
 
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. 

82n
Fuel gauge  Coolant temperature Service Interval Display When you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp comes on briefly to 
confirm that the system is operational. 
Once the indicator lamp stays on 
continuously, there are still approx. 2 
gallons (8 liters) of fuel remaining in the 
fuel tank.
For fuel tank capacity: refer to page 199.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended 
driving in mountainous areas, for 
example), there may be slight fluctua-
tions of the needle.
Fill the fuel tank well before it is 
empty. Driving to the last drop of 
fuel can result in damage to the engine 
and/or the catalytic converter.<462us020
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at 
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp comes on briefly to 
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating 
the vehicle: the engine is overheated. 
Stop and 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. To check the 
coolant level: refer to page 147.460de082
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 OILSERVICE or INSPECTION, 
together with the distance remaining 
before the next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of 
the remaining distance on the 
preceding driving conditions.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of 
the number mean that the service 
interval has already been exceeded by 
the distance shown on the display. 
Please contact your BMW center for an 
appointment.46cus006 

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 

136n
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S 
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter 
road conditions. So-called all-season 
tires with the M+S identification mark 
do indeed possess better winter trac-
tion than summer tires that have the H, 
V, W, Y and ZR speed ratings, but they 
generally fail to provide the same levels 
of performance as winter tires. 
In the interest of safe tracking and 
steering response, install winter tires 
made by the same manufacturer having 
the same tread configuration on all four 
wheels.
Mount only winter tires which have 
been approved by BMW. Any BMW 
center will be glad to provide you with 
information on the best winter tires for 
every particular driving condition.
Do not exceed specified 
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed 
for which the tires are rated. 
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to 
service tires can lead to damage and 
accidents. 
Have this work performed by skilled 
professionals only. Any BMW center 
has the required technical knowledge 
and the proper equipment and will be 
happy to assist you.<
Tire condition, tire pressureWinter tires display a perceptible loss in 
their ability to cope with winter driving 
conditions once the tread wears to 
below 0.16 in (4 mm), and therefore in 
the interest of safety, should be 
replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation 
pressures Ð and be sure to have the 
wheel and tire assemblies balanced 
every time you change the tires.
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place. 
Store them away from light whenever 
possible. Protect the tires against 
contact with oil, grease and fuel.Snow chains
*
Use narrow-link BMW snow chains
 on 
winter tires only in pairs and only on the 
rear wheels. Comply with all manufac-
turer's safety precautions when 
mounting the chains. 

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