Page 9 of 178

 
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 
     
        
        Page 17 of 178
 
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 
     
        
        Page 79 of 178
79 Everything under control
Odometer1Odometer
2Trip odometerOdometerYou can activate the displays shown in 
the illustration with the ignition key in 
position 0 by pressing the left button in 
the instrument cluster.Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero, 
press the left button with the ignition 
key in position 1 or higher.
TachometerDo not operate the engine with the nee-
dle in the red overspeed zone of the 
gauge.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is 
interrupted when you approach this 
sector.
Energy controlIndicates the current fuel consumption 
in mpg – in liters/100 km on Canadian 
models. You can check your current 
driving style to see whether it is condu-
cive to economy and minimum exhaust 
emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the dis-
play goes to Maximum – zero on Cana-
dian models.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
     
        
        Page 82 of 178
82
ClockIf you wish to have a permanent time 
display, you can make this setting in the 
radio display, refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio.
You can set the clock and the time dis-
play in the car radio as follows.
Setting
Before the clock can be set, the 
time must be showing in the 
instrument cluster display.<
With the ignition key in position 1 or 
higher
To set ahead: turn the right button to 
the right.
To set back: turn the right button to the 
left.
The adjustment speed will increase the 
longer you continue to hold the right 
button.
To change the display mode: press the 
right button briefly.
Every time you press the button, the 
clock display alternates between the 
12-hour or 24-hour mode.
In ignition key position 0: the time is 
displayed for a few seconds after you 
press the left button, refer to Odometer 
on page 79. 
     
        
        Page 172 of 178

Everything from A to ZMaking telephone calls, 
refer to the telephone 
Owner's Manual
Malfunction
door lock 34
fuel filler door 24
Malfunction displays 81
Manual operation
door lock 34
driver's door 34
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 43
tailgate 36
Manual transmission 66
Master keys
with remote control 30
MC operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
MD operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mechanical seats 45
Memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory 50
Memory, refer to Vehicle 
Memory, Key Memory 61
Microfilter
air conditioning 99
automatic climate 
control 104Microphone, refer to Cellular 
phone 107
Mini disc operation, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mirror
automatic curb monitor 51
Mirrors 52
heated 52
memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory 50
Mobile Service 152
Modifications, technical, 
refer to For your own 
safety 5
Multifunction steering
wheel 22
Multifunction switch
turn signal indicator/head-
lamp flasher 74
washer/wiper system 75
N
Navigation system, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Neck restraints, refer to 
Head restraints 48
Nets 106
Nozzles, refer to Ventilation 
96, 100O
OBD interface socket 138
Odometer 79
Oil
additives, refer to Adding 
engine oil 133
capacity 163
dipstick 132
quality 133
viscosity 133
Oil change interval, refer 
to Service interval 
display 136
Oil change intervals, refer to 
the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US 
models/Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
Oil consumption 132
Oil dipstick 132
Oil filter change 163
Oil level
checking 132
indicator lamp 18
Oil pressure
indicator lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 81
Oil types 133
Old batteries, refer to Dis-
posal 151
Onboard computer 83Onboard computer, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 142
Opening and closing
from inside 35
from outside 31
via door lock 34
via remote control 31
Outlets, ventilation 96, 100
Outside temperature dis-
play 83
changing unit of 
measure 83
P
Paintwork care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Panic mode – trigger 
alarm 32
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 85
Parking aid, refer to Park 
Distance Control (PDC) 85
Parking brake 65
indicator lamp 18
Parking lamps 93
bulb replacement 144
Parking lamps/Low 
beams 93
Partition net 111 
     
        
        Page 175 of 178

Everything from A to Z
175
Tailgate lamp
bulb replacement 147
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel 
tank capacity 163
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel 
gauge 80
Technical data 160
Technical modifications 5
Technical modifications, 
refer to For your own 
safety 5
Telephone hookup 107
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Television, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer
Temperature
air conditioning 98
automatic climate 
control 102
Temperature adjustment
98, 102
Temperature display
engine coolant 80
ice warning 83
outside temperature 83
setting units 83
Temperature layering
99, 103
Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control 77Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 46
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center high-mount brake 
lamp 146
Three-point safety belt 48
Through-loading system 111
Tilt alarm sensor 32
remote control 32
switching off 39
Tilting passenger-side exte-
rior mirror 51
Time 82
Tire change 147
Tire pressure monitoring, 
refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor 91
Tire replacement 125, 147Tires
age 126
breaking in 120
changing 147
condition 128
damage 124
flat 147
inflation pressure 25, 124
replacing 125
size, refer to Wheel and 
tire combinations 127
storing 127
tread 124
treadwear indicator,
refer to Tire tread – tire 
damage 124
winter tires 127
Tools, refer to Onboard tool 
kit 142
Torque 160
engine 148
lug bolts 148
Tow sockets for towing eye-
let 155
Towing eyelet 155
Towing the vehicle 154
Track width, refer to Dimen-
sions 161Transmission
automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 71
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 67
Transmission lock, refer to P 
Park 71
Transmission malfunction
automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 73
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 69
Transport securing devices, 
refer to Securing 
cargo 115
Transporting children 
safely 57
Trap protection
electric power windows 40
Tread depth, refer to Tire 
tread 124
Treadwear indicator in the 
tires, refer to Tire tread – 
tire damage 124
Treadwear, tires 124
Trigger alarm – Panic 
mode 32
Trip distance recorder, refer 
to Trip odometer 79
Trip meter, refer to Trip 
odometer 79
Trip odometer 79
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex