MOBILITY -> Vehicle care for your BMW X3 2024-2025
Vehicle care
MOBILITY
Vehicle care
Steam-jet cleaner and high
pressure cleaner
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.
Safety information
NOTICE
Additional information:
When using high-pressure cleaners, compo-
nents can be damaged due to the pressure
or high temperatures or because an insuffi-
cient distance was maintained. There is a risk
of property damage. Maintain sufficient dis-
tance and do not spray too long continuously.
Follow the operating instructions for the high
pressure cleaners.
Vehicle equipment, refer to page 8.
Washing the vehicle
General information
The vehicle must be washed more frequently,
especially in the winter.
Foreign objects, e.g. leaves or snow, must be
removed from the area below the windshield
on a regular basis. The wipers can be folded
down in order to clean the windshield com-
pletely.
Distances and temperature
When cleaning with a steam/high-pressure
cleaner, use the following distances and tem-
peratures:
▷
▷
Maximum temperature: 140 ℉/60 ℃.
Additional information:
Minimum distance from sensors, cameras,
seals and lights: 12 inches/30 cm.
Fold-out position of the wipers, refer to
page 164.
Automatic car washes or car
washes
Safety information
NOTICE
Safety information
When washing with an open fuel filler flap,
damage may occur. There is a risk of prop-
erty damage. Close the fuel filler flap before
washing. Clean dirt behind the fuel filler flap
with a cloth.
NOTICE
Improper use of automatic car washes can
cause damage to the vehicle. There is a risk
of property damage. Follow the following in-
structions:
▷
Give preference to cloth car washes or
those that use soft brushes in order to
avoid paint damage.
▷
Note the permissible vehicle dimensions
for the car wash.
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▷
Do not drive through a car wash with
guide rails higher than 4 in/10 cm to
avoid damage to the body.
Lights
When cleaning, do not rub wet lights dry, and
do not use abrasive or acidic cleaning agents
or cleaning agents containing alcohol. Soak
the area soiled by insects with an insect re-
mover and rinse with water. Thaw ice with de-
icing spray, do not use an ice scraper.
▷
▷
▷
Observe the tire width of the guide rail to
avoid damage to tires and rims.
Fold in exterior mirrors to avoid damage
to the exterior mirrors.
Deactivate the wiper and, if necessary,
rain sensor to avoid damage to the win-
dow wiper system.
After washing the vehicle
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly to dry them. Otherwise, their braking
effect may be reduced. The heat generated
while braking dries the brake disks and brake
pads and protects them from corrosion.
▷
Take off all removable attachments, e.g.,
antennas.
Driving into a car wash
Completely remove all wash residue, e.g.,
smearing, on the window glass to ensure suffi-
cient visibility and to reduce wiper noise and
wiper blade wear.
NOTICE
Selector lever position P is automatically en-
gaged when standby state is switched off.
The wheels are blocked. There is a risk of
property damage. Do not switch off standby
if the vehicle is meant to coast, e.g., in a car
wash.
Vehicle care
Vehicle care products
In a car wash, the vehicle must be able to roll
freely. To do so, selector lever position N must
be engaged. The parking brake must not be
applied.
General information
BMW recommends using vehicle care and
cleaning agents from BMW. Suitable vehicle
care products are available from an authorized
service center or another qualified service cen-
ter or repair shop.
Some car washes do not permit persons in the
vehicle. The vehicle cannot be locked from the
outside when in selector lever position N. A
signal sounds when an attempt is made to lock
the vehicle.
Safety information
Additional information:
Warning
Rolling or pushing the vehicle, refer to
page 123.
Cleaning agents can contain substances that
are dangerous and harmful to your health.
There is a risk of injury and risk of property
damage. When cleaning the interior, open the
doors or windows. Only use cleaning agents
that are intended for cleaning the respective
component. Follow the instructions on the
packaging.
Driving out of a car wash
When exiting a car wash, make sure that the
vehicle key is in the vehicle.
Turn on drive-ready state.
Additional information:
Drive-ready state, refer to page 43.
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Vehicle paintwork
Synthetic leather care
Dust and crumbs can work into pores and
folds, causing heavy abrasion and premature
degradation of the artificial leather surface.
General information
Regular vehicle care contributes to driving
safety and value retention. Environmental in-
fluences in areas with elevated air pollution
or natural contaminants can affect the vehicle
paintwork. Environmental influences include
tree resin or pollen, for example.
Clean synthetic leather regularly with a damp
microfiber cloth or vacuum cleaner.
In case of major soiling, use a moist soft
sponge or microfiber cloth with suitable interior
cleaners.
To prevent paint alteration and discoloration,
remove corrosive substances immediately.
Corrosive substances include spilled fuel, oil,
grease, or bird droppings, for example.
To prevent artificial leather alteration and
discoloration, remove corrosive substances
immediately. Corrosive substances include
sunscreen, for example.
Matte paintwork
Only use cleaning and care products suitable
for vehicles with matte paintwork.
Fabric care
General information
In case of major soiling, use a moist soft
sponge or microfiber cloth with suitable interior
cleaners.
Plastic wrap
Use only cleaning and care products that are
suitable for vehicles with a plastic wrap.
To prevent material alteration and discolor-
ation, remove corrosive substances immedi-
ately. Corrosive substances include sunscreen,
for example.
Leather care
Dust and crumbs can work into pores and
folds, causing heavy abrasion and premature
degradation of the leather surface.
Safety information
Clean leather regularly with a damp cloth or
vacuum cleaner.
NOTICE
Certain clothes and other influences can cause
discoloration of the leather. To prevent discol-
oration, clean and maintain the leather roughly
every two months.
Open hook and loop fasteners, zippers, or
applications, e.g., studs on clothing can dam-
age the seat covers and the other fabric and
leather covers in the vehicle. There is a risk of
property damage. Make sure that the fasten-
ers are closed.
Clean light-colored leather more frequently be-
cause contamination on such surfaces is sub-
stantially more visible.
Use leather care products to preserve the pro-
tective layer of the leather.
Upholstery material care
Vacuum the cushions regularly with a vacuum
cleaner. Clean extensively down to the seams.
Avoid rubbing the material vigorously.
To prevent leather alteration and discolor-
ation, remove corrosive substances immedi-
ately. Corrosive substances include sunscreen,
for example.
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the brake disks and brake pads and protects
them from corrosion.
Textile care
Use microfiber cloth soaked with water to
clean minor soiling.
Chrome surfaces
Carefully clean chrome-like surfaces, especially
if exposed to road salt, using plenty of water
and adding auto shampoo as needed.
Alcantara
Use microfiber cloth soaked with water to
clean minor soiling. Avoid rubbing the material
vigorously.
Rubber components
Environmental influences can cause surface
contamination of rubber parts and a loss of
shine. Use only water and suitable cleaning
agents for cleaning.
Caring for special components
Displays, operating elements, and
protective glass of the Head-up
display
Treat especially worn rubber parts with rubber
care products at regular intervals. To avoid
damage or noise, use care products containing
silicon to maintain the rubber sealing rings.
NOTICE
Surfaces can be damaged by improper
cleaning, e.g., by using chemical cleaners, or
from moisture or liquid of any kind. There is a
risk of property damage.
Wiper blades
The wiper blades are cleaned by using the
window washer system.
▷
▷
▷
Avoid pressure that is too high and do
not use any scratching materials.
To prevent a reduction in wiper quality, avoid
cleaning the wiper blades manually unless
necessary.
Use a dry, clean antistatic microfiber
cloth for cleaning displays.
Fine wood parts
Clean the fine wood veneer and fine wood
components with a damp cloth. Then dry with
a soft cloth.
Clean the operating elements and, de-
pending on vehicle equipment, the pro-
tective glass of the Head-up display with
a damp microfiber cloth and standard
household dish soap.
Plastic components
Light-alloy wheels
NOTICE
Corrosive, acidic, or alkaline cleaning agents
can damage the rim surface and the protec-
tive layer on adjacent components, e.g., the
brakes.
Solvent cleaners that contain alcohol or sol-
vents such as lacquer thinners, cold cleaning
agents, fuel and such, can damage plastic
parts. There is a risk of property damage.
Clean with a microfiber cloth. Dampen the
cloth lightly with water, if needed.
When cleaning the vehicle, use only neutral rim
cleaners having a pH value from 5 to 9. Do
not use abrasive cleaning agents or steam-jet
cleaners above 140 ℉/60 ℃. Follow instruc-
tions given by the manufacturer.
When cleaning plastic parts, make sure that no
fabric parts, e.g., the headliner, become wet.
After cleaning, apply the brakes briefly to dry
them. The heat generated while braking dries
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are securely fastened again after they were
removed, for instance for cleaning.
Carbon parts
For easy cleaning of carbon parts, use a micro-
fiber cloth, water, and silicone-free cleaner to
remove everyday soiling.
The floor mats can be removed from the inte-
rior for cleaning.
Corrosive, acidic, or alkaline cleaning agents
can alter the surface.
If the carpets are heavily soiled, clean them
with a microfiber cloth and water or a fabric
cleaner. Rub back and forth in the direction
of travel to prevent the carpet from becoming
matted.
If necessary, have carbon parts removed by an
authorized service center or another qualified
service center or repair shop.
Seat belts
Sensors and camera lenses
Cleaning the front camera and
rearview camera
If soiling is detected, cleaning of front camera
and rear-view camera is offered on the control
display or can be switched on manually.
Warning
Chemical solvent cleaners can destroy the
fabric of the seat belts and lead to seat belts
no longer having their protective effect. There
is a risk of injury or danger to life. Use only a
mild soap solution for cleaning the seat belts.
1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps
menu / "Vehicle" / "Parking" / "More" /
"Camera cleaning".
The seat belts should be cleaned for safety
reasons. Dirty belt straps impede the reeling
action and thus should be avoided for safety
reasons.
2. Select the desired setting.
Use only a mild soap solution for cleaning the
installed belt straps.
Seat belts should only be allowed to retract if
they are dry.
Carpets and floor mats
Warning
Objects in the driver's footwell can limit the
pedal travel or block a depressed pedal.
There is a risk of accident, injury, and prop-
erty damage. Stow objects in the vehicle such
that they are secured and cannot enter into
the driver's footwell. Use floor mats that are
suitable for the vehicle and can be safely at-
tached to the floor. Do not use loose floor
mats and do not layer several floor mats.
Make sure that there is sufficient clearance
for the pedals. Ensure that the floor mats
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