2005 BMW 325I SEDAN ABS

Driving
56
Increasing desired speed
Tap the lever repeatedly to the resistance point
or beyond, arrow1, until the desired speed is
reached.
>Each time the lever is tapped to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is tapped beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed is
increased to the next multiple of 5 mph or
10 km/h until a maximum of 110 mph or
180 km⁄h is reached.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Accelerating using the lever
Accelerating slightly:
Press the lever to the resistance point, arrow 1,
until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerating significantly:
Press the lever beyond the resistance point,
arrow 1, until the desired speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. The system stores and
maintains the speed.
Decreasing desired speed
Pull the lever repeatedly to the resistance point
or beyond, arrow 2, until the desired speed is
reached.
>Each time the lever is pulled to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is decreased
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pulled back beyond
the resistance point, the desired speed is
decreased to the next multiple of 5 mph or
10 km/h until the minimum speed of
20 mph/30 km/h is reached.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
If the speed is to be reduced significantly,
press the brake pedal; otherwise, decel-
eration may be insufficient and dangerous situ-
ations could result.<
Deactivating cruise control
Tap the lever upwards or downwards, arrow3.
The displays in the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>When you brake the vehicle
>When you switch gears very slowly or
engage neutral gear in cars with manual
transmission
>When you select the automatic transmis-
sion's neutral position N
>When you activate the Dynamic Traction
Control DTC
>When you deactivate the Dynamic Stability
Control DSC
>When DSC or ABS is intervening
Cruise control is not deactivated by depressing
the accelerator pedal. Once the accelerator
pedal is released, the stored speed is achieved
again and maintained.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp comes on when
cruise control has been automatically
deactivated by pressing the brake
pedal, engaging the handbrake or as a result of
DSC intervening. A message appears on the
Control Display.
Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Press button4 briefly: the stored speed is
resumed and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
>When driving control systems are interven-
ing
>In cars with manual transmission: when you
shift gears very slowly or engage neutral
gear
>In cars with automatic transmission: when
you engage selector lever position N
>When the ignition is switched off

Driving
60 >When you deactivate the Dynamic Stability
Control DSC
>When DSC or ABS is intervening
>When the system does not recognize any
objects for a longer period of time, e.g. on
infrequently traveled roads without a shoul-
der or guard rails, or if the radar sensor is
covered with dirt, refer to page61
>When you actuate the handbrake while driv-
ing
When the system is deactivated, you
must brake the vehicle yourself and/or
maneuver as necessary, otherwise there is a
risk of accident.<
Warning lamp
The warning lamp comes on when
active cruise control has been auto-
matically deactivated due to one of
the following factors: you are driving under a
speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h, the handbrake is
applied, or DSC is intervening. A message
appears on the Control Display.
Resuming stored desired speed and
distance
Press button 4.
The stored speed and distance are regained
and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
>When driving control systems are interven-
ing
>In cars with manual transmission: when you
shift gears very slowly or engage neutral
gear
>In cars with automatic transmission: when
you engage selector lever position N
>When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2Shows yellow: vehicle detected ahead
Flashes in red: system cannot maintain dis-
tance; driver must brake the vehicle
Flashes in yellow: driving control systems
are intervening; cruise control is deacti-
vated
3Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up as soon as the sys-
tem is activated.
4Selected desired speed is temporarily dis-
played
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation
are currently not met. Calling up Check Control
messages, refer to page74.<
Warning lamps
The indicator2 flashes in red; a
signal sounds.
The system indicates that you
must brake and/or maneuver the
vehicle yourself. Active cruise con-
trol cannot automatically restore the distance to
the vehicle ahead.
This indicator does not release you, however,
from your responsibility to adapt your desired
speed and driving style to prevailing driving
conditions.
The indicator 2 flashes in yellow.
The prerequisites for operating
active cruise control are not met,
e.g. as a result of ABS or DSC

