2011 BMW X3 oil

Approved oil types
Your service center can advise you on which en‐
gine oils have been approved by the manufac‐
turer of your vehicle.
The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the
engine.
Only use approved BMW High Performance oil.
Approved oils belong to the viscosity grades
SAE 0W-40, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-40 and SAE
5W-30.
Alternative oil types
If the approved engine oils are not available, up
to 1 US quart/liter of another oil with the follow‐
ing specification may be used.
API SM quality standards or higher.
Coolant
General information Danger of burns from hot engine
Do not open the cooling system while the
engine is hot; otherwise, escaping coolant may
cause burns.◀
Suitable additives
Only use suitable additives; otherwise, en‐
gine damage may occur. The additives are
harmful to your health.◀
Coolant consists of water and additives.
Not all commercially available additives are suit‐
able for your vehicle. Ask your service center for
suitable additives.
Coolant level
Checking1.Let the engine cool.2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank slightly
counterclockwise to allow any excess pres‐
sure to dissipate, and then open it.3.The coolant level is correct if it lies between
the minimum and maximum marks in the
filler neck.4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level; do not overfill.5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.6.Have the cause of the coolant loss elimi‐
nated as soon as possible.
Disposal
Comply with the relevant environmental
protection regulations when disposing
of coolant and coolant additives.
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MaintenanceBMW Maintenance System
The system obtains information about the road
safety and operational reliability of the vehicle
and takes into account aspects such as a timely
vehicle check. The aim is to optimize mainte‐
nance procedures with a view to reducing the
cost of running the vehicle.
Condition Based Service CBS
Sensors and special algorithms take into ac‐
count the driving conditions of your vehicle.
Based on this, Condition Based Service deter‐
mines the maintenance requirements.
The system makes it possible to adapt the
amount of maintenance you need to your user
profile.
Detailed information on service requirements,
refer to page 73, can be displayed on the Control
Display.
Service data in the remote control
Information on the required maintenance is con‐
tinuously stored in the remote control. Your
service center will read out this data and suggest
the right array of service procedures for your ve‐
hicle.
Therefore, hand your service specialist the re‐
mote control that you used most recently.
Storage periods
Storage periods during which the vehicle bat‐
tery was disconnected are not taken into ac‐
count.
If this occurs, have a service center update the
time-dependent maintenance procedures,
such as checking brake fluid and, if necessary,
changing the engine oil and the microfilter/acti‐
vated-charcoal filter.Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor‐
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models for
additional information on service requirements.
Maintenance and repair should be performed by
your service center. Make sure to have regular
maintenance procedures recorded in the vehi‐
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models, and in the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models. These en‐
tries are proof of regular maintenance.
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnosis
There is an OBD socket on the driver's side for
checking the primary components in the vehicle
emissions.
Emissions
▷The warning lamp lights up:
Emissions are deteriorating. Have
the vehicle checked as soon as pos‐
sible.▷The warning lamp flashes under cer‐
tain circumstances:Seite 219219
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ReferenceMobilityCommunicationEntertainmentNavigationDriving tipsControlsAt a glance

CareCar washes
Notes Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of 140 ℉/
60 ℃.
Holding them too close or using excessively
high pressures or temperatures can cause dam‐
age or preliminary damage that may then lead to
long-term damage.
Follow the operating instructions for the high-
pressure washer.◀
Cleaning sensors/cameras with high-
pressure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the exterior sensors and cameras, e.g.,
Park Distance Control*, for extended periods of
time and only from a distance of at least 12 in/
30 cm.◀
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in win‐
ter.
Intense soiling and road salt can damage the ve‐
hicle.
Washing in automatic car washes
Your vehicle can be washed in automatic car
washes right from the start.
Give preference to cloth car washes or those
that use soft brushes in order to avoid paint
damage.
Notes
Note the following:▷Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.▷Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may be damaged, depending on the width of
the vehicle.▷Deactivate the rain sensor*, refer to
page 63, to avoid unintentional wiper acti‐
vation.▷In some cases, an unintentional alarm can be
triggered by the interior motion sensor of the
alarm system*. Follow the instructions on
avoiding an unintentional alarm, refer to
page 43.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged.◀
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle is able to roll when the following
steps are taken:
Manual transmission:
Automatic transmission/Sport automatic trans‐
mission*:
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Engage transmission position N.3.Release the parking brake, refer to page 60,
or deactivate Automatic Hold, refer to
page 61.4.Switch the engine off.
Transmission position P with the igni‐
tion off
When the ignition is switched off, position P
is engaged automatically. When in an auto‐
matic car wash, for example, ensure that the
ignition is not switched off accidentally.◀
The vehicle cannot be locked from the outside
when in transmission position N.
A signal is sounded when an attempt is made to
lock the vehicle.
Transmission position
Transmission position P is engaged automati‐
cally:
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▷When the ignition is switched off.▷After approx. 15 minutes.
Headlamps
▷Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
caustic cleansers.▷Soak areas that have been soiled e.g. due to
insects, with shampoo and wash off with
water.▷Thaw ice with de-icing spray; do not use an
ice scraper.
After washing the vehicle
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly to dry them; otherwise, braking action can
be reduced and corrosion of the brake discs can
occur.
Vehicle care
Car care products
BMW recommends using cleaning and care
products from BMW, since these have been
tested and approved.
Car care and cleaning products
Follow the instructions on the container.
When cleaning the interior, open the doors or
windows.
Only use products intended for cleaning vehi‐
cles.
Cleansers can contain substances that are dan‐
gerous and harmful to your health.◀
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to driving safety and
value retention.
Environmental influences can act on the vehicle
paint. Tailor the frequency and extent of your car
care to these influences.
Leather care
Remove dust from the leather often, using a
cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Otherwise, particles of dust and road grime
chafe in pores and folds, and lead to increased
wear and premature degradation of the leather
surface.
To guard against discoloration, such as from
clothing, provide leather care roughly every two
months.
Clean light-colored leather more frequently as
dust and dirt are more noticeable.
Use leather care products; otherwise, dirt and
grease will gradually break down the protective
layer of the leather surface.
Suitable care products are available from the
service center.
Upholstery material care
Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner.
If they are very dirty, e.g., beverage stains, use a
soft sponge or microfiber cloth with a suitable
interior cleaner.
Clean the upholstery down to the seams using
large sweeping motions. Avoid rubbing the ma‐
terial vigorously.
Damage from Velcro® fasteners
Open Velcro® fasteners on pants or other
articles of clothing can damage the seat covers.
Ensure that any Velcro® fasteners are closed. ◀
Caring for special components
Light-alloy wheels
Use wheel cleaner, particularly during the winter
months. Do not use aggressive, acidic, strongly
alkaline or abrasive cleaners, or steam jets
above 140 ℉/60 ℃; follow the manufacturer's
instructions.
Chrome surfaces*
Carefully clean components such as the radiator
grille or door handles with an ample supply of
water, possibly with shampoo added, particu‐
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Everything from A to Z
IndexA
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐ tem 86
Activated-charcoal filter 105
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 85
Adaptive light control 77
Adaptive light control, bulb re‐ placement 223
Additional telephone 176
Additives, oil 217
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 47
After washing vehicle 234
Airbags 80
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 102, 104
Air distribution, manual 101, 103
Air drying, refer to Cooling function 102, 105
Air pressure, tires 207
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 106
Air volume, automatic climate control 101, 104
Alarm system 42
Alarm, unintentional 43
All around the center con‐ sole 17
All around the headliner 18
All around the steering wheel 12
ALL program, automatic cli‐ mate control 105
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 213
All-wheel-drive 87
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 108
Alternative oil types 218
AM/FM station 148 Announcement, navigation,
refer to Spoken instruc‐
tions 137
Antifreeze, washer fluid 64
Antilock Brake System, ABS 86
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 86
Appointments 189
Approved engine oils 217
Armrest, refer to Center arm‐ rest 114
Arrival time 71
Assist 195
Assistance, Roadside Assis‐ tance 229
Audio playback 155
Audio playback, Blue‐ tooth 169
AUTO intensity 104
Automatic car wash 233
Automatic climate con‐ trol 101
Automatic climate control with enhanced features 103
Automatic Curb Monitor 53
Automatic deactivation, front passenger airbags 81
Automatic headlamp con‐ trol 77
Automatic Hold 60
Automatic locking 38
Automatic recirculated-air control 104
Automatic tailgate 40
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 64
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 104
AUTO program, climate con‐ trol 101
AUTO program, intensity 104
AUX-IN port 166 Average fuel consumption 70
Average speed 70
Axle loads, weights 241
B
Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 49
Backrest, seats 47
Backrest, width 49
Backup camera 95
Balance 146
Band-aids, refer to First aid kit 229
Bar for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 231
Bass 146
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 227
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 32
Battery, vehicle 227
Before entering the car wash 233
Belts, safety belts 50
Beverage holder, cu‐ pholder 115
Blinds, sun protection 44
Bluetooth audio 169
Bluetooth connection, activat‐ ing/deactivating 177
BMW Assist 195
BMW EfficientDynamics, refer to Saving fuel 124
BMW homepage 6
BMW Internet page 6
BMW Maintenance Sys‐ tem 219
BMW Search 197
Bottle holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 115
Brake assistant 86
Brake discs, breaking in 120 Seite 252252
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Display in front windshield 99
Display, instrument cluster 67
Display lighting, refer to Instru‐ ment lighting 79
Displays 13
Displays, cleaning 235
Disposal, coolant 218
Disposal, vehicle battery 227
Distance control, refer to PDC 93
Distance to destination 70
Divided screen view, split screen 23
Door lock, refer to Remote control 32
Downhill control 87
Drive-off assistant, refer to DSC 86
Driving instructions, breaking in 120
Driving notes, general 120
Driving stability control sys‐ tems 86
Driving tips 120
DSC Dynamic Stability Con‐ trol 86
DTC Dynamic Traction Con‐ trol 86
DTMF suffix dialing 181
DVD/CD 155
DVD/CD notes 161
DVD changer 159
DVD settings 158
DVDs, storing 162
DVD, video 157
Dynamic Damping Control 88
Dynamic destination guid‐ ance 141
Dynamic Driving Control 89
Dynamic Stability Control DSC 86
Dynamic Traction Control DTC 86
E
EfficientDynamics, refer to Saving fuel 124 Electronic displays, instru‐
ment cluster 15
Electronic engine oil level check 217
Electronic Stability Program ESP, refer to DSC 86
Emergency detection, remote control 33
Emergency release, door lock 38
Emergency release, fuel filler flap 204
Emergency Request 228
Emergency service, refer to Roadside Assistance 229
Emergency start function, en‐ gine start 33
Energy Control 68
Energy recovery 68
Engine compartment 215
Engine compartment, working in 215
Engine coolant 218
Engine oil 217
Engine oil, adding 217
Engine oil additives 217
Engine oil filler neck 217
Engine oil temperature 68
Engine oil types, alterna‐ tive 218
Engine oil types, ap‐ proved 217
Engine specifications 240
Engine start, assistance 229
Engine start during malfunc‐ tion 33
Engine start, refer to Starting the engine 58
Engine stop 59
Engine temperature 68
Equalizer 146
Equipment, interior 107
ESP Electronic Stability Pro‐ gram, refer to DSC 86
Exchanging wheels/tires 212
Exhaust system 120
Exterior mirrors 53
External devices 166 External temperature dis‐
play 69
External temperature warn‐ ing 69
Eyes for securing cargo 123
F
Fader 146
Failure message, refer to Check Control 74
False alarm, refer to Uninten‐ tional alarm 43
Fan, refer to Air vol‐ ume 101, 104
Fault displays, refer to Check Control 74
Filler neck for engine oil 217
Fine wood, care 235
First aid kit 229
Fitting for towing, refer to Tow fitting 231
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 82
Flat tire, warning lamp 83
Flat tire, wheel change 226
Flooding 121
Floor carpet, care 235
Floor mats, care 235
FM/AM station 148
Fold-out position, windshield wipers 64
Foot brake 121
Front airbags 80
Front fog lamps 79
Front fog lamps, front, bulb re‐ placement 223
Front lamps 222
Front passenger airbags, au‐ tomatic deactivation 81
Front passenger airbags, indi‐ cator lamp 82
Front seats, adjusting 47
Fuel cap 204
Fuel consumption, current 68
Fuel consumption, refer to Average fuel consump‐
tion 70 Seite 254254
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NORMAL program, DynamicDriving Control 90
Notes 6, 191
Number of cylinders, en‐ gine 240
Nylon rope for tow-starting/ towing 231
O
OBD Onboard Diagnos‐ tics 219
Obstacle marking, backup camera 96
Odometer 68
Office 185
Oil 217
Oil, adding 217
Oil additives 217
Oil change interval, service re‐ quirements 73
Oil filler neck 217
Oil level check 217
Oil types, alternative 218
Oil types, approved 217
Old batteries, disposal 227
Onboard Diagnostics OBD 219
Onboard monitor, refer to Control Display 19
Opening/closing from in‐ side 38
Opening/closing via door lock 38
Opening/closing with remote control 36
Operating concept, iDrive 19
Outside air, refer to Automatic recirculated-air control 104
P
Paint, vehicle 234
Pairing, mobile phone 176
Panic mode 36
Panoramic glass sunroof 45
Park Distance Control PDC 93 Parked-car ventilation 106
Parked vehicle, condensa‐ tion 122
Parking aid, refer to PDC 93
Parking brake 59
Parking lamps 76
Parking lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 223
Parking with Auto Hold 60
Partition net 112
Passenger side mirror, tilting downward 53
Pathway lines, backup cam‐ era 96
PDC Park Distance Con‐ trol 93
Performance Control 87
Permissible axle load 241
Personal information 185
Personal Profile 33
Phone 176
Pinch protection system, glass sunroof 45
Pinch protection system, win‐ dows 44
Plastic, care 235
Position, storing 130
Postal code, entering in navi‐ gation 128
Power failure 227
Power output, engine 240
Power windows 43
Pressure, tire air pres‐ sure 207
Profile, refer to Personal Pro‐ file 33
Programmable memory but‐ tons, iDrive 23
Protective function, glass sun‐ roof 45
Protective function, win‐ dows 44
Push-and-turn switch, refer to Controller 19
R
Radiator fluid 218 Radio 148
Radio-operated key, refer to Remote control 32
Radio ready state 58
Rain sensor 63
Random 156
Random playback 156
RDS 149
Reading out loud 192
Rear lamps 225
Rear socket 109
Rearview mirror 53
Rear window de‐ froster 102, 105
Recirculated-air filter 105
Recirculated-air mode 102, 104
Recommended tire brands 212
Refueling 204
Release tool 221
Remaining range 67
Reminders 191
Remote control/key 32
Remote control, malfunc‐ tion 37
Remote control, universal 107
Remote inquiry 181
Replacement fuse 227
Replacing parts 221
Replacing wheels/tires 212
Reporting safety defects 8
Reserve warning, refer to Range 67
Resetting, Tire Pressure Mon‐ itor TPM 83
Retaining straps, securing cargo 123
Retreaded tires 212
Roadside Assistance 196
Roadside parking lamps 77
Roller sunblinds 44
Roof load capacity 241
Roof-mounted luggage rack 124
Rope for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 231
Route 136 Seite 257257
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Route criteria, route 136
Route, displaying 136
Routes, avoiding 136
Route section, bypassing 137
RPM, engine 240
RSC Runflat System Compo‐ nent, refer to Run-flat
tires 213
Rubber components, care 235
Run-flat tires 213
S
Safe braking 121
Safety 6
Safety belt reminder 51
Safety belts 50
Safety belts, care 235
Safety switch, windows 44
Safety systems, airbags 80
Satellite radio 150
Saving fuel 124
Scale, changing during navi‐ gation 139
Screen, refer to Control Dis‐ play 19
Screwdriver 221
Screw thread for tow fit‐ ting 231
Search, refer to BMW Search 197
Seat and mirror memory 52
Seat belts, refer to Safety belts 50
Seat heating, front 49
Seat heating, rear 50
Seating position for chil‐ dren 55
Seats 47
Selection list in instrument cluster 69
Selector lever, automatic transmission 65
Sensors, care 235
Service and warranty 7 Service requirements, CBS
Condition Based Serv‐
ice 219
Service requirements, dis‐ play 73
Service, Roadside Assis‐ tance 229
Settings on Control Dis‐ play 72
Settings, storing for seat, mir‐ ror 52
Shifting, automatic transmis‐ sion 64
Shift paddles on steering wheel 66
Short commands 243
Side airbags 80
Signaling, horn 12
Signals when unlocking 37
Sitting safely 47
Size 238
Slide/tilt glass roof 45
Smallest turning circle 240
Snap-in adapter, mobile phone 183
Snow chains 213
Socket 109
Socket, OBD Onboard Diag‐ nostics 219
Software update 172
Spare fuse 227
Special destinations, naviga‐ tion 131
Specified engine oil types 217
Speed, average 70
Speed limit, setting 71
Speedometer 13
Split screen 23
Split screen map settings 139
Spoken instructions, naviga‐ tion 137
SPORT+ program, Dynamic Driving Control 89
Sport automatic transmis‐ sion 66
SPORT program, Dynamic Driving Control 89 Sport program, transmis‐
sion 65
Sport steering, variable 88
Stability control systems 86
Start/Stop button 58
Start function during malfunc‐ tion 33
Starting assistance 229
Starting the engine 58
State/province, selecting for navigation 128
Stations, stored 154
Station, storing 148
Status information, iDrive 22
Status of Owner's Manual 6
Steering wheel, adjusting 54
Steering wheel heating 54
Steptronic, automatic trans‐ mission 64
Stopping the engine 59
Storage compartments 114
Storage compartments, loca‐ tions 114
Storage, tires 213
Storing the vehicle 235
Street, entering for naviga‐ tion 129
Summer tires, tread 211
Supplementary text mes‐ sages 75
Suspension settings 89
Switch for Dynamic Driving Control 89
Switch-on times, parked-car ventilation 106
Switch, refer to Cockpit 12
Symbols 6
T
Tachometer 68
Tailgate 39
Tailgate, automatic 40
Tailgate via remote control 36
Tail lamps 225
Tasks 190
Technical changes, refer to Safety 6 Seite 258258
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