
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
 and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
171n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Advanced technology:
Airbags172
Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC)173
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction ASC+T/Dynamic 
Stability Control DSC173
Radio reception174
Four-wheel drive175
Safety belt tensioner175
Interior rearview mirror with 
automatic dimmer176
Rain sensor177
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)178
Self-diagnostics179
Xenon lamps180
Technol- 

172n
Deceleration sensors continuously 
monitor the acceleration forces acting 
upon the vehicle. If, as the result of 
a frontal collision, a deceleration is 
reached at which the protection of 
the safety belts alone is no longer 
adequate, the gas generators of the 
driver and passenger-front airbags are 
ignited. However, the passenger-side 
airbag is only triggered if an additional 
sensor has recognized that the 
passenger seat is occupied. 
In the event of a side collision, the Head 
Protection and side airbags in the front 
or rear
* are triggered if necessary. 
390de319
The airbags located under the marked 
covers inflate and unfold in a matter of 
a few milliseconds. In this process, they 
tear through the designed separation 
points of the upholstered covers or 
press them out.
Because the inflation process must be 
virtually instantaneous, it is necessarily 
accompanied by a certain amount of 
ignition and inflation noise. The gas 
required to inflate the airbags is not 
dangerous, and the smoke associated 
with it dissipates.
The entire process is completed within 
fractions of a second.
Airbags  

175n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Four-wheel drive Safety belt tensionerThe transmission of power to the four 
drive wheels is provided permanently 
through a transfer box. The distribution 
of torque between the front and rear 
axles is 38% to 62%.
Traditional differential locks at the front 
and rear axles and in the transfer box 
are not required. Their function is 
assumed by automatic braking inter-
vention at all four wheels. These trac-
tion interventions are governed by 
Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X), a 
sub-function of DSC.
If a wheel tends to slip, it is braked 
automatically by ADB-X until it once 
again gains traction, and drive force 
can be transmitted to that wheel. In 
addition, the drive force is distributed to 
the remaining wheels during this 530us133
system intervention. Engine output is 
also reduced if necessary. 
When the DSC is deactivated, the 
ADB-X traction intervention is set for 
the maximum drive force. However, the 
engine intervention and the stability 
controls are no longer available. For 
this reason, DSC should only be deacti-
vated in the exceptional circumstances 
described on page  81. 
The BMW 325xi is not an off-road 
vehicle. Instead, permanent four-wheel 
drive provides a high degree of vehicle 
stability and tractive ability under all 
road conditions, and will aid you in crit-
ical driving situations, e. g. driving in 
extreme winter conditions or on loose 
road surfaces.The safety belt tensioner responds to 
severe frontal collisions by tightening 
the belts to ensure that occupants 
remain firmly positioned in their seats. 
A gas-pressure system retracts the 
buckle assembly to tension the 
shoulder and lap belts within fractions 
of a second. This reduces the tendency 
to slide under the lap belt. 
390de330 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
 and maintenance
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
183n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine data184
Dimensions185
Weights186
Capacities187
Electrical system188
Drive belts188 
Data
Owner service procedures 

188n
Electrical system  Drive beltsBattery 12 V, 80 AhSpark plugs NGK BKR 6 EQUP
Bosch FGR 7 DQPWater pump Ð Generator Ð 
Power steering
Drive belt 6 PK x 1538
A/C compressor
Drive belt 5 PK x 863You can obtain Original BMW 
Parts and Accessories, as well 
as professional advice from your BMW 
center.< 

Everything from A to ZA 
ABS (Antilock Brake 
System)22,116 
Accessories6 
Activated-charcoal 
filter100,165 
Adaptive Transmission 
Control (ATC)65,173 
Adding engine oil135 
Adding washer 
fluid134,187 
Adjust 
backrest47 
steering wheel50 
temperature92 
thigh support area48 
Air conditioner90 
Air distribution92,98 
Air nozzles90 
Air outlets96 
ventilation90,96 
Air pressure124 
Air supply92,99 
Airbags21,58,147,172 
Alarm system41 
Antenna123 
Antenna Diversity174 
Antifreeze137 
radiator121 
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)22,116 
Anti-theft alarm system41 
Aquaplaning115,124 Armrest102 
ASC+T (Automatic Stability 
Control plus 
Traction)22,173 
Ashtray104 
ATC (Adaptive Transmission 
Control)65,173 
Attaching vacuum 
cleaner104 
AUC (Automatic climate 
control)96 
Automatic car washes141 
Automatic climate 
control96 
remove condensation from 
the windows98 
Automatic cruise control71 
Automatic dimming, interior 
rearview mirror52 
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction 
(ASC+T)22,173 
Automatic transmission21 
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic65 
Automatic washer 
rear window69 
windshield69 
Average consumption77 
Average speed77 
Axle loads186 
B 
Backrest, adjusting47 
Backup lamps64 
bulb replacement156 
Battery162,188 
capacity188 
charging164 
discharged167 
removal and 
installation163 
Battery charge current20 
Battery safety terminal163 
Belts53 
Beverage holder102 
Blower92,99 
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oils136 
BMW sports seat48 
Bore184 
Brake 
fluid138 
hydraulic system20 
pads22 
Brake lamps 
bulb replacement156 
Brake system118 
faults120 
Break-in procedure114 
Bulb replacement153 
Bulbs and lamps153 
C 
California Proposition 
65 Warning148 
Capacities187 
Car Memory52 
Car radio123 
reception174 
refer also to the separate 
Owner's Manual 
Car telephone103 
Car vacuum cleaner, 
connecting104 
Car wash141 
Care 
upholstery145 
vehicle exterior142 
vehicle finish143 
vehicle interior144 
wool velour145 
Cargo loading110 
Catalytic converter115 
CBC (Cornering Brake 
Control)21,117 
Cellular phone123 
refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual 
Center armrest102 
Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp157 
Central locking system34 
button38 
Changing a tire159 
   

Everything from A to Z
193n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Changing a wheel159 
Charge indicator lamp20 
Check air pressure28 
Check Control75 
Check engine oil level135 
Child restraint 
systems54,60 
Child-safety locks58 
Child's seat54 
Cigarette lighter104 
Cleaning windshield68 
Clock75 
refer also to the Radio or 
Computer Owner's Manual 
Cockpit16 
Coin holder102 
Combination switch68 
Compression184 
Computer76 
Configure settings52 
Consumption77 
display74 
Contents10 
Control elements20 
Coolant121,137,187 
antifreeze121 
Coolant temperature 
gauge74 
Cooling system187 
Copyright4 
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)21,117 Cruise control71 
Cruising range77 
Cup holder, refer to 
beverage holder102 
Curb weight186 
Current check indicator20 
D 
Dashboard16 
Data 
dimensions185 
engine184 
technical184 
weights186 
Daytime-driving lamp 
switch87 
DBC (Dynamic Brake 
Control)118 
Defrost position94,98 
Defrostable rear window99 
Defrosting 
rear window92 
windows94,98 
Digital clock75 
Dimensions185 
Dipstick, engine oil135 
Disc brakes118 
Displacement184 
Display lighting87 
Displays18 
Distance warning78 Diversity Antenna 
system174 
Door key32,35 
Door locks, care121 
Doors 
child-safety locks58 
emergency operation34 
unlocking and locking34 
DOT Quality Grades125 
Draft-free ventilation93 
Drive belts188 
Driving hints115 
Driving in winter121 
Driving lamps87 
DSC (Dynamic Stability 
Control)81,173 
Dynamic Brake Control 
(DBC)118 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)22,81,173 
E 
Electric power seat48 
Electric power windows43 
Electrical accessories, 
failure164 
Electrical system188 
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33 
Elements of operation16 Emergency operation, 
doors34 
Energy Control73 
Engine 
coolant137,187 
data184 
starting61 
Engine oil 
capacity187 
consumption135 
pressure20 
quality136 
specifications136 
viscosity136 
Engine speed184 
Exterior mirrors51 
F 
Failure messages75 
Fault displays75 
Fault, ABS117 
Filler cap cover27 
Filling capacities187 
Filling the washer 
reservoir187 
First-aid kit26 
Fittings, tow starting and 
towing168 
Flashlight101 
Flat tire124,159 
Fog lamps88  

Everything from A to ZRemote control35 
Removal from service of the 
vehicle147 
Removing condensation 
from the windows94 
Reporting safety defects7 
Restraint system54 
Retaining straps40 
Reverse17,64 
Roll-up cover107 
Roof load capacity186 
Roof luggage rack111 
Rubber parts121 S 
Safety belt height 
adjustment53 
Safety belt tensioners175 
Safety belts53 
height adjustment53 
Safety defects, reporting7 
Safety feature43 
Safety lock buttons38 
Seat 
electric power48 
mechanical46 
Seat adjustment46 
Seat heating100 
Seat memory49 
Securing cargo110 
Securing loads110 Selector lever, automatic 
transmission65 
Self-defrosting mirrors51 
Self-diagnostics179 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet
(US models)140 
Service Interval Display74 
Setting the temperature98 
Shiftlock65 
Side airbags58 
Side impact Head Protection 
System58 
Side lamps87 
bulb replacement154 
Ski bag106 
Skid control122 
Sliding/tilt sunroof44 
close in the event of an 
electrical short166 
convenience operation34 
Slippery roads122 
Snow chains121 
Socket104 
for electrical 
appliances104 
for flashlights104 
for vacuum cleaner104 
refer also to power 
outlet105 
Space-saver spare tire159 Spare key32,35 
with radio remote 
control32,35 
Spare tire159 
Spark plugs188 
Speaker103 
Speed control71 
Speedometer18 
Sports seat48 
Sports steering wheel25 
Starting assistance167 
Starting 
problems115,167 
Starting the engine61 
Steel wheels129 
Steering123 
Steering wheel lock61 
Steering wheel, 
adjusting50 
Steptronic65 
Stereo system Ð harman 
kardon101 
Stopping the vehicle62 
Storage compartments102 
Storing the vehicle147 
Stroke184 
Summer tires127 
Sun visors51 
Sunroof44 
Switching off the engine62 
Symbols4,163 Synthetic oils136 
T 
Tachometer73 
Tail lamps156 
bulb replacement156 
Tailgate 
emergency release166 
Tailgate lamp, bulb 
replacement157 
Tank capacity187 
Technical data184 
Technical 
modifications6,148 
Telephone 
refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual 
Telephone hookup103 
Temperature adjustment98 
Temperature display, 
outside temperature76 
Temperature gauge, engine 
coolant74 
Temperature 
layering93,100 
Thigh support area, 
adjusting48 
Third brake lamp157 
Tilt alarm42 
Tilt sensor alarm system36 
remote control36 
Tire changing159