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EnglishControls -> Technology for comfort, convenience and safety for your BMW X3 2004-2010
Technology for comfort, convenience and
safety
Activating manual mode
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
PDC provides extra safety and convenience
during parking maneuvers. Audible signals indi-
cate that you are approaching an object in front
of or behind your vehicle. To measure the dis-
tance, there are four ultrasonic sensors in each
bumper.
An acoustic signal begins to sound when the
front sensors and the rear corner sensors are
In ignition key position 2, press the button; the
within approx. 2 ft/60 cm of an obstacle and
LED lights up.
when the rear middle sensors are within approx.
5 ft/1.50 m of an obstacle.
Deactivating manual mode
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
Press the button again, the LED goes out.
objects when they are approached
The system is automatically deactivated once
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
the vehicle travels approx. 160 ft/50 m or
Avoid approaching objects too fast; otherwise,
exceeds a speed of roughly 20 mph/30 km/h;
the system may give warning of physical obsta-
the LED goes out. You can reactivate the sys-
tem manually as needed.
cles too late.<
If you are driving with a trailer, the rear sensors
cannot take any meaningful measurements.
Consequently, they do not switch on.
Signal tones
An intermittent tone from a rear speaker signals
the distance to an object behind the vehicle as
Automatic mode
you approach it.
In ignition key position 2, the system is auto-
An intermittent tone from a speaker beneath
matically activated after approx. 1 second each
the dashboard signals the distance to an object
time you shift into reverse or move the selector-
in front of the vehicle as you approach it.
lever into position R. Wait for one second to
As the distance between vehicle and object
pass before moving.
decreases, the intervals between the tones
You can have a signal tone programmed
into the system to verify that the PDC is
active.<
become shorter. The signal tone becomes con-
tinuous once the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx.
3 seconds:
>
If you remain in front of an object that is only
detected by one of the corner sensors
>
If you are moving parallel to a wall
49
Malfunction
Electronic brake-force distribution
The LED in the button flashes and a short con-
tinuous tone sounds. PDC is malfunctioning.
Switch off PDC. Have the system checked.
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure a stable braking behavior.
Brake assistant
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they will continue to operate effectively.
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray sensors for long periods and keep the
sprayer at least 4 in/10 cm away from the sen-
sors.
When the brake pedal is depressed quickly, this
system automatically generates a maximum
braking force distribution and thus helps keep
the braking distance to a minimum during full
braking. This system exploits all of the benefits
provided by ABS.
As long as you want full braking to continue, do
not reduce pressure on the brake.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are involved,
there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be
detected. The system is also subject to the
physical limits that apply to all forms of ultra-
sonic measurement, such as those encoun-
tered with tow bars and trailer couplings, or thin
and wedge-shaped objects. Low objects
already displayed, e.g. curb edges, can come
into the blind spot of the sensors before or after
a continuous tone sounds. The system may fail
to detect higher obstacles such as projections
from walls.
DSC prevents slip at the drive wheels when
starting off and accelerating. The system also
detects unstable driving conditions, such as a
fishtailing of the vehicle's rear end or the sliding
of the vehicle on its front wheels. In these cir-
cumstances, DSC helps keep the vehicle on a
safe path, within physical limits, by reducing
engine output and by applying the brakes in
individual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style always remains the responsibility of the
driver. Do not squander the additional margin of
safety by driving dangerously; otherwise, you
run the risk of causing an accident.<
Loud sources of sound, inside and outside the
vehicle, could drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Deactivating DSC
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array
of systems designed to enhance and maintain
vehicle stability even under unfavorable driving
conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents the wheels from locking during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. This results in an
increase in the active safety.
Maintain pressure on the button until the DSC
indicator lamp lights up, but do not press for
longer than approx. 10 seconds. DTC Dynamic
Traction Control and DSC are deactivated
ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Safe braking, refer to page 81.
50
jointly. These systems do not take their cus-
tomary stabilizing actions.
For monitoring purposes
When the indicator lamp flashes:
To increase vehicle stability, reactivate DSC as
soon as possible.
DTC is controlling the drive forces and
braking forces.
When the indicator lamp lights up:
DTC is activated.
Activating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Deactivating DTC
For monitoring purposes
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster goes out.
