2002 BMW 325xi SEDAN towing

Contents

Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit124
Windshield wiper blades124
Lamps and bulbs124
Changing a wheel129
Battery133
Fuses133

Assistance, giving and
receiving:

Jump-starting134
Towing the vehicle135Engine data140
Dimensions141
Weights142
Capacities143Everything from A to Z146

61n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
Indicator/Headlamp flasher
Available displays
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the
transmission selector lever to "P."
Engage the parking brake and turn the
engine off (ignition key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission
performance has been restored. You
may continue to drive as usual.
If the indicator lamp does not go out,
you can place the selector lever in all
positions. However, the vehicle will now
only operate in 3rd and 4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest BMW
center.
Never work in the engine
compartment when a drive gear
(forward or reverse) is engaged. If you
do this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the
information beginning on page 134.
1 High beams (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator
lamp)
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator
accompanied by periodic clicking
sound from the relay)To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond
the detent. It then returns to the center
position when released.
If the flashing of the turn indica-
tors and the clicking from the relay
are both faster than normal, one of the
turn signal indicators has failed.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cargo loadingStowing cargoIf you are transporting a load in your
BMW:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible Ð directly behind the back-
rests or the luggage compartment
partition Ð and as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
>For transporting very heavy loads
when the rear seat is not occupied,
secure the outer safety belts in the
opposite buckles (refer to the illustra-
tion).
Securing cargo>For small, light items, use the rubber-
lined, non-skid side of the floor mat
or secure using the luggage compart-
ment net
* or elastic straps, refer to
page 35
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing
devices*. Anchorages (arrow) are
provided at the inner corners of the
luggage compartment for attaching
these load-securing devices.
Read and comply with the instructions
enclosed with the load-securing
devices.

104n
To ensure that your vehicle continues to
provide maximum economy throughout
an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the
following instructions.
Engine and differentialThe first 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Attempt to constantly vary both vehicle
and engine speed during these initial
miles while remembering to avoid
engine speeds in excess of 4,500 rpm
and/or vehicle speeds of over 100 mph
(160 km/h):
Always obey all official speed limits.
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point.
After the initial 1,200 miles (2,000 km)
you can gradually increase both engine
and vehicle speeds.
Please remember to observe these
same break-in procedures if either the
engine or the differential is replaced
later in the course of the vehicle's
service life.
TiresOwing to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
We thus ask you to drive with extra care
during the first 200 miles (300 km).
Always obey all official speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or
complete loss of traction, vehicle
control and braking effectiveness.
Reduce your speed on wet roads. elapse before the brake pads and
rotors achieve the optimal pad-surface
and wear patterns required for trouble-
free operation and an extended service
life later on.
To break in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance); use caution to
avoid posing a danger to other road
users. You can prevent corrosion in the
drums by periodically repeating this
procedure.
The rear brake lamps do not come
on when you apply the parking
brake.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine off Ð when
towing, for example Ð substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle. elapse before the clutch starts to
operate at optimum efficiency.
Remember to engage the clutch care-
fully during this initial period.
Break-in procedures

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Towing the vehicleTow fittingThe screw-in tow fitting is stored in the
onboard tool kit; be sure that it remains
in the vehicle at all times. This fitting is
designed for installation in the tow
sockets located at the front and rear of
the vehicle, and is intended for towing
on paved road surfaces only. This fitting
should not be used to pull a vehicle out
of deep snow, mud, sand, etc.
Always comply with all applicable
towing laws and regulations.Access to tow socketsFront:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver inserted in the recess at the top.
Rear:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver inserted in the recess at the top.
Screw the tow fitting in until it is all
the way in. Failure to screw the
fitting all the way in can cause thread
damage.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, leading to
possible accidents.<
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use wheel-lift or flatbed equipment
>Please comply with applicable state
towing laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, leading to
possible accidents.c

136n
Towing the vehicleBMW 325xi, 330xi: raise one of the
axles for towing1. Place the transmission in neutral
2. Switch off the engine
3. Maximum towing speed:
30 mph (50 km/h)
4. Maximum towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km).
Before towing over a greater
distance: if towing with the front
axle raised, disconnect the rear drive
shaft; if towing with the rear of the
vehicle raised, disconnect the front
driveshaft. Failure to observe this
precaution will result in damage to the
transfer case.<

Everything from A to ZDoor mirror48
Doors
electrical malfunction31
locking and unlocking29
manual operation31
DOT Quality Grades108
Draft-free ventilation87, 90
Drive belt17
defect17
Driving notes105
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)73
indicator lamp19
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)73, 74
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)73
indicator lamp19 E
Electric power windows37
Electrical malfunction
doors31
fuel filler door22
luggage compartment
lid33
sliding/tilt sunroof40 Elements of operation14
Emergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartment's interior35
Energy control66
Engine compartment
essentials113
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant117
Engine data140
Engine oil
add115
capacity143
consumption115
level19
level, check115
level, indicator lamp17
pressure17
pressure, indicator
lamp17
Engine, starting56
Engine, switching off57
Exterior mirrors48
F
Failure messages68
Filling capacities143
Fittings, tow starting and
towing135
Flat tire132
Flat Tire
Monitor80, 109, 132
warning lamp17
Flat tires107, 129
Fog lamps83
Follow me home lamps82
Front seat adjustment41
Fuel consumption70
display67
Fuel filler door22
electrical malfunction22
manual operation22
Fuel gauge67
Fuel reserve indicator
lamp67
Fuel specifications23
Fuel tank capacity143
Fuel tank gauge67
Fuel-injection system140
Fuses133
G
Gasoline gauge67
Glove compartment92
Grilles88
Gross vehicle weight142 H
Handbrake58
Hands-free system94
Hazard warning triangle22
HDC (Hill Descent
Control)77
Head restraints44
Headlamp flasher61, 83
Headlamp washer
system114
Headlight control82
Headrests44
Heated seats47
Heavy cargo99
Height141
High beams20, 61, 83
bulb replacement125
Hill Descent Control
(HDC)77
Holder for canned
beverages93
Hood112
Horn14

Everything from A to Z
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Sliding/tilt sunroof39
electrical malfunction40
manual operation40
Socket95
Sound system91
Space-saver spare
tire25, 132
Spare tire129
Speedometer15
Sports seat
electrical adjustment43
manual adjustment42
Standing lamps83
Starting the engine56
Steering wheel47
Steering wheel lock56
Stopping the vehicle57
Storage compartments92
Storing heavy loads99
Stroke140
Sun blind cover91
Switching off the engine57
Symbols used in this
manual8
Synthetic oils116
T
Tachometer66
Tail lamps
bulb replacement127
Tank capacity143
Technical data140
Technical
modifications10, 120
Telephone preparation94
Temperature display
outside temperature69
Temperature gauge
engine coolant67
Temperature
layering87, 90
Temperature settings
air conditioning86
automatic climate
control89
Thigh support
adjustment42
Third brake light128
Through-loading system96
Tilt alarm sensor30
avoiding unintentional
alarms37
deactivate by remote
control30 Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror47
Tire change129
Tire condition107
Tire inflation
pressures24, 107
monitoring78
table25
Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC)78, 109, 132
warning lamp17
Tire Quality Grading109
Tire replacement108
Tire tread107
Tool kit124
Torque140
Tow fittings135
Towing the vehicle135
Track141
Transmission58
Transmitter keys28
Transporting children
safely52
Tread depth, tires107
Tread wear, tires107
Trip odometer66
Trunk lid, refer to luggage
compartment lid33 Trunk, refer to luggage
compartment35
Turn signal
indicators20, 61
bulb replacement126
Turning radius141
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading109 V
Vehicle Memory55
Vehicle weight142
Vehicle, starting56
Ventilation85, 88
draft-free87, 90 W

Warning lamp "Fasten safety
belts"18
Warning lamps17
Warning messages68
Warning triangle22
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian
models)119