2008 BMW X3 3.0SI service indicator

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
11
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator and warning lamps12
3Tachometer46
Indicator and warning lamps12
4Coolant temperature gauge47
5Fuel gauge46
6Button for
>Displaying the time47
>Service Interval Display47
>Checking oil level102
7Selector lever and program displays for
automatic transmission
*408Button for
>Resetting trip odometer46
>Setting time47
9Display for
>Trip odometer/odometer46
>Time47
>Service Interval47
>Computer48
>Checking oil level102

Cockpit
12
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are identified
with
+ are checked for proper function each
time you turn the ignition key. They each light
up once for different periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored sys-
tem, the corresponding lamp will either fail to go
o u t w h e n t h e e n g i n e i s s t a r t e d , o r i t w i l l c o m e o n
again during normal driving. Detailed informa-
tion is provided on the specified pages.
Battery charge current
+114
Headlamp flasher41
High beams60
Engine oil
+102
Driving stability control systems/
ABS Antilock Brake System
+51
ABS Antilock Brake System/chassis
control system for Canadian models
Brake system
+
With handbrake released53, 104
With handbrake engaged39
With other warning lamps53
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
Brake pads
+85
Please fasten safety belt
+32
Airbags
+57
Front fog lamps61
Automatic transmission +40
Turn signals41
DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive
+ 51, 52
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
+52
Service Engine Soon
+106
Service Engine Soon warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Check Gas Cap
* +92
Engine electronics
+38
Topping off washer fluid43
Coolant low104
Flat Tire Monitor
* +54
Tire Pressure Monitor
* +55
Lamp defective59
Cruise control44
With ignition key in position 2, this
warning lamp indicates that a door
or the liftgate is open.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
57
Airbags
The following airbags are located beneath the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags
3Side airbags in front and rear
*
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimum protection,
please follow the instructions on page27.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag cushions the side upper body area. The
respective head airbag cushions the head.
The airbags are intentionally not triggered in
every collision situation, e.g. they are not trig-
gered not in less serious accidents, or rear-end
collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way.
Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention
system from the vehicle. Do not modify the indi-
vidual components of the system or its wiring in
any way. This includes the padded covers in the
center of the steering wheel, on the dashboard,
the doors, and the roof pillars as well as the
sides of the headliner. Do not attempt to
remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components
directly after the system has been triggered, because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel and
that has the required explosives licenses. Oth-
erwise, unprofessional attempts to service the
system could lead to failure in an emergency or
undesired airbag activation, either of which
could result in personal injury.<
Airbag warnings and information are also pro-
vided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front
passenger airbags
By evaluating the pressure on the seat cushion
of the front passenger seat, the system detects
whether or not the seat is occupied. Depending
on the detection result, the system correspond-
ingly activates or deactivates the front and side
airbags for the passenger.
The indicator lamp located above the
inside rearview mirror indicates whether
the front passenger airbag system is currently
deactivated or activated, refer to Status of pas-
senger airbag in the section below.<
Before transporting a child in the front
passenger seat, read the safety notices
and follow the safety instructions under Trans-
porting children safely on page35.
When teenagers or adults assume certain sit-
ting positions, the front and side airbags on the
passenger side can deactivate; this causes the
indicator lamp for the front passenger airbag to
light up. If this happens, have them change their
sitting position so that the passenger airbag is
activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the
desired status cannot be achieved by changing
their sitting position, then have the person ride
in the back. Do not attach seat covers, seat
cushion padding, ball mats or other items to the
passenger seat unless they are specifically rec-
ommended by BMW. Do not place any items
under the seat which could press against the

Maintenance
106
Emissions values
The warning lamp lights up. Exhaust
values are deteriorating. Have the vehi-
cle checked as soon as possible.
Under certain conditions, the indicator will flash.
This indicates a serious rate of engine misfire.
When this occurs, you should reduce speed
and consult the nearest BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center as soon as possible. Severe
engine misfire even for only a short period of
time can seriously damage emission control
components, especially the catalytic converter.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
When the fuel filler cap is not properly
tightened, the OBD system can detect
the vapor leak and the indicator lamp will light
up. If the filler cap is subsequently tightened,
the indicator lamp should go out within a few
days.<
Event data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or more
sensing and diagnostic modules or a recording
device capable of recording or transmitting cer-
tain vehicle data or information. In addition, if
you have a Subscription Service Agreement for
the BMW Assist system, certain vehicle infor-
mation may be transmitted or recorded in order
to provide such services.
Care
You can find useful information on caring for
your BMW in the Caring for your vehicle bro-
chure.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
127
Battery114
– charging114
– disposal114
– indicator lamp12
– jump starting117
– power failure114
– remote control18
– warning lamp114
Belts, refer to Safety belts32
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders72
Blower, refer to
– Air volume64
– Air volume, adjusting
manually67
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance
system105
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders72
Brake assistant51
– warning lamp53
Brake fluid104
– level104
– warning lamp104
Brake force display56
Brake lamps110
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb12,59
– replacing bulbs110
– two-stage56
Brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– warning lamp85
Brake pedal, refer to Safe
braking84
Brake rotors
– brake system82
– breaking-in82
Brakes84,104
– ABS51,84
– brake fluid104
– brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– handbrake39
– indicator/warning lamp12Brake system104
– brake fluid104
– brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– disk brakes85
– warning lamp
104
Brake wear warning
– refer to Brake pads85
– warning lamp104
Breakdown service, refer to
Receiving assistance116
Breaking-in82
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs107
Buttons on steering wheel13
C
California law
– Event Data Recorders106
– Proposition 65 Warning5
Calling, refer to telephone
Owner's Manual
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders72
Capacities124
Capacity, cargo area124
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo, securing86
Cargo area22,76
– capacity124
– cover77
– emergency release, refer to
Opening manually22
– enlarging76
– floor cover78
– foldable rear backrest76
– hatch, refer to Liftgate22
– lashing eyes78
– opening from outside22
– opening with remote
control20
– power socket74Cargo loading85
– load86
– securing cargo86
– stowing cargo86
– vehicle85
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for carpet, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for vehicle finish, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Car keys, refer to Key set18
Car phone, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Car phone preparation75
Car radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Car wash84
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Cellphone, refer to separate
operating instructions
Central locking system19
– interior21
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing a wheel111
Changing gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– manual transmission40
Changing wheels97

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
129
Door keys18
Door lock21
Doors
– locking and unlocking from
inside21
– manual operation21
– unlocking and locking,
confirmation signals19,21
DOT Quality Grades96
Draft-free ventilation65,68
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams59
Driving notes84
Driving on poor roads87
Driving stability control
systems51
Driving through water87
Driving tips, refer to Driving
instructions84
Drying air, refer to Switching
cooling function on/
off64,67
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control51
– indicator lamp52
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control52
– indicator lamps52
DVD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC51
– indicator lamp52
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC52
– indicator lamps52
E
Electrical malfunctions
– automatic transmission
malfunction41
– door lock21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door92
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25Electronic brake-force
distribution51
Electronic Stability Program,
refer to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control51
Emergency call116
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– doors21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door92
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Emergency Service, refer to
Receiving assistance116
Engine
– breaking-in82
– data122
– indicator lamps38
– overheated, refer to Coolant
thermometer47
– speed46
– starting38
– switching off39
Engine compartment101
Engine coolant104
Engine coolant
temperature47
Engine oil102
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils103
– approved engine oils103
– electronic oil level
control102
– indicator/warning lamp102
– possible displays102
– required oil grades103
– specifications, also refer to
Approved engine oils103
Engine oil grades103
Engine oil level, indicator/
warning lamp102
Engine oil pressure102
– indicator/warning lamp102
Engine output, refer to Engine
data122
Equipment package, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control51
Exhaust system84
Exterior mirrors33
– automatically dimming34
External audio device74
Eye, tow starting and
towing118
F
Failure of electrical
accessories115
False alarms, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms26
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts32
Filter, refer to
– Microfilter65
– Microfilter/activated
charcoal filter68
First-aid kit117
Flat tire111
– compact wheel112
– Flat Tire Monitor54
– refer to Tire inflation
pressure94
– refer to Wheel changes111
– Tire Pressure Monitor55
Flat Tire Monitor54
– indicator lamp54
– initializing system54
– snow chains99
– system limits54
– warning errors54
Flooding, refer to Driving
through water84
Floor cover78
Fog lamps, indicator lamp61
Folding rear seat back76
Footwell lamps61
Four wheel drive, refer to
xDrive52
Front airbags57

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