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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire inflation pressure The inflation pressures are indicated on 
a sticker attached to the door pillar be-
hind the driver's door (visible with door 
open).Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are stated in 
psi (kilopascal) with cold tires (cold = 
ambient temperature). Refer to the next 
page as well.
For vehicles with RDC (Tire Pressure 
Control)
*:
After a correction of the tire inflation 
pressure, reactivate the system. Refer 
to page 80.
460de163
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly Ð at least every two weeks 
and before beginning a longer trip. In-
correct tire pressure can otherwise lead 
to tire damage and accidents.
Also check the inflation pressure of the 
space-saver tire or spare tire
*. Inflate 
the spare tire to the highest inflation 
specified for your vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval 
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table ap-
ply to tires from BMW-approved manu-
facturers. Your BMW center is familiar 
with these pressures. Higher pressures 
may be specified for tires from other 
manufacturers. You will find a list of 
approved tires beginning on page 118. 
     
        
        Page 28 of 189
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Tire inflation pressureBMW Tires
Inflation pressures in psi (kilopascal)
323iSummer tires 29 (2.0) 33 (2.3) 33 (2.3) 41 (2.8)
Winter tires 32 (2.2) 36 (2.5) 36 (2.5) 44 (3.0)
328iSummer tires 29 (2.0) 33 (2.3) 33 (2.3) 41 (2.8)
Winter tires 32 (2.2) 36 (2.5) 36 (2.5) 44 (3.0)
All Space-saver spare tire 61 (4.2) 61 (4.2) 61 (4.2) 61 (4.2)
For all-season tires, use the same tire inflation pressure as for summer tires. 
     
        
        Page 31 of 189

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic65
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher68
Wiper/Washer system/Rain 
sensor68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control71
Everything under control:
Odometer73
Tachometer73
Energy Control73
Fuel gauge74
Temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control75
Clock75
Onboard computer76
Technology for safety and 
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)78
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)79
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)80Lamps:
Parking lamps/Headlamps82
Dash lighting82
High beams/Parking lamps83
Fog lamps83
Interior lamps83
Reading lamps84
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control86
Seat heating91
Roller sun blind91
Interior conveniences:
HiFi system92
Glove compartment92
Storage compartments93
Cellular phones95
Ashtray, front95
Cigarette lighter96
Ashtray, rear96
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading system97
Ski bag98
Cargo loading99
Roof-mounted luggage rack100 
     
        
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Electric power windowsOpen and close the windowsIn ignition key position 1 or 2:
>Depress the switch until you feel 
resistance:
The window will continue to open as 
long as you hold the switch.
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point:
The window will automatically open 
completely. Pressing the switch 
again briefly stops the opening cycle.
You can close windows in the same 
manner by pulling the switch.460de013
Separate switches are located under 
windows in the rear passenger area.
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still operate the power win-
dows for up to 15 minutes, as long as 
neither of the front doors has been 
opened. 
Remove the key from the ignition 
key and close the doors when you 
leave the vehicle, so that children can-
not operate the power windows and 
possibly injure themselves.< 
For the convenience operating mode 
with the door lock or remote control, 
refer to page 34 or 35.
Safety feature A contact strip is located on the inside 
upper frame of each of the windows. If 
pressure is exerted against this contact 
strip while a window is being raised, the 
system will respond by stopping the 
window and then retracting it a small 
distance.
Despite this safety feature, be ex-
tremely careful to ensure that the 
closing path of the window is not ob-
structed. Otherwise, an object might 
not touch the contact strip in some situ-
ations (very thin objects, for instance).
You can disable this safety feature by 
pressing the switch beyond the resis-
tance point and holding it.< 
     
        
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electric power windows Sliding/Tilt sunroof
* 
Safety switch You can use the safety switch to deacti-
vate the rear power window switches 
(when children are in the rear seats, for 
instance).
Press the safety switch whenever 
children are riding in the rear of 
the vehicle. Careless use of the power 
windows can lead to injury.<460de014
Exercise care when closing the 
sliding/tilt sunroof and keep it in 
your field of vision until it is completely 
closed. Failure to do so can result in 
injuries.
Remove the key from the ignition and 
close the doors when you leave the ve-
hicle so that children cannot operate 
the sunroof and possibly injure them-
selves.<
To avoid pressure or drafts in the pas-
senger compartment when the sunroof 
is open or raised, keep the air vents in 
the dashboard open and increase the air 
supply if necessary. Refer to page 89.
If the sunroof is completely open, air 
disturbances may be caused in the 
vehicle when you are driving at higher 
speeds. Close the roof as far as is nec-
essary until this natural phenomenon 
ceases.
For the convenience operating mode 
with the door lock or the remote con-
trol, refer to page 34 or 35.
Lifting Ð Opening Ð ClosingIn ignition key position 1 or 2, press the 
switch or slide it to the desired direction 
until you feel resistance. 
When lifting, the headliner retracts 
several inches.
After the ignition has been switched off, 
you can still operate the sunroof for up 
to 15 minutes, as long as neither of the 
front doors has been opened.Automatic opening and closing>Press the switch past the resistance 
point briefly: The sunroof travels to 
either the fully-closed or fully-open 
position.460de015 
     
        
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Power seat
*
Seat and mirror memory
* 
BMW Sports Seat1 Tilt angle
2 Backward/Forward adjustment
3 Cushion height
4 Backrest angle
The head restraint and the thigh sup-
port area are adjusted manually.
Please refer to the adjustment in-
structions on page 47 to reduce 
the risk of personal injury.<460de025
You can store and recall three different 
driver's seat and outside mirror posi-
tions.
The adjustment setting of the lum-
bar support is not saved in the 
memory.
1 or 2.
2 Adjust your seat and outside mirrors 
to the desired position.
3 Press the 
M
EMORY button: The indi-
cator lamp in the button lights up.
4 Press memory button 1, 2 or 3 as de-
sired: The indicator lamp goes out.
460de017
To select a stored setting Convenience function:
1 Open the driver's door after unlocking 
or set the ignition key in position 1.
2 Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3 
as desired.
The adjustment cycle is canceled im-
mediately if you press a seat adjust-
ment switch or one of the memory 
buttons.
Security function:
1 With the driver's door closed and the 
ignition key either removed or in posi-
tion 0 or 2
2 Maintain pressure on the desired 
memory button (1, 2 or 3) until the 
adjustment process is completed.
If you press the 
M
EMORY button acci-
dentally: Press the button a second 
time; the indicator lamp goes out.<
Do not select a memory position 
while the vehicle is moving. If you 
do so, there is a risk of accident from 
unexpected seat movement.< 
     
        
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Safety belts Child restraint systems
* 
nal injury. In addition, the safety belt's 
restraint effectiveness is reduced if the 
belt is worn loosely.
Expectant mothers should also wear 
the safety belt, taking special care to 
place the lap belt over the lower hips, 
where it does not exert pressure on the 
abdominal area.<
For care instructions, refer to "Car care" 
page 135.
If the safety belt system has been 
subjected to the stresses in-
volved in an accident or otherwise 
damaged: Have the entire safety belt 
mechanism replaced by your BMW 
center, including the safety belt ten-
sioner. In addition, have your BMW 
center inspect the safety belt anchors. 
If a child restraint system was in the ve-
hicle during an accident, consult the 
manufacturer's instructions regarding 
replacement.<
Never install a rear-facing child re-
straint device on the front passen-
ger seat. Injuries could occur if the air-
bag is triggered in the event of an 
accident.
Children should always ride in the rear.
Do not modify the child restraint system 
in any way. If you do so, it will not pro-
vide your child with maximum protec-
tion.< 
     
        
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Parking brake To engageThe lock engages automatically when 
you lift the lever. The indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster lights up in igni-
tion key position 2. Refer to page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button and lower the lever.
The parking brake is designed primarily 
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when 
it is parked. It operates against the rear 
wheels.460de024
If, in exceptional circumstances, 
it should be necessary to engage 
the parking brake while the vehicle is 
in motion, do not pull the lever with 
excessive pressure. Keep your thumb 
pressed against the release button 
while carefully pulling the lever up to 
apply moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing) 
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when 
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Placing the lever in 1st gear or 
reverse may not provide adequate 
resistance to rolling. 
Vehicles with automatic transmission: 
Place the selector lever in "Park."<
To avoid corrosion, apply the parking 
brake lightly from time to time when 
coasting to a standstill (at a traffic sig-
nal, for instance), provided that it is safe 
to do so.