
118n
Approved wheel and tire specifications Tire specifications Steel rim (wheel rim) Light-alloy wheel
BMW 323i
All-Season
195/65 R 15 91 H Ð 6.5Jx15
Summer tires
195/65 R 15 91 H Ð 6.5Jx15
205/60 R 15 91 H Ð 6.5Jx15
7Jx15
205/55 R 16 91 H
225/50 R 16 92 W
225/50 ZR 16Ð 7Jx16
225/45 R 17 91 W Ð 8Jx17
Front: 225/45 ZR 17 Ð 7.5Jx17
Rear: 245/40 ZR 17  Ð 8.5Jx17
Winter tires
195/65 R 15 91 Q M+S 6.5Jx15 6.5Jx15
205/60 R 15 91 Q M+S 6.5Jx15 6.5Jx15
7Jx15
205/55 R 16 91 Q M + S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M + S7Jx16 7Jx16
225/45 R 17 91 Q M + S Ð 8Jx17
Space-saver spare tire
T 125/90 R 15 96 M 3.5Bx15 Ð
T 125/90 R 16 98 M 3.5Bx16 Ð
Comply with the specifications for tires and wheels in the vehicle's manuals. 
If you install tire sizes not approved by the manufacturer, an entry in the vehicle 
documents may be necessary.
Snow chains
* 
You cannot mount snow chains with the 
following tires:
225/50 R 16 92 W
225/50 ZR 16
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 17
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/50 R 16 92 Q/T/H
225/45 R 17 91 Q/T/HMixed tiresFor details concerning tire manufactur-
ers for mixed tires, refer to the original-
equipment specifications.  

119n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Approved wheel and tire specifications Tire specifications Steel rim (wheel rim) Light-alloy wheel
BMW 328i
All-Season
205/55 R 16 91 H Ð 7Jx16
Summer tires
205/55 R 16 91 H
225/50 R 16 92 H
225/50 ZR 16Ð 7Jx16
225/45 R 17 91 H Ð 8Jx17
Front: 225/45 ZR 17 Ð 7.5Jx17
Rear: 245/40 ZR 17  Ð 8.5Jx17
Winter tires
205/55 R 16 91 Q M + S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M + S7Jx16 7Jx16
225/45 R 17 91 Q M + S Ð 8Jx17
Space-saver spare tire
T 125/90 R 16 98 M 3.5Bx16 Ð
Comply with the specifications for tires and wheels in the vehicle's manuals. 
If you install tire sizes not approved by the manufacturer, an entry in the vehicle 
documents may be necessary.
Snow chains
*
You cannot mount snow chains with the 
following tires: 
225/50 R 16 92 W
225/50 ZR 16
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 17
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/50 R 16 92 Q/T/H
225/45 R 17 91 Q/T/HMixed tiresFor details concerning tire manufactur-
ers for mixed tires, refer to the original-
equipment specifications.  

132n
Washing your car You can have your BMW washed in 
an automatic car wash, even when it 
is new. Car wash systems that do not 
employ brushes are preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and 
remove dead insects before washing 
the car.
In order to avoid spots, do not wash the 
vehicle when the hood is warm, or dur-
ing or immediately after exposure to 
strong sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be 
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the 
dimensions of your vehicle.
>No damage will occur on vehicles 
with attached body accessories (such 
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the 
car wash operator if necessary.
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle 
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system.
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum 
brush pressure, and that ample water 
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor
*:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax 
from automatic car washes or insects 
can cause malfunctions in the function 
of the rain sensor
*.
Turn the rain sensor
* off (refer to 
page 69) when passing through an 
automatic car wash. Failure to do so 
could result in damage caused by unin-
tended wiper activation.<
Parts of the car that are inaccessible to 
the automatic washer Ð such as door 
sills, door and hood edges, etc. Ð 
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially 
important to be sure that the car is 
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to 
remove, and they also cause damage 
to the vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure 
washers are used, be sure to 
maintain an adequate distance between 
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face. Inadequate distance and exces-
sive pressure can damage or weaken 
the finish, making it more susceptible to 
subsequent attack. In addition, mois-
ture could penetrate to vehicle compo-
nents, leading to long-term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps, 
please observe the following: 
>Do not clean by wiping with a dry 
cloth (this causes scratches). Never 
use abrasives or strong solvents.
>Remove dirt and contamination (such 
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car 
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty 
of water.
>Always use a deicer spray to remove 
accumulated ice and snow Ð never 
use a scraper.<
After washing the car, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them. Braking 
efficiency might otherwise be reduced 
by the moisture and the brake rotors 
could also be corroded.<
Caring for your car  

