2009 BMW X3 XDRIVE 30I headlamp

Cockpit
10
Cockpit
Controls
1Parking lamps/low beams59
2Front fog lamps
*61
3>Turn signals41
>Roadside parking lamps60
>High beams60
>Headlamp flasher41
>Computer484Horn, the entire surface
5Washer/wiper system/rain sensor*42
6Hazard warning flashers
7Central locking system19
8Unlocking hood101

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
out when the engine is started, or it will come on
again during normal driving. Detailed informa-
tion is provided on the specified pages.
Battery charge current
+119
Headlamp flasher41
High beams60
Engine oil
+103
Driving stability control systems/
ABS Antilock Brake System
+51
ABS Antilock Brake System/chassis
control system for Canadian models
Brake system
+
With handbrake released53, 105
With handbrake engaged39
With other warning lamps53
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
Brake pads
+85
Please fasten safety belts
+32
Airbags
+57
Front fog lamps61
Automatic transmission +40
Turn signals41
DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive
+ 51, 52
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
+52
Service Engine Soon
+107
Service Engine Soon warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Check Gas Cap
* +92
Engine electronics
+38
Topping off washer fluid43
Coolant low105
Flat Tire Monitor
* +54
Tire Pressure Monitor
* +55
Lamp defective59
Cruise control44
Door or liftgate open

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
41
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
transmission locks to prevent the rear wheels
from turning.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
You can shift into neutral, for example, in auto-
matic car washes. This allows the vehicle to roll.
D Drive, automatic position
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con-
sumption is the lowest when the vehicle is
driven in position D.
Kick-down
The kick-down mode provides maximum accel-
eration.
Press the accelerator pedal past the increased
resistance point at the full-throttle position.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Move the selector lever from position D toward
the left into the M/S shifting slot.
The Sport program is activated and SD appears
in the instrument cluster. This position is rec-
ommended for a performance-oriented driving
style.
When you push the selector lever forward or
pull it back, this activates the manual mode and
Steptronic changes gear. The instrument clus-
ter displays M1 to M6.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combination
of engine and vehicle speed; as a result, for example, a downshift that would cause the
engine to overrev will not be executed by the
system. The gear selected will appear briefly in
the instrument cluster, followed by the current
gear.
To use the automatic function again, move the
selector lever to the right into position D.
Malfunction
Red warning lamp
The transmission is overheated.
Reduce speed immediately and stop at
a suitable location so that the transmis-
sion can cool down again. It is possible to con-
tinue driving moderately.
Have the system checked immediately.
Yellow warning lamp
A malfunction has occurred in the trans-
mission system. Avoid heavy loads.
While it will still remain possible to move
the selector lever to any desired position, the
transmission will revert to its default mode with
only a limited number of forward gears.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Instructions on towing, tow starting and jump
starting begin on page122.
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
43
Fast wipe
The wipers operate at normal speed when the
vehicle is stationary, 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. 6.9 US quarts/6.5 liters.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
59
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lights off and daytime driving lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime driving lamps*
2Low beams and welcome lamps
3Automatic headlamp control
*, daytime
driving lamps
*, welcome lamps and
Adaptive Head Light
*
If you open the driver's door when the ignition is
switched off, then the exterior lighting is
switched off if the light switch is in position0, 2,
or3.
Switch on the parking lamps as needed, switch
position1.
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the vehicle is lit on all sides.
You can use the parking lamps for parking.
The parking lamps will discharge the bat-
tery. For this reason, avoid using them for
extended periods; otherwise, it may no longer
be possible to start the engine. It is preferable to
switch on the one-sided roadside parking
lamps, refer to page60.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the switch is in
position2 and the ignition is on.
Defective lamps
The indicator lamp lights up:
At least one bulb of the exterior lighting
on the vehicle is defective.
Replacing bulbs, refer to page112.
Door handle lighting
When the parking lamps or low beams are
switched on, the interior door handles are also
illuminated. The intensity of the lighting is
adjusted using the instrument lighting control.
Welcome lamps
If, when parking the vehicle, you leave the light
switch in position2 or3, the parking lamps and
the interior lamps light up briefly when the vehi-
cle is unlocked with the remote control.
Pathway lighting
When you activate the headlamp flasher after
parking the vehicle and switching off the lamps,
the low beams will come on for a brief period.
You may also have this function deacti-
vated if you wish.<
Daytime driving lamps*
If so desired, the light switch can remain in
position0, 1, or3.
In positions0 and3, after the ignition is
switched off, the exterior lighting is automati-
cally switched off. In position1, the parking
lamps are lit after the ignition is switched off.
The parking lamps can be switched on as
needed as described under Parking lamps.
You can have the daytime driving lamps
activated on your vehicle.<

