2012 BMW X3 Owners Manual

Mobility
To ensure that you remain mobile at all times, this chapter supplies you with important information
on the topics of fuels and lubricants, wheels and tires, service, maintenance, and Roadside Assistance.Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

RefuelingVehicle 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.
General information Refuel promptly
Refuel below a range of 30 miles/50 km;
otherwise, engine functions are not ensured and
damage may occur.◀
Fuel cap
Opening1.Briefly press the rear edge of the fuel filler
flap.2.Turn the fuel cap counterclockwise.3.Place the fuel cap in the bracket attached to
the fuel filler flap.
Closing
1.Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you
clearly hear a click.2.Close the fuel filler flap.
Do not pinch the retaining strap
Do not pinch the retaining strap attached
to the cap; otherwise, the cap cannot be closed
properly and fuel vapors can escape.
A message is displayed if the cap is loose or
missing.◀
Manually unlocking fuel filler flap
In the event of an electrical malfunction, for ex‐
ample.
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1.Open the cover on the right side trim.2.Pull the green knob with the fuel pump sym‐
bol. This releases the fuel filler flap.
Observe the following when
refueling
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks
off the first time.
Handling fuels
Obey safety regulations posted at the gas
station.◀
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FuelVehicle 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.
Fuel quality
Fuels that are marked on the gas pump as con‐
taining metal must not be used.
Refuel only with unleaded gasoline with‐
out metallic additives.
Do not refuel with any leaded gasoline or gaso‐
line with metallic additives, e. g. manganese or
iron, or permanent damage to the catalytic con‐
verter and other components.◀
Do not refuel with ethanol
Do not refuel with E85, i.e., fuel with an
ethanol content of 85 %, or with Flex Fuel, as this
would damage the engine and fuel supply sys‐
tem.◀
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91 or AKI
89
BMW recommends AKI 91 or 89.
Gasoline with lower AKI
The minimum AKI Rating is 89.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat‐
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no effect on the engine life.Minimum fuel grade
Do not use any gasoline below the mini‐
mum specified fuel grade; otherwise, engine
damage may occur.◀
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant differ‐
ences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, ad‐
ditives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale in
the United States and Canada.
Fuels containing up to and including 10 % etha‐
nol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen
by weight, that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol
plus an equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not
void the applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
Minimum fuel grade
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
driveability, starting and stalling problems es‐
pecially under certain environmental conditions
such as high ambient temperature and high al‐
titude.
Should you encounter driveability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in unscheduled maintenance.◀Seite 220MobilityFuel220
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Wheels and tiresVehicle 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.
Tire inflation pressure
Safety information
The tire characteristics and tire inflation pres‐
sure influence the following:▷The service life of the tires.▷Road safety.▷Driving comfort.
Checking the pressure
Only check the tire inflation pressure when the
tires are cold. This means after driving no more
than 1.25 miles/2 km or when the vehicle has
been parked for at least 2 hours. When the tires
are warm, the tire inflation pressure is higher.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
Regularly check the tire inflation pressure
and correct it as needed: at least twice a month
and before a long trip. If you fail to observe this
precaution, you may be driving on tires with in‐
correct tire pressures, a condition that may not
only compromise your vehicle's driving stability,
but also lead to tire damage and the risk of an
accident.◀
After correcting the tire inflation pressure:
▷Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor.▷Reinitialize the Tire Pressure Monitor.Pressure specifications
The tire inflation pressure table, refer to
page 222, contains all pressure specifications
for the specified tire sizes at the ambient tem‐
perature. Pressure specifications apply to ap‐
proved tire sizes and recommended tire brands.
This information can be obtained from your
service center.
To identify the correct tire inflation pressure,
please note the following:▷Tire sizes of your vehicle.▷Maximum allowable driving speed.
Tire inflation pressures up to 100 mph/
160 km/h
For speeds of up to 100 mph/160 km/h and for
optimum driving comfort, note the pressure val‐
ues in the tire inflation pressure table, refer to
page 222, and adjust as necessary.
These pressure values can also be found on the
tire inflation pressure label on the driver's door
pillar.
