
 
Contents
 
9
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags54
Transporting children safely57
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory61
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock63
Starting the engine63
Switching off the engine65
Parking brake65
Manual transmission66
Sequential manual gearbox 
SMG*67
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*71
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher74
Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor*75
Cruise control*77
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer79
Tachometer79
Energy control79
Fuel gauge80
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge80
Service interval display81
Check Control81
Clock82
Computer*83
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)*85
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)86
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) – 
325xi88
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*90
Flat Tire Monitor*91
Brake force display92
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams93
Instrument lighting94
High beams/Standing lamps94
Fog lamps*95
Interior lamps95
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning96
Automatic climate control*100
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Premium sound system*105
Glove compartment105
Storage compartments106
Cellular phone*107
Ashtray, front*108
Ashtray, rear*108
Socket109
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Ski bag*110
Cargo area111
Cargo loading113
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack*116
 
Controls and features 

 
Contents
 
Operation, maintenance
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures120
General driving notes121
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)121
Brake system122
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure124
Tire condition124
Tire replacement125
Wheel and tire 
combinations127
Winter tires127
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood129
Engine compartment 
essentials130
Washer fluids132
Engine oil132
Coolant134
Brake fluid135
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System136
 
Laws and regulations:
 
California Proposition 65 
warning138
OBD interface socket138
 Owner service procedures 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit142
Windshield wiper blades142
Lamps and bulbs143
Changing a wheel147
Run Flat tires*150
Battery151
Fuses151
 
Giving and receiving 
assistance: Receiving assistance152
Jump-starting153
Towing the vehicle154 
Technical data
 
Engine data160
Dimensions161
Weights162
Capacities163 

 
17
1Fuel gauge80
2Indicator lamp for turn signals20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps18 
to 21
5Tachometer and Energy Control 79, 
79
6Engine coolant temperature 
gauge80
7Indicator and warning lamps18 
to 21
8Control button for
 
>
 
Time82
 
>
 
Service interval display81
 
>
 
Outside temperature display83
9Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox19, 67, 73
10 Display for
 
>
 
Trip odometer/Odometer79
 
>
 
Clock82
 
>
 
Service interval81
 
>
 
Computer82
11 Check Control81
12 Trip odometer, reset to zero79
13 Indicator and warning lamps18 
to 21
 
Instrument cluster
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

 
20
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 
and brake warning lamp
 
●
 
The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC/DTC have been switched 
off with the button or are faulty.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center.
Additional information beginning on 
page 86
325xi:
DSC and ADB-X system malfunction. 
There is no provision for switching off 
ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
DSC indicator and brake warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
 
●
 
Malfunction in DBC system. 
Conventional braking efficiency 
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired at your BMW 
center as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on 
page 121
 
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) 
warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid level is too low. 
Top off the fluid at the earliest 
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to 
page 132
CHECK GAS CAP*
 
●
 
This indicator lamp comes on 
when the gas cap is loose or 
missing.
Close the gas cap tightly: refer to 
page 24
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
 
●
 
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. 
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems 
checked by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to 
page 138
Service Engine Soon
indicator lamp for Canadian 
models.
 
Engine electronics
 
●
 
There is a fault in the electronic 
engine-management system. 
You can continue to drive with reduced 
engine output or engine speed. Please 
have the system inspected at your 
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add 
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to 
page 134
 
Green: for your information
 
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signals 
are on.
Rapid flashing indicates a system mal-
function.
For additional information: refer to 
page 74
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated: ready for oper-
ation via the buttons in the steering 
wheel.
For additional information: refer to 
page 77
 
Indicator and warning lamps 

80
Fuel gaugeOnce the indicator lamp stays on con-
tinuously, there are still approx. 
2 gallons/8 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.
Fuel tank capacity approx. 
16.6 gallons/63 liters
Certain operating conditions, such as 
those encountered in mountainous 
areas, may cause the needle to fluctu-
ate slightly.
Fill the fuel tank before it is com-
pletely empty. Driving to the last 
drop of fuel can prevent the engine 
from operating properly and result in 
damage.<
When you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an 
operation check.
Engine coolant temperature gaugeBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating temperature. The 
needle may rise as far as the edge of 
the red sector in normal operation.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
warning lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on during normal 
vehicle operation: the engine has over-
heated. Switch off the engine immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.
To check coolant level, refer to 
page 134. 

131
1Brake fluid reservoir135
2Dipstick, engine oil132
3Coolant expansion tank134
4Reservoir for the headlamp and 
windshield washer system132
5Engine oil filler neck132
6Auxiliary terminal for jump-
starting153Engine compartment essentials
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

134
Ask your BMW center for details 
concerning the specific BMW 
High Performance Synthetic Oil or syn-
thetic oils that have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North Amer-
ica toll-free at 1-800-831-1117 or visit 
this website: www.bmwusa.com to 
obtain this information.
Viscosity ratingsViscosity is the oilflow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class 
depends on the climatic conditions in 
the area you drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes 
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These kinds of oil may be used for driv-
ing in all ambient temperatures.
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 their closed origi-
nal 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 burns. Comply with the instruc-
tions 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.
Engine oil 

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake 
System 121
indicator lamp 18
Acceleration assistant 70
Accessories, refer to For 
your own safety 5
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 152
Activated-charcoal filter 104
ADB-X Automatic Differen-
tial Brake, all-wheel 88
Adding brake fluid 135
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning 96
Air conditioning mode 98
automatic climate 
control 102
Air distribution
air conditioning 98
automatic climate 
control 102
Air distribution, 
individual 102
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 96, 100
Air pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure 25, 124
Air recirculation, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode
98, 103Air supply
air conditioning 98
automatic climate 
control 102
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 98, 102
Airbags 54
indicator lamp 18, 56
sitting safely 44
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 96, 100
Alarm system 38
avoiding unintentional 
alarms 39
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires 127
Antifreeze 134
coolant 134
washer fluid 132
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 121
indicator lamp 18
Anti-theft system 30
Anti-theft warning system, 
refer to Alarm system 38
Approved axle loads, refer 
to Weights 162
Approved gross weight, 
refer to Weights 162
Armrest
front 106
rear 107Artificial leather, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Ashtray
front 108
rear 108
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 103
AUTO program, refer 
to Automatic air distribu-
tion 102
Automatic
air distribution 102
air supply 102
cruise control 77
headlamp control 93
Automatic car wash, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Automatic climate 
control 100
Automatic curb monitor 51
Automatic Differential Brake, 
all wheel ADB-X 88
Automatic dimming, interior 
rearview mirror 53
Automatic recirculated-air 
control (AUC) 103Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic 71
indicator lamp 19, 73
interlock 63
selector lever lock 71
shiftlock 71
Automatic windshield 
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 75
Average fuel 
consumption 84
Average speed 84
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms 39
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights 162
B
Backrest, adjusting 46
Backrest, refer to Seat 
adjustment 45, 47
Backup lamps 66
bulb replacement 145
Bandages, refer to First-aid 
kit 23
Battery 151
charge 151
disposal 151
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 153
remote control 30, 31
Battery charge current 18