BMW X3 (F25) Owners Manual: Loading

• Vehicle features and options
• Determining the load limit
• Securing cargo
• Roof-mounted luggage rack

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.

Hints

Overloading the vehicle

To avoid exceeding the approved capacity of the tires, never overload the vehicle.

Overloading can lead to overheating and increases the rate at which damage develops inside the tires. This could result in a sudden loss of tire inflation pressure.

No fluids in the cargo area

Make sure that fluids do not leak into the cargo area; otherwise, the vehicle may be damaged.

Heavy and hard objects

Do not stow any heavy and hard objects in the car's interior without securing them; otherwise, they may present a danger to occupants, e.g., during braking and evasive maneuvers.

Determining the load limit

1. Locate the following statement on your vehicle's placard:

• The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, damage to the vehicle and unstable driving situations may result.

2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.

3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY pounds.

4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.

For example, if the YYY amount equals 1,000 lbs and there will be four 150 lbs passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 400 lbs: 1,000 lbs minus 600 lbs = 400 lbs.

5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle.

That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.

Load

The maximum load is the sum of the weight of the occupants and the cargo.

The greater the weight of the occupants, the less cargo that can be transported.

Stowing cargo

• Cover sharp edges and corners on the cargo.
• Heavy cargo: stow as far forward as possible, directly behind and at the bottom of the rear passenger seat backrests.
• Very heavy cargo: when the rear seat is not occupied, secure each of the outer safety belts in the opposite buckle.
• If necessary, fold down the rear backrests to stow cargo.
• Do not stack cargo above the top edge of the backrests.
• Use the trunk partition net, to protect passengers. Make sure that objects cannot penetrate the trunk partition net.

Securing cargo

Lashing eyes in the trunk

To secure the cargo there are four lashing eyes in the cargo area.

Lashing eyes in the trunk with rails

To secure the cargo there are four movable lashing eyes in the cargo area.

To slide the lashing eyes, press the button, arrow 1. Make sure that the lashing eyes latch at the new position.

The lashing eyes at the openings in the rails can be removed.

Cargo net, FlexNet

The flexible cargo net is hooked into eyes and secures the cargo in the cargo area. The storage net can be attached to the following eyes:

• Lashing eyes in the rails.
• Eyes on the trunk wall.

The eyes are located on both sides of the trunk.

Securing cargo

Securing cargo

Stow and secure the cargo as described; otherwise it may present a danger to the occupants, e.g., during braking and evasive maneuvers.

• Smaller and lighter items: secure with retaining straps or with a cargo net or draw straps.
• Larger and heavy objects: secure with cargo straps.

  Cargo straps, cargo netting, retaining straps or draw straps on the lashing eyes in the trunk.

Roof-mounted luggage rack

Note

Installation only possible with roof rack.

Roof racks are available as special accessories.

Attachment to the rack

Follow the installation instructions of the roof rack.

Mounting

Be sure that adequate clearance is maintained for tilting and opening the glass sunroof.

Loading

Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on vehicle handling and steering response.

Therefore, note the following when loading and driving:

• Do not exceed the approved roof/axle loads and the approved gross vehicle weight.
• Distribute the roof load uniformly.
• The roof load should not extend past the loading area.
• Always place the heaviest pieces on the bottom.
• Secure the roof luggage firmly, e.g., tie with ratchet straps.
• Do not let objects project into the opening path of the tailgate.
• Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.