Get CONTROLS -> Light and view Guide for BMW X3 SUV Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

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CONTROLS

Light and view

One-touch signaling

For one-touch signaling: Lightly tap the turn

signal lever up or down.

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.

The one-touch signaling duration can be ad-

justed.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Exterior lighting" / or

"Settings" / "One-touch turn signal".

Additional information:

Vehicle equipment, refer to page 8.

2. Select the desired setting.

Turn signal

Brief flashing

To flash the turn signal briefly: Push the turn

signal lever to the resistance point and hold it

there for as long as you wish to indicate a turn.

Principle

The turn signal indicates the change in your

direction of travel. To indicate a turn, the fol-

lowing functions can be used:

High-beam headlights,

headlight flasher

▷

Flashing.

One-touch signaling.

Brief flashing.

Principle

Turn signal in exterior mirror

The high-beam headlights illuminate the road,

also at great distances. The headlight flasher

is used to emit a brief light signal by actuat-

ing the high-beam headlights. The high-beam

headlights can be switched on and off man-

ually at any time.

To ensure that the turn signal lamps on the

exterior mirror are clearly visible, do not fold in

the exterior mirrors while driving and while us-

ing the turn signals or hazard warning system.

Flashing

To flash the turn signal, push the turn signal

lever up or down past the resistance point.

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High-beam headlights, turning

headlight flasher on/off

General information

In the low speed range, the high-beam head-

lights are not switched on by the Automatic

High Beam Assistant.

Functional requirements

The following functional requirements apply to

the Automatic High Beam Assistant:

▷

The automatic lights function is activated.

The low-beam headlights are turned on.

To turn on the high-beam headlights, push

the turn signal lever forward, arrow 1. The

high-beam headlights illuminate when the low-

beam headlights are switched on.

Activating Automatic High Beam

Assistant

The Automatic High Beam Assistant can be

activated via iDrive:

To turn off the high-beam headlights or oper-

ate the headlight flasher, pull the turn signal

lever backward, arrow 2.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Exterior lighting" /

"Headlights".

The blue indicator light on the instru-

ment cluster illuminates when the high-

beam headlights are turned on or the

headlight flasher is activated.

2.

Tap the High Beam Assistant button.

The headlights are automatically changed be-

tween low-beam headlights and high-beam

headlights.

The green indicator light on the instru-

ment cluster illuminates when the low-

beam headlights are turned on.

Automatic High Beam

Assistant

The blue indicator light in the instru-

ment cluster illuminates when the sys-

tem switches on the high-beam head-

lights.

Principle

The Automatic High Beam Assistant promptly

detects other road users as well as the ambi-

ent lighting, e.g., in towns, and automatically

switches the high-beam headlights on or off

depending on the traffic situation.

If the Automatic High Beam Assistant is on

and you continue driving after an interruption,

the Automatic High Beam Assistant will re-

main on.

You may need to activate the Automatic High

Beam Assistant via iDrive before it can be

used. You can use the turn signal lever to tem-

porarily deactivate or activate the Automatic

High Beam Assistant, e.g., after turning your

high-beam headlights on/off manually.

The Automatic High Beam Assistant is deac-

tivated when the high-beam headlights are

switched on and off manually.

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Safety information

Warning

If adjustments have been made or the sen-

sitivity has been modified, oncoming traffic

may be momentarily blinded. There is a risk

of accident, injury, and property damage. If

adjustments have been made and the sen-

sitivity has been modified, make sure that

oncoming traffic is not momentarily blinded.

Switch off the high-beam headlights man-

ually if required.

To reactivate the Automatic High Beam Assis-

tant, press the turn signal lever up, arrow 1.

Deactivating Automatic High Beam

Assistant

Functional requirements

The following functional requirements apply

when adjusting the sensitivity of the Automatic

High Beam Assistant:

▷

Adjustment is possible only while your vehi-

cle is stationary.

▷

Drive-ready state is switched on.

The light is switched off.

Increasing sensitivity

To increase the sensitivity of the Automatic

High Beam Assistant, push the turn signal

lever forward for approx. 10 seconds.

Press the turn signal lever forward, arrow 1, or

pull the turn signal lever backward when the

high-beam headlights are on, arrow 2.

