2006 BMW 325XI SPORTS WAGON manual transmission

Driving tips
113Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
there is no assurance that the radiation which
results from transmission will be dissipated
from the vehicle interior.<
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic
dimming feature*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo
cells in the interior rearview mirror. One photo
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not
cover the area between the interior rearview
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield
directly in front of the mirror.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning,
means that the tire can completely lose contact
with the road surface, so that neither the car can
be steered nor the brake be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page187.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Use the handbrake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise
greater clutch wear will result.<
Also use the drive-off assistant, refer to
page85.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most
effective way of braking in situations in which
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page56.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in idle or with the
engine switched off; otherwise, engine braking
action will not be present or there will be no

Things to remember when driving
114 power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals, otherwise pedal function could be
impaired.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
For general information about taking care of
your BMW, refer to the Caring for your vehicle
brochure.
With convenient access and automatic
transmission
Insert the remote control into the ignition
switch.
The engine can be switched off when the selec-
tor lever is in position N. Refer also to page36.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage develops inside the tires. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading
can result in damage to the vehicle and
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 available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lbs.
passengers in your vehicle, 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, 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.

Giving and receiving assistance
206 wheel lock cannot be disengaged and the car is
not steerable. Jump starting, refer to page204.
Power steering assistance is not available when
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and
steering will require increased effort.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers, depend-
ing on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idle position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page56.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km, otherwise the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
Towing with a 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.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage.<
Towing with a 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.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could
result in damage.<
Towing with a 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, otherwise dam-
age may result.<
325xi
Do not tow a BMW with xDrive with just
the front or rear axle raised, otherwise the
wheels could lock up and the transfer case
could be damaged.<
Have the BMW transported on a flatbed surface
only.
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 page204.<
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
page204.<

Technical data
212
Weights
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
325xi
Curb weight
>with manual transmission lbs/kg 3,737/1,695
>with automatic transmission lbs/kg 3,781/1,715
Approved gross weight
>with manual transmission lbs/kg 4,839/2,195
>with automatic transmission lbs/kg 4,883/2,215
Load lbs/kg 1,102/500
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,293/1,040
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,646/1,200
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg 165/75
Cargo area capacity cu ft/l 16.2/460 - 48.9/1,385

Reference 223
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD player140
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– fuel filler door182
– glass sunroof39
– panorama glass roof39
Electric seat adjustment42
Electronic brake-force
distribution82
Electronic oil level check191
Emergency call203
Emergency operation, refer to
Closing manually
– glass sunroof39
– panorama glass roof39
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– fuel filler door182
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission57
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance203
Emissions test, refer to
Service requirements72
"Enable services"175
"End call"167
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control68
Energy Control68
Engine
– breaking in112
– data210
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature67
– speed210
– starting54
– starting, convenient
access35
– switching off54
Engine compartment191
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant193Engine oil
– adding193
– BMW Maintenance
System195
– checking level191
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements72
"Engine oil level"192
Engine output, refer to Engine
data210
Engine speed210
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine54
"Enter address"122
Entering destination122
Entering the address124
Entering the intersection
123
"Entertainment"140
"Entertainment
settings"141,148
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
Control68
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control142
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control142
Error messages, refer to
Check Control77
"ESN"150
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control82
Event data recorders196
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system112
Expanding the cargo area106
Exterior mirrors46
– adjusting46
– automatic dimming
feature113
– automatic heating47
External audio
device103,158Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away205
– for tying down loads115
F
Fader, tone control141
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control77
Failure of an electrical
consumer202
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts46
Fastest route for
navigation130
Fast forward
– CD changer156
– CD player156
"Fast route" in navigation131
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control98
First aid pouch203
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock53
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight103
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat
– Run-Flat Tires188
Flat Tire Monitor FTM85
– indicating a flat tire86
– initializing the system86
– malfunction87
– snow chains85,189
– system limits85
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition187
"FM", waveband140,144
FM, waveband144
Fog lamps92
– indicator lamp13,92
Folding rear seat back106

Everything from A - Z
224 Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely113
Footwell lamps93
For your own safety5
Front airbags88
Front seat adjustment41
"FTM"86
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor85
Fuel183
– display68
– high-quality brands183
– quality183
– specifications183
– tank capacity213
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption69
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel filler door182
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction182
Fuses202
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control100
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel183
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Gasoline engine, checking oil
level191
Gear indicator
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic55
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
– manual transmission55
Gearshifts
– with automatic
transmission56
– with manual transmission55General driving notes112
Glass sunroof, electric
– closing after electrical
malfunction39
– convenient operation30,32
– operation with convenient
access36
– remote control30
Glove compartment103
– rechargeable flashlight103
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system120
Grills94
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights212
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs198
Handbrake55
– indicator lamp55
Hand lamp, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight103
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HD, refer to High Definition
Radio147
Head airbags88
Headlamp control,
automatic90
Headlamp cover198
Headlamp flasher57
– indicator lamp11,13
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– replacing bulbs198
Head restraints43
– sitting safely41
Heated
– mirrors47
– rear window97
– seats44
Heating
– mirrors47
– rear window97
– seats44Heating while at a standstill,
refer to Using residual
heat96
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo115
Height, refer to
Dimensions211
Height adjustment
– seats42
– steering wheel48
High beams92
– headlamp flasher92
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs198
High Definition Radio147
High water, refer to Driving
through water113
Highways, refer to Route
criteria131
Hills113
Holders for cups104
"Home address" in
navigation130
Homepage4
Hood190
Horn10
Hot exhaust system112
"Hour memo"76
"House number" in
destination entry124
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control82
Hydroplaning113
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio147
Ice warning67
ID3 tag, refer to Information
about the track154

