
 
11n
 
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
 
Lamps:
 
Side lamps/Low beams93
Instrument panel lighting93
High beams/Parking lamps94
Fog lamps94
Interior lamps94
 
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioner96
Automatic climate control102
Seat heating107
 
Interior convenience:
 
Glove compartment107
BMW Universal Transmitter108
Storage facilities110
Cellular phone111
Ashtray, front111
Cigarette lighter112
Ashtray, rear112
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Ski bag113
Cargo loading114
Roof-mounted luggage rack for 
the hardtop116
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures120
Driving notes121
Catalytic converter121
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)122
Disc brakes125
Brake system126
Winter operation127
Power steering129
Cellular phone129
Radio reception129
Hardtop130
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure132
Tire condition132
Tire replacement133
Tire rotation134
Wheel and tire 
combinations135
Winter tires136
Snow chains136
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications137
 
Under the hood:
 
Hood140
Engine compartment142
Washer fluids144
Washer nozzles144
Engine oil145
Coolant147
Brake fluid148
Vehicle Identification 
Number149
 
Care and maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System150
Caring for your vehicle151
Cleaning and care of the 
convertible top157
Airbags159
Vehicle storage160
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications161
California Proposition 
65 Warning161
ODB interface socket162 

 
19n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Instrument cluster
 
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp 
for fuel reserve82
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 control81
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge 
with "Coolant temperature too high" 
indicator82
7 Indicator and warning lamps (clock-
wise) for:
 
>
 
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic 
system/Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)/DBC20
 
>
 
Antilock Brake System (ABS)22 
 
>
 
Brake pads22
 
>
 
Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC)
 
* 
20, 22
 
>
 
Rollover protection system67
 
>
 
Airbags21
 
>
 
Adjust and lock backrest/Please 
fasten safety belts21
 
>
 
Cruise control23
8 Set button for the clock849 Program display for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
75
Indicator lamp for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
21, 75
10 Indicator lamp for Automatic 
Stability Control plus Traction 
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)
 
*  
and ADB22
11 Indicator for:
 
>
 
Odometer81
 
>
 
Trip odometer81
 
>
 
Clock84
 
>
 
Service Interval82
Indicator for computer, 
operation using the turn signal lever, 
refer to page 83: 
 
>
 
Clock
 
>
 
Outside temperature
 
>
 
Average fuel consumption
 
>
 
Range 
 
>
 
Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control83
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero8114 Indicator and warning lamps (clock-
wise) for: 
 
>
 
Front fog lamps23
 
>
 
Add washer fluid22
 
>
 
Coolant level23
 
>
 
Electronic Throttle Control 
(EML)
 
* 
23
 
>
 
Service engine soon22
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 lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this below.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge 
 
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, otherwise, the 
engine could be damaged due to over-
heating. 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 and top off as 
required. If the oil level is correct, 
please contact the nearest BMW 
center.
Do not continue driving. If you do 
so, the engine could be damaged 
because of inadequate lubrication.
 
< 
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: a tire failure has 
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately to stop the vehicle. Avoid hard 
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information, refer to 
page 91.
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 126 and 148.
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 123.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Engine oil level 
Lights up while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute 
minimum; therefore, add engine oil as 
soon as possible. Do not drive more 
than 30 miles (50 km) until you do. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 145.
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 145.
Brake pads l
 
Have the brake pads checked. 
For additional information, refer 
to page 126.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l 
Check tire inflation pressure: 
refer to pages 27, 91.
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, ADB is operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center 
in the event of a fault. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 88.
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) and 
brake warning lamp l
The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC
 and ADB/DBC are 
switched off via the button or are defec-
tive. 
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 88.
DSC and ADB/DBC indicator 
and warning lamps for Canadian 
models.
Add washer fluid. 
The washer fluid is too low. Top 
up the fluid at the earliest 
opportunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 144.
Service Engine Soon l 
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. 
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems 
inspected by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 162.
Service Engine Soon warning 
lamp for Canadian models. 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
119n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures120
Driving notes121
Catalytic converter121
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)122
Disc brakes125
Brake system126
Winter operation127
Power steering129
Cellular phones129
Radio reception129
Hardtop130
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure132
Tire condition132
Tire replacement133
Tire rotation134
Wheel and tire 
combinations135
Winter tires136
Snow chains136
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications137Under the hood:
Hood140
Engine compartment142
Washer fluids144
Washer nozzles144
Engine oil145
Coolant147
Brake fluid148
Vehicle Identification 
Number149
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance 
System150
Caring for your vehicle151
Cleaning and care of the 
convertible top157
Airbags159
Vehicle storage160
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications161
California Proposition 
65 Warning161
OBD interface socket162
Car care 

126n
Brake systemBrake fluid level 
The brake warning lamp comes 
on with the parking brake 
released: 
The brake fluid level is too low in the 
reservoir (refer to page 148).
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 hydraulic circuits of the 
brake system.
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 pads 
The brake pads warning lamp 
lights up: 
Only the minimum pad thick-
ness still remains on the brake pads. 
Proceed to the nearest BMW center 
as soon as possible to have the pads 
replaced.
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.< 

143n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine compartment Ð BMW 325Ci, 330Ci1 Brake fluid reservoir148
2 Dipstick for the engine oil145
3 Coolant expansion tank147
4 Engine oil filler neck145
5 Reservoir for headlamp
* and 
windshield washer system144
6 Auxiliary terminal for jump 
starting183 

148n
Coolant Brake fluidAdding coolant Wait until the engine cools before 
removing the cap from the expansion 
tank. The needle of the coolant temper-
ature 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.The brake warning lamp comes on 
when the parking brake has been 
released: 
Check the brake fluid level and if 
necessary, top up to the "MAX" mark. 
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 126.
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 
an authorized 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 hazardous to 
health and damages the vehicle's paint. 
You should always store it in its original 
container and in a location that is 
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 
environmental laws regulating 
the disposal of brake fluid.<