
 
11n
 
Controls and features
Maintenance and care
 
Lamps:
 
Side lamps/Low beams87
Instrument lighting87
High beams/Parking lamps88
Fog lamps88
Interior lamps88
 
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioner90
Automatic climate control96
Seat heating100
 
Cabin convenience:
 
HiFi system101
Glove compartment101
Storage compartments102
Cellular phone103
Ashtray, front104
Cigarette lighter104
Ashtray, rear105
Power outlet105
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Ski bag106
Cargo area107
Cargo loading110
Roof-mounted luggage rack111
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures114
Driving notes115
Catalytic converter115
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)116
Disc brakes118
Brake system120
Winter operation121
Power steering123
Cellular phone123
Radio reception123
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure124
Tire condition124
Tire replacement125
Tire rotation126
Wheel and tire 
combinations127
Winter tires128
Snow chains128
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications129
 
Under the hood:
 
Hood130
Engine compartment132
Washer fluids134
Washer nozzles134
Engine oil135
Coolant137
Brake fluid138
Vehicle Identification
Number139
 
Care and maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System140
Caring for your vehicle141
Airbags147
Vehicle storage147
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications 
to the vehicle148
California Proposition 
65 Warning148
OBD interface socket149 

 
19n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Instrument cluster
 
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for 
fuel reserve74
2 Turn signal indicator23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for:
 
>
 
Battery charge current20
 
>
 
High beams23
 
> 
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil 
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and Energy Control73
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge 
with "Coolant temperature too high" 
indicator74
7 Indicator and warning lamps 
(clockwise) for:
 > Parking brake/Brake hydraulic 
system/Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)/(DBC)20, 21 >
 Antilock Brake System (ABS)22  
>
 
Brake pads22
 
>
 
Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC)20, 22
 
>
 
Airbags21
 
>
 
Please fasten safety belts21
 
>
 
Cruise control
 
* 23
8 Adjusting knob for the clock759 Program display for automatic 
transmission65, 67
Indicator lamp for automatic 
transmission21, 65, 67
10 Indicator lamp for Automatic 
Stability Control plus Traction 
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) or DSC and 
ADB/ADB-X22
11 Indicator for: 
>
 
Odometer73
 
>
 
Trip odometer73
 
>
 
Clock75
 
>
 
Service Interval74
Display for computer, operation 
via the turn signal lever, refer to 
page 76: 
 
>
 
Clock
 
>
 
Outside temperature
 
>
 
Average fuel consumption
 > Cruising range  >
 Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control75
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero7314 Indicator and warning lamps 
(clockwise) for:  
>
 
Fog lamps23
 
>
 
Add washer fluid22
 
>
 
Coolant level23
 
>
 
Electronic Throttle Control 
(EML)
 
* 
23
 
>
 
Service engine soon23
You can display the outside 
temperature and distance driven 
in different units of measurement.
 
< 

 
20n
 
Indicator and warning lamps 
 
Technology that monitors itself 
 
Many of the systems of your BMW 
monitor themselves automatically, both 
during engine starts and while you are 
driving. Indicator and warning lamps 
that are identified by "
 
l
 
" are tested for 
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up 
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started or 
it will light up while the vehicle is 
moving. You will see how to react to 
this below.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current 
 
l
 
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. There is a malfunction 
of the alternator V-belt or in the 
charging circuit of the alternator. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not 
continue driving. The engine could 
be damaged due to overheating. If the 
V-belt is defective, increased steering 
effort is also required.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
  
l
 
  
Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. Check 
the engine oil level and refill as required. 
If the oil level is correct, please contact 
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, otherwise, 
the engine could be damaged 
because of inadequate lubrication.
 
< 
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
In addition, an acoustic signal 
will go off: a tire failure has 
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard 
brake applications. Do not oversteer. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 85.
Brake warning lamp l
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged, 
check the brake fluid level. Before 
driving further, be sure to read the 
notes on pages 122 and 138.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models. 

22n
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in 
response to system malfunction. 
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have 
the system inspected by your BMW 
center. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 117.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving: the oil 
level is at the absolute 
minimum; refill as soon as possible. Do 
not drive more than approx. 30 miles 
(50 km) until you add oil.
For additional information, refer to 
page 135.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has 
been shut off: add oil at the 
earliest opportunity (when you stop to 
refuel). 
For additional information, refer to 
page 135
Brake pads l
 
Have the brake pads checked. 
For additional information, refer 
to page 120.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
Check the tire pressure. Refer to 
pages 28 and 85.
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) l
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive 
force and braking force.
The indicator lamp remains on:
ASC+T has been switched off via the 
button or it is defective, or the DSC has 
been switched off, the ADB is opera-
tional.
In the event of a fault, please consult 
the nearest BMW center.
For additional information, refer 
page 79. 
BMW 325xi:
The DSC has been either turned off or 
is defective. ADB-X is in ready mode. If 
the warning lamp does not go out after 
pressing the DSC button repeatedly, 
then the both the DSC and ADB-X are 
defective.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center.
For additional information, refer to 
page 80.
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) and 
brake warning lamp l
The indicator lamps remain on:
The DSC
 and ADB/DBC are 
switched off by means of the button or 
are defective.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center.
For additional information, refer to 
page 79.
BMW 325xi:
DSC and ADB-X are defective. 
ADB-X cannot be switched off.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center.
For additional information, refer to 
page 83.
DSC and ADB/ADB-X/DBC indi-
cator and warning lamps for 
Canadian models.
Add washer fluid 
The washer fluid level is too low. 
Top up at the earliest opportu-
nity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 134. 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
 and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
113n
Index DataTechnologyRepairs Car care Controls Overview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures114
Driving notes115
Catalytic converter115
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)116
Disc brakes118
Brake system120
Winter operation121
Power steering123
Cellular phone123
Radio reception123
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure124
Tire condition124
Tire replacement125
Tire rotation126
Wheel and tire 
combinations127
Winter tires128
Snow chains128
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications129Under the hood:
Hood130
Engine compartment132
Washer fluids134
Washer nozzles134
Engine oil135
Coolant137
Brake fluid138
Vehicle Identification 
Number139
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance 
System140
Caring for your vehicle141
Airbags147
Vehicle storage147
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications148
California Proposition 
65 Warning148
OBD interface socket149
Car care 

120n
Brake systemBrake fluid level 
The warning lamp for the brake 
comes on with the parking 
brake released:
The brake fluid level is too low in the 
reservoir (refer to page 138).
If the brake fluid level is too low and 
brake pedal travel has become notice-
ably longer, there may be a defect in 
one of the brake system's hydraulic 
circuits.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Proceed to the nearest BMW 
center. Higher brake application 
pressure may be necessary under these 
conditions, and brake pedal travel may 
be significantly longer. Please 
remember to adapt your driving style 
accordingly.<
Brake linings
The warning lamp for the brake 
pads comes on:
The brake pads have reached 
their minimum pad thickness. Proceed 
to the nearest BMW center as soon as 
possible to have the pads replaced.
For your own safety: use only 
BMW approved brake pads for 
your specific 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.< 

133n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine compartment Ð BMW 325i, 325xi1 Brake fluid reservoir138
2 Engine oil dipstick135
3 Coolant expansion tank137
4 Engine oil filler neck135
5 Reservoir for the headlamp
* and 
windshield washer system134
6 Auxiliary terminal for jump 
starting167 

138n
Coolant Brake fluidAdding 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.If the brake warning lamp comes on 
and the parking brake has been 
released:
Check the brake fluid level. Fill it to the 
top mark ("MAX") if necessary. 
For adding brake fluid or for deter-
mining and correcting the cause of 
brake fluid loss, consult your BMW 
center. Your BMW center is familiar 
with the specifications for factory-
approved brake fluids (DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss can result in extended 
pedal travel. Comply with the informa-
tion provided on page 120.
460de128
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is, 
it absorbs moisture from the air 
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the 
brake fluid changed every two years by 
a BMW center. Refer also to the Service 
and Warranty Information Booklet 
(US models) or the Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet (Canadian 
models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the 
vehicle's paint. You should always store 
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion inaccessible to children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the 
brake fluid reservoir beyond the "MAX" 
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon 
contact with hot engine parts and cause 
serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the 
disposal of brake fluid.<