2012 BMW X3 ignition

3.Set the parking brake.
Parking brake
The concept
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre‐
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it
brakes the rear wheels.
Setting
Pull the switch.
The LED lights up.
The indicator lamp lights up in red. The
parking brake is set.
Lower lamp: indicator lamp in Canadian
models
Set the parking brake and further secure
the vehicle as required
Set the parking brake firmly when parking; oth‐
erwise, the vehicle could roll. On steep upward
and downward inclines, further secure the vehi‐
cle, for example, by turning the steering wheel in
the direction of the curb. ◀
While driving
Use while driving serves as an emergency brak‐
ing function:
Pull the switch and hold it. The vehicle brakes
hard while the button is being pulled.
The indicator lamp lights up in red, a sig‐
nal sounds and the brake lamps light up.
Lower lamp: indicator lamp in Canadian
models
If the vehicle is braked to a speed of approx.
2 mph/3 km/h, the parking brake remains set.
Releasing
With the ignition switched on:
Automatic transmission: Press the switch
while the brake is pressed or transmission
position P is engaged.
The LED and indicator lamp go out.
The parking brake is released.
Automatic Release in cars with
automatic transmission
For automatic release, operate the accelerator
pedal.
The LED and indicator lamp go out.
Subject to the following requirements, the park‐
ing brake is automatically released by operation
of the accelerator pedal:▷Engine on.▷Drive position engaged.▷Driver buckled in and doors closed.
Inadvertent operation of the accelerator
pedal
Make sure that the accelerator pedal is not op‐
erated unintentionally; otherwise, the vehicle is
set in motion and there is a risk of an accident. ◀
Automatic Hold
The concept
This system assists the driver by automatically
setting and releasing the brake, such as when
moving in stop-and-go traffic.
The vehicle is automatically held in place when
it is stationary.
Seite 60ControlsDriving60
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Clean the windshield, headlamps
Pull the lever.
The system sprays washer fluid on the wind‐
shield and activates the wipers briefly.
In addition, the headlamps are cleaned at regular
intervals when the vehicle lights are switched
on.
Do not use the washer system at freezing
temperatures
Do not use the washers if there is any danger
that the fluid will freeze on the windshield; oth‐
erwise, your vision could be obscured. For this
reason, use antifreeze.
Avoid using the washer when the reservoir is
empty; otherwise, you could damage the
pump.◀
Windshield washer nozzles
The washer jets are automatically heated when‐
ever the ignition is switched on.
Switching on the rear window wiper
Press the lever forward: intermittent wipe. When
reverse gear is engaged, the system switches to
continuous operation.
To clean the rear window, press the lever further
forward.
Fold-out position of the wipers
Required when changing the wiper blades or
under frosty conditions, for example.1.Switch off the ignition.2.Under frosty conditions, ensure that the
wiper blades are not frozen onto the wind‐
shield.3.Press the wiper lever up beyond the point of
resistance and hold it for approx. 3 seconds,
until the wiper remains in a nearly vertical
position.
After the wipers are folded back down, the wiper
system must be reactivated.
Fold the wipers back down
Before switching the ignition on, fold the
wipers back down to the windshield; otherwise,
the wipers may become damaged when they are
switched on.◀
1.Switch on the ignition.2.Press the wiper levers down. The wipers
move to their resting position and are ready
for operation.
Washer fluid
General information Antifreeze for washer fluid
Antifreeze is flammable. Therefore, keep
it away from sources of ignition.
Only keep it in the closed original container and
inaccessible to children.
Follow the instructions on the container.◀
Seite 64ControlsDriving64
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Washer fluid reservoirAdding washer fluid
Only add washer fluid when the engine is
cool, and then close the cover completely to
avoid contact between the washer fluid and hot
engine parts.
Otherwise, there is the danger of fire and a risk
to personal safety if the fluid is spilled.◀
All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser‐
voir.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer
antifreeze, according to the manufacturer's rec‐
ommendations.
Mix the washer fluid before adding to maintain
the correct mixing ratio.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
Transmission positions
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for‐
ward gears are available.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N is Neutral
Use in automatic car washes, for example. The
vehicle can roll.
When the ignition is switched off, refer to
page 58, position P is engaged automatically.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
drive wheels are blocked.
P is engaged automatically:▷After the engine is switched off, if the car is
in radio ready state, refer to page 59, or if the
ignition is switched off, refer to page 58, and
if position R or D is engaged.▷With the ignition is off, if position N is en‐
gaged.▷If the safety belt is unbuckled, the driver's
door is opened, and the brake pedal is not
pressed while the vehicle is stationary and
transmission position R or D is engaged.
Before exiting the vehicle, make sure that posi‐
tion P of the automatic transmission is engaged.
Otherwise, the vehicle may begin to roll.
Kickdown
Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Press on the gas pedal beyond the
resistance point at the full throttle position.
Engaging the transmission position
▷Transmission position P can only be disen‐
gaged if the engine is running and the brake
pedal is pressed.▷With the vehicle stationary, press on the
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N;
otherwise, the shift command will not be
executed: shift lock.
Depress the brake until you start driv‐
ing
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after
you select a driving position, maintain pres‐
sure on the brake pedal until you are ready
to start.◀Seite 65DrivingControls65
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

With the Business navigation system or no navigation1Clock  73
External temperature   732Messages, e.g. Check Control   703Transmission displays  674Selection lists, e. g. Dynamic Driving Con‐
trol   755Computer   756Service requirements   74Check Control
The concept
The Check Control system monitors functions
in the vehicle and notifies you of malfunctions in
the monitored systems.
A Check Control message is displayed as a
combination of indicator or warning lamps and
text messages in the instrument cluster and in
the Head-up Display.
In addition, an acoustic signal may be output and
a text message may appear on the Control Dis‐
play.Indicator/warning lamps
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
a variety of combinations and colors.
Several of the lamps are checked for proper
functioning and light up temporarily when the
engine is started or the ignition is switched on.
Seite 70ControlsDisplays70
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

