49n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags
The airbags do not respond to
minor collisions, rear impacts, or
to some kinds of vehicle rollovers.<
For your safety, comply with the
following instructions for the
airbags. If you do not, the airbags may
not be able to provide their maximum
protection. All passengers in the vehicle
should be aware of and comply with
this information:
The airbags are supplemental restraint
devices designed to provide extra
protection; they are not a substitute for
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all
times. The airbags will not be triggered
in the event of a minor accident, a
vehicle rollover, or collisions from the
rear. In these instances, the safety belt
provides optimal protection.
Airbags are located under cover panels
in the steering wheel, in the instrument
panel, in the side trim panels in the
front and rear
*, in the roof panels, and
in the sides of the inside roof lining.
Adjust your seat to a position that
provides maximum distance between
you and the steering wheel, the instru-
ment panel and the door while still
allowing comfortable and safe access
to all vehicle controls.
To avoid sustaining hand and arm inju-
ries, always grasp the steering wheel
on the rim with the hands at the 9 and
3 o'clock positions. Do not place your
hands on the center pad.
Never allow any objects to obstruct the
area between the airbag and an occu-
pant.
Do not use the cover panel above the
passenger-side airbag as a storage
area.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them
or modify them in any other way.
Do not install a rear-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger
seat of this vehicle.
Children under 13 years of age and less
than 5 ft (150 cm) tall should ride only in
the rear seat.
Infants or small children should never
be held on the lap of a passenger.
If your vehicle is equipped with side
airbags in the rear passenger area
*, be
sure that child restraints are mounted
correctly with the greatest-possible
distance between them and the airbags
in the side trim panels. Do not allow
children to lean out of the child's seat in
the direction of the side trim panels. If
they do so, serious injuries can occur if
the airbag is triggered.
(infants and small children in appro-
priate child-restraint systems; larger
children and adults using the safety
belts). Never let an occupant's head
rest near or on a side airbag because
the inflating airbag could cause a
serious or fatal injury. Please note that
the word Airbag imprinted on the door
trim panel indicates the airbag's loca-
tion.
Accident research shows that the
safest place for children in an
automobile is in the rear seat. However,
a child sitting in the rear seat and not
properly restrained may place his or her
head on or near the airbag, if so
equipped. For example, a child Ñ even
though belted Ñ may fall asleep with his
or her head against the side airbag. It
may be difficult for a driver to ensure
that children in the rear seat will remain
properly positioned at all times and not
place their heads on or near the side
airbag.
Therefore, we recommend that the
rear-seat side airbags, if installed in the
vehicle, be deactivated if children will
travel in the rear seat.
The rear side airbags may already have
been deactivated, either at the time of
98n
Cargo areaTo remove cargo cover and
partition net1. Press the buttons on the sides
(arrow 1)
2. Extract the case by pulling to the rear
(arrow 2).InstallationSimply slide the case forward in the two
side holders until it engages.
Storing with backrests folded
forwardSupports for the case are also provided
on the rear sides of the backrests
(arrow 1).
Slide the case into the supports as
shown in the illustration, continuing
until the detent engages (arrow 2).
Ensure that the cargo cover is toward
the front of the vehicle, with the parti-
tion net's loop on the top.
You can pull the partition net out and
insert it in the holders above it in the
upper roof area.
To ensure that the case centers
correctly, remember to insert it
from the right side, always continuing
until the detents snap into place. Failure
to observe the prescribed insertion
procedure could also result in damage
to the door's upholstery.<
100n
Cargo loading Roof-mounted luggage rack
*
Securing cargo >Small and light luggage and cargo
can be secured with the aid of flex-
ible straps or a cargo area net
*, refer
to page 35
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing
devices
*. Anchorages for securing
cargo straps have been provided on
the inner corners of the cargo area
(arrow).
Read and comply with the instructions
enclosed with the load-securing
devices.
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the approved gross
vehicle weight or the maximum axle
loads, refer to page 142, otherwise the
vehicle's operating safety is no longer
assured and you are in violation of the
law.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in
the passenger compartment without
securing them. Otherwise they would
be thrown around during braking and
evasive maneuvers and endanger the
passengers.<
A special roof-rack system is available
as an optional extra for your BMW.
Please observe the precautions
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the anchorages:
To fold up the covers (arrow), please
use the tool provided with the roof-rack
system.Loading and driving notesRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the
center of gravity of the vehicle when
they are loaded. For this reason, they
exercise a major effect on the vehicle's
handling and steering response.
101n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Roof-mounted luggage rack
*
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof load
capacity, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the axle weights when
loading the rack. These weights are
listed under Technical Data on
page 142.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on
the bottom). Be sure that adequate
clearance is maintained for raising the
sliding/tilt sunroof, and that objects do
not project into the opening path of the
tailgate.
Secure the roof luggage correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or
being lost during driving (danger to
following traffic).
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration and braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.
The roof-mounted luggage rack and the
roof load increase the aerodynamic
resistance: increased fuel consumption
and additional stress on the vehicle's
body are the result.
141n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Dimensions in ( ) apply to BMW 325xi.
Height with roof rail 56.8 in/1444 mm (57.6 in/1464 mm). Turning circle dia. : 34.4 feet/10.5 m (35.8 feet/10.9 m).
Dimensions
142n
Weights
BMW 325i BMW 325xi
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs (kg)
lbs (kg)3,362 (1,525)
3,450 (1,565)3,594 (1,630)
3,627 (1,645)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs (kg)
lbs (kg)4,509 (2,045)
4,597 (2,085)4,696 (2,130)
4,729 (2,145)
Approved front axle load lbs (kg) 1,984 (900) 2,139 (970)
Approved rear axle load lbs (kg) 2,668 (1,210) 2,657 (1,205)
Approved roof load capacity lbs (kg) 165 (75) 165 (75)
Cargo area capacity cu.ft (l) 15.4 - 57.1 (435 - 1,617) 15.4 - 57.1 (435 - 1,617)
Approved axle loads and approved gross vehicle weight may not be exceeded.
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