2005 BMW 325XI SEDAN steering wheel

125
Do not drive on a deflated – flat –
tire unless your vehicle is
equipped with Run Flat tires. A flat tire
greatly impairs steering and braking
response, and can lead to complete
loss of control over the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading can lead to
overheating and internal tire damage.
The ultimate result can assume the
form of a sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate a
damaged tire or some other vehicle
malfunction. This type of problem can
be caused by contact with curbs, etc.
This is also true for irregularities in the
vehicle's handling characteristics, such
as a pronounced tendency to pull to the
left or right. Should this occur, respond
by immediately reducing your speed.
Proceed carefully to the nearest BMW
center or professional tire center, or
have the vehicle towed in to have it, its
wheels or its tires inspected.
Tire damage, up to and including sud-
den and complete air loss, can endan-
ger the lives of both the vehicle occu-
pants and other road users.<
Tire replacementTo maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures — and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assembly balanced
every time you change a tire or wheel.DOT quality gradesTread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must con-
form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades. rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half – 1
1/2 – times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics. highest – B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Tire condition
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

127
Wheel and tire combinationsThe right choice
BMW recommends using only
wheels and tires that have been
approved by BMW for your particular
vehicle model, as otherwise body con-
tact and serious accidents can result
despite the use of the same nominal
size, e.g. due to manufacturing toler-
ances. BMW cannot evaluate all tires
and wheels on the market, and is thus
unable to guarantee that the vehicle will
continue to perform safely if unap-
proved tires and/or wheels are
mounted.<
For each tire size, BMW has assessed
the safe performance of specific tire
brands and approved them for use.
Consult any BMW center for details.
Comply with any local/national regula-
tions, for example by recording the tire
type in the vehicle documents.
The correct wheel-tire combina-
tion affects different systems such
as ABS, DSC and ADB-X/DBC. The
function of these systems is impaired if
improper wheel-tire combinations are
used. For this reason, use only tires of
the same manufacture and tread con-
figuration. In the event of a flat tire, for
example, remount the approved wheel
and tire combination as soon as possi-
ble.<
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel.
Do not exceed the maximum tire infla-
tion pressures specified on the tire
sidewall.
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends the use of winter
tires for operation under winter road
conditions. While all-season tires – with
M+S designation – provide better winter
traction than the corresponding sum-
mer tires, they generally do not achieve
the performance of winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer and
having the same tread configuration on
all four wheels.
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by trained
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you. your BMW is eqipped with Run Flat
tires. These are indicated by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

147
Tailgate lamp5 watt bulb
1. Pull out the bulb socket
2. Replace the bulb.
Changing a wheel
Safety precautions in the event of
a flat tire or wheel change:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat, sur-
face. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers. Turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position and engage the
steering lock. Shift into 1st or Reverse,
or if you have an automatic transmis-
sion position the selector lever in Park,
and engage the parking brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area, behind a guardrail,
for instance.
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all local safety guidelines and reg-
ulations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the vehicle on a soft or slippery
support surface – snow, ice, loose
gravel, etc. – as either the vehicle or the
jack could slip sideways.
Position the jack on a firm support sur-
face.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. They could pre-
vent the jack from extending to its full
height and reduce its support capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack. There is otherwise a risk of
fatal injury.<
Your BMW is equipped with a spare tire
or a space-saver spare tire designed for
temporary use in maintaining the vehi-
cle's mobility in an emergency.
To remove the spare tire, lift the
floor panel in the cargo area com-
pletely out, refer to page 113.<
Lamps and bulbs
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

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. For certain wheel/tire combina-
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

