2009 BMW X3 XDRIVE 28I service

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
107
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 mal-
function 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.

Replacing components
112
Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
The onboard tool kit is located in the cargo area
under the floor panel.
To open the panel, grasp the handle, refer to
arrow, and pivot upward.
Wiper blades
Replacing front wiper blades
1.Move the wiper into the fold-out position,
refer to page42.
2.Lift the wiper arm and press the securing
spring, refer to arrow.
3.Pull the wiper blade off toward the wiper
arm.
4.Insert the new blade and snap it into place.
To prevent damage to the wipers, always
fold them back down onto the windshield
before you turn the ignition key to position 1
or 2 or open the hood.<
Replacing rear wiper blade
1.Lift the wiper arm.
2.Pull off the wiper blade, refer to arrow.
3.Insert a new wiper blade.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make a significant contribu-
tion to road safety. Therefore, comply fully with
the following instructions during bulb replace-
ment. If you are not familiar with the specified
procedures or they are not described here,
BMW recommends having this work carried out
at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a
clean cloth, paper towel, or the like or grasp
bulb by its base.<
A replacement bulb set is available from your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
In all work on the electrical system, switch
off the relevant component to prevent
short circuits. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, follow any
instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
When caring for headlamps, please follow the
instructions on page109.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
113
Please have your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle Center work on lamps whose
replacement is not described here.<
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
c e n t l e n s e s s e r v e a s t h e l i g h t s o u r c e f o r m a n y o f
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes are related to ordinary
lasers.
Do not remove the covers, and never
stare into the unfiltered light for several
hours, as irritation of the retina could result.<
Xenon lamps*
The service life of these bulbs is very long and
the probability of failure is very low, provided
that they are not switched on and off an unusual
number of times. If one of these bulbs should
nevertheless fail, it is possible to continue driv-
ing with great caution using the fog lamps, pro-
vided traffic laws in your area do not prohibit
this.
To avoid risk of potentially fatal injuries
due to the extremely high voltages at
which these units operate, service work should
always be entrusted to qualified personnel.<
Halogen low beams
H7 bulb, 55 watts
Always wear gloves and eye protection –
the atmosphere inside the H7 bulb is
pressurized. Failure to observe this precaution
can lead to injuries should the bulb be dam-
aged.<
For checking and adjusting headlamp
aim, please contact your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.<
Driver's side
1.Position the screwdriver from the onboard
tool kit and pull off the lamp cover.
Exercise caution when handling the
screwdriver; otherwise, personal
injury can occur or the vehicle can be dam-
aged.<2.Press the bulb holder downward and
remove.
3.Remove the bulb, install a new bulb.
4.Place the bulb holder with the lower edge
against the bracket and press it in until the
lamp base locks into place.
Front passenger side
Before replacing the bulb, remove the reservoir
for the windshield washing system from the
bracket. To do so, unscrew the screws, refer to
arrow, using the screwdriver from the onboard
tool kit and set reservoir aside.
Bear in mind that the windshield washing
system reservoir is heavy. Failure to take
this into account can lead to personal injury or
damage to the vehicle.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
133
Blower, refer to
– Air volume64
– Air volume, adjusting
manually67
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance
system106
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders72
Brake assistant51
– warning lamp53
Brake fluid105
– level105
– warning lamp105
Brake force display56
Brake lamps115
– brake force display56
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb12,59
– replacing bulbs115
Brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– warning lamp85
Brake pedal, refer to Safe
braking84
Brake rotors
– brake system82
– breaking-in82
Brakes84,105
– ABS51,84
– brake fluid105
– brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– handbrake39
– indicator/warning lamp12
Brake system105
– brake fluid105
– brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– disk brakes85
– warning lamp105
Brake wear warning
– refer to Brake pads85
– warning lamp105
Breakdown service, refer to
Receiving assistance121
Breaking-in82Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs112
Buttons on steering wheel13
C
California law
– Event Data Recorders107
– Proposition 65 Warning5
Calling, refer to telephone
operation instructions
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders72
Capacities131
Capacity, cargo area130
Care
– exterior108
– interior110
Care and maintenance
– car-care products108
– carpets110
– car washes108
– CD/DVD players110
– chrome sections109
– displays110
– fine wood components110
– finish109
– hand washes109
– headlamps109
– high pressure cleaning
jets108
– leather110
– light-alloy wheels109
– plastic components110
– rubber seals109
– running boards109
– safety belts110
– sensors110
– upholstery materials/cloth
coverings110
– windows109
– wiper blades109
Cargo, securing86Cargo area22,76
– capacity130
– 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 socket74
Cargo loading85
– load86
– securing cargo86
– stowing cargo
86
– vehicle85
Caring for the vehicle
finish109
Caring for your vehicle108
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 washes84,108
Cassette operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Central locking system19
– interior21
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing a wheel116
Changing gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– manual transmission40
Changing wheels98
Charge-current indicator
lamp12,119

