
 
5n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
 
Hill Descent Control (HDC) 77
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)78
Flat Tire Monitor80
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams82
Instrument lighting83
High beams/Standing lamps83
Fog lamps83
Interior lamps84
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning85
Automatic climate control88
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Sound system91
Glove compartment92
Storage compartments92
Cellular phone94
Ashtray, front94
Ashtray, rear95
Electrical power socket95
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Ski bag96
Cargo area97
Cargo loading99
Roof-mounted luggage rack100
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedure104
Driving notes105
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)105
Brake system106
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure107
Tire condition107
Tire replacement108
Wheel and tire 
combinations110
Winter tires111
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood112
Engine compartment 
essentials113
Washer fluids114
Engine oil115
Coolant117
Brake fluid118
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System119
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications120
California Proposition 
65 Warning120
OBD interface socket121 

 
18n
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Red and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously
 
The brake warning lamp comes 
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS and 
ASC+T/DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, ASC+T/
DSC and
 
  
ADB/ADB-X/DBC
 
  
control system has failed. 
Continue driving cautiously and 
defensively. Avoid full brake applica-
tions. Please have the system checked 
by your BMW center as soon as 
possible.
For additional information refer to 
pages 71, 73
CBC, ABS and ASC+T/DSC and 
ADB/ADB-X/DBC indicator and 
warning lamps for Canadian 
models.
 
Red: an important reminder
 
Parking brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking 
brake is engaged Ð an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when starting 
off. 
For additional information refer to 
page 57
Parking brake warning lamp for 
Canadian models.
Fasten safety belts 
 
l 
 
An acoustic warning also 
sounds in some versions. Lights 
up either for several seconds or until 
the belt is engaged, depending upon 
version.
For additional information on safety 
belts refer to page 44
Airbags 
 
l
 
Please have the system 
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information refer to 
page 48
 
Orange: consult the nearest 
BMW center
 
Automatic transmission
The transmission has 
responded to a malfunction by 
reverting to operation in its emergency 
default program. Please consult the 
nearest BMW center.
For additional information refer to 
page 58 

 
19n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
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 

34n
Rear windowTo closeThe handle recesses in the interior trim 
panel of the tailgate (arrows) make it 
easier to pull the lid down.
Both before starting off and after 
completing every journey, check 
the rear window or the tailgate to 
ensure that it has not been opened 
inadvertently.<
To avoid injuries, be sure that the 
travel path of the tailgate is clear 
when it is closed, as with all closing 
procedures.<
Always drive with both the tailgate 
and the rear window securely 
closed, as exhaust gases might other-
wise be drawn into the interior of the 
vehicle. Should it be absolutely neces-
sary to operate the vehicle with the tail-
gate or rear window open:
>Close all windows. Shut the sliding/
tilt sunroof
>Sharply increase the air supply for the 
air conditioning or automatic climate 
control, refer to page 85 or 88.<
To open from outsideSmall items can be loaded or unloaded 
quickly if the rear window is opened 
separately.
Press the button (arrow): the rear 
window opens slightly. It can now be 
tilted up.
Opening with the remote control, refer 
to page 30.
Push the window down to close it.
If pointed or sharp-edged objects 
could strike the rear window while 
driving, be sure to provide protection 
around all edges. If you do not do this, 
the heating conductors of the rear 
window could be damaged.< 

40n
Correct sitting posture SeatsFor relaxed and fatigue-free driving you 
should select a sitting position that 
reflects your personal requirements. 
Correct posture combines with safety 
belts and airbags to enhance occupant 
safety in the event of an accident. To 
ensure that the vehicle's safety systems 
provide you with optimal protection, we 
request that you direct your careful 
attention to the following section.
For additional information on trans-
porting children refer to page 51. Sitting correctly with airbags
Always maintain an adequate 
distance between yourself and the 
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel 
by the rim to keep any chance of injury 
to hands or arms to an absolute 
minimum should the airbag be 
deployed. Never allow any objects, 
individuals or animals to obstruct the 
areas between passengers and airbags.
Never use the front airbag's cover as a 
storage tray or support for objects of 
any kind. Never allow front passengers 
to rest their feet or legs on the airbag 
cover.<
For airbag locations and additional 
information on airbags refer to page 48.
Safe with safety belts
Never allow more than one person 
to wear a single safety belt. Never 
allow an infant or small child to ride in a 
passenger's lap. Avoid twisting the belt 
while routing it firmly across the hips 
and shoulder, wear it as snugly against 
your body as possible. Do not allow the 
belt to rest against hard or fragile 
objects. Do not route the belt across 
your neck, or run it across sharp edges. 
Be sure that the belt does not become 
caught or jammed. Avoid wearing loose 
or bulky clothing. You should remember 
to retension the lap belt periodically by 
pulling the shoulder strap to take up 
any slack in the mechanism. In the 
event of a frontal impact, a loose lap 
belt could slide over your hips, leading 
to abdominal injury. In addition, the 
safety belt's restraint effectiveness is 
reduced if the belt is worn loosely. 
Expectant mothers should always wear 
their safety belts, taking care to position 
the lap belt against the lower hips, 
where it will not exert pressure against 
the abdominal area. <
For information on using safety belts, 
refer to page 44.
When adjusting your seat, always 
observe the following precautions
Never try to adjust your seat while 
operating the vehicle. The seat 
could respond with unexpected move-
ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle 
control could lead to an accident. Never 
ride with the backrest reclined to an 
extreme horizontal angle (important for 
front passengers to remember). Keep 
the backrest relatively upright to mini-
mize the risk of sliding under the safety 
belt and sustaining injury in an acci-
dent.<
Seat adjustment>Manual seat adjustment, refer to 
page 41
>Power seat adjustment, refer to 
page 42
>Head restraint, refer to page 43 

