Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
119
Important parts of the engine compartment
1Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page121
2Washer fluid reservoir for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system,
refer to page503Jump-starting connection, refer to
page132
4Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding
engine oil
5Reservoir for brake fluid, under the cover of
the microfilter
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking oil level
Your car is equipped with an electronic oil-level
monitor.
For a precise measurement and display of the
oil level, it is necessary that the engine be at
operating temperature, e.g. after uninterrupted
driving for at least approx. 6.5 miles/10 km. You
can have the oil level displayed while you are
driving, or while the vehicle is at a standstill on a
level surface and the engine is running.
You can have the oil level reading displayed in
the instrument cluster.1.Lightly push button 1 in the turn indicator
stalk up or down repeatedly until the appro-
priate symbol is shown in the display,
accompanied by the word "OIL".
2.Press button 2 in the turn indicator stalk.
The oil level is checked and the reading dis-
played.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
129
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with Run-Flat Tires as
standard. This removes the need to change a
wheel immediately in the event of a puncture.
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall, refer to
Run-Flat Tires, page116.
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, moreover, no spare wheel is
available. Your BMW Center will be glad to
advise you. Refer also to New wheels and tires,
page116.
The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your
BMW Center.<
Jack mounting points
The jacking points are at the positions shown in
the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW Center will be glad to advise in
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging the battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump starting
on page132.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your
BMW Center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright
position for transport and storage. Always
secure the battery against tipping over during
transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of
some equipment may be limited and require ini-
tialization. Individual settings may likewise have
been lost and will have to be reprogrammed:
>Time and date
These values must be updated, refer to
page64.
>Radio
Stations must be stored again, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual for Radio.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page35.
>Inside rearview mirror with digital compass
The system must be calibrated, refer to
page88.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, oth-
erwise this could lead to a circuit overload, ulti-
mately resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
Giving and receiving assistance
132 Some of the articles contained in the first aid
pouch have a limited service life. Therefore,
check the expiration dates of the contents reg-
ularly and replace any items in good time, if nec-
essary.
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is located on the left-hand
side of the luggage compartment. Press the tab
to take it out.
Jump starting
If the car's own battery is flat, your BMW's
engine can be started by connecting two
jumper cables to another vehicle's battery. You
can also use the same method to help start
another vehicle. Only use jumper cables with
fully-insulated clamp handles.
Do not touch any electrically live parts
when the engine is running, or a fatal acci-
dent may occur. Carefully adhere to the follow-
ing sequence, both to prevent damage to one or
both vehicles, and to guard against possible
personal injuries.<
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 volts and
approximately the same capacitance in Ah.
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any consumers in both vehicles.There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise
there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order, so that no sparks which could
cause injury occur at the battery.<
Your BMW has a jump-starting connection in
the engine compartment which acts as the bat-
tery's positive terminal, refer also to the Engine
compartment overview on page119. The cap is
marked with +.
1.Pull the cap of the BMW jump-starting con-
nection up to remove.
2.Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground of
the assisting vehicle.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
133
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground
or negative pole.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles.<
Do not transport any occupants other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
It is stored in the onboard tool kit underneath
the cover on the right-hand side of the luggage
compartment, refer to page125.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise the tow
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper:
Press on the upper edges of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Check that the car is radio-ready and that
the electric steering wheel lock is not
engaged, otherwise the car would not be steer-
able. If the electrical system fails, do not
attempt to tow-start or tow away the car. The
electric steering wheel lock cannot be disen-
Giving and receiving assistance
134 gaged and the car is not steerable. Jump start-
ing, refer to page132.
Power steering assistance is not available when
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and
steering will require increased effort.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers, depend-
ing on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idle position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page47.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km, otherwise the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
With the ignition switched on, engage selector
lever position N, and then switch the ignition
back off.
Towing with a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle, otherwise it may
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle,
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage.<
Towing with a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could
result in damage.<
Towing with a tow truck
323i*, 325i, 330i
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts, otherwise dam-
age may result.<
325xi, 330xi
Do not tow a BMW with xDrive with just
the front or rear axle raised, otherwise the
wheels could lock up and the transfer case
could be damaged.<
Have the BMW transported on a flatbed surface
only.
Tow-starting
If the electrical system fails, do not
attempt to tow-start or tow away the car.
The electric steering wheel lock cannot be dis-
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
135
engaged and the car is not steerable. Jump
starting, refer to page132.<
Do not tow-start vehicles with an auto-
matic transmission. Only tow-start vehi-
cles with a catalytic converter with the engine
cold. It is better to jump start the engine, refer to
page132.<
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page42.
3.Shift into 3rd gear. Vehicles with SMG, see
below.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
completely depressed and slowly release
the clutch. After the engine starts, immedi-
ately depress the clutch completely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
Vehicles with sequential manual gearbox SMG:
1.Have the vehicle tow-started with the selec-
tor lever in position N.
2.Select sequential mode. The correct gear is
automatically engaged.
325xi, 330xi: do not activate Hill Descent
Control HDC when the vehicle is being
tow-started, page69.<
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
153
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats
Backup lamps
– replacing bulbs128
Backup lamps, refer to Tail
lamps127
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch131
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away134
Battery129
– charging129
– disposal27,129
– jump starting132
– temporary power failure129
Battery renewal
– remote control27
Being towed133
Belts, refer to Safety belts36
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts36
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders90
Black ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning59
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate81,84
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System123
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders90
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control68
Brake fluid121
– level too low121
– warning lamp121,122
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements63
Brake Force Display73
Brake hydraulics, refer to
Brakes121
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display73
– replacing bulbs128
Brake pads, breaking in98Brake rotors100
– brakes98
– breaking in98
Brakes
– ABS68
– BMW Maintenance
System123
– brake fluid121
– brake pads122
– breaking in98
– handbrake44
– service requirements63
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely99
Brake system98
– BMW Maintenance
System123
– brake fluid121
– brake pads122
– breaking in98
– disc brakes100
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance131
Breaking in
– sequential manual gearbox
SMG98
Breaking in the clutch98
Breaking in the differential98
Break-in period98
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs125
Burned fuel
– refer to Average
consumption60
Button for starting engine42
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning6
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders90
Capacities151
Capacity of luggage
compartment150
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery129Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo, securing101
Cargo loading
– stowing cargo101
– vehicle100
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Car jack
– jacking points129
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest89
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car wash100
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system98
CBS Condition Based
Service123
Center armrest89
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulbs128
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
157
Homepage4
Hood118
Horn10
Hot exhaust system98
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control68
Hydroplaning99
I
Ice warning59
Ignition42
– switched off42
– switched on42
Ignition key, refer to
Integrated key/remote
control18
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness42
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on42
Ignition lock42
Indicator and warning
lamps13,136
Individual air distribution81
Individual settings, refer to
Personal Profile19
Initializing
– compass, refer to
Calibrating88
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM72
– glass sunroof29
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting78
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated key18
Integrated universal remote
control86
Interior lamps79
– remote control20
Interior motion sensor25
Interior rearview mirror37
– automatic dimming
feature99
Interior rearview mirror with
digital compass87
Interlock47Intermittent mode of the
wipers50
J
Jacking points129
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting132
Jump starting132
K
Key, refer to Integrated key/
remote control18
Keyless Go, refer to
Convenient access25
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Convenient
access25
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile19
Kick-down48
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic48
– sequential manual gearbox
SMG46
Knock control106
L
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams76
Lamps and bulbs, replacing
bulbs125
Lap-and-shoulder safety
belt36
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo101
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system40
LEDs light-emitting
diodes125
Length, refer to
Dimensions149
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs128
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs125
Lighter91Lighting
– instruments78
– lamps and bulbs125
– of the vehicle, refer to
Lamps76
Light switch76
Limit145
Loading
– securing cargo101
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo101
Lock buttons in the doors,
refer to Locking23
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal21
– from inside23
– from outside20
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access25
Locking and unlocking doors
– from inside22
– from outside20
Low beams76
– automatic76
– replacing bulbs126
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support32
Luggage compartment
– capacity150
– convenient access26
– folding up the floor panel93
– lamp79
– opening from inside23
– opening from outside23
Luggage compartment lid23
– convenient access26
– unlocking with remote
control21
Luggage compartment lid,
refer to Tailgate23
Luggage compartment net,
refer to Securing cargo101
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack101
Lumbar support32