BMW X3 Owners Manual: Tail lights, bulb replacement

At a glance

1. Turn signal
2. Backup lamp
3. Inside brake lamp
4. Rear lamp
5. Rear lamp/brake light

Bulb replacement, exterior tail lights

General information Follow general instructions.

21-watt bulb, P21W.

With Adaptive Light Control or xenon headlights: rear lamp features LED technology.

Contact your service center in the event of a malfunction.

Use caution when replacing the bulb

Use caution and proceed one step at a time when replacing the bulbs to prevent damage to the tail lights or the vehicle.

Removing the exterior tail lamp

1. Open the tailgate.

2. Insert the screwdriver from the onboard vehicle tool kit between the cover and body, push it up, arrow, and remove the cover.

3. Release both nuts.

4. Remove the tail lamp from the body and detach the connector.

Replacing the bulbs

1. Release the three fasteners on the bulb holder and remove the bulb holder from the tail lamp.

2. Turn the bulb and remove it. The turn signal is the upper bulb and the rear lamp/ brake lamp is the lower bulb on the bulb holder.

3. Proceed in the reverse order to insert the new bulb and attach the bulb holder. Make sure that the bulb holder is engaged in all fasteners.

Installing the tail lamp

1. Connect and install the tail lamp.

2. Insert the cover with the three mountings in the tail lamp. While applying pressure on the top and bottom bracket, slide the cover down to the stop.

Lights in the tailgate

General information Follow general instructions.

Reversing lights: 16-watt bulb, W16W.

Inner brake lamp: 21-watt bulb, H21W.

Accessing the lights

1. Open the tailgate.

2. Pull out the cover at the recessed grip, arrow.

3. Detach the connector.

Replacing the reversing lamp and inner brake lamp

1. Detach the bulb holder from the tail lamp.

The reversing lamp is the upper bulb and the inner brake lamp is the lower bulb on the bulb holder.

2. To replace the reversing lamp, pull off the bulb carefully.

To replace the inner brake lamp, push the bulb down and turn it to the left.

Installing the bulb holder

1. Attach the connector to the tail lamp.

2. Proceed in the reverse order to insert the new bulb and attach the bulb holder.

Ensure that the bulb holder is firmly attached.

License plate lights Follow general instructions.

These lights are made using LED technology.

Contact your service center in the event of a malfunction.