Contents
© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 156 168
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
Luggage compartment lid33
Luggage compartment35
Alarm system36
Electric power windows37
Sliding/tilt sunroof39
Adjustments:
Correct sitting posture41
Seats41
Manual seat adjustment42
Power seat adjustment43
Lumbar support43
Head restraints44
Safety belts45
Seat and mirror memory46
Seat heating47
Steering wheel47
Mirrors48
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags49
Transporting children safely52
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory55
Driving:
Ignition lock56
Starting the engine56
Switching off the engine57
Parking brake58
Manual transmission58
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
Indicator/Headlamp flasher61
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor62
Cruise control64
Everything under control:
Odometer66
Tachometer66
Energy control66
Fuel gauge67
Temperature gauge67
Service Interval Display67
Check Control68
Clock68
Computer69
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)71
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)72
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
Roller sun blind91
Interior conveniences:
Premium sound system91
Glove compartment92
Storage compartments92
Cellular phone94
Ashtray, front95
Ashtray, rear95
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading system96
Ski bag97
Cargo loading99
Roof-mounted luggage rack100
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes105
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)105
Brake system106
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressures107
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
10n
For your own safety
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (i.e.
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will
not void the applicable warranties
covering defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality (volatility, composition, addi-
tives, for example) among gasolines
offered for sale in the United States and
Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels
may result in driveability, starting and
stalling problems, especially under
certain environmental conditions, such
as high ambient temperature and high
altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Obey all applicable safety rules when
handling gasoline.
<
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product on the
market to determine whether it can be
used on a BMW safely and without risk
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its
occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including oper-
ation of any portable cellular phone from
within the vehicle without using an exter-
nally mounted antenna) or transceiver
equipment (such as CB, walkie-talkie,
ham radio or similar) may cause exten-
sive damage to the vehicle, compromise
its safety, interfere with the vehicle's
electrical system or affect the validity of
the BMW Limited Warranty. See your
BMW center for additional information.
Do not use key or remote control to lock
doors or luggage compartment with
anyone inside the vehicle. Refer to
page 34 for more details.
<
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
<
Symbol on vehicle parts
Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.
14n
1 Parking lamps/Low beams82
2
>
Turn signals61
>
Standing lamps83
>
High beams83
>
Headlamp flasher61
>
Computer693 Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor62
4 Hazard warning flashers
5 Central locking system286 Rear window defroster86, 90
7 Horn, the entire surface
8 Adjusting the steering wheel47
9 Fog lamps83
Cockpit
16n
Instrument cluster
7 Indicator and warning
lamps17 to 20
8 Reset trip odometer to zero66
9 Check Control display6810 Display for
>
Trip odometer/odometer66
>
Clock68
>
Service Interval67
>
Computer6911 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission18, 61
12 Control button for the clock68
13 Indicator and warning
lamps17 to 20
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 at 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 shut off: add engine oil at
your earliest opportunity (next time you
stop to refuel). For additional informa-
tion: 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 consult the nearest BMW center
in case of a malfunction.
For additional information: beginning on
page 72
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
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 indicates a system malfunc-
tion 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 defec-
tive.
Please consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 73
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
DSC and ADB-X system malfunction.
There is no provision for deactivating
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
22n
Hazard warning triangle
*
Refueling
The hazard warning triangle is stored in
a storage case on the left side of the
luggage compartment.
Always observe all legal regula-
tions requiring a warning triangle
to be carried in the vehicle.
<
Fuel filler door
Always switch off the engine
before refueling, as it is not
possible to add fuel with the engine
running, and attempts may also trigger
the SERVICE ENGINE SOON lamp.<
Press on the rear edge of the fuel filler
door to open and close it.
If an electrical malfunction occurs, you
can unlock the fuel filler door manually:
1. Unlock the trim panel on the right
side of the luggage compartment
2. Pull the button with the fuel pump
symbol.
Always observe all safety precau-
tions posted at the service station
when handling fuel.
Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full,
these containers can leak, cause an
explosion, or lead to fire in the event of
a collision.<
28n
Keys Central locking systemThe key set1 Master key with remote control unit,
for information on programming the
Key Memory refer to page 55.
You can mark individual keys for
subsequent identification by applying
the colored decals that you received
when accepting delivery of your
vehicle
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key that is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is not being used otherwise,
use those keys approximately once a
year while driving for an extended
period to charge the battery, refer also
to page 29.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for constant use
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key Ð
this is useful for valet parking, for
instance
The conceptThe central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The system engages and
releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door.
The central locking system can be
operated
>from outside via the remote control
as well as via the driver's door lock
>from inside by pressing a button.
Activating it from inside does not lock
the fuel filler door, refer to page 32.
When the system is actuated from the
outside, the anti-theft system is acti-
vated simultaneously. Both the door
locks and release handles remain
locked. The alarm system is also acti-
vated or deactivated.
If locked from the inside, the central
locking system unlocks automatically in
the event of an accident, except on
doors that have been locked individu-
ally using the lock buttons, refer to
page 31. In addition, the hazard
warning flashers and interior lamps
come on.