Overview for your BMW X3 2011-2017
Overview
This summary of buttons, switches and displays
serves as an initial guide.
In addition, it gives you an insight into the
principles behind the various ways in which
functions can be performed.
Overview
Cockpit
Cockpit
lected special equipment or national version.
This also applies to safety-relevant functions
and systems. Comply with the relevant na‐
tional regulations when using the correspond‐
ing functions and systems.
Vehicle equipment
This chapter describes all standard, national
and special equipment provided in the model
series. Equipment not available in the vehicle is
therefore also described, for example the se‐
Around the steering wheel
1
Safety switch for window in rear passenger
compartmentꢀꢁ45
Front fog lightsꢀꢁ103
Rear fog lightsꢀꢁ103
Side lightsꢀꢁ99
2
3
4
Power windowsꢀꢁ46
Exterior mirror operationꢀꢁ57
Opening and closing tail‐
gateꢀꢁ38
5
Unlock central lockingꢀꢁ37
Lock central lockingꢀꢁ37
Low-beam headlightsꢀꢁ99
6
Lights
12
Cockpit
Overview
Automatic driving lights con‐
trolꢀꢁ100
Increase distanceꢀꢁ134
Daytime driving lightsꢀꢁ100
Adaptive Headlightsꢀꢁ100
High-beam assistanceꢀꢁ101
Paddle for Cruise Controlꢀꢁ134,ꢀꢁ141
Instrument clusterꢀꢁ83
9
10 Buttons on steering wheel, right
Headlight beam throw adjust‐
mentꢀꢁ101
Entertainment source
Instrument lightingꢀꢁ103
Volume control
7
Steering-column lever, left
Voice controlꢀꢁ24
Turn indicatorꢀꢁ75
Telephone, see Owner's
Handbook for Navigation, Enter‐
tainment, Communication
High-beam headlights, headlight
flasherꢀꢁ75
Knurled wheel for selection listsꢀꢁ93
High-beam assistanceꢀꢁ101
11 Steering-column lever, right
Wiperꢀꢁ76
Parking lightsꢀꢁ100
Rain sensorꢀꢁ76
On-board computerꢀꢁ93
Cleaning the windows and head‐
lightsꢀꢁ77
8
Buttons on steering wheel, left
Set speedꢀꢁ134,ꢀꢁ141
Rear wipersꢀꢁ77
Resume speedꢀꢁ134,ꢀꢁ141
12
Start/stop engine and switch igni‐
tion on/offꢀꢁ69
Cruise Control on/off, inter‐
ruptꢀꢁ141
Auto Start Stop functionꢀꢁ70
Active Cruise Control on/off, in‐
terruptꢀꢁ134
13 Horn, total area
Reduce distanceꢀꢁ134
14
Steering wheel heatingꢀꢁ60
15 Steering wheel adjustmentꢀꢁ59
16 Unlock bonnetꢀꢁ212
13
Overview
Cockpit
Around the centre console
1
2
3
4
Control displayꢀꢁ16
Glove boxꢀꢁ173
Ventilationꢀꢁ162
10
Park Distance Control,
PDCꢀꢁ143
Rear-view cameraꢀꢁ145
Top Viewꢀꢁ148
hazard warning lightsꢀꢁ230
Park assistantꢀꢁ152
Side Viewꢀꢁ150
Intelligent Safetyꢀꢁ113
Hill Descent Control HDCꢀꢁ129
Drive experience switchꢀꢁ131
5
6
Automatic air conditioningꢀꢁ156
Radio/Multimedia, see Owner's Handbook
for Navigation, Entertainment, Communi‐
cation
11
12
7
8
Controller with buttonsꢀꢁ16
Parking brakeꢀꢁ72
Dynamic Stability Control,
DSCꢀꢁ127
13 Manual gearboxꢀꢁ78
9
Auto Holdꢀꢁ73
Steptronic transmissionꢀꢁ79
14
Cockpit
Overview
Around the headlining
1
2
3
Intelligent emergency callꢀꢁ230
4
5
Reading lightsꢀꢁ104
Interior lightꢀꢁ103
Panorama Glass Roofꢀꢁ47
Front passenger airbag indicator
lampꢀꢁ107
15
Overview
iDrive
iDrive
Control Display
Information
Vehicle equipment
This chapter describes all standard, national
and special equipment provided in the model
series. Equipment not available in the vehicle is
therefore also described, for example the se‐
lected special equipment or national version.
This also applies to safety-relevant functions
and systems. Comply with the relevant na‐
tional regulations when using the correspond‐
ing functions and systems.
