Airbags
Sit at a sufficient distance from the airbags. Hold the steering wheel only by the rim, at the positions corresponding to three and nine o'clock on the dial.
This protects the hands and forearms in the event of airbag deployment.
The space between the occupant and their airbag must remain clear (there must be no people, animals or objects in it).
Do not use the front passenger airbag cover as a shelf. Make sure the front passenger does not place their feet against the instrument panel. Otherwise, the passenger may suffer leg injuries if the front airbag deploys. ◄
Even when all instructions are followed, airbags can in some cases cause injuries. The noise of airbag deployment may temporarily deafen sensitive people. Some temporary loss of hearing is generally normal.
Airbag locations and other information.
Test yourself
A quick BMW X3 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.