Page 113 of 155
113n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Engine compartment essentials1 Brake fluid reservoir118
2 Engine oil dipstick1153 Coolant expansion tank117
4 Reservoir for the headlamp and 
windshield washer system1145 Engine oil filler neck115
6 Auxiliary terminal for 
jump-starting134 
     
        
        Page 114 of 155
114n
Washer fluidsHeadlamp
* and windshield 
washer system
Capacity approx. 5.6 US quarts 
(5.3 liters).
Fill with water and Ð if required Ð with a 
washer antifreeze, according to manu-
facturer's recommendations.
We recommend that you mix the 
washer fluid before adding it to 
the reservoir.<
Rear window washer reservoirCapacity approx. 2.4 US quarts 
(2.3 liters)
Fill with water and Ð if required Ð with a 
washer antifreeze, according to manu-
facturer's recommendations. 
We recommend that you mix the 
washer fluid before adding it to 
the reservoir.< 
Antifreeze agents for the washer 
systems are highly flammable. For 
this reason, keep them away from 
sources of flame and store them only in 
their original containers. Store it inac-
cessible to children. Comply with the 
instructions on the containers.< 
     
        
        Page 125 of 155

125n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Lamps and bulbsThe lamps and bulbs make essential 
contributions to the safety of your 
vehicle. Therefore, comply fully with the 
following instructions during bulb 
replacement. If you are not familiar with 
any of the procedures, consult your 
BMW center.
Do not touch the glass portion of 
a new bulb with your bare hands 
since even small amounts of impurities 
burn in to the surface and reduce the 
service life of the bulb. Use a clean 
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic 
base.<
A replacement bulb set is available from 
your BMW center.
Before working on the electrical 
system, switch off the electrical 
accessory you are working on or 
disconnect the cable from the negative 
terminal of the battery. Failure to 
observe this precaution could result in 
short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage, 
comply with any instructions provided 
by the bulb manufacturer.<
Low and high beamsEngine compartment, left side:
1 Low beams
2 High beams
H7 bulb, 55 watts
The H7 bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and 
protective gloves. Failure to comply 
with this precaution could lead to injury 
if the bulb is accidentally damaged 
during replacement.<
1. Press the two release catches at the 
front while simultaneously turning 
them to the left to remove the bulb 
holder
2. Remove and replace the bulb.
When cleaning the headlamps, 
please observe the following:
>Do not clean by wiping with a dry 
cloth (scratches). Never use abra-
sives or strong solvents to clean the 
covers
>Remove dirt and contamination (such 
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car 
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty 
of water
>Always use a deicer spray to remove 
accumulated ice and snow Ð never 
use a scraper.< 
Xenon lampsThe service life of these bulbs is very 
long and the probability of a failure is 
very low, provided that they are not 
switched on and off an unusual number 
of times. If one of these bulbs should 
nevertheless fail, it is possible to 
continue driving with great caution 
using the fog lamps, provided local 
traffic laws do not prohibit this.
Because of the extremely high 
voltages involved, any work on the 
xenon lighting system should be carried 
out by technically-qualified personnel 
only. Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal 
injury.< 
     
        
        Page 143 of 155
143n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Capacities 
Notes
Fuel tank 
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 16.6 (approx. 63)
approx. 2.1 (approx. 8)Fuel specification, refer to 
page 23
Windshield /
Headlamp washer reservoir (front) quarts (liters) approx. 5.6 (approx. 5.3)Specifications, refer to page 114
Cooling system including heating circuit quarts (liters) approx. 8.9 (approx. 8.4) Specifications, refer to page 117
Engine oil and filter change
quarts (liters)
quarts (liters)325i: 
approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5)
325xi:
approx. 7.9 (approx. 7.5)BMW High Performance 
synthetic oil 
Oil specifications, refer to 
page 115
Manual and automatic transmission, transfer box 
and differentialÐ Lifetime lubricant, no oil change 
required 
     
        
        Page 147 of 155

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  
     
        
        Page 148 of 155

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