2005 BMW 325XI trailer

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
67
Technology for driving comfort and safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight
parking spaces. Acoustic signals warn you of
the presence of an object in front of
* or behind
your car. To measure the distance, there are
four ultrasonic sensors in each bumper.
An acoustic warning sounds once an object is
closer than approx. 2 ft/60 cm to the front sen-
sors
* or both rear corner sensors, or closer than
approx. 5 ft/1.50 m to the rear center sensors.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, oth-
erwise physical circumstances may lead to the
system warning being issued too late.<
Automatic mode
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, the system is activated automatically after
approx. 1 second when you engage reverse
gear or move the automatic transmission selec-
tor lever to position R. Wait this short period
before driving.
Switching on manually
Press the button, the LED lights up.
Switching off manually
Press the button again; the LED goes out.The system is automatically deactivated once
the vehicle travels approx. 165 ft/50 m or
exceeds a speed of approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h;
the LED goes out. You can reactivate the sys-
tem as needed.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, its position is indicated
correspondingly by an interval tone. For exam-
ple, the tone sounds at the rear if the system
detects an object behind the car. As the dis-
tance between vehicle and object decreases,
the intervals between the tones become
shorter. If the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.
The warning signal is canceled after approx.
3 seconds, if you are moving parallel to a wall.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that
they will continue to operate effectively. When
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the
sensors for extended periods of time and only
from a distance of at least 4 in/10 cm.
Manual mode
The LED above the button flashes in addition.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those
encountered with trailer towbars and couplings,

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
101
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of the occupants, the less cargo/lug-
gage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the
respective seat backs.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
opposite buckle.
Securing cargo
>Smaller and relatively light items can be
retained with tensioning straps or draw
straps
*.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing
larger and heavier objects are available at
your BMW Center. Four lashing eyes are
provided for attaching the cargo straps.
Two are located on the inside rear wall of
the luggage compartment 1, and two others
are on the side walls of the luggage com-
partment 2.
Comply with the information provided with
the cargo straps.
Always position and secure the cargo as
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden
braking or swerves are necessary.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page150, as excessive loads can pose a
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown
around, for example as a result of heavy braking,
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants.<
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option
for your BMW. Comply with the precautions
included with the installation instructions.

Indicator and warning lamps
140Indication in US models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW Center.
Indication
* in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW Center.
Indication
* in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW Center.
Lights up in red: Have the system in question checked
without delay.
>Starter failed or The engine cannot be restarted.
>ignition malfunctioning. Engine
restart only possible when brake is
depressed or
>lighting system failed. Low beams/
tail lamps and brake lamps still
operational. All other lamps failedDepress the brake to restart the engine.
Lights up in yellow:
>Control of the brake lamps failed or
>fuel supply malfunctioning, or
>trailer lamps malfunctioning You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system in question
checked without delay.
Flashing:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC or
Dynamic Traction Control DTC is con-
trolling drive and braking forces, refer
also to page69
Dynamic Traction Control DTC acti-
vated, refer also to page69
Dynamic Stability Control DSC and
Dynamic Traction Control DTC deacti-
vated, refer also to page69Driving stability limited during accelera-
tion and cornering.
Driving style must be readjusted.
12Cause What to do

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
161
Steering wheel38
– adjustment38
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– lock42
Steering with variable ratio,
refer to Active steering73
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic47
Storage compartments90
Storing seat positions, refer to
Seat and mirror memory35
Storing tires117
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments90
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires108
Sun blinds89
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine43
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button42
Switching the cooling function
on and off85
Symbols4
T
Tachometer59
Tailgate
– locking or unlocking
separately24
– opening and closing23
– opening from inside23
– opening from outside23
Tail lamps127
– replacing bulbs128
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities151
Technical data148
Technical modifications5
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest89
– refer to separate Owner's
ManualTemperature adjustments
– air conditioner81
– automatic climate control83
Temperature display
– ice warning59
– outside temperature59
– setting the units62
Temperature of the coolant,
refer to Coolant
temperature59
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo101
The individual vehicle5
Thigh support33
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp128
Tilt alarm sensor25
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror37
Tire inflation pressures108
Tire pressure
– loss72
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor71
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor72
Tire Quality Grading114
Tires
– age114,116
– breaking in98
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels129
– condition115
– damage115
– inflation pressure108
– minimum tread depth115
– new tires116
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor71
– puncture72
– Run-Flat Tires116
– size114
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth115
– winter tires117
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit125
Torque148
Tow bar134Tow fitting
– screw thread133
Tow fittings133
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away133
Towing133
– methods134
Towing away
– car with automatic
transmission133
Tow rope134
Tow-starting133
– sequential manual gearbox
SMG134
Track width, refer to
Dimensions149
Traction-assist feature, refer
to DSC68
Traction control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control68
Trailer towing
– towing loads and gross
weight150
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic47
– manual transmission44
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic48
– sequential manual gearbox
SMG45
Transporting children
safely39
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing cargo101
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread115
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer59
Triple turn signal activation49
Trip odometer59
Trunk
– lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid23
Trunk lamp, refer to Luggage
compartment lamp79