
 
Contents
 
9
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock65
Starting the engine65
Switching off the engine67
Parking brake67
Manual transmission68
Sequential manual gearbox 
SMG*69
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*73
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher76
Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor*77
Cruise control*78
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer80
Tachometer80
Energy control80
Fuel gauge81
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge81
Service interval display82
Check Control82
Clock83
Computer*84
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)*86
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)87
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) – 
325xi, 330xi89
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*91
Flat Tire Monitor*92
Brake force display93
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams94
Instrument lighting95
High beams/Standing lamps95
Fog lamps*96
Interior lamps96
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning98
Automatic climate control*102
Roller sun blind*106
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Premium sound system*107
Glove compartment107
Storage compartments108
Cellular phone*110
Ashtray, front*110
Ashtray, rear*111
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Through-loading system*112
Ski bag*113
Cargo loading114
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack*117
 
Controls and features 

 
Contents
 
Operation, maintenance
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures120
General driving notes121
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)121
Brake system122
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure124
Tire condition124
Tire replacement125
Wheel and tire 
combinations127
Winter tires127
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood129
Engine compartment 
essentials130
Washer fluids132
Engine oil132
Coolant134
Brake fluid134
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System136
 
Laws and regulations:
 
California Proposition 65 
warning138
OBD interface socket138
 Owner service procedures 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit142
Windshield wiper blades142
Lamps and bulbs143
Changing a wheel147
Run Flat tires*150
Battery151
Fuses151
 
Giving and receiving 
assistance: Receiving assistance152
Jump-starting153
Towing the vehicle154 
Technical data
 
Engine data160
Dimensions161
Weights162
Capacities163 

 
17
1Fuel gauge81
2Indicator lamp for turn signals20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
5Tachometer and Energy Control80
6Engine coolant temperature 
gauge81
7Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
8Control button for the clock83
9Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox19, 69, 75
10 Display for
 
>
 
Trip odometer/Odometer80
 
>
 
Clock83
 
>
 
Service interval82
 
>
 
Computer84
11 Check Control82
12 Trip odometer, reset to zero80
13 Indicator and warning lamps18 
to 21
 
Instrument cluster
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

 
18
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Technology that monitors itself
 
Indicator and warning lamps that are 
identified by 
 
●
 
 are tested for proper 
functioning whenever the ignition key is 
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started, or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this below.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current
 
●
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. Indicates a defective 
alternator drive belt or a problem with 
the alternator's charge circuit. please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop 
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is 
defective, increased steering effort is 
also required.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
●
 
Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. 
Check the engine oil level; top off as 
required. If the oil level is correct: 
please contact the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
Do not continue driving, as the 
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.
 
<
 
Brake warning lamp
 
●
 
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the 
instructions on pages 122 and 134.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Flat Tire Monitor
 
●
 
In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: there is a flat tire. 
Reduce speed and carefully come to a 
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information: refer to 
page 92
 
Red and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously
 
The brake warning lamp comes 
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS
 
●
 
 and 
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and 
ADB-X/DBC control system has 
failed. Continue driving cau-
tiously and defensively. Avoid 
hard brake applications. Please have 
the system checked by your BMW cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on 
page 86
CBC, ABS, DSC and ADB-X/ 
DBC indicator and warning 
lamps for Canadian models.
 
Red: an important reminder
 
Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking 
brake is engaged – an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when starting 
off.
For additional information: refer to 
page 67 

 
19
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts
 
●
 
Comes on together with an 
acoustic signal until the safety 
belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety 
belts: refer to page 51
Airbags
 
●
 
Please have the system 
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 57
 
Orange: consult the nearest BMW 
center
 
Automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox
The respective transmission has 
responded to a malfunction by reverting 
to operation in its emergency default 
program. Please consult the nearest 
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
pages 69, 73
 
Yellow: check as soon as possible
 
Engine oil level
If the lamp comes on during 
normal vehicle operation: the 
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible. 
Do not drive more than approx. 
30 miles/50 km before refilling.
For additional information: refer to 
page 132
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has 
been switched off: add engine 
oil at your earliest opportunity, such as 
when you next stop to refuel.
For additional information: refer to 
page 132
Brake pads
 
●
 
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer 
to page 122
Flat Tire Monitor
 
●
 
The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. Please 
have the system inspected by your 
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 92
 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)
 
●
 
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive 
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off with the 
button; DTC is operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center 
in case of a malfunction.
Additional information beginning on 
page 86
325xi, 330xi:
DSC has been switched off manually or 
there is a system malfunction.
ADB-X is operational in its standby 
mode. If the indidator 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 cen-
ter.
For additional information: refer to 
page 89
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

 
20
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 
and brake warning lamp
 
●
 
The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC/DTC have been switched 
off with the button or are faulty.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center.
Additional information beginning on 
page 86
325xi, 330xi:
DSC and ADB-X system malfunction. 
There is no provision for deactivating 
ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
For additional information: refer to 
page 89
DSC indicator and brake warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
 
●
 
Malfunction in DBC system. 
Conventional braking efficiency 
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired at your BMW 
center as soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to 
page 121
 
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) 
warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid level is too low. 
Top off the fluid at the earliest 
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to 
page 132
CHECK GAS CAP*
 
●
 
This indicator lamp comes on 
when the fuel filler cap is loose 
or missing.
Close the gas cap tightly: refer to 
page 24
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
 
●
 
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. 
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems 
checked by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to 
page 138
Service Engine Soon indicator 
lamp for Canadian models.
 
Engine electronics
 
●
 
There is a fault in the electronic 
engine-management system. 
You can continue to drive with reduced 
engine output or engine speed. Please 
have the system inspected by your 
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add 
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to 
page 134
 
Green: for your information
 
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signals 
are on.
Rapid flashing indicates a system mal-
function.
For additional information: refer to 
page 76
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated: ready for oper-
ation via the buttons in the steering 
wheel.
For additional information: refer to 
page 78
 
Indicator and warning lamps 

24
RefuelingFuel filler door
Always switch off the engine 
before refueling, as it is not possi-
ble 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:
Pull the knob with the fuel pump sym-
bol, located on the right side wall of the 
luggage compartment.
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.<
Simple and environmentally 
friendly
Open the gas cap carefully to pre-
vent fuel from spraying out. Fuel 
spray may cause injury.<
Keep the gas cap in the bracket 
attached to the fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle 
completely into the filler pipe. Lifting the 
nozzle during refueling
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effectiveness of 
the vapor recovery system on the 
pump.
The fuel tank is full when the filler noz-
zle shuts off the first time. 

25
Close the gas cap carefully after 
refueling until a click is heard. 
While closing, be sure not to squeeze 
the strap which is fastened to the cap. 
A loose or missing cap will activate the 
CHECK GAS CAP* lamp.<
Tank capacity>Approx. 16.6 gal./63 liters, of which
>approx. 2.1 gal./8 liters are reserve 
capacity.
Do not drive to the last drop of 
fuel. This can prevent the engine 
from operating properly and result in 
damage.<
Fuel specificationsThe engine uses lead-free gasoline 
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline, 
min. 91 AKI. 
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Never use leaded fuel, as it would 
cause permanent and irreversible 
damage to the oxygen sensor and the 
catalytic converter.<
Tire inflation pressureChecking tire pressuresTire pressures in psi/kilopascal are 
shown on the driver's door post and are 
visible when the door is open.
Only check the tire inflation pressures 
of cold tires. This means after driving a 
maximum of 1.25 miles/2 km or after 
the vehicle has been parked for at least 
2 hours. Warm tires have higher infla-
tion pressures.
In the following tire inflation pressure 
table, all pressures are specified in the 
standard units of pressure, psi and kilo-
pascal, and apply to cold tires, i.e. tires 
at ambient temperature.
Refueling
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex