2006 BMW 325XI TOURING Owner's Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
127
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 page119.
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
Check that the car is radio-ready and that
the electric steering wheel lock is not
engaged, otherwise the car would not be steer-
able. If the electrical system fails, do not
attempt to tow-start or tow away the car. The
electric steering wheel lock cannot be disen-

Giving and receiving assistance
128 gaged and the car is not steerable. Jump start-
ing, refer to page126.
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
page45.
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 page126.<
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
page126.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
129
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page42.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
completely depressed and slowly release
the clutch. After the engine starts, immedi-
ately depress the clutch completely 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.

Indicator and warning lamps
130
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps appear in indicator
area 1 and display 2. See the table for informa-
tion on causes and how to react. Note whether a
lamp comes on alone or in combination with
another. Some lamps can light up in different
colors. Corresponding distinctions are made in
the text.
12Cause What to do
Turn signals
High beams/headlamp flasher
switched on
Fog lamps switched on
Fasten safety belts Fasten your safety belt, refer also to
page36.
Indication in US models
Handbrake engaged Release the handbrake.
Indication in Canadian models
Handbrake engaged Release the handbrake.
Risk of icy roads Drive cautiously, refer also to page57.
Lights up briefly:
Approx. 2.1 US gallons/8 liters of fuel
remain in the tank
Remains on:
Remaining operating range is no more
than 30 miles/50 km, refer to page58
Engine refuses to start Depress the brake or clutch in order to
start the engine, refer to page42.
Ignition switched on and driver's door
openSwitch off the ignition, refer to page42,
or close the driver's door.
Lights still switched on
Door open

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
131
Engine compartment lid open
Tailgate or rear window open
Window washer fluid level too low Add washer fluid as soon as possible,
refer to page48.
Lights up in red:
Service is due Schedule a service appointment
Check service requirements, refer to
page61.
Lights up in yellow:
The engine will start the next time the
start/stop button is touched, possibly
without the brake or clutch being
depressed
Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with convenient access, not
detectedThe engine cannot be started. Have the
remote control checked, if necessary.
Battery in remote control discharged Use the remote control for a longer jour-
ney or, in cars with convenient access,
replace the battery.
Lights up in red:
Driver's and/or front passenger's air-
bags malfunctioningHave the system checked immediately.
Lights up in yellow:
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system
for rear-seat passengers malfunction-
ingHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system
failedHave the system checked immediately.
Active steering defective You can continue your journey.
Steering characteristics are modified
and steering wheel could be off-center.
Steer carefully.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up:
Emergency call system has failed or is
malfunctioningHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
12Cause What to do

Indicator and warning lamps
132Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction Stop the car and switch off the engine.
You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW Center.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power is no longer available You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the engine checked as
soon as possible.
Indication in US models:
Indicator lamp1 flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in damage
to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked with-
out delay.
Indicator lamp1 comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on exhaust emissionsHave the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Indication in Canadian models:
Indicator lamp1 flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High load on the engine will result in
damage to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked with-
out delay.
Indicator lamp1 comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on exhaust emissionsHave the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Lights up in red:
Engine overheating Carefully bring the car to a stop, switch
off the engine and allow it to cool down.
Do not open the engine compartment
lid, otherwise there would be a risk of
injury by scalding. Contact your BMW
Center.
Lights up in yellow:
Engine too hot Continue driving at more moderate
speed so that the engine can cool
down. Have the engine checked with-
out delay if the situation reoccurs.
12Cause What to do

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
133
Lights up in red:
Battery is no longer being charged.
Alternator malfunctionSwitch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers. Have the battery checked
without delay.
Lights up in yellow:
Battery charge level very low, battery
aged or not securely connectedHave the battery checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in US models
Handbrake engaged
Indication in Canadian models
Handbrake engaged
Indication in US models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Brake-pedal travel may be considerably
longer. You can continue your journey,
but moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the system checked
immediately.
Lights up in yellow:
Drive-off assistant has failed. The car
will not be held in place after the brake
is released.Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in Canadian models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Brake-pedal travel may be considerably
longer. You can continue your journey,
but moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the system checked
immediately.
Lights up in yellow:
Drive-off assistant has failed. The car
will not be held in place after the brake
is released.Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in US models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Indication in Canadian models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
12Cause What to do

Indicator and warning lamps
134Indication in US models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW Center.
Indication
* in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW Center.
Indication
* in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW Center.
Lights up in red: Have the system in question checked
without delay.
>Starter failed or The engine cannot be restarted.
>ignition malfunctioning. Engine
restart only possible when brake is
depressed or
>lighting system failed. Low beams/
tail lamps and brake lamps still
operational. All other lamps failedDepress the brake to restart the engine.
Lights up in yellow:
>Control of the brake lamps failed or
>fuel supply malfunctioning, or
>trailer lamps malfunctioning You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system in question
checked without delay.
Flashing:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC or
Dynamic Traction Control DTC is con-
trolling drive and braking forces, refer
also to page67
Dynamic Traction Control DTC acti-
vated, refer also to page67
Dynamic Stability Control DSC and
Dynamic Traction Control DTC deacti-
vated, refer also to page67Driving stability limited during accelera-
tion and cornering.
Driving style must be readjusted.
12Cause What to do