When the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC is controlling the drive and braking
forces.
xDrive
When the indicator lamp lights up:
DSC is deactivated.
xDrive is the all-wheel drive system of your X3.
The combined effects of xDrive and DSC fur-
ther optimize the traction and dynamic driving
characteristics. The all-wheel drive system
xDrive variably distributes the drive torque to
the front and rear axle depending on the driving
situation and prevailing road conditions.
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
DTC is a variation of DSC that is optimized for
forward momentum for particular road condi-
tions, e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. In
this mode, the system assures maximum for-
ward momentum, but with limited driving stabil-
ity. For this reason, drive with corresponding
caution.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept
In the following exceptional circumstances, it
may be useful to temporarily activate DTC:
HDC is a system for hill descent assistance that
reduces the speed on steep downward inclines
and makes it even easier to control the driving
characteristics of your BMW under these condi-
tions. The vehicle moves at slightly more than
walking speed without active intervention from
the driver.
>
When driving on snow-covered inclines, in
slush, or on unplowed, snow-covered roads
>
When freeing a stuck vehicle or starting up
in deep snow, sand, or on a loose ground
surface
You can activate HDC at vehicle speeds below
approx. 20 mph/35 km/h. If it is traveling down a
steep slope at a speed below approx. 20 mph/
35 km/h, the vehicle then automatically decel-
erates down to slightly more than walking
speed, approx. 5 mph/8 km/h, and then keeps
this speed constant.
>
When driving with snow chains*
Activating DTC
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary
this automatically controlled speed within a
range extending from approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to
15 mph/25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same
range by using the +/– buttons of the cruise
control on the steering wheel.
Press the button; the DTC indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
51
dents can occur. When driving on poor road
surfaces, avoid full throttle or kickdown position
of the accelerator pedal as these could cause
damage to the drive system.<
Activating HDC
The warning lamp for the brake system
lights up in red, together with the warn-
ing lamps for ABS and DSC/xDrive. In
addition, a warning signal sounds.
The driving stability control systems
have failed. It is then possible to exert
driving force only via the rear axle.
Press the button; the LED lights up.
If the brake system warning lamp lights
up in yellow in the described combination, then
the EBV Electronic brake-force distribution is
still available. Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
The LED flashes when the brakes are applied
automatically.
Deactivating HDC
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.
HDC is deactivated immediately above approx.
35 mph/60 km/h and after approx. 10 seconds
when the ignition is switched off.
Using HDC
Manual transmission:
Use HDC in low gears and in reverse.
The warning lamp lights up continu-
ously and a warning signal sounds:
Automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive position.
Both DSC and DTC or the xDrive all-
wheel drive system have failed.
Malfunction
The stabilizing interventions of DSC or the all-
wheel drive system xDrive are no longer avail-
able. It is then possible to exert driving force
only via the rear axle. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
If the LED in the button goes out in the HDC
mode or fails to light up when the button is
pressed:
HDC is temporarily not available, because the
brake temperature is too high.
Acceleration assistant
The acceleration assistant allows you to conve-
niently start off on inclines. You do not have to
use the handbrake.
Malfunction in vehicle stability control
systems
The warning lamp lights up yellow.
The brake assistant is malfunctioning.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
1. Hold the vehicle with the brake pedal.
2. Step off the brake and immediately start off
with no trouble.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.
The acceleration assistant holds the vehi-
cle for approx. 2 seconds after the brake
is released. Depending on the load or when
towing a trailer, it is also possible for the vehicle
to roll backward slightly during this interval.
If one of the malfunctions described
below occurs, drive with restraint and
caution and avoid full braking; otherwise, acci-
52
After releasing the brake, start driving immedi-
ately; otherwise, the acceleration assistant will
no longer hold the vehicle after approx. 2 sec-
onds and the vehicle will start to roll back-
ward.<
>
>
Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels,
high lateral acceleration.
When driving with snow chains*
When driving with a compact wheel, the Flat
Tire Monitor cannot operate.
Malfunction
Initializing system
The warning lamp for the brake system
lights up in yellow. The acceleration
assistant has failed. The vehicle will not
be held after the brake is released. Have the
system checked as soon as possible.
The initialization is completed while driv-
ing and can be interrupted at any time.
