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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 
     
        
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Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)
 
* 
The buttons integrated in the multifunc-
tion steering wheel are provided so  that 
you can operate a number of accesso-
ries quickly and without being 
distracted from traffic conditions. You 
may operate:
 
>
 
Selected radio functions
 
>
 
The cruise control
 
>
 
Selected cellular phone functions.
The controls are active only when 
the corresponding systems and 
accessories are switched on.
 
< 
 
Press briefly:
Receive a phone call, initiate dialing, 
terminate a call.
 
Switch between phone, radio, cassette 
and CD.
Forward:
 
>
 
Radio
Press briefly: station scan in FM band
Extended pressure: search function
 
>
 
CD
Press briefly: jump to next track
Extended pressure: search function 
in track
 
>
 
Cassette
Press briefly: stop track scan or fast 
forward
Extended pressure: fast forward
 
>
 
Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Rewind/reverse: functions as fast 
forward.
 
Volume
Cruise control: select a stored setting.
Cruise control: store and accelerate (+) 
or decelerate and store (Ð).
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate. 
     
        
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Refuel Fuel specificationsSimple and environmentally 
friendly
Open the fuel filler cap carefully to 
prevent fuel from spraying out. 
Fuel spray may cause injury.<
Put the filler cap in the bracket (arrow) 
attached to the fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle 
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling 
the nozzle out of the pipe during refu-
eling 
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effectiveness of 
the vapor recovery system on the 
pump.
As long as the filler nozzle is used prop-
erly, the fuel tank is full whenever the 
nozzle shuts off the first time.
Refill early to avoid damaging the 
catalytic converter; never attempt 
to drive to the last drop of fuel in the 
tank.<
Close the fuel filler cap carefully 
after refueling until a click is 
heard. While closing, be sure not to 
squeeze the strap which is fastened to 
the cap. A loose or missing cap will 
activate the CHECK FILLER CAP lamp 
or the SERVICE ENGINE SOON lamp.<
Tank capacity: approx. 16.6 gal. 
(63 liters), incl. a reserve capacity of 
approx. 2.1 gal. (8 liters).
The engine uses lead-free gasoline 
only.
Required fuel: 
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline, 
min. 91 AKI. 
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Never use leaded fuel, as it would 
cause permanent and irreversible 
damage to the oxygen sensor and the 
catalytic converter.< 
     
        
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Tire inflation pressuresBMW Tires
All pressure specifications in the table are 
indicated in psi (kilopascal) with cold tires 
(cold = ambient temperature)
325i
325xi205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
205/55 R 16 91 H
225/50 R 16 92 W (not 325xi)
225/45 R 17 91 W32 (220) 38 (260) 38 (260) 45 (310)
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1732 (220)
ÐÐ
38 (260)38 (260)
ÐÐ
45 (310)
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S (not 325xi)
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S35 (240) 41 (280) 41 (280) 48 (330)
Space-saver spare tire in cargo area 61 (420) 
     
        
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Overview
Controls
Maintenance
Repairs
Data
Index
Overview
Controls in detail
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Index
Technical data 
     
        
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Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlThe conceptThe remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for 
unlocking and locking your vehicle. 
Furthermore, it provides two additional 
functions which you can only execute 
via the remote control:
>To switch on interior lamps, refer to 
page 30.
With this function, you can also 
search for the vehicle, when parked 
in an underground garage, for 
instance
>Opening the rear window, refer to 
page 30.
The rear window will open slightly, 
regardless of whether it was previ-
ously locked or unlocked.
Whenever you unlock (lock) the vehicle, 
you simultaneously deactivate (activate) 
the anti-theft system, disarm (arm) the 
alarm system and switch the interior 
lamps on (off).
You can have a signal set to 
confirm that the vehicle's locks 
have engaged securely.<
Since children might be able to 
lock the doors from the inside, 
always take the vehicle keys with you 
so that the vehicle can be opened again 
from the outside at any time.<
If it is no longer possible to lock 
the vehicle via the remote control, 
the battery is discharged. Use this key 
while driving for an extended period in 
order to recharge the battery.
To prevent unauthorized use of the 
remote control, surrender only the door 
and ignition key or the spare key when 
leaving the vehicle for valet parking, for 
example, refer to page 28.
In the event of a system malfunction, 
please contact your BMW center. You 
can also obtain replacement keys 
there.<
1 Unlock and convenience opening 
mode
2 Lock and secure, switch on interior 
lamps, deactivate tilt alarm sensor 
and interior motion sensor
3 Open rear windowTo unlockPress the button once to unlock the 
driver's door.
Press the button a second time to 
unlock all vehicle locks. 
     
        
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Opening and closing Ð via the door lockOne turn of the key in the driver's door 
lock unlocks the driver's door only. 
Turning the key a second time unlocks 
all of the remaining doors, the tailgate 
and the fuel filler door.
Do not lock the vehicle if anyone 
will be remaining inside, as it 
would then be impossible for the occu-
pant(s) to disengage the locks from the 
inside.< 
You can have a signal set to 
confirm that the vehicle's locks 
have engaged securely.<
Convenience operationYou can also operate the power 
windows and the sliding/tilt sunroof via 
the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed, hold 
the key in the "Unlock" position
>To close: with the door closed, hold 
the key in the "Lock" position.
Watch the closing process care-
fully and be sure that no one is 
trapped by the closing motion. 
Releasing the key stops the opera-
tion.<
Manual operation (in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the key all the way to the left or 
right to unlock/lock the driver's door. 
     
        
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Tailgate To open from the outside
To avoid damage, check to ensure 
that you have adequate clearance 
before opening the tailgate.<
Press the button in the handle recess 
(arrow): the tailgate opens slightly.
The cargo area is illuminated when the 
tailgate is open. 
Manual operation>Fold rear center armrest or rear back-
rest forward
>Remove cover 1 (this operation is 
easy to carry out with the aid of the 
ignition key)
>Press the lever (arrow) to the right.
The tailgate is locked again as soon as 
you close the lid.
To open from the inside
*
If the tailgate has not been locked 
separately, you can open it with this 
button in the footwell on the driver's 
side when the vehicle is stationary.