When the Automatic High Beam Assistant is

deactivated via iDrive, the operation with the

turn signal lever is not possible.

A Check Control message is displayed. The

system responds more sensitively.

Resetting the sensitivity

Sensitivity of the Automatic High

Beam Assistant

To reset the sensitivity of the Automatic High

Beam Assistant, push the turn signal lever for-

ward again for approx. 10 seconds or switch off

drive-ready state.

General information

The sensitivity of the Automatic High Beam

Assistant can be adjusted.

The sensitivity of the Automatic High Beam

Assistant is reset to the factory settings.

System limits

The Automatic High Beam Assistant cannot

replace the driver's personal judgment of when

to use the high-beam headlights. Therefore,

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when appropriate, turn off the high-beam

headlights manually.

Overview

The system may not be fully operational in

the following situations, and driver intervention

may be necessary:

Buttons in the vehicle

▷

In very unfavorable weather conditions

such as fog or heavy precipitation.

▷

When detecting poorly-lit road users such

as pedestrians, cyclists, horseback riders

and wagons; when driving close to train or

ship traffic; or at animal crossings.

▷

In tight curves, on hilltops or in depressions,

in crossing traffic or half-obscured oncom-

ing traffic on highways.

The exterior lighting switch and buttons are

located on the turn signal lever, to the left of

the steering wheel.

▷

In poorly-lit towns and cities or in the pres-

ence of highly reflective signs.

Icon

Function

When the windshield in the area in front

of the interior mirror is fogged up, dirty or

covered with stickers, etc.

Exterior lighting menu.

Low-beam headlights.

Automatic headlight control.

Exterior lighting off.

Exterior lighting

Principle

The exterior lighting comprises all lighting ele-

ments on the outside of the vehicle. The exte-

rior lighting, or individual functions of it, can be

operated using the buttons in your vehicle, the

buttons on your vehicle key, or via iDrive.

If the driver's door is opened when the drive-

ready state is switched off, the exterior lighting

is automatically switched off after a period of

time.

Functions via iDrive

Icon

Function

Automatic headlight control.

Low-beam headlights.

Exterior lighting off.

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Function

Activate automatic headlight control

Icon

To activate the automatic lights, turn

the outer switch on the turn signal lever

downward.

Automatic High Beam Assistant.

Parking lights.

The LED under the automatic lights icon illumi-

nates.

The green indicator light on the instru-

ment cluster illuminates when the low-

beam headlights are turned on.

Left roadside parking light.

Right roadside parking light.

System limits

The automatic headlight control cannot re-

place your personal judgment of lighting condi-

tions.

Buttons on the vehicle key

Icon

Function

For example, the sensors are unable to detect

fog or hazy weather. In these situations, turn

the lights on manually.

Interior lighting.

Parts of the exterior lighting.

Pathway lighting.

Low-beam headlights,

parking lights and roadside

parking lights

Driving lights automatic

Principle

The low-beam headlights are used to illumi-

nate the road without dazzling oncoming traf-

fic. The parking lights and roadside parking

lights are used to illuminate the vehicle when

stationary. These functions can be operated

using the buttons in the vehicle or via iDrive.

Principle

The automatic lights function switches the

low-beam headlights on or off automatically

depending on the ambient brightness, e.g., in

tunnels, at dusk, or with precipitation.

General information

A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can

cause the lights to be turned on.

Low-beam headlights

Turning on low-beam headlights

The automatic lights function is deactivated

if you turn on the low-beam headlights man-

ually.

To turn on the low-beam headlights,

turn the outer switch on the turn signal

lever upward.

The low-beam headlights illuminate when

drive-ready state is switched on.

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The green indicator light on the instru-

ment cluster illuminates when the low-

beam headlights are turned on.

▷

Press the OFF button on the turn

signal lever.

▷

Turn off the light via iDrive.

Switch on drive-ready state.

To turn on the low-beam headlights even

when standby state is switched on, turn the

outer switch on the turn signal lever upward

again.

When drive-ready state is turned on, the

automatic driving lights activate.

Turning off low-beam headlights

Depending on national-market version, the

low-beam headlights can be turned off as fol-

lows at low speeds:

Roadside parking lights

When the vehicle is parked, a one-sided road-

side parking light can be switched on.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Exterior lighting" /

"Parking lights".

