17n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by
l
are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition 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 in the
following section.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defective
alternator drive belt or a problem with
the alternator's charge circuit. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and
serious engine damage. If the drive 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 level and top off as
required. If the oil level is correct,
please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious
damage from inadequate lubrication.
<
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 comply with
the instructions on pages 106 and 118
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor
l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a tire failure has occurred.
Reduce vehicle speed immediately and
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake
applications. As you steer the vehicle,
use caution and avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information refer to
pages 78, 80
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
66n
Fuel gauge Temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayOnce the indicator lamp stays on
continuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel
tank.
For fuel tank capacity, refer to
page 143.
Certain operating conditions (such as
those encountered in mountainous
areas) may cause the needle to fluc-
tuate slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.<
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an
operation check.
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on during normal
vehicle operation: the engine has over-
heated. Switch off the engine immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to
page 117.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating temperature. The
needle may rise as far as the edge of
the red sector in normal operation.
Remaining distance to 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 OIL SERVICE or INSPEC-
TION, together with the distance
remaining in miles (kilometers) before
the next scheduled service. The
computer bases its calculations of the
remaining distance on the preceding
driving style.
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.
115n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Engine oilChecking oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the
way into the guide tube and pull it
out again
5. The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.
Adding engine oilWait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, you should never let the oil
drop below the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential, and the
power steering system.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center.
Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)19, 105
Accessories10
Activated-charcoal filter91
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)59
ADB (Automatic Differential
Brake)73
Adding
brake fluid118
coolant117
engine oil115
washer fluid114
Adjusting
backrest41
manual seat41
mirrors47
power seat42
steering wheel46
thigh support41
Air conditioning85
Air distribution86, 89
Air outlets,
ventilation85, 88
Air supply86, 89 Airbags18, 48
sitting correctly40
Alarm system35
Antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents117
disposal117
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)19, 105
Anti-theft system35
Approved gross vehicle
weight142
Aquaplaning105, 107
Armrest92
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)71
Ashtray
front94
rear95
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)59
Attach vehicle vacuum
cleaner94
AUC (Automatic recircu-
lated-air control)90 Automatic climate
control88, 89
Automatic cruise control63
Automatic Differential Brake
(ADB)73
Automatic headlight
control82
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)90
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)71
Automatic transmission58
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic18, 58
Average fuel
consumption69
Average speed69
Axle loads142
B
Backrest41
Backup lamps57
bulb replacement127
Battery133
care133
charging133
disposal133 Battery charge current
indicator17
Beverage holder93
Blower86, 89
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil116
BMW Maintenance
System119
BMW sports seat
manual adjustment41
power adjustment42
Bore140
Bottle holder, refer to
beverage holder93
Brake fluid118
disposal118
Brake lamps
bulb replacement127
Brake pads19
Brake system
brake fluid level106
brake pads106
brake rotors,
corrosion106
defect in hydraulic
circuits106
disc brakes106
A-Z
Everything from A to Z
147n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Break-in procedures104
Bulbs and lamps
replacement125 C
California Proposition
65 Warning120
Can holder, refer to
beverage holder93
Capacities143
Car care, refer to the "Caring
for your vehicle" manual
Car phone94
Car wash systems, refer to
the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Care of upholstery materials,
refer to the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Cargo area35, 97
capacity142
Cargo area cover97
Cargo area lighting33
Cargo loading99 CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)18, 73
Cellular phone94
refer also to the separate
"Owner's Manual"94
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp128
Center armrest92
Central locking system28
control button32
Changing a wheel129
Check Control67
Checking engine oil
level115
Checking tire pressures24
Child-restraint systems51
Cigarette lighter94
Cigarette lighter socket94
Clean rear window62
Clean the headlamps62
Cleaning windshield62
Clock67
refer also to the "Radio
Owner's Manual" Clothes hooks105
Clutch104
Cockpit14
Coin box93
Compartments92
Compression ratio140
Computer68
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual Onboard
Computer"
Configuring individual
settings via Vehicle and
Key Memory54
Convenience operation via
the door lock
power windows31
sliding/tilt sunroof31
Coolant117, 143
Coolant temperature
gauge66
Cooling system including
heating circuit,
capacity143
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)18, 73 Correct sitting posture40
Cruise control63
Cruising range69
Curb weight142
D
Data
dimensions141
technical140
weights142
Daytime driving lamps82
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)74
Deep water105
Defrost windows87, 89
Defroster, rear
window86, 90
Digital clock67
Dimming rearview mirror48
Dipstick, engine oil115
Displacement140
Display lighting83
Displays15
Disposal
antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents117
battery133
brake fluid118
engine oil116
Everything from A to ZDistance warning70
Door keys28
Doors
electrical malfunction31
locking and unlocking29
manual operatiom31
DOT Quality Grades,
tires108
Draft-free ventilation87, 90
Drawbar weight142
Drink holder, refer to
beverage holder93
Drive belts17
Driving notes105
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)19, 73
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)74
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)19, 73 E
Electric power windows37
Electrical malfunction
doors31
fuel filler door22
sliding/tilt sunroof39
tailgate33 Electrical power socket95
Elements of operation14
Energy Control65
Engine compartment
essentials113
Engine coolant143
Engine data140
Engine oil
capacity143
consumption115
disposal116
quality116
specifications116
viscosity116
Engine oil level115
checking115
indicator lamp19
Engine specifications140
Engine speed140
F
Fault displays67
Filling capacities143
Fittings, tow starting and
towing135
Flashlight92
Flat Tire
Monitor80, 109, 132 Flat tires107, 129, 132
Fog lamps83
Follow me home lamps82
Front fog lamps83
Front seat adjustment40
Fuel consumption69
display66
Fuel filler door22
electrical malfunction22
manual operation22
Fuel gauge66
Fuel injection system140
Fuel reserve indicator
lamp66
Fuel tank capacity143
Fuel tank gauge66
Fuses133
G
Gasoline gauge66
Glove compartment92
Gross vehicle weight142 H
Handbrake57
Hands-free system94
microphone94 Harman Kardon premium
sound system91
Hazard warning triangle22
HDC (Hill Descent
Control)77
Head restraints43
Headlamp cover, care125
Headlamp flasher83
Headlamp washer
system114
capacity143
Headlight control82
Heated seats46
High beams20, 60, 83
bulb replacement125
High Performance Synthetic
Oil116
Hill Descent Control
(HDC)77
Holder for beverage
cans93
Hood release112
Horn14