2005 BMW 330XI IDRIVE SEDAN catalytic converter

Things to remember when driving
106
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follow the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Up to 1,250 miles/2,000 km:
Attempt to vary both engine and vehicle
speeds, but refrain from exceeding an engine
speed of 4,500 rpm or a driving speed of
100 mph or 160 km/h.
Always obey all official speed limits.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kick-down mode.
Once you have driven 1,250 miles/2,000 km,
the engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive with caution during this break-
in period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Closing the luggage compartment lid
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid is completely
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could enter
the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances make it absolutely nec-
essary to drive with the luggage compartment
lid open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air flow rate of the automatic
climate control considerably, refer to
page91.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles equipped with a catalytic
converter, extremely high temperatures
are generated in this vehicle. Do not remove the
heat shields installed adjacent to various sec-
tions of the exhaust system, and never apply
undercoating to them. When driving, standing
at idle and while parking, take care to avoid pos-
sible contact between the hot exhaust system
and any highly flammable materials such as hay,
leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead to a
fire, with the risk of serious personal injuries and
property damage.<
Portable phone in the vehicle
BMW discourages the use of mobile
communications devices, e.g. portable
phones, inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the
vehicle electronics and mobile communication
device can influence one another. In addition,
there is no assurance that the radiation which
results from transmission will be dissipated
from the vehicle interior.<

Mobility
169Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Required fuel
Premium Unleaded Gasoline
The minimum octane rating is 91.
If you use gasoline with this minimum octane
rating, the engine may produce knocking
sounds when starting at high outside tempera-
tures. This has no affect on the engine life.
Minimum octane rating corresponds to the Anti
Knock Index AKI and is determined according
to the so-called (R+M)/2 method.
Do not fill the tank with leaded fuel, as this
would cause permanent damage to the
catalytic converter.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight,
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void
the applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
drivability, starting and stalling problems
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter drivability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.<

Maintenance
186
OBD Socket
The Onboard Diagnostics OBD interface
socket is located on the left of the driver's side
under the instrument panel and under a cover.
The cover has the letters OBD on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to ensure
proper operation of the emissions control sys-
tem for the vehicle's lifetime. The system mon-
itors emissions-related components and sys-
tems for deterioration and malfunction.
An illuminated lamp informs you of
the need for service, not of the need
to stop the vehicle. However, the sys-
tems should be checked by your
BMW center at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.
Display of this malfunction on Cana-
dian models.
Under certain conditions, the indica-
tor will blink or flash. This indicates a
rather severe level of engine misfire. When this
occurs, you should reduce speed and consult
the nearest BMW center as soon as possible.
Severe engine misfire over only a short period
of time can seriously damage emissions control
components, especially the catalytic converter.
When the gas cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system can detect the
vapor leak and the indicator will light up. If the
gas cap is subsequently tightened, the indicator
should go out within a few days.<
Event data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or more
sensing and diagnostic modules or a recording
device capable of recording or transmitting cer-tain vehicle data or information. In addition, if
you have a Subscription Service Agreement for
the BMW Assist system, certain vehicle infor-
mation may be transmitted or recorded in order
to provide such services.
Care
Important information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure.

Giving and receiving assistance
196
Vehicles with automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page52.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km, as otherwise the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
Towing methods
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes is not permitted in public traffic.
Familiarize yourself with the regulations on tow-
ing in the respective country.
With 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.
Secure the tow bar to the tow fitting only.
Otherwise damage to other vehicle parts
could result.<
With 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.
Secure the tow rope to the tow fitting only. Oth-
erwise damage to other vehicle parts could
result.<
With tow truck
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, as otherwise
damage may result.<
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-
engaged and the car is not steerable. Jump
starting, refer to page194.<
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
page194.<
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page49.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
pedal completely depressed and slowly
release the clutch. After the engine starts,
immediately depress the clutch pedal com-
pletely 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.

Everything from A - Z
208 Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery191
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car Data"66
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo, securing109
Cargo loading
– stowing cargo109
– vehicle108
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 points191
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
Car phone152
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest96
– refer to Portable phone152
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio138
Car wash108
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system106
"Categories"142CBS Condition Based
Service185
"CD"134,145
CD changer145
– controls134
– fast forward/reverse147
– installation location147
– playing a track146
– random order147
– repeating a track146
– selecting a CD145
– selecting a track146
– switching on/off134
– tone control135
– volume135
CD player145
– controls134
– fast forward/reverse147
– playing a track
146
– random order147
– repeating a track146
– selecting a track146
– switching on/off134
– tone control135
– volume135
Center armrest96
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulbs190
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
"Central locking"30
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside29
Central locking system29
Changing bulbs187
Changing the language on the
Control Display76
Changing the measurement
units on the Control
Display68
Changing wheels191
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment181
Check Control73
"Check Control
messages"75
Check Gas Cap168Checking the air pressure,
refer to Tire inflation
pressure170
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH48
Child-restraint systems46
Child-safety lock48
Child seats46
Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter99
– socket99
Cleaning, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Cleaning headlamps54
– washer fluid55
"Climate"90
Clock64
– 12h/24h mode72
– setting time71
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside30
Clothes hooks97
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine49
Combined instrument, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
"Communication"153
"Communication
settings"160
Compact disc, refer to
– CD changer145
– CD player145
Compact wheel
– inflation pressure
172,173,174,175
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock49
Compass94
Computer65
– displays on Control
Display66
– hour signal72
Computer, refer to iDrive16