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EnglishMOBILITY -> Operating fluids for your BMW X3 2024-2025
Operating fluids
MOBILITY
Operating fluids
Safety information
Vehicle features and options
This chapter describes model-specific equip-
ment, systems, and functions that are currently
available, or may become available in the fu-
ture, even if they are not present in the vehicle.
Caution
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
harmful engine deposits or damage. Addi-
tionally, problems relating to drivability, start-
ing and stalling, especially under certain envi-
ronmental conditions such as high ambient
temperature and high altitude, may occur.
Additional information:
Vehicle equipment, refer to page 8.
If drivability problems are encountered, we
recommend switching to a high quality gaso-
line brand and a higher octane grade — AKI
number — for a few tank fills. To avoid harm-
ful engine deposits, it is highly recommended
to purchase gasoline from Top Tier retailers.
Fuel recommendation
General information
Depending on the region, many filling stations
sell fuel that has been customized to winter
or summer conditions. Fuel that is available
in winter, for instance helps make a cold start
easier.
Failure to comply with these recommenda-
tions may result in the need for additional
maintenance.
Gasoline
Warning
General information
For the best fuel efficiency, gasoline should be
sulfur-free or have a low sulfur content.
Even small quantities of the wrong fuel or
wrong fuel additives can damage the fuel
system and engine. Furthermore, the cata-
lytic converter can be permanently damaged.
There is a risk of injury and risk of property
damage. Do not refuel or add the following in
the case of gasoline engines:
Do not use any fuels that contain metal, as
indicated by the label on the gas pump.
Fuels with a maximum ethanol content of
10 %, i.e., E10, may be used for refueling.
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Leaded gasoline.
The power and consumption specifications
correspond to operation with 98 RON E10 fuel.
Metallic additives, for instance manga-
nese or iron.
Knocking noises and driving/acoustic problems
may occur when using minimum quality fuel,
e.g., 87 AKI, or fuel with an ethanol content of
more than 10% to max. 15%. These have no
effect on the engine service life.
Do not turn on standby after refueling with
the wrong fuel. Contact an authorized service
center or another qualified service center or
repair shop.
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Operating fluids
MOBILITY
NOTICE
Engine oil
Fuel that does not meet the minimum quality
requirements can cause the engine to mal-
function or become damaged. There is a risk
of property damage. Do not fill with fuel that
does not comply with the minimum quality.
Principle
The engine oil consumption and engine oil
properties depend on the driving style and op-
erating conditions.
Therefore, regularly check the engine oil level
after refueling by taking a detailed measure-
ment.
NOTICE
The engine oil consumption may increase in
the following situations, for example:
Incorrect fuels can damage the fuel system
and the engine. There is a risk of property
damage. Do not use fuels with a higher etha-
nol content than recommended. Do not refuel
with fuels containing methanol, e.g. M5 to
M100.
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Using a sporty driving style.
Break-in of the engine.
Idle operation of the engine.
With use of engine oil types that are not
recommended.
Recommended gas quality
BMW recommends AKI 91.
M Performance model:
Different Check Control messages appear on
the control display depending on the engine oil
level and engine oil properties.
The vehicle manufacturer recommends having
engine oil changed by an authorized service
center or another qualified service center or
repair shop. The suitable viscosity grade is in-
dicated on a sign in the engine compartment.
BMW recommends AKI 93.
Minimum fuel grade
BMW recommends AKI 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high external temperatures.
This has no effect on the engine life.
Safety information
NOTICE
An engine oil level that is too low causes
engine damage. There is a risk of property
damage. Immediately add engine oil.
NOTICE
Too much engine oil can damage the engine
or the catalytic converter. There is a risk of
property damage. Do not add too much en-
gine oil. If there is excess engine oil, have
the engine oil level corrected by an author-
ized service center or another qualified serv-
ice center or repair shop.
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Operating fluids
System limits
MOBILITY
NOTICE
When making frequent short-distance trips or
using a sporty driving style, it may not be pos-
sible to calculate a measured value. In this
case, the measured value for the last, suffi-
ciently long trip is displayed.
Engine oil that is not changed in timely fash-
ion can cause increased engine wear and
thus engine damage. There is a risk of prop-
erty damage. It is recommended that you do
not exceed the service intervals indicated in
the vehicle.
Detailed measurement
Principle
Electronic oil measurement
During a detailed measurement, the engine oil
level is checked when the vehicle is stationary
and displayed on a scale.
General information
The electronic oil measurement has two
measuring principles:
If the engine oil level is outside its permissible
operating range, a Check Control message ap-
pears on the control display.
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Monitoring.
Detailed measurement.
General information
Perform a detailed measurement regularly if
making frequent short-distance trips or using a
sporty driving style, e.g., cornering at speed.
The idle speed increases slightly while the en-
gine oil level is measured.
Functional requirements
Monitoring
The following functional requirements apply for
detailed measurement:
Principle
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The vehicle is parked in a horizontal posi-
tion.
The engine oil level is monitored electronically
while driving and can be shown on the control
display.
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Drive-ready state is turned on by pressing
the Start/Stop button.
If the engine oil level is outside its permissible
operating range, a Check Control message is
displayed.
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The engine is at operating temperature.
Selector lever is in selector lever position N
or P and accelerator pedal is not pressed.
Functional requirements
To perform the electronic oil measurement, the
following functional requirement must be met:
Performing a detailed measurement
To perform a detailed measurement of the en-
gine oil level, go through the menu as follows:
Apps menu / "Vehicle" / "Vehicle status" /
"Engine oil level" / "Oil level measurement" /
"Start measurement".
A current measured value is available after ap-
prox. 30 minutes of normal driving.
Displaying the engine oil level
To display the engine oil level on the control
display, go through the menu as follows: Apps
menu / "Vehicle" / "Vehicle status" / "Engine oil
level".
The engine oil level is checked and displayed
via a scale.
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Operating fluids
MOBILITY
Overview
Adding engine oil
The oil filler neck is located in the engine com-
partment.
Principle
Only add engine oil when the message is dis-
played on the instrument cluster. The top-up
quantity is indicated in the message shown on
the control display.
Additional information:
For an overview, refer to page 362.
Adding engine oil
To top up the engine oil, proceed as follows:
Only add suitable types of engine oil.
Safely park the vehicle and turn off drive-ready
state before adding engine oil.
1. Opening the hood.
2. Turn the lock in the engine compartment
counterclockwise.
Take care not to add too much engine oil.
Safety information
Warning
Operating fluids, e.g., oil, grease, coolant,
fuel, may contain harmful ingredients. There
is a risk of injury or danger to life. Follow
the instructions on the containers. Do not
allow operating fluids to come into contact
with your clothing, skin, or eyes. Do not fill
operating fluids into different bottles. Store
operating fluids out of reach of children.
3. Add engine oil.
4. Close the cap in the engine compartment.
Additional information:
Opening the hood, refer to page 363.
NOTICE
Engine oil types to add
An engine oil level that is too low causes
engine damage. There is a risk of property
damage. Immediately add engine oil.
General information
The engine oil grade is critical for the service
life of the engine.
NOTICE
Only add with the types of engine oil which are
listed.
Too much engine oil can damage the engine
or the catalytic converter. There is a risk of
property damage. Do not add too much en-
gine oil. If there is excess engine oil, have
the engine oil level corrected by an author-
ized service center or another qualified serv-
ice center or repair shop.
Safety information
NOTICE
Oil additives can damage the engine. There
is a risk of property damage. Do not use oil
additives.
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Operating fluids
MOBILITY
NOTICE
Incorrect engine oil can cause malfunctions in
the engine or damage it. There is a risk of
property damage. When selecting an engine
oil, make sure that the engine oil has the cor-
rect oil specification.
Suitable engine oil types
When topping up engine oil, the following oil
specification applies:
Coolant
Gasoline engine
General information
The coolant consists of water and a coolant
additive.
BMW Longlife-22 FE++.
Alternative engine oil types
Not all commercially available additives are
suitable for the vehicle. The vehicle manu-
facturer recommends using coolant with the
BMW LC-18 specification. Do not mix additives
of different colors. Observe the water - additive
mixture ratio of 50:50. For information on suit-
able additives, contact an authorized service
center or another qualified service center or
repair shop.
If an engine oil suitable for continuous use
is not available, up to 1 US quart/liter of an
engine oil with the following oil rating can be
added:
Oil specification
API SL.
API SM.
Safety information
API SN.
Warning
Viscosity grades
With the engine hot and the cooling system
open, coolant can escape and lead to scald-
ing. There is a risk of injury. Only open the
cooling system with the engine cooled down.
When selecting an engine oil, make sure that
the engine oil has a suitable viscosity grade.
The suitable viscosity grade is indicated on a
sign in the engine compartment.
More information about suitable oil specifica-
tions and engine oil viscosity grades can be
requested from an authorized service center or
another qualified service center or repair shop.
Warning
Additives are harmful to health. Using the
wrong additives can damage the engine.
There is a risk of injury and risk of property
damage. Do not allow additives to come into
contact with skin, eyes or articles of clothing.
Use suitable additives only.
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Operating fluids
MOBILITY
NOTICE
6. The coolant level is correct when it is just
below the max. level mark on the filler neck.
Too much water reduces the coolant's frost
protection and corrosion protection. There is
a risk of property damage. Use a 50:50 mix-
ing ratio of water to coolant additive.
Coolant level
General information
Depending on the drive variant, there are up to
two coolant reservoirs in the engine compart-
ment. Check coolant levels on a regular basis
and refill as necessary.
7. Close the coolant reservoir cap.
Additional information:
Climate control, refer to page 271.
Opening the hood, refer to page 363.
The coolant reservoir may be overfilled with
coolant when the vehicle is delivered from the
factory or following maintenance measures.
The specified coolant level is achieved with
longer operating periods.
Adding coolant
To refill the coolant, proceed as follows:
1. Allow the engine to cool down.
2. Turn off the climate control system.
3. Opening the hood.
The nominal coolant level is indicated by the
maximum mark in the filler neck of the coolant
reservoir.
4. Turn the coolant reservoir cap slightly
counterclockwise until the excess pressure
dissipates.
Additional information:
For an overview, refer to page 362.
5. Open the coolant reservoir cap.
Checking the coolant level
6. If necessary, slowly add coolant up to the
specified fill level. Be careful not to spill
coolant.
To check the coolant level, proceed as follows.
1. Allow the engine to cool down.
2. Turn off the climate control system.
3. Opening the hood.
7. Close the coolant reservoir cap.
Additional information:
4. Turn the coolant reservoir cap slightly
counterclockwise until the excess pressure
dissipates.
Climate control, refer to page 271.
Opening the hood, refer to page 363.
5. Open the coolant reservoir cap.
Disposal
Comply with the relevant environmen-
tal protection regulations when dispos-
ing of coolant and coolant additives.
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Operating fluids
MOBILITY
Washer fluid
NOTICE
Silicon-containing additives in the washer
fluid for the water-repelling effect on the
windows can lead to damage to the car
wash. There is a risk of property damage.
Do not add silicon-containing additives to the
washer fluid.
Principle
Washer fluid is used to clean the windshields
and sensors. All spray nozzles are supplied
from one tank.
Use a mixture of tap water and windshield
washer concentrate. If desired, a windshield
washer concentrate containing antifreeze can
be used.
NOTICE
Recommended minimum fill quantity: 0.4 US
gal/2 liters.
Mixing different windshield washer fluid con-
centrates or antifreeze can damage the
washer system. There is a risk of property
damage. Do not mix different windshield
washer fluid concentrates or antifreeze. Fol-
low the information and mixture ratios pro-
vided on the containers.
Safety information
Warning
Some types of antifreeze can contain harmful
substances and are flammable. There is a
risk of fire and an injury hazard. Follow the in-
structions on the containers. Keep antifreeze
away from ignition sources. Do not fill operat-
ing fluids into different bottles. Store operat-
ing fluids out of reach of children.
Overview
United States: the washer fluid mixture ratio
is regulated by the U.S. EPA and many in-
dividual states; do not exceed the allowable
washer fluid dilution ratio limits that apply.
Follow the usage instructions on the washer
fluid container.
The washer fluid reservoir is located in the en-
gine compartment.
Use of BMW’s Windshield Washer Concen-
trate or the equivalent is recommended.
Malfunction
Warning
The use of undiluted windshield washer fluid
concentrate or alcohol-based antifreeze can
lead to incorrect readings at temperatures be-
low +5 ℉/-15 ℃.
Washer fluid can ignite and catch fire on con-
tact with hot engine parts. There is a risk of
injury and risk of property damage. Only add
washer fluid when the engine is cooled down.
Next, fully close the lid of the washer fluid
reservoir.
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