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Transporting children safelyChild seat securityAll of the rear belt retractors and the
front passenger's safety belt can be
locked for mounting and securing child-
restraint systems.
A label with the appropriate instructions
for this is located in the immediate
vicinity of the buckle latch of each
safety belt.
To lock the safety beltExtract the entire length of the belt from
the inertia reel mechanism. Allow the
reel to retract the belt somewhat and
engage the buckle, then tighten the belt
against the child-restraint system. The
retraction mechanism is now locked.
The belt cannot be extracted further.
Always observe the installation instruc-
tions provided by the manufacturer of
the child-restraint system.
To unlock the safety beltRelease the safety belt, remove the
child's seat and retract the safety belt to
its end position on the belt retractor.
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Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
You can drive as with a normal auto-
matic transmission. In addition, you can
also shift manually.
When you move the selector lever from
the "D" position to the left into the M/S
range, the performance-oriented shift
programs of the automatic transmission
are engaged. Steptronic enters the
manual selection mode and executes
the desired shift whenever you tap the
selector lever in the direction indicated
by "+" or "Ð". Whenever you want to use
automatic again, just move the selector
lever toward the right to position D.
Range selection
P R N D M/S + Ð
Starting the engineThe engine can only be started in
selector lever positions P ("Park") or N
("Neutral").Range selectionA detent prevents inadvertent shifts to
the "Reverse" or "Park" selector lever
positions. To disengage the detent,
press the button on the front side of
the selector lever button (arrow).
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of "Park" or
"Neutral", depress the footbrake in
order to disengage the selector lever's
lock mechanism (Shiftlock).
Hold the footbrake down until starting
off. The vehicle will otherwise "creep"
when a drive position is engaged.<
To prevent the vehicle from
starting off on its own, always
move the selector lever to position P
or N and engage the parking brake
before leaving your vehicle with the
engine running.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
P ParkSelect only when the vehicle is
stationary. Transmission locks to
prevent rear wheels from turning.R ReverseSelect only when the vehicle is
stationary.
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Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
N NeutralSelect only when stopping for an
extended period.D Drive (automatic shift program)This position is designed for driving
under all normal operating conditions.
All forward gears are available.KickdownIn the kickdown mode, you achieve
maximum acceleration and in
position D top speed.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-
throttle position.
M/S Manual mode and
Sport ProgramMove the selector lever from D to M/S
to activate the Sport Program; SD
appears in the display panel. The M/S
mode is recommended for perfor-
mance-oriented driving.
Once in the M/S mode you can tap the
selector lever to switch the automatic
transmission from the Sport Program to
its manual selection mode.
This mode allows you to execute
upshifts manually by tapping the lever
toward "+", while downshifts are
selected by tapping in the "Ð" direction.
The displays M1 through M5 appear in
the display panel to indicate your
current gear selection.
The Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC) executes upshifts and downshifts
only when the new gear will provide a
suitable combination of engine and
road speed, for example ATC will not
execute downshifts if the engine speed
is too high. The desired, then the actual
gear, briefly appear in the instrument
cluster.
To accelerate quickly in the
manual mode (to pass another
vehicle), shift down manually or employ
the kickdown mode.<
Shifting from M/S to the selector lever
positions P, R and N is possible only by
going through D.
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Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Ð BMW 325xiThe conceptDSC maintains vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability
during acceleration and when starting
from a full stop, as well as optimizing
traction. In addition, it recognizes
unstable vehicle conditions, such as
under- or oversteering, and, as far as is
possible within the laws of physics,
helps keeping the vehicle on a steady
course by reducing the engine speed
and brake applications to the individual
wheels.
DSC is operational every time you start
the engine. DSC includes the functions
of ADB-X and CBC.
The Automatic Differential Brake
(ADB-X) enhances traction in critical
situations (such as those encountered
on snow-covered roads) by using
selective braking intervention to replace
the limited-slip functions executed by
the differential and transfer case in
conventional drivetrains.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will go out shortly
after the ignition has been
switched on, refer to pages 18, 19.
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking
forces.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off via the
button; ADB-X is operational.
