Contents
© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 156 156
US English VIII/01
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling).
Overview
Controls and features
Cockpit14
Instrument cluster15
Indicator and warning lamps17
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)21
Hazard warning triangle22
Refueling22
Fuel specifications23
Tire inflation pressures24
Opening and closing:
Keys28
Central locking system28
Opening and closing Ð via the
remote control29
Opening and closing Ð via the
door lock31
Opening and closing Ð from the
inside32
Tailgate33
Rear window34
Cargo area35
Alarm system35
Electric power windows37
Sliding/tilt sunroof38
Adjustments:
Correct sitting posture40
Seats40
Manual seat adjustment41
Power seat adjustment42
Lumbar support42
Head restraints43
Safety belts44
Seat and mirror memory45
Seat heating46
Steering wheel46
Mirrors47
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags48
Transporting children safely51Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory54
Driving:
Ignition lock55
Starting the engine55
Switching off the engine56
Parking brake57
Manual transmission57
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
Indicator/Headlamp flasher60
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor61
Cruise control63
Everything under control:
Odometer65
Tachometer65
Energy control65
Fuel gauge66
Coolant temperature gauge66
Service Interval Display66
Check Control67
Clock67
Computer68
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)70
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)71
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)73
Contents
10n
For your own safety
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (i.e.
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will
not void the applicable warranties
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality (volatility, composition, addi-
tives, for example) among gasolines
offered for sale in the United States and
Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels
may result in driveability, starting and
stalling problems especially under
certain environmental conditions, such
as high ambient temperature and high
altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Obey all applicable safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.
<
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to ascertain
whether it can be used on a BMW
safely and without risk to either the
vehicle, its operation, or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle,
compromise its safety, interfere with
the vehicle's electrical system or affect
the validity of the BMW Limited
Warranty. Contact your BMW center for
additional information.
Do not use key or remote control to
lock doors or cargo area with anyone
inside the vehicle. Refer to pages 29
and 32 for more details.
<
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
<
Symbol on vehicle parts
Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.
15n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
1 Fuel gauge66
2 Indicator lamps for turn signals203 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning
lamps 17 to 205 Tachometer and Energy control65
6 Engine coolant temperature
gauge66
Instrument cluster
19n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Yellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking performance
remains available with no loss of effi-
ciency. Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information refer to
page 105
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving: the
engine oil level has fallen to the
absolute minimum; refill as soon as
possible. Do not drive more than
approx. 30 miles (50 km) until you do.
For additional information refer to
page 115
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at the earliest opportunity (next time
you stop to refuel). For additional infor-
mation refer to page 115
Brake pads
l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information refer
to page 106
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/Flat
Tire Monitor
l
Check tire inflation pressures,
refer to pages 24, 78, 80
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)
l
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
ASC+T has been switched off with the
button or it is defective or, the DSC has
been switched off, ADB is operational.
Please contact the nearest BMW center
in case of a malfunction.
For additional details refer to informa-
tion beginning on page 71
BMW 325xi:
DSC has been switched off manually or
there is a system malfunction. ADB-X is
operational in its standby mode. If the
warning lamp fails to go out when you
press the DSC button again, this indi-
cates a system malfunction affecting
both DSC and ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information refer to
page 75
Indicator lamp for 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 with the button or are
defective.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center. For additional information refer
to page 73
BMW 325xi:
DSC and ADB-X system malfunction.
There is no provision for switching off
ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center. For additional information refer
to page 75
DSC and ADB indicator and
warning lamps for Canadian
models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
l
Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired at your BMW
center as soon as possible. For addi-
tional information refer to page 74
22n
Hazard warning triangle
*
Refueling
The warning triangle is located on the
left side of the cargo area behind the
cover panel.
To open: press the button (arrow) and
remove the cover.
Always observe all legal regula-
tions requiring a warning triangle
to be carried in the vehicle.
<
Fuel filler door
Before filling the tank, switch off
the engine. If you do not, fuel
cannot be filled into the tank and the
SERVICE ENGINE SOON lamp may
come on.
<
Press on the rear edge of the fuel filler
door to open and close it.
Manual release: undo the trim panel on
the right side of the cargo area. Pull the
knob with the fuel pump symbol.
Always observe all safety precau-
tions posted at the service station
when handling fuel. Never carry spare
fuel containers in your vehicle. Whether
empty or full, these containers can leak,
cause an explosion, or lead to fire in the
event of a collision.<
23n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Refuel Fuel specificationsSimple and environmentally
friendly
Open the fuel filler cap carefully to
prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.<
Put the filler cap in the bracket (arrow)
attached to the fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refu-
eling
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effectiveness of
the vapor recovery system on the
pump.
As long as the filler nozzle is used prop-
erly, the fuel tank is full whenever the
nozzle shuts off the first time.
Refill early to avoid damaging the
catalytic converter; never attempt
to drive to the last drop of fuel in the
tank.<
Close the fuel filler cap carefully
after refueling until a click is
heard. While closing, be sure not to
squeeze the strap which is fastened to
the cap. A loose or missing cap will
activate the CHECK FILLER CAP lamp
or the SERVICE ENGINE SOON lamp.<
Tank capacity: approx. 16.6 gal.
(63 liters), incl. a reserve capacity of
approx. 2.1 gal. (8 liters).
The engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Never use leaded fuel, as it would
cause permanent and irreversible
damage to the oxygen sensor and the
catalytic converter.<
28n
Keys Central locking systemThe key set1 Master keys with remote control unit,
determine the functions of the Key
Memory, refer to page 54.
You can mark individual keys for
subsequent identification by applying
the colored decals that you received
when accepting delivery of your
vehicle.
Each master key is equipped with
an extended-life battery. This
battery is recharged in the ignition lock
during normal operation.
For this reason, if you have master keys
that are not being used you should use
those keys approx. once a year while
driving for an extended period to
charge the battery, refer also to
page 29.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for constant use
3 Door and ignition key
The lock for the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key Ð
this is useful for valet parking, for
instance.
The conceptThe central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The system engages and
releases the locks on the
>doors
>tailgate and rear window
>fuel filler door.
The central locking system can be
operated
>from outside via the remote control
as well as via the driver's door lock
>from inside by pressing a button.
Operating it from inside does not lock
the fuel filler door, refer to page 32.
When the system is operated from the
outside, the anti-theft system is acti-
vated simultaneously. Both the door
locks and release handles remain
locked. The alarm system is also armed
or disarmed.
If locked from the inside, the central
locking systems unlocks automatically
in the event of an accident, but only
doors which were not locked separately
with the door lock buttons, refer to
page 32. In addition, the hazard
warning flashers and interior lamps
come on.
31n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the door lockOne turn of the key in the driver's door
lock unlocks the driver's door only.
Turning the key a second time unlocks
all of the remaining doors, the tailgate
and the fuel filler door.
Do not lock the vehicle if anyone
will be remaining inside, as it
would then be impossible for the occu-
pant(s) to disengage the locks from the
inside.<
You can have a signal set to
confirm that the vehicle's locks
have engaged securely.<
Convenience operationYou can also operate the power
windows and the sliding/tilt sunroof via
the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed, hold
the key in the "Unlock" position
>To close: with the door closed, hold
the key in the "Lock" position.
Watch the closing process care-
fully and be sure that no one is
trapped by the closing motion.
Releasing the key stops the opera-
tion.<
Manual operation (in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the key all the way to the left or
right to unlock/lock the driver's door.