
 
Contents
 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)24
Sports steering wheel with 
multifunction buttons25
Hazard warning flashers26
Warning triangle26
First-aid kit26
Refueling27
Fuel specifications28
Tire inflation pressure28
 
Locks and security systems:
 
Keys32
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from the 
outside34
Opening and closing Ð from the 
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment41
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Sliding/tilt sunroof45
 
Adjustments:
 
Seats47
Seat and mirror memory50
Steering wheel51
Mirrors52
Car Memory, Key Memory53
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Safety belts54
Airbags55
Transporting children safely59 
 
Driving:
 
Steering/Ignition lock62
Starting the engine62
Switching off the engine63
Parking brake64
Manual transmission65
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic66
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher69
Wiper/Washer system69
Rear window defroster71
Cruise control72
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer74
Tachometer74
Energy Control74
Fuel gauge75
Temperature gauge75
Service Interval Display75
Check Control76
Clock76
Computer77
 
Technology for safety and 
convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)79
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)80
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)82
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)86
 
Contents 

 
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 

 
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
 
15n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)24
Sports steering wheel with 
multifunction buttons25
Hazard warning flashers26
Warning triangle26
First-aid kit26
Refueling27
Fuel specifications28
Tire inflation pressure28  
Overview 

22n
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in 
response to system malfunction. 
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have 
the system inspected by your BMW 
center. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 119.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Engine oil level 
Comes on while driving: the oil 
level is at the absolute 
minimum; therefore, add engine oil as 
soon as possible. Do not drive more 
than 30 miles (50 km) until you do. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 139.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has 
been shut off: Add more engine 
oil the next time you stop for gas. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 139.
Brake pads l
 
Have the brake pads checked. 
For additional information, refer 
to page 121.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
Check the tire inflation pressure. 
Refer to pages 28 and 86.
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) l
Indicator lamp flashes: 
The system is active and governs drive 
force and braking force. 
The indicator lamp stays lit:
ASC+T has been switched off via the 
button, or it is defective, or, the DSC 
has been turned off, ADB is in ready 
mode.
Please consult the nearest BMW center 
in the event of a system malfunction. 
For additional information, refer to 
ASC+T beginning on page 80.
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
The DSC has either been turned off or 
is defective. ADB-X is in ready mode. If 
the warning lamp does not go out after 
pressing the DSC button repeatedly, 
then both the DSC
 and ADB-X are 
defective.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 84.
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) and 
brake warning lamp l
The indicator lamps remain on:
The DSC and ADB/DBC have 
been switched off by means of the 
button or are defective.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 82.
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
DSC and ADB-X are defective. ADB-X 
cannot be switched off.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 81.
Indicator and warning lamps 
DSC and ADB/ADB-X/DBC for 
Canadian models.
Add washer fluid 
The washer fluid is too low, refill 
at the earliest opportunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 138. 

28n
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressure The engine uses lead-free gasoline 
only.
Required fuel: 
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline, 
min. 91 AKI. 
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use 
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen 
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
Proper inflation pressures are on a 
sticker attached to the B-pillar and 
visible with the driver's door open.Check tire pressuresOn the next page you will find all the tire 
pressure and ambient air temperature 
specifications stated in the units usually 
used in your country (psi; kilopascal).
For vehicles with Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC):
After a correction of the tire inflation 
pressure, reactivate the system. Refer 
to page 86.460de163
Check tire inflation pressures Ð 
including the space-saver spare 
tire, or spare tire Ð regularly, at least 
every two weeks and before beginning 
a longer trip. Incorrect tire pressure can 
otherwise lead to tire damage and acci-
dents.
Inflate the spare tire to the highest tire 
inflation pressure specified for your 
vehicle.< 

29n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire inflation pressureComply with tire approval 
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table 
apply to tires from BMW-approved 
manufacturers. 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 sizes beginning 
on page 130.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that 
meet US and European standards. 
We recommend the exclusive use of 
BMW-approved tires.BMW Tires 
All pressure specifications in 
the table are indicated in psi 
(kilopascal) for cold tires 
(cold = ambient temperature)
320iAll summer tires 29 (200) 33 (230) 33 (230) 41 (280)
All winter tires 32 (220) 36 (250) 36 (250) 44 (300)
325i
325xiAll summer tires 30 (210) 35 (240) 35 (240) 42 (290)
All winter tires 33 (230) 38 (260) 38 (260) 45 (310)
330i
330xiAll summer and winter tires 33 (230) 38 (260) 38 (260) 45 (310)
All Space-saver spare tire 61 (420)
For all-season tires, use the same tire inflation pressure as for summer tires.
BMW 320i, 325i, 325xi: when using the tire 205/50 R 17 93 W extra load, the
inflation pressure increases by 3 psi (20 kilopascal). 
330i/330xi: when using the tires 225/45 R 17 91 W and mixed tires 225/45 ZR 17 
(front) + 245/40 ZR 17 (rear) the inflation pressure decreases by 3 psi 
(20 kilopascal). 

86n
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
The conceptRDC 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 system to "learn" the 
correct tire inflation pressure, check the 
inflation pressure in all tires. Refer to 
the table of "Tire inflation pressures" 
(page 28) and correct the pressures if 
necessary. Then activate the system. 
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will inform you if 
the tire pressure is not correct.
Activate the systemDepending on the type of equipment, 
the switch either has the letters RDC on 
it or the RDC-symbol.
1 Turn the ignition key to position 2 
(do not start the engine).
2 Press the switch long enough for the 
yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster to light up for a few 
seconds.
3 After a few minutes driving time, RDC 
sets the current inflation pressure in 
the tires as the target values to be 
monitored.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure following a correction of the tire 
inflation pressure. Otherwise, RDC 
functions automatically when the igni-
tion key is in position 2, and thus oper-
ates whenever the vehicle is driven.460de314
In the event of loss in tire 
pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped 
significantly over a long period of time 
(which is normal for any tire), the indi-
cator 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 
correction has been made, this indi-
cates that the corrected values were 
not accurate. Please check the inflation 
pressure again and make corrections 
according to the inflation pressure 
table. Then activate the system once 
again.<  

87n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
In the event of a flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, the indicator lamp comes on with 
a red lamp. In addition, an acoustic 
signal is sounded.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed 
immediately and stop the vehicle in a 
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the 
wheel and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire is 
provided for temporary use only in 
the event 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 be also be monitored once the 
tires have been mounted and the 
system activated.<
RDC cannot alert you to severe 
and sudden tire damage caused 
by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your 
BMW center.
Your BMW center has been trained to 
work with the RDC system and is 
equipped with the necessary special 
tools.<
System interferenceLocal devices using the same radio 
frequency can interfere with the RDC.
The yellow indicator lamp will come on 
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 BMW center for 
additional information.