2012 BMW X3 manual transmission

Estimating distances correctly
Objects reflected in the mirror are closer
than they appear. Do not estimate the distance
to the traffic behind you based on what you see
in the mirror, as this will increase your risk of an
accident.◀
Depending on how the vehicle is equipped, the
mirror setting is stored for the remote control in
use. When the vehicle is unlocked via the remote
control, the position is automatically retrieved if
the setting for this function is active.
Selecting a mirror To change over to the other mirror:
Slide the mirror changeover switch.
Adjusting electrically The setting corresponds to the direction
in which the button is pressed.
Saving positions
Seat and mirror memory, refer to page 52
Adjusting manually
If an electrical malfunction occurs, for example,
press the edges of the mirror glass.
Automatic Curb Monitor
When the reverse gear is engaged, the mirror
glass tilts downward slightly on the front pas‐
senger side. This improves your view of the curb
and other low-lying obstacles when parking, for
example.
Activating1. Slide the mirror changeover switch
to the driver's side mirror position.2.Engage transmission position R.Deactivating
Slide the mirror changeover switch to the pas‐
senger's side mirror position.
Fold in and out Press the button.
Possible up to approx. 15 mph/20 km/h.
For example, this is advantageous▷In car washes.▷In narrow streets.▷For folding back mirrors that were folded
away manually.
Mirrors that were folded in are folded out auto‐
matically at a speed of approx. 25 mph/40 km/h.
Fold in the mirror in a car wash
Before entering an automatic car wash,
fold in the exterior mirrors by hand or with the
button; otherwise, they could be damaged, de‐
pending on the width of the vehicle.◀
Automatic heating
Both exterior mirrors are automatically heated
whenever the engine is running.
Automatic dimming feature
Both exterior mirrors are automatically dimmed.
Photocells are used for control in the Interior rear
view mirror, refer to page 54.
Seite 53AdjustingControls53
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Engaging D, R and N
Briefly push the selector lever in the desired di‐
rection, beyond a resistance point if necessary.
After releasing the selector lever, it returns to its
center position.
Press unlock button, in order to:
▷Engage R.▷Shift out of P.
Engaging P
Press button P.
Sport program DS and manual mode M/
S
Activating sport program DS
Push the selector lever to the left out of trans‐
mission position D.
DS is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The sport program of the transmission is acti‐
vated.
Activating the M/S manual mode
Push the selector lever to the left out of trans‐
mission position D.
Push the selector lever forward or backward.
Manual mode becomes active and the gear is
changed.
The engaged gear is displayed in the instrument
cluster, e.g., M1.
▷To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.▷To shift up: pull the selector lever rearwards.
The vehicle only shifts up or down at appropriate
engine and road speeds, e.g., it does not shift
down if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.
Ending the sport program/manual
mode
Push the selector lever to the right.
D is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Seite 66ControlsDriving66
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Shift paddles for Sport automatic
transmission
The shift paddles on the steering wheel allow
you to shift gears quickly while keeping both
hands on the steering wheel.
If the shift paddles on the steering wheel are
used to shift gears in automatic mode, the trans‐
mission temporarily switches to manual mode.
If the shift paddles are not used and the vehicle
is not accelerated for a certain time, the system
switches back into automatic mode if the selec‐
tor lever is in transmission position D.
▷Shift up: pull right shift paddle.▷Shift down: pull left shift paddle.
The vehicle only shifts up or down at appropriate
engine and road speeds, e.g., it does not shift
down if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.
Displays in the instrument cluster The transmission position is dis‐
played, e.g.: P.
Seite 67DrivingControls67
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

False warnings
PDC may issue a warning under the following
conditions even though there is no obstacle
within the detection range:▷In heavy rain.▷When sensors are very dirty or covered in
ice.▷When sensors are covered in snow.▷On rough road surfaces.▷In large buildings with right angles and
smooth walls, e.g., in underground garages.▷In heavy exhaust.▷Due to other ultrasound sources, e.g.,
sweeping machines, high pressure steam
cleaners or neon lights.
