2006 BMW 325CI towing

Contents

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures112
General driving notes113
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)115

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure116
Tire code118
Tire condition119
Run Flat tires*120
New wheels and tires121
Snow chains*122

In the engine compartment:

Hood123
Engine compartment
essentials124
Washer fluids126
Engine oil126
Coolant128
Brake fluid128

Maintenance:

BMW Maintenance System130

Laws and regulations:

California laws132
OBD interface socket132

Owner service procedures

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit136
Windshield wiper blades136
Lamps and bulbs137
Changing a wheel141
Battery145
Fuses145

Giving and receiving
assistance:

Receiving assistance146
Jump-starting147
Towing and tow-starting the
vehicle149

Technical data

Engine data154
Dimensions155
Weights156
Capacities157

65
instance, downshifts that would
result in excessive engine speed can-
not be executed
>When you brake the car to a stop, the
transmission automatically shifts
down to first gear
>As speed diminishes, the transmis-
sion will shift down automatically,
without any action on your part, just
before the vehicle slows to below
each gear's minimum speed.
Available displaysR N 1 2 3 4 5 6
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
The currently engaged gear, the
selected mode, and any malfunctions
are displayed in the instrument cluster.Indicator lamp
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
All selector lever positions can still be
engaged, but in the forward driving
positions only certain gears are actually
available when the vehicle is driven.
Avoid extreme loads and proceed to
the nearest BMW center.
For information on jump-starting and
towing the vehicle, refer to page 147.Warning toneAn acoustic signal sounds if the SMG
gearbox overheats; if possible you
should either stop or increase your pull-
away speed so that the system can
cool down.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG*
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69
Available displaysP R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
The selector lever position or gear cur-
rently engaged in the manual mode is
displayed.Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the
transmission selector lever to P. Set the
parking brake and turn the engine off –
ignition key to position 0.
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. You may
continue to drive as usual.
If the indicator lamp does not go out,
you can place the selector lever in all
positions. However, the vehicle will now
only operate in 3rd and 4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest autho-
rized BMW center.
Never work in the engine com-
partment when a drive gear – for-
ward or reverse – is engaged. If you do
this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the
information beginning on page 147.
Automatic transmission with Steptronic*
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106
Cargo loading
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.<
Determining the maximum load1. Locate the following statement on
your vehicle‘s placard*:
The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or YYY lbs., as this
could otherwise result in damage to the
vehicle or unstable driving conditions.<
2. Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle
3. Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from
XXX kilograms or YYY pounds
4. The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lbs. passengers in your vehi-
cle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be trans-
fered 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.

