
62n
0 Steering lock engaged The key can only be inserted or 
removed in this position.
After removing the key, turn the 
steering wheel slightly to the left or right 
until the lock engages.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic 
signal is sounded after the driver's door 
has been opened.
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from the 
"Park" position until the engine is 
running (ignition key at position 2).
In order to turn the key back to posi-
tion 0 or to remove it, move the selector 
lever into position "Park" first (Inter-
lock).<460de022
1 Steering lock disengaged Turning the steering wheel slightly to 
the right or left often makes it easier to 
turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual electrical devices are ready 
for operation.2 Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3 Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: depress the clutch when 
starting the vehicle. A lockout prevents 
the engine from starting if the clutch is 
not depressed.c
Before starting>Engage the parking brake 
>Be sure that the shift lever is in 
"Neutral" or "Park" if the vehicle is 
equipped with an automatic transmis-
sion 
>Depress the clutch pedal.
Do not run the engine in enclosed 
areas. The exhaust gases contain 
carbon monoxide, an odorless and 
colorless, but highly toxic gas. 
Breathing the exhaust gases poses an 
extreme health risk, and can lead to 
unconsciousness and death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended 
with the engine running. An unat-
tended vehicle with a running engine 
represents a potential safety hazard.<
Steering/Ignition lock  Starting the engine  

65n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Manual transmission Press the clutch pedal all the way down 
each time you shift, pressing the 
manual-shift gear lever into its proper 
end position.
Depress the clutch when starting the 
vehicle, too, otherwise, lockout will 
prevent the engine from starting if the 
clutch is not depressed.
The shift lever's neutral plane (dot in the 
illustration) is located between 3rd and 
4th gears.
When shifting from each gear into 
"Neutral," the shift lever returns auto-
matically to this neutral position 
because of its spring loading.360de044
Reverse Select "Reverse" only when the vehicle 
is at a complete stop. Press the shift 
lever to the left to overcome the resis-
tance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will 
turn on automatically when the ignition 
key is in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on 
slopes by slipping or "riding" the 
clutch. Use the parking brake instead. 
Otherwise, riding the clutch will cause 
tremendous wear and tear to the 
clutch.< 

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. 

116n
To ensure that your vehicle provides 
maximum economy throughout a long 
service life, we request that you comply 
with the following recommendations. 
Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine speeds and 
road speeds, but do not exceed 
4,500 RPM or a road speed of 100 mph 
(160 km/h) during this initial period.
Obey your local and state maximum 
speed limits.
Do not apply 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.
Follow the same break-in procedure if 
either the engine or the differential is 
replaced in the future.
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).
Obey your local and state maximum 
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on 
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of 
water may form between the tire and 
the road surface. This phenomenon is 
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or 
complete loss of traction, vehicle 
control and braking effectiveness. 
Reduce your speed on wet roads.<
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 
traffic 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 
vehicle with the engine off Ð when 
towing, for example Ð substantially 
higher levels of pedal force will be 
required to brake the vehicle.
(500 km). Engage the gears carefully 
during the break-in period.
Break-in procedures 

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.< 

123n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Winter operation Power steering
Do not shift down on slick road 
surfaces. Doing so could cause 
the rear wheels to lose traction and 
skid, resulting in a loss of vehicle 
control.<
Depress the clutch during hard 
braking on road surfaces that 
provide only poor or uneven traction.<
Skid control Depress the clutch and release the 
accelerator pedal, or place the selector 
lever of the automatic transmission into 
the "Neutral" position. Countersteer 
carefully and attempt to regain control 
of the vehicle.
ParkingEngage 1st or reverse gear. If your 
vehicle is equipped with an automatic 
transmission, place the selector lever in 
Park. On vehicles with manual trans-
mission, also apply the parking brake 
when parking on inclined surfaces. In 
order to prevent the parking brake 
linings from locking due to frost or 
corrosion, dry them by gently applying 
the parking brake as the vehicle is 
coming to a stop. Make sure that 
following traffic is not endangered.
The brake lamps do not light up 
when the parking brake is 
applied.<
If the steering response changes, e.g. 
high steering effort: 
Contact a BMW center to have this 
system inspected. 
If the power steering fails, 
increased effort will be required to 
steer the vehicle.<