2006 BMW 325XI SPORTS WAGON towing

Opening and closing
34 1.From the cargo area, swing the cover on the
tailgate upward.
2.Pull the ring upward. The tailgate is
unlocked.
3.Open the tailgate and close the cover again.
The tailgate is locked as soon as it is pressed
shut.
Closing
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the
tailgate make it easier to pull down.
Make sure that the closing path of the tail-
gate is clear, otherwise injuries may
result.<
Opening and closing the rear window
Small items can be loaded and unloaded
quickly when the rear window is opened sepa-
rately.
The cargo area cover is raised when the
rear window is opened. Before closing the
rear window, press the cover downward until it
engages.<
Press the button: the rear window opens
slightly. It can now be swung upwards.
Press the window shut to close it.
Make sure that the corners of any pointed
or sharp-edged cargo are padded if they
could bump against the rear window while the
vehicle is in motion, otherwise the heating ele-
ments of the rear window could be damaged.<
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the tailgate is
opened
>To movements inside the vehicle: Interior
motion sensor, refer to the information fur-
ther below
>When the car's inclination changes, for
instance if an attempt is made to jack it up
and steal the wheels or to raise it prior to
towing away
>When there is an interruption in the power
supply from the battery
The alarm system signals unauthorized entry
attempts for a short time by means of:

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.

Driving tips
115Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of the occupants, the less cargo/lug-
gage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>For the safety of the passengers, install the
cargo area net, refer to page106.
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the
respective seat backs.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
opposite buckle.
Securing cargo
>Smaller and relatively light items can be
retained with tensioning straps or draw
straps
*.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing
larger and heavier objects are available at
your BMW Center. Four lashing eyes are
provided for attaching the cargo straps.
Two are located on the side walls of the
cargo area, arrows 1, and two others are on
the inside rear wall of the cargo area, arrows
2.
Comply with the information provided with
the cargo straps.
Always position and secure the cargo as
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden
braking or swerves are necessary.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page212, as excessive loads can pose a
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown
around, for example as a result of heavy braking,
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants.<
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option
for your BMW. Comply with the precautions
included with the installation instructions.

Mobility
205Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground
or negative pole.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles.<
Do not transport any occupants other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
It is stored in the onboard tool kit underneath
the cover on the right-hand side of the cargo
area, refer to page197.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise the tow
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper:
Press on the upper edges of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page53, otherwise the low-beam
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and
windshield wipers may be unavailable. If the
electrical system fails, do not attempt to tow-
start or tow away the car. The electric steering

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.<

Reference 219
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic
– air distribution95
– air flow rate95
– cruise control59,61
– headlamp control90
– service notification175
– storing of stations145
Automatic climate control94
– automatic air distribution95
– settings via iDrive95
Automatic curb monitor47
"Automatic programs" with
automatic climate control96
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC96
Automatic station search145
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic55
– interlock55,56
– overriding selector lever
lock57
– shiftlock56
– sport program56
"Automatic ventilation"98
AUTO program for automatic
climate control95
"Autostore"
– on the radio146
AUX-IN158
– port103
Average fuel consumption69
– setting the units71
Average speed68
"Avoid ferries" in
navigation131
"Avoid highways" in
navigation131
Avoid highways in
navigation131
Avoiding unintentional
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" in
navigation131
Axle loads, refer to
Weights212
"A - Z"168B
Backrests, refer to Seats41
Backrest width adjustment43
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats
Backup lamps
– replacing bulbs200
Backup lamps, refer to Tail
lamps200
Balance, tone control141
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch203
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away206
Bass, tone control141
Bass sounds, refer to Tone
control141
Bass sounds, refer to Treble
and bass141
Battery201
– charging201
– disposal37,201
– jump starting204
– temporary power failure201
Battery renewal
– remote control37
Being towed205
Belts, refer to Safety belts46
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts46
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders104
Black ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning67
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate96
BMW Assist174
– enabling174
– services offered175
"BMW Contact"178
"BMW Contact
Numbers"178
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System195
"BMW Service"176
"BMW Service settings"175
BMW webpage4Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders104
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control82
Brake fluid194
– level too low194
– warning lamp194
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements72
Brake Force Display87
Brake hydraulics, refer to
Brakes194
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display
87
– replacing bulbs200
Brake pads, breaking in112
Brake rotors114
– brakes112
– breaking in112
Brakes
– ABS82
– BMW Maintenance
System195
– brake fluid194
– brake pads194
– breaking in112
– handbrake55
– service requirements72
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely113
Brake system112
– BMW Maintenance
System195
– brake fluid194
– brake pads194
– breaking in112
– disc brakes114
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance203
Breaking in the clutch112
Breaking in the
differential112
Break-in period112
"Brightness"on the control
display80
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs197

Everything from A - Z
220 Burned fuel
– refer to Average
consumption69
Button for starting engine53
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning6
"Call"168
Call
– accepting166
– displaying accepted168
– ending167
– in absence168
– starting167
Calling
– from phone book167
– from Top 8 list168
– redialing168
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders104
Capacities213
Capacity of cargo area212
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery201
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car Data"69
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo, securing115
Cargo area105
– capacity212
– convenient access36
– cover105
– folding up the floor
panel107
– lamp93
– lid, refer to Tailgate33
– net106
– opening from outside33
Cargo area net106Cargo loading
– stowing cargo115
– vehicle114
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 points201
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
Car phone162
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest103
– refer to Mobile phone162
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio144
Car wash114
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system112
"Categories"150
CBS Condition Based
Service195
"CD"140,152CD changer152
– controls140
– fast forward/reverse156
– installation location156
– playing a track154
– random order155
– repeating a track155
– selecting a CD152
– selecting a track153
– switching on/off140
– tone control141
– volume141
CD player152
– controls140
– fast forward/reverse156
– playing a track154
– random order155
– repeating a track155
– selecting a track153
– switching on/off140
– tone control141
– volume141
Center armrest103
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulbs201
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
"Central locking"30
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside29
Central locking system29
– convenient access35
Changing bulbs197
Changing the language on the
Control Display80
Changing the measurement
units on the Control
Display71
Changing wheels201
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment191
Check Control77
"Check Control
messages"78
Check Gas Cap182

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