BMW Automobile 325i User Manual

Owner's Manual  
for Vehicle  
Contents  
A-Z  
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Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.  
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and  
security when you drive it. Therefore we have one request:  
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the  
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new BMW. The  
manual contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in obtaining  
maximum satisfaction from your BMW's unique array of advanced technical fea-  
tures. It also contains information on vehicle maintenance designed to enhance  
operating safety while simultaneously helping you to maintain your BMW's value  
throughout an extended service life. For additional information refer to the supple-  
mental manuals.  
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It  
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important  
operating, safety and maintenance information.  
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.  
BMW AG  
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4 Notes  
About this Owner's Manual  
Additional sources of information Symbols used  
We have made every effort to ensure  
If you have any additional questions,  
Indicates precautions that must  
that you are able to find what you need your BMW center will be glad to advise  
be followed precisely in order to  
avoid the possibility of personal injury  
and serious damage to the vehicle.  
in this Owner's Manual as quickly as  
possible. The fastest way to find spe-  
cific topics is by using the detailed  
index at the end. If you wish to gain an  
initial overview of your vehicle, you will  
find this in the first chapter.  
you.  
You can find more information about  
BMW, for example on its technology,  
on the Internet at www.bmw.com.  
Contains information that will  
assist you in gaining the optimum  
benefit from your vehicle and enable  
you to care more effectively for your  
vehicle.  
Should you wish to sell your BMW at  
some time in the future, please remem-  
ber to hand over this Owner's Manual  
to the new owner; it is an important part  
of the vehicle.  
Refers to measures that can be  
taken to help protect the environ-  
ment.  
Marks the end of a specific item of  
information.  
Indicates special equipment, coun-  
try-specific equipment and optional  
extras when available.  
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory,  
refer to page 61. Identifies func-  
tions that can be specifically adapted  
for a particular key or vehicle. These  
adjustments can be performed either by  
yourself or by your BMW center.  
© 2003 Bayerische Motoren Werke  
Aktiengesellschaft  
Munich, Germany  
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the  
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.  
Order No. 01 41 0 157 605  
US English VIII/03  
Printed in Germany  
Printed on environmentally friendly paper,  
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.  
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Notes  
5
Your individual vehicle  
On purchasing your BMW, you have  
decided in favor of a model with individ- ongoing development designed to  
Status at time of printing  
BMW pursues a policy of continuous,  
For your own safety  
Fuels  
ualized equipment and features. This  
Owner's Manual describes all models  
and equipment that BMW offers within  
the same group.  
ensure that our vehicles continue to  
embody the highest quality and safety  
standards combined with advanced,  
state-of-the-art technology. For this  
reason, the features described in this  
Owner's Manual could differ from those  
in your vehicle. Nor can errors and  
omissions be entirely ruled out. You are  
therefore asked to appreciate that no  
claims can be recognized on the basis  
of the data, illustrations or descriptions  
in this Owner's Manual.  
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels  
containing up to and including  
10% ethanol or other oxygenates with  
up to 2.8% oxygen by weight – that is,  
15% MTBE or 3% methanol plus an  
equivalent amount of co-solvent – will  
not void the applicable warranties  
We hope you will understand that  
equipment and features are included  
that you might not have chosen for your  
vehicle. You can easily identify any dif-  
ferences with the aid of the asterisk  
used to identify all optional equipment  
and accessories.  
respecting defects in materials or work-  
manship. Field experience has indi-  
cated significant differences in fuel  
quality – volatility, composition, addi-  
tives, etc. – among gasolines offered for  
sale in the United States and Canada.  
The use of poor-quality fuels may result  
in driveability, starting and stalling  
problems especially under certain envi-  
ronmental conditions, such as high  
ambient temperature and high altitude.  
Should you encounter driveability prob-  
lems which you suspect could be  
related to the fuel you are using, we  
recommend that you respond by  
switching to a recognized high-quality  
brand.  
If your BMW features equipment, such  
as a car radio or telephone, which is not  
described in this Owner's Manual, sup-  
plementary Owner's Manuals are  
enclosed. We ask you to read these  
manuals as well.  
Failure to comply with these recom-  
mendations may result in unscheduled  
maintenance.  
Obey all applicable safety rules when  
you are handling gasoline.<  
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6 Notes  
wheels, suspension components, brake  
dust shields, telephones – including  
operation of any portable cellular phone  
from within the vehicle without using an  
externally mounted antenna – or trans-  
ceiver equipment such as a CB, walkie-  
talkie, ham radio or similar, may cause  
extensive damage to the vehicle, com-  
promise its safety, interfere with the  
vehicle's electrical system or affect the  
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty.  
See your BMW center for additional  
information.  