▷

Press the OFF button on the turn

signal lever.

Turn off the light via iDrive.

2.

Tap the roadside parking light button for

the desired side of the vehicle.

Parking lights

Welcome lights

General information

The parking lights can only be turned on at low

speeds.

Principle

The welcome light turns on automatically for

a limited period of time when approaching or

unlocking the vehicle.

Turning on parking lights

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Exterior lighting" /

"Parking lights".

Depending on the equipment, the exterior

lighting of the vehicle can be set individually.

2.

Tap the parking lights button.

Activating/deactivating welcome

light

The welcome light can be activated or deacti-

vated.

The green indicator light on the instru-

ment cluster illuminates when the park-

ing lights are turned on.

The vehicle is illuminated on all sides.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Exterior lighting" /

"Settings".

Do not use the parking lights for extended pe-

riods; otherwise, they might drain the vehicle

battery and it would then be impossible to

switch on drive-ready state.

2. Select the desired setting, depending on

vehicle equipment:

▷

"Welcome and goodbye"

Turning off parking lights

The following options are available to turn off

the parking lights:

When unlocking the vehicle, individual

lighting functions are turned on.

▷

"BMW Iconic Glow"

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You can configure the radiator grille

lighting only when the vehicle is station-

ary and drive-ready state is off.

Switching pathway lighting on

You can turn on the pathway lighting as fol-

lows:

▷

After switching off the drive-ready state,

briefly push the turn signal lever forward.

Turning on the welcome light

You can turn on the welcome light as follows:

▷

Automatic activation when approaching.

Activation when unlocking vehicle.

▷

On the vehicle key, press and hold

the panic alarm button for approx. 1 second.

Setting the duration

You can configure the duration of pathway

lighting.

▷

With the vehicle locked, press the

lock button on the vehicle key.

Depending on the settings, the interior

lighting and parts of the exterior lighting will

be turned on.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Exterior lighting" /

"Settings" / "Pathway lighting".

The function is not available for the first

10 seconds after locking.

2. Select the desired setting.

Welcome Light Carpet

Daytime driving lights

Principle

The daytime driving lights are used to ensure

that the vehicle is more visible, e.g., in areas

with sharply changing light conditions.

The daytime driving lights illuminate when

drive-ready state is switched on.

The light source is located in the position indi-

cated.

Activating/deactivating daytime

driving lights

In some countries, daytime driving lights are

mandatory, so it may not be possible to deacti-

vate the daytime driving lights in front.

Keep the light source clean and unobstructed.

Pathway lighting

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Exterior lighting" /

"Settings".

Principle

For the pathway lighting, the exterior light-

ing that illuminates the vehicle's surroundings

turns on for a certain period of time after leav-

ing the vehicle.

2. Depending on vehicle equipment or na-

tional-market version, select the desired

setting:

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▷

"Daytime driving lights"

"Rear daytime driving lights"

"BMW Iconic Glow"

Adaptive headlight range

control

The Adaptive Headlight Range Control com-

pensates for vehicle acceleration, braking, and

load conditions to prevent your headlights from

dazzling oncoming traffic.

Adaptive lighting functions

Principle

The adaptive lighting functions provide dy-

namic illumination of the road.

Instrument lighting

The adaptive lighting functions may consist of

one system or multiple systems, depending on

the equipment version:

Principle

The instrument lighting illuminates switches

and buttons with the individually set bright-

ness.

▷

Cornering light.

The brightness of the instrument lighting can

only be adjusted in darkness and when the

parking lights or low-beam headlights are

turned on.

Activating the adaptive lighting

functions

To activate the adaptive lights, turn the

outer switch on the turn signal lever

downward.

Setting the brightness

The brightness of the instrument lighting can

be adjusted.

The LED on the turn signal lever illuminates.

The adaptive lighting functions are active

when the drive-ready state is switched on.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Interior lighting" /

"Cockpit brightness".

Cornering light

2. Select the desired setting.

In tight curves, for instance on mountainous

roads or when turning, an additional cornering

light is switched on that illuminates the inside

of the curve when the vehicle is moving below

a certain speed.

Interior lighting

Principle

The interior lighting comprises all lighting ele-

ments inside the vehicle. Depending on vehicle

equipment, the interior lights, footwell lights,

entry lights, ambient light, and speaker lighting

are controlled automatically.

The cornering light is automatically switched

on depending on the steering-wheel angle or,

where applicable, the use of turn signals. When

driving in reverse, the cornering lights may be

automatically switched on regardless of the

steering-wheel angle.

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In the headliner, press the desired

reading light button.

Overview

Depending on the vehicle equipment, the read-

ing lights are located next to the interior lights

in the front and rear.

The reading lights can also can be turned on or

off via iDrive.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Interior lighting" /

"Reading light".

The interior lighting menu button is lo-

cated in the headliner.

2.

Select the icon for the desired seat

reading light.

The brightness of the reading lights can be

adjusted when they are turned on.

The buttons for reading lights are lo-

cated in the headliner.

Changing settings

Depending on vehicle equipment, the bright-

ness can be individually adjusted for specific

seats.

The interior light button is located in

the headliner.

Turning interior lights on/off

The interior lights can be turned on/off using

the button in the headliner.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Interior lighting" /

"Reading light".

Press the interior light button in the

headliner.

2. Tap the desired seat.

3. Select the desired settings.

To turn off the interior light permanently, press

and hold the button for approx. 3 seconds.

Ambient light

The interior lights in the rear of the vehicle

can be switched on and off independently. The

button is located in the rear headliner.

Principle

The interior lights can be turned on or off via

iDrive.

The ambient light comprises several light ele-

ments that provide diffuse light in the vehicle

interior. Depending on the vehicle equipment,

you can adjust the lighting level for some lights

via iDrive.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Interior lighting" /

"Reading light".

2.

Select the interior lights icon.

Activating/deactivating ambient

light

To activate/deactivate the ambient light, go

through the menu as follows: Apps menu /

"Vehicle" / "Interior lighting" / "Ambient

lighting" / "Ambient lighting".

Turning reading lights on/off

The reading lights can be turned on/off using

the button in the headliner.

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To activate/deactivate this function, go

through the menu as follows: Apps menu /

"Vehicle" / "Interior lighting" / "Ambient

lighting" / "Reduced for night driving".

Turning ambient light on/off

The ambient light is switched on when the ve-

hicle is unlocked, and switched off when the

vehicle is locked.

If the ambient light was deactivated via iDrive,

it will not be turned on when the vehicle is

unlocked.

Speaker lighting

Principle

Selecting the color

You can choose the color of the ambient light

in Personal Mode.

Some speakers in the vehicle are illuminated.

Turning speaker lighting on/off

The speaker lighting is switched on when the

vehicle is unlocked, and switched off when the

vehicle is locked.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Interior lighting" /

"Ambient lighting" / "Color".

2. Select the desired setting.

Window wiper system

Setting the brightness

The brightness of the ambient light can be ad-

justed.

Principle

The wiper system makes sure that you have a

clear view, e.g., in the rain. It is operated using

the wiper lever on the steering wheel.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Interior lighting" /

"Ambient lighting".

2. "Background light" or "Accent lighting"

3. Select the desired setting.

Safety information

Warning

Dynamic light

If the wipers start moving in the folded away

state, body parts can be jammed or damage

may occur to parts of the vehicle. There is

a risk of injury and risk of property damage.

Make sure that the vehicle is switched off

when the wipers are in the folded-away state

and the wipers are folded in when switching

on.

With the Dynamic Light function, certain ac-

tions, e.g., incoming calls or obstacles detected

when opening door, are indicated by light ef-

fects. If the ambient light is disabled, the light

effects are still displayed.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Interior lighting" /

"Ambient lighting" / "Lighting effects".

2. Select the desired setting.

NOTICE

Reduced lighting when driving at

night

Some lights of the interior lighting are reduced

when the vehicle is driven in the dark.

The wiper blades can wear out or become

damaged prematurely when wiping on a dry

window for a longer period of time. The wiper

motor can overheat. There is a risk of prop-

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erty damage. Do not use the wipers when the

window is dry.

Turning off the window wiper

system and flick wipe

NOTICE

If the wipers are frozen to the windshield,

the wiper blades can be torn off and the

wiper motor can overheat when switching on.

There is a risk of property damage. Defrost

the windshield prior to switching the wipers

on.

