95n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Air conditioner Draft-free ventilation You can adjust the blower controls for
the upper body area to select the
optimum airflow rates and directions for
your personal requirements:
Use rotary dials 1 to open and close the
air outlets through an infinitely-variable
range. You can adjust the direction of
the airflow with rotary dial 2.
Set the outlets so that the air flows past
you and is not directed straight at you.
Rotary dial 3 allows you to mix the air
from the outlets for your upper body by
warming or cooling the air as desired.460de040
Microfilter An activated-charcoal microfilter, which
traps incoming dust and pollen, has
been installed in your vehicle. Your
BMW center will replace it during regu-
larly scheduled maintenance. A
substantial reduction in air supply indi-
cates that the filter must be replaced
before normal maintenance.
For additional details on the filter
change, refer to page 171.
Rapid ventilation1 Set the blower speed control for the
air flow rate to position 4
2 Switch on the air conditioner
3 Turn the rotary temperature control
completely to the left (blue)
4 Rotary control for air distribution in
position
5 Open the air outlets for the upper
body.463de018
100n
Automatic climate control
*
Tips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic system (switch on
AUTO Ð button 7). Select an interior
temperature that is comfortable for you
Ð we recommend 72 7 (+22 6). When
the outside temperature is above 41 7
(+5 6), you can also use the air condi-
tioner (12). This will dry the air as well
as preventing condensation on the
window surfaces Ð if there are passen-
gers with damp clothing, for example.
Set the air outlets (2) so that the air
flows past you and is not directed
straight at you. Set the rotary dial
between the air outlets (2) for the upper
body to a medium position, since air
that is somewhat cooler promotes
driving without fatigue.
Detailed setting options are described
for you in the following section.
Automatic air distribution
The AUTO program assumes
the adjustment of the air distri-
bution and the air supply for you and in
addition adapts the temperature to
external influences (summer, winter) to
meet preferences you can specify. This
program maintains a comfortable in-car
climate regardless of the season. Select
an interior temperature that is comfort-
able for you Ð we recommend 72 7
(+22 6). The temperature selected and
AUTO for the air supply appear in
display (10), refer to the overview on
page 98. Open the air outlets for the
upper body area. Switch on the air
conditioner in warm weather. The
maximum cooling capacity is achieved
when you set rotary dial (3) to cold.
Refer to page 102.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO
program by selecting specific
distribution patterns to suit your
own individual requirements.
You can direct air to flow onto the
windows , toward the upper body ,
and into the footwell .
Temperature
The figures in the display
provide a general indication of
interior temperature. We recommend
72 7 (+22 6) as a comfortable setting,
whether the air conditioner is operating
or not. When you start the vehicle, the
system ensures that the selected
temperature is reached as quickly as
possible. It then maintains this tempera-
ture, regardless of the season.
Set rotary dial 3 (refer to "Draft-free
ventilation" on page 102) to a medium
setting, since air that is somewhat
cooler promotes driving without fatigue.
You can use this setting for mixing air to
make minor comfort modifications.
The full, uncontrolled heater
output is available at 90 7
(+32 6). At a setting of 60 7 (+16 6),
the full cooling output is available when
the air conditioner is activated.<
102n
Automatic climate control
*
Rear window defroster
When the rear window defroster
is activated, the indicator lamp
comes on. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically. Refer to
page 71.
Draft-free ventilation Set the ventilation outlets for your upper
body area so that it is comfortable for
you:
Use rotary dials (1) to open and close
the air outlets through an infinitely-vari-
able range. You can adjust the direction
of the airflow with the levers (2).
Set the outlets so that the air flows past
you and is not directed straight at you.
The rotary dial (3) allows you to mix the
air from the outlets for your upper body
by warming or cooling the air as
desired.460de040
Microfilter/Activated-charcoal
filterThe microfilter traps incoming dust and
pollen. The activated-charcoal filter
helps clean the incoming outside air of
gaseous pollutants. Your BMW center
will replace this combinated filter during
the regularly scheduled maintenance. A
substantial reduction in air supply indi-
cates that the filter must be replaced
before normal maintenance.
For additional information on the filter
change, refer to page 171.
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.<
142n
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot. If
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant
can cause burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, never use anything other than
factory-approved, nitrite and amino-
free extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor. Your BMW center is
familiar with the official specifications.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. You should always
store them in their original container
and in a location that is inaccessible to
children. Extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor contains ethylene
glycol, a flammable substance. For this
reason, do not spill antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor on hot engine parts.
It could ignite and cause burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of extended-duty antifreeze
with corrosion inhibitor.<
Checking coolant levelCorrect coolant level when the engine
is cold (approx. 68 7 or +20 6):
Unscrew the cap from the expansion
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the
end of the red float is aligned with the
upper edge of the filler opening (refer
to the arrow in the illustration), or max.
0.8 in (2 cm) higher, that is up to the
second mark on the float (see also the
schematic diagram next to the filler
opening).46cde036
Add coolant Wait until the engine cools before
removing the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant gauge
in the instrument cluster must be
located in the blue zone. If it is not,
there is a danger of scalding.
1 Turn the cap slightly counterclock-
wise in order to allow accumulated
pressure to escape. Then open.
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached Ð do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the
prescribed all-season 50:50 mixture
ratio for year-round protection against
internal corrosion. No other additives
are required.
Replace the coolant every four years.
195n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 16.6 (approx. 63)
approx. 2.1 (approx. 8)Fuel specification: page 28
Windshield washer system/
Headlamp washer systemquarts (liters) approx. 5.6 (approx. 5.3) For details: page 138
Cooling system including heater circuit quarts (liters) approx. 8.9 (approx. 8.4) For details: page 142
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) 320i, 325i, 330i:
approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5)
325xi, 330xi:
approx. 7.9 (approx. 7,5)BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
For details: page 140
Manual and automatic transmission, transfer
box and differentialÐ Lifetime fluid, no fluid change
required
Everything from A to Z
201n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp163
Center 3-point-safety belt in
the rear109
Center armrest105
Central locking system34
button38
Changing a tire165
Changing a wheel165
Charge indicator lamp20
Check Control76
Child restraint
systems55,59,61
Child seat59
Child seat security61
Child-safety locks55
Cigarette lighter108
Clock76
refer also to the Radio or
Onboard Monitor Owner's
Manual
Cockpit16
Coin holder105
Combination switch69
Compression192
Computer77
Configure settings53
Consumption78
Consumption display75
Contents10
Coolant122,142,195
antifreeze122 Coolant temperature
gauge75
Cooling system195
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)21,119
Cruise control72
Cruising range78
Cup holder105
Curb weight194
D
Dashboard16
Data
dimensions193
engine192
weights194
Daytime-driving lamp
switch88
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)119
Defrost position96,101
Defroster, rear
window94,102
Defrosting the
windows96,101
Digital clock76
Dimensions193
Dipstick139
Disc brakes120
Displacement192
Displays18 Distance warning79
Diversity Antenna181
Divided rear backrest109
Door key32
Door locks, care122
Doors
child-safety locks55
emergency operation34
unlocking and locking34
Draft-free
ventilation95,102
Driving hints117
Driving in winter122
Driving lamps88
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)22,80,180
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)119
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)22,80,180
E
Electric power windows44
Electrical accessories,
failure170
Electrical system196
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Elements of operation16
Emergency operation,
doors34
Energy Control74 Engine compartment136
Engine coolant142,195
Engine data192
Engine oil
capacity195
consumption139
pressure20
quality140
specifications140
viscosity140
Engine oil level22
check139
Engine speed192
Engine, starting62
Exterior mirrors52
F
Failure messages76
Fault displays76
Fault, ABS119
Filler cap cover27
Filling capacities195
Filling the washer
reservoir195
First-aid kit26
Fittings, towing and
tow-starting174
Flashlight104
Flat tire125,165
Fog lamps89
Folding rear backrest109
Footbrake120