▷ Display additional information about the
Check Control message in the integrated
owner's manual.▷ "Service request"
Contact the service partner.▷ "Roadside Assistance"
Contact Roadside Assistance.
Hiding Check Control messages
Press the computer button on the turn signal
lever.
▷Some Check Control messages are dis‐
played continuously and are not cleared un‐
til the malfunction is eliminated. If several
malfunctions occur at once, the messages
are displayed consecutively.
These messages can be hidden for approx.
8 seconds. After this time, they are dis‐
played again automatically.▷Other Check Control messages are hidden
automatically after approx. 20 seconds.
They are stored and can be displayed again
later.
Displaying stored Check Control
messages
1."Vehicle Info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Check Control"4.Select the text message.Messages after trip completion
Special messages that are displayed during
driving are displayed again after the ignition is
switched off.
Fuel gauge The vehicle inclination may
cause the display to vary.
Notes on refueling, refer to
page 218.
Tachometer Always avoid engine speeds in
the red warning field. In this
range, the fuel supply is inter‐
rupted to protect the engine.
Engine oil temperature▷Cold engine: the pointer is at
the low temperature end.
Drive at moderate engine and
vehicle speeds.▷Normal operating tempera‐
ture: the pointer is in the mid‐
dle or in the left half of the
temperature display.▷Hot engine: the pointer is at the high tem‐
perature end. A Check Control message is
displayed in addition.
Odometer and trip odometer
▷Odometer, arrow 1.▷Trip odometer, arrow 2.Seite 72ControlsDisplays72
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Resetting the trip odometerPress the knob.▷The odometer is displayed
when the ignition is switched
off.▷When the ignition is switched
on, the trip odometer is reset.
External temperature
External temperature warning If the display drops to +37 ℉/
+3 ℃, a signal sounds.
A Check Control message is dis‐
played.
There is the increased danger of
ice.
Ice on roads
Even at temperatures above +37 ℉/+3 ℃,
there can be a risk of ice on roads.
Therefore, drive carefully on bridges and shady
roads, for example, to avoid the increased dan‐
ger of an accident.◀
Time The time is displayed in the in‐
strument cluster.
Set the time on the Control Dis‐
play., refer to page 78
Date The date is displayed in the in‐
strument cluster.
Set the date on the Control Dis‐
play, refer to page 78.
Range
After the reserve range is
reached:▷A Check Control message is
displayed briefly.▷The remaining range is
shown on the computer.▷When a dynamic driving style is used, such
as when corners are taken rapidly, engine
functions are not ensured.
The Check Control message appears continu‐
ously below a range of approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Refuel promptly
Refuel no later than at a range 30 miles/
50 km, or engine functions are not ensured and
damage may occur.◀
Displaying the cruising range
1."Settings"2."Info display"3."Additional indicators"
Current fuel consumption Displays the current fuel con‐
sumption. You can check
whether you are currently driving
in an efficient and environmen‐
tally-friendly manner.
Seite 73DisplaysControls73
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Displaying the current fuel
consumption1."Settings"2."Info display"3."Additional indicators"
The bar display for the current fuel consumption
is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Energy recovery The energy of motion of the ve‐
hicle is converted to electrical en‐
ergy while coasting. The vehicle
battery is partially charged and
fuel consumption can be low‐
ered.
Service requirements
Display
The driving distance or the time to the next serv‐
ice is displayed briefly after the ignition is
switched on.
The current service requirements can be read
out from the remote control by the service spe‐
cialist.
Data regarding the maintenance status or legally
mandated inspections of the vehicle are auto‐
matically transmitted to your service center be‐
fore a service due date, Automatic Service Re‐
quest, refer to page 210.
Detailed information on service
requirements
More information on the scope of service re‐
quired can be displayed on the Control Display.1."Vehicle Info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Service required"
Required maintenance procedures and le‐
gally mandated inspections are displayed.4.Select an entry to call up detailed informa‐
tion.
Symbols
SymbolsDescriptionNo service is currently required.The deadline for service or a le‐
gally mandated inspection is
approaching.The service deadline has al‐
ready passed.
Entering appointment dates
Enter the dates for the required inspections.
Ensure that the vehicle date and time are set
correctly.
1."Vehicle Info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Service required"Seite 74ControlsDisplays74
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

LampsVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
At a glance1Rear fog lamps2Front fog lamps3Automatic headlamp control / Adaptive
Light Control / high-beam Assistant / wel‐
come lamps / daytime running lights4Lamps off / daytime running lights5Parking lamps / daytime running lights6Low beams / welcome lamps / High-beam
Assistant7Instrument lighting8Headlamp range controlParking lamps/low beams,
headlamp control
General information
If the driver door is opened with the ignition
switched off, the exterior lighting is automati‐
cally switched off at the following switch set‐
tings:
0,
,
Parking lamps
Switch position
: the vehicle lamps light
up on all sides, e.g., for parking.
Do not use the parking lamps for extended pe‐
riods; otherwise, the battery may become dis‐
charged and it would then be impossible to start
the engine.
When parking, it is preferable to switch on the
one-sided roadside parking lamps, refer to
page 82.
Low beams
Switch position
with the ignition switched
on: the low beams light up.
Welcome lamps
When parking the vehicle, leave the switch in
position
or : the parking and interior
lamps light up briefly when the vehicle is un‐
locked.
Activating/deactivating
1."Settings"2."Lighting"Seite 80ControlsLamps80
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490