2004 BMW 325CI service

142Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost-effectively for
you as possible.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining its resale
value.Service interval displayWhile conventional systems rely on
milage alone to determine when service
is due, the BMW Maintenance System
reflects the actual conditions under
which the vehicle is operated: some
miles are more strenuous than others.
From a maintenance point of view,
62,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated
in short-distance urban driving are not
the equivalent of the same distance
covered at moderate cruising speeds in
long-distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
This service strategy accurately reflects
your own vehicle's specific needs by
defining maintenance intervals accord-
ing to individual operating conditions.
Minimal use drivers – those who drive
significantly fewer than
6,200 miles/10,000 km annually –
should have the engine oil changed at
least every 2 years since oil deterio-
rates over time, regardless of use.Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian modelsFor additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-
els, or the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.As a precaution against corrosion, if
your vehicle is exposed to potential
damage from unimproved road sur-
faces we suggest that you have the
body checked for damage from stone
chips and gravel at the same time.
Have your BMW center perform
maintenance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
recorded in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models, or
in the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These
entries confirm that your vehicle has
benefitted from regular maintenance,
and are also required for warranty
claims.<
CareYou can find everything you need to
know on this topic by consulting the
separate Caring for your vehicle bro-
chure.

143 Laws and regulations
California Proposition 65 warningCalifornia laws require us to state the
following warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety
of automobile components and
parts, including components found in
the interior furnishings in a vehicle, con-
tain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects and reproductive harm. In
addition, certain fluids contained in
vehicles and certain products of com-
ponent wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds. Wash your hands after hand-
ling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory ani-
mals. Always protect your skin by
washing thoroughly with soap and
water.<
OBD interface socketThe interface socket for onboard diag-
nostics is located on the left-hand side
of the driver's side, behind a specially
marked cover located beneath the
instrument panel. The cover has the let-
ters OBD on it.
This interface makes it possible to
access data on emissions-related com-
ponents using special equipment.
An illuminated indicator informs
you of the need for service, not
that you need to stop the vehi-
cle. However, the systems should be
checked by your BMW center at the
next opportunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this
indicates a high level of engine misfire.
Reduce speed and contact the nearest
BMW center immediately. Severe
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

144
engine misfiring for even a short period
of time can seriously damage emission
control system components, especially
the catalytic converter.
SERVICE ENGINE SOON warn-
ing lamp for Canadian models.
If the gas cap is not on tight
enough, the OBD system can
detect leaking vapor and the indicator
will light up. If the gas cap is then tight-
ened, the indicator will usually go out
after a short period of time.

147
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

149
Lamps and bulbsThe lamps and bulbs make essential
contributions to the safety of your vehi-
cle. Therefore, proceed carefully when
handling bulbs. BMW recommends that
you have such work performed by your
BMW center if you are not familiar with
the procedures.
Do not touch the glass portion of
a new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn in to the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic
base.<
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.
Before working on the electrical
system, switch off the electrical
accessory you are working on or dis-
connect the cable from the negative
terminal of the battery. Failure to
observe this precaution could result in
short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage, com-
ply with any instructions provided by
the bulb manufacturer.<
Low beamsH7 bulb, 55 watts
Engine compartment, left side:
The H7 bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and pro-
tective gloves. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to injury if the
bulb is damaged.<
1. Remove the cover of the headlamp
by pressing the tab and lifting the
cover off
2. Pull off the plug
3. Release the retaining wire
4. Remove and replace the bulb.
When cleaning the headlamps,
please follow the instructions in
the Caring for your vehicle brochure.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