The initialization automatically continues when
driving resumes.
Do not initialize the system when driving with
snow chains* or with a compact wheel.<
1. Start the engine just before driving, but do
not begin to drive.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM*
2. Press the button for at least 4 seconds, but
not longer than 2 minutes. After the button
is released, the indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up yellow for a few sec-
onds.
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the four mounted tires as you
drive. The system triggers an alert whenever
the inflation pressure in one tire drops signifi-
cantly in relation to the pressure in another tire.
When a loss of pressure occurs, the rolling
radius changes and with it, the rotational speed
of the wheels. This change is detected and sig-
naled as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the
system must be initialized at the correct tire
inflation pressure.
3. Begin driving.
The initialization is completed while driving,
without requiring any further input from you.
The initialization must be carried out after
each correction of the tire inflation pres-
sure and after every tire or wheel change.<
Indication of a flat tire
System limits
The warning lamp lights up red. In addi-
tion, an acoustic signal sounds. There is
a flat tire or extensive inflation pressure
loss.
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot predict sud-
den severe tire damage caused by out-
side factors and does not detect a natural, even
pressure drop in all four tires.<
1. Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
In the following situations, the system could be
delayed or malfunction:
2. Identify damaged tire.
>
>
When the system has not been initialized
If identification is not possible, con-
tact your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.<
When driving on snow-covered or slippery
road surfaces
53
3. Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Wheel changes on page 108.
Resetting system
The system must be reset after every cor-
rection of tire inflation pressure and after
every tire or wheel change.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow. The
Flat Tire Monitor is malfunctioning or
out of order. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
1. Start engine, but do not begin to drive.
2. Press the button until the yellow warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up for a
few seconds.
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
The concept
TPM controls the tire inflation pressure in the
four mounted wheels. The system notifies you
if the tire inflation pressure has fallen signifi-
cantly in one or more tires.
Functional requirement
3. Begin driving.
To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the
system must be reset at the correct tire inflation
pressure.
After a few minutes of driving, the tire infla-
tion pressures in the tires are adopted as
the desired values to be monitored. The
resetting is completed during driving and
can be interrupted at any time without
requiring any input from you. The resetting
automatically continues when driving
resumes.
Always use wheels equipped with TPM elec-
tronics, including a metal valve; otherwise, there
is no guarantee that the system will function
properly.
The system must be reset after every cor-
rection of tire inflation pressure and after
every tire or wheel change.<
Low tire pressure message
The warning lamp lights up yellow. In
addition, a signal sounds. You have a
flat tire or a significant loss of tire pres-
sure in one or more tires.
System limits
TPM cannot warn you of sudden, serious
tire damage due to external factors.<
1. Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
The system does not function properly if it has
not been reset, e.g. it may identify a tire as flat in
spite of the fact that the tire is filled to the cor-
rect inflation pressure.
2. Identify the damaged wheel or wheels.
If identification is not possible, con-
tact your BMW Sports Activity Vehi-
cle Center.<
The system is deactivated and is unable to
detect flat tires if a wheel not equipped with
TPM electronics has been mounted, e.g. a
compact wheel, or if TPM is experiencing tem-
porary interference from other systems or
devices that use the same frequency.
3. Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Wheel changes on page 108.
4. Check tire inflation pressure and correct as
needed.
54
The compact wheel is not equipped with the
required TPM electronics and is not monitored
when mounted.
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stop-
ping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver's responsibility to maintain correct
tire pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure warning lamp.
When driving with the compact wheel, the sys-
tem indicates a malfunction.
Have the damaged tire replaced by your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop
that is familiar with TPM and works in accor-
dance with BMW repair procedures, using
appropriately trained personnel.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure warning lamp. When
the system detects a malfunction, the warning
lamp will flash for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upon subsequent vehi-
cle startups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunc-
tions may occur for a variety of reasons, includ-
ing the installation of replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check
the TPMS malfunction warning lamp after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to con-
tinue to function properly.
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and
then lights up continuously. Flat tires
cannot be detected.
