2012 BMW X3 service

The parking lamps and daylight running lights
are made using LED technology.
Contact your service center in the event of a
malfunction.
Front fog lamps
Follow the General instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 237.
Front fog lamps in vehicles equipped with Adap‐
tive Light Control: 55-watt bulb, H11
Front fog lamps without Adaptive Light Control:
35-watt bulb, H81.Insert the screwdriver from the onboard ve‐
hicle tool kit, with the flat side facing out‐
ward, past the removal hook and onto the
clip, arrow 1.2.Turn the screwdriver by 90°, arrow 2.3.Press the removal hook upward, arrow, and
remove the front fog lamp from the front us‐
ing the hook.4.Detach the connector.5.Turn the bulb bracket and remove it.6.Remove the bulb and replace it.7.Proceed in reverse order to insert the front
fog lamp. Note the guide rails in doing so.
Turn signal
Follow the General instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 237.
The turn signals are located next to each low
beam in the engine compartment.
21-watt bulb, PY 21W
1.Open the hood, refer to page 229.2.Unscrew the cap counterclockwise and re‐
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The bulb is attached to the cap.3.Turn the bulb clockwise to remove it.4.Insert the new bulb and attach the cover in
the reverse order.
Lateral turn signals
Follow the General instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 237.
These lamps are made using LED technology.
Please contact your service center in the event
of a malfunction.
Tail lamps, bulb replacement
At a glance
1Turn signal2Backup lamp3Inside brake lamp4Tail lamp5Tail lamp/brake light
Turn signal, tail lamp and brake lamp
Follow the General instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 237.
21-watt bulb, P21W
With an Adaptive Light Control or xenon head‐
lamp: tail lamp is designed with LED-technol‐
ogy. Contact your service center in the event of
a malfunction.1.Open the tailgate.2.Insert the screwdriver from the onboard ve‐
hicle tool kit between the cover and body,
push it up, arrow, and remove the cover.3.Release the nuts.4.Remove the tail lamp from the body and de‐
tach the connector.5.Release three fasteners on the bulb holder
and remove bulb holder from the tail lamp.Seite 240MobilityReplacing components240
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6.Turn the bulb and remove it. The turn signal
is the upper bulb and the tail lamp/brake
lamp is the lower bulb on the bulb holder.7.Proceed in the reverse order to insert the
new bulb and attach the bulb holder. Make
sure that the bulb holder is engaged in all
fasteners.8.Connect and install tail lamp.9.Insert cover with the three mountings in the
tail lamp. While applying pressure on the top
and bottom bracket, slide the cover down to
the stop.
Backup lamp and inner brake lamp
Follow the General instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 237.
Backup lamp: 16-watt bulb, W16W
Inner brake lamp: 21-watt bulb, H21W
1.Open the tailgate.2.Pull out the cover at the recessed grip, ar‐
row.3.Detach the connector.4.Detach the bulb holder from the tail lamp.
The backup lamp is the upper lamp and the
brake lamp is the lower lamp on the bulb
holder.5.To replace the backup lamp, pull off the bulb
carefully.
To replace the brake lamp, push the bulb
down and turn it to the left.6.Proceed in the reverse order to insert the
new bulb and attach the bulb holder.Ensure that the bulb holder is firmly at‐
tached.
Changing wheels
Notes
The vehicle equipment does not include a spare
tire.
When using run-flat tires or tire sealants, a tire
does not need to be changed immediately in the
event of pressure loss due to a flat tire.
The tools for changing wheels are available as
accessories from your service center.
Jacking points for the vehicle jack
The jacking points for the vehicle jack are lo‐
cated in the positions shown.
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is maintenance-free, i.e., the elec‐
trolyte will last for the life of the battery.
Your service center will be glad to advise you on
questions regarding the battery.
Battery replacement Use approved vehicle batteries only.
Only use vehicle batteries that have been
approved for your vehicle by the manufacturer;
otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged and
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systems or functions may not be fully availa‐
ble.◀
After a battery replacement, have the battery
registered on the vehicle by your service center
to ensure that all comfort functions are fully
available and that any Check Control messages
are no longer displayed.
Charging the battery
In the vehicle, only charge the battery via the
terminals, refer to page 245, in the engine com‐
partment with the engine off.
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, some equipment
needs to be reinitialized.
Individual settings need to be reprogrammed:▷Seat and mirror memory: store the positions
again.▷Time: update.▷Date: update.▷Radio station: save again.▷Navigation system: wait for the operability of
the navigation.
Disposing of old batteries
Have old batteries disposed of by your
service center or bring them to a recy‐
cling center.
Maintain the battery in an upright position for
transport and storage. Secure the battery so
that it does not tip over during transport.
Fuses
Notes Replacing fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a substitute
of another color or amperage rating; this could
lead to a circuit overload, ultimately resulting in
a fire in the vehicle.◀
Plastic tweezers and information on the fuse
types and locations are stored in the fuse box in
the cargo area.
In the glove compartment
Swing the cover down, arrow.
In the cargo area
Open the cover on the right side trim and remove
the sound insulation.
Information on the fuse types and locations is
found on a separate sheet.
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Breakdown assistanceVehicle 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.
Hazard warning flashers
The button is located in the center console.
Emergency Request
Requirements
▷Equipment version with full preparation
package mobile phone.
An Emergency Request can be made, even
if no mobile phones are paired with the ve‐
hicle.▷BMW Assist is activated.▷The radio ready state is switched on.▷The BMW Assist system is logged in to a
wireless communications network sup‐
ported by BMW Assist.▷The Assist system is functional.
Only press the SOS button in an emergency.
Emergency Request not guaranteed
For technical reasons, the Emergency Re‐
quest cannot be guaranteed under unfavorable
conditions.◀
Service contract▷After your contract with BMW Assist has ex‐
pired, the BMW Assist system can be deac‐
tivated by the service center without you
having to visit a workshop.
After deactivation, an Emergency Request
is no longer possible.▷Under certain circumstances, the system
can be reactivated by a service center after
you sign a new contract.
Initiating an Emergency Request
1.Press the cover briefly to open it.2.Press the SOS button until the LED in the
button lights up.▷The LED lights up: an Emergency Request
was initiated.
If the situation allows, wait in your vehicle
until the voice connection has been estab‐
lished.▷The LED flashes if the connection to the
BMW Assist Response Center has been es‐
tablished.
After the Emergency Request arrives at the
BMW Assist Response Center, the BMWSeite 243Breakdown assistanceMobility243
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Assist Response Center contacts you and
takes further steps to help you.
Even if you are unable to respond, the BMW
Assist Response Center can take further
steps to help you under certain circumstan‐
ces.
For this purpose, data that are used to de‐
termine the necessary rescue measures,
such as the current position of the vehicle if
it can be established, are transmitted to the
BMW Assist Response Center.▷If the LED is flashing but the BMW Assist
Response Center cannot be heard on the
hands-free system, the hands-free system
may be malfunctioning. However, the BMW
Assist Response Center may still be able to
hear you.
Initiating an Emergency Request
automatically
Under certain conditions, an Emergency Re‐
quest is automatically initiated immediately after
a severe accident. Automatic Collision Notifica‐
tion is not affected by pressing the SOS button.
Warning triangle
The warning triangle is located behind the left-
hand cover in the cargo area.
To remove, loosen the bracket.
First aid kit
The first aid kit is located behind the left-hand
cover in the cargo area.
Some of the articles have a limited service life.
Check the expiration dates of the contents reg‐
ularly and replace any expired items promptly.
Roadside Assistance
Service availability
Roadside Assistance can be reached around the
clock in many countries. You can obtain assis‐
tance there in the event of a vehicle breakdown.
Roadside Assistance
The Roadside Assistance, refer to page 210
phone number can be viewed on the iDrive or a
connection to Roadside Assistance can be es‐
tablished directly.
Jump starting
Notes
If the battery is discharged, an engine can be
started using the battery of another vehicle and
two jumper cables. Only use jumper cables with
fully insulated clamp handles.
To prevent personal injury or damage to both
vehicles, adhere strictly to the following proce‐
dure.
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attempt in order to allow the discharged bat‐
tery to recharge.3.Let both engines run for several minutes.4.Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Tow-starting and towing
Automatic transmission: transporting
your vehicle
Note
Your vehicle is not permitted to be towed.
Therefore, contact a service center in the event
of a breakdown.
Do not have the vehicle towed
Have your vehicle transported on a loading
platform only; otherwise, damage may occur.◀
Tow truck
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Use the tow fitting screwed in at the front for
maneuvering the vehicle only.
Towing other vehicles
General information Light towing vehicle
Your vehicle must not be lighter than the
vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will not be
possible to control vehicle response.◀
Attaching the tow bar/tow rope correctly
Attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow
fitting; connecting it to other vehicle parts may
cause damage.◀▷Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.▷If the electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed by placing
a sign or a warning triangle in the rear win‐
dow.
Tow bar
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles.
Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting
the tow bar at an offset angle, please observe
the following:
▷Maneuvering capability is limited during cor‐
nering.▷The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is secured with an offset.
Tow rope
When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure that
the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is se‐
cured on other parts of the vehicle.◀
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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:
▷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 deicing 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 be‐
cause soiling on such surfaces is substantially
more visible.
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‐
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