2008 BMW X3 3.0SI ignition

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
43
Fast wipe
The wipers operate at normal speed when the
vehicle is not moving, not on vehicles with rain
sensor.
Cleaning windshield, rear window and
headlamps*
0Wipers retracted
1Cleaning windshield and headlamps
2Rear window wiper intermittent mode
3Cleaning rear window
Do not activate the washer if there is
any danger of the fluid freezing on the
windshield. If you do so, your vision could be
obscured. To avoid freezing, use a washer fluid
antifreeze, refer to Washer fluid. Do not activate
the washer when the washer fluid is empty as
this will damage the washer pump.<
Cleaning windshield
The system sprays washer fluid against the
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief
period.
The washer jets are automatically heated
whenever the engine is running or the ignition is
switched on.
Cleaning headlamps*
When the vehicle lighting system is switched
on, the headlamps are cleaned at regular and
appropriate intervals.
Rear window wiper
Rear window wiper in intermittent mode. When
reverse gear is engaged, the wiper operates
continuously.You can also program the interval:
1.Briefly move the wiper lever from position 0
to position 2.
2.Wait for desired interval; maximum of
30 seconds.
3.Move the wiper lever from position 0 to
position 2 again.
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. For
this reason, keep it away from sources of
flame and store it only in its original containers.
Store it so that it is inaccessible to children.
Always follow the instructions for use provided
on the containers.<
Filler neck for Washer fluid
Only refill washer fluid when the engine is
cool in order to prevent contact with hot
engine components. Otherwise, there is a risk
of fire and personal injury if the fluid spills.<
All of the washer jets are supplied from one res-
ervoir.
Fill with water and, if required, with an antifreeze
additive according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
To maintain the mixing ratio, mix the
washer fluid before adding it to the reser-
voir.<
Capacity
Approx. 3.2 US quarts/3 liters.
With headlamp washer system
* approx.
6.9USquarts/6.5liters.

Driving
44
Cruise control*
The vehicle maintains and stores the speed that
you set at speeds greater than approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h.
You can use cruise control whenever the sys-
tem is active while the engine is running.
Do not use the cruise control under unfa-
vorable conditions that do not permit a
constant speed, e.g. when driving on winding
roads or in heavy traffic or when negotiating
poor road conditions such as snow, rain, ice, or
a loose road surface. Otherwise, you could lose
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up green: sys-
tem ready for operation using the but-
tons on the steering wheel.
Activating system
With ignition key in position 2 or higher:
Press button on steering wheel; the indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on.
The cruise control mode is enabled.
Deactivating system
Press the button repeatedly until the indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
The cruise control is also deactivated when the
ignition key is turned to position 0. The speed
stored in the memory is deleted in the process.
Maintaining speed, storing, and
accelerating
Briefly press + button:
The system maintains and stores the current
vehicle speed. Each additional touch of the but-ton increases the speed by approx. 1 mph/
1km/h.
Press and hold + button:
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. When you release the
button, the system maintains and stores the
current speed.
If the braking action of the engine is insufficient
on a downhill stretch, then the set vehicle can
exceed the set speed. Speed can drop on uphill
grades if the engine output is insufficient.
Decelerating
Briefly press – button:
Each press of the button decreases the vehi-
cle's speed by roughly 1 mph/1 km/h, provided
that you have already activated the cruise con-
trol.
Press and hold – button:
With the cruise control active, the system auto-
matically reduces the fuel supply to slow the
vehicle. When you release the button, the sys-
tem maintains and stores the current speed.
Interrupting cruise control
When the system is activated, press the button.
The indicator lamp stays on. You can use the
cruise control again whenever required by
requesting the speed that was stored last.
In addition, the system is automatically inter-
rupted in response to the following conditions:
>When you apply pressure to the brake pedal
>When you apply pressure to the clutch
pedal or when you move the automatic
transmission selector lever from D to N
>If you exceed or fall below the set speed for
an extended period, by pressing the accel-
erator, for example
>When DSC is activated

Everything under control
46
Everything under control
Odometer
1Odometer
2Trip odometer
Odometer
You can activate the displays shown in the illus-
tration in ignition key position 0 or with the igni-
tion key removed by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster.
Trip odometer
To reset to zero:
1.Ignition key in position 1.
2.Press and hold the button until the trip
odometer is reset to zero.
Tachometer
Engine speeds in the red warning field must
absolutely be avoided.
In this range, the fuel supply is interrupted to
protect the engine.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 17.7 US gal /
67 liters. Instructions for refueling can be found
on page92.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, when you are driv-
ing in mountainous areas, for example, the indi-
cator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
If the LED1 starts to light up continuously,
there are still approx. 2 US gal /8 liters of fuel left
in the tank.
Refuel well before the tank is empty. If
you drive down to the last drop, engine
functions are no longer assured and damage
can occur.<
When you switch on the ignition, the LED
comes on briefly to confirm that the system is
operational.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
47
Coolant temperature gauge
Blue
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate
engine and vehicle speeds.
Between blue and red fields
Normal operating range. It is permissible for the
dial to drift up to the red field.
Red
Comes on while driving:
The engine is overheated. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to page104.
When you switch on the ignition, the warning
lamp1 comes on briefly to confirm that the sys-
tem is operational.
Service Interval Display
Remaining distance until next service
due
The displays shown in the illustration appear for
a few seconds once the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1 or after starting the engine.Together with the message OIL SERVICE or
INSPECTION, the next scheduled service and
remaining distance to this service are displayed
in miles/kilometers.
The remaining distance is determined on the
basis of the past driving style.
A flashing display and a – sign before the
numerical value mean that the service interval
has been passed by the displayed number of
miles/kilometers. Please make an appointment
with your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Clock
If you wish to have a continuous clock display,
you can also set the car radio display to show
the time, refer to Owner's Manual for Radio.
You can set the clock or the time that appears in
the car radio display as follows.
Setting time
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher:
Hours
1.Hold button2 pressed for a few seconds
until the hours are displayed and the colon
flashes.
2.Press button1 repeatedly until the desired
hour is set.
Minutes
3.Press button2 to change to the minutes
display.
4.Press button1 repeatedly until the desired
minutes are set.
5.Press button2 to confirm the time.

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.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
50
Technology for comfort, convenience and
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
PDC provides extra safety and convenience
during parking maneuvers. Audible signals indi-
cate that you are approaching an object in front
of or behind your vehicle. To measure the dis-
tance, there are four ultrasonic sensors in each
bumper.
An acoustic signal begins to sound when the
front sensors and the rear corner sensors are
within approx. 2 ft/60 cm of an obstacle and
when the rear middle sensors are within approx.
5 ft/1.50 m of an obstacle.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching objects too fast; otherwise,
the system may give warning of physical obsta-
cles too late.<
If you are driving with a trailer, the rear sensors
cannot take any meaningful measurements.
Consequently, they do not switch on.
Automatic mode
In ignition key position 2, the system is auto-
matically activated after approx. 1 second each
time you shift into reverse or move the selector-
lever into position R. Wait for one second to
pass before moving.
You can have a signal tone programmed
into the system to verify that the PDC is
active.<
Activating manual mode
In ignition key position 2, press the button; the
LED lights up.
Deactivating manual mode
Press the button again, the LED goes out.
The system is automatically deactivated once
the vehicle travels approx. 160 ft/50 m or
exceeds a speed of roughly 20 mph/30 km/h;
the LED goes out. You can reactivate the sys-
tem manually as needed.
Signal tones
An intermittent tone from a rear speaker signals
the distance to an object behind the vehicle as
you approach it.
An intermittent tone from a speaker beneath
the dashboard signals the distance to an object
in front of the vehicle as you approach it.
As the distance between vehicle and object
decreases, the intervals between the tones
become shorter. The signal tone becomes con-
tinuous once the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx.
3seconds:
>If you remain in front of an object that is only
detected by one of the corner sensors
>If you are moving parallel to a wall

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
53
Activating HDC
Press the button; the LED lights up.
The LED flashes when the brakes are applied
automatically.
Deactivating HDC
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
HDC is deactivated immediately above approx.
35 mph/60 km/h and after approx. 10 seconds
when the ignition is switched off.
Using HDC
Manual transmission:
Use HDC in low gears and in reverse.
Automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive position.
Malfunction
If the LED in the button goes out in the HDC
mode or fails to light up when the button is
pressed:
HDC is temporarily not available, because the
brake temperature is too high.
Malfunction in vehicle stability control
systems
The warning lamp lights up yellow.
The brake assistant is malfunctioning.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.
If one of the malfunctions described
below occurs, drive with restraint and
caution and avoid full braking; otherwise, acci-dents can occur. When driving on poor road
surfaces, avoid full throttle or kickdown position
of the accelerator pedal as these could cause
damage to the drive system.<
The warning lamp for the brake system
lights up in red, together with the warn-
ing lamps for ABS and DSC/xDrive. In
addition, a warning signal sounds.
The driving stability control systems
have failed. It is then possible to exert
driving force only via the rear axle.
If the brake system warning lamp lights
up in yellow in the described combination, then
the EBV Electronic brake-force distribution is
still available. Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.
The warning lamp lights up continu-
ously and a warning signal sounds:
Both DSC and DTC or the xDrive all-
wheel drive system have failed.
The stabilizing interventions of DSC or the all-
wheel drive system xDrive are no longer avail-
able. It is then possible to exert driving force
only via the rear axle. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Acceleration assistant
The acceleration assistant allows you to conve-
niently start off on inclines. You do not have to
use the handbrake.
1.Hold the vehicle with the brake pedal.
2.Step off the brake and immediately start off
with no trouble.
The acceleration assistant holds the vehi-
cle for approx. 2 seconds after the brake
is released. Depending on the load or when
towing a trailer, it is also possible for the vehicle
to roll backward slightly during this interval.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
58 seat from below. Otherwise, a correct analysis
of the seat cushion is not ensured.<
Status of passenger airbags
The indicator lamp for the passenger airbag
indicates the functional status of the front and
side airbag on the passenger side depending on
whether or not the seat is occupied. By lighting
up, the indicator lamp indicates that the pas-
senger airbags deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child
sitting as directed in a child restraint system
designed for this is detected.
The front and side airbags on the passenger
side are deactivated.
Most child seats are detected by the
system. It is particularly advisable to
use the child seats approved by NHTSA at
the time the vehicle was produced. After
installing a child's seat, make sure that the
indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags has illuminated. This indicates that the
system has detected the child's seat and
that the front passenger airbags have been
deactivated.<
>The indicator lamp does not come on as
long as a person of sufficient size and in a
correct sitting position is detected on the
seat. The front and side airbags for the pas-
senger are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when
the seat is empty.
In this case, the front and side airbags for
the passenger are deactivated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
When the ignition key is moved into position 1,
the warning lamp lights up briefly, thus indicat-
ing the operational readiness of the entire air-
bag system and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not come on when the
ignition key is moved into position 1.
>The warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately if a malfunction occurs; otherwise,
there is a danger of the system failing to
respond in the expected manner to an impact
occurring within its normal response range.<