2008 BMW X3 3.0SI roof rack

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
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.

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.

Replacing components
114 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
pages54, 55.
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 page117.
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
page31.
>Time
Must be set again, refer to page47.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
123
Dimensions
All dimensions in inches/millimeters. Smallest turning circle dia.: 38.4 ft/11.7 m.
Height with roof rack
*: 66.0 in/1674 mm.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
131
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview12
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory18
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure94
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor54
– Tire Pressure Monitor55
Initializing, refer to Power
failure23,24
INSPECTION47
Instrument cluster11
Instrument lighting61
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated universal remote
control69
Interior lamps61
– remote control20
Interior motion sensor26
– switching off20,26
Interior rearview mirror34
– automatic dimming
feature34
– compass70
Interlock38
Intermittent mode of the
wipers42
Interval indicator, Service47
J
Jacking points113
– vehicle jack113
Jump starting117
K
Key Memory18
Keys18
– key-specific settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Kick-down41
L
Labeling, tires96
Lamps and bulbs107
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing load86
LATCH child restraint fixing
system36
LEDs light-emitting
diodes108
Length, refer to
Dimensions123
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs111
Liftgate22
– closing22
– emergency operation22
– manually opening22
– opening from outside22
– remote control20
Liftgate lamp, replacing
bulbs111
Lifting handle, compact
wheel112
Light-alloy wheels, care, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs108
Lighter74
Lighter socket74
Lighting
– door handles59
– instruments61
Lights, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams59
Light switch59
Load
– determining load limit85
– refer to Cargo loading85
Lock buttons, doors, refer to
Locking21
Locking
– from inside21
– with the remote control19Low beams59
– automatic60
– indicator lamp, bulb
defect59
– replacing bulbs108
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support29
Lug bolts113
– torque113
Luggage compartment22
– capacity124
– cover, refer to Cargo area
cover77
– floor cover78
– increasing volume76
– opening/closing, refer to
Liftgate22
– opening from outside22
– opening with remote
control
20
– refer to Cargo area76
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 net78
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack87
Lug wrench112
Lumbar support29
M
Maintenance105
– refer to Service Interval
Display47
Maintenance system105
Malfunctions
– automatic transmission41
– door lock21
– fuel filler door92
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Manual air distribution64,67

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
133
Power failure
– battery114
– panorama glass sunroof24
– windows23
Power seat adjustment28
Power socket
– in cargo area74
– refer to Cigarette lighter
socket74
Power windows22
– initializing23
– safety switch23
Precious wood, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Pressure, tires94
Pressure monitoring,
tires54,55
Programming settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Puncture, Flat Tire Monitor54
R
Radiator, refer to Coolant104
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 sensor42
Range, setting units48
Reading lamps
– front61
– rear62
Rear armrest, refer to Armrest,
rear73
Rear backrests, folding76
Rear lamps and reflector, refer
to Tail lamps110
Rear seat back, folding76
Rearview mirrors, exterior33
Rear window defroster
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control68Rear window safety switch23
Rear window wiper43
– wiper blade
replacement107
Rechargeable flashlight73
Recirculated-air mode
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control68
Refueling92
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range49
Remaining distance until
service47
Remote control19
– garage-door opener69
– liftgate20
– malfunction20
Removing condensation,
windows
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control67
Replacement fuses115
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs107
Replacing tires
– new wheels and tires97
– wheel changes111
Replacing windshield
wipers107
Reporting an accident, refer to
Initiating an emergency
call116
Reporting safety defects7
Required oil grades, refer to
Approved engine oils103
Reserve indicator lamp, refer
to Fuel gauge46
Restraint systems
– for children35
– refer to Safety belts
32
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– manual transmission40
Roadside Assistance, refer to
Receiving assistance116
Roadside parking lamps60Roller cover for cargo area,
refer to Cargo area cover77
Roll-up cover, refer to Cargo
area cover77
Roof load capacity, refer to
Weights124
Roof-mounted luggage
rack87
Rope, refer to Tow starting
and towing118
Rotating coin holder, refer to
Storage compartments73
Run-flat indicator, refer to Flat
Tire Monitor54
S
Safety belts32
– safe sitting position27
– warning lamp32
Safety belt tensioners, refer to
Safety belts32
Safety defects7
Safety feature, windows23
Safety systems, refer to
– ABS Antilock Brake
System51
– Airbags57
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control51
– xDrive52
Screw thread for tow
fitting118
Seat heating31
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory31
Seats
– adjusting electrically28
– adjusting sports seat29
– heating31
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory31
– sitting safely27
– storing the setting31
Securing cargo, refer to Cargo
loading85
Securing vehicle, with the
remote control19