Maximum permissible speed
Do not exceed 100 mph/160 km/h; other‐
wise, tire damage and accidents may result.◀
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Tire inflation pressure values up to
100 mph/160 km/h
X3 28iATire sizePressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSISpecifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires245/55 R 17 102 H M
+S A/S RSC
245/55 R 17 102 H M
+S RSC2.2 / 322.2 / 32225/60 R 17 99 H M
+S A/S RSC
245/50 R 18 100 V M
+S A/S RSC
225/60 R 17 99 H M
+S RSC
245/50 R 18 100 H M
+S RSC2.2 / 322.4 / 35245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL A/S RSC
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S RSC2.2 / 322.6 / 38V: 245/45 R 19 98 W
RSC
H: 275/40 R 19 101
W RSC2.2 / 32
--
2.2 / 32V: 245/40 R 20 99 Y
XL RSC
H: 275/35 R 20 102 Y
XL RSC2.2 / 32
--
2.4 / 35Compact wheel:
T 135/80 R 18 104 MSpeed up to a max. of
50 mph / 80 km/h
4.2 / 60X3 35iATire sizePressure specifications
in bar/PSISpecifications in
psi/kilopascal with
cold tires245/50 R 18 100 V
M+S A/S RSC
245/50 R 18 100 V
M+S RSC2.2 / 322.4 / 35245/45 R 19 102 V
M+S XL A/S RSC
245/45 R 19 102 V
M+S RSC2.2 / 322.6 / 38V: 245/45 R 19 98 W
RSC
H: 275/40 R 19 101
W RSC2.2 / 32
--
2.2 / 32V: 245/40 R 20 99 Y
XL RSC
H: 275/35 R 20 102
Y XL RSC2.2 / 32
--
2.4 / 35Compact wheel:
T 135/80 R 18 104
MSpeed up to a max. of
50 mph / 80 km/h
4.2 / 60
Tire inflation pressures at max. speeds
above 100 mph/160 km/h
Speeds above 100 mph/160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in ex‐
cess of 100 mph/160 km/h, please observe, and,
if necessary, adjust tire pressures for speeds
exceeding 100 mph/160 km/h from the relevant
table on the following pages. Otherwise tire
damage and accidents could occur.◀
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Tire inflation pressure values over
100 mph/160 km/h
X3 28iATire sizePressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSISpecifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires245/55 R 17 102 H M
+S A/S RSC
245/55 R 17 102 H M
+S RSC2.2 / 322.6 / 38225/60 R 17 99 H M
+S A/S RSC
245/50 R 18 100 V M
+S A/S RSC
225/60 R 17 99 H M
+S RSC
245/50 R 18 100 H M
+S RSC2.4 / 352.8 / 41245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL A/S RSC
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S RSC2.6 / 383.0 / 44V: 245/45 R 19 98 W
RSC
H: 275/40 R 19 101
W RSC2.2 / 32
--
2.6 / 38V: 245/40 R 20 99 Y
XL RSC
H: 275/35 R 20 102 Y
XL RSC2.2 / 32
--
2.6 / 38-Compact wheel
T 135/80 R 18 104 MSpeed up to a max. of
50 mph / 80 km/h
4.2 / 60X3 35iATire sizePressure specifications
in bar/PSISpecifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires245/50 R 18 100 V
M+S A/S RSC
245/50 R 18 100 V
M+S RSC2.6 / 383.0 / 44245/45 R 19 102 V
M+S XL A/S RSC
245/45 R 19 102 V
M+S RSC2.8 / 413.2 / 46V: 245/45 R 19 98 W
RSC
H: 275/40 R 19 101
W RSC2.4 / 35
--
2.8 / 41V: 245/40 R 20 99 Y
XL RSC
H: 275/35 R 20 102
Y XL RSC2.4 / 35
--
2.8 / 41Compact wheel
T 135/80 R 18 104
MSpeed up to a max. of
50 mph / 80 km/h
4.2 / 60
Tire identification marks
Tire size
255/50 R 19 103 Y
255: nominal width in mm
50: aspect ratio in %
R: radial tire code
19: rim diameter in inches
103: load rating, not for ZR tires
Y: speed rating, before the R on ZR tires
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Speed letter
T = up to 118 mph, 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph, 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph, 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph, 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph, 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
DOT code: DOT xxxx xxx 3510
xxxx: manufacturer code for the tire brand
xxx: tire size and tire design
3510: tire age
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
Tire age
DOT … 3510: the tire was manufactured in the
35th week in 2010.
Recommendation
Regardless of wear, replace tires at least every
6 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear 200; Traction AA;
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these
grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when testedunder controlled conditions on a specified gov‐
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half, 1 g, times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service practices
and differences in road characteristics and cli‐
mate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfa‐
ces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration, cornering, hydro‐
planing, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus‐
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades Band A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Temperature grade for this tire
The temperature grade for this tire is es‐
tablished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla‐
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