105n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Driving notes Antilock Brake System
Brakes: do not drive with your foot
resting on the brake pedal. Even
light but consistent pressure on the
brake pedal can lead to high tempera-
tures, accelerated brake wear and
possibly even brake failure.
Aquaplaning: when driving on wet or
slushy roads, reduce your speed. If you
do not, a wedge of water may form
between tires and road surface. This
phenomenon can lead to partial or
complete loss of contact between the
tires and road surface, vehicle control
and braking ability.
Driving through water: do not drive
through water on the road if it is deeper
than 1 ft (30 cm), and then only at
walking speed. Otherwise, the vehicle's
engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.
Cargo area cover: never use it to store
heavy or hard objects, as otherwise
occupants could be injured during
braking maneuvers.
Clothes hooks: when hanging clothing
from the hooks, be sure that they will
not obstruct the driver's vision. Do not
hang heavy objects on the hooks. If you
do so, they could cause personal injury
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
The conceptThe Antilock Brake System (ABS) keeps
the wheels from locking during braking,
thereby enhancing active driving safety.Braking with ABSIf you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply
maximum pedal pressure ("panic stop").
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort, despite the full brake application.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.
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.
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.<
127n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Lamps and bulbsSide turn signals5 watt bulb
1. Use finger pressure against the rear
end of the lens (arrow) to press it
forward for removal
2. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
while turning it to the left to remove.
Tail lampsTail lamp (4): 21/4 watt bulb
Other bulbs: 21 watts
1 Turn signal yellow
2 Backup lamps white
3 Tail lamp red
4 Tail lamp/brake lamp red
Section of the left cargo area:
Bulbs in the fender:
All of the bulbs are integrated in a
central bulb holder.
1. Release and remove the cargo area
cover panel
2. Release and remove the bulb holder
(arrow)
3. Remove the power plug and lay the
bulb holder to one side, for instance ,
on the floor of the cargo area
4. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and replace the
bulb
5. Plug in the power supply fitting
6. Press the bulb holder into position
until you hear it engage.
128n
Lamps and bulbsBulbs in tailgate:
1. Insert a screwdriver in the recess
(arrow) and press down to release
the assembly
2. Fold the trim panel down, release the
bulb holder and remove
3. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and replace the
bulb
4. Press the bulb holder into position
until you hear it engage
5. Press the trim panel back in,
continuing until you hear it snap into
place.Center (high-mount) brake lampLED strip on the rear window.
Please contact your BMW center in
case of a malfunction.
License plate lamps5 watt bulb
1. Place a screwdriver in the slot and
press toward the left (arrow) to
release the lens
2. Replace the bulb.
132n
Changing a wheel
Only use original BMW full wheel
covers, otherwise, the trim piece
may not fit securely. The full wheel
cover may not be installed on the
space-saver spare tire, since this could
damage the cover.<
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
tightness of the lug bolts checked with
a calibrated torque wrench [torque
specification: 72 lb ft (100 Nm)] at the
earliest opportunity.<
When storing a wheel in the spare tire
recess take care to avoid bending the
threaded rod.
If the original BMW light-alloy wheels
have been replaced with other light-
alloy wheels, different lug bolts may be
required.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
Driving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
You can anticipate changes in vehicle
handling such as delayed braking
response, longer braking distances and
sacrifices in roadholding.
The changes in handling characteristics
will be even more pronounced if winter
tires are mounted.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at a time. Rein-
stall wheels and tires of the same size
and specification as soon as possible.
Maintain correct tire pressures, refer to
page 24.<
Safety tires
*
Safety tires consist of self-supporting
tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that the tire retains
some residual safety in the event of
pressure drop and driving remains
possible to a restricted degree. The
vehicle is equipped with Tire Pressure
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor,
which indicate a flat tire.Flat tireIf there is a tire failure, the red warning
lamp symbol lights up. A supplemen-
tary gong is also heard.
For additional information on Tire Pres-
sure Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor
refer to page 78 or 80.
Reduce vehicle speed carefully to
under 50 mph (80 km/h), avoiding hard
brake applications and steering maneu-
vers.
With the safety tires, you can drive
another approx. 155 miles (250 km) to
reach a safe parking location, a service
station or the nearest BMW center.
With a low vehicle load, this can also be
considerably more than 155 miles
(250 km).
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