
 
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 

 
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 

 
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 

64
If the engine does not start on the first 
attempt – if it is very hot or cold, for 
instance:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Cold start at very low temperatures of 
under approx. +57/–156 at high alti-
tudes of over 3,300 ft/1,000 m:
>On the first start attempt, it may be 
necessary to engage the starter for a 
longer period, but no longer than 
20 seconds
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent 
or long periods with the starter 
engaged, can damage the catalytic 
converter.<
Engine idle speed is controlled by the 
engine computer system. Increased 
speeds at start-up are normal and 
should decrease as the engine warms 
up. If engine speed does not decrease, 
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharg-
ing, always deactivate electrical 
devices that are not in use. Switch the 
ignition off when the vehicle is not 
being driven.Manual transmission1. Engage the parking brake
2. Gearshift lever in idling position
3. Start the engine.Automatic transmission1. Depress footbrake
2. Place the selector lever in position P 
or N
3. Start the engine.
To prevent the vehicle from start-
ing off on its own, always move 
the selector lever to position P and 
engage the parking brake before leav-
ing your vehicle with the engine run-
ning.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended 
with the engine running. An unattended 
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a safety hazard.
position N
3. Start the engine.
If the engine does not start, reen-
gage the gear last selected, refer 
to the gear indicator in the display, and 
move the selector lever into neutral 
position N again.
The gearbox is automatically taken out 
of gear if the driver's door is opened 
while the engine is running and the 
driver does not actuate the pedals, the 
shift paddles or the selector lever. This 
is accompanied by a warning tone and 
the flashing gear indicator. The gear 
display N appears in the instrument 
cluster.<
Before exiting the vehicle with the 
engine running, move the selector 
lever into position N and apply the park-
ing brake.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended 
with the engine running. An unattended 
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a safety hazard.<
Starting the engine 

65
Switching off the engine
You should never remove the igni-
tion key when the vehicle is in 
motion, as the steering lock could 
engage.
When you leave the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key and engage the 
steering lock.
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on downhill roads. Engaging a 
gear may not sufficiently secure the 
vehicle against rolling.<
Manual transmissionTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.Automatic transmissionMove the selector lever into position P, 
and turn the ignition key to position 1 or 
0.SMG gearboxIf you turn the ignition key to position 1 
or 0 with the selector lever in position 
R, or in sequential mode, a gear auto-
matically remains engaged.
If you turn the ignition key to position 1 
or 0 with the selector lever in neutral 
position N, a warning tone and the 
flashing gear indicator in the display 
remind you that no gear is engaged to 
secure the vehicle against rolling.
The warning stops after approx. 
9 seconds.
Parking brakeThe parking brake is designed primarily 
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when 
it is parked. It operates against the rear 
wheels.To engageThe detent engages automatically, and 
the indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on when the ignition key 
is in position 2, refer to page 18.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button and lower the lever.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

66
If exceptional circumstances 
make it necessary to engage the 
parking brake while the vehicle is in 
motion, do not pull it with excessive 
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed 
against the release button while care-
fully pulling the lever up.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction – fishtailing 
– at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when 
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual or SMG gearbox:
Engage the parking brake when parking 
on downhill roads, since engaging a 
gear may not provide adequate resis-
tance to rolling, not even in first or 
reverse gear.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: 
place the selector lever in P.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided 
braking, apply the parking brake 
lightly from time to time when coasting 
to a standstill – at a traffic signal, for 
example – provided that it is safe to do 
so.<
Manual transmission
Do not hold the vehicle in place on 
slopes by slipping or 'riding' the 
clutch. Use the parking brake instead. 
Riding the clutch leads to severe and 
premature clutch wear.<
6-speed transmission*When changing gear in the 5th/6th gear 
plane, be sure to press the gearshift 
lever to the right to prevent inadvert-
ently shifting to a gear of the 3rd/4th 
gear plane.ReverseSelect only when the vehicle is station-
ary. Press the shift lever to the left to 
overcome the resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will 
light up automatically when the ignition 
key is in position 2.
Parking brake 

67
Sequential manual gearbox SMG*The conceptThe sequential manual gearbox SMG is 
an automated manual gearbox with 
which clutching and shifting is assumed 
by an electro-hydraulic system.
The SMG is operated via the selector 
lever in the center console and two shift 
paddles on the steering wheel.
It offers the following functions:
>Sequential mode: manual mode
>Drive mode: automatic operation 
>Ability to choose between two differ-
ent driving programs: Standard, 
Sport
>Operating safety through protection 
against misshifting
>Automatic upshifts and downshifts in 
the drive mode
>Automatic downshifts at minimum 
engine rpm
>Kickdown function in the drive mode.
>Acceleration assistant, refer to 
page 70.
Selector lever positionsThe current selector lever position is 
indicated by a light-emitting diode in 
the center console.
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
Position for forward driving with one-
touch functions:
Sequential mode
+: manual upshifts
—: manual downshifts
D: drive mode.
The SMG is ready for operation in igni-
tion key position 2.
The gearbox is automatically 
placed in neutral gear if the 
driver's door is opened while the engine 
is running and the driver does not actu-
ate the pedals, the shift paddles or the 
selector lever.
This is accompanied by an acoustic 
signal and the flashing gear indicator. 
The gear display N appears in the 
instrument cluster.
A driving position can only be engaged 
when the driver's door is closed.
When the vehicle is unlocked, a buzzer 
in the area of the transmission indicates 
that the system is ready for operation.<
ShiftlockWhen the car is at a standstill, a safety 
function requires you to depress the 
brake pedal if you want to move the 
selector lever from the neutral 
position N to a driving position.Driving precautions
Use enough acceleration to pull 
away speedily when moving off on 
an uphill gradient. Never try to prevent 
the car from rolling back on an uphill 
gradient by depressing the accelerator 
pedal; always apply the handbrake. 
Otherwise you could overheat the SMG 
gearbox.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

68
RReverseSelect only when the vehicle is station-
ary.NNeutralAlways engage before starting the 
engine, refer to Starting the engine on 
page 64.Sequential modeEach time the engine is started, the 
sequential mode is activated as soon as 
you move the selector lever into the for-
ward driving position while the brake is 
depressed.
The gears are shifted via the shift pad-
dles or the selector lever.
It is also possible to drive off in second 
gear, e.g. on snow-covered roads.DDrive modeIn the drive mode all forward gears are 
shifted automatically. 
To switch from sequential to drive 
mode: tap the selector lever to the right 
toward D.
For rapid acceleration, e.g. during 
passing, depress the accelerator pedal 
completely: kickdown.To switch back to sequential mode: tap 
the selector lever again to the right 
toward D or change the current gear via 
the shift paddles or the selector lever.
KickdownYou can achieve maximum acceleration 
using kickdown.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the 
increased resistance point at the full-
throttle position.
Shifting gearsWith selector lever:
>To upshift, tap the selector lever 
toward +
>To downshift, tap the lever toward —.
With shift paddles on steering wheel:
>To upshift, pull one of the shift pad-
dles
>To downshift, push the paddle.
You accelerate from higher gears, e.g. 
during passing, by manually downshift-
ing.
In the following situations, the SMG in 
the sequential mode assists you:
>The transmission will only execute 
upshifts and downshifts that will 
result in an appropriate combination 
of vehicle speed and engine rpm. For 
Sequential manual gearbox SMG*