11n
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
Lamps:
Side lamps/Headlamps88
Instrument lighting88
High beams/Parking lamps89
Fog lamps89
Interior lamps89
Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Air conditioner92
Automatic climate control98
Seat heating103
Roller sun blind103
Interior conveniences:
HiFi system104
Glove compartment104
Storage compartments105
Cellular phones107
Ashtray, front107
Cigarette lighter108
Ashtray, rear108
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading system109
Ski bag110
Cargo loading112
Roof-mounted luggage rack113
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures116
Driving notes117
Catalytic converter117
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)118
Disc brakes120
Brake system121
Winter operation121
Power steering123
Cellular phones124
Radio reception124
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressures125
Tire condition125
Tire replacement126
Tire rotation127
Wheel and tire
combinations128
Winter tires129
Snow chains129
Approved wheel and tire
specifications130
Under the hood:
Hood134
Engine compartment136
Washer fluids138
Washer nozzles138
Engine oil139
Coolant142
Brake fluid143
Vehicle Identification
Number144
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System145
Caring for your vehicle146
Airbags151
Vehicle storage152
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications to the
vehicle153
California Proposition
65 Warning153
OBD interface socket154
19n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Instrument cluster
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp
for fuel reserve75
2 Indicator lamp for turn signal
indicators23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for:
>
Battery charge current20
>
High beams23
>
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and Energy Control74
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge
with "Coolant temperature too high"
indicator75
7 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for:
>
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC/DBC)20
>
Antilock Brake System (ABS)22
>
Brake pads22
>
Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)
*
20, 22
>
Airbags21
>
Please fasten safety belts21
>
Cruise control
*
23
8 Set button for the clock769 Program display for automatic
transmission
*
66, 68
Indicator lamp for automatic
transmission
*
21, 66
10 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
*
or DSC
*
and ADB
*
/
ADB-X
*
22
11 Indicator for:
>
Odometer74
>
Trip odometer74
>
Clock76
>
Service Interval76
Display for computer
*
, operation via
the turn signal lever, refer to
page 77:
>
Clock
>
Outside temperature
>
Average fuel consumption
>
Range
>
Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control76
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero7414 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for:
>
Front fog lamps
*
23
>
Add washer fluid22
>
Coolant level23
>
Electronic Engine Power 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 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. If you do so, 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 and switch off
the engine immediately. 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 and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information, refer to
page 86.
Brake hydraulic system 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 121 and 143.
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 119.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on 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 139.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: Add more engine
oil the next time you stop for gas.
For additional information, refer to
page 139.
Brake pads l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 121.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
Check the tire inflation pressure.
Refer to pages 28 and 86.
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 stays lit:
ASC+T has been switched off via the
button, or it is defective, or, the DSC
has been turned off, ADB is in ready
mode.
Please consult the nearest BMW center
in the event of a system malfunction.
For additional information, refer to
ASC+T beginning on page 80.
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
The DSC has either been 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 both the DSC
and ADB-X are
defective.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 84.
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 have
been switched off by means of the
button or are defective.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 82.
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
DSC and ADB-X are defective. ADB-X
cannot be switched off.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 81.
Indicator and warning lamps
DSC and ADB/ADB-X/DBC for
Canadian models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low, refill
at the earliest opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 138.
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
115n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Under the hood:
Hood134
Engine compartment136
Washer fluids138
Washer nozzles138
Engine oil139
Coolant142
Brake fluid143
Vehicle Identification
Number144
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System145
Caring for your vehicle146
Airbags151
Airbags152
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications to the
vehicle153
California Proposition
65 Warning153
OBD interface socket154
Car care Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures116
Driving notes117
Catalytic converter117
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)118
Disc brakes120
Brake system121
Winter operation122
Power steering123
Cellular phones124
Radio reception124
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure125
Tire condition125
Tire replacement126
Tire rotation127
Wheel and tire
combinations128
Winter tires129
Snow chains129
Approved wheel and tire
specifications130
121n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brake systemBrake fluid level
If the brake warning lamp
comes on and the parking brake
has been released:
The brake fluid level is too low in the
reservoir (refer to page 143).
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
If the warning lamp for the brake
pads lights up:
The brake pads have reached
their minimum pad thickness. 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.<
137n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine compartment Ð BMW 320i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi 1 Brake fluid reservoir143
2 Engine oil dipstick139
3 Coolant expansion tank142
4 Engine oil filler neck139
5 Reservoir for the headlamp
* and
windshield washer system138
6 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting173
143n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brake fluidIf the brake warning lamp comes on
and the parking brake has been
released:
Check the brake fluid level and if
necessary, refill it 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 121.460de128
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
a 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 toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion 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 burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of brake fluid.<