Switching on automatically
Select transmission position R with the engine
running.
Switching off automatically
The system switches off and the LED goes out:
▷After approx. 160 ft/50 m when driving for‐
ward.▷Above approx. 22 mph/36 km/h when driv‐
ing forward.
Switch on the system again if necessary.
Switching on/off manually
Press the button.
▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
Signal tones
When approaching an object, an intermittent
tone is sounded that indicates the position of the
object. For example, if an object is detected to
the left rear of the vehicle, a signal tone sounds
from the left rear speaker.
The shorter the distance to the object becomes,
the shorter the intervals.
If the distance to a detected object is less than
approx. 12 in/30 cm, a continuous tone is
sounded.
If objects are located both in front of and behind
the vehicle, an alternating continuous signal is
sounded.
The intermittent tone is interrupted after approx.
3 seconds:
▷If the vehicle stops in front of an object that
is detected by only one of the corner sen‐
sors.▷If moving parallel to a wall.
The signal tone is switched off:
▷When the vehicle moves away from an ob‐
ject by more than approx. 4 in/10 cm.▷When transmission position P is engaged.
Volume
You can set the volume of the PDC signal tone,
refer to page 157.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object can be
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are
farther away are displayed on the Control Dis‐
play before a signal tone sounds.
A display appears as soon as Park Distance
Control (PDC) is activated.
Seite 102ControlsDriving comfort102
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Switching on/off manually
Press the button.
▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
The PDC is shown on the Control Display.
Switch on the backup camera via the iDrive, refer
to page 105.
Assistance functions
Functional requirement
▷The backup camera is switched on.▷The tailgate is fully closed.
Pathway lines
▷Can be shown in the backup camera image
when in transmission position R.▷Help you to estimate the space required
when parking and maneuvering on level
roads.▷Are dependent on the current steering angle
and are continuously adjusted to the steer‐
ing wheel movements.Show the parking aid lines, refer to page 105.
Turning circle lines▷Can be shown in the backup camera image.▷Show the course of the smallest possible
turning circle on a level road.▷Only one turning circle line is displayed
when the steering wheel is turned.
Show the parking aid lines, refer to page 105.
Parking using pathway and turning
circle lines
1.Position the vehicle so that the turning circle
lines lead to within the limits of the parking
space.Seite 104ControlsDriving comfort104
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Top View
The concept
Top View assists you in parking and maneuver‐
ing. The area around the doors and the road area
around the vehicle are shown on the Control
Display for this purpose.
Capturing the image
The image is captured by two cameras
integrated in the exterior mirrors and by the
backup camera.
The range is approx. 7 ft/2 m to the side and rear.
In this way, obstacles up to the height of the ex‐
terior mirrors are detected early.
System limits
Top View cannot be used in the following situa‐
tions:▷With a door open.▷With the tailgate open.▷With an exterior mirror folded in.▷In poor light.
A Check Control message is displayed in some
of these situations.
Check the traffic situation as well
Check the traffic situation around the ve‐
hicle with your own eyes. Otherwise, an accident
could result from road users or objects located
outside the picture area of the cameras.◀
Switching on automatically
Select transmission position R with the engine
running.
The Top View and PDC images are displayed if
the system is switched on via iDrive.
Automatic deactivation during forward
travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if necessary.
Switching on/off manually
Press the button.
▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
If Top View is displayed, switch on the backup
camera via the iDrive, refer to page 107.
Visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object can be
shown on the Control Display.
When the distance to an object is small, a red bar
is shown in front of the vehicle, as it is in the PDC
display.
The display appears as soon as Top View is ac‐
tivated.
If the backup camera image was selected last, it
again appears on the display. To switch to Top
View:
"Rear view camera" Select the symbol on
the Control Display.
Seite 106ControlsDriving comfort106
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
Hills
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the gear
in which the least braking is required. Otherwise,
the brake system may overheat, resulting in a
reduction in the brake system efficiency.
Manual transmission:
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, going all the way to first gear, if
necessary.