▷
▷
▷
To clean the Control Display, comply with
the information regarding care.
To avoid risk of damage to the Control Dis‐
play, do not place objects in front of it.
At very high temperatures on the Control
Display, for example because of intensive
sunshine, there may be a reduction in
brightness and the Control Display may
even switch itself off. Normal functions will
be restored when the temperature is re‐
duced, for example by shading or using the
air conditioning system.
Principle
iDrive integrates the functions of a large num‐
ber of switches. These functions can therefore
be controlled from one central point.
Switching on
Operate iDrive while the vehicle is in mo‐
tion
1. Switch on ignition.
2. Press the Controller.
Only make adjustments if the traffic conditions
are appropriate. Otherwise, you may become
distracted and endanger the vehicle occupants
and other road users.◀
Switching off
1.
Press the button.
2. "Switch off control display"
Overview of controls
Control functions
Controller with navigation system
The buttons can be used to call up menus di‐
rectly. The Controller can be used to select
menu items and alter settings.
1
2
Control Display
Controller with buttons and touchpad, de‐
pending on equipment
Some of the functions of the iDrive can be op‐
erated with the touchpad of the Controller.
16
iDrive
Overview
1. Turning.
Press the but‐ Function
ton
TEL
Calls up the Telephone
menu.
BACK
Displays the previous screen.
Calls up the Options menu.
OPTION
Controller without navigation system
The buttons can be used to call up menus di‐
rectly. The Controller can be used to select
menu items and alter settings.
2. Pressing.
1. Turning.
3. Tilting in four directions.
2. Pressing.
Buttons on the Controller
Press the but‐ Function
ton
3. Tilting in four directions.
MENU
RADIO
MEDIA
Calls up the main menu.
Calls up the Radio menu.
Calls up the multimedia
menu.
NAV
Calls up the Navigation
menu.
17
Overview
iDrive
Buttons on the Controller
Selecting a menu item
Menu points raised can be selected.
Press the
button
Function
1. Turn the Controller until the desired menu
item is highlighted.
MENU
AUDIO
Calls up the main menu.
Calls up last heard audio
menu, change between audio
menus.
TEL
Calls up the Telephone
menu.
BACK
Call up previous table.
OPTION
Calls up the Options menu.
2. Press the Controller.
Menu items in the Owner's Handbook
Operating principle
In this Owner's Handbook, the menu items that
are to be selected are shown in quotation
marks, for example "Settings".
Calling up the main menu
Press the button.
Switching between screens
After a menu item has been selected, for ex‐
ample "Radio", a new screen is displayed.
Screens can appear one on top of the other.
▷
▷
Tilt the Controller to the left.
The current screen is closed and the previ‐
ous screen is displayed.
Pressing the BACK button reopens the
previous screen. The current screen is not
closed.
The main menu is displayed.
Tilt the Controller to the right.
All iDrive functions can be called up via the
main menu.
A new screen is opened and overlaid.
18
iDrive
Overview
White arrows to the left or right indicate that
other screens can be called up.
2. Turn the Controller until the desired set‐
ting is displayed.
View of an opened menu
In general, when a menu is called up, the
screen that was last selected in this menu is
displayed. To display the first screen of the
menu:
▷
Tilt the Controller repeatedly to the left un‐
til the first screen is displayed.
▷
Press the menu button on the Controller
twice.
3. Press the Controller.
Calling up the Options menu
Enabling/disabling functions
Some menu items are preceded by a check‐
box. This indicates whether the function is en‐
abled or disabled. Selecting the menu item en‐
ables or disables the function.
Press the button.
The "Options" menu is displayed.
Function is enabled.
Function is disabled.
Touchpad
Some of the functions of the iDrive can be op‐
erated with the touchpad of the controller:
Alternatively, tilt the Controller repeatedly to
the right until the "Options" menu is displayed.
Select functions
1. "Settings"
2. "Touchpad"
Options menu
The "Options" menu consists of various areas:
3. Select desired functions.
▷
▷
"Write": entering letters and digits.
▷
Screen settings, for example "Split
screen".
"Interactive map": operate interactive
card.
Area remains unchanged.
▷
▷
"Browser": enter Internet addresses.
▷
▷
Operating options for the selected main
menu, for example for "Radio".
"Audio feedback": the letters and digits
entered are read out.
If applicable, other operating options for
the selected main menu, for example
"Save station".
