116n
Catalytic converter Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Be sure to observe the instruc-
tions above to prevent unburned
fuel from reaching the catalytic
converter, otherwise, the catalytic
converter could overheat and be
damaged.
High temperatures occur in any vehicle
equipped with a catalytic converter.
Heat shields are installed adjacent to
some sections of the exhaust system.
Never remove these shields; do not
apply undercoating to their surfaces.
When driving, standing at idle, and
parking the vehicle, take care to avoid
contact between the exhaust system
and flammable materials (grass, hay,
leaves etc.). Such contact could lead to
a fire, resulting in personal injury and
property damage.<
The concept ABS enhances active driving safety by
helping to prevent the wheels from
locking under braking. The reason:
locked wheels are dangerous. When the
front wheels slide, the driver loses
steering control over the vehicle. Trac-
tion loss at the rear wheels can cause
the rear end to break into an uncon-
trolled skid.
The system can achieve the shortest
braking distances possible under most
conditions (on straight-aways and in
curves, on asphalt, ice, wet road
surfaces, etc.).
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
>To help provide vehicle stability.
>Assured ability to steer and
maneuver Ð on the various road
surfaces (asphalt, concrete, dirt,
wet conditions, snow, ice).
The system can achieve the shortest
braking distances possible under most
conditions (on straight-away and in
curves, on asphalt, ice, wet road
surfaces, etc.).
Braking with ABSThe system is operative once the
vehicle exceeds a speed of approx.
6 mph (10 km/h). It is deactivated once
again below approx. 4 mph (6 km/h).
This means that the wheels can lock in
the final phase of a panic stop Ð a factor
of no significance in actual use.
If you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply
maximum brake pressure ("panic
stop"). Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can
nevertheless avoid possible obstacles
with a minimum of steering effort.
The ABS closed-loop control circuit
cycles in fractions of a second. A pulsa-
tion at the brake pedal, together with
the sounds associated with the
hydraulic controls, tells you that the
brake system is within its maximum
limit range, and reminds you that you
should adapt road speed to the road
conditions.
On road surfaces that have a loose
surface layer on a firm base with good
traction (on gravel or snow, for
example), or when snow chains are
mounted, braking distances may be
longer than with locked wheels.
128n
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter
road conditions. So-called all-season
tires with the M+S-identification mark
do indeed possess better winter trac-
tion than summer tires with the load
rating H, V, W, Y und ZR, but usually do
not achieve the same level of perfor-
mance as winter tires.
In the interests of safe tracking and
steering response, install radial tires
made by the same manufacturer and
with the same tread configuration on all
four wheels if you elect to mount winter
tires.
Mount only winter tires which have
been approved by BMW. Any BMW
center will be glad to provide you with
information on the best winter tires for
your particular driving conditions.
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<
Tire condition, tire pressureOnce the tire wears to below 0.16 in
(4 mm), winter tires display a percep-
tible decrease in their ability to cope
with winter driving conditions, and
should be replaced in the interest of
safety.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures Ð and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against
contact with oil, grease and fuel.Snow chains
*
The use of narrow-link BMW snow
chains on summer or winter tires is
approved only in pairs and only on the
rear wheels. Comply with all manufac-
turer's safety precautions when
mounting the chains.
BMW 325xi: in a worst-case scenario,
i.e. if your vehicle is stuck on one side
or you cannot access one tire, then only
one chain may be attached to a rear
wheel for a short period of time.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety
precautions when mounting the chains.
Everything from A to ZFolding rear backrest108
Footbrake118
Footwell lamps88
bulb replacement158
Four-wheel drive175
Front fog lamps, bulb
replacement155
Front seat adjustment46
Frost protection,
radiator137
Fuel28
consumption77
consumption display74
gauge74
preparation184
quality28
Fuel filler door
releasing following an
electrical malfunction166
Fuel reserve indicator
lamp74
Fuel tank capacity187
Fuel tank gauge74
Functional status179
Fuses164 G
Gasoline28
Gasoline gauge74
Gasoline quality28
Glove compartment101 Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement158
Gross vehicle weight186
H
Handbrake63
Hands-free system103
Hazard warning flashers26
Hazard warning triangle26
Head restraint47
Headlamp covers,
care141,153
Headlamp flasher88
Headlamp washer
system70,134,187
Heated seats100
Heating, rapid94
Heavy loads110
Height185
HiFi system101
High beams23,68,88
bulb replacement153
High Performance Synthetic
Oils136
High-mount brake lamp157
Hood release130
Horn17
Hubcap160
Hydraulic Brake assistant,
refer to DBC118
I
Ice warning76
Icy roads76,121
Identification, tires127
Ignition key32,35
Ignition lock61
Imprint4
Indicator lamps20
Inflation pressure28,124
monitoring85,178
INSPECTION74
Installation child restraint
systems60
Instrument cluster18
Instrument lighting87
Interaxle tire rotation126
Interface socket for Onboard
Diagnostics149
Interference, cellular
phone123
Interior lamps36,88
bulb replacement158
remote control36
Interior motion sensor41
Interior rearview mirror51
automatic dimming
feature52,176
Interlock61
Intermittent wipe68
J
Jack159
Jump-starting167 K
Key32,35
Key Memory52 L
Lamps and bulbs153
Lashing eyes110
LATCH attachment of the
child seat58
