Page 111 of 155

111n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for operation under
inclement winter driving conditions.
While all-season tires (M+S designa-
tion) provide better winter traction than
summer tires with the load ratings H, V,
W, Y and ZR, they generally do not
achieve the performance of winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer having
the same tread configuration on all four
wheels.Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by trained
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<
Tire condition, tire pressureOnce the tire wears to below 0.16 in
(4 mm), winter tires display a percep-
tible decrease in their ability to cope
with winter driving conditions, and
should be replaced in the interest of
safety.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures Ñ and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against
contact with oil, grease and fuel.Snow chains
*
Use BMW narrow-link snow chains on
summer or winter tires in pairs only and
only on the rear wheels.
BMW 325xi: in an extreme emergency Ð
for instance, with the vehicle stuck on
one side, or when obstructions make it
impossible to reach one tire Ð a chain
may also be mounted on just one tire
for the limited period needed to resolve
the problem.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety
precautions when mounting the chains.
You cannot mount snow chains on the
following tires:
225/50 R 16 92
225/45 R 17 91
245/40 ZR 17
Page 115 of 155

115n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Engine oilChecking oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the
way into the guide tube and pull it
out again
5. The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.
Adding engine oilWait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, you should never let the oil
drop below the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential, and the
power steering system.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center.
Page 119 of 155

119n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and oper-
ating safety Ð and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.
Service Interval DisplayWhile conventional systems rely on
distance traveled alone to determine
when service is due, the BMW Mainte-
nance System has for years considered
the actual conditions under which the
vehicle operates, because miles can be
traveled in many different ways:
From a maintenance point of view,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) of short-
distance urban driving cannot be
compared with 62,000 miles
(100,000km) of long-distance highway
travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual use of the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. However, drivers who cover
only extremely short distances Ð
substantially less than 6,200 miles
(10,000 km) annually Ð should still have
the engine oil changed at least every
2 years, as it continues to age regard-
less of whether the vehicle is used on a
regular basis.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Cana-
dian models)For additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and
Warranty Information Booklet (US
models), or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
As a precaution against corrosion, it is
advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
We recommend that you refer all
maintenance and repair opera-
tions to your BMW center.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models), or in
the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian models). These
entries confirm that your vehicle has
benefitted from regular maintenance,
and are also required for warranty
claims.<
The BMW Maintenance System
Page 146 of 155

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
Page:
< prev 1-8 9-16 17-24