Safety

The X3 earned a 2009 Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the agency's highest award. That means it earned top scores in IIHS' frontal-offset, side-impact and rear crash tests. All X3s have standard electronic stability control and a full complement of airbags.

As of publication, the Q5, GLK350 and XC60 hadn't been tested by IIHS.

    See also:

    Drive away without delay
    Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right away, but at moderate engine speeds. This is the fastest way for the cold engine to reach its ope ...

    Useful short commands
    ...

    Engine oil temperature
    Cold engine: the pointer is at the low temperature end. Drive at moderate engine and vehicle speeds. Normal operating temperature: the pointer is in the middle or in the left hal ...