
 
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. 

74n
Fuel gauge 
Coolant temperature gauge
 Service Interval Display 
When you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp lights up briefly as a 
function check. 
Once the indicator lamp stays on 
continuously, there are still approx. 
2 gallons (8 liters) of fuel left in the fuel 
tank.
For fuel tank capacity, refer to page 187.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended 
driving in mountainous areas, for 
example), there may be slight fluctua-
tions of the needle.
Please refuel early, since driving 
to the last drop of fuel can result 
in damage to the engine and/or cata-
lytic converter.<460us081
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at 
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
warning lamp comes on briefly as a 
function check.
If the lamp comes on while operating 
the vehicle, the engine has over-
heated. Switch the engine off immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not 
unusual for the needle to rise as far as 
the edge of the red zone in response 
to high outside temperatures or severe operating conditions. Checking 
coolant level: refer to page 13 7.460de082
Remaining distance for serviceThe displays shown in the illustration 
appear for a few seconds when the 
ignition key is in position 1 or after the 
engine is started.
The next service due appears with the 
message OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION, 
together with the remaining distance 
before scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations 
of the remaining distance on the rate of 
fuel consumption in the period immedi-
ately preceding your data request.
A flashing display and a "Ð" in front of 
the number indicate that service is past 
due by the number of kilometers/miles 
displayed. Please contact your BMW 
center for an appointment.460us112 

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 

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 

135n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking the oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface. 
2 Shut the engine off after it has 
reached normal operating tempera-
ture. 
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the 
dipstick out and wipe it off with a 
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or 
similar material. 
4 Carefully push the dipstick all the way 
into the guide tube and pull it out 
again. 
5 The oil level should be between the 
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption 
is directly influenced by your driving 
style and vehicle operating conditions.462de244
The oil volume between the two marks 
on the dipstick corresponds to approx. 
1.1  US  quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond 
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess 
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oil Wait until the level has dropped to just 
above the lower mark before adding oil. 
However, never let the oil drop below 
the lower mark. 
BMW engines are designed to 
operate without oil additives; the 
use of additives could lead to damage 
in some cases. This also applies to the 
manual transmission, automatic trans-
mission, differential and power steering 
system.<462de245