Automatic transmission:
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down in the manual mode of the auto‐
matic transmission, refer to page 65.
Avoid load on the brakes
Avoid placing excessive load on the brake
system. Light but consistent brake pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos‐
sibly even brake failure.◀
Do not drive in neutral
Do not drive in neutral or with the engine
stopped, as doing so disables engine braking. In
addition, steering and brake assist is unavailable
with the engine stopped.◀
Brake disc corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and contamination
on the brake pads are furthered by:▷Low mileage.▷Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.▷Infrequent use of the brakes.
Corrosion occurs when the minimum pressure
that must be exerted by the pads during brake
applications to clean the discs is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake discs, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating ef‐
fect that generally cannot be corrected.
Condensation under the parked vehicle
When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water develops that exits underneath
the vehicle.
Therefore, traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are normal.
Roof-mounted luggage rack
Note
Installation only possible with roof rack.
Roof racks are available as special accessories.
Attachment to the rack
Follow the installation instructions of the roof
rack.
Mounting
Be sure that adequate clearance is maintained
for tilting and opening the glass sunroof.
Loading
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
vehicle handling and steering response.
Therefore, note the following when loading and
driving:▷Do not exceed the approved roof/axle loads
and the approved gross vehicle weight.▷Distribute the roof load uniformly.▷The roof load should not be too large in area.▷Always place the heaviest pieces on the bot‐
tom.▷Secure the roof luggage firmly, e.g., tie with
ratchet straps.▷Do not let objects project into the opening
path of the tailgate.▷Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration
and braking maneuvers. Take corners gen‐
tly.Seite 130Driving tipsThings to remember when driving130
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490

Everything from A to Z
IndexA
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐ tem 94
Activated-charcoal filter 114
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 93
Adaptive light control 82
Additional telephone 188
Additives, oil 232
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 46
After washing vehicle 249
Airbags 85
Airbags, indicator/warning light 86
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 110, 113
Air distribution, manual 109, 112
Air drying, refer to Cooling function 110, 113
Air pressure, tires 221
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 114
Air volume, automatic climate control 110, 113
Alarm system 41
Alarm, unintentional 42
All around the center con‐ sole 14
All around the headliner 15
All around the steering wheel 12
ALL program, automatic cli‐ mate control 113
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 226
All-wheel-drive 95
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 117 Alternative oil types 232
AM/FM station 158
Announcement, navigation, refer to Spoken instruc‐
tions 148
Antifreeze, washer fluid 64
Antilock Brake System, ABS 94
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 94
Applications 214
Appointments 204
Approved engine oils 232
Apps 214
Apps, video playback 181
Armrest, refer to Center arm‐ rest 123
Arrival time 76
Assist 209
Assistance, Roadside Assis‐ tance 244
Audio playback 167
Audio playback, Blue‐ tooth 181
AUTO H button, refer to Auto‐ matic Hold 60
AUTO intensity 112
Automatic car wash 248
Automatic climate con‐ trol 109
Automatic climate control with enhanced features 111
Automatic Curb Monitor 53
Automatic deactivation, front passenger airbags 87
Automatic headlamp con‐ trol 81
Automatic Hold 60
Automatic locking 37
Automatic recirculated-air control 113 Automatic tailgate 38
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 65
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 112
AUTO program, climate con‐ trol 110
AUTO program, intensity 112
AUX-IN port 178
Average fuel consumption 76
Average speed 76
Axle loads, weights 256
B
Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 48
Backrest, width 48
Backup camera 103
Balance 156
Band-Aids, refer to First aid kit 244
Bar for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 246
Bass 156
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 241
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 30
Battery, vehicle 241
Belts, safety belts 49
Beverage holder, cu‐ pholder 123
Blinds, sun protection 44
Bluetooth audio 181
Bluetooth connection, activat‐ ing/deactivating 189
BMW Assist 209
BMW homepage 6
BMW Internet page 6 Seite 268ReferenceEverything from A to Z268
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 153 - 09 11 490