
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
67
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving uphill on snow-covered roads,
in slush or on unplowed, snow-covered
roads
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
Briefly press the button; the DTC indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster come on.
To control
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DTC controls the drive forces and
brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on:
DTC has been activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
xDrive 325xi
xDrive is your BMW's four-wheel-drive system.
The combined efforts of xDrive and DSC help to
further optimize traction and driving dynamics.
The xDrive four-wheel-drive system distributes
driving power variably to the front and rear axles
depending on the driving situation and road
conditions.
Malfunction
In case of any of the malfunctions
described below, drive cautiously and
think well ahead. Avoid driving on rough tracks
and pressing the accelerator pedal down to full
throttle or kick-down position, otherwise the
drive system could be damaged or accidents
could result.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
The warning lamps come on. xDrive
and DSC have failed.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Hill Descent Control HDC 325xi
HDC is a downhill driving assistant that reduces
your speed on steep downhill gradients and
makes it even easier to control your BMW's
handling under these conditions. The vehicle
then moves slightly faster than double walking
speed without the driver needing to intervene.
HDC can be activated as long as you are driving
under approx. 20 mph or 35 km/h. When driving
downhill at a speed of under approx. 20 mph or
35 km/h, the vehicle's speed is automatically
reduced to slightly more than double walking
speed and maintained.
Increasing or decreasing speed
By accelerating or braking you can change the
speed within a range from approx. 3 to 15 mph,
approx. 5 to 25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same
range using the cruise control stalk.
1To increase speed
2To decrease speed

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
69
Drive-off assistant
The drive-off assistant enables you to drive off
smoothly on uphill gradients. It is not necessary
to use the handbrake for this.
1.Hold the car in place by depressing the
brake.
2.Release the brake and drive off without
delay.
The drive-off assistant holds the car in
place for approx. 2 seconds after the
brake is released. Depending on vehicle load,
the car may roll backwards a little during this
time span. Drive off without delay after releas-
ing the brake. Otherwise, the drive-off assistant
will no longer hold the car in place after approx.
2 seconds and the car will start to roll back-
wards.<
Malfunction
The warning lamps for the brake sys-
tem light up in yellow. The 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.
Canadian models display these warn-
ing lamps.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor monitors tire pressures
while the car is being driven. The system
reports any significant loss of pressure in one
tire in relation to another.
If a tire loses pressure, its rolling radius
changes, and this in turn alters the speed of
rotation. This change is detected and is
reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.The system must be reinitialized each
time a tire inflation pressure has been cor-
rected or a wheel or tire has been changed.<
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor is unable to warn
the driver of sudden, severe tire damage
caused by external factors, nor can it identify
the gradual loss of pressure that will inevitably
occur in all four tires over a lengthy period of
time.<
In the following situations, the system could be
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Performance-oriented style of driving: slip
in the drive wheels, high lateral acceleration
>If snow chains are attached
Initializing the system
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time.
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically.
Do not initialize the system while snow chains
are attached.<
Operating principle, refer to page59.
1.Start the engine immediately before pulling
away, but do not drive off yet.
2.Lightly push button 1 in the turn indicator
stalk up or down repeatedly until the appro-
priate symbol appears in the display,
accompanied by the word "INIT".
3.Press button 2 t o c o n f i r m y o u r c h o i c e o f t h e
Flat Tire Monitor.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
111
Run-Flat Tires
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, moreover, no spare wheel is
available. Your BMW Center will be glad to
advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
that damaged Run-Flat Tires be replaced
rather than repaired.<
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view.
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW Center
can supply these labels.
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum
tire inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall
of the tire.
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and
recommended. Consult your BMW Center for
more information. Attach snow chains in pairs
and only to the rear wheels. Observe the manu-facturer's instructions when mounting snow
chains. Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph or
50 km/h.
You are not permitted to mount snow chains to
tires of the following sizes:
>255/40 R 17
>255/35 R 18
>255/30 R 19
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted, otherwise the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to
page66.<

Everything from A to Z
150 Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control83
– refer to Microfilter for air
conditioner80
First aid pouch125
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock42
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight87
Flash when locking/
unlocking21
Flat
– Run-Flat Tires110
Flat Tire Monitor FTM69
– indicating a flat tire70
– initializing the system69
– malfunction70
– snow chains69,111
– system limits69
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition109
Fog lamps76
– indicator lamp76,130
Folding rear seat back90
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely97
Footwell lamps77
For your own safety5
Front airbags71
Front seat adjustment31
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor69
Fuel105
– display58
– high-quality brands105
– quality105
– specifications105
– tank capacity145
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge58
Fuel consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption58
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge58Fuel filler door104
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction104
Fuses124
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control84
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel105
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge58
Gasoline engine, checking oil
level113
Gear indicator
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic44
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic45
– manual transmission44
Gearshifts
– with automatic
transmission45
– with manual transmission44
General driving notes96
Glass sunroof, electric
– closing after electrical
malfunction30
– convenient operation20,22
– operation with convenient
access26
– remote control20
Glove compartment87
– rechargeable flashlight87
Grills, refer to Air vents78
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights144
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs120
Handbrake44
– indicator lamp44
– manual release22Hand lamp, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight87
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
Head airbags71
Headlamp control,
automatic74
Headlamp cover120
Headlamp flasher46
– indicator lamp11,14,130
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– replacing bulbs120
Head restraints33
– sitting safely31
Heated
– mirrors37
– rear window79,83
– seats34
Heating78
– mirrors37
– rear window79,83
– seats34
Heating while at a standstill,
refer to Using residual
heat82
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo99
Height, refer to
Dimensions143
Height adjustment
– seats32
– steering wheel38
High beams76
– headlamp flasher76
– indicator lamp130
– replacing bulbs120
High water, refer to Driving
through water97
Hills97
Holders for cups88
Homepage4
Hood112
Horn10
Hot exhaust system96
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control66
Hydroplaning
97