Page 9 of 182

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
Page 39 of 182
39
To open from the inside*If the luggage compartment lid has not
been locked separately, you can open it
with this button in the footwell on the
driver's side when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
To closeThe handle recesses in the interior trim
panel of the luggage compartment lid
make it easier to pull the lid down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the luggage com-
partment lid is clear when it is closed,
following the same precautions as with
all closing procedures.<
Operate the vehicle only when the
luggage compartment lid is
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes
could penetrate the interior of the vehi-
cle.<
Should it be absolutely necessary to
operate the vehicle with the luggage
compartment lid open:
1. Close all windows and the glass sun-
roof
2. Greatly increase the quantity of air
coming from the air conditioning or
automatic climate control system,
refer to page 98 or 102.
Luggage compartment lid
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Page 98 of 182
98Controlling the climate for pleasant driving
Air conditioning
Page 99 of 182
99
1Air onto the windshield and the side
windows
2Air for the upper body area101
3Air to the footwell
4Air supply/Blower100
5Temperature100
6Air distribution100
7Rear window defroster100
8Air conditioning100
9Outside air/Recirculated-air
mode100Air conditioning
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Page 100 of 182

100
Air supply/Blower
You can select blower speeds
from 1 to 4. The heating and
ventilation become more and
more effective as the air sup-
ply settings are increased. In position 0,
the blower and the heater are switched
off. The outside air supply is blocked in
position 0.
Temperature
In order to increase the tem-
perature of the passenger
compartment, turn to the right
toward the red zone. The tem-
perature of the incoming air is kept con-
stant.
Air distribution
You can direct air to flow onto
the windows , toward your
upper body or into the
footwell . All intermediate
settings are possible. In the setting ,
there is a low flow of air onto the win-
dows to keep them free of condensa-
tion.
Rear window defroster
When the rear window defroster
is activated, the indicator lamp
comes on. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically.
You can have your vehicle pro-
grammed in such a way that the
rear window defroster switches on
automatically. This occurs within 5 min-
utes after starting the engine when out-
side temperatures are below approx.
397/+46.<
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the
temperature setting – rewarmed.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started. Air conditioning helps
prevent the windows from fogging up.
Condensation forms during opera-
tion of the air conditioning system,
which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Outside air/Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant
external odors by temporarily
blocking the supply of outside air. The
system then recirculates the air cur-
rently within the vehicle.
If the windows should fog over in
the recirculated-air mode, switch
this mode off and increase the air sup-
ply as required.<
Air conditioning
Page 101 of 182

101
Draft-free ventilationYou can adjust the blower controls for
the upper body area to obtain the opti-
mum airflow rates and directions for
your personal requirements:
1Rotary dials for infinitely variable
opening and closing of the vent out-
lets
2Levers for airflow direction
3Rotary dial allows you to control the
temperature of the airflow from these
outlets as desired
MicrofilterThe built-in microfilter removes dust
and pollen from the incoming air. Your
BMW center will replace it during rou-
tine maintenance. A substantial reduc-
tion in airflow indicates that the filter
needs to be replaced before scheduled
maintenance.
To defrost windows and remove
condensation1. Set the blower speed control for the
air supply to position 4
2. Turn the rotary temperature control
completely to the right to the red
zone
3. Turn the rotary control for air distri-
bution to position
4. Switch on the rear window defroster
to defrost the rear window.
Air conditioning
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Page 103 of 182
103
1Air onto the windshield and the side
windows
2Air for the upper body area105
3Air to the footwell
4Air inlet for interior temperature
sensor – please keep clear and
unobstructed
5Outside air/Automatic recirculated-
air control (AUC)/Recirculated
air105
6Automatic air distribution and
supply104
7Individual air distribution104
8Temperature104
9Display for temperature104
and air supply104
10 Air supply/Blower104
11 To defrost windows and remove
condensation104
12 Air conditioning104
13 Rear window defroster105Automatic climate control*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Page 104 of 182

104
Tips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic mode – switch on
with AUTO button 6. Select the desired
interior temperature.
Detailed setting options are described
for you in the following section.
You can make the settings of your
vehicle in such a manner that,
when you unlock the vehicle with the
remote control of your personal key,
your own personalized setting for the
automatic climate control is initiated.
supply
The AUTO program adjusts the
air distribution and the air sup-
ply for you and in addition adapts the
temperature to external influences –
summer, winter – to meet preferences
you can specify.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO pro-
gram by selecting specific dis-
tribution patterns to suit your
own individual requirements.
While the AUTO program is then deacti-
vated, the automatic airflow control
remains in operation. Air flows onto the
windows , toward the upper
body , and into the footwell .
You can reactivate the automatic air
distribution mode by selecting the
AUTO button.Temperature
The interior temperature that
appears in the display panel is a
general figure intended for refer-
ence purposes. We recommend 727/
+226 as a comfortable setting, even if
the air conditioning is on. When you
start the vehicle, the system ensures
that the selected temperature is
achieved as quickly as possible. It then
maintains this temperature, regardless
of the season.
To select the units of measure, 6 or
7, for the display, refer to page 84.
Air supply/Blower
By pressing the upper or lower
button, you can vary the air sup-
ply. This deactivates the auto-
matic control of the air supply, AUTO
disappears from the display panel. Nev-
ertheless, the automatic air distribution
remains unchanged. You can reactivate
the automatic air distribution mode by
selecting the AUTO button.
When the lowest blower speed is set
and you press the lower button, all of
the displays are canceled: the blower,
heating and air conditioning are
switched off. The outside air supply is
blocked. You can reactivate the system
by pressing any button for the auto-
matic climate control.To defrost windows and remove
condensation
This program quickly removes
ice and condensation from the
windshield and the side windows.
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the
temperature setting – rewarmed.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started. Air conditioning helps
prevent the windows from fogging up.
Automatic climate control*