
 
11n
 
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
 
Lamps:
 
Side lamps/Headlamps88
Instrument lighting88
High beams/Parking lamps89
Fog lamps89
Interior lamps89
 
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioner92
Automatic climate control98
Seat heating103
Roller sun blind103
 
Interior conveniences:
 
HiFi system104
Glove compartment104
Storage compartments105
Cellular phones107
Ashtray, front107
Cigarette lighter108
Ashtray, rear108
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Through-loading system109
Ski bag110
Cargo loading112
Roof-mounted luggage rack113
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures116
Driving notes117
Catalytic converter117
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)118
Disc brakes120
Brake system121
Winter operation121
Power steering123
Cellular phones124
Radio reception124
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressures125
Tire condition125
Tire replacement126
Tire rotation127
Wheel and tire 
combinations128
Winter tires129
Snow chains129
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications130
 
Under the hood:
 
Hood134
Engine compartment136
Washer fluids138
Washer nozzles138
Engine oil139
Coolant142
Brake fluid143
Vehicle Identification 
Number144
 
Care and maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System145
Caring for your vehicle146
Airbags151
Vehicle storage152
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications to the 
vehicle153
California Proposition 
65 Warning153
OBD interface socket154 

73n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cruise control
* 
To cancel the cruise control When the system is activated, press 
and hold button 1. The indicator lamp 
stays on. You can use the cruise control 
again as desired.
In addition, cruise control is canceled 
automatically:
>if the brakes are applied 
>if the clutch is depressed or the auto-
matic transmission selector lever is 
moved from "Drive" to "Neutral" 
>if you exceed or fall below the 
programmed speed for an extended 
period (by depressing the acceler-
ator, for example).
To resume the stored settingPress button 4:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored. When you 
turn the ignition key to position 0, the 
stored speed is deleted from the 
system's memory and the system is 
deactivated.
To deactivate the system When the cruise control has been 
canceled, press button 1 again. 
The indicator lamp goes off and the 
stored speed is canceled. 

80n
ASC+T The conceptThis system enhances driving stability 
and traction, especially when you are 
just starting off, accelerating or on 
curves. 
ASC+T recognizes the danger present 
in traction loss and will increase driving 
stability and traction by reducing the 
engine's output, and if necessary, by 
applying the brakes to the rear wheels. 
ASC+T is available as soon as the 
engine starts up.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly 
after you switch on the ignition. 
Refer to pages 21, 22.
Indicator lamp flashes: 
ASC+T controls the drive and braking 
forces. 
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after 
the engine is started, or comes on 
during normal driving and stays on: 
There is a system malfunction or the 
system was deactivated with the 
button. Consequently, interventions to 
increase driving stability (as described 
in the preceding column) are not avail-
able. However, you can still drive the 
vehicle perfectly well without ASC+T. 
Please consult your BMW center in the 
event of a malfunction, refer to 
pages 21, 22.
Deactivating the ASC+TPress the button; the indicator lamp 
comes on and stays on.
The illustration shows the arrangement 
of the buttons if the vehicle is fully 
equipped. This may vary, depending on 
the equipment actually installed.
In the following rare situations, it may 
be advisable to deactivate the ASC+T 
for a brief period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting 
off in deep snow or on loose 
surfaces.
>When driving with snow chains. 
Refer also to page 122.
To maintain vehicle stability, 
always drive with the ASC+T 
switched on whenever possible.<460de312 

83n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
DSC
* Ð BMW 320i, 325i, 330i
Switch the DSC and ADB offHold the DSC button down for at least 
3 seconds. The indicator and the yellow 
brake warning lamps will remain on the 
entire time.
In this case, no interventions to 
increase stability and traction for engine 
and brakes are carried out.
To maintain vehicle stability, 
always drive with the DSC on 
whenever possible.<
Switch the DSC and ADB back onPress the button again; the indicator 
lamp or the indicator lamps will go out.
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with DSC. It will 
always be the driver's responsibility to 
drive in a manner that matches road 
conditions. We therefore urge you to 
avoid using the additional safety margin 
of the system as an excuse for taking 
risks.
Whenever the ADB has been activated, 
the DSC is switched off and will not 
perform any stabilizing intervention. 
Do not make any modifications to the 
DSC system. Allow only authorized 
technicians to perform work on the 
DSC.<
For additional details concerning DSC, 
please refer to the chapter "Advanced 
technology" on page 179. 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
115n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Under the hood:
Hood134
Engine compartment136
Washer fluids138
Washer nozzles138
Engine oil139
Coolant142
Brake fluid143
Vehicle Identification 
Number144
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance 
System145
Caring for your vehicle146
Airbags151
Airbags152
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications to the 
vehicle153
California Proposition 
65 Warning153
OBD interface socket154
Car care Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures116
Driving notes117
Catalytic converter117
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)118
Disc brakes120
Brake system121
Winter operation122
Power steering123
Cellular phones124
Radio reception124
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure125
Tire condition125
Tire replacement126
Tire rotation127
Wheel and tire 
combinations128
Winter tires129
Snow chains129
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications130 

117n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting 
on the brake pedal. Even light but 
consistent pedal pressure can lead to 
high temperatures, brake wear, and 
possibly to brake failure.
Aquaplaning:
Reduce your speed when you drive on 
wet or slushy roads. If you do not, a 
wedge of water can form between the 
tires and the road surface. This 
phenomenon is referred to as aqua-
planing or hydroplaning. It is character-
ized 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 that is 
deeper than 1 foot (30 cm). If you must 
drive through water accumulations up 
to that depth, drive only at walking 
speed. Driving at a faster speed could 
cause damage to the engine, the elec-
trical systems and the transmission.
Package tray:
Never use the rear window shelf to 
store heavy or bulky objects. If you do 
so, such objects could pose the risk of 
injury to vehicle occupants during 
braking or evasive maneuvers or in a 
crash.
Clothes hooks:
When suspending clothing from the 
hooks, be sure that they will not 
obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang 
heavy objects on the hooks. If you do 
so, such objects could pose the risk of 
personal injury during braking or 
evasive maneuvers.
use with unleaded fuel only.
Even minute quantities of lead would be 
enough to permanently damage both 
the catalytic converter and the system 
oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine 
operation and avoid potential damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled 
maintenance requirements.
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is 
empty.
>Tow-start only when the engine is 
cold. If you attempt to tow-start with 
a warm engine, unburned residual 
fuel in the catalytic converter could 
ignite and cause damage. It is better 
to jump-start the vehicle with outside 
assistance.
>Avoid other situations in which the 
fuel is not burned, or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter 
frequently or for extended periods, or 
repeated start attempts in which the 
engine does not start (stopping and 
restarting an engine which is running 
properly does not present a problem). 
Never allow the engine to run with 
any of the spark plug cables discon-
nected.
Driving notes  Catalytic converter 

120n
Disc brakesDisc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater 
fade resistance under heavy use. 
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when 
the vehicle is not used at all, and in oper-
ating conditions where brake applica-
tions are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion of the 
discs and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs 
because the minimal pressure that must 
be exerted by the pads to clean the 
discs by brake applications is not 
reached.
If the brake discs are corroded, they will 
tend to respond to braking with a 
pulsating effect that even extended 
brake applications will fail to cure.
For your own safety: use only 
brake pads that BMW has 
approved for your particular vehicle 
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if 
they are suited for use, and therefore 
cannot ensure the operating safety of 
the vehicle if they are installed.<
Driving notesWhen driving in wet conditions and in 
heavy rain, it is effective to apply light 
pressure to the brakes every few miles 
or kilometers. Be aware of traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does 
not endanger other road users. The 
heat that is generated by the brake 
applications helps to dry the brake 
pads and discs.
Maximum braking force is obtained 
while the wheels are not locked, but 
rather when they are still barely turning 
immediately prior to locking. ABS main-
tains this state automatically. If the ABS 
fails, you should revert to the staggered 
braking technique described on 
page 122.
Extended or steep mountain descents 
should be driven in the gear in which 
only minimal periodic brake application 
is required. This avoids excessive strain 
on the brakes and possible 
impairment of the braking effect.
The braking effect of the engine can be 
further increased by downshifting, into 
first gear, if necessary. In the manual 
mode of the automatic transmission, 
you can also downshift into first gear. 
Refer to page 66.Should engine braking prove inade-
quate, you should still avoid extended, 
continuous braking. Instead of main-
taining low to moderate pressure over 
an extended period of time, you should 
decelerate by applying more substantial 
pressure to the brake pedal (watch for 
following traffic), releasing the pedal, 
and then repeating the application 
(staggered braking). The cooling 
phases between active braking inter-
vals prevent the brakes from over-
heating, thus ensuring that full braking 
capacity remains available at all times.
Do not coast with the clutch 
depressed or with the shift lever 
or selector lever in neutral. Do not drive 
with the engine shut off. The engine 
provides no braking effect when the 
clutch is depressed or the transmission 
is in neutral, and there is no power-
assist for braking or steering when the 
engine is not running.
BMW 325xi, 330xi: have brake inspec-
tions performed at a BMW center only. 
If you do not, parts of the four-wheel 
drive system could be damaged.
Do not allow floor mats, carpets or any 
other objects to protrude into the area 
around the brake pedal, the clutch or 
the accelerator which could obstruct 
their freedom of movement.< 

122n
Winter operationThe onset of winter is often accompa-
nied by rapid changes in weather. 
Adaptations in driving style should be 
accompanied by preparations on the 
vehicle itself to ensure that your 
progress through the winter remains 
safe and trouble-free.CoolantBe sure that the coolant mixture 
contains the year-round ratio of 50:50 
water and extended-duty antifreeze/
corrosion protection. This mixture 
provides protection against freezing 
down to approx. -34 7 (-37 6). 
Replace the coolant every four years.LocksBMW door lock deicer can be used to 
free them if frozen. This deicer also 
contains lubricant.
After its use, treatment with BMW lock 
barrel grease is recommended.Rubber seals and components To prevent the weather-stripping from 
freezing, apply a spray-on rubber treat-
ment or silicone spray to the door, hood 
and luggage compartment lid seals.A full range of car care products is 
available from your BMW center.<
Snow chains BMW snow chains can be mounted on 
both summer and winter tires. Mount 
them in pairs on the rear wheels only 
and comply with the manufacturer's 
safety precautions. Do not exceed a 
maximum speed of 30 mph (50 km/h). 
In this situation, it may be appropriate 
to deactivate the ASC+T/DSC for a 
short period of time. Refer to page 80.
BMW 325xi, 330xi: in a worst-case 
scenario, if your vehicle is stuck on one 
side or you cannot access one tire, then 
a chain may be attached to one rear 
wheel for a short period of time.Starting offWhen starting from a full stop in deep 
snow or for "rocking" the vehicle to free 
it, it may be effective to deactivate the 
ASC+T/DSC system. Refer to page 80.Driving on low-traction road 
surfacesUse smooth, gentle pressure to control 
the accelerator pedal. Avoid excessive 
engine speeds and shift to the next 
higher gear at an early point. On down-
grades or slopes, shift down to the next 
lower gear at an early point. Maintain an 
adequate distance between yourself 
and the vehicle ahead.BrakesWinter road conditions substantially 
reduce the traction available between 
the tires and the road surface. 
Remember that braking distances will 
be significantly longer as a result.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels 
from locking during brake applications, 
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability 
and steering response.
If the ABS does not respond in a critical 
braking situation and the wheels lock: 
Reduce the pressure on the brake pedal 
until the wheels just start to roll again 
while still maintaining enough force to 
continue braking. 
Following that, increase pedal pressure 
again. Reduce the pressure as the 
wheels lock, then reapply pressure. 
Repeat this procedure. This type of 
staggered braking will reduce the 
braking distance, and the vehicle still 
remains responsive to steering. It allows 
you to steer around hazards once you 
have reduced the pressure on the brake 
pedal.