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
135
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 sunroof25
Electronic brake-force
distribution51
Electronic Stability Program,
refer to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control51
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– doors21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door92
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Emergency request121
Emergency Service, refer to
Receiving assistance121Engine
– breaking-in82
– data128
– indicator lamps38
– overheated, refer to Coolant
thermometer47
– speed46
– starting38
– switching off39
Engine compartment102
Engine coolant105
Engine coolant
temperature47
Engine oil103
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils104
– approved engine oils104
– electronic oil level
control103
– indicator/warning lamp103
– possible displays103
– required oil grades104
– specifications, also refer to
Approved engine oils104
Engine oil grades104
Engine oil level, indicator/
warning lamp103
Engine oil pressure103
– indicator/warning lamp103
Engine output, refer to Engine
data128
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 system
84
Exterior mirrors33
– automatically dimming34
External audio device74
Eye, tow starting and
towing123
F
Failure of electrical
accessories120
False alarms, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms26
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts32
Filter, refer to
– Microfilter65
– Microfilter/activated
charcoal filter68
First-aid kit122
Flat tire116
– compact wheel117
– Flat Tire Monitor54
– refer to Tire inflation
pressure94
– refer to Wheel changes116
– Tire Pressure Monitor55
Flat Tire Monitor54
– indicator lamp54
– initializing system54
– snow chains100
– 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
Front fog lamps61
– replacing bulbs115
Front passenger airbags
– automatic deactivation57
– status58
Fuel93
– average consumption49
– capacity131
– gauge46
– quality93
– refer to Average fuel
consumption49
– saving83

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
137
Initializing, refer to Power
failure23,24
INSPECTION47
Instrument cluster11
– refer to Cockpit10
Instrument lighting61
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated universal remote
control69
Interior lamps61
– remote control20
Interior motion sensor26
– switching off20,26
Interior rearview mirror33
– automatic dimming
feature34
– compass70
Interlock38
Intermittent mode of the
wipers42
Interval indicator, Service47
J
Jacking points, vehicle
jack118
Jump starting122
K
Key Memory18
Keys18
– key-specific settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Kick-down41
L
Labeling, tires97
Lamps and bulbs112
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing load86
LATCH child-restraint
system36
Leather care110LEDs light-emitting
diodes113
Length, refer to
Dimensions129
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs116
Liftgate22
– closing22
– emergency operation22
– manually opening22
– opening from outside22
– remote control20
Liftgate lamp, replacing
bulbs116
Lifting handle, compact
wheel117
Light-alloy wheels109
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs113
Lighter74
Lighter socket74
Lighting, door handles59
Lighting of instruments61
Lights, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams59
Light switch59
Load86
– determining load limit85
– refer to Cargo loading85
Lock buttons, doors, refer to
Locking21
Locking
– from inside21
– with the remote control19
Low beams59
– automatic60
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb59
– replacing bulbs113
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support29
Lug bolts118
– torque118Luggage compartment22
– capacity130
– cover, refer to Cargo area
cover77
– floor cover78
– increasing volume76
– opening/closing, refer to
Liftgate22
– opening from outside22
– opening with remote
control20
– 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 wrench117
Lumbar support29
M
Maintenance106
– refer to Service Interval
Display47
Maintenance system106
Malfunctions
– automatic transmission41
– door lock21
– fuel filler door92
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Manual air distribution64,67
Manual operation
– door lock21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door92
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Manual transmission40
Master key18
– with remote control18

