116
Brake systemBrake fluid levelIf the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become longer,
there may be a defect in one of the two
brake system's hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW cen-
ter. It may be necessary to apply
higher levels of pressure to the pedal
when stopping and braking distances
may also be longer. Please remember
to adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
with the vehicle parked or in storage,
and operating conditions in which brak-
ing is restricted to gentle, low-pressure
applications will all increase the ten-
dency for corrosion to form on the
rotors; this is often accompanied by a
simultaneous accumulation of contami-
nation on the brake pads. The pads
must exert a certain minimal level of
pressure against the rotors for the disc
brakes' inherent self-cleaning effect to
remain effective; the pressure available
under the above conditions may not
provide adequate cleansing.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
When driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads it is useful to apply light pressure
to the brake pedal every few miles.
Monitor traffic conditions to ensure that
this maneuver does not pose a hazard
to you or to other road users. The heat
generated in this process helps dry the
pads and rotors to ensure that your
brake system will respond with undi-
minished efficiency when you need it.
When descending steep hills and
extended grades, downshift to a gear
that will allow you to continue safely
with only a minimal amount of braking.
By minimizing the loads placed on the
brake system, this strategy helps
ensure that optimal brake system
response will remain available at all
times. Use care to avoid exceeding the
approved engine-speed range, refer to
page 71.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in Neutral. Do not
coast with the engine shut off. The
engine provides no braking effect when
the clutch is depressed and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
BMW 325xi: always refer all brake
inspection and service work to your
BMW center, as failure to observe the
special procedures could result in dam-
age to components of the all-wheel
drive.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
released for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suitable for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
handbook.book Page 116 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:36 PM
Everything from A to ZSteering wheel with multi-
function buttons 22
Steering wheel, adjusting 50
Steptronic 63
Storage
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure 137
Storage compartments 102
Stroke 152
Switching off the engine 61
Synthetic oils 127
T
Tachometer 16, 71
Tail lamp assembly
replacing bulb 139
Tail lamps
replacing bulb 139
Tailgate 34
emergency operation 35
Tailgate lamp
replacing bulb 141
Tank capacity 155
Technical data 152
Technical modifications 4, 5
Telephone hookup 103
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Temperature adjustment
94, 98Temperature display
engine coolant 72
outside temperature 75
Temperature layering 95, 99
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 45
Third brake lamp 140
Tilt alarm sensor 32, 38
remote control 32
switching off 38
Time 74
Tire change 141
Tire inflation pressure
25, 117
Tire Pressure Monitor
(TPM) 85
Tire replacement 118
Tools 136
Torque 152
Towing eyelet 148
Towing the vehicle 148
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor 85
Track 153
Transmission 62
Transporting children
safely 54
Tread depth, tires 117
Tread wear indicator 117
Trip odometer 71
Turn signal indicator 20, 66
replacing bulb 138Turning circle 153
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading 119
V
Vacuum cleaner, connect-
ing 104
Vehicle
break-in procedures 114
starting 59
switching off 61
Vehicle Memory 58
Vehicle storage
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Vehicle weight 154
Ventilation 92, 96
draft-free 95, 99
Voice Control System, refer
to the separate Owner's
Manual
Voice recognition 22
W
Warning lamp Please fasten
safety belts 18
Warning lamps 18
Warning messages 73
Warranty and Service
Guide 130Warranty, refer to separate
booklet 6
Washer fluid
refilling 126, 155
Washer reservoir
filling 126, 155
Washer/wiper system 67
Water on roadways
deep water 115
Wear indicator for tires 117
Weights 154
Wheel, changing 141
Wheelbase 153
Wheels and tires 120
Width 153
Window condensation
removing 95, 98
Windows
convenience operation 31
defrosting 95
power 39
remote control 32
Windows, defrosting 98
Windshield washer reser-
voir, filling 126, 155
Windshield wipers 67
Winter tires 120
Wiper blades
replacing 136
Work in the engine compart-
ment 122
handbook.book Page 162 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:36 PM