150
High beamsH7 bulb, 55 watts
Engine compartment, left side:
The H7 bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and pro-
tective gloves. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to injury if the
bulb is damaged.<
1. Turn the cover to the left and remove
2. Pull off the plug
3. Release the retaining wire
4. Remove and replace the bulb.
Note the letters TOP when putting
the cover in place.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please follow the instructions in
the Caring for your vehicle brochure.<
Xenon lamps*The service life of these bulbs is very
long and the probability of a failure is
very low, provided that they are not
switched on and off an unusual number
of times. If one of these bulbs should
nevertheless fail, it is possible to con-
tinue driving with great caution using
the fog lamps, provided local traffic
laws do not prohibit this.
Because of the extremely high
voltages involved, any work on the
xenon lighting system, including bulb-
changing, should be carried out by
technically qualified personnel only.
Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal
injury.<
Parking lamps5 watt bulb
Engine compartment, left side:
1. Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove
2. Pull the bulb off and replace it.
Lamps and bulbs

157
Driving with a damaged tireDepending on the cargo load, Run Flat
tires allow you to continue driving at a
maximum speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h. If
there is a total loss of tire inflation pres-
sure, 0 psi/0 kPa, or obvious tire dam-
age, you can determine the distance
you may continue driving based on the
following values:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 150 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full;
or 4 persons without luggage:
approx. 100 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
4 persons, luggage compartment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 45 mph / 80 km/h. Be
aware that vehicle handling will be
altered when there is a loss in inflation
pressure. Anticipate, e.g., reduced
tracking during braking, longer braking
distances and changed steering char-
acteristics.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
not having damaged Run Flat tires
repaired. In this case, consult your
BMW center.<
BatteryMaintenanceThe battery is maintenance-free, that is,
the original electrolyte will normally last
for the service life of the battery under
moderate climatic conditions.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery. cle, leave the engine off at all times.
Connect the charge cables to the termi-
nals in the engine compartment. For
terminal locations, refer to Jump-start-
ing on page 159.Disposal
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your BMW center.
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Secure
the battery against tilting during trans-
port.<
FusesYou will find the fuses and information
on their respective allocation in the
glove compartment behind a panel with
two snap clips.
Do not attempt to repair a blown
fuse or replace it with a fuse
having a different color or amperage
rating. To do this could cause a fire in
the vehicle resulting from a circuit over-
load.<
Run Flat tires*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

158Giving and receiving assistance
Receiving assistanceThe BMW Group's Mobile Service
offers you 24-hour assistance in the
event of a breakdown, even on week-
ends and holidays.
The telephone numbers of the Mobile
Service control center in your country
are listed in the BMW Dealer Directory.
If your vehicle has the necessary equip-
ment, you can contact the Mobile Ser-
vice or issue an emergency call using
buttons in the interior rearview mirror.
When an emergency call is initiated, a
telephone connection is established
with the general emergency call center.
In vehicles with activated BMW Assist
function, a telephone connection is set
up to the BMW Assist emergency call
center. If the current location of your
vehicle can be determined, this location
is transmitted to the BMW Assist emer-
gency call center.Fold down the cover.
1Emergency call
2Mobile Service
Requirements for initiating an emer-
gency call or contacting Mobile Service:
>The car phone is registered with a
mobile network
>The emergency call system is opera-
tional.
Initiating an emergency call*Press button 1 for at least 2 seconds.
The indicator lamp above the buttons
lights up. As soon as a telephone con-
nection has been set up to the main
emergency call center, the indicator
lamp flashes.
If the indicator lamp is flashing but you
cannot hear the emergency call center,
you may still be heard by the emer-
gency call center.
For technical reasons, the emer-
gency call function cannot be
guaranteed in certain unfavorable con-
ditions.<
If certain requirements are met, an
emergency call is automatically initiated
after a serious accident. The automatic
emergency call will not be hindered by
pressing the button.Mobile Service*To establish contact with the BMW
Group's Mobile Service:
Press button 2 for at least 2 seconds.
The indicator lamp above the buttons
lights up. As soon as a telephone con-
nection has been set up with the Mobile
Service, the indicator lamp flashes.
Depending on the country you are in,
your vehicle's current location will also
be transmitted if your vehicle is
equipped with an activated BMW Assist
function.