Everything from A to Z
167
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 48
Beverage holders 106, 107
Blower
air conditioning 98
automatic climate
control 102
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils 133
BMW Maintenance
System 136
BMW sports seat 46
Bore, refer to Engine
data 160
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 106, 107
Brake fluid 135
indicator lamp 18, 135
level 135
Brake force display 92
Brake hydraulic system 122
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 145
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 81
Brake lights
brake force display 92
Brake pads
brake fluid level
18, 122, 135
breaking in 120
disc brakes 122Brake rotors
brake system 122
breaking in 120
Brake system
brake pads, indicator
lamp 19
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 121
brake fluid 135
breaking in 120
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 65
Break-in procedures 120
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 143
Bulb, replacing 143
Buttons in steering wheel 22
C
California Proposition 65
warning 138
Can holders, see Beverage
holders 106, 107
Capacities 163
Car battery 151
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 30Car radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Car telephone
preparation 107
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 108
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Cargo area 37, 111
cover 111
emergency release, refer
to Manual operation 36
floor panel 113
lamps 35
lid, refer to Tailgate 35
opening, remote
control 32
volume 162
Cargo, securing 115
Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 121
warning lamp 18CD changer, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Cellular phone 107
Center high-mount brake
lamp
bulb replacement 146
Central locking system 30
button 35
passenger
compartment 35
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 81
Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child safety locks 60
Child seats 57
Child-restraint mounting
system (LATCH) 59
Child-restraint systems 57
Chock 148
Cigarette lighter 108
Cigarette lighter socket 108
Clean rear window 76
Cleaning chrome parts, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZFog lamps 95
indicator/warning lamp 20
Folding rear backrest 111
Follow me home lamps 93
Footbrake, refer to General
driving notes 121
Front airbags 54
Front center armrest 106
Front fog lamps 95
indicator lamp 20
Fuel
display 80
quality 25
volume 163
Fuel consumption
display 84
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge 80
Fuel economy, refer to
Energy control 79
Fuel filler door 24
release following an elec-
trical malfunction 24
Fuel gauge 79
Fuel level indicator, refer to
Fuel gauge 80
Fuel mixture preparation 160
Fuel reserve indicator, refer
to Fuel gauge 80
Fuel tank capacity 163
Fuses 151G
Gasoline consumption, refer
to Average fuel consump-
tion 84
Gasoline, refer to Fuel spec-
ifications 25
Gear indicator 69, 73
Gear lever
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 71
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 67
Gearbox
manual transmission 66
Gearshift lever
manual transmission 66
General driving notes 121
Glass sunroof
convenience operation
32, 34
remote control 31, 32
Glass sunroof, electric 41
closing following an elec-
trical malfunction 43
Glove compartment 105
Grills, refer to Ventilation
96, 100
Gross weight, refer to
Weights 162H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 65
Hands-free system 107
Harman Kardon premium
sound system 105
Hazard warning flashers 14
Hazard warning triangle 23
HDC Hill Descent Control 90
Head airbags 54
Head restraints 48
Headlamp cleaning system
cleaning headlamps 76
washer fluid 132, 163
Headlamp control, auto-
matic 93
Headlamp flasher 94
indicator lamp 21
Headlamps
bulb replacement 143
care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Heated mirrors 52
Heated rear window
air conditioning 98
automatic climate
control 103
Heated seats 51
Heating
exterior mirrors 52
rear window 98, 103
seats 51Heating and ventilation
96, 100
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo
loading 114
Height adjustment
seats 45, 47
steering wheel 52
Height, refer to
Dimensions 161
High beams 74, 94
bulb replacement 143
headlamp flasher 94
indicator lamp 21
Hill Descent Control
(HDC) 90
Holder for
beverages 106, 107
litter bag 107
Hood release 129
Horn 14
Hub cap 148
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC 121
Hydraulic system
brakes 122
Hydroplaning 121
I
Ice warning 83
Ignition 63
Ignition key 30
positions 63

Everything from A to Z
171
Ignition lock 63
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18
Indicator/warning lamp
airbags 18
alarm system 38
brakes 18, 19
Check Gas Cap 19
coolant 19, 80
DSC 19
Flat Tire Monitor
18, 19, 92
fog lamps 20
Please fasten safety
belts 18
reserve 80
Service Engine Soon 19
Individual air distribution 102
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 61
Inflation pressure 124
Inflation pressure monitor-
ing, refer to Flat Tire Moni-
tor 91
Inflation pressure, tires 25
INSPECTION 81
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 94
Instrument panel 14
Interface socket for onboard
diagnostics (OBD) 138Interior lamps 95
remote control 32
Interior motion sensor 38
switching off 39
Interior rearview mirror 53
automatic dimming
feature 53
Interior temperature
adjusting 98, 102
Interlock, refer to Steering
wheel lock 63
Intermittent
mode, wipers 75
Interval
display, service 81
J
Jack 147
Jacking points 148
Jump-starting 153
K
Key Memory 61
Keys 30
with remote control 30
Kickdown 68, 72
L
Lamp defect 143
Lamps and bulbs 143
Lashing down loads, refer to
Cargo loading 113Lashing eyelets, refer to
Securing cargo 115
Lashing fittings, refer to
Securing cargo 115
LATCH child-restraint
mounting system 59
Leather care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
LEDs light-emitting
diodes 95
Length, refer to
Dimensions 161
License plate lamp
bulb replacement 146
Light switch 93
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs 95
Lighter 108
LIGHTS ON warning 93
Lights, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 93
Litter bag holder 107
Load, refer to Cargo
loading 113
Loading
vehicle 113
Lock buttons on doors, refer
to Locking 35
Lock, steering wheel 63Locking
from inside 35
from outside 31, 34
Locking and unlocking
doors
from inside 35
from outside 31, 34
Low beams 93
automatic 93
bulb replacement 143
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 81
Lug bolts 148
key 148
torque 148
Luggage area cover, see
Cargo area cover 111
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo area 37
Luggage net, refer to Parti-
tion net 111
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack 116
Luggage straps 37
Lumbar support 47
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires 127
Maintenance 81, 136
Maintenance system 136
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

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