2010 BMW X3 XDRIVE 28I light

Under the hood
104 3Oil level at minimum
At your earliest opportunity, add 1 US quart/
1 liter engine oil, also refer to Adding engine
oil.
4Oil level too high
Have vehicle checked immediately;
otherwise, overfilled oil can lead to
engine damage.<
5Oil level sensor has failed
It is not possible to take a current or mean-
ingful measurement.
Do not add engine oil. It is possible to con-
tinue driving. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Add the maximum quantity of 1 US quart/1 liter
of oil only after the warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up, refer to page103, or
when the oil level measurement "+1.0 " appears
on the display.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km;
otherwise, engine damage could result.<
Keep oil, grease, etc. out of reach of chil-
dren and heed warnings on the contain-
ers. Otherwise, you could endanger your
health.<
Oil change
Have the oil changed only by your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical
significance for the operation and service life of
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-
cific oils after confirming their suitability for use
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Only use approved BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil, you can add small
amounts of another synthetic oil in between oil
changes. Only use oils with the API SH specifi-
cation or higher.
Ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center for more details concerning
BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil or other
approved synthetic oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
BMW engines are designed to operate
without additives, and their use could
even lead to damage in some cases.<
Viscosity classes
Viscosity is the oil flow rating as defined in
SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class depends
on the climate conditions in the area where you
typically drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the SAE classes
0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40, and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving in all ambient
temperatures.

Reference
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Mobility
105
Coolant
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up:
Coolant level is too low; top off at the
next opportunity.
Do not open the cooling system when the
engine is hot. Escaping coolant can cause
burns.<
Coolant consists of water and coolant additive.
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center for suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise,
engine damage may result. The additives
are harmful to your health, so follow the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Always observe all applicable environ-
mental laws and regulations when dis-
posing of used coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Only open the hood after the engine has
cooled down.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to
open.
3.The coolant level is correct when it is
between the MIN and MAX marks, also refer
to illustration next to filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level – do not overfill.
5.Screw on the cap and tighten snugly.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss cor-
rected as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up red despite
the handbrake being released.
The brake fluid in the reservoir has
fallen to below the minimum level. At the same
time, a considerably longer brake pedal travel
may be noticeable. Have the system checked
immediately.
During continued driving, increased brake
pedal travel may be necessary, and con-
siderably longer braking distances may result.
Please adapt your driving style accordingly.<
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.

Reference
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Mobility
107
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnostics
The chief components that make up the emis-
sions content can be checked by a device that
uses the OBD socket.
This socket is located under a cover on the left
side of the driver's footwell, just under the
instrument cluster.
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.

Reference
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Mobility
109
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or switch off the igni-
tion in order to prevent undesired wiper activa-
tion.<
Obey local regulations for washing vehi-
cles by hand.<
Headlamps
Do not rub dry and never use abrasives or
strong solvents to clean the covers.
Use shampoo or insect remover to soften
insects and then rinse with ample water.
Remove accumulated ice and snow with win-
dow deicer, not a scraper.
Windows
Use glass cleaner to clean outer and inner sur-
faces of windows and mirror glass.
Do not clean mirror glass with cleansers
that contain powdered quartz.<
Wiper blades
Clean with soapy water and replace regularly to
prevent streaking.
Wax residues and dirt on the windshield
cause streaking during wiper operation
and lead to premature wear on wiper blades and
can cause the rain sensor to malfunction.<
Caring for vehicle finish
Regular care and maintenance helps your vehi-
cle retain its value and protects its finish against
the long-term effects of finish-damaging sub-
stances.
Environmental factors that occur locally or
regionally can have a negative impact on the
finish of your vehicle and may damage it. It is
therefore important to adjust the frequency and
extent of vehicle care accordingly.
Immediately remove particularly corrosive sub-
stances such as spilled fuel, oil, grease, brake
fluid, tree sap, or bird droppings; otherwise,
they can damage the finish.
Repairing damages to finish
Depending on the severity of the damage,
have stone damage or scratches touched
up immediately in order to prevent rust from
forming.<
BMW recommends having paint damage pro-
fessionally repaired in accordance with factory
guidelines using Genuine BMW finish materials.
Waxing
It is time to wax the vehicle when water no
longer beads on the clean surface of the paint.
Use only products that contain carnauba wax or
synthetic waxes to protect the finish.
Rubber seals
Only treat with water or rubber cleaner.
To avoid noise or damage, do not use
care products that contain silicone when
caring for rubber seals.<
Chrome parts
Carefully clean parts such as the radiator grille,
door handles, or window frames with ample
water and added shampoo, particularly when
they have been exposed to road salts. Use
chrome polish for additional treatment.
Light-alloy wheels
By design, the system produces dust during
braking, which settles on the light-alloy wheels.
Remove it frequently with an acid-free wheel
cleaner.
Do not use corrosive, acid-containing,
strongly alkaline, or coarse cleansers
or steam cleaners hotter than 1407/606;
otherwise, you can damage your vehicle.<
Aluminum running boards
Superficial rust on the aluminum running
boards can be removed with a special cleanser.
Outside sensors
Keep sensors outside the vehicle, e.g.
Park Distance Control, clean and free of
ice in order to maintain full functionality.<

Care
110
Interior care
Upholstery materials/cloth coverings
Clean regularly with a vacuum cleaner in order
to remove surface dirt.
With heavy soiling, such as spotting caused by
beverages, use a soft sponge or a lint-free
microfiber cloth in combination with suitable
interior cleaners. Follow instructions on the
packaging.
Clean upholstery material in large areas
extending all the way to the seams. Avoid
rubbing forcefully.<
Open Velcro-type fasteners on pants or
other items of clothing can damage the
seat covers. Make sure that Velcro-type fasten-
ers are closed.<
Leather/leather seat covers
The leather used by BMW is a high-qual-
ity natural product. Slight grain patterns
are part of the typical properties of a leather in
its natural state.<
Dust and road grime chafe in pores and folds,
leading to pronounced abrasion and premature
degradation of the leather surface. We there-
fore suggest that you clean the leather at fre-
quent intervals with a dust cloth or vacuum
cleaner.
Particularly with light-colored leather, make
sure that it is cleaned regularly since it tends to
soil more easily.
Treat the leather twice a year with a leather
lotion since dirt and grease break down the pro-
tective layer of the leather.
Carpets/cargo area
Floor carpeting and floor mats can be vacu-
umed or when more heavily soiled, cleaned with
an interior cleaner.
Floor mats can be removed for cleaning. When
inserting them, make sure that the seat rails do
not protrude over the floor mats; otherwise the
floor mats can be damaged.Fluff on floormats results from the production
process and can be removed by repeated vacu-
uming.
Plastic components inside
>Imitation leather surfaces
>Lamp lenses
>Covering glass of the instrument panel
>Matte components
Clean with water and solvent-free plastic
cleaner if so desired.
Fine wooden components
Use a damp cloth to clean fine wooden trim
panels and components. Follow up by drying
with a soft cloth.
Safety belts
Do not clean with cleansers; this can
destroy the webbing.<
Displays
Use a display-cleaning cloth or a soft, nonabra-
sive, lint-free cloth to clean displays, e.g. of the
radio or the instrument panel.
Avoid rubbing too forcefully when clean-
ing displays; otherwise, you can damage
them.<
Never use chemical-based cleansers or
scouring household cleansers. Keep all
liquids away from the equipment. Moisture can
attack or damage the surfaces of electrical
components.<
CD/DVD players
Do not use cleaning CDs; they can dam-
age parts of the player.<
Storing your vehicle
If you are planning not to drive your vehicle for
more than three months, please seek advice
from your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center
or a workshop that works in accordance with
BMW guidelines.

Replacing components
112 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-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of
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
117
Inserting compact wheel
The compact wheel is reinserted in the reverse
sequence of its removal.
When attaching the retaining strap to the
compact wheel, make sure the belt is
threaded through 2 rim openings, with one
unoccupied hole between them; otherwise, the
compact wheel could come loose in an acci-
dent.<
Preparing wheel change
1.Observe the safety precautions on
page116.
2.Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling:
Place the wheel chock behind the front
wheel on the side of the vehicle opposite
the side being raised. If the vehicle is parked
on a downward slope, place the wheel
chock securely in front of this wheel. If the
road surface is steeply inclined, take addi-
tional preventive steps to stop the vehicle
from rolling.
3.Loosen the wheel lugs by a half turn.
Jacking up vehicle
1.Position the vehicle jack at the jacking point
closest to the wheel so that the entire sur-
face of the jack base perpendicularly con-
tacts the ground under the jacking point.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not attempt
to raise another vehicle model with it or to
raise any load of any kind. To do so could
cause accidents and personal injury.<2.Guide the jack head into the rectangular
recess of the jacking point when cranking
up, refer to drawing inset.
3.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised from the ground.
Mounting a wheel
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel.
2.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub. Clean the lug bolts.
3.Position the new wheel or compact wheel.
Secure the wheel by screwing at least two
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes. When you
mount wheels other than Genuine BMW
light-alloy wheels, different lug bolts may
also be required.
4.Screw in the remaining lug bolts. Tighten all
the bolts securely in a diagonal pattern.
5.Lower the jack and remove it from beneath
the vehicle.
After mounting
1.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
To ensure safety, always have the lug
bolts checked with a calibrated
torque wrench as soon as possible to
ensure that they are tightened to the speci-
fied torque. The tightening torque is
101 lb ft/140 Nm.<
2.Stow the defective wheel in the cargo area.
3.Check and correct the tire inflation pressure
at the earliest opportunity.

Replacing components
118 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 page121.
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.