
 
11n
 
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Headlamps84
Instrument panel rheostat84
High beams/Parking lamps85
Fog lamps85
Interior lamps85
Reading lamps86
 
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
 
Automatic climate control88
Heated seats93
Roller sun blind93
 
Cabin convenience:
 
HiFi System94
Glove compartment94
Storage compartments95
Cellular phones95
Ashtray96
Cigarette lighter96
Clothes hooks97
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Through-loading facility98
Ski bag99
Cargo loading100
Roof-mounted luggage rack101
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes104
Catalytic converter105
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)106
Disc brakes108
Brake system109
Winter operation110
Power steering112
Cellular phones112
Radio reception112
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressures113
Tire condition113
Tire replacement114
Tire rotation114
Wheel and tire 
combinations115
Winter tires116
Snow chains116
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications117
 
Under the hood:
 
Hood119
Engine compartment120
Washer fluids122
Washer nozzles122
Engine oil123
Coolant126
Brake fluid127
Vehicle Identification
Number128
 
Care and maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System129
Caring for your car130
Airbags135
Vehicle storage136
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications 
to the vehicle136
OBD connector137 

 
Contents
 
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit140
Windshield wiper blades140
Lamps and bulbs140
Remote control147
Changing tires148
Battery151
Fuses153
Microfilter154
 
In case of electrical
malfunction:
 
Fuel filler door155
Sliding/tilt sunroof155
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting156
Towing the vehicle157Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC)160
Airbags161
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)161
Radio reception162
Safety belt tensioner162
Inside rearview mirror with 
automatic dimmer163
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)164
Rain sensor165
Self-diagnostics166
Xenon lamp167Engine data170
Dimensions171
Weights172
Capacities173
Electrical system174
Ribbed V-belt174 

27n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Tire inflation pressure The inflation pressures are indicated on 
a sticker attached to the B-pillar behind 
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 trailer towing, the inflation pressure 
for heavier loads always applies.
For vehicles with RDC (Tire Pressure 
Control)
*:
After a correction of the tire inflation 
pressure, reactivate the system. Refer 
to page 82.
462de197
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly – 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 apply 
to tires from BMW-approved manufac-
turers. Your BMW center is familiar with 
these pressures. Higher pressures may 
be specified for tires from other manu-
facturers. You will find a list of approved 
tires beginning on page 117. 

28n
Tire inflation pressureBMW Tires
Inflation pressures in psi (kilopascal)
323CiSummer tires 29 (200) 33 (230) 33 (230) 41 (280)
Winter tires 32 (220) 36 (250) 36 (250) 44 (300)
328CiSummer tires 29 (200) 33 (230) 33 (230) 41 (280)
Winter tires 32 (220) 36 (250) 36 (250) 44 (300)
All Space-saver spare tire 61 (420) 61 (420) 61 (420) 61 (420)
For all-season tires, use the same tire inflation pressure as for summer tires. 

82n
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
The conceptThe RDC monitors the tire pressures at 
all four wheels, even when the vehicle is 
moving. The system provides an alert 
whenever the inflation pressure drops 
significantly below the specified pres-
sure in one or more tires. 
In order for the RDC to "learn" the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure, first check 
the tire inflation pressure in all tires. 
Then compare these pressures with the 
tire inflation pressure chart (page 28) 
and adjust if necessary. Then activate 
the system. 
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster informs you when-
ever the tire pressure is not nor-
mal.
Activate the system1 Turn ignition key to position 2 
2 Press the switch long enough for the 
indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter to light up yellow for a few seconds
3 After a few minutes of driving, the 
RDC sets the current inflation pres-
sure in the tires as the target value to 
be monitored.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure if the tire inflation pressure must 
be corrected. Otherwise, the RDC func-
tions automatically when the ignition 
key is in position 2, and thus operates 
whenever the vehicle is driven.462de228
Loss of tire pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped too 
much over a period of time (which is 
normal for any tire), the indicator lamp 
will come on with a yellow lamp.
This alerts you to have the tires inflated 
to the specified pressures as soon as 
possible.
If you are prompted to check the 
tire pressure shortly after a cor-
rection has been made, this indicates 
that the corrected values were not ac-
curate. Please check the inflation pres-
sure again and make corrections ac-
cording to the inflation pressure table. 
Then activate the system once again.<  

