
 
Contents
 
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit158
Windshield wiper blades158
Lamps and bulbs158
Changing a wheel165
Battery168
Fuses170
Microfilter/Activated-charcoal 
filter171
 
In case of electrical 
malfunction:
 
Fuel filler door172
Sliding/Tilt sunroof172
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting173
Towing the vehicle174Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC)178
Airbags179
Automatic Stability Control plus 
traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC)180
Radio reception181
Four-wheel drive182
Safety belt tensioner183
Interior rearview mirror with 
automatic dimming 
feature184
Rain sensor185
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)186
Self-diagnostics187
Xenon lamps188Engine data192
Dimensions193
Weights194
Capacities195
Electrical system196
V-belts196 

68n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
In the following situations, the Step-
tronic "thinks" for you in the manual 
mode:
>In order to prevent the engine from 
overrevving, the transmission shifts 
automatically to the next higher gear 
just before the engine speed cutoff 
point.
>If you do not do anything to inter-
vene, it will automatically downshift 
at lower speeds.
>In kickdown, it will downshift into 
the lowest gear possible, depending 
on the engine speed.
>According to the situation, for 
instance in wintry conditions, the 
vehicle can be started in 2nd or 
3rd gear.
Available displays 
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5460us143
Electronic transmission control 
module
If the indicator lamp comes on, 
there is a malfunction in the 
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P," set the parking 
brake and turn the engine off (ignition 
key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the 
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a 
few seconds, normal transmission 
performance has been restored. You 
may continue to drive as usual.
If the indicator lamp does not go out, 
all selector lever positions can still be 
selected, however in the forward 
positions the vehicle has limited 
performance as it drives only in 3rd 
and 4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine 
loads and consult the nearest BMW 
center.
Do not work in the engine 
compartment when a drive gear 
(forward or reverse) is engaged. If you 
do this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the 
information beginning on page 173. 

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 

137n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine compartment Ð BMW 320i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi 1 Brake fluid reservoir143
2 Engine oil dipstick139
3 Coolant expansion tank142
4 Engine oil filler neck139
5 Reservoir for the headlamp
* and 
windshield washer system138
6 Auxiliary terminal for jump 
starting173 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
157n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Repairs
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit158
Windshield wiper blades158
Lamps and bulbs158
Changing a wheel165
Battery168
Fuses170
Microfilter171
In case of electrical 
malfunction:
Fuel filler door172
Sliding/tilt sunroof172
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
Jump-starting173
Towing the vehicle174 

173n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Do not use spray starter fluids. 
If the battery is discharged, the engine 
can be started with the use of two 
jumper cables and the battery of 
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables 
with fully insulated grips on the terminal 
clamps.
Do not touch the parts conducting 
electrical current while the engine 
is running. Failure to comply with this 
creates a risk of fatal injury.<
Carefully comply with the following 
instructions to avoid personal injury or 
damage to one or both vehicles:
1 Be sure that the battery on the 
support vehicle is also rated at 
12 volts, and that the capacities of 
the two batteries (Ah) are roughly 
comparable (printed on casing) 
2 Leave the discharged battery 
connected to the vehicle's electrical 
system
3 Make sure that there is no contact 
between the bodywork of the two 
vehicles Ð this creates a risk of short 
circuits
4 Start by connecting the jumper cable 
from the positive terminal of the 
support vehicle to the positive 
terminal connector located in your 
BMW's engine compartment. The 
cover of the positive terminal 
connector is marked with a "+" sign. 
Refer to the illustration. Remove by 
pulling the tab (arrow 1)
5 Then connect the negative terminals. 
Attach the cable to either the support 
vehicle's negative battery terminal (Ð), 
or to a suitable ground on its engine 
or bodywork. Then connect the other 
end of the cable to a ground on the 
engine or on the bodywork of the 
vehicle that is to be started. There is 
a special nut provided for this on the 
BMW (arrow 2)462us053
Follow the same sequence for 
connecting the jumper cables 
when helping other vehicles. If you do 
not, there is the risk of injury if sparks 
are generated at the battery.<
6 Start the engine of the support 
vehicle and let it run
7 Start the engine on the vehicle 
needing the jump-start, and allow it 
to run as usual. If the first start 
attempt is not successful, wait a few 
minutes before another attempt in 
order to allow the discharged battery 
to recharge
8 Before disconnecting the jumper 
cables from your BMW, turn on the 
lighting, the rear window defroster 
and set the blower to the highest 
speed; allow the engine to run 
approx. 10 seconds. This will prevent 
a voltage surge from the voltage 
regulator to the electrical accessories
9 Then disconnect the jumper cables in 
reverse sequence.
Depending on the cause of the fault, 
recharge the battery.
Jump-starting 

Everything from A to ZFootwell lamps89 
bulb replacement164 
Four-wheel drive182 
Front fog lamps89 
bulb replacement161 
Frost protection, 
radiator142 
Fuel28 
Fuel consumption78 
Fuel consumption 
display75 
Fuel filler door 
releasing following an 
electrical malfunction172 
Fuel gauge75 
Fuel injection192 
Fuel quality28 
Fuel reserve indicator 
lamp75 
Fuel specifications28 
Fuel tank capacity195 
Fuel tank gauge75 
Functional status187 
Fuses170 G 
Gasoline28 
Gasoline gauge75 
Glove compartment104 Glove compartment lamp, 
bulb replacement164 
Gross vehicle weight194 
H 
Handbrake64 
Handsfree system107 
Hazard warning flashers26 
Hazard warning triangle26 
Head restraints48 
Headlamp covers, 
care146,159 
Headlamp flasher69,89 
Headlamp washer 
system138,195 
Headlamp washers71 
Headlamps88 
Heated seats103 
Heating, rapid96 
Heavy loads112 
Height193 
HiFi system Ð harman 
kardon104 
High beams23,69,89 
bulb replacement159 
High Performance Synthetic 
Oils140 
High-mount brake lamp163 
Hood release134 Horn17 
Hubcap166 
Hydraulic Brake assistant, 
refer to DBC 
I 
Ice warning77 
Icy roads77 
Identification, tires128 
Ignition key32 
Ignition lock62 
Imprint4 
Indicator lamps20 
Inflated pressure28,125 
Inflation pressure 
monitoring86,186 
INSPECTION75 
Instrument cluster18 
Instrument panel18 
Interaxle tire rotation127 
Interface socket108 
for Onboard 
Diagnostics154 
Interference 
cellular phone124 
Interior lamps36,89 
bulb replacement163 
remote control36 
Interior motion sensor42 Interior rearview mirror52 
automatic dimming 
feature53,184 
Interlock62 
Intermittent wipe69 
J 
Jack165 
Jump-starting173 K 
Key Memory53 
Keys32 
with remote control32 L 
Lamps and bulbs158 
LAMPS ON warning88 
Lashing eyes112 
LATCH attachment of the 
child seat59 
Leather care150 
Length193 
License plate lamp, bulb 
replacement163 
Light switch88 
Light-alloy wheels130 
Lighter108 
Load-securing devices112