
 
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 

 
17n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Indicator and warning lamps 
 
Technology that monitors itself 
 
Indicator and warning lamps that are 
identified by 
 
l
 
 are tested for proper 
functioning whenever the ignition key is 
turned. They each light up once for 
different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started, or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this in the 
following section.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current
 
 
 
l
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. Indicates a defective 
alternator drive belt or a problem with 
the alternator's charge circuit. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop 
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and 
serious engine damage. If the drive belt 
is defective, increased steering effort is 
also required.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
  
l
 
Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. 
Check the engine oil level and top off as 
required. If the oil level is correct, 
please contact the nearest BMW 
center.
Do not continue driving, as the 
engine could sustain serious 
damage from inadequate lubrication.
 
<
 
Brake warning lamp 
 
l 
 
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
check the brake fluid level. Before 
driving further, be sure to comply with 
the instructions on pages 106 and 118
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor 
 
l
 
In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: a tire failure has occurred. 
Reduce vehicle speed immediately and 
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake 
applications. As you steer the vehicle, 
use caution and avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information refer to 
pages 78, 80 

 
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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 

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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 

Everything from A to Z
149n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
I 
Ice warning68 
Icy roads68 
Ignition keys28 
Ignition lock55 
Imprint4 
Indicator lamps17 
Inflation pressures24, 107 
INSPECTION66 
Instrument cluster15 
Instrument lighting83 
Instrument panel15 
Interface socket 
for onboard diagnostics 
(OBD)121 
Interior lamps30, 84 
remote control30 
Interior motion sensor35 
operation via remote 
control30 
switching off36 
Interior rearview mirror47 
automatic dimming 
feature48 
Interlock55 
J 
Jack129 
Jump-starting134 K 
Key Memory54 
Key set28 
Keys28 L 
Lamps and bulbs, 
replacement125 
Lashing eyes100 
License plate lamps, bulb 
replacement128, 129 
LIGHTS ON warning82 
Litter bag holder93 
Loading and driving 
notes100 
Load-securing devices100 
Lock buttons32 
Low beams82 
bulb replacement125 
Lug wrench129 
Luggage cover, refer to 
cargo area cover 
Luggage rack100 
M 
M+S tires111 
Maintenance66, 119 
Malfunction displays67 
Manual operation 
doors31 
fuel filler door22 
sliding/tilt sunroof39 
tailgate33 
Manual seat adjustment41 
Manual transmission57 
Manually controlled recircu-
lated-air90 
Master keys28 
Memory settings45 
MFL (Multifunction steering 
wheel)21 
Microfilter87, 91 
Mirror defrosting47 
Mirror memory45 
Mirrors47 
Mobile phone94 
Modifications, 
technical10, 120 
Motion sensor, refer to 
interior motion sensor35 
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)21 
O 
OBD interface socket121 
Odometer65 
Oil 
additives115 
capacity143 
consumption115 
quality116 
specifications116 
viscosity116 
Oil change intervals, see the 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet 
Oil dipstick115 
Oil filter change143 
OILSERVICE66 
Onboard computer68 
refer also to the "Owner's 
Manual Onboard 
Computer" 
Onboard tool kit124 
Opening and closing 
from the inside32 
via the door lock31 
via the remote control29 
Outside temperature 
display68