Page 9 of 166

Contents
9
Driving:
Ignition lock60
Starting the engine60
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake62
Manual transmission63
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*64
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher67
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*68
Cruise control*69
Everything under control:
Odometer71
Tachometer71
Energy control71
Fuel gauge72
Engine coolant temperature
gauge72
Service interval display73
Check Control73
Clock74
Computer*75
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)*77
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)*78
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)*80
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) –
BMW 325xi, 330xi82
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*84
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)*85
Flat Tire Monitor*86
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams89
Instrument lighting90
High beams/Standing lamps90
Fog lamps*91
Interior lamps91
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioning92
Automatic climate control*96
Roller sun blind*100
Interior conveniences:
Premium sound system*101
Glove compartment101
Storage compartments102
Cellular phone*104
Ashtray, front*104
Ashtray, rear*105
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading system*106
Ski bag*107
Cargo loading108
Roof-mounted luggage
rack*110
Controls and features
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36
To open from the inside*If the luggage compartment lid has not
been locked separately, you can open it
with this button in the footwell on the
driver's side when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
To closeThe handle recesses in the interior trim
panel of the luggage compartment lid –
see arrows – make it easier to pull the
lid down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the luggage com-
partment lid is clear when it is closed,
following the same precautions as with
all closing procedures.<
Operate the vehicle only when the
luggage compartment lid is
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes
could penetrate the interior of the vehi-
cle.<
Should it be absolutely necessary to
operate the vehicle with the luggage
compartment lid open:
1. Close all windows. Shut the slid-
ing/tilt sunroof
2. Greatly increase the quantity of air
coming from the air conditioning or
automatic climate control system,
see page 92 or 96.
Luggage compartment lid
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73
Service interval displayRemaining distance to next
serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 or higher or
after the engine is started.
The next service due appears with the
message OIL SERVICE or
INSPECTION, together with the dis-
tance remaining in miles – in kilometers
in Canada – before the next scheduled
service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the preced-
ing driving style.
A flashing message and a "–" in front of
the number mean that the service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the
distance shown on the display. Please
contact your BMW center for an
appointment.
Check ControlThe following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols, with
the ignition key in position 2 or higher,
until the condition has been corrected.
1Check the low beam and high beam
headlamps, as well as the parking
lamps
2Door open
3Luggage compartment lid open
4Check brake and tail lamps
When you open the driver's door after
completing a journey, an acoustic
warning signal will sound if you have
forgotten to turn off the headlamps.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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81
Under these special circumstances
traction is increased by deactivating the
control systems that enhance traction
under normal conditions.Deactivating the DSC and the
DTCPress the DSC button down for at least
3 seconds; the indicator lamp and the
yellow brake warning lamp will remain
on continuously.
The systems for enhancing stability and
traction are deactivated, and there is no
active braking intervention or torque
control.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the DSC acti-
vated whenever possible.
cator lamp or the indicator lamps will go
out. DTC is deactivated.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. An
appropriate driving style always
remains the responsibility of the driver.
We therefore urge you to avoid using
the additional safety margin of the sys-
tem as an excuse for taking risks.
Whenever the DTC is activated, the
DSC is switched off and DTC performs
minor stabilizing intervention.
Do not make any modifications to the
DSC system. Allow only authorized
technicians to perform service proce-
dures on the DSC.<
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Page 92 of 166
92Controlling the climate for pleasant driving
Air conditioning
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93
1Air onto the windshield and the side
windows
2Air for the upper body area95
3Air to the footwell
4Air supply/Blower94
5Temperature94
6Air distribution94
7Rear window defroster94
8Air conditioning94
9Outside air/Recirculated-air
mode94Air conditioning
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94
Air supply/Blower
You can select blower speeds
from 1 to 4. The heating and
ventilation become more and
more effective as the air sup-
ply settings are increased. In position 0,
the blower and the heater are switched
off. The outside air supply is blocked in
position 0.
Temperature
In order to increase the tem-
perature of the passenger
compartment, turn to the right
toward the red zone. The tem-
perature of the incoming air is kept con-
stant.
Air distribution
You can direct air to flow onto
the windows , toward your
upper body or into the
footwell . All intermediate
settings are possible. In the setting ,
there is a low flow of air onto the win-
dows to keep them free of condensa-
tion.
Rear window defroster
When the rear window defroster
is activated, the indicator lamp
comes on. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically.
You can have your vehicle pro-
grammed in such a way that the
rear window defroster switches on
automatically. This occurs within 5 min-
utes after starting the engine when out-
side temperatures are below approx.
397/+46.<
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the
temperature setting – rewarmed.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started. Air conditioning helps
prevent the windows from fogging up.
Condensation forms during opera-
tion of the air conditioning system,
which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Outside air/Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant
external odors by temporarily
blocking the supply of outside air. The
system then recirculates the air cur-
rently within the vehicle.
If the windows should fog over in
the recirculated-air mode, switch
this mode off and increase the air sup-
ply as required.<
Air conditioning
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95
Draft-free ventilationYou can adjust the blower controls for
the upper body area to obtain the opti-
mum airflow rates and directions for
your personal requirements:
1Rotary dials for infinitely variable
opening and closing of the vent out-
lets
2Levers for airflow direction
3Rotary dial allows you to control the
temperature of the airflow from these
outlets as desired
MicrofilterThe built-in microfilter removes dust
and pollen from the incoming air. Your
BMW center will replace it during rou-
tine maintenance. A substantial reduc-
tion in airflow indicates that the filter
needs to be replaced before scheduled
maintenance.
To defrost windows and remove
condensation1. Set the blower speed control for the
air supply to position 4
2. Turn the rotary temperature control
completely to the right to the red
zone
3. Turn the rotary control for air distri-
bution to position
4. Switch on the rear window defroster
to defrost the rear window.
Air conditioning
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex