118n
Catalytic converter Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Be sure to comply with the
instructions above to prevent
unburned fuel from reaching the cata-
lytic convertor. If you do not, the cata-
lytic converter could respond by
overheating, leading to serious
damage.
Extreme temperatures occur at the
catalytic converter on this and every
catalyst-equipped vehicle. Heat shields
are installed adjacent to some sections
of the exhaust system. Never remove
these shields; do not apply under-
coating to their surfaces. When driving,
standing at idle, and parking the
vehicle, take extra care to avoid contact
between the exhaust system and flam-
mable materials (grass, hay, leaves,
etc.). Such contact could lead to a fire,
resulting in serious personal injury and
property damage.<
The concept ABS enhances active safety by helping
to prevent the wheels from locking
under braking. This is because locked
wheels are dangerous. When the front
wheels slide, the driver loses steering
control over the vehicle. Traction loss at
the rear wheels can cause the rear end
to break into an uncontrolled skid.
The system can achieve the shortest
braking distances possible under most
conditions (on straight-aways and in
curves, on asphalt, ice, wet road
surfaces, etc.).
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
>To help provide vehicle stability
>To help maintain steering control and
maneuverability Ð on all types of road
surfaces (asphalt, concrete, mud, wet
road surfaces, snow, ice).Braking with ABSThe system becomes operative once
the vehicle exceeds a speed of approx.
6 mph (10 km/h). Below approx. 4 mph
(6 km/h), it is once again deactivated.
This means that the wheels can lock in
the final phase of a panic stop Ð a factor
of no significance in actual use.If you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply
maximum brake pressure ("panic
stop"). Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of
steering effort, despite the full brake
application.
The ABS system closed-loop control
circuit cycles in fractions of a second. A
pulsation at the brake pedal, together
with the sounds associated with the
hydraulic controls, tells you that the
brake system is within its maximum
limit range and reminds you that you
should adapt road speed to the road
conditions.
On road surfaces that have a loose
surface layer on a firm base with good
traction (on gravel or snow, for
example), or when snow chains are
mounted, braking distances may be
longer than with locked wheels.
However, ABS continues to provide
enhanced vehicle stability and steering
response under these conditions.
Information for your safetyNot even ABS can suspend the laws of
physics. ABS cannot prevent the
120n
Disc brakesDisc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, and in oper-
ating conditions where brake applica-
tions are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion of the
discs and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs
because the minimal pressure that must
be exerted by the pads to clean the
discs by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake discs are corroded, they will
tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
approved for your particular 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.<
Driving notesWhen driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is effective to apply light
pressure to the brakes every few miles
or kilometers. Be aware of traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The
heat that is generated by the brake
applications helps to dry the brake
pads and discs.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels are not locked, but
rather when they are still barely turning
immediately prior to locking. ABS main-
tains this state automatically. If the ABS
fails, you should revert to the staggered
braking technique described on
page 122.
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear in which
only minimal periodic brake application
is required. This avoids excessive strain
on the brakes and possible
impairment of the braking effect.
The braking effect of the engine can be
further increased by downshifting, into
first gear, if necessary. In the manual
mode of the automatic transmission,
you can also downshift into first gear.
Refer to page 66.Should engine braking prove inade-
quate, you should still avoid extended,
continuous braking. Instead of main-
taining low to moderate pressure over
an extended period of time, you should
decelerate by applying more substantial
pressure to the brake pedal (watch for
following traffic), releasing the pedal,
and then repeating the application
(staggered braking). The cooling
phases between active braking inter-
vals prevent the brakes from over-
heating, thus ensuring that full braking
capacity remains available at all times.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the shift lever
or selector lever in neutral. Do not drive
with the engine shut off. The engine
provides no braking effect when the
clutch is depressed or the transmission
is in neutral, and there is no power-
assist for braking or steering when the
engine is not running.
BMW 325xi, 330xi: have brake inspec-
tions performed at a BMW center only.
If you do not, parts of the four-wheel
drive system could be damaged.
Do not allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the brake pedal, the clutch or
the accelerator which could obstruct
their freedom of movement.<
125n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort on your vehicle.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else
Ð driving safety that depend on the
condition of the tires and the mainte-
nance of the specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a frequent
cause of tire damage. It also signifi-
cantly influences the roadholding ability
of your BMW.
Check tire inflation pressures
regularly Ð include the space-
saver spare tire or spare tire Ð at least
twice a month and before beginning a
longer trip (refer to page 29). If this is
not done, incorrect tire pressures can
cause driving instability and tire
damage, ultimately resulting in an acci-
dent.<
Tire tread Ð Tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to
go below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though
the legally specified minimum tread
depth is only 0.063 in (1.6 mm). At a
tread depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm), tread
depth indicators (arrow) in the tread-
groove base indicate that the legally-
permissible wear limit has been
reached. Below 0.12 in (3 mm) tread
depth, there is an increased risk of
aquaplaning, even at relatively
moderate speeds and with only small
amounts of water on the road.390de331
Do not drive on a deflated (flat)
tire. A flat tire greatly impairs
steering and braking response, and can
lead to complete loss of control over
the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading can lead to
overheating and increases the rate at
which damage develops inside the
tires. You could have a blowout as a
result.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect.
This is also true for irregularities in the
vehicle's handling characteristics, such
as a pronounced tendency to pull to the
left or right. Should this occur, respond
by immediately reducing your speed.
Proceed carefully to the nearest BMW
center or professional tire center, or
have the vehicle towed in to have it and
its tires inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including blow-
outs) can endanger the lives of both the
vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire inflation pressure Tire condition
187n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Self-diagnostics All of the important electrical and elec-
tronic systems in the vehicle are tested
regularly and automatically Ð the driver
does not have to perform any extra
operations or adjustments.
The indicator lamps also come on
briefly after the ignition has been turned
on.
While you are driving, the functional
status of the actuator motors (for the
windshield wipers, power windows,
seats, sliding/tilt sunroof, etc.) is
constantly analyzed by current
measurements in their relays.460de177
In the same manner, the electrical
resistance of the airbag ignition genera-
tors and all of the remaining airbag
components is measured at all times.
Any fault in this system would be
detected immediately by a current fluc-
tuation that would necessarily accom-
pany it. The fault would be indicated
immediately by the airbag warning
lamp.
Even after you shut off the engine, the
overall functional status of your vehicle
is monitored. For example, all of the
flaps of the heating and ventilation
system travel to the nearest limit posi-
tion. This ensures that the defrost func-
tion is always available even if a
malfunction in the air conditioner
system/automatic climate control
should occur while the vehicle is
parked overnight, for instance.
A calibration cycle runs every tenth time
the engine is shut off. During this cycle,
the actuator motors of all the heating
and ventilation flaps travel to their limit
stops in both directions. The limit posi-
tions and the return travel paths are
checked in this manner in order to
ensure that appropriate adjustments for
the operating elements can be made at
any time.You will hear the sounds of the air flaps
as the air conditioning system/auto-
matic climate control carry out their
self-diagnostic functions after the igni-
tion has been turned off. All of the other
self-diagnostics functions operate
silently in the background.
Any possible faults detected during
these self-diagnostics can be read out
by your BMW center during the next
regularly-scheduled maintenance and
corrected with a minimum of time.
