causes for this include the
possibly different tire casing structures and the
often wide variations in their age, which can
result in a limited service life.<
Correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact and with it, the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
You can ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center for the correct wheel-and-tire combina-
tion.
The correct wheel-and-tire combination affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC or xDrive.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After tire
damage, always remember to have the original
wheel and tire combination remounted on the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Wheels equipped with electronics for
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When installing new tires or when changing
from summer tires to winter tires or vice versa,
only use wheels equipped with TPM electron-
ics; otherwise, the Tire Pressure Monitor can-
not detect a flat tire, refer to page55. Your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be
happy to advise you in this regard.
Recommended tire brands
BMW recommends particular tire brands for
each tire size. You will recognize them by the
clearly visible BMW identification on the tire
sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling characteris-
tics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires do provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for
which the winter tires are rated.<
Storage
Store wheels or tires in a cool, dry place, pro-
tecting them from light whenever possible. Pro-
tect the tires from contact with oil, grease and
fuel. Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation
pressure indicated on the side wall of the tire.
Changing wheels from one axle to
another
BMW does not recommend changing the front
wheels to the back or vice versa as this can
impair handling characteristics.