2005 BMW 325I SEDAN warning lamps

Controls
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DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions,
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving uphill on snow-covered roads,
in slush or on unplowed, snow-covered
roads
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
Briefly press the button; the DTC indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster come on.
Deactivating DTC again
Press the button again; the DTC indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
Deactivating DTC and DSC together
Press the button and hold it down for at least
3 seconds; the DSC indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light up. Stabilizing and
drive-output promoting actions are no longer
executed.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Reactivating DSC
Briefly press the button; the indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out.
To control
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC controls the drive forces
and brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on:
Both DTC and DSC have been deac-
tivated with the DTC button.
If the indicator lamps are on:
DTC has been activated with the DTC
button.
Malfunction in driving stability control
systems
These warning lamps come on:
The driving stability control systems
and the Flat Tire Monitor have failed.
Proceed cautiously and drive defen-
sively, avoiding full brake applica-
tions. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
Display
* of this malfunction on Cana-
dian models.
Display
* of this malfunction on Cana-
dian models.

Technology for driving comfort and safety
80 If the warning lamps for DSC come
on. DSC including DTC and DBC is
malfunctioning.
The stabilizing action and brake-
servo boost are no longer available. The vehicle
remains operational. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Drive-off assistant
The drive-off assistant enables you to drive off
smoothly on uphill gradients. It is not necessary
to use the handbrake for this.
1.Hold the car in place by pressing the brake
pedal.
2.Release the brake pedal and drive off with-
out delay.
The drive-off assistant holds the car in
place for approx. 2 seconds after the
brake pedal is released. Depending on vehicle
load, the car may roll backwards a little during
this time span. Drive off without delay after
releasing the brake pedal. Otherwise, the drive-
off assistant will no longer hold the car in place
after approx. 2 seconds and the car will start to
roll backwards.<
Malfunction
The warning lamps for the brake sys-
tem light up in yellow. The drive-off
assistant has failed. The car will not
be held in place after the brake pedal
is released. Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
Display of this malfunction on Cana-
dian models.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor monitors tire pressures
while the car is being driven. The system
reports any significant loss of pressure in one
tire in relation to another.If a tire loses pressure, its rolling radius
changes, and this in turn alters the speed of
rotation. This change is detected and is
reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.
The system must be reinitialized each
time a tire inflation pressure has been cor-
rected or a wheel or tire has been changed.<
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor is unable to warn
the driver of sudden, severe tire damage
caused by external factors, nor can it identify
the gradual loss of pressure that will inevitably
occur in all four tires over a lengthy period of
time.<
In the following situations, the system could be
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Performance-oriented style of driving: slip
in the drive wheels, high lateral acceleration
>If snow chains are attached
Initializing the system
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time.
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically.
Do not initialize the system while snow chains
are attached.<
iDrive concept, refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.

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4.Select "FTM" and press the controller.
5.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
6.Select "Set tire pressure" and press the
controller.
7.Select "Yes" and press the controller.
8.Start to drive.
"Status: Active" reappears in the Control
Display. Initialization is then completed
while the car is in motion.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamps come on in yellow
and red. A message appears on the
Control Display. In addition, an
acoustic signal sounds. There is a flat
tire or substantial loss of tire pressure.
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph
or 80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed
of 50 mph or 80 km/h.
If the car is not equipped with Run-
Flat Tires, refer to page178, the stan-
dard equipment by design, do not continue
driving. Any attempt to drive on after a
puncture can result in a severe accident.<
2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.If all four tires are inflated to the cor-
rect pressures, the Flat Tire Monitor
might not have been initialized. The system
must then be initialized.<
3.In the event of complete tire pressure loss,
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible
distance for continued driving on the basis
of the following guidelines:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
4 or more persons, luggage compart-
ment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph or 80 km/h. In the event
of pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This
includes reduced tracking stability in braking,
extended braking distance and altered natural
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during
the journey, this may be an indication that the
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce your
speed and pull over to the side of the road at the
earliest opportunity. Otherwise, parts of the tire
could come loose and cause an accident. Do
not continue driving. Contact your BMW cen-
ter.<
Malfunction
The warning lamps come on in yel-
low. A message appears on the Con-
trol Display. The Flat Tire Monitor has
a malfunction or has failed. Have the
system checked as soon as possible.
Active steering*
The concept
Active steering varies the turning angle of the
front wheels in relation to steering wheel move-

Technology for driving comfort and safety
82 ments. It also varies the steering force required
to turn the wheels depending on the speed at
which you are driving.
When you are driving in the low road-speed
range, e.g. in a town or when parking, the steer-
ing angle increases, i.e. the steering becomes
very direct, and less effort is required to turn the
wheels. In the higher speed range, on the other
hand, the steering angle is reduced more and
more. This improves the handling capability of
your BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle
before the driver intervenes. This stabilizing
intervention is simultaneously deactivated
when DSC is switched off, refer to page79.
Malfunction
The warning lamps come on. Active
steering is no longer operational. At
low speeds, greater steering wheel
movements are required, whereas at
higher speeds the vehicle reacts more sensi-
tively to steering wheel movements. Drive cau-
tiously and think well ahead. Have the system
checked.
If the warning lamp lights up during the first
engine starting following a power supply inter-
ruption, the system must be activated by being
initialized.
Initializing the system
1.Start the engine.
2.With the vehicle stationary, turn the steer-
ing wheel from the straight-ahead position
to the left as far as it will go and then back to
the straight-ahead position.
3.Switch off the engine.
When you start the engine again, all the func-
tions of Active steering are available once again.
Brake Force Display*
The brake lamps light up in two stages,
depending on how sharply you apply the
brakes.
>Normal braking:
The brake lamps and the center brake lamp
light up.
>Sharp braking:
A larger part of the brake lamps' illuminating
surface lights up.
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:1Front airbags for driver and front passenger
2Head airbags in front and rear

Under the hood
184 3.The coolant level is correct if it is between
the maximum and minimum marks in the
filler neck, refer also to the diagram next to
the filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level; do not overfill.
5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunctions
Brake fluid
The warning lamps light up in red
even though the handbrake has been
released. A message appears on the
Control Display. Stop immediately.
The brake fluid in the reservoir has fallen to
below the minimum level. At the same time, a
considerably longer brake pedal travel may be
noticeable. Have the system checked without
delay.
Display of this malfunction on Cana-
dian models.
If you continue to drive the car, you may
have to apply more pressure to the brake
pedal and braking distances may be signifi-
cantly longer. Please adapt your driving style
accordingly.<
Brake pads
The warning lamps light up in red
even though the handbrake has been
released. A message appears on the
Control Display. The brake pads have
reached the safe limit for pad wear. Have brake
pads replaced immediately.
Display of this malfunction on Cana-
dian models.
For your own safety: use only brake pads
that BMW has approved for the corre-
sponding vehicle model. BMW is unable to
assess the suitability of brake pads it has not
approved and therefore cannot guarantee their
safety.<

Mobility
195Reference
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nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at an
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have your BMW center check and
recharge the battery.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Always observe all applicable towing laws
and regulations.<
Never allow passengers to ride in a towed
vehicle for any reason.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
on the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
It is stored in the onboard tool kit underneath
the cover on the right-hand side of the luggage
compartment, refer to page187.
In order to avoid damaging the tow fitting and
the vehicle, please follow these instructions:
use only the tow fitting provided with the vehi-
cle and screw it all the way in. Use the tow fitting
for towing only on roads. Avoid lateral loading of
the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehicle by the
tow fitting.
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper:
Press on the upper edges of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page49, as the low beams, tail
lamps, turn signals and windshield wipers
would no longer be available. If the electrical
system fails, do not attempt to tow away or tow-
start the vehicle. The electric steering wheel
lock cannot be disengaged and the car is not
steerable. Jump starting, refer to page194.
Power steering assistance is not available when
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and
steering will require increased effort.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers, depend-
ing on local regulations.
Vehicles with manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.