Lamps
60
Automatic headlamp control*
In switch position3, the low beams are
switched on or off automatically, for example in
tunnels, at dawn and dusk, and in the event of
precipitation. The Adaptive Head Light
* is acti-
vated.
When you enter a tunnel with bright ceiling
lighting, this can delay the switching on of your
low beams.
The headlamps can also come on when the sun
is low on the horizon in a blue sky.
The low beams remain switched on
regardless of the ambient light when you
switch on the front fog lamps
*.
When the daytime driving lamps are activated,
refer to page59, the low beam headlamps are
always switched on when the switch is in posi-
tion3 and the ignition is switched on.<
If so desired, the light switch can remain in
position3. The exterior lamps are automatically
switched off after the ignition is switched off.
Automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for the driver's judg-
ment in determining when the vehicle lamps
should be switched on. For example, the sys-
tem cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To
avoid safety risks, you should always switch on
the low beams manually under these condi-
tions.<
You can have the sensitivity of the head-
lamp control adjusted.<
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp
control system that enables better illumination
of the road surface. Depending on the steering
angle and other parameters, the light from the
headlamp follows the course of the road.
In tight curves, e.g. serpentines, or when mak-
ing turns, up to a speed of approx. 43 mph/
70 km/h, a turning lamp is switched on and illu-
minates the inside of the curve.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
With the ignition on, turn the light switch to the
Automatic headlamp control position, refer to
page59.
The turning lamp is switched on automatically
depending on the steering angle or the turn sig-
nal position.
In order not to blind oncoming traffic, the Adap-
tive Head Light points toward the passenger
side when the vehicle is stopped. When driving
in reverse, only the turning lamp is active and
lights up the region on the outside of the curve.
Malfunction
The LED next to the symbol for automatic head-
lamp control flashes. Adaptive Head Light is
malfunctioning or has failed. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also have the option of lighting up just one
side of your vehicle when parking. When doing
so, be sure to comply with national regulations.
After switching off the engine, press the lever
up or down past the resistance point, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. For this reason, avoid using them for
extended periods; otherwise, it may no longer
be possible to start the engine.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
61
Front fog lamps*
Briefly press the button to switch on/off.
The parking lamps or low beams must
be switched on for the fog lamps to
operate. The green indicator lamp lights
up when the fog lamps are on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Instrument lighting
Turn the serrated dial to adjust the illumination
intensity.
Interior lamps
The interior lamps, footwell lamps*, door exit
lighting
* and courtesy lamps* are controlled
automatically.
With the courtesy lamps, LED lamps are located
in both exterior mirrors to illuminate the exterior
area before the front doors.
If you wish, you can have the interior
lamps switch on after you unlock the vehi-
cle mechanically. You may have this function
activated/deactivated if you wish.<
If the interior lamps remain switched on
after locking the vehicle, one of the doors
or the liftgate may not be completely closed.<
Switching interior lamps on and off
manually
Briefly press button 1.
If the interior lamps, footwell lamps, door exit
lighting and courtesy lamps are to remain
switched off continually, press the button for
approx. 3 seconds.
You can have your interior lamps set to
dim smoothly to the desired level when
you switch them on or off.<
Front reading lamps
Switch on and off with buttons 2.

Under the hood
102
Important components in the engine compartment
1Filler neck for washer fluid of the headlamp
and windshield washer system, refer to
page43
2Body ground, negative terminal, refer to
page122
3Jump starting terminal, refer to page1224Filler neck for engine oil, refer to
Adding engine oil
5Reservoir for brake fluid, refer to page105
6Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page105. In vehicles with a gasoline
engine, the expansion tank is on the other
side