Such a message is displayed in the following
situations:
>
>
>
When a malfunction is occurring:
Have the system checked
When a wheel without TPM electronics is
mounted, e.g. a compact wheel
When TPM is experiencing temporary inter-
ference from other systems or devices that
use the same frequency
NHTSA/FMVSS-required explanation
of 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring
System
Brake force display
Each tire, including the spare, should be
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label,
then you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires. As an added safety
feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a
tire pressure monitoring system, TPMS, that
illuminates a low tire pressure warning lamp
when one or more of your tires are significantly
under-inflated. When the low tire pressure
warning lamp lights up, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signif-
icantly underinflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation
The brake lamps light up in two stages,
depending on how heavily you apply the brakes.
>
Normal braking
The brake lamps and the center brake lamp
light up.
>
Heavy braking
The rear fog lamps light up as well.
55
because there is a danger of burns.
Airbags
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel and
that has the required explosives licenses. Oth-
erwise, unprofessional attempts to service the
system could lead to failure in an emergency or
undesired airbag activation, either of which
could result in personal injury.<
The following airbags are located beneath the
marked covers:
Airbag warnings and information are also pro-
vided on the sun visors.
1
2
3
Front airbags
Head airbags
Automatic deactivation of front
passenger airbags
Side airbags in front and rear*
Protective action
By evaluating the pressure on the seat cushion
of the front passenger seat, the system detects
whether or not the seat is occupied. Depending
on the detection result, the system correspond-
ingly activates or deactivates the front and side
airbags for the passenger.
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimum protection,
please follow the instructions on page 27.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag cushions the side upper body area. The
respective head airbag cushions the head.
The indicator lamp located above the
inside rearview mirror indicates whether
the front passenger airbag system is currently
deactivated or activated, refer to Status of pas-
senger airbag in the section below.<
Before transporting a child in the front
passenger seat, read the safety notices
and follow the safety instructions under Trans-
porting children safely on page 34.
The airbags are intentionally not triggered in
every collision situation, e.g. they are not trig-
gered not in less serious accidents, or rear-end
collisions.
When teenagers or adults assume certain sit-
ting positions, the front and side airbags on the
passenger side can deactivate; this causes the
indicator lamp for the front passenger airbag to
light up. If this happens, have them change their
sitting position so that the passenger airbag is
activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the
desired status cannot be achieved by changing
their sitting position, then have the person ride
in the back. Do not attach seat covers, seat
cushion padding, ball mats or other items to the
passenger seat unless they are specifically rec-
ommended by BMW. Do not place any items
under the seat which could press against the
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way.
Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention
system from the vehicle. Do not modify the indi-
vidual components of the system or its wiring in
any way. This includes the padded covers in the
center of the steering wheel, on the dashboard,
the doors, and the roof pillars as well as the
sides of the headliner. Do not attempt to
remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components
directly after the system has been triggered,
56
seat from below. Otherwise, a correct analysis
of the seat cushion is not ensured.<
Operational readiness of airbag system
Status of passenger airbags
When the ignition key is moved into position 1,
the warning lamp lights up briefly, thus indicat-
ing the operational readiness of the entire air-
bag system and the safety belt tensioners.
The indicator lamp for the passenger airbag
indicates the functional status of the front and
side airbag on the passenger side depending on
whether or not the seat is occupied. By lighting
up, the indicator lamp indicates that the pas-
senger airbags deactivated.
Airbag system malfunction
>
Warning lamp does not come on when the
ignition key is moved into position 1.
>
The warning lamp lights up continuously.
>
The indicator lamp lights up when a child
sitting as directed in a child restraint system
designed for this is detected.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately if a malfunction occurs; otherwise,
there is a danger of the system failing to
respond in the expected manner to an impact
occurring within its normal response range.<
The front and side airbags on the passenger
side are deactivated.
Most child seats are detected by the
system. It is particularly advisable to
use the child seats approved by NHTSA at
the time the vehicle was produced. After
installing a child's seat, make sure that the
indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags has illuminated. This indicates that the
system has detected the child's seat and
that the front passenger airbags have been
deactivated.<
>
>
The indicator lamp does not come on as
long as a person of sufficient size and in a
correct sitting position is detected on the
seat. The front and side airbags for the pas-
senger are activated.
The indicator lamp does not light up when
the seat is empty.
In this case, the front and side airbags for
the passenger are deactivated.
57
