Page 9 of 166

Contents
9
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags52
Transporting children safely54
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory58
Driving:
Ignition lock59
Starting the engine59
Switching off the engine61
Parking brake61
Manual transmission62
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*63
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher66
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*67
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 325xi82
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
Interior conveniences:
Premium sound system*101
Glove compartment101
Storage compartments102
Cellular phone*103
Ashtray, front*104
Ashtray, rear*104
Socket105
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag*106
Cargo area107
Cargo loading109
Roof-mounted luggage
rack*111
Controls and features
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Page 15 of 166
15
1Parking lamps/Low beams89
2
>
Turn signal indicators66
>
Standing lamps90
>
High beams90
>
Headlamp flasher66
>
Computer75
3Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor67
4Hazard warning flashers
5Central locking system30
6Rear window defroster94, 99
7Horn: the entire surface
8Adjusting the steering wheel50
9Fog lamps91
Cockpit
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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Page 67 of 166

67
Washer/wiper system/Rain sensor*0Wipers retracted
1Intermittent mode or rain sensor
2Normal wiper speed
3Fast wiper speed
4Brief wipe
5Rotary dial for control of the wipe
interval or the sensitivity of the rain
sensorIntermittent modeNot on vehicles with rain sensor.
You can set the wipe interval at four
stages with rotary dial 5.
In addition, the wipe interval is varied
automatically depending on road
speed.
Rain sensor*The rain sensor is located on the wind-
shield directly behind the rearview mir-
ror.
To activate the rain sensor:
>With the ignition key in position 1 or
higher, move the lever to position 1.
The wipers will make at least one
sweep across the windshield.
You can leave the lever in position 1
at all times. With the ignition key in
position 1 or higher, all you then need
to do to activate the rain sensor is
>briefly turn the rotary dial 5, or
>clean the windshield 1, refer to
page 68.
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain sen-
sor: turn rotary dial 5.
To switch off the rain sensor: return
lever to position 0.
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-
matic car washes. Failure to do so
could result in damage caused by
undesired wiper activation.
ers switch automatically to intermittent
wipe – not on vehicles with rain sensor.
Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the wip-
ers revert to operation at normal speed
– not on vehicles with rain sensor.
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Page 68 of 166

68
To clean windshield and
headlamps*0Wipers retracted
1Clean the windshield and headlamps
2Rear window wiper intermittent mode
3Clean the rear window
Do not use the washers if there is
any danger that the fluid will
freeze on the windshield, as your vision
could be obscured. Always use a wind-
shield washer antifreeze in cold
weather. Refer to page 126.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty. This could cause damage
to the washer pump.<
The system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period. When the vehicle's
lighting system is switched on, the
headlamps will also be cleaned at rea-
sonable intervals.Rear window wiperRear window wiper in intermittent
mode. When reverse gear is engaged,
continuous operation is switched on
automatically.
You can also program the interval:
>Briefly move the wiper lever from
position 0 to position 2
>The period that elapses until the wip-
ers again start to move – from
position 0 to 2 – is the programmed
interval for intermittent operation –
max. 30 seconds.Clean the rear windowThe system sprays washer fluid onto
the rear window.
To change the wiper blades refer to
page 136.
Windshield washer nozzlesThe windshield washer nozzles are
heated automatically* when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Washer/wiper system/Rain sensor*
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Page 136 of 166
136Replacement procedures
Onboard tool kitThe onboard tool kit is located beneath
the floor panel in the cargo area.
For information on raising the floor
panel, refer to page 109.
Windshield wiper bladesWindshield1. Switch off the engine
2. Fold the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
3. Position the wiper blade at an angle
and pull the release spring – see
arrow
4. Fold the wiper blade down and
unhook it toward the windshield
5. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper
arm toward the top
6. Insert a new wiper blade and apply
pressure until you hear it engage.
Rear window1. Switch off the engine
2. Fold the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
3. Pull out the wiper blade – see arrow
4. Guide the new wiper blade into
place, continue to apply pressure
until you hear the detent engage.
handbook.book Page 136 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:36 PM