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