2004 BMW 325I SEDAN ESP

126
Sustained high temperature can cause
the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive tem-
perature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire
is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure. applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Tread wear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
BMW advises against using
retreaded tires, since driving
safety may be impaired. This is due to
the possible variations in casing struc-
tures and, in some cases, to their
extreme age, which can lead to a
decrease in their durability.<
Tire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT... 3603 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 36 of the year
2003.
BMW recommends the replacement of
all tires – including the spare tire* –
when the tires are no more than 6 years
old, even if a tire life of 10 years is pos-
sible.Run Flat tires*Before purchasing tires, check if your
BMW is equipped with Run Flat tires.
These are indicated by a circular sym-
bol containing the letters RSC on the
tire sidewall, refer to Changing a wheel.
In this case, use only Run Flat tires,
since no spare wheel is available in the
event of a flat.
For more information on Run Flat tires,
refer to page 150.
Run Flat tires are available only in
combination with the Flat Tire
Monitor.<
Tire replacement

127
Wheel and tire combinationsThe right choice
BMW recommends using only
wheels and tires that have been
approved by BMW for use on your par-
ticular model. Although other wheels
and tires may theoretically have the
same dimensions, variations in factors
such as manufacturing tolerances can
result in contact between tire and body-
work, ultimately leading to serious acci-
dents. BMW cannot evaluate all tires
and wheels on the market, and is thus
unable to guarantee that the vehicle will
continue to perform safely if unap-
proved tires and/or wheels are
mounted.<
For each tire size, BMW has assessed
the safe performance of specific tire
brands and approved them for use.
Consult any BMW center for details.
Comply with any local/national regula-
tions, for example by recording the tire
type in the vehicle documents.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects various systems
that would otherwise be impaired, for
example ABS, DSC and ADB-X/DBC.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same manufacture and tread configura-
tion. In the event of a flat tire, for exam-
ple, remount the approved wheel and
tire combination as soon as possible.<
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel.
Do not exceed the maximum tire infla-
tion pressures specified on the tire
sidewall.
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends the use of winter
tires for operation under winter road
conditions. While all-season tires – with
M+S designation – provide better winter
traction than the corresponding sum-
mer tires, they generally do not achieve
the performance of winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer and
having the same tread configuration on
all four wheels.
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by trained
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you. your BMW is eqipped with Run Flat
tires. These are indicated by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

132
Washer fluidsHeadlamp* and windshield
washer systemCapacity approx.
5.6 US quarts/5.3 liters
Fill with water and, if required, with a
washer antifreeze additive according to
manufacturer's recommendations.
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to
the reservoir.<
Antifreeze agents for the washer
fluid are highly flammable. For this
reason, keep them away from sources
of flame and store them only in their
closed original containers. Store them
inaccessible to children. Comply with
the instructions on the containers.<
Engine oilChecking the oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar
material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the
way into the guide tube and pull it
out again
5. The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts/1 liter. Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.

139
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. OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

151
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 5 persons without luggage:
approx. 100 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
5 persons, luggage compartment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 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 153.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

Everything from A to Z
169
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 87
indicator lamp 19, 87
DTC Dynamic Traction Con-
trol 87
indicator lamp 19, 87
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 19, 121
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
indicator lamp 19
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 19, 87
Dynamic Traction Control
(DTC) 87
indicator lamp 19, 87
E
Electric glass sunroof 44
Electric power windows 43
Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 151
Electrical malfunction
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 75
door lock 36
driver's door 36
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 46
luggage compartment
lid 38Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic Sta-
bility Control DSC 87
Emergency call 152
Emergency operation
doors 36
driver's door 36
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 46
Emergency release
luggage compartment lid
38, 40
Emissions, minimum, refer
to Energy control 80
Energy control 80
Engine
breaking in 120
data 160
electronics 19
indicator lamp 19
speed 80, 160
starting 65
switching off 67
Engine compartment 130
Engine coolant 134
adding 134Engine oil
adding 133
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 133
capacity 163
consumption 132
indicator/warning lamp 19
quality 133
types 133
viscosity 133
Engine oil level 19
check 132
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil pressure
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine output, refer to
Engine data 160
Engine speed 80, 160
Environmentally-friendly
driving, refer to Energy
control 80
ESP Electronic Stability Pro-
gram, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 87
Exterior mirrors 55
Eyeglasses
compartment 109
Eyelet, towing 155F
False alarm, refer to
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 42
Fastening the safety belts 51
Fault displays 82
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit 23
First-aid kit 23
Flashlight 108
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable
flashlight 108
Flat tire 147
Flat Tire Monitor 92
space-saver spare tire 147
Flat Tire Monitor 92
indicator lamp 18, 19, 93
Flat tire, refer to Tire condi-
tion 124
Fluid reservoir for washer
systems 132
Fog lamps 96
indicator lamp 20
Folding rear backrest 112
Follow me home lamps 94
Footbrake, refer to General
driving notes 121
Front airbags 57
Front center armrest 108
Front fog lamps 96
indicator lamp 20
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Refueling
To ensure that you always have conve-
nient access to all essential information
when you stop for fuel, we recommend
that you fill out the adjoining chart by
entering the data that apply to your
vehicle. Consult the index for individual
specifications.
FuelPlease enter your preferred fuel here.Engine oilThe oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts/1 liter.Tire inflation pressureDesignation
Quality
Summer tires Winter tires
Front Rear Front Rear
Up to 4 persons
5 persons or 4 plus luggage