Maintenance and repair  
Parts and accessories  
Advanced technology, e.g. the  
use of modern materials and high-  
performance electronics, requires spe- parts and accessories approved by  
Important safety information!  
For your own safety, use genuine  
cially adapted maintenance and repair  
methods. Therefore, only have corre-  
sponding work on your BMW carried  
out by a BMW center or a workshop  
that works according to BMW repair  
procedures with correspondingly  
trained personnel. If work is carried out mum performance when installed on  
improperly there is a danger of conse- your vehicle.  
quential damage and the related safety BMW warrants these parts to be free  
BMW.  
When you purchase accessories tested  
and approved by BMW and Original  
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire  
the assurance that they have been thor-  
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-  
Do not use key or remote control to  
lock doors or cargo area with anyone  
inside the vehicle. Refer to the Owner's  
Manual for more details.<  
risks.<  
from defects in material and workman-  
ship.  
BMW will not accept any liability for  
damage resulting from installation of  
parts and accessories not approved by  
BMW.  
BMW cannot test every product made  
by other manufacturers to ascertain  
whether it can be used on a BMW  
safely and without risk to either the  
vehicle, its operation, or its occupants.  
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories  
and other products approved by BMW,  
together with professional advice on  
using these items, are available from all  
BMW centers.  
Maintenance, replacement, or  
repair of the emission control  
devices and systems may be performed  
by any automotive repair establishment  
or individual using any certified auto-  
motive part.<  
Symbol on vehicle parts  
Indicates that you should consult  
the relevant section of this  
Owner's Manual for information on a  
Installation and operation of non-BMW particular part or assembly.  
approved accessories such as alarms,  
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,  
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Notes  
7
Service and warranty  
Reporting safety defects  
This manual is supplemented by a Ser- The following only applies to vehicles  
vice and Warranty Information Booklet  
for US models or a Warranty and Ser-  
vice Guide Booklet for Canadian mod-  
els.  
owned and operated in the US.  
If you believe that your vehicle has a  
defect which could cause a crash or  
could cause injury or death, you should  
We recommend that you read this pub- immediately inform the National High-  
lication thoroughly.  
way Traffic Safety Administration  
NHTSA in addition to notifying BMW of  
North America, LLC, P.O. Box 1227,  
Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227,  
telephone toll-free 1-800-831-1117.  
Your BMW is covered by the following  
warranties:  
>New Vehicle Limited Warranty  
>Rust Perforation Limited Warranty  
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it  
may open an investigation, and if it  
finds that a safety defect exists in a  
group of vehicles, it may order a recall  
and remedy campaign. However,  
>Federal Emissions System Defect  
Warranty  
>Federal Emissions Performance War-  
ranty  
NHTSA cannot become involved in indi-  
vidual problems between you, your  
dealer, or BMW of North America, LLC.  
>California Emission Control System  
Limited Warranty.  
Detailed information about these war-  
ranties is listed in the Service and War-  
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-  
els or in the Warranty and Service  
Guide Booklet for Canadian models.  
To contact NHTSA, you may either call  
the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at  
1-800-424-9393 or 366-0123 in the  
Washington, D.C. area, or write to:  
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transpor-  
tation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You  
can also obtain other information about  
motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.  
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Contents  
About this Owner's Manual 4  
Additional sources of  
information 4  
Cockpit 14  
Opening and closing:  
Keys 30  
Instrument cluster 16  
Indicator and warning lamps 18  
Buttons in steering wheel* 22  
Hazard warning triangle* 23  
Refueling 24  
Tire inflation pressure 25  
Central locking system 30  
Opening and closing – via the  
remote control 31  
door lock 34  
inside 35  
Symbols used 4  
Your individual vehicle 5  
For your own safety 5  
Symbol on vehicle parts 6  
Service and warranty 7  
Reporting safety defects 7  
Rear window 36  
Alarm system* 38  
Glass sunroof, electric* 41  
To adjust:  
Safe seating position 44  
Seats 45  
Manual seat adjustment 45  
Power seat adjustment* 47  
Lumbar support* 47  
Head restraints 48  
Safety belts 48  
Seat and mirror memory* 50  
Seat heating* 51  
Steering wheel 52  
Mirrors 52  
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Contents  
9
Passenger safety systems:  
Airbags 54  
Transporting children safely 57  
Vehicle Memory, Key  
Memory 61  
Technology for safety and  
driving convenience:  
Park Distance Control (PDC)* 85  
Dynamic Stability Control  
(DSC) 86  
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) –  
325xi 88  
Hill Descent Control (HDC)* 90  
Flat Tire Monitor* 91  
Loading and transporting:  
Ski bag* 110  
Cargo area 111  
Cargo loading 113  
Roof-mounted luggage  
rack* 116  
Driving:  
Ignition lock 63  
Starting the engine 63  
Switching off the engine 65  
Parking brake 