106n
Brake systemBrake fluid level If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become longer,
there may be a defect in one of the two
brake system's hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
center. It may be necessary to
apply higher levels of pressure to the
pedal when stopping and braking
distances may also be longer. Please
remember to adapt your driving style
accordingly.
with the vehicle parked or in storage,
and operating conditions in which
braking is restricted to gentle, low-
pressure applications will all increase
the tendency for corrosion to form on
the rotors; this is often accompanied by
a simultaneous accumulation of
contamination on the brake pads. The
pads must exert a certain minimal level
of pressure against the rotors for the
disc brakes' inherent self-cleaning
effect to remain effective; the pressure
available under the above conditions
may not provide adequate cleansing.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
When driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads it is useful to apply light pressure
to the brake pedal every few miles.
Monitor traffic conditions to ensure that
this maneuver does not pose a hazard
to you or to other road users. The heat
generated in this process helps dry the
pads and rotors to ensure that your
brake system will respond with undi-
minished efficiency when you need it.
When descending steep hills and
extended grades, downshift to a gear
that will allow you to continue safely
with only a minimal amount of braking.
By minimizing the loads placed on the
brake system, this strategy helps
ensure that optimal brake system
response will remain available at all
times. Use care to avoid exceeding the
approved engine-speed range, refer to
page 65.Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in neutral. Do not
coast with the engine switched off. The
engine provides no braking effect when
the clutch is depressed and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
BMW 325xi: always refer all brake
inspection and service work to your
BMW center, as failure to observe the
special procedures could result in
damage to brake system components.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that the manufacturer
has released for your particular vehicle
model. The manufacturer cannot eval-
uate 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.<
P
Paintwork, refer to the
"Caring for your vehicle"
manual
Park assistant70
Park Distance Control
(PDC)70
Parking aid70
Parking brake57
Parking lamps82
bulb replacement126
Partition net97
PDC (Park Distance
Control)70
Phone94
Pocket light92
Power seat adjustment42
Power windows
safety switch38 Q
Quality Grades, tires108
R
Radiator143
Rain sensor61
RDC (Tire Pressure
Monitor)78
Rear backrests, folding97
Rear fog lamps
bulb replacement127
Rear lamps127
Rear reading lamps84
Rear window34
Rear window
defroster86, 90
Rearview mirror47
Recirculated-air mode86
Reclining seat40
Refilling washer
reservoir114
Refueling22
Remote control29
Remove window
condensation87, 89
Replace rear window wiper
blades124 Replace windshield wiper
blades124
Replacement keys28
Reporting safety defects11
Retractable luggage cover,
refer to cargo area cover
Reverse57
Roof load capacity142
Roof-mounted luggage
rack100
S
Safe with safety belts40
Safety belts40
height adjustment44
Safety defects, reporting11
Safety tires109, 132
Seat adjustment40
Seat heating46
Seat memory45
Seat, manually-adjusted40
Securing cargo100
Selector lever, automatic
transmission58
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US
models)119 Service Interval
Display66, 119
Setting temperature86
Shiftlock58
Shoulder strap height
adjustment44
Side airbags48
Side Impact Head Protection
System48
Sitting correctly with
airbags40
Ski bag96
Sliding/tilt sunroof38
electrical malfunction39
manual operation39
Socket for power
appliances94
Sound system91
Spare key28
Spare tire129
Speedometer15
Sports seat
manual adjustment41
power adjustment42
Standing lamps83
Starting problems56
Starting the engine55
Steering wheel46