Everything from A to ZFootwell lamps89
bulb replacement164
Four-wheel drive182
Front fog lamps89
bulb replacement161
Frost protection,
radiator142
Fuel28
Fuel consumption78
Fuel consumption
display75
Fuel filler door
releasing following an
electrical malfunction172
Fuel gauge75
Fuel injection192
Fuel quality28
Fuel reserve indicator
lamp75
Fuel specifications28
Fuel tank capacity195
Fuel tank gauge75
Functional status187
Fuses170 G
Gasoline28
Gasoline gauge75
Glove compartment104 Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement164
Gross vehicle weight194
H
Handbrake64
Handsfree system107
Hazard warning flashers26
Hazard warning triangle26
Head restraints48
Headlamp covers,
care146,159
Headlamp flasher69,89
Headlamp washer
system138,195
Headlamp washers71
Headlamps88
Heated seats103
Heating, rapid96
Heavy loads112
Height193
HiFi system Ð harman
kardon104
High beams23,69,89
bulb replacement159
High Performance Synthetic
Oils140
High-mount brake lamp163
Hood release134 Horn17
Hubcap166
Hydraulic Brake assistant,
refer to DBC
I
Ice warning77
Icy roads77
Identification, tires128
Ignition key32
Ignition lock62
Imprint4
Indicator lamps20
Inflated pressure28,125
Inflation pressure
monitoring86,186
INSPECTION75
Instrument cluster18
Instrument panel18
Interaxle tire rotation127
Interface socket108
for Onboard
Diagnostics154
Interference
cellular phone124
Interior lamps36,89
bulb replacement163
remote control36
Interior motion sensor42 Interior rearview mirror52
automatic dimming
feature53,184
Interlock62
Intermittent wipe69
J
Jack165
Jump-starting173 K
Key Memory53
Keys32
with remote control32 L
Lamps and bulbs158
LAMPS ON warning88
Lashing eyes112
LATCH attachment of the
child seat59
Leather care150
Length193
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement163
Light switch88
Light-alloy wheels130
Lighter108
Load-securing devices112
Everything from A to ZRemoving condensation
from the
windows96,101
Replacement key32
Reporting safety defects7
Restraint systems55,59
Reverse17,65
Roller blind, sun
protection103
Roof load capacity194
Roof-mounted luggage
rack113
Rubber parts122 S
Safety belt tensioner183
Safety belts54
height adjustment54
Safety defects, reporting7
Safety feature44
Safety lock buttons38
Safety terminal, battery169
Seat
mechanical47
power49
Seat adjustment47
Seat heating103
Seat memory50
Securing cargo112
Securing loads112 Selector lever, automatic
transmission66
Self-defrosting mirrors52
Self-diagnostics187
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet145
Service Interval
Display75,145
Shiftlock66
Side airbags55
Side impact Head Protection
System55
Side lamps88
bulb replacement160
Ski bag110
Skid control123
Sliding/tilt sunroof45
closing following an
electrical malfunction172
convenience operation34
Slippery roads122
Snow chains122,129,1
31
Socket108
for flashlights108
for power supplies108
for vacuum cleaner108
Space-saver spare tire165
Spare key32
Spare tire165
Spare wheel165
Spark plugs196 Speaker107
Speed control72
Speed display18
Speedometer18
Sports seat49
Sports steering wheel with
multfunction buttons25
Starting62
Starting assistance173
Starting
problems117,173
Starting the engine62
Steel wheels130
Steering123
Steering wheel lock62
Steering wheel,
adjusting51
Steptronic66
Stopping the vehicle63
Storage compartments105
Storing the vehicle152
Stroke192
Summer tires128
Sun blind103
Sun visors52
Switching off the engine63
Symbols4,169
Synthetic oils140
T
Tachometer74 Tail lamp assembly, bulb
replacement161
Tail lamps161
Tank capacity195
Technical data192
Technical
modifications6,153
Telephone hookup107
Telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Temperature
adjustment100
Temperature display
outside temperature77
Temperature gauge
engine coolant75
Temperature
layering95,102
Thigh support area,
adjusting49
Third brake lamp163
Three-point-safety belt in the
rear109
Through-loading
system109
Tilt alarm36,43
remote control36
Tire changing165
Tire codes128
Tire condition125
Tire damage125