Everything from A - Z
206
Everything from A - Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System78
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control57
Accessories, refer to The
individual vehicle5
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control92
Active cruise control57
– indicator lamps60
– malfunction61
– selecting distance59
– sensor61
Active steering81
– initializing the system82
– warning lamp82
Adaptive Head Light86
"Add digits" for portable
phone155
Additives
– coolant183
"Address book" in
navigation121
Address for navigation
– deleting122
– entering115
– selecting121
– storing current position121
"Add to destination list"118
Adjusting the temperature
with automatic climate
control90
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control135Adjustment in audio mode
– front-to-rear135
– right/left balance135
Airbags82
– sitting safely38
– warning lamp84
Air distribution
– automatic90
– individual90
Air flow rate91
Airing, refer to Ventilation92
Air pressure, tires170
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode91
"Air recirculation on / off"45
Air vents89
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications168
Alarm system34
– avoiding unintentional
alarms35
– interior motion sensor35
– switching off an alarm34
– tilt alarm sensor35
"All channels"
142
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires179
"All stations", calling up on
radio138
"AM", waveband134,138
AM, waveband138
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode91
Antenna for portable
phone152
Antifreeze
– coolant183
– washer fluid55
Antilock Brake System ABS
– indicator lamp79
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system34
Anti-theft system29Anti-trapping mechanism
– glass sunroof, electric37
– windows35
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights201
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights201
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest96
Arrival time
– computer66
– destination guidance125
"Arrow display" in
navigation126
Ashtray98
Assist, refer to BMW
Assist160
Assistance systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC78
Assistance window20
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control91
Audio134
– controls134
– switching on/off134
– tone control135
– volume135
"Audio Aux"134
Audio device, external97
"Audio" tone settings135
"Auto. headlamps"85
Automatic
– air distribution90
– air flow rate90
– cruise control55,57
– headlamp control85
– service notification161
– storing of stations139
Automatic climate control89
– automatic air distribution90
– settings via iDrive90
Automatic curb monitor44

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Mobility
"Automatic programs" with
automatic climate control91
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC91
Automatic station search139
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic51
– interlock51,52
– overriding selector lever
lock53
– shiftlock52
– sport program52
– towing away195
– tow-starting195
AUTO program for automatic
climate control90
"Autostore"
on the radio140
AUX-IN149
– port97
Average fuel consumption66
– setting the units68
Average speed65
"Avoid ferries" in
navigation124
Avoid freeways for
navigation123
"Avoid highways" in
navigation123
Avoiding unintentional
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" in
navigation124
Axle loads, refer to
Weights201
"A - Z"154
B
Backrests, refer to Seats39
Backrest width adjustment40
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints41
Backup lamps
– replacing bulbs190
Backup lamps, refer to Tail
lamps189
Balance, tone control135Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away196
Bass, tone control135
Battery191
– charging191
– disposal191
– jump starting194
– temporary power failure191
Being towed195
Belts, refer to Safety belts43
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts43
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders98
Black ice, refer to Ice
warning64
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate91
BMW Assist160
– enabling160
– services offered161
"BMW Contact"164
"BMW Contact
Numbers"164
BMW Maintenance
System185
"BMW Service"162
"BMW Service settings"161
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders98
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control78
Brake fluid184
– level too low184
– warning lamp184
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements69
Brake Force Display82
Brake hydraulics, refer to
Brakes184
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display82
– replacing bulbs190
Brake pads, breaking in106
Brake rotors108
– brakes106
– breaking in106Brakes
– ABS78
– BMW Maintenance
System185
– brake fluid184
– brake pads184
– breaking in106
– handbrake51
– service requirements69
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely107
Brake system106
– BMW Maintenance
System185
– brake fluid184
– brake pads184
– breaking in106
– disc brakes108
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance193
Breaking in the clutch106
Breaking in the
differential106
Break-in period106
"Brightness"76
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs187
Button for starting engine49
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5
"Call"154
Call
– accepting153
– displaying accepted155
– ending154
– in absence155
– starting153
Calling
– from phone book154
– from Top 8 list155
– redialing155
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders98
Capacities201