X3 | BMW Tech Tips, How-tos and News - Bavarian Autosport Blog

BMW X3 Wheel Bolt (lug) Torque

Q
car year: 2004
car model: X3 2.5i
I recently purchased BMW Lug Studs from you and would like to know what is the correct Torque Lbs/Kg for the wheel Lug Studs? Auto – 2004 BMW X3 2.5 with 235/55 SR 17 factory wheels

A
The wheel torque is 90 ftlb +/- 7

See this link to the Blog post

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BMW M54 6-cylinder Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) DIY – 325i 328i 330i 525i 530i X5 & Others

The Crankcase Ventilation System (also known as PCV, or Positive Crankcase Ventilation) on the BMW M54 6-cylinder engines consists of a number of ventilation hoses, an oil separator and check valve and an oil drain-back hose. The system is well known to have problems with vacuum leaks due to hose and valve deterioration and cracking, as

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BMW E46 Lower Radiator Hose Leak at Temperature Sensor – M54 – E39 X5 X3 Z4 Z3

Q
Replaced a bunch of parts, one is the lower radiator hose when doing a belt replacenment. It is leaking at the sensor connector. Replaced the sensor and it is still leaking with new. Here is a reply from Mike at BMW CCA. Do you have some additional recommends? “The new style hoses have a

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BMW Oil Viscosity & Auto Transmission Filter & Fluid

This answer is applicable for many BMWs in addition to the one listed below.

Q
car year: 2001
car model: Z3 2.5
Our Z3 2.5 2001 with auto trans is soon coming up on 100k. Which synthetic engine oil viscosity, for the San Francisco CA area, should we use? Avg temp=62 degrees with no snow.

A
We would recommend a

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BMW 2002 E46 330ci HID Headlamp

Q
Once again I am in need of your expert knowledge. My ‘02 E46 330ci driver side headlamp went out on me yesterday. A couple of days back, the lamp indicator flashed but then went away and the headlight continued to work but now, it’s completely out. Is this as simple as me ordering one

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BMW 2000 540i Automatic Door Locks

Q
Can I turn off the “automatic door locks” that lock the car doors once I start driving? I searched the car manual and I can’t find any info.

A
You can, indeed, have the automatic door locking feature turned off. This must be done at the BMW dealer. There are actually quite a few other

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BMW Fuel Gauge (Gage) Erratic Operation – E39 and others

Q
Otto,
I have problem with a irrattic fuel gage on my 97, 528 the gage never reads the same. can you with a answer. Thanks

A
The first thing to check would be the fuel level sensors. BMW models that have the fuel tank under the rear seats use a “saddle bag” style fuel tank. Each

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BMW ABS / ASC/AST & Brake Bleeding

Q
1998 323i

Hey Otto, on my 1998 323i, am I able to pressure bleed my brakes? In my Bentley manual it says that vehicles equipped with ABS and ASC-T (my car has it) need special equipment from the dealer to bleed them properly. Should this be of any concern or can I just bleed my

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BMW Cold Engine Squeak / Squeal – M54 6-Cylinder & Others

This answer is applicable for many BMWs in addition to the one listed below.

Q
car year: 2004
car model: 325i
Whenever my 325i is cold started, it makes a squeak and the sound cannot be pinpointed. It has been looked at by numerous mechanics and they cannot figure it out. The squeak originally started whenever I started it

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Does My BMW Need A New Clutch?

We receive a lot of questions regarding BMW clutches. The questions can come from a variety of symptoms that are being experienced, but they all come down to the base question of; “Am I going to have to replace my clutch?”. Let’s take a quick look at the most common symptoms and what each of

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