ADB-X control intervention is not indi-
cated.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out
when you press the DSC button,
this indicates a malfunction in the DSC
and ADB-X systems; the stability
enhancement functions described on
the left are no longer available.<
The vehicle will remain completely
operational, however, without DSC. In
the event of a malfunction, please
consult your BMW center, refer to
pages 18, 19.
To deactivate DSCPress the DSC button briefly, the indi-
cator lamp comes on and remains lit.
DSC is switched off, and ADB-X reverts
to its maximum torque-transfer mode.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to deacti-
vate the DSC for a short period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the DSC
switched on whenever possible.<
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Ski bag
*
The ski bag allows the safe and clean
transport of up to 4 pairs of standard
skis or up to two snowboards.
The length of the ski bag and the addi-
tional space provided in the cargo area
make it possible to carry skis up to
6.8 ft (2.1 m) long. Because of the
tapered shape of the bag, the ski bag
can only accommodate two pairs of
skis up to 6.8 ft (2.1 m) long.
Loading1. Fold the center armrest outward.
Loosen the trim from the upper
Velcro¨ fastener and place it on the
armrest
2. Press the button (arrow 1, access
from the passenger compartment):
the cargo hatch drops onto the floor
of the cargo area
3. Press down the detent lever (arrow 2)
and fold the cover forward
4. Extend the ski bag between the front
seats. The zipper provides conve-
nient access to the inside of the bag,
and can also be left open to promote
drying.
To store the ski bag, perform the above
steps in reverse sequence.
Securing cargo
Secure skis and any other objects
stored in the bag by tightening the
retaining strap at the buckle.<
Make sure that your skis are clean
before loading them into the bag.
Avoid damage from sharp edges during
loading.<
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Cargo areaFolding rear backrestReach into the recess and pull forward
(arrow).
When you fold back the backrest,
be sure that the catch engages
securely. The red warning indicator
disappears in the recess when the
retainer is locked.<
Cargo area coverPull out the cover and suspend it by
attaching to the retainers.
You can carry light objects such as
articles of clothing on the cover.
Never use the cover to carry
heavy or hard objects, as such
objects could pose a hazard to the
vehicle's occupants during sudden
braking maneuvers.
Guide the cover back into place; do not
allow it to snap back, as it could sustain
damage.<
Partition net
*
Use the loop to pull out the partition
net, then grasp both sides of the rod
and insert it in its holder. It is easiest to
do this from the back seat.
Do not allow the partition net to
snap back. Doing so could pose a
risk of injury and the partition net could
be damaged.<
If the backrests are folded forward, the
case can be stored on the backrests;
you can then extract the partition net
and hold it in place by inserting the
retainers in the front holders (refer to
next page).
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Cargo area Cargo loadingFloor panelGrasp the ring to lift into its raised posi-
tion, then use the tab to suspend the
panel from the rubber weatherstripping
on the drip channel (arrow).
Side coversOpen the side covers by pressing the
button.
Stowing cargoWhen transporting cargo in your BMW:
>Always load heavy and bulky objects
as far forward and as low as possible,
stowing them directly behind the
backrests or the cargo area's parti-
tion
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
>Pull out the partition net
* (refer to
previous page), taking care to ensure
that there is no danger that any of the
objects stored in the cargo area will
protrude through the net*
>For very heavy loads when the rear
seat is not occupied, secure each
safety belt in the opposite buckle.
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Cargo loading Roof-mounted luggage rack
*
Securing cargo >Small and light luggage and cargo
can be secured with the aid of flex-
ible straps or a cargo area net
*, refer
to page 35
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing
devices
*. Anchorages for securing
cargo straps have been provided on
the inner corners of the cargo area
(arrow).
Read and comply with the instructions
enclosed with the load-securing
devices.
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the approved gross
vehicle weight or the maximum axle
loads, refer to page 142, otherwise the
vehicle's operating safety is no longer
assured and you are in violation of the
law.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in
the passenger compartment without
securing them. Otherwise they would
be thrown around during braking and
evasive maneuvers and endanger the
passengers.<
A special roof-rack system is available
as an optional extra for your BMW.
Please observe the precautions
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the anchorages:
To fold up the covers (arrow), please
use the tool provided with the roof-rack
system.Loading and driving notesRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the
center of gravity of the vehicle when
they are loaded. For this reason, they
exercise a major effect on the vehicle's
handling and steering response.