Page 115 of 155

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. 
     
        
        Page 143 of 155
143n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Capacities 
Notes
Fuel tank 
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 16.6 (approx. 63)
approx. 2.1 (approx. 8)Fuel specification, refer to 
page 23
Windshield /
Headlamp washer reservoir (front) quarts (liters) approx. 5.6 (approx. 5.3)Specifications, refer to page 114
Cooling system including heating circuit quarts (liters) approx. 8.9 (approx. 8.4) Specifications, refer to page 117
Engine oil and filter change
quarts (liters)
quarts (liters)325i: 
approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5)
325xi:
approx. 7.9 (approx. 7.5)BMW High Performance 
synthetic oil 
Oil specifications, refer to 
page 115
Manual and automatic transmission, transfer box 
and differentialÐ Lifetime lubricant, no oil change 
required 
     
        
        Page 146 of 155

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 
     
        
        Page 149 of 155

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  
     
        
        Page 151 of 155

Everything from A to Z
151n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Steering wheel lock55 
Stopping the vehicle56 
Storage compartments92 
Stroke140 
Switching off the engine56 
Symbols8 
Synthetic oils116 T 
Tail lamps 
bulb replacement127 
Tailgate33 
electrical malfunction33 
manual operation33 
remote control 
operation30 
Tank capacity143 
Technical data140 
Technical 
modifications10, 120 
Telephone preparation94 
Temperature display 
outside temperature68 
Temperature gauge 
engine coolant66 Temperature 
layering87, 90 
Temperature 
settings86, 89 
The Automatic Differential 
Brake (ADB-X)75 
Thigh support41 
Third brake light128 
Tilt alarm sensor36 
operation via remote 
control30 
switching off36 
Tire change129 
Tire inflation 
pressures24, 107 
Tire inflation pressures, 
table25 
Tire Pressure Monitor 
(RDC)78, 109, 132 
Tire pressure, indicator78 
Tire pressure, 
monitoring78 
Tire Quality Grading109 
Tire replacement108 
Tire tread107 
wear indicators (TWI)107 Tools124 
Torque140 
Tow fittings135 
Towing the vehicle135 
Trailer weights142 
Transmission57 
Transmitter keys28 
Transporting children 
safely51 
Tread depth, tires107 
Tread wear indicators107 
Trip odometer65 
Turn signal 
indicators20, 60 
Turn signals 
bulb replacement126 
U 
Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading109 
Use antifreeze, radiator117 
V 
Vehicle keys28 
Vehicle Memory54 
Vehicle weight142 
Vehicle, starting55 
Ventilation85, 88 
draft-free87, 90 W
 
Warning lamps17 
Warning messages67 
Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet (Canadian 
models)119 
Washer fluid, adding114 
Washer reservoir, filling114 
Washing your vehicle, refer 
to the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Water on roadways105 
Weights142 
Wheel and tire 
combinations110 
Wheels and tires107 
Windshield washer system 
capacity143 
filling114