74n
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
* Ð BMW 325i
Switch the DSC and ADB offHold the DSC button down for at least 
3  seconds. The indicator and the yellow 
brake warning lamps will remain on 
continuously.
The systems for enhancing stability and 
traction are deactivated, and there is no 
active braking intervention or torque 
control.
To maintain vehicle stability, 
always drive with the DSC 
switched on whenever possible.<
Switch DSC and ADB back onPress the button again; the indicator 
lamps will go out
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with DSC. It will 
always be the driver's responsibility to 
drive in a manner that matches road 
conditions. This is why you should not 
use the additional safety margin the 
system provides as an excuse to take 
risks.
When ADB is in its standby mode, DSC 
is deactivated; DSC does not intervene 
to enhance vehicle stability under these 
conditions.
Do not make any modifications to the 
DSC system. Allow only authorized 
technicians to perform service proce-
dures on the DSC.<
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)DBC is an integral component of the 
DSC system.
The system responds to sudden, high-
intensity applications of force to the 
brake pedal by automatically braking 
the vehicle with maximum boost to 
achieve the shortest-possible braking 
distances during "panic stops". This 
system exploits all the benefits of ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure exerted 
against the brake pedal until the 
braking maneuver has been completed. 
DBC is deactivated when you release 
the brake pedal. 

105n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Driving notes Antilock Brake System
Brakes: do not drive with your foot 
resting on the brake pedal. Even 
light but consistent pressure on the 
brake pedal can lead to high tempera-
tures, accelerated brake wear and 
possibly even brake failure.
Aquaplaning: when driving on wet or 
slushy roads, reduce your speed. If you 
do not, a wedge of water may form 
between tires and road surface. This 
phenomenon can lead to partial or 
complete loss of contact between the 
tires and road surface, vehicle control 
and braking ability.
Driving through water: do not drive 
through water on the road if it is deeper 
than 1 ft (30 cm), and then only at 
walking speed. Otherwise, the vehicle's 
engine, the electrical systems and the 
transmission may be damaged.
Cargo area cover: never use it to store 
heavy or hard objects, as otherwise 
occupants could be injured during 
braking maneuvers.
Clothes hooks: when hanging clothing 
from the hooks, be sure that they will 
not obstruct the driver's vision. Do not 
hang heavy objects on the hooks. If you 
do so, they could cause personal injury 
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
The conceptThe Antilock Brake System (ABS) keeps 
the wheels from locking during braking, 
thereby enhancing active driving safety.Braking with ABSIf you are in a situation that requires full 
braking, you will exploit the full benefits 
of the ABS system if you apply 
maximum pedal pressure ("panic stop"). 
Since the vehicle maintains steering 
responsiveness, you can avoid possible 
obstacles with a minimum of steering 
effort, despite the full brake application.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined 
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits 
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its 
active mode. 

109n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire replacementunder the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A 
represent higher levels of performance 
on the laboratory test wheel than the 
minimum required by law. 
The temperature grade for this tire 
is established for a tire that is 
properly inflated and not overloaded. 
Excessive speed, underinflation, or 
excessive loading, either separately or 
in combination, can cause heat buildup 
and possible tire failure.< Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where 
applicable on the tire sidewall between 
tread shoulder and maximum section 
width. For example:
Tread wear 200 
Traction AA 
Temperature A
Do not use retreaded tires, since 
driving safety may be impaired. 
This is due to the possible variations in 
casing structures and, in some cases, 
to their extreme age, which can lead to 
a decrease in their durability.<
Tire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the 
sidewall:
DOT ... 4101 indicates that the tire was 
manufactured in Week 41 of the year 
2001.
Although tires may have a theoretical 
service life of up to 10 years, BMW 
strongly recommends that you replace 
all tires after an absolute maximum of 
6 years.
Safety tires
*
Safety tires consist of self-supporting 
tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that the tire retains 
some residual safety in the event of 
pressure drop and driving remains 
possible to a restricted degree. The 
vehicle is equipped with Tire Pressure 
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor, 
which indicate a flat tire.
For additional information on Tire Pres-
sure Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor 
refer to page 78 or 80.
Safety tires are only possible in 
conjunction with Tire Pressure 
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor.<