2004 BMW 325I SEDAN specification

Contents

Notes

About this Owner's Manual4
Additional sources of
information4
Symbols used4
Your individual vehicle5
Status at time of printing5
For your own safety5
Symbol on vehicle parts6
Service and warranty7
Reporting safety defects7

Overview

Cockpit14
Instrument cluster16
Indicator and warning lamps18
Buttons in steering wheel*22
Hazard warning triangle*23
First-aid kit*23
Refueling24
Fuel specifications25
Tire inflation pressure25

Controls and features

Opening and closing:

Keys32
Central locking system32
Opening and closing – via the
remote control33
Opening and closing – via the
door lock36
Opening and closing – from the
inside37
Luggage compartment lid38
Luggage compartment40
Alarm system*41
Electric power windows43
Glass sunroof, electric*44

To adjust:

Safe seating position47
Seats48
Manual seat adjustment48
Power seat adjustment*50
Lumbar support*50
Head restraints51
Safety belts51
Seat and mirror memory*53
Seat heating*54
Steering wheel55
Mirrors55

Passenger safety systems:

Airbags57
Transporting children safely60
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory64

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

26
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor:
After correcting the inflation pressures,
reinitialize the system. Refer to
page 92.
Check the tire pressures on a reg-
ular basis – at least twice a
month – and before every extended
journey. If this is not done, incorrect tire
pressures can cause driving instability
and tire damage, ultimately resulting in
accidents.
Remember to check the inflation pres-
sure in the space-saver or standard
spare tire.
Inflate the spare tire to the highest infla-
tion pressure specified for your vehi-
cle. specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to BMW approved tire sizes and
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center
can provide you with more information
about these. Other pressures may be
required for tires made by other manu-
facturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW approved
tires.
Tire inflation pressure

27
BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in the table are indicated in psi/kilo-
pascal with cold tires
cold = ambient temperature
320i 205/55 R 16 91 H M+S, 205/55 R 16 91 H,
225/50 R 16 92 W, 225/45 R 17 91 W29/200 33/230 33/230 41/280
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1729/200
––
33/23033/230
––
41/280
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load, 205/50 R 17 93 W extra load,
195/65 R 15 91 Q M+S, 205/60 R 15 91 Q M+S,
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S, 225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S,
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load, 225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S32/220 36/250 36/250 44/300
325i
325xi205/55 R 16 91 H M+S, 205/55 R 16 91 H,
225/50 R 16 92 W – not 325xi, 225/45 R 17 91 W30/210 35/240 35/240 42/290
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1730/210
––
35/24035/240
––
42/290
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load, 205/50 R 17 93 W extra load,
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S, 225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S – not 325xi,
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load, 225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S33/230 38/260 38/260 45/310
330i 205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load, 205/50 R 17 93 W extra load,
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load, 225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S,
225/45 R 17 91 W32/220 38/260 39/270 46/320
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1732/220
––
38/26039/270
––
46/320
225/40 ZR 18
255/35 ZR 1832/220
––
38/26039/270
––
46/320Tire inflation pressure
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

28
330xi 225/45 R 17 91 W 30/210 35/240 35/240 42/290
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1730/210
––
35/24035/240
––
42/290
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load, 205/50 R 17 93 W extra load,
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S, 205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load33/230 38/260 38/260 45/310
All Space-saver spare tire 61/420 BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in the table are indicated in psi/kilo-
pascal with cold tires
cold = ambient temperatureTire inflation pressure

134
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot. If
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant
can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents
are hazardous to health. You should
always store them in closed original
containers and in a location which is
out of reach of children. Antifreeze and
anti-corrosion agents are inflammable.
For this reason, do not spill them on hot
engine parts. They could ignite and
cause serious burns. Comply with the
instructions on the containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of antifreeze agents with corro-
sion inhibitor.<
Checking the coolant level and
adding coolantCheck the coolant level when the
engine is cold, approx. 687/+206.
1. Open the cap for the expansion tank
by turning it slightly counterclock-
wise to allow accumulated pressure
to escape, then open
2. The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is at least
even with the upper edge of the filler
neck; see arrow. The end of the float
may stick out by a maximum of
3/4 in / 2 cm – that is, up to the sec-
ond mark on the float
3. If necessary, add coolant. If the cool-
ant is low, slowly add coolant until
the correct level is reached – do not
overfill.
Brake fluidIndicator lamp
The brake warning lamp comes
on when the parking brake is
not engaged: the brake fluid
level is too low, refer to page 18.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Adding brake fluidFor adding brake fluid or for determin-
ing and correcting the cause of brake
fluid loss, consult your BMW center.
Your BMW center is familiar with the
specifications for factory-approved
brake fluids – DOT 4.
Brake fluid loss results in extended
pedal travel. Refer to the information on
page 122.

150
Do not attempt to install the full
wheel cover on the space-saver
spare tire, since this could damage the
cover.<
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any other type of load.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
tightness of the torque bolts checked
with a calibrated lug wrench – torque
specification: 88.5 lb ft/120 Nm – at the
earliest opportunity.<
When storing a wheel in the spare tire
recess, take care to avoid bending the
threaded rod.
If light-alloy wheels other than original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
Driving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h.
Be aware that vehicle handling may be
altered. Anticipate, e.g., reduced track-
ing during braking, longer braking dis-
tances, and changed steering charac-
teristics when approaching limit
conditions. These handling characteris-
tics will be even more pronounced if
winter tires are mounted.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at one time.
Mount a wheel and tire of the original
size at the earliest possible opportu-
nity. For certain wheel/tire combina-
tions, the size of the spare tire will
differ from that of the remaining tires.
The spare tire is fully functional at all
loads and speeds. However, the spare
tire should be replaced at the earliest
possible opportunity in order to achieve
the original operating conditions.<
Run Flat tires*Run Flat tires are labeled on the side-
wall with a circular symbol containing
the letters RSC. Run Flat tires consist of
self-supporting tires and special rims.
The tire reinforcement ensures that
driving remains possible to a restricted
degree in the event of pressure drop or
even if the tire is deflated.
When mounting or replacing sum-
mer tires with winter tires, or vice
versa, use Run Flat tires since no spare
wheel is available in the event of a flat.
In this event, BMW recommends con-
sulting your BMW center. Your BMW
center has the information needed for
working with Run Flat tires and is
equipped with the necessary special
tools.<
Changing a wheel

163
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal./liters
gal./litersapprox. 16.6/63
approx. 2.1/8Fuel specification, refer to page 25
Windshield/
Headlamp washer reservoirquarts/liters approx. 5.6/5.3 Specifications, refer to page 132
Engine oil and filter change quarts/liters 320i, 325i, 330i:
approx. 6.9/6.5
325xi, 330xi:
approx. 6.6/6.2BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
Specifications, refer to page 132
Manual and automatic transmission,
transfer box and differential–Lifetime lubricant, no oil change
required
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex