
Lamps
100
System limitations
The high-beam assistant cannot serve as 
a substitute for the driver's personal judg-
ment of when to use the high beams. Therefore, 
manually switch off the high beams in situations 
where this is required to avoid a safety risk.<
The system is not fully functional in situations 
such as the following, and driver intervention 
may be necessary:
>In very unfavorable weather conditions, 
such as fog or heavy precipitation
>In detecting poorly-lit road users, such as 
pedestrians, cyclists, horseback riders and 
wagons; when driving close to train or ship 
traffic; and at animal crossings
>In tight curves, on hilltops or in depressions, 
in cross traffic or half-obscured oncoming 
traffic on highways
>In poorly lit towns and cities and in the pres-
ence of highly reflective signs
>At low speeds
>When the windshield in front of the interior 
rearview mirror is fogged over, dirty or cov-
ered with stickers, etc.
>If the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor on 
the front of the interior rearview mirror using 
a cloth moistened with a small amount of 
glass cleaner.
Activating via iDrive
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."High beam assistant"
 The high-beam assistant is activated and is 
stored for the remote control currently in use.
Fog lamps
The parking lamps or low beams must 
be switched on for the fog lamps to 
operate. The green indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster lights up whenever the 
fog lamps are on.
The fog lamps are switched off while you acti-
vate the headlamp flasher or switch on the high 
beams.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.< 

Under the hood
226
Important parts of the engine compartment
1Gasoline engine: expansion tank for cool-
ant, refer to page230
Diesel engine: the expansion tank is located 
on the other side of the vehicle
2Washer fluid filler neck for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system, 
refer to page623Jump-starting connection, refer to 
page247
4Filler neck for engine oil, refer to 
Adding engine oil
5Dipstick for engine oil, refer to 
Checking oil level 

Care
234
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure 
washers, ensure that you maintain suffi-
cient clearance to the vehicle and do not exceed 
a temperature of 1407/606. 
Insufficient clearance or excessive pressure or 
temperature can lead to component damage or 
water penetration. Follow the operating instruc-
tions of the high-pressure washer.<
When using high-pressure washers, do 
not spray against the sensors and cam-
eras, e.g. of the Park Distance Control or Rear 
View Camera, for an extended period and main-
tain a distance of at least 1 ft/30 cm.<
Manual car wash
When washing the vehicle by hand, use large 
quantities of water and car shampoo if neces-
sary. Clean the vehicle with a sponge or wash-
ing brush, applying light pressure only.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or switch off the igni-
tion to prevent unintentional activation of the 
wipers.<
Observe local regulations pertaining to 
washing vehicles by hand.<
Headlamps
Do not rub them dry and do not use abrasive or 
corrosive cleaning agents.
Loosen dirt, e.g. insects, with shampoo or 
insect remover and wash away with copious 
quantities of water.
Thaw ice with a windshield deicer and do not 
use an ice scraper.
Windows
Clean the inside and outside surfaces of the 
windows and the mirrors with window cleaner.
Do not clean the mirrors with cleaners 
containing quartz.<
Paintwork care
Regular care contributes to value retention and 
protects the paintwork against the long-term 
effects of damaging substances.
Region-specific environmental influences can 
damage the vehicle paintwork. Therefore, it is 
important to adapt the frequency and scope of 
car care accordingly.
Immediately remove aggressive materials such 
as spilled fuel, oil, grease, brake fluid, tree sap or 
bird droppings to prevent damage to the paint-
work.
Repairing paintwork damage
Immediately repair scratches or similar 
damage, such as that caused by stones 
hitting the vehicle, where necessary to prevent 
rusting.<
BMW recommends having paintwork damage 
repaired by a professional paint repair work-
shop according to BMW specifications using 
original BMW paint materials.
Preservation
A preservation treatment is necessary when 
water no longer beads off the clean paintwork 
surface. Only use products for paintwork pres-
ervation that contain carnauba or synthetic 
waxes.
Rubber seals
Treat only with water or rubber care products.
Do not use silicon-containing care prod-
ucts on rubber seals; otherwise, noise 
and damage could occur.<
Chrome parts
Carefully clean vehicle parts such as the radia-
tor grill, door handles or window frames with 
copious quantities of water and a shampoo 
additive, especially when roads are treated with 
deicing salt. For additional treatment, use 
a chrome polish. 

Replacing components
238
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, 
be handled carefully. BMW recommends hav-
ing your BMW center perform any work that you 
do not feel competent to perform yourself or 
that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with 
your bare fingers, as even minute 
amounts of contamination will burn into the 
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a 
clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or hold 
the bulb by its base.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs 
at your BMW center.
Only change bulbs while they are cool to 
the touch; otherwise, you could suffer 
burns.<
When working on electrical systems, 
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question; otherwise, short-circuits 
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe 
any instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
For care of the headlamps, please follow the 
instructions in the chapter entitled 'Care'.
If the routine for changing a particular 
bulb is not described here, please contact 
your BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.<
Light-emitting diodes LED
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of 
the controls, displays, and equipment in your 
vehicle. These light-emitting diodes, which 
operate using a concept similar to that applied 
in conventional lasers, are officially designated 
as Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers or expose the 
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source 
for several hours; otherwise, this could cause 
irritation of the retina.<
Headlight lenses
In cool or humid weather, condensation may 
form on the interior of outside lamps. When the 
light is switched on, the condensation will dis-
appear after a short time. The headlight lenses 
do not need to be replaced.
At high humidities, e.g. water droplets may form 
in the lights; have these checked by your BMW 
center.,
Xenon lamps*
These bulbs have a very long service life and are 
highly unlikely to fail. If a xenon lamp fails never-
theless, switch on the fog lamps and continue 
the journey with great care, provided that local 
legislation does not prohibit this.
Have any work on the xenon lamp system, 
including bulb replacements, performed 
only by a BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, if 
such work is carried out improperly, the high 
voltage in the system presents the danger of 
fatal injuries.<
Replacing parking lamps, roadside 
parking lamps, and daytime running 
lights
H8 bulb, 35 watts
1.Switch off the lamps and take the remote 
control out of the ignition lock.
2.Turn the cover to the left, see arrow, 
and remove it. 

Mobility
 239Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
3.Turn the bulb approx. 90°, see arrow, 
and take it out.
4.Disconnect the plug, change the bulb and 
reconnect the plug.
5.Insert the bulb and turn it until it stops.
6.Reattach the cover.
Replacing the corner-illuminating 
lamp*
H3 bulb, 55 watts
1.Switch off the lamps and take the remote 
control out of the ignition lock.
2.Remove the upper cover from the head-
lamp. To do so, pull the rubber seal up and 
off and unscrew the cover using the screw-
driver from the onboard vehicle tool kit, see 
arrow.3.Release the wire bracket from the anchor, 
see arrow, and fold it up.
4.Disconnect the plug, change the bulb and 
reconnect the plug.
5.Insert the bulb.
6.Fold the wire bracket down and engage it.
7.Reattach the cover.
Be careful when installing the cover; oth-
erwise, leaks could occur and cause dam-
age to the headlamp system.<
Halogen lamps
H7 bulb, 55 watts
Always wear gloves and eye protection; 
the atmosphere within the H7 bulb is 
pressurized. Otherwise, there is a risk of injury if 
the bulb is damaged.<
There are separate headlamp covers for low-
beam headlamps and high-beam headlamps.
Be careful when installing the covers; oth-
erwise, leaks could occur and cause dam-
age to the headlamp system.<
For checking and adjusting headlamp 
aim, please contact your BMW center.< 

Replacing components
240
Access to the lamps
The high-beam headlamp can be accessed 
from the engine compartment, whereas the 
low-beam headlamp is accessed through a flap 
in the wheel well.
1Cover for high-beam headlamp
2Cover for low-beam headlamp
3Turn signal bulb socket
To remove the covers:
1.Fold the respective wire bracket to the side, 
see arrows.
2.Flip open the cover and take it out of the 
guide.
Follow the same steps in reverse order to reat-
tach the covers.
Access through the wheel well
Only for low-beam headlamps and turn signals:
1.Turn the wheel inwards.
2.Open the flap in the wheel well. To do so, 
turn the fastener counterclockwise using a 
coin, for example.
Changing low-beam and high-beam 
bulbs
1.Remove the relevant cover for the head-
lamp.
2.Disconnect the plug from the lamp.
3.Push the wire bracket to the side out of the 
mounting, arrow1, and fold it down, 
arrow2.
4.Remove the bulb.
5.Insert new bulb as shown in the detail of the 
illustration above.
6.Fold up the wire bracket and engage it.
7.Connect the plug.
8.Reattach the cover.
Parking lamps, roadside parking lamps
W5W bulb, 5 watts
1.Remove the cover for the high-beam head-
lamp.
2.Pull out the bulb socket, see arrow.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.
4.Insert bulb socket.
5.Reattach the cover. 

Mobility
 249Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.
Sedan: it is stored in the onboard vehicle tool kit 
underneath the cover on the right-hand side of 
the cargo area, refer to page237.
Sports Wagon: it is stored in the onboard vehi-
cle tool kit underneath the cover on the left-
hand side of the cargo area, refer to page237.
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
Release the cover panel in the bumper:
Press on the upper part of the cover panel.
Front
RearBeing towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page55; otherwise, the low-beam 
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and 
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
Power steering assistance is not available when 
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and 
steering will require increased effort. Active 
steering is not active and it will be necessary to 
turn the steering wheel further.<
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to 
page58.
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 methods
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or 
body and chassis parts; otherwise, dam-
age may result.<
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.< 

Technical data
258
Sports Wagon
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or 
the gross vehicle weight.
Capacities
328i328i
xDrive
Approved gross weight
>with manual transmission lbs/kg 4,630/2,100 4,872/2,210
>with automatic transmission  lbs/kg 4,696/2,130 4,916/2,230
Load lbs/kg 1,058/480 1,058/480
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,127/965 2,326/1,055
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,646/1,200 2,646/1,200
Approved roof load capacity  lbs/kg 165/75 165/75
Cargo area capacity cu ft/liters 16.2-48.9/460-1,385 16.2-48.9/460-1,385
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters approx. 16.1/61 Fuel grade: page203
including reserve of
>Gasoline engine US gal/liters approx. 2.1/8.0
>Diesel engine US gal/liters approx. 1.7/6.5
Window washer system For more details: page62
including headlamp washers  US qt/liters approx. 6.3/6.0