135
Brake fluidIndicator lamp
The brake warning lamp comes
on when the parking brake is
not engaged: the brake fluid
level is too low, refer to page 18.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Adding brake fluidFor adding brake fluid or for determin-
ing and correcting the cause of brake
fluid loss, consult your BMW center.
Your BMW center is familiar with the
specifications for factory-approved
brake fluids – DOT 4.
Brake fluid loss results in extended
brake pedal travel. Refer to the informa-
tion on page 122.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the brake system's
safety and reliability, have the brake
fluid changed every two years by a
BMW center. Refer to the Service and
Warranty Information Booklet for US
models or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its closed original container and in
a location which is out of reach of chil-
dren.
Do not spill the brake fluid and do not
fill the brake fluid reservoir beyond the
MAX mark. The brake fluid could ignite
upon contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating
the disposal of brake fluid.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
136Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.
Service interval displayWhile conventional systems rely on dis-
tance traveled alone to determine when
service is due, the BMW Maintenance
System has for years taken the actual
conditions under which the vehicle
operates into consideration, because
miles can be traveled in many different
ways:
From a maintenance point of view,
62,000 miles/100,000 km of short-dis-
tance urban driving cannot be com-
pared with 62,000 miles/100,000 km of
long-distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual use of the vehi-
cle covers every kind of operating situa-
tion. Minimal use drivers – those who
drive significantly fewer than
6,200 miles/10,000 km annually –
should have the engine oil changed at
least every 2 years since oil deterio-
rates over time, regardless of use.Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian modelsFor additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-
els, or the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
As a precaution against corrosion, it is
advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
150
Do not attempt to install the full
wheel cover on the space-saver
spare tire, since this could damage the
cover.<
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any other type of load.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
tightness of the torque bolts checked
with a calibrated lug wrench – torque
specification: 88.5 lb ft/120 Nm – at the
earliest opportunity.<
When storing a wheel in the spare tire
recess, take care to avoid bending the
threaded rod.
If the original BMW light-alloy wheels
have been replaced with other light-
alloy wheels, different lug bolts may be
required.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
Driving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h.
Be aware that vehicle handling may be
altered. Anticipate, e.g., reduced track-
ing during braking, longer braking dis-
tances, and changed steering charac-
teristics when approaching limit
conditions. These handling characteris-
tics will be even more pronounced if
winter tires are mounted.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at one time.
Mount a wheel and tire of the original
size at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.
tions, the size of the spare tire will
differ from that of the remaining tires.
The spare tire is fully functional at all
loads and speeds. However, the spare
tire should be replaced at the earliest
possible opportunity in order to achieve
the original operating conditions.<
Run Flat tires*Run Flat tires are labeled on the side-
wall with a circular symbol containing
the letters RSC. Run Flat tires consist of
self-supporting tires and special rims.
The tire reinforcement ensures that
driving remains possible to a restricted
degree in the event of pressure drop or
even if the tire is deflated.
When mounting or replacing sum-
mer tires with winter tires, or vice
versa, use Run Flat tires since no spare
wheel is available in the event of a flat.
In this event, BMW recommends con-
sulting your BMW center. Your BMW
center has the information needed for
working with Run Flat tires and is
equipped with the necessary special
tools.<
Changing a wheel
151
Driving with a damaged tireDepending on the cargo load, Run Flat
tires allow you to continue driving at a
maximum speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h. If
there is a total loss of tire inflation pres-
sure, 0 psi/0 kPa, or obvious tire dam-
age, you can determine the distance
you may continue driving based on the
following values:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 150 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, full cargo area; or 5 per-
sons without luggage:
approx. 100 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
5 persons, full cargo area:
approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h. Be
aware that vehicle handling will be
altered when there is a loss in inflation
pressure. Anticipate, e.g., reduced
tracking during braking, longer braking
distances and changed steering char-
acteristics.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
not having damaged Run Flat tires
repaired. In this case, consult your
BMW center.<
BatteryMaintenanceThe battery is absolutely maintenance-
free, that is, the original electrolyte will
normally last for the service life of the
battery under moderate climatic condi-
tions.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery.
Connect the charge cables to the termi-
nals in the engine compartment. For
terminal locations, refer to Jump-start-
ing on page 153.Disposal
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your BMW center.
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Secure
the battery against tilting during trans-
port.<
FusesYou will find the fuses and information
on their respective allocation in the
glove compartment behind a panel with
two snap clips.
Do not attempt to repair a blown
fuse or replace it with a fuse
having a different color or amperage
rating. To do this could cause a fire in
the vehicle resulting from a circuit over-
load.<
Run Flat tires*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
163
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reservegal./liters
gal./litersapprox. 16.6/63
approx. 2.1/8Fuel specification, refer to
page 25
Windshield/
Headlamp washer reservoir front
Rear window washer reservoirquarts/liters
quarts/litersapprox. 5.6/5.3
approx. 2.4/2.3Specifications, refer to
page 132
Engine oil and filter change quarts/liters 325i: approx. 6.9/6.5
325xi: approx. 7.9/7.5BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
Oil specifications, refer to
page 132
Manual and automatic transmission,
transfer box and differential–Lifetime lubricant, no oil
change required
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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