Hood

Unlocking: Pull the release lever located under the instrument panel near the left door.
All work on the vehicle must be performed only by qualified personnel. If you are not familiar with all the requirements for performing a particular task, have your vehicle serviced and repaired at a BMW service center.
Improperly performed work creates a risk of damage to the vehicle and may lead to an accident.

Opening: Pull the hood release lever and lift the hood.

Closing: Lower the hood from a height of approx. 30 cm. You should clearly hear it latch.
To avoid injury when closing the hood, follow the general rule: make sure there are no obstructions.
If you discover while driving that the hood is not properly closed, stop immediately and close the hood securely.
Test yourself
A quick BMW X3 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.