Entering letters and digits
Entering letters requires a bit of practice to be‐
gin with. Pay attention to the following when
entering:
Adjusting the settings
1. Select a field.
19
Overview
iDrive
▷
To enter small and capital letters and num‐
bers, it may be necessary to change input
mode, see page 23, for example, when
identically writing small and capital letters.
Example: setting the clock
Setting the clock
On the Control Display:
▷
▷
Enter symbols as they are displayed on the
control display.
1.
Press the button. The main menu is
displayed.
Relevant symbols, such as accents or full
stops, for example, are always known am‐
biguously with the letter. Options to input
these depends on the language set. You
may need to enter special characters using
the controller.
2. Turn the Controller until "Settings" is high‐
lighted and press the Controller.
▷
▷
▷
▷
To delete a character, stroke the touchpad
towards the left.
To enter a space, stroke towards the right
in the middle of the touchpad.
To enter a hyphen, stroke towards the right
in the upper area of the touchpad.
To enter an underscore, stroke towards
the right in the upper area of the touchpad.
3. If necessary, tilt the Controller to the left to
display "Time/date".
4. Turn the Controller until "Time/date" is
highlighted and press the Controller.
Operating interactive map and
Internet
The Interactive map of the navigation system
and websites can be moved using the touch‐
pad.
Function
Controls
Move interactive map or Gesture in the ap‐
web pages. propriate direction.
Enlarge/reduce interac‐ Pinch or open up
tive map or web pages. your fingers on the
touchpad.
5. Turn the Controller until "Time:" is high‐
lighted and press the Controller.
Show menu or open a
link on the Internet.
Tap once.
Adjusting the settings
Settings on the control display, such as vol‐
ume, for example, can be made using the
touchpad. To do this gesture left or right as ap‐
propriate.
20
iDrive
Overview
6. Turn the Controller to set the hour and
press the Controller.
Symbol Meaning
Data transfer active.
Roaming active.
7. Turn the Controller to set the minutes and
press the Controller.
Text message received.
SIM card check.
Status information
SIM card disabled.
SIM card not found.
PIN required.
Status field
The following items of information are dis‐
played in the status field on the top right:
▷
▷
▷
▷
Time.
Current entertainment source.
Sound output on/off.
Symbols for entertainment
Reception level of mobile telephone net‐
work.
Symbol Meaning
CD/DVD player.
▷
▷
Phone status.
Music collection.
Gracenote® database.
AUX-IN port.
Reception of traffic reports.
Symbols in the status field
The symbols are combined in the following
groups.
USB audio interface.
Mobile telephone audio interface.
Symbols for radio
Symbol Meaning
Other functions
TP
Traffic Information switched on.
Symbol Meaning
Spoken instructions switched off.
Symbols for telephone
Symbol Meaning
Split-screen
Incoming or outgoing call.
Missed call.
General
In the split-screen view, additional information
can be displayed on the right-hand side of the
screen, for example information from the on-
board computer.
Reception level of mobile telephone
network.
Symbol flashes: network search.
No mobile telephone network avail‐
able.
This information remains visible in the split-
screen view even if a switch is made to another
menu.
Bluetooth switched on.
21
Overview
iDrive
Switching the split-screen view on
and off
Saving a function
1. Highlight the function using the iDrive.
On the Control Display:
2.
Press and hold the desired button
until a signal sounds.
1.
Press the button.
2. "Split screen"
Performing a function
Press the button.
Selecting display
The function is carried out immedi‐
On the Control Display:
ately. If you have selected a telephone number,
for example, the connection will also be estab‐
lished.
1.
Press the button.
2. "Split screen"
3. Tilt the Controller until the split-screen is
selected.
Displaying assignment of buttons
Touch the buttons with your finger. Do not
wear gloves or use objects.
4. Press the Controller or select"Split screen
content"
The assignment of the buttons is displayed at
the top edge of the screen.
5. Select the desired menu item.
Clearing assignment of buttons
1. Press buttons 1 and 8 simultaneously for
approximately five seconds.
Favourites buttons
General
2. "OK"
iDrive functions can be saved on the favourites
buttons and called up directly, for example
radio stations, navigation destinations, tele‐
phone numbers and shortcuts into the menu.
Deleting personal data in
vehicle
The settings are stored for the current profile.
Principle
Without navigation system and
telephone
Only radio stations can be stored on the but‐
tons, see Owner's Handbook for Navigation,
Entertainment and Communication.
Vehicle stores personal data, depending on
how it is used, such as stored radio stations.
This personal data can be permanently deleted
using iDrive.
22
iDrive
Overview
General
Symbol Function
Following data can be deleted, depending on
equipment:
Press the Controller: deletes a letter
or digit.
▷
▷
▷
▷
▷
▷
Personal Profile settings.
Stored radio stations.
Press and hold down the Controller:
deletes all numbers or letters.
Stored favourite buttons.
Trip and on-board computer values.
Music collection.
Change between upper/lower case,
numbers and symbols
Depending on the menu, you can switch be‐
tween the input of lower case or upper case
letters, numbers and symbols:
Navigation, for example stored destina‐
tions.
▷
▷
Phone book.
Online data, for example favourites, cook‐
ies.
Symbol
Function
Enter letters.
Enter digits.
▷
▷
▷
Voice memos.
Login accounts.
RemoteApp smartphone pairing.
or
Tilt the Controller up.
It can take up to 30 minutes in total to delete
data.
Without navigation system
Select the symbol.
Operating requirements
Data can only be deleted at a standstill.
Entry comparison
Input of names and addresses: the selection is
gradually narrowed down and possibly supple‐
mented with every subsequent letter that you
enter.
Deleting data
Follow the instructions on the Control Display.
1. Switch on ignition.
2. "Settings"
Inputs are continuously compared with the
data saved in the vehicle.
3. Calling up "Options".
4. "Delete personal data"
5. "Continue"
▷
Only letters that are present in the data is
offered for entry.
▷
Destination search: place names can be
entered in the writing of any language
available on the Control Display.
6. "OK"
Entering letters and digits
General
On the Control Display:
1. Turn Controller and select letters or digits.
2. If applicable, select other letters or digits.
3. Select "OK" to confirm the input.
23
Overview
Voice control system
Voice control system
Vehicle equipment
Issuing voice commands
This chapter describes all standard, national
and special equipment provided in the model
series. Equipment not available in the vehicle is
therefore also described, for example the se‐
lected special equipment or national version.
This also applies to safety-relevant functions
and systems. Comply with the relevant na‐
tional regulations when using the correspond‐
ing functions and systems.
Activating the voice control system
1.
Press the button on the steering
wheel.
2. Wait for acoustic signal.
3. Issue the command.
Command detected by voice control sys‐
tem is announced and displayed in instru‐
ment cluster.
Symbol in the instrument cluster indicates
that the voice control system is active.
Principle
▷
Through the voice control system most
functions shown in the Control Display can
be operated by spoken commands. The
system supports spoken input.
If no further spoken commands are possible,
switch to iDrive to control the function in this
case.
Switching off the voice control system
▷
Functions that can only be used when the
vehicle is stationary cannot be operated via
the voice control system.
Press the button on the steering
wheel or say ›Cancel‹.
▷
▷
The system has a special microphone on
the driver's side.
›...‹ Indicates commands for the voice con‐
trol system in the Owner's Handbook.
Possible commands
Most of the menu items on the Control Display
can be called up using spoken commands.
Requirements
The possible commands depend on which
menu is currently displayed on the Control Dis‐
play.
On the control display set a language that is
also supported by the voice control system, so
that the vehicle can identify spoken com‐
mands.
For various functions there are short com‐
mands.
Several list entries, for example telephone
book entries, can also be selected using the
voice control system. When doing this, list en‐
tries are to be spoken exactly as they are
shown in the relevant list.
Setting the language, see page 96.
Having possible commands read aloud
Possible commands can be read aloud: ›Voice
commands‹.
24
Voice control system
Overview
If, for example, the menu"Settings" is dis‐
played, the commands for the settings are an‐
nounced.
Through short command
Desired sound setting can also be started us‐
ing a shortcut.
1. If necessary, switch on entertainment au‐
dio output.
Running functions using short
commands
Main menu functions can be performed imme‐
diately using short commands, almost irre‐
spective of which menu item is selected, for
example ›Vehicle status‹.
2.
Press the button on the steering
wheel.
3. ›Sound‹
List of short commands of the voice control
system, see Owner's Handbook for Navigation,
Entertainment and Communication.
Setting the speech dialogue
You can set whether the system uses the
standard dialogue or the short variant,
Help dialogue to voice control system
Call up help dialogue: ›Help‹.
With the short variants of the speech dialogue,
the system announcements are played in
shortened form.
Further commands for help dialogue:
▷
›Help with examples‹: information on the
current possible operations and the most
important commands for this are read out.
1. "Settings"
2. "Language/units"
3. "Voice contr.:"
4. Select the setting.
▷
›Help with voice input‹: information on the
operating principle of the voice control sys‐
tem is read out.