Technology for driving comfort and safety
78 4.Select "PDC" and press the controller.
5.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
6. The PDC screen is activated.
The display is shown on the Control Display as
soon as PDC is activated.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those
encountered with trailer towbars and couplings,
thin and wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low
objects already indicated, such as a curb, may
enter the sensors' dead areas before a continu-
ous audible signal is given. Higher, protruding
objects, such as ledges, may not be detectable.
Loud sound sources outside or inside the car
can drown out the PDC signal.<
Keep the sensors clean and free of ice or
snow in order to ensure that they will con-
tinue to operate effectively.
Do not spray the sensors for a long period of
time using high-pressure cleaners and maintain
a distance of at least 4 in/10 cm when spraying
the sensors.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in
adverse driving conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Braking safely, refer to page107.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the brake application. If the
brake pedal is released, DBC will be switched
off.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. DSC also recognizes unstable driving
conditions, for example if the rear of the car is
about to swerve or if momentum is acting at an
angle past the front wheels. In these cases,
DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe course
within physical limits by reducing engine output
and through braking actions at the individual
wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style always remains the responsibility of the
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional
safety margin again by taking risks.<

Things to remember when driving
106
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follow the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Up to 1,250 miles/2,000 km:
Attempt to vary both engine and vehicle
speeds, but refrain from exceeding an engine
speed of 4,500 rpm or a driving speed of
100 mph or 160 km/h.
Always obey all official speed limits.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kick-down mode.
Once you have driven 1,250 miles/2,000 km,
the engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive with caution during this break-
in period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Closing the luggage compartment lid
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid is completely
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could enter
the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances make it absolutely nec-
essary to drive with the luggage compartment
lid open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air flow rate of the automatic
climate control considerably, refer to
page91.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles equipped with a catalytic
converter, extremely high temperatures
are generated in this vehicle. Do not remove the
heat shields installed adjacent to various sec-
tions of the exhaust system, and never apply
undercoating to them. When driving, standing
at idle and while parking, take care to avoid pos-
sible contact between the hot exhaust system
and any highly flammable materials such as hay,
leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead to a
fire, with the risk of serious personal injuries and
property damage.<
Portable phone in the vehicle
BMW discourages the use of mobile
communications devices, e.g. portable
phones, inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the
vehicle electronics and mobile communication
device can influence one another. In addition,
there is no assurance that the radiation which
results from transmission will be dissipated
from the vehicle interior.<

Driving tips
107Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic
dimming feature*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo
cells in the interior rearview mirror. One photo
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not
cover the area between the interior rearview
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield
directly in front of the mirror.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning,
means that the tire can actually lose contact
completely with the road surface, so that nei-
ther the car can be steered nor the brake be
properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page177.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Using handbrake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise
greater clutch wear will result.<
Also use the drive-off assistant, refer to
page80.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most
effective way of braking in situations in which
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page52.
Never drive with the clutch pedal held
down, with the gearshift lever or selector
lever in neutral or with the engine switched off;
engine braking action will not be present with

Wheels and tires
178
Servicing tires
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents. Have this work performed by skilled pro-
fessionals only. The technicians at your BMW
center will be glad to assist you with the
required professional knowledge and special-
ized equipment.<
Tire age
For various reasons, such as the development
of brittleness, BMW recommends tire replace-
ment after no more than 6 years, regardless of
the actual wear of the tires.
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding:
DOT ... 0705 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in week 07 of 2005.
Run-Flat Tires
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall.
Run-Flat Tires comprise a conditionally self-
supporting tire and a special rim. The reinforce-
ment in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can
continue to be used subject to certain restric-
tions, even if depressurized.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page81.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW center or tire shop that
works according to BMW repair procedures with correspondingly trained personnel. If this
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
hazards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW recommends that you do not use
retreaded tires, since driving safety may
be impaired. The causes for this include poten-
tially different tire casing structures and often
wide variations in tire age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions, which could
lead to body contact and thus to severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot guarantee their driving
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.

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

Reference 207
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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