Everything from A - Z
226 Lock buttons in the doors,
refer to Locking33
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal31
– from inside33
– from outside30
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access35
Locking and unlocking doors
– from inside32
– from outside30
"LOGIC7", refer to Tone
control142
Low beams90
– automatic90
– replacing bulbs198
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support42
Luggage compartment
– capacity212
– opening from inside33
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo area33
Luggage compartment net,
refer to Cargo area net106
Luggage compartment net,
refer to Securing cargo115
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack115
Lumbar support42
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires189
Maintenance, refer to Service
Booklet
Maintenance system195
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control77
Manual mode
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
"Manual" on the radio145Manual operation
– door lock32
– glass sunroof39
– panorama glass roof39
– tailgate33
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission57
Manual release
– fuel filler door182
Manual transmission55
Map
– changing scale134
– destination entry125
"Map direction of travel"134
"Map facing north"134
Master key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
Maximum cooling95
Maximum speed
– with winter tires189
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory44
MENU button16
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Microfilter
– BMW Maintenance
System195
– for automatic climate
control98
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter
– BMW Maintenance
System195
Microphone for telephone14
Mirror dimming feature113
Mirrors46
– automatic curb monitor47
– exterior mirrors46
– heating47
– interior rearview mirror47
"Missed calls"168
Missed calls168Mobile phone
– accepted calls168
– adjusting volume166
– calling167
– ending call167
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest103
– missed calls168
– operation via iDrive166
– redialing168
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
– Top 8168
– touch tone dialing169
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest103
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phone in the
vehicle112
Mobile phones, use inside the
car, refer to Mobile phone in
the vehicle112
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
Monitor, refer to iDrive
controls16
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor85
"Monitor on / off"48
Most recent mobile phone
numbers168
MP3, refer to Compressed
audio files152
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher57
– refer to Wiper system58
Music track
– finding154
"Mute on / off"48
Muting the TV140

Reference 229
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs197
Replacing tires, refer to New
wheels and tires188
Reporting an accident, refer to
Initiating an emergency
call203
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Reservoir for washer
systems59
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings143
"Reset" for stopwatch80
"Reset" for tone settings143
Residual heat mode96
Restraint systems
– for children50
– refer to Safety belts46
Reverse
– CD changer156
– CD player156
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
– manual transmission55
Road map134
"Roadside Assistance"176
Roadside
Assistance176,203
Roadside parking lamps92
– replacing bulbs199
Roadworthiness test, refer to
Service requirements72
Roller blind
– sun blinds102
Roof load capacity212
Roof-mounted luggage
rack115
Rope, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away206
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to
iDrive16Route130
– bypassing sections136
– changing130
– display133
– displaying arrow view133
– displaying map view134
– displaying town135
– list135
– selecting130
– selecting criteria130
Route selection130
RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to Run-
Flat Tires188
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-Flat
Tires188
Run-Flat Tires188
– continuing driving with a
damaged tire86
– flat tire86
– new tires188
– replacing tires188
– tire pressures184
– winter tires189
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-
Flat Tires188
S
Safety-belt height
adjustment46
Safety belts46
– damage46
– indicator lamp46
– reminder46
– sitting safely41
Safety systems
– airbags88
– Antilock Brake System
ABS82
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
– safety belts46
Safety tires, refer to Run-Flat
Tires188
Sampling tracks
– scan154Satellite radio149
– enabling149
– selecting channel150
– storing channel150
"SAT" for radio140,149
"Scan"
– sampling radio stations145
– sampling tracks on CD154
Scan
– CD changer154
– CD player154
– radio145
"Scan all" for audio mode155
"Scan directory" for audio
mode155
Screen, refer to iDrive
controls16
Screw thread for tow
fitting205
SDARS, refer to Satellite
radio149
Seat adjustment
– electric42
– mechanical42
Seat and mirror memory44
Seat belt reminder, refer to
'Fasten safety belts'
reminder46
Seats41
– adjusting the seats42
– heating44
– sitting safely41
Securing cargo108
Securing the vehicle
– from inside32
– from outside30
"Select as destination"127
"Select current speed"79
Selecting an audio source140
Selecting distance for active
cruise control63
Selecting menu items19
Selecting new scale for
navigation134
Selecting the frequency
manually145
Selecting the route130
Selection options with
navigation system130