
 
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:
 
Keys30
Central locking system30
Opening and closing – via the 
remote control31
Opening and closing – via the 
door lock34
Opening and closing – from the 
inside35
Tailgate35
Rear window36
Cargo area37
Alarm system*38
Electric power windows40
Glass sunroof, electric*41
 
To adjust:
 
Safe seating position44
Seats45
Manual seat adjustment45
Power seat adjustment*47
Lumbar support*47
Head restraints48
Safety belts48
Seat and mirror memory*50
Seat heating*51
Steering wheel52
Mirrors52 

 
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 

 
18
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Technology that monitors itself
 
Indicator and warning lamps that are 
identified by 
 
●
 
 are tested for proper 
functioning whenever the ignition key is 
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started, or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this in the 
following section.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current
 
●
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. Indicates a defective 
alternator drive belt or a problem with 
the alternator's charge circuit. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop 
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is 
defective, increased steering effort is 
also required.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
●
 
Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. 
Check the engine oil level and top off as 
required. If the oil level is correct: 
please contact the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
Do not continue driving, as the 
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.
 
<
 
Brake warning lamp
 
●
 
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the 
instructions on pages 122 and 135.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Flat Tire Monitor
 
●
 
In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: there is a flat tire. 
Reduce speed and carefully come to a 
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information: refer to 
page 91
 
Red and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously
 
The brake warning lamp comes 
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS
 
●
 
 and 
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and 
ADB-X/DBC control system has 
failed. Continue driving cau-
tiously and defensively. Avoid 
full brake applications. Please have the 
system checked by your BMW center 
as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on 
page 86
CBC, ABS, DSC and 
ADB-X/DBC indicator and warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.
 
Red: an important reminder
 
Brake warning lamp
 
●
 
Comes on when the parking 
brake is engaged – an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when starting 
off. For additional information: refer to 
page 65 

 
19
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts
 
●
 
Comes on together with an 
acoustic signal until the safety 
belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety 
belts: refer to page 48
Airbags
 
●
 
Please have the system 
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 54
 
Orange: consult the nearest BMW 
center
 
Automatic tranmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox
The respective transmission has 
responded to a malfunction by reverting 
to operation in its emergency default 
program. Please consult the nearest 
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
pages 67, 71
 
Yellow: check as soon as possible
 
Engine oil level
If the lamp comes on during 
normal vehicle operation: the 
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible. 
Do not drive more than approx. 
30 miles/50 km before refilling. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 132
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has 
been switched off: add engine 
oil at the earliest opportunity – next time 
you stop to refuel.
For additional information: refer to 
page 132
Brake pads
 
●
 
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer 
to page 122
Flat Tire Monitor
 
●
 
The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. Please 
have the system inspected at your 
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 91
 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)
 
●
 
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive 
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off with the 
button; DTC is operational.
Please contact the nearest BMW center 
in case of a malfunction.
Additional information beginning on 
page 86
325xi:
DSC has been switched off manually or 
there is a system malfunction.
ADB-X is operational. If the indidator 
lamp fails to go out when you press the 
DSC button again, this indicates a sys-
tem malfunction affecting both DSC 
and ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
For additional information: refer to 
page 88
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

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.<
Fuel 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 91.
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 acci-
dents.
Remember to check the inflation pres-
sure in the space-saver or standard 
spare tire, refer to page 147.
Inflate the spare tire to the highest infla-
tion pressure specified for your vehi-
cle.
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/kilopascal with cold tires
cold = ambient temperature
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 W32/220 38/260 38/260 45/310
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1732/220
––
38/26038/260
––
45/310
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+S35/240 41/280 41/280 48/330
Space-saver spare tire in cargo area 61/420Tire inflation pressure
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex