
 
Contents
 
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit152
Windshield wiper blades152
Lamps and bulbs153
Changing a wheel159
Battery162
Fuses164
Microfilter/Activated-charcoal 
filter165
 
In case of electrical 
malfunction:
 
Fuel filler door166
Sliding/Tilt sunroof166
Tailgate166
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting167
Towing the vehicle168Airbags172
Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC)173
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC)173 
Radio reception174
Four-wheel drive175
Safety belt tensioner175
Interior rearview mirror with 
automatic dimmer176
Rain sensor177
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)178
Self-diagnostics179
Xenon lamps180Engine data184
Dimensions185
Weights186
Capacities187
Electrical system188
Drive belts188 

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Drive with your safety belt onFasten your safety belt at the beginning 
of every trip.
To fasten: 
Make sure you hear the catch engage in 
the belt buckle.
To release: 
Press the red button in the buckle. Hold 
the belt and guide it back into its reel.The two rear safety belt buckles which 
are integrated in the rear seat are for 
passengers sitting on the left and right. 
The belt buckle with the word "CENTER"
 
is intended exclusively for passengers 
sitting in the middle.
For care instructions, refer to page 144.
460us074
Safety belt height adjustmentYou can adjust the safety belts to fit 
your own physical dimensions by using 
the safety belt height adjustment. 
Slide the button downward or upward.460de136
For your safety, please comply 
with the following instructions for 
wearing safety belts. If you do not, the 
safety belts may not be able to provide 
their maximum protection. The 
following information also applies to 
your passengers:
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a
passenger's lap.
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it 
firmly across your hips and shoulder. 
Do not allow the belt to rest against 
hard or fragile objects in your pockets. 
Do not route the belt across your neck, 
or run it across sharp edges. Be sure 
that the belt does not become caught 
or jammed.
Be sure that the safety belt fits snugly 
against your body at all times. You 
should avoid wearing bulky clothing 
that prevents it from doing so. Pull the 
belt periodically to re-tension it across 
your shoulder. In the event of a frontal 
impact, a loose lap belt could slide over 
your hips, leading to abdominal injury. 
In addition, the safety belt's restraint 
effectiveness is reduced if the belt is 
worn loosely.
Expectant mothers should always wear 
their safety belts, taking care to posi-
Safety belts  

86n
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
Flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, the indicator lamp comes on with 
a red lamp. In addition, an acoustic 
signal goes off.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed 
immediately and stop the vehicle in a 
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the 
wheel and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire is 
provided for temporary use only 
in the event of a tire failure. It does not 
have RDC electronics and is not moni-
tored. A full-size spare tire
 that has the 
same dimensions as the tires already 
mounted on the vehicle is equipped 
with the necessary RDC electronics, 
and will also be monitored once the 
tires have been mounted and the 
system activated.<
The RDC cannot alert you to 
severe and sudden tire damage 
caused by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your 
BMW center.
Your BMW center has been trained to 
work with the RDC system and is 
equipped with the necessary special 
tools.<
System interferenceThe RDC may encounter interference 
from outside equipment or devices 
which use the same radio frequency.
The indicator lamp will come on with 
a yellow lamp during the malfunction. 
The indicator lamp also comes on
>in the event of a system fault 
>if a wheel is mounted without the 
RDC electronics 
>if, in addition to the spare tire, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics 
are on board.
Please contact your BMW center for 
additional information. 

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Washing your vehicle You can wash your BMW at an auto-
matic car wash, even when it is new. 
Brushless systems are preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and 
remove dead insects before washing 
the vehicle.
In order to avoid spots, do not wash 
the vehicle when the hood is warm, or 
during or immediately after exposure to 
strong sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be 
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the 
dimensions of your vehicle.
>No damage will occur to vehicles 
with attached body accessories (such 
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the 
car wash operator if necessary. 
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle 
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system.
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum 
brush pressure, and that ample water 
is available for washing and rinsing.
Vehicles with rain sensor:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax 
from automatic car washes or insects 
can cause malfunctions in the function 
of the rain sensor.Turn the rain sensor off (refer to 
page 69) when passing through an 
automatic car wash. Failure to do so 
could result in damage caused by unin-
tended wiper activation.<
Parts of the vehicle which are 
inaccessible to the automatic washer Ð 
such as door sills, door and hood 
edges, etc. Ð should be cleaned by 
hand.
In the winter months, it is especially 
important to ensure that the vehicle is 
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to 
remove, and they also damage the 
vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure 
washers are used, be sure to 
maintain an adequate distance between 
the spray source and the vehicle's 
surface. Inadequate distance and 
excessive pressure can damage or 
weaken the finish, making it more 
susceptible to subsequent attack. In 
addition, moisture could penetrate to 
vehicle components, leading to long-
term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps, 
please observe the following: 
do not clean by wiping with a dry cloth 
(scratches). Never use abrasives or 
strong solvents to clean the covers. 
Remove dirt and contamination (such 
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car 
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty 
of water. Always use a deicer spray to 
remove accumulated ice and snow Ð 
never use a scraper.<
After washing the vehicle, apply 
the brakes briefly to dry them. 
Braking efficiency might otherwise be 
reduced by the moisture and the brake 
rotors could be corrode.<
Caring for your vehicle  

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 

185n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
463us015
Dimensions in ( ) apply to 325xi. 
Height with roof-mounted luggage rack: 56.9 in/1,444 mm (57.6 in/1,464 mm).
Minimum turning circle dia.: 34.4 feet/10.5 m (35.8 feet/10.9 m).
Dimensions  

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