
 
Contents
 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications27
Tire inflation pressure27
 
Opening and closing:
 
Keys32
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from the 
outside34
Opening and closing Ð from the 
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment40
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
The manual convertible top45
The fully automatic convertible 
top48
Wind deflector50
 
Adjusting:
 
Seats52
Seat and mirror memory56
Steering wheel57
Mirrors57
Car Memory, Key Memory59
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Safety belts60
Airbags61
Transporting children safely64
Rollover protection system67
 
Driving:
 
Steering/Ignition lock69
Starting the engine69
Switching off the engine70
Parking brake71
Manual transmission72
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic73
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher76
Washer/Wiper system76
Rear window defroster78
Cruise control79
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer81
Tachometer81
Energy Control81
Fuel temperature gauge82
Coolant temperature gauge82
Service Interval Display82
Check Control83
Computer83
 
Technology for driving comfort 
and safety:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)87
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)88
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)89 
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)91
 
Contents 

 
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 

 
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
 
15n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications27
Tire inflation pressure27  
Overview 

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. 

27n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressure The engine uses lead-free gasoline 
only.
Required fuel: 
Premium Unleaded Gasoline, 
min. 91 AKI. 
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use 
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen 
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
Proper inflation pressures are on a 
sticker attached to the B-pillar and 
visible with the driver's door open.Check tire pressuresOn the next page you will find all the tire 
pressure and ambient air temperature 
specifications stated in the units usually 
used in your country (psi; kilopascal).
For vehicles with Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC): 
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reactivate the system. Refer to 
page 91.462de197
Check tire inflation pressures, 
including the space-saver spare 
tire, regularly, at least every two weeks 
and before beginning any extended 
driving. Otherwise, incorrect tire pres-
sure can lead to tire damage and acci-
dents.< 

28n
Tire inflation pressure Comply with tire approval 
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table 
apply to tires from BMW-approved 
manufacturers. Your BMW center is 
familiar with these manufacturers. 
Higher pressures may be specified for 
tires made by other manufacturers. You 
will find a list of approved tires begin-
ning on page 137.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that 
meet US and European standards. We 
recommend the exclusive use of tires 
approved by BMW.BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in 
the table are indicated in psi 
(kilopascal) for cold tires 
(cold = ambient temperature)
325CiAll summer tires 29 (200) 33 (230) 36 (250) 44 (300)
All winter tires 32 (220) 36 (250) 39 (270) 46 (320)
330Ci All summer and winter tires 32 (220) 36 (250) 39 (270) 46 (320)
All Space-saver spare tire 61 (420)
For all season tires, use the same tire inflation pressure as for summer tires.
BMW 325Ci: when using the tire 205/50 R 17 93 W extra load, the
inflation pressure increases by 3 psi (20 kilopascal). 
BMW 330Ci: when using the tire 225/45 R 17 91 W and mixed tires 225/45 ZR 17 
(front) + 245/40 ZR 17 (rear) the inflation pressure decreases by 3 psi 
(20 kilopascal). 

91n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressures at all 
four wheels, even when the vehicle is 
moving. The system provides an alert 
whenever the inflation pressure drops 
significantly below the specified pres-
sure in one or more tires. 
In order for the system to "learn" the 
correct tire inflation pressure, check the 
inflation pressure in all tires according 
to the inflation pressure table (page 28) 
and make corrections if necessary. 
Then activate the system. 
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will inform you if 
the tire pressure is not correct.
Activate the systemDepending on the type of equipment, 
the switch either has the letters RDC on 
it or the RDC-symbol.
1 Turn ignition key to position 2 (do not 
start the engine).
2 Press the switch long enough for the 
yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster to light up for a few 
seconds.
3 After a few minutes driving time, RDC 
sets the current inflation pressure in 
the tires as the target values to be 
monitored.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure following a correction of the tire 
inflation pressure. Otherwise, RDC 
functions automatically when the igni-
tion key is in position 2, and thus oper-
ates whenever the vehicle is driven.46cus046
In the event of loss in tire 
pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped 
significantly over a long period of time 
(which is normal for any tire), the indi-
cator lamp will come on with a yellow 
lamp.
This alerts you to have the tires inflated 
to the specified pressures as soon as 
possible.
If you are prompted to check the 
tire pressure shortly after a 
correction has been made, this indi-
cates that the corrected values were 
not accurate. Please check the inflation 
pressure again and make corrections 
according to the inflation pressure 
table. Then activate the system once 
again.<  

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