Get Mobility -> Fuel Guide for BMW X3 SUV 2020

Mobility

In order to always ensure your mobility, you will

find important information on operating fluids,

wheels and tires, maintenance and Roadside

Assistance in the following.

Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 386 - II/15

Mobility

Refueling

2. Turn the tank lid counterclockwise.

Vehicle features and options

This chapter describes all standard, country-

specific and optional features offered with the

series. It also describes features that are not

necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to

the selected options or country versions. This

also applies to safety-related functions and

systems. The respectively applicable country

provisions must be observed when using the

respective features and systems.

3. Place the tank lid in the bracket attached to

the fuel filler flap.

Hints

Observe the fuel recommendation, refer to

page 192, prior to refueling.

Refuel promptly

Refuel no later than at a range of

30 miles/50 km or engine operation might fail

and damage might occur.◀

Diesel engines

Closing

The filler neck is designed for refueling at die‐

sel fuel pumps.

1. Fit the lid and turn it clockwise until you

clearly hear a click.

2. Close the fuel filler flap.

Fuel lid

Do not pinch the retaining strap

Opening

Do not pinch the retaining strap attached

to the lid; otherwise, the lid cannot be closed

properly and fuel vapors can escape.◀

1. Briefly press the rear edge of the fuel filler

flap.

Manually unlocking fuel filler flap

In the event of an electrical malfunction, e.g.

The release is located in the trunk.

190

Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 386 - II/15

Refueling

Mobility

1. Open the cover on the right side trim.

2. Pull the green knob with the fuel pump

symbol. This releases the fuel filler flap.

Observe the following when

refueling

The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks

off the first time.

Do not overfill the fuel tank

Do not overfill the fuel tank; otherwise

fuel may eslide, causing harm to the environ‐

ment and damaging the vehicle.◀

Handling fuels

Observe safety regulations posted at the

gas station.◀

191

Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 386 - II/15

Mobility

Fuel

Ethanol should satisfy the following quality

standards:

Vehicle features and options

This chapter describes all standard, country-

specific and optional features offered with the

series. It also describes features that are not

necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to

the selected options or country versions. This

also applies to safety-related functions and

systems. The respectively applicable country

provisions must be observed when using the

respective features and systems.

US: ASTM 4806–xx

CAN: CGSB-3.511–xx

xx: comply with the current standard in each

case.

Do not use a fuel with a higher percent‐

age of ethanol

Do not use a fuel with a higher ethanol per‐

centage than recommended or one with other

types of alcohol, e.g. M5 to M100; otherwise

this could damage the engine and fuel supply

system.◀

Fuel recommendation

Note

Recommended fuel grade

BMW recommends AKI 91.

General fuel quality

Even fuels that conform to the specifica‐

tions can be of low quality. This may cause en‐

gine problems, for instance poor engine start-

up behavior, poor handling and/or poor

Minimum fuel grade

BMW recommends AKI 89.

performance. Switch gas stations or use a

brand name fuel with a higher octane rating.◀

Minimum fuel grade

Do not use any gasoline below the mini‐

mum fuel grade as this may impair engine per‐

formance.◀

Gasoline

For the best fuel efficiency, the gasoline

should be sulfur-free or very low in sulfur con‐

tent.

If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat‐

ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds

when starting at high outside temperatures.

This has no effect on the engine life.

Fuels that are marked on the gas pump as con‐

taining metal must not be used.

Fuel quality

Refuel only with unleaded gasoline with‐

out metallic additives.

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.

Do not refuel with any leaded gasoline or gaso‐

line with metallic additives, e. g. manganese or

iron, as this can cause permanent damage to

the catalytic converter and other compo‐

nents.◀

If drivability problems are encountered, we rec‐

ommend switching to a high quality gasoline

brand and a higher octane grade — AKI num‐

ber — for a few tank fills. To avoid harmful en‐

Fuels with a maximum ethanol content of

10 %, i. e., E10, may be used for refueling.

192

Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 386 - II/15

Fuel

Mobility

gine deposits, it is highly recommended to

purchase gasoline from Top Tier retailers.

Do not add any diesel additives

Do not add additives, including gasoline;

otherwise, engine damage may occur.◀

Failure to comply with these recommendations

may result in the need for unscheduled main‐

tenance.◀

BMW Advanced Diesel

Diesel

The concept

Low-Sulfur Diesel

BMW Advanced Diesel reduces nitrogen ox‐

ides in the diesel emissions by injecting diesel

exhaust fluid reducing agent into the exhaust

system. A chemical reaction takes place inside

the catalytic converter that minimizes nitrogen

oxides.

The engine of your BMW is designed for diesel

with low sulfur content:

Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel ASTM D 975-xx.

xx: comply with the current standard in each

case.

The vehicle has a tank that can be refilled.

Use only Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel.

To be able to start the engine as usual, there

must be an adequate reducing agent.

The fraction of biodiesel in the fuel must

not exceed 5 %, referred to as B5. Do not use

gasoline. If you do fill the tank with the wrong

fuel, e.g., gasoline, do not start the engine as

this may damage the engine.◀

Reducing agent is added by the service center.

Warming up the system

In order to warm the engine up to its operating

temperature after a cold start, the Steptronic

transmission may subsequently shift up to the

next higher gear.

After adding the wrong fuel, contact your serv‐

ice center or Roadside Assistance.

If the fuel pump nozzle does not fit in the filler

pipe of your BMW, please check to ensure that

you are refueling at a diesel fuel pump that is

equipped with a diesel fuel pump nozzle.

Displays in the instrument cluster

Reserve indication

This display in the instrument cluster provides

information about the distance that can still be

driven with the current reserve level.

In the event the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel

cannot be fully inserted into the fuel filler neck,

please contact BMW Roadside Assistance for

instructions on how to add fuel.

For additional information regarding Roadside

Assistance, refer to Owner's Manual for Navi‐

gation, Entertainment and Communication.

▷

Lamp white: refill with re‐

duction agent at the next

opportunity.

▷

Lamp yellow: not enough re‐

duction agent present. The

remaining range is displayed

in the instrument cluster. Im‐

mediately refill with reduc‐

tion agent, refer to

Winter diesel

To ensure that the diesel engine remains op‐

erational in the winter, use winter diesel.

It is available at gas stations during winter

months.

page 194.

The fuel filter heating system, included as a

standard feature, prevents disruption of the

fuel supply while driving.

193

Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 386 - II/15

Mobility

Fuel

Diesel exhaust fluid on minimum

Diesel exhaust fluid at low

temperatures

▷

The remaining range is dis‐

played in the instrument

cluster: refill with reduction

agent. The engine will con‐

tinue to run as long as it is

not switched off and all

other operating conditions

are satisfied; sufficient fuel,

e.g.

Due to its physical properties, it is possible

that the reducing agent may also need to be

replenished between regular maintenance ap‐

pointments if it is exposed to temperatures un‐

der + 23 ℉/- 5 ℃. In this case, add reducing

agent only immediately before driving off.

The need to replenish it is indicated by the Re‐

serve display in the instrument cluster.

Engine does not start

At temperatures below + 12 ℉/- 11 ℃, the fill‐

ing level cannot be measured in some cases.

Do not continue driving to the limit of the

remaining travel distance. Otherwise, you will

not be able to restart the engine after switch‐

ing it off. In certain cases, this could cause

safety to be impaired.◀

After adding reducing agent, the Reserve Dis‐

play is displayed only until the fill level can be

measured again.

Replenishing Diesel exhaust fluid

yourself in exceptional cases

Filling with an incorrect fluid

You can replenish reducing agent yourself in

exceptional cases, e.g., to get to the service

center.

A Check Control message is displayed when

an incorrect fluid is added.

After adding the incorrect fluid, contact your

service center.

Avoid contact with Diesel exhaust fluid

Do not come into contact with the reduc‐

ing agent. Otherwise, skin or eye irritations

may result.◀

System defect

A Check Control message is displayed when

there is a system defect.

Handling Diesel exhaust fluid

When working with reducing agent in

closed spaces, ensure good ventilation. When

the bottle or container is opened, acrid smell‐

ing fumes may eslide.◀

Have the diesel exhaust fluid

replenished

The reducing agent is added by the service

center within the context of regular mainte‐

nance.

Keeping Diesel exhaust fluid out of reach

of children

It may be necessary to have the fluid replen‐

ished several times under particular circum‐

stances, e.g., if the vehicle is driven in a partic‐

ularly sporty style or if it is driven at high

altitudes.

Keep reducing agent out of reach of children.◀

Avoid contact with surfaces

Avoid contact of reduction agent with

surfaces of the vehicle; otherwise, damage

could occur.◀

The reducing agent must be replenished as

soon as the reserve display appears in the in‐

strument cluster to avoid not being able to re‐

start the engine.

Suitable Diesel exhaust fluid

▷

Preferred: BMW Diesel Exhaust Fluid. With

this bottle and its special adapter, Diesel

194

Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 386 - II/15

Fuel

Mobility

exhaust fluid can be replenished simply

and safely.

The vehicle tank will be filled.

The tank is full when the fill level in the bot‐

tle no longer changes. It is not possible to

overfill.

▷

Alternative: NOx reduction agent AUS 32

Diesel exhaust fluid can be purchased at your

service center.

Refill quantity

When the Reserve display starts, add at least

3 bottles of reducing agent.

This corresponds to approx. 1.5 US gal/6 liters.

Tank for reducing agent

5. Pull back the bottle, see arrow, and un‐

screw it.

The tank for the reducing agent is located next

to the fuel tank.

6. Replace the tank lid and turn it clockwise.

7. Close the fuel filler flap.

Adding the reducing agent

Add the reducing agent when the ignition is

switched on.

After adding Diesel exhaust fluid

1. Open the fuel filler flap, refer to page 190.

Note

2. Turn the tank lid counterclockwise and re‐

move.

Incorrect fluids

3. Place the bottle on it and turn it as far as it

will go, see arrow.

After filling with incorrect fluids, such as

antifreeze for washer fluid, do not start the en‐

gine, otherwise there is risk of fire.◀

Contact your service center.

Disposing of bottles

You take your empty Diesel exhaust

fluid bottles to your service center for

disposal.

4. Press the bottle down, see arrow.

195

Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 386 - II/15

Mobility

Fuel

Do not dispose of empty bottles with house‐

hold waste unless this is permitted by local

regulations.

Reserve indication

The Reserve display will still ap‐

pear along with the remaining

range after refilling.

Engine can be started.

After several minutes of driving,

the Reserve indication goes out.

Diesel exhaust fluid on minimum

After filling, the indication -- is

still displayed.

Only after the display goes out

can the engine -- be started.

1. Switch on the ignition.

Display -- goes out after approx. 1 minute.

2. Engine can be started.

196

Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 386 - II/15

Download User Manual App

Mobility -> Fuel for Your BMW X3 SUV 2020

Related Topics

At a glance

Controls

Driving tips

Mobility

Reference

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals