
 
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 

 
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 

66n
Fuel gauge  Temperature gauge  Service Interval DisplayOnce the indicator lamp stays on 
continuously, there are still approx. 
2 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel 
tank.
For fuel tank capacity, refer to 
page 143.
Certain operating conditions (such as 
those encountered in mountainous 
areas) may cause the needle to fluc-
tuate slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving 
to the last drop of fuel can result in 
damage to the engine and/or catalytic 
converter.<
When you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an 
operation check.
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at 
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
warning lamp comes on briefly to 
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on during normal 
vehicle operation: the engine has over-
heated. Switch off the engine immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to 
page 117.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating temperature. The 
needle may rise as far as the edge of 
the red sector in normal operation.
Remaining distance to serviceThe displays shown in the illustration 
appear for a few seconds when the 
ignition key is in position 1 or after the 
engine is started.
The next service due appears with the 
message OIL SERVICE or INSPEC-
TION, together with the distance 
remaining in miles (kilometers) before 
the next scheduled service. The 
computer bases its calculations of the 
remaining distance on the preceding 
driving style.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of 
the number mean that the service 
interval has already been exceeded by 
the distance shown on the display. 
Please contact your BMW center for an 
appointment. 

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. 

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 

Everything from A to Z
147n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Break-in procedures104 
Bulbs and lamps 
replacement125 C 
California Proposition 
65 Warning120 
Can holder, refer to 
beverage holder93 
Capacities143 
Car care, refer to the "Caring 
for your vehicle" manual 
Car phone94 
Car wash systems, refer to 
the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Care of upholstery materials, 
refer to the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Cargo area35, 97 
capacity142 
Cargo area cover97 
Cargo area lighting33 
Cargo loading99 CBC (Cornering Brake 
Control)18, 73 
Cellular phone94 
refer also to the separate 
"Owner's Manual"94 
Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp128 
Center armrest92 
Central locking system28 
control button32 
Changing a wheel129 
Check Control67 
Checking engine oil 
level115 
Checking tire pressures24 
Child-restraint systems51 
Cigarette lighter94 
Cigarette lighter socket94 
Clean rear window62 
Clean the headlamps62 
Cleaning windshield62 
Clock67 
refer also to the "Radio 
Owner's Manual" Clothes hooks105 
Clutch104 
Cockpit14 
Coin box93 
Compartments92 
Compression ratio140 
Computer68 
refer also to the "Owner's 
Manual Onboard 
Computer" 
Configuring individual 
settings via Vehicle and 
Key Memory54 
Convenience operation via 
the door lock 
power windows31 
sliding/tilt sunroof31 
Coolant117, 143 
Coolant temperature 
gauge66 
Cooling system including 
heating circuit, 
capacity143 
Copyright4 
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)18, 73 Correct sitting posture40 
Cruise control63 
Cruising range69 
Curb weight142 
D 
Data 
dimensions141 
technical140 
weights142 
Daytime driving lamps82 
DBC (Dynamic Brake 
Control)74 
Deep water105 
Defrost windows87, 89 
Defroster, rear 
window86, 90 
Digital clock67 
Dimming rearview mirror48 
Dipstick, engine oil115 
Displacement140 
Display lighting83 
Displays15 
Disposal 
antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents117 
battery133 
brake fluid118 
engine oil116  

Everything from A to ZDistance warning70 
Door keys28 
Doors 
electrical malfunction31 
locking and unlocking29 
manual operatiom31 
DOT Quality Grades, 
tires108 
Draft-free ventilation87, 90 
Drawbar weight142 
Drink holder, refer to 
beverage holder93 
Drive belts17 
Driving notes105 
DSC (Dynamic Stability 
Control)19, 73 
Dynamic Brake Control 
(DBC)74 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)19, 73 E 
Electric power windows37 
Electrical malfunction 
doors31 
fuel filler door22 
sliding/tilt sunroof39 
tailgate33 Electrical power socket95 
Elements of operation14 
Energy Control65 
Engine compartment 
essentials113 
Engine coolant143 
Engine data140 
Engine oil 
capacity143 
consumption115 
disposal116 
quality116 
specifications116 
viscosity116 
Engine oil level115 
checking115 
indicator lamp19 
Engine specifications140 
Engine speed140 
F 
Fault displays67 
Filling capacities143 
Fittings, tow starting and 
towing135 
Flashlight92 
Flat Tire 
Monitor80, 109, 132 Flat tires107, 129, 132 
Fog lamps83 
Follow me home lamps82 
Front fog lamps83 
Front seat adjustment40 
Fuel consumption69 
display66 
Fuel filler door22 
electrical malfunction22 
manual operation22 
Fuel gauge66 
Fuel injection system140 
Fuel reserve indicator 
lamp66 
Fuel tank capacity143 
Fuel tank gauge66 
Fuses133 
G 
Gasoline gauge66 
Glove compartment92 
Gross vehicle weight142 H 
Handbrake57 
Hands-free system94 
microphone94 Harman Kardon premium 
sound system91 
Hazard warning triangle22 
HDC (Hill Descent 
Control)77 
Head restraints43 
Headlamp cover, care125 
Headlamp flasher83 
Headlamp washer 
system114 
capacity143 
Headlight control82 
Heated seats46 
High beams20, 60, 83 
bulb replacement125 
High Performance Synthetic 
Oil116 
Hill Descent Control 
(HDC)77 
Holder for beverage 
cans93 
Hood release112 
Horn14