To turn off the wipers or to activate flick wiping,

proceed as follows:

Turning on window wiper system

▷

To turn off: Push the wiper lever downward,

arrow 1, until position 0 is reached.

▷

To flick wipe: Push the wiper lever down-

ward from position 0, arrow 1, and push the

wiper lever forward to position 0 or position

1, arrow 2.

The wiper lever returns to its initial position

when released.

To turn on the wiper system, push the wiper

lever upward to the desired position.

Rain sensor

Principle

Position

Function

The rain sensor automatically controls the

wiper operation depending on the intensity of

the rainfall. The sensor is located on the wind-

shield, directly in front of the interior mirror.

Position 0.

Position 1.

Position 2.

Position 3.

Rest position of wipers.

Rain sensor mode.

Normal wiper speed.

Fast wiper speed.

Safety information

NOTICE

When you continue driving after stopping with

the window wiper system on, the wipers will

operate at the previous setting.

If the rain sensor is activated, the wipers

can accidentally start moving in car washes.

There is a risk of property damage. Deacti-

vate the rain sensor in car washes.

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Activating rain sensor

Window washer system

Safety information

Warning

The washer fluid can freeze onto the window

at low temperatures and obstruct the view.

There is a risk of accident, injury, and prop-

erty damage. Only use the window washer

system when the washer fluid will not freeze.

Use washer fluid with antifreeze, if needed.

To activate the rain sensor: Push the wiper

lever upward from position 0, arrow 1, once.

Wiping operation is started.

The LED in the wiper lever is illuminated.

NOTICE

In frosty conditions, wiping operation may not

start.

When the washer fluid reservoir is empty,

the washer pump cannot work as intended.

There is a risk of property damage. Do not

use the washer system when the washer

fluid reservoir is empty.

Deactivating rain sensor

To deactivate the rain sensor: Push the wiper

lever back to position 0.

Cleaning the windshield

Adjusting the rain sensor sensitivity

To clean the windshield, pull the wiper lever

back.

To adjust the sensitivity of the rain sensor,

turn the knurled wheel on the wiper lever as

follows:

Washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield

directly in front of the wiper blade when the

wiper moves up.

▷

To set the rain sensor sensitivity to high,

turn the knurled wheel up.

▷

To set the rain sensor sensitivity to low,

turn the knurled wheel down.

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blades or for folding away under frosty condi-

tions.

Rear wiper

Switching on the rear wiper

Safety information

Warning

If the wipers start moving in the folded away

state, body parts can be jammed or damage

may occur to parts of the vehicle. There is

a risk of injury and risk of property damage.

Make sure that the vehicle is switched off

when the wipers are in the folded-away state

and the wipers are folded in when switching

on.

To turn on the rear wiper, rotate the outer

switch on the wiper lever upward.

Switch posi- Function

tion

NOTICE

If the wipers are frozen to the windshield,

the wiper blades can be torn off and the

wiper motor can overheat when switching on.

There is a risk of property damage. Defrost

the windshield prior to switching the wipers

on.

Position 0.

Position 1.

Rest position of the wiper.

Intermittent operation.

When reverse gear is en-

gaged, the system switches

to continuous operation.

Clean the rear window

To clean the rear window, turn the outer switch

on the wiper lever as follows:

▷

In rest position: Turn the switch downward,

arrow 3. The switch returns to its rest posi-

tion when released.

In intermittent operation: Turn the switch

further, arrow 2. The switch automatically

returns to its interval position when re-

leased.

The function is deactivated if the washer fluid

reservoir fill level is low.

Fold-out position of the wipers

Principle

In the fold-out position, the wipers can be

folded out from the windshield, which is impor-

tant, for instance, when changing the wiper

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Folding out the wipers

To fold the wipers away from the windshield,

proceed as follows:

1. Activate standby state.

2. Push the wiper lever down or forward and

hold it until the wipers stop in an approxi-

mately vertical position.

3. Fold the wipers all the way out from the

windshield.

Folding in the wipers

To fold in the wipers, proceed as follows:

1. Fold the wipers back in toward the wind-

shield.

2. Turn on standby state, then press the wiper

lever down or forward again and hold it.

The wipers return to their rest position and

are ready for operation.

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CONTROLS -> Light and view for Your BMW X3 SUV Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

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