
120Special operating instructions
Break-in proceduresTo ensure that your vehicle provides 
maximum economy throughout a long 
service life, we request that you 
observe the following suggestions.Engine and differentialUp to 1,250 miles/2,000 km:
Constantly vary both vehicle and engine 
speeds, remembering not to exceed 
4,500 rpm or vehicle speeds of over 
100 mph / 160 km/h:
Obey your local and state maximum 
speed limits.
Do not use full throttle, and avoid 
pressing the accelerator beyond the 
kickdown point during these initial 
miles.
You can then proceed to increase 
engine or vehicle speeds once the ini-
tial 1,250 miles/2,000 km have elapsed.
Please remember to observe these 
same break-in procedures if either the 
engine or the differential should have to 
be replaced later in the course of the 
vehicle's service life.
TiresDue to technical factors associated 
with their manufacture, tires do not 
achieve their full traction potential until 
an initial break-in period has elapsed. 
Thus drive with extra care during the 
initial 200 miles/300 km.
Obey your local and state maximum 
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on 
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of 
water may form between the tire and 
the road surface. This phenomenon is 
referred to as hydroplaning, and can 
lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, as well as loss of vehicle control 
and braking effectiveness. Reduce your 
speed on wet roads.
achieve the optimal pad-surface and 
wear patterns required for trouble-free 
operation and long service life later on.
To break in the separate parking brake 
drums, apply the parking brake lightly 
when coasting to a standstill – at a traf-
fic signal, for instance – use caution to 
avoid posing a danger to other road 
users.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on 
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit 
on your BMW is available only when the 
engine is running. When you move the 
vehicle with the engine off – when tow-
ing, for example – substantially higher 
levels of pedal force will be required to 
brake the vehicle.
optimum efficiency. Remember to 
engage the clutch carefully during this 
initial period. 

122
Brake systemBrake fluid levelLow brake fluid level in the reservoir 
combined with longer than usual pedal 
travel may indicate a defect in one of 
the 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.
the vehicle is not used at all, and in 
operating conditions where brake appli-
cations are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion of the 
rotors and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs 
because the minimal pressure that must 
be exerted by the pads to clean the 
rotors by brake applications is not 
reached.
Corrosion on brake rotors is signaled by 
a running or pulsation during braking; 
even extended subsequent braking will 
not cure this phenomenon.
It is a good idea to periodically dry the 
brakes with a gentle application when 
driving in rain and on wet roads. Watch 
traffic conditions to ensure that this 
maneuver does not endanger other 
road users. The heat generated in this 
process helps dry the pads and rotors 
to ensure that your brake system will 
respond with undiminished 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. 
This helps avoid placing excessive 
loads on the brake system. Use care to 
avoid exceeding the approved engine-
speed range, refer to page 80.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.
325xi, 330xi: 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.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only 
brake pads which BMW has 
approved for your specific 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.< 

Everything from A to Z
167
Belts, refer to Safety 
belts 51
Beverage holders 108, 109
Blower
air conditioning 100
automatic climate 
control 104
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oils 133
BMW Maintenance 
System 136
BMW sports seat 49
Bore, refer to Engine 
data 160
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 108, 109
Brake fluid 134
indicator lamp 18, 134
level 134
Brake force display 93
Brake hydraulic system 122
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 145
indicator lamp, defective 
lamp 82
Brake lights
brake force display 93
Brake pads
brake fluid level 
18, 122, 134
breaking in 120
disc brakes 122Brake rotors
brake system 122
breaking in 120
Brake system
brake pads, indicator 
lamp 19
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 121
brake fluid 134
breaking in 120
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 67
Break-in procedures 120
Bulb replacement, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs 143
Bulb, replacing 143
Buttons in steering wheel 22
C
California Proposition 65 
warning 138
Can holders, see Beverage 
holders 108, 109
Capacities 163
Car battery 151
Car care, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 32Car radio, refer to Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Car telephone 
preparation 110
Car telephone, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 110
Car wash, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Carpet care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 121
warning lamp 18
CD changer, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Cellular phone 110
Center high-mount brake 
lamp
bulb replacement 146Central locking system 32
button 37
passenger 
compartment 37
Changing a wheel 147
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 82
Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child safety locks 63
Child seats 60
Child-restraint systems 60
Chock 148
Cigarette lighter 110
Cigarette lighter socket 110
Cleaning chrome parts, refer 
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Cleaning light alloy wheels, 
refer to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cleaning windshield 78
Clock 83
12-/24-hour mode 83
setting, refer also to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex