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 ZCleaning light alloy wheels,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning windshield 76
Clock 82
12-/24-hour mode 82
setting, refer also to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Closing
from inside 35
from outside 31
Clothes hooks 121
Clutch
breaking in 120
Cockpit 14
Code, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Coin box 106
Cold start, refer to Starting
the engine 63
Compact disc operation,
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Compartments 106
Compartments in cargo
area 113Compression ratio, refer to
Engine data 160
Computer 83
Condensation, refer to Air
conditioning mode 98, 102
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 61
Connecting a vacuum
cleaner, refer to Cigarette
lighter 108
Consumption
display 79
Consumption, refer to Aver-
age fuel consumption 84
Control elements, refer to
Cockpit 14
Convenience operation
from outside 34
glass sunroof 32
windows 32
Coolant 134
indicator lamp 19, 80
level 134
temperature gauge 80
Coolant water, refer to Cool-
ant 134
Cooling, refer to Tempera-
ture 98, 102
Copyright 4Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 121
warning lamp 18
Correct tires 127
Cover, refer to Cargo area
cover 111
Cruise control 77
indicator lamp 20
Cup holders, see Beverage
holders 106, 107
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 162
Current consumption, refer
to Energy control 79
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data 160
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit 14
Data
capacities 163
dimensions 161
engine 160
technical 160
weights 162
Daytime driving lamps 93
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
19, 121
Deep water, refer to Water
on roadways 121Defrost position, refer
to Defrosting windows
99, 102
Defrosting and demisting
windows
air conditioning 99
automatic climate
control 102
Defrosting windows 99, 102
Defrosting windshield,
refer to Defrosting win-
dows 99, 102
Demisting windows
air conditioning 99
automatic climate
control 102
Determining the maximum
load 114
Differential
breaking in 120
Digital clock 82
Dimensions 161
Dipstick, engine oil 132
Disc brakes 122
Displacement, refer to
Engine data 160
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 94
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster 16