2008 BMW X3 3.0SI width

Things to remember when driving
84
General driving notes
Closing the liftgate
Operate the vehicle only when the liftgate
is completely closed; otherwise, exhaust
fumes could enter the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances should make it abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the
liftgate open:
1.Close all windows and the panorama glass
sunroof.
2.Greatly increase the air supply of the air
conditioning system or automatic climate
control, refer to page64 or67.
Hot exhaust system
High temperatures occur in the exhaust
system of every vehicle. Do not remove
the heat shields installed adjacent to various
sections of the exhaust system, and never apply
undercoating to them. When driving, standing
at idle, and parking, take care to avoid possible
contact between the hot exhaust system and
any highly flammable materials such as hay,
leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead to
a fire, resulting in serious personal injury and
property damage. Do not touch hot exhaust
pipe, it can cause burns.<
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air conditioner/auto-
matic climate control system during operation,
and then exits under the vehicle. Traces of con-
densed water under the vehicle are therefore
normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page33;
otherwise, they could be damaged due to the
width of the vehicle.
Deactivate the rain sensor; otherwise, damage
could result from undesired wiper activation,
refer to page42.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between tires and
road surface, ultimately undermining your abil-
ity to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The danger of hydroplaning increases as tire
tread depth decreases, also refer to Minimum
tread depth on page97.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it
is deeper than 20 in/50 cm, and then only
at walking speed. Otherwise, the vehicle's
engine, the electrical systems, and the trans-
mission may be damaged.<
Using handbrake on inclines
Do not hold the vehicle in place on slopes
by slipping or riding the clutch, use the
handbrake instead. Otherwise, greater clutch
wear will result.<
Safe braking
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as standard
equipment. In situations in which it is required, it
is best to apply the brakes fully. Since the vehi-
cle maintains steering responsiveness, you can
nevertheless avoid possible obstacles with a
minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits indicates to
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Wet roads
On wet roads or in heavy rain, briefly apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few miles.
Watch traffic conditions to ensure that this
maneuver does not endanger other road users.
The heat that is generated by the brake applica-
tions helps to dry the brake pads and rotors.
The full braking force will then be available
when you need it.

Wheels and tires
96
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 105 mph/160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The tire's date of manufacture is indicated on
the sidewall:
DOT ... 2806 indicates that a tire was manufac-
tured in week 28 of the year 2006.BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width.
For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1γ) times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to varia-
tions in driving habits, service practices, and dif-
ferences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
These grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.< e.g. 235/50 R 18 97 V
Nominal width in mm
Cross-sectional
relationship in Ξ
Radial tire code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not for ZR tires
Speed rating, before R on ZR tires
e.g. DOT xxxx xxx 3005
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire age

Replacing components
112
What you will need
Open liftgate and raise or remove floor cover,
refer to page78.
1Vehicle jack
2Lug wrench
3Chock
In order to avoid rattling noises later, note the
position of the tools when you remove them and
return them to their original position when you
are through using them.
Compact wheel
The compact wheel is located under the cargo
area on the undercarriage of the vehicle.
Removing compact wheel
1.Unscrew bolt, refer to arrow1.
2.Fold up lifting handle, refer to arrow2.
3.Turn the handle to the left as far as possible,
refer to arrow3.
Turning the handle releases the com-
pact wheel. Its weight of approx.
18 lbs./8 kg is then entirely supported by
the handle.<4.Slowly lower the handle as far as possible,
refer to arrow4.
5.Pull the compact wheel to the rear so that it
is still securely resting in its compact wheel
receptacle.
6.If need be, turn the wheel in the compact
wheel receptacle so that the attachment of
the retaining strap to the rim points toward
the rear.
7.Rotate the clamp by 180°, refer to arrows 1,
and unhook the retaining strap from the
clamp, refer to arrow 2.
8.Take out the compact wheel toward the
back.
9.Fasten the retaining strap to the compact
wheel receptacle and resecure the compact
wheel receptacle by reversing the above
steps.
The width of the defective wheel prevents
it from fitting into the compact wheel
receptacle in place of the compact wheel
itself.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
135
Tires
– age96
– breaking-in82
– changing97
– changing, also refer to Wheel
changes111
– coding96
– condition97
– damage97
– DOT Quality Grades96
– flat111
– inflation pressure94
– inflation pressure table95
– size, refer to Correct wheels
and tires98
– storage98
– temperature97
– traction96
– tread97
– tread wear96
– Uniform Tire Quality
Grading96
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth97
– winter tires98
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit107
Torque
– engine122
– lug bolts113
Touch signaling42
Tow bar119
Tow fitting118
Towing118
– with automatic
transmission118
Towing eye118
Tow rope119
Tow sockets for tow
fitting118
Tow starting118
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor55
Track width, refer to
Dimensions123
Traction96
Traction control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control51Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
– manual transmission40
Transmission locking
mechanism, refer to
PPark41
Transmission malfunction,
refer to Malfunction41
Transporting children
safely35
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing cargo86
Traveling on poor roads87
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tread depth97
Tread wear96
Tread wear indicator in tires,
refer to Minimum tread
depth97
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer46
Trip odometer46
Trunk lid, refer to Liftgate22
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions123
Turning lamp60
Turn signals41
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs109
– side, replacing bulbs110
U
Units48
– outside temperature48
Universal garage-door
opener, refer to Integrated
universal remote control69
Universal remote control69
Unlocking
– from inside21
– hood100
– with the remote control19
Unlocking and locking doors
with the remote control19
Upholstery care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
V
Valve screw caps, refer to
After mounting113
Vehicle
– battery114
– breaking-in82
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– cargo loading85
– dimensions123
– disposal, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– locking from inside21
– parking39
– washing, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– weights124
Vehicle battery114
Vehicle jack112
– jacking points113
Vehicle Memory18
Ventilation65,68
– draft-free65,68
Viscosity103
Voice command system, refer
to separate Owner's Manual
W
Warning and indicator lamps,
overview12
Warning triangle116
Warranty, refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models,
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models105
Warranty and service6
Washer fluid43
Washer fluid reservoir,
capacity, refer to Filling
capacities124
Washer reservoir, refer to
Filler neck for washer
fluid43
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray74
Weights124

Everything from A to Z
136 Welcome lamps59
Wheel/tire combination98
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions123
Wheel bolt, wrench112
Wheel changes, compact
wheel112
Wheels and tires98
Width, refer to
Dimensions123
Windows22
– convenience operation21
– safety switch23
Windshield
– cleaning43
– defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows64,67
Windshield washer reservoir
– capacity, refer to Filling
capacity124
– refer to Washer fluid43
Windshield washer system
– washer/wiper system42
– washer fluid43
Windshield wiper blade
replacement107
Windshield wipers, refer to
Washer/wiper system42
Winter tires98
– changing111
– condition97
– storage98
Wiper blade replacement107
Wiper system42
Working in the engine
compartment100
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit107
X
xDrive52
Xenon headlamp108
– replacing bulbs108
Y
Your individual vehicle5