
 
Contents
 
© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich. 
Order No. 01 41 0 156 156
US English VIII/01
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper 
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling). 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit14
Instrument cluster15
Indicator and warning lamps17
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)21
Hazard warning triangle22
Refueling22
Fuel specifications23
Tire inflation pressures24
 
Opening and closing:
 
Keys28
Central locking system28
Opening and closing Ð via the 
remote control29
Opening and closing Ð via the 
door lock31
Opening and closing Ð from the 
inside32
Tailgate33
Rear window34
Cargo area35
Alarm system35
Electric power windows37
Sliding/tilt sunroof38
 
Adjustments:
 
Correct sitting posture40
Seats40
Manual seat adjustment41
Power seat adjustment42
Lumbar support42
Head restraints43
Safety belts44
Seat and mirror memory45
Seat heating46
Steering wheel46
Mirrors47
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags48
Transporting children safely51Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory54
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock55
Starting the engine55
Switching off the engine56
Parking brake57
Manual transmission57
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
Indicator/Headlamp flasher60
Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor61
Cruise control63
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer65
Tachometer65
Energy control65
Fuel gauge66
Coolant temperature gauge66
Service Interval Display66
Check Control67
Clock67
Computer68
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)70
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)71
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)73
 
Contents 

 
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 

 
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 

24n
Tire inflation pressures The specified inflation pressures are 
provided on a sticker attached to the 
B-pillar and visible with the driver's 
door open.Checking tire pressuresAll pressures are specified in the stan-
dard units of pressure for your country, 
psi or kilopascal, and apply to cold tires 
(tires at ambient temperature, refer to 
tire pressure table on the following 
page).
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor 
(RDC)/Flat Tire Monitor:
After correcting the inflation pressures, 
reactivate the system, refer to 
pages 78, 80.
Another instruction plate regarding 
inflation pressures on the door pillar 
indicates which system is equipped on 
your vehicle.
Check the tire pressures on a 
regular basis Ð at least twice a 
month Ð and before every extended 
journey. Otherwise, incorrect tire pres-
sure can lead to driving instability, tire 
damage and accidents.
Remember to check the inflation pres-
sure in the space-saver or standard 
spare tire.
 
Inflate the spare tire to the highest infla-
tion pressure of any tire on your 
vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval 
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table 
apply to BMW approved tire sizes and 
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center is 
familiar with these pressures. Higher 
pressures may be specified for tires 
made by other manufacturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that 
not only meet US standards, but also 
European standards. We recommend 
the exclusive use of BMW approved 
tires. 

25n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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) 

78n
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressures at all 
four wheels while the vehicle is moving. 
The system provides an alert whenever 
the inflation pressure drops significantly 
below the specified pressure in one or 
more tires.
In order for the system to learn the 
correct tire inflation pressure, check the 
inflation pressure in all tires according 
to the inflation pressure table on 
page 25 and make corrections as 
necessary. Then activate the system. 
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will inform you if 
the tire pressure is not correct.
To activate the system1. Turn ignition key to position 2 (do not 
start the engine)
2. Press the button long enough for the 
yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster to light up for a few 
seconds
3. After a few minutes driving time, the 
RDC adopts the current pressure 
levels as the reference, and from that 
point on, can detect and report a flat 
tire.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure following a correction of the tire 
inflation pressure. Otherwise, RDC 
functions automatically when the igni-
tion key is in position 2, and thus oper-
ates whenever the vehicle is driven.
In the event of loss in inflation 
pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped 
significantly over a long period of time 
(which is normal for any tire), the yellow 
indicator lamp will come on.
This alerts you to have the tires inflated 
to the specified pressures as soon as 
possible.
If you are prompted to check the 
tire pressure shortly after a 
correction has been made, this indi-
cates that the corrected values were 
not accurate. Please check the inflation 
pressure again and make corrections 
according to the inflation pressure 
table. Then activate the system once 
again.< 

80n
Flat Tire Monitor
*
The conceptAs you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor 
keeps track of pressure levels in all four 
tires in order to detect and warn of any 
substantial pressure loss. 
The system actually detects pressure 
loss by monitoring differences in the 
relative speeds of the four wheels. It 
interprets variations outside specified 
limits as severe pressure loss, and then 
responds by generating a warning.
To initialize the systemInitializing is necessary to familiarize the 
system with the correct inflation pres-
sure.
Repeat this process after any changes 
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or 
replacement. Do not carry out further 
system initialization after adjusting the 
inflation pressure and letting the system 
"learn" the correct pressures.
1. Check the tire inflation pressure in all 
the tires, comparing them with the 
inflation pressure table on page 25, 
and correct their pressure if neces-
sary
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Press button as long as you need to 
until the indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up. After a little 
while, the indicator lamp will go out 
by itself
4. After a few minutes driving time, the 
Flat Tire Monitor adopts the current 
pressure levels as the reference, and 
from that point on, can detect and 
report a flat tire. 

81n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Flat Tire Monitor
*
Activate/deactivate the systemThe Flat Tire Monitor automatically 
assumes operation whenever you turn 
the ignition key to position 2. Unless 
manually deactivated, it is always on 
during normal vehicle operation.
To deactivate the system: press the 
button, the yellow indicator lamp comes 
on.
To activate the system: press the 
button again, the indicator lamp goes 
out.
You should deactivate the system 
before driving with snow chains, as the 
chains can generate spurious warnings 
and/or prevent the system from 
detecting actual pressure loss. 
In the event of a flat tire
The red warning lamp in the 
instrument cluster lights up to 
warn of pressure loss and tire 
failure. This visual alert is accompanied 
by an acoustic warning signal. Reduce 
your speed immediately, and steer and 
brake gently as you bring the vehicle to 
a stop. 
To reset the warning lamp: after 
replacing the flat tire you will need to 
reset the red warning lamp manually: 
maintain pressure on the Flat Tire 
Monitor button until the warning lamp 
goes out. Then reinitialize the system.
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot 
provide you with advance warning 
of sudden and severe tire damage 
caused by external factors.
The system also does not detect the 
gradual and minor loss of pressure that 
all tires display over extended periods 
of time.<
Check the tire inflation pressures 
on a regular basis, correcting 
them as necessary, refer to page 24.
The system may respond to operation 
on slippery or snow-covered road 
surfaces with false warnings or delays 
in detecting actual pressure loss.
Performance-oriented driving (slip at 
the drive wheels, high rates of lateral 
acceleration) can also increase the time 
that the Flat Tire Monitor requires to 
detect a flat tire.<
System malfunctionsThe yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up and remains on 
until the problem is corrected.
Please refer the problem to your BMW 
center.