An example: call up sound
settings
Using main menu
Commands on the menu are read out so they
can also be selected using the controller.
1. If necessary, switch on entertainment au‐
dio output.
Adjusting volume
2.
Press the button on the steering
Turn the volume knob during the voice instruc‐
tions until the desired volume is obtained.
wheel.
3. ›Radio‹
4. ›Sound‹
▷
The volume is retained even if you change
the volume of other audio sources.
▷
The volume is stored for the currently used
profile.
25
Overview
Voice control system
Information regarding
emergency calls
The voice control system should not be used
for emergency calls. Under stress, the spoken
language and voice pitch can change, which
could unnecessarily delay the connection of
your call.
Instead, use the SOS button, see page 230, in
the area of the interior mirror.
Operating conditions
▷
Commands, digits and letters should be
pronounced fluently, with the usual em‐
phasis, and at a normal volume and speed.
▷
▷
Always speak the commands in the lan‐
guage of the voice control system.
When selecting the radio station, use the
customary pronunciation of the station
name as it is displayed on the Control Dis‐
play.
›Station ...‹, for example, Classic Radio sta‐
tion.
▷
▷
Doors, windows and the Glass Roof should
be kept closed to avoid noise interference.
Avoid background noises in the vehicle
while you are speaking.
26
Integrated Owner’s Handbook in the vehicle
Overview
Integrated Owner’s Handbook in the
vehicle
Owner's Handbook
Vehicle equipment
Here, information and descriptions can be
This chapter describes all standard, national
searched via the index by directly entering a
and special equipment provided in the model
search term.
series. Equipment not available in the vehicle is
therefore also described, for example the se‐
lected special equipment or national version.
Selecting components
This also applies to safety-relevant functions
1.
Press the button.
and systems. Comply with the relevant na‐
tional regulations when using the correspond‐
ing functions and systems.
2. Turn the Controller and select "Vehicle
information".
3. Press the Controller.
4. Select desired area:
Integrated Owner’s
▷
▷
▷
"Quick reference"
"Picture search"
Handbook in the vehicle
The integrated Owner's Handbook can be
shown in the control display. It particularly de‐
scribes the equipment and functions present
in the vehicle.
"Owner's Handbook"
Components of the integrated
Owner's Handbook
The integrated Owner's Handbook consists of
three parts, which provide various levels of in‐
formation or access possibilities.
Quick Reference
Browsing within the Owner’s
Handbook
Important information is found in the quick ref‐
erence for the operation of the vehicle, the op‐
eration of fundamental vehicle functions or in
case of breakdown. This information can also
be displayed when driving.
Page by page with link access
Turn the controller until the next or previous
page is displayed.
Search by pictures
Page by page without link access
Browse the pages directly, skipping links.
Using the search by pictures, information and
descriptions can be searched using pictures.
For example, this is particularly helpful when
the description of a piece of equipment is nee‐
ded, which cannot be named.
Highlight the symbol once. Then simply press
the controller to browse from page to page.
27
Overview
Integrated Owner’s Handbook in the vehicle
Browse back.
Browse forward.
4.
5.
Press the button again to switch back
to the last displayed function.
Press the button again to switch back
to the last displayed page of the Owner's
Handbook.
Context-sensitive help - Owner's
Handbook for the currently selected
function
To switch continuously between the last dis‐
played function and the last displayed page of
the Owner's Handbook, repeat steps 4 and 5.
As you do so, new screens are opened.
Suitable information can be displayed directly.
Calling up with iDrive operation
Switch to the Options menu directly from the
application on the Control Display:
Favourites buttons
General
The Owner's Handbook can be stored in the
favourite buttons and called up directly.
1.
Press the button or tilt the Controller
repeatedly to the right until the "Options"
menu appears.
Saving
1. Select "Owner's Handbook" using the
iDrive.
2. "Show Owner's Handbook"
Calling up with display of a check
control message
Directly from the check control message on
the Control Display:
2.
Press the desired button for longer
than two seconds.
Use
"Show Owner's Handbook"
Press the button.
Switching between function and
Owner's Handbook
The Owner's Handbook is displayed
immediately.
You can use the Control Display to switch from
a function, for example radio, to the Owner's
Handbook, and then back and forth between
the two displays:
1.
Press the button or tilt the Controller
repeatedly to the right until the "Options"
menu appears.
2. "Show Owner's Handbook"
3. Select the desired page in the Owner's
Handbook.
28
Integrated Owner’s Handbook in the vehicle
Overview
29