Everything from A to Z
138 Maximum speed, with winter
tires99
Mechanical seats28
Memory, refer to
– Seat and mirror memory31
– Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Microfilter
– air conditioner65
– automatic climate control68
Microphone, refer to Car
phone preparation75
Microphone for telephone75
Mirrors33
– automatic curb monitor33
– mirror heating33
– mirror memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory31
Mobile phone, refer to
separate operating
instructions
Monitoring tire pressure
– refer to Flat Tire Monitor54
– refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor55
Multi-function steering wheel,
refer to Buttons on steering
wheel13
Multifunction switch
– turn signals/headlamp
flasher41
– washer/wiper system42
N
Navigation system, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints29
Nets73
New keys18
Nonsmoker's equipment
package74
Nozzles, refer to
Ventilation65,68
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
starting and towing123
O
OBD socket106
Octane rating, refer to Fuel
quality93
Odometer46
Oil
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils104
– approved engine oils104
– level103
– refilling, refer to Adding
engine oil104
Oil change interval, refer to
Service Interval Display47
Oil grades104
Oil level103
– warning lamp103
Oil pressure103
– warning lamp103
OIL SERVICE47
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal119
Onboard computer, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Onboard Diagnostics OBD
interface socket106
Onboard tool kit112
Opening and closing
– from inside21
– using the door lock21
– with the remote control19
Output, refer to Engine
data128
Outside air
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control68
Outside temperature display
– changing unit of measure48
– on computer48
Overheating of engine, refer to
Coolant thermometer47
P
Package tray, refer to Cargo
area cover77
Panic mode20Panorama glass sunroof23
– closing after electrical
malfunction25
– convenience operation21
– initializing24
– power failure24
– remote control19
Park Distance Control PDC50
Parking aid, refer to PDC Park
Distance Control50
Parking assistant, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control50
Parking brake, refer to
Handbrake39
Parking lamps59
Parking lamps/low beams59
Partition net78
Parts and accessories, refer to
For your own safety5
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function33
Pathway lighting59
PDC Park Distance Control50
Pinch protection system23
– power windows23
Pollen, refer to
– Microfilter65
– Microfilter/activated
charcoal filter68
Power failure
– battery119
– panorama glass sunroof24
– windows23
Power seat adjustment28
Power socket
– in cargo area74
– refer to Cigarette lighter
socket74
Power windows22
– initializing23
– safety switch23
Pressure, tires94
Pressure monitoring,
tires54,55
Programming settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Puncture, Flat Tire Monitor54

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
139
R
Radiator, refer to Coolant105
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
– refer to Tail lamps115
– replacing bulbs115
Rear lamps and reflector, refer
to Tail lamps115
Rear seat back, folding76
Rearview mirrors, exterior33
Rear window defroster
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control68
Rear window safety switch23
Rear window wiper43
– wiper blade
replacement112
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 control67Replacement fuses120
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs112
Replacing tires
– new wheels and tires98
– wheel changes116
Replacing windshield
wipers112
Reporting an accident, refer to
Initiating an emergency
request121
Reporting safety defects7
Required oil grades, refer to
Approved engine oils104
Reserve indicator lamp, refer
to Fuel gauge46
Restraint systems
– for children35
– refer to Safety belts32
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– manual transmission40
Roadside Assistance, refer to
Receiving assistance121
Roadside parking lamps60
Roller cover for cargo area,
refer to Cargo area cover77
Roll-up cover, refer to Cargo
area cover77
Roof load capacity, refer to
Weights130
Roof-mounted luggage
rack87
Rope, refer to Tow starting
and towing123
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 defects7Safety feature, window23
Safety systems, refer to
– ABS Antilock Brake
System51
– Airbags57
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control51
– xDrive52
Screw thread for tow
fitting123
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, vehicle, with the
remote control19
Securing cargo, refer to Cargo
loading85
Selector lever
– automatic transmission40
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
Selector lever interlock, refer
to Shiftlock40
Selector-lever positions,
automatic transmission40
Service, refer to Receiving
assistance121
Service and warranty6
Service Engine Soon38,107
Service Interval
Display47,106
Setting interior
temperature64,67
Shifting gears in automatic
transmission with
Steptronic41
Shiftlock40
Side airbags57
Side tilt, permissible87
Side turn signals, bulb
replacement115