107
LoadThe permissible load is the sum of the
occupants' weights and the weight of
the cargo. The greater the weight of the
occupants, the less cargo can be trans-
ported.
Stowing cargo>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible – directly behind the back-
rests – and as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
>For transporting very heavy loads
when the rear seat is not occupied,
secure the outer safety belts in the
opposite buckles, refer to the illustra-
tion.
Cargo loading
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149
Towing and tow-starting the vehicle
Always observe all applicable
towing laws and regulations.<
Using the towing eyeletThe screw-in towing eyelet is located in
the luggage compartment under the
floor panel; be sure that it remains with
the vehicle at all times. It can be
attached at the front or rear of your
BMW.
Observe the following instruc-
tions in order to avoid damaging
the towing eyelet or the vehicle: use
only the towing eyelet supplied with the
vehicle, and screw it in firmly until it
stops. Use the towing eyelet for towing
on paved roads only. Avoid subjecting
the towing eyelet to lateral loads, e.g.
do not lift the vehicle using the towing
eyelet.<
Access to the threaded socketPress out the cover in the front or rear
bumper with a screwdriver at the top of
the recess.Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is
in position 1, because the steering
lock could otherwise engage and the
vehicle could no longer be steered.
There is no power assist while the
engine is off. Therefore, you will need to
exert more force to brake and steer the
vehicle.<
Turn on the hazard warning flashers, if
required by national regulations. If the
electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed, e.g. by
placing a sign or a warning triangle in
the rear window.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
gearshift lever in idling position.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
selector lever in position N.
Do not exceed a towing speed of
45 mph / 70 km/h, nor a towing
distance of 90 miles/150 km, because
the automatic transmission could other-
wise be damaged.<
Vehicles with sequential manual gear-
box SMG: selector lever in position N.Towing methodsIn some countries, it is not permitted to
tow the vehicle with a tow bar or tow
rope on public roads.
Familiarize yourself with the applicable
towing regulations for the country in
which you are driving.
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150
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be
lighter than the vehicle being
towed; otherwise, vehicle handling can
no longer be controlled.<
The towing eyelets of both vehicles
should be on the same side.
If the tow bar can only be used in a
diagonal position, please note the fol-
lowing:
>Clearance is restricted while you are
driving around corners
>The inclination of the tow bar pro-
duces lateral force.
Only attach the tow bar to the
towing eyelets. Other parts of the
vehicles could otherwise be dam-
aged.<
With a tow ropeWhen the towing vehicle is driving off,
make sure that the tow rope is taut.
Use nylon ropes or straps for tow-
ing because they prevent sudden
jerking movements. Attach the tow rope
only to the towing eyelets. Other parts
of the vehicles could otherwise be
damaged.<
With a tow truckHave the BMW transported by a tow
truck with a lift sling, or on a flatbed.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.<
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow-
ing eyelet, nor by parts of the
body or chassis. Otherwise damage
could result. Do not tow-start vehicles with
automatic transmissions. Jump-
starting, refer to page 147.<
Only tow-start vehicles with catalytic
converters if the engine is cold. It is
better to have the engine jump-started,
refer to page 147.
1. Turn on hazard warning flashers;
comply with national regulations
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Engage the 3rd gear
4. Have the vehicle towed with the
clutch pedal completely depressed
and then slowly release the clutch
pedal. After the engine has started,
immediately depress the clutch pedal
again completely
5. Pull over at a suitable location,
remove the tow bar or tow rope, and
turn on the hazard warning flashers
6. Have the vehicle checked.
Vehicles with sequential manual gear-
box SMG:
>Have the vehicle towed with the
selector lever in position N
>Select sequential mode. The correct
gear will automatically be selected
and engaged.
Towing and tow-starting the vehicle

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake
System 115
indicator lamp 18
Acceleration assistant 66
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety 5
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 146
Activated-charcoal filter 98
Adaptive brake lamp, refer
to Brake force display 84
Adaptive headlights 86
Adding brake fluid 129
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning 90
Air conditioning mode 92
automatic climate
control 96
Air distribution
air conditioning 92
automatic climate
control 96
Air distribution, individual 96
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 90, 94
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 116
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode
92, 97Air supply
air conditioning 92
automatic climate
control 96
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 92, 96
Airbags 51
deactivating 54
indicator lamp 18, 53
sitting safely 41
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 90, 94
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 24
Alarm system 36
avoiding unintentional
alarms 37
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 121, 122
Antifreeze 128
coolant 128
washer fluid 126
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 115
indicator lamp 18
Anti-theft system 28
Anti-theft warning system,
refer to Alarm system 36
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 156
Approved gross weight,
refer to Weights 156Armrest
front 100
rear 101
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front 102
rear 102
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 81
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 97
AUTO program 96
Automatic
cruise control 72
headlamp control 85
Automatic air distribution,
refer to AUTO program 96
Automatic air supply, refer
to AUTO program 96
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control 94
Automatic curb monitor 48
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 50
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 97Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 67
indicator lamp 19, 69
interlock 59
selector lever lock 67
shiftlock 67
tow-starting 150
Automatic windshield
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 71
Average fuel
consumption 79
Average speed 79
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 37
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 156
B
Backrest
unlocking 45
Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 42, 44
Backup lamps 62
bulb replacement 139
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 22
Bar, for towing 149