134n
Caring for your carWaxing your car Protect the finish using carnauba or 
synthetic-based waxes only.
The best way to determine when the 
finish needs to be waxed is by noting 
when water stops beading on the sur-
face.
You can use a glass cleaner to remove 
any wax or silicone that may have been 
left on the windows during waxing.
Use cleaning and car-care 
products that you can obtain at 
your BMW center.<
Paint damageYou can touch up small areas of paint 
damage with a BMW spray paint or a 
BMW touchup stick. 
The paint color code for your car is pro-
vided on a sticker located next to the 
type plate and on the first page of your 
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet (US models) or Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet (Canadian mod-
els).
Damage caused by flying stones, 
scratches, etc., must be touched up 
without delay to prevent rust from form-
ing.
If corrosion has started to form in an 
area with paint damage, remove all rust 
and clean the area. Then prime the area 
with a BMW Primer Stick. Finally, apply 
the finish coat. Wait a few days, then 
polish the repaired area. Finish by 
applying a wax preservative.
More extensive paint damage should 
be professionally repaired in accor-
dance with the manufacturer's instruc-
tions. Your BMW center uses original 
BMW finish materials in accordance 
with official repair procedures.
Caring for other vehicle 
components and materials Light-alloy wheels should be treated 
with alloy wheel cleaner, especially dur-
ing the winter months. However, do not 
use aggressive products containing 
acids, strong alkalis or abrasives. Do 
not use steam cleaners operating at 
temperatures above 140 7 (60 6). 
Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
If your vehicle has chrome parts
* such 
as the window frames and door handles, 
clean these parts carefully with ample 
clean water and a shampoo supplement 
if desired, especially if they have an 
accumulation of road salt. Use chrome 
polish as an additional treatment.
You can use window and glass cleaner 
to clean inside window surfaces and 
mirrors without smearing and streaking. 
Never use polishing pastes or abrasive 
(quartz) cleansers on mirror lenses. 

152n
Changing a wheel Battery Driving with the space-saver 
spare tire
*
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a 
speed of 45 mph (80 km/h).
Be aware that vehicle handling will be 
altered. Slower brake response time, 
longer braking distances and changed 
steering characteristics may be antici-
pated when approaching limit condi-
tions. 
The changes in handling characteristics 
will be even more pronounced in con-
junction with winter tires.
Only one space-saver spare tire 
may be mounted at one time. 
Mount a wheel and tire with the same 
size and specifications as the others at 
the earliest possible opportunity. Main-
tain correct tire pressures. Refer to 
page 28.<
Battery locationThe battery is located at the right-rear 
of the luggage compartment. Raise the 
luggage compartment floor panel (refer 
to page  41). Use a screwdriver or a coin 
to loosen the two fasteners in the illus-
tration 1/4-turn. Loosen the third fas-
tener in the upper-center side trim 
panel. Remove the fasteners. In order 
to remove the storage tray, slide the 
side trim panel slightly upward.460de176
Charge conditionThe "Magic Eye
*" is a hydrometer that 
allows you to read the charge condition 
of the battery:
>Green: adequate charge.
>Black: not adequately charged. The 
battery must be recharged. Please 
contact your BMW center for addi-
tional information.
>Yellow: Replace the battery.
The service life specified for the 
battery can be achieved only if it is 
always kept adequately charged. If the 
vehicle is primarily used for stop-and-
go traffic, be sure to check the charge 
state often.<
460de252 

Everything from A to Z
181n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Clock75
refer also to the Radio 
or Onboard Computer 
Owner's Manual
Cockpit16
Coin holder, cup holder93
Combination switch68
Compression172
Computer76
Configure settings53
Consumption77
Consumption display74
Coolant110, 128, 175
antifreeze110
Coolant temperature 
gauge74
Cooling system175
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)21, 107
Cruise control71
Cruising range77
Curb weight174DDash lighting82
Dashboard16
Data
dimensions173
engine172
weights174
Daytime-driving lamp 
switch82
Defrost position89Defroster, rear window90
Defrosting the windows89
Digital clock75
Dimensions173
Dipstick125
Disc brakes108
Displacement172
Display lighting82
Displays18
Distance warning78
Diversity Antenna164
Divided rear backrest97
Door key32
Door locks, care110
Doors
child-safety locks56
emergency operation34
unlocking and locking34
Draft-free ventilation90
Driving hints104
Driving in winter110
Driving lamps82
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)22, 79, 163
EElectric power windows44
Electrical accessories, 
failure154
Electrical system176
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Elements of operation16Emergency operation, 
doors34
Energy Control73
Engine
starting61
Engine compartment122
Engine coolant128, 175
Engine data172
Engine oil
capacity175
consumption125
pressure20
quality126
specifications126
viscosity126
Engine oil level21, 22
check125
Engine speed172
Exterior mirrors52
FFailure messages75
Fault
ABS107
Fault displays75
Filler cap cover26
Filling capacities175
Filling the washer 
reservoir175
First aid25
First-aid kit25
Fittings, towing and 
tow-starting158Flashlight92
Flat tire113, 149
Fog lamps83
Folding rear backrest97
Footbrake108
Footwell lamps83
bulb replacement148
Front fog lamps83
bulb replacement145
Front seat-adjustment47
Frost protection, 
radiator128
Fuel26
fuel injection172
Fuel consumption77
Fuel consumption 
display74
Fuel filler door
releasing following an 
electrical malfunction156
Fuel gauge74
Fuel quality26
Fuel reserve indicator 
lamp74
Fuel tank capacity175
Fuel tank gauge74
Functional status168
Fuses154
GGasoline26
Gasoline gauge74
Glove compartment92 

Everything from A to Z
183n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
OOBD interface socket139
Obstruction protection44
Odometer73
Oil
capacity175
consumption125
dipstick125
quality126
specifications126
viscosity126
Oil additives125
Oil change intervals, see the 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet
Oil filter change175
Oil level
check125
indicator lamp20
Oil pressure, indicator 
lamp20
OILSERVICE74
Onboard computer76
Onboard tool kit142
Outside temperature 
display76PPaint blemishes133
Paint, care133
Paintwork, minor 
repairs134Paintwork, waxing134
Park Distance Control 
(PDC)78
Parking brake63
Parking help78
Parking lamps83
Parking, winter111
PDC (Park Distance 
Control)78
Performance172
Pocket flashlight92
Pollen90
Power seat49
Power steering111
Power windows44
safety switch45
Pressure monitoring, 
tires80, 167
Pressure, tires27, 113
RRadiator175
Radio
refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual
Radio Data System 
(RDS)164
Radio reception112, 164
Rain sensor69, 166
RDC (Tire Pressure 
Control)80, 167
RDS (Radio Data 
System)164Reading lamps84
Rear backrest, folding97
Rear lamps145
Rear window 
defroster70, 90
Rearview mirror52
Reclining seat47
Refueling26
Remote control35
Removing condensation, 
windows89
Replacement key32
Reporting safety defects7
Restraint system59
Reverse17, 64
Roller blind, sun 
protection91
Roller sun blind91
Roof load capacity174
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack100
Rubber parts110
SSafety belt tensioner164
Safety belts54
height adjustment54
Safety feature44
Safety lock buttons38
Seat
mechanical47
power49
Seat adjustment47Seat heating91
Seat memory50
Securing cargo99
Securing loads99
Selector lever, automatic 
transmission65
Self-defrosting mirrors52
Self-diagnostics168
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet131
Service Interval 
Display74, 131
Shiftlock65
Side airbags56
Side impact Head Protection 
System56
Side lamps82
bulb replacement144
Ski bag98
Skid control111
Sliding/Tilt sunroof45
closing following an 
electrical malfunction156
convenience operation34
Slippery roads110
Snow chains110, 118
Space-saver spare tire149
Spare key32
Spare tire149
Spare wheel149
Spark plugs176
Speaker95
Speed control71 

Everything from A to Z
185n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Windshield wiper68
Windshield wiper blade 
replacement142
Winter operation110
Winter tires116, 117
Wiper blade 
replacement142
Wiper system68
Work in the engine 
compartment120XXenon lamps143, 169