Car battery replacement for BMW X3 five-door wagon (F25)

Model years: 2010 - present
Car battery is most important part in automotive electrical system. Basically, it stores electricity, which is supplied for electric-powered devices within the car. Therefore, it's significant to keep the battery in a perfectly working condition. Sadly, car battery is an expiring unit, which will get exhausted after a period of time irreversibly. That means, chemical reactions inside the battery will no longer be able to produce electricity. Battery's serve time has a limit, which is approximately 3 - 5 years, after which it becomes incapable of being charged. This indicates, that new battery installation is required.

There is a chance, that battery will dry out, due to the layer of dirt collected on connection points. In time, corrosion (in a form of white substance) can affect battery terminals, resulting in poor contacts. This is the reason why the battery will lose the merit of being re-charged by alternator. Little by little, it will run out of power and no longer be able to provide electricity. Eliminating soil from cable and battery connections, might recover the battery and make it valid again.

There is a possibility, the battery will be exhausted, if the vehicle hasn't been started for some time. Then, battery recharge will likely recover it. To perform a recharge, you will need a battery charger.

Important! Some BMW X3 (F25) vehicles might be equipped with an IBS (Intelligent Battery Sensor) system. That means, newly replaced battery must be registered by your Service center. Avoiding battery registration might cause power management system failure, as well as incorrect readings on the display of the on-board computer.

BMW X3 battery location: luggage compartment (trunk) under floor carpet.

Recommended batteries for BMW X3:
* Note: if case more than one battery type is applicable for your model, compare parameters of the battery, currently installed on your vehicle, with parameters in the table below, before choosing the right one.
Body type Model Battery specs Buy
Five-door wagon X3 18d
X3 20dX
X3 20iX
X3 28iX
X3 28iX
X3 30dX
X3 35dX
X3 35iX
Capacity: 80Ah (AGM)
Cold Cranking Amp: 800cca
Dimensions: 315x175x190 mm
£150.99 (Amazon.co.uk)
Capacity: 90Ah (AGM)
Cold Cranking Amp: 900cca
Dimensions: 353x175x190 mm
£167.94 (Amazon.co.uk)
Capacity: 105Ah (AGM)
Cold Cranking Amp: 950cca
Dimensions: 393x175x190 mm
How to replace car battery:
1. Before battery replacement, make sure:
  • you wear sturdy gloves and safety goggles
  • vehicle keys are out of ignition switch
2. The following tools are usually enough for battery replacement procedure:
  • 10 and 13 mm wrenches or sockets
  • Flat-head and Phillips type screw drivers
3. BMW X3 battery is located in luggage compartment (trunk) under floor carpet.
4. To start replacing battery, remove the old one by disconnecting the negative connection first. This will prevent accidental short-circuits between positive battery terminal and the body of the vehicle. Make sure the cable does not come into contact with battery terminals during battery replacement procedure. Negative battery terminal can be identified by minus (-) sign next to it (1):
Battery's negative terminal
5. Remove brackets that hold the battery attached to the vehicle frame.
6. Open positive terminal cover (1):
Battery's positive terminal cover
7. Disconnect positive connector:
Positive battery's connector removed
8. If present, disconnect ventilation hose from the battery (1). Some vehicles utilize battery ventilation system to vent formed gasses (hydrogen) to the outside.
Battery's ventilation hose
9. Vacate battery compartment by lifting the old battery off (note, that the battery is heavy, incorrect lifting can result in back injuries):
Battery's removal
10. Do not remove plastic terminal caps from new battery, until it's placed in the battery compartment inside the vehicle.
11. Place the new battery in.
12. Connect ventilation hose.
13. If necessary, clean battery cables from dirt or rust before connecting, to ensure excellent contact.
14. Contrary to disconnecting the battery, connect cables, starting with positive terminal first.
15. Re-attach brackets and make sure battery does not make any movements.
16. Dispose the old battery only at authorized collecting point.
Car battery replacement instructions for:
X3 (2003 - 2010)