Leather care145
Length185
License plate lamp
bulb replacement157
Light switch87
Light-alloy wheels129
Lighter104
Load-securing devices110
Louvers90,96
Low beam headlamps87
bulb replacement153
Lug bolts160
Lug wrench159
Everything from A to Z
195n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Luggage
compartment38,107
capacity186
emergency release166
lamps39
lamps, bulb
replacement158
remote control system37
trunk floor40
Luggage compartment lid
emergency release166
Luggage rack111
Lumbar support48 M
Maintenance74
Malfunction displays75
Manual transmission64
Memory49
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)24
Microfilter93,165
Mirror memory49
Mirrors51
Mobile phone123
Modifications,
technical6,148
Motion sensor, interior41
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)24
M+S tires128
N
Neckrest47
Nozzles96 O
OBD interface socket149
Obstruction protection43
Odometer73
Oil
additives135
capacity187
consumption135
dipstick135
quality136
specifications136
viscosity136
Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet or to
the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet
Oil filter change187
Oil level, indicator lamp20
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp20
OILSERVICE74
Onboard computer, please
refer to Computer76
Onboard tool kit152
Opening and closing
from the inside38
from the outside34 Opening the rear
window40
Outside temperature
display76
Owner service
procedure141
P
Paint blemishes142
Paintwork
minor repairs143
waxing143
Paint, care142
Park Distance Control
(PDC)78
Parking brake63
Parking help78
Parking lamps88
Parking, winter122
Partition net107
PDC (Park Distance
Control)78
Performance184
Phone, mobile123
Pocket lamp101
Pollen93,100
Power outlet105
Power steering123
Power windows43
safety switch44
Pressure monitoring,
tires85,178
Pressure, tires28,124
Q
Quality Grades125 R
Radiator187
Radio
refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Radio Data System
(RDS)174
Radio reception123,174
Rain sensor69,177
RDC (Tire Pressure
Control)85,178
RDS (Radio Data
System)174
Reading lamps88
Rear backrest, folded
down108
Rear hatch lamp
bulb replacement157
Rear lamps156
Rear seat backrest,
folding107
Rear window
defroster70,92,99
Rearview mirror51
Recirculated air control92
automatic99
Recirculated-air mode92
Reclining seat46
Refueling27
Owner service proceduresA
Activated-charcoal filter,
changing165
Adding brake fluid138
Adding engine coolant138
Adding engine oil135
Adjust washer nozzles134
Air pressure, checking28
Antifreeze138 B
Backup lamps
bulb replacement156
Battery
care163
charging164
removal and
installation163
Brake fluid, adding138
Brake lamps
bulb replacement156
Brakes, brake faults120 C
Changing a tire159
Changing a wheel159
Changing the
microfilter165
Charging the battery164 Check air pressure28
Check Control75
Checking air pressure28
Checking engine oil
level135
D
Defrost setting94
Defrosting the windows94
Difficult steering123
Disposal
batteries164
engine oil136
Doors, emergency
actuation34 E
Electrical accessories,
failure164
Electrical defect
fuel filler door166
sliding/tilt sunroof166
Emergency operation
doors34
fuel filler door166
luggage
compartment166
sliding/tilt sunroof166 Engine oil
add135
quality136
specifications136
viscosity136
Engine oil level,
checking135
F
Failure messages75
Filling washer reservoir134
First-aid kit26
Fittings, tow starting and
towing168
Flat tire159
Footwell lamps, bulb
replacement158
Front fog lamps
bulb replacement155
Fuses, replacing164 G
Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement158
H
Hatch lamps
bulb replacement156
Hatch, emergency lock
operation166
Hazard warning flashers26
Hazard warning triangle26
Headlamp cover, care153
High beams, bulb
replacement153 I
Indicator lamps20
Inflated pressure28
Interior lamps, bulb
replacement158
Interior motion sensor,
switching off42 J
Jack159 L
License plate lamp
bulb replacement157
Low beams, bulb
replacement153
Lug wrench159
Owner service procedures
199n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Luggage compartment
emergency actuation166
Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement158 M
Maintenance140
Malfunction displays75
Microfilter, change165
Motion sensor, switching
off42 O
Oil
quality136
specifications136
viscosity136
Onboard tool kit152 P
Pressure, tires28 R
Rear hatch lamp
bulb replacement157
Rear lamp156
Release the hood130 Releasing the fuel filler door
after an electrical
defect166
Removing condensation
from the windows94
Replace windshield wiper
blades152
Replacement key32
Replacing lamp bulbs153
Replenish washer
reservoir134
Return used batteries164
S
Side lamps
bulb replacement154
Sliding/tilt sunroof
close in event of electrical
defect166
Space-saver spare tire159
Spare key32
Spare tire159
Spare wheel159
Starting problems115
Switching off tilt alarm/
interior motion sensor42
T
Tail lamps
bulb replacement156
Tailgate lamps
bulb replacement156
Tailgate, emergency lock
operation166
Tilt alarm, switching off42
Tire changing159
Tire damage124
Tools152
Tow fittings168
Tow starting168
Towing168
Turn signals, bulb
replacement154 U
Use antifreeze for
radiator138
Used batteries164
Used engine oil136 V
Vanity mirror lamp, bulb
replacement158
W
Warning lamps20
Warning messages75
Washer fluid, adding134
Washer nozzles,
adjusting134
Washer reservoir, filling134
Wheel changing159
Windshield wiper blades,
replacing152
Working in the engine
compartment130
So that you will have important
specifications available when you
stop to refuel, we recommend
that you supplement this table
with data which apply to your
vehicle.
Fuel
Engine oil The oil volume between the
two marks on the oil dipstick
corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Designation Premium Unleaded
Gasoline
AKI: minimum 91
QualityTire inflation pressures
Summer Winter
Front Rear Front Rear
4 persons
5 persons or 4 plus luggage
Refueling
BMW recommends Castrol