
64n
Cruise control
* 
To deceleratePress button (Ð) briefly:
If you are already driving with active 
cruise control, the speed is decreased 
by approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h) every time 
you tap the button.
Press and hold button (Ð):
With the cruise control active, the 
system automatically reduces the 
throttle opening to slow the vehicle. 
When you release the button, the 
system maintains and stores the 
current speed.
To interrupt the cruise controlWhen the system is activated, press the 
button. The indicator lamp stays on. 
You can use the cruise control again 
whenever you want by calling up the 
speed that was stored last.
In addition, cruise control is interrupted 
automatically:
>When the brakes are applied 
>When you apply pressure to the 
clutch pedal, or when you move the 
automatic transmission selector lever 
from D to N 
>If you exceed or fall below the preset 
speed for an extended period (by 
depressing the accelerator, for 
example).
To call up the stored speedPress button:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored. 

71n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic Stability Control plus Traction (ASC+T)
 
The conceptThis system optimizes vehicle stability 
and traction, especially when just 
starting off, when accelerating or when 
going through curves.
ASC+T recognizes the danger present 
in traction loss and will increase driving 
stability and traction by reducing the 
engine's output, and if necessary, by 
applying the brakes to the rear wheels.
ASC+T is ready each time you start the 
engine.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will go out shortly 
after the ignition has been 
switched on, refer to pages 18, 19.
The indicator lamp flashes:
ASC+T controls the drive and braking 
forces.
The indicator lamp fails to go out 
after the engine is started, or it 
comes on during normal driving and 
stays on:
There is a system malfunction or the 
system was switched off with the 
button. Consequently, interventions to 
increase driving stability (as described 
in the preceding column) are no longer 
available. You can still drive the vehicle 
perfectly well without ASC+T.
In the event of a fault, please consult 
your BMW center, refer to 
pages 18, 19.<
To switch off ASC+TPress the button; the indicator lamp 
comes on and stays on.
The illustration depicts the arrangement 
of the buttons if the vehicle is fully 
equipped. This may vary, depending on 
the equipment actually installed.
In the following rare situations, it may 
be effective to switch off the ASC+T for 
a brief period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting 
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains.
To maintain vehicle stability, 
always drive with the ASC+T acti-
vated whenever possible.< 

77n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Hill Descent Control (HDC) Ð BMW 325xiThe conceptBy reducing the vehicle's speed on 
steep downhill stretches, HDC main-
tains predictable vehicle handling 
response to provide you with control of 
your BMW during extreme descents. 
The vehicle slows to a pace just slightly 
faster than walking speed.
HDC is available for activation at 
vehicle speeds below approx. 22 mph 
(35 km/h). When driving down steep 
hills, the vehicle reduces speed auto-
matically down to slightly more than 
double walking speed (approx. 8 mph/
12 km/h) and then maintains this speed 
at a constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes 
to vary this automatically controlled 
speed within a range extending from 
approx. 3 mph (5 km/h) to 15 mph 
(25 km/h). 
In conjunction with the multifunction 
steering wheel, you can use the 
+/Ð button to set the cruise control to a 
target speed in the range from approx. 
3 mph (5 km/h) to 15 mph (25 km/h).
HDC is automatically deactivated once 
vehicle speed again exceeds approx. 
35 mph (60 km/h).
To activate the systemPress the HDC button; the green indi-
cator lamp integrated within the button 
comes on. 
The indicator lamp flashes whenever 
the system is actively intervening to 
control your speed with automatic 
brake applications.To deactivate the systemPress the button again, the indicator 
lamp goes out.
HDC is automatically deactivated once 
the vehicle accelerates to more than 
35 mph (60 km/h) as well as whenever 
you switch off the ignition.
To use HDCWith manual transmission: 
You should always ensure that either 
reverse or first gear is engaged before 
using HDC, as the engine's braking 
effect is most pronounced in these 
gears, and only reduced engine braking 
is available in higher gears.
With automatic transmission: 
HDC is available for use in all ranges.System malfunctionsSignalled by the indicator lamp, which 
responds to problems by going out 
while HDC is in operation or by failing 
to come on when you activate the 
system: 
HDC is temporarily not available if 
brake temperature is too high. 
If the DSC indicator lamp comes 
on at the same time: 
There is a fault in the HDC and 
DSC systems. Have your BMW center 
inspect this system as soon as 
possible. 

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. 

106n
Brake systemBrake fluid level If the brake fluid level is too low and 
brake pedal travel has become longer, 
there may be a defect in one of the two 
brake system's hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW 
center. It may be necessary to 
apply higher levels of pressure to the 
pedal when stopping and braking 
distances may also be longer. Please 
remember to adapt your driving style 
accordingly.
and operating conditions in which 
braking is restricted to gentle, low-
pressure applications will all increase 
the tendency for corrosion to form on 
the rotors; this is often accompanied by 
a simultaneous accumulation of 
contamination on the brake pads. The 
pads must exert a certain minimal level 
of pressure against the rotors for the 
disc brakes' inherent self-cleaning 
effect to remain effective; the pressure 
available under the above conditions 
may not provide adequate cleansing.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they 
will tend to respond to braking with a 
pulsating effect that even extended 
brake applications will fail to cure.
When driving in heavy rain and on wet 
roads it is useful to apply light pressure 
to the brake pedal every few miles. 
Monitor traffic conditions to ensure that 
this maneuver does not pose a hazard 
to you or to other road users. The heat 
generated in this process helps dry the 
pads and rotors to ensure that your 
brake system will respond with undi-
minished efficiency when you need it.
When descending steep hills and 
extended grades, downshift to a gear 
that will allow you to continue safely 
with only a minimal amount of braking. 
By minimizing the loads placed on the 
brake system, this strategy helps 
ensure that optimal brake system 
response will remain available at all 
times. Use care to avoid exceeding the 
approved engine-speed range, refer to 
page 65.Do not coast with the clutch 
depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in neutral. Do not 
coast with the engine switched off. The 
engine provides no braking effect when 
the clutch is depressed and there is no 
power-assist for braking or steering 
when the engine is not running. 
BMW 325xi: always refer all brake 
inspection and service work to your 
BMW center, as failure to observe the 
special procedures could result in 
damage to brake system components.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any 
other objects to protrude into the area 
around the accelerator, clutch and 
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only 
brake pads that the manufacturer 
has released for your particular vehicle 
model. The manufacturer cannot eval-
uate non-approved brake pads to 
determine if they are suited for use, and 
therefore cannot ensure the operating 
safety of the vehicle if they are 
installed.< 

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