83n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
Flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, the indicator lamp comes on with 
a red lamp. In addition, there is an 
acoustical warning signal.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed im-
mediately and stop the vehicle in a save 
location. Avoid hard brake applications. 
Do not oversteer. Replace the wheel 
and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire
* is 
provided for temporary use only in 
the case of a tire failure. It does not 
have RDC electronics and is not moni-
tored. A full-size spare tire
* that has the 
same dimensions as the tires already 
mounted on the vehicle is equipped 
with the necessary RDC electronics, 
and will also be monitored once the 
tires have been mounted and the sys-
tem activated.<
The RDC cannot alert you to 
severe and sudden tire damage 
caused by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your 
authorized BMW center.
Your authorized BMW center has been 
trained to work with the RDC system 
and is equipped with the necessary 
special tools.<
System interferenceThe RDC can be subjected to interfer-
ence locally by outside equipment or 
devices which use the same radio fre-
quency.
The indicator lamp will come on with 
a yellow lamp during the malfunction. 
The indicator lamp also comes on 
>in the event of a system fault 
>if a wheel is mounted without the 
appropriate electronics 
>if, in addition to the spare tire
*, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics 
are on board.
Please contact your authorized BMW 
center for additional information. 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
103n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes104
Catalytic converter105
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)106
Disc brakes108
Brake system109
Winter operation110
Power steering112
Cellular phones112
Radio reception112
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressures113
Tire condition113
Tire replacement114
Tire rotation114
Wheel and tire 
combinations115
Winter tires116
Snow chains116
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications117Under the hood:
Hood119
Engine compartment120
Washer fluids122
Washer nozzles122
Engine oil123
Coolant126
Brake fluid127
Vehicle Identification 
Number128
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance 
System129
Caring for your car130
Airbags135
Vehicle storage136
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications to the 
vehicle136
OBD connector137 

104n
To ensure that your vehicle provides 
maximum economy throughout a long 
service life, we request that you ob-
serve the following: 
Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine speeds and 
road speeds, but do not exceed the fol-
lowing engine or road speeds at this 
time: 4,500/min or 100 mph (160 km/h).
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid 
pressing the accelerator beyond the 
kickdown point.
After 1,200 miles (2,000 km), you can 
gradually increase the engine speed or 
road speed.
You should also observe these break-in 
procedures if the engine or differential 
is replaced later in the course of the 
vehicle service life.
TiresDue to technical factors associated with 
their manufacture, tires do not achieve 
their full traction potential until an initial 
break-in period has elapsed. For this 
reason, drive cautiously during the first 
200 miles (300 km).Brake systemBrake pads and disks do not attain their 
optimal wear patterns until after approx. 
300 miles (500 km).
To break-in the separate parking brake 
drums, apply the parking brake lightly 
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic 
signal, for instance), provided that traf-
fic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on 
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit 
on your BMW is available only when the 
engine is running. When you move the 
car with the engine off – when towing, 
for example – substantially higher levels 
of pedal force will be required to brake 
the vehicle.<
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting 
on the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high 
temperatures, brake wear, and possibly 
to brake failure.
Aquaplaning:
A wedge of water can form between the 
tires and the road surface when you op-
erate the vehicle on wet or slushy roads. 
This phenomenon is referred to as 
aquaplaning or hydroplaning. It is char-
acterized by a partial or complete loss 
of contact between the tires and the 
road surface. The ultimate results are 
loss of steering and braking control.
Driving through water: 
Do not drive through water more than 
1 ft (30 cm) deep. Drive only at walking 
speed, otherwise damage to the engine, 
the electrical system and the transmis-
sion can occur.
Rear parcel tray:
Never use the rear parcel tray to store 
heavy or bulky objects. They could pose 
a danger to the occupants when the car 
is braked heavily.
Break-in procedures Driving notes