2012 BMW X3 xenon

Lamp and bulb replacement
General information
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribution
to vehicle safety.
The manufacturer of the vehicle recommends
that you entrust corresponding procedures to
the service center if you are unfamiliar with them
or they are not described here.
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at the service center.
Danger of burns
Only change bulbs when they are cool;
otherwise, there is the danger of getting
burned.◀
Working on the lighting system
When working on the lighting system, you
should always switch off the lights affected to
prevent short circuits.
To avoid possible injury or equipment damage
when replacing bulbs, observe any instructions
provided by the bulb manufacturer.◀
Do not perform work/bulb replacement on
xenon headlamps
Have any work on the xenon lighting system, in‐
cluding bulb replacement, performed only by a
service center. Due to the high voltage present
in the system, there is the danger of fatal injuries
if work is carried out improperly.◀
Do not touch the bulbs
Do not touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare hands, as even minute amounts of
contamination will burn into the bulb's surface
and reduce its service life.
Use a clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or
hold the bulb by its base.◀
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
Light-emitting diodes installed behind a cover
serve as the light source for controls, display el‐
ements and other equipment.These light-emitting diodes, which are related
to conventional lasers, are officially designated
as Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers
Do not remove the covers, and never stare
into the unfiltered light for several hours; other‐
wise, irritation of the retina could result.◀
Headlamp glass
Condensation can form on the inside of the ex‐
ternal lamps in cool or humid weather. When
driving with the light switched on, the conden‐
sation evaporates after a short time. The head‐
lamp glasses do not need to be changed.
If the headlamps do not dim despite driving with
the light switched on, increasing humidity forms,
e. g. water droplets in the light, have the service
center check this.
Front lamps, bulb replacement
At a glance
Halogen headlamps1High beams/headlamp flasher2Parking lamps3Low beams4Turn signal/side marker lightSeite 237Replacing componentsMobility237
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Xenon headlamps1Parking lamps / daytime running lights2Low beams/high beams/headlamp flasher3Turn signal/side marker light
Halogen headlamps
Low beams
Follow the General instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 237
55-watt bulb, H7
1.Open the hood, refer to page 229.2.Unscrew the cap counterclockwise and re‐
move it.3.Carefully pull out the connector.4.Pull the bulb off the connector and insert the
new bulb.5.Insert the new bulb and attach the cover in
the reverse order.
High beams/headlamp flasher and parking
lamps
Follow the General instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 237.
High beams/headlamp flasher: 55-watt bulb, H7
Parking lamps: 5-watt bulb, W5W1.Open the hood, refer to page 229.2.Press, arrow 1, and fold out the cover, ar‐
row 2.3.Remove the bulb holder.
The lower bulb is the high beam and head‐
lamp flasher, and the upper bulb is the park‐
ing lamp.4.Pull off the bulb.5.Insert the new bulb and attach the cover in
the reverse order.
Xenon headlamps
Because of the long life of these bulbs, the like‐
lihood of failure is very low. Switching the lamps
on and off frequently shortens their life.
If a xenon bulb fails, switch on the front fog lamps
and continue the trip with great care. Comply
with local regulations.
Do not perform work/bulb replacement on
xenon headlamps
Have any work on the xenon lighting system, in‐
cluding bulb replacement, performed only by a
service center. Due to the high voltage present
in the system, there is the danger of fatal injuries
if work is carried out improperly.◀
For checking and adjusting headlamp aim,
please contact your BMW center.
Xenon headlamps
Low beams and high beams are designed with
xenon technology.
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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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V
Variable sport steering 97
Vehicle battery 241
Vehicle battery, replacing 241
Vehicle, breaking in 128
Vehicle care 249
Vehicle equipment 6
Vehicle identification number, refer to Identification number
in the engine compart‐
ment 229
Vehicle jack 241
Vehicle paint 249
Vehicle storage 251
Vehicle wash 248
Ventilation 114
Ventilation, refer to Parked-car ventilation 114
Version of the navigation data 152
Video playback 168
Video playback, iPhone 181
Video playback, snap-in adapter 181
Voice activation, short com‐ mands 258
Voice activation system 22
Volume, setting 156
W
Warning messages, refer to Check Control 70
Warning triangle 244
Washer fluid 64
Washer fluid reservoir, ca‐ pacity 257
Washer nozzles, wind‐ shield 64
Washer system 62
Washing, vehicle 248
Water on roads 129
Weather Band 160
Weights 256
Welcome lamps 80 Wheel base, vehicle 255
Wheels, changing 226
Wheels, everything on wheels and tires 221
Wheels, Flat Tire Monitor FTM 91
Wheels, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 88
Width, vehicle 254
Window defroster, rear 111, 113
Windows, powered 42
Windshield washer fluid 64
Windshield washer noz‐ zles 64
Windshield washer system 62
Windshield wiper 62
Windshield wipers, fold-out position 64
Winter storage, care 251
Winter tires, suitable tires 226
Winter tires, tread 225
Wiper blades, replacing 236
Wiper fluid 64
Wiper system 62
Wood, care 250
Word match concept, naviga‐ tion 21
Wrench 236
X
xDrive 95
Xenon headlamps, bulb re‐ placement 238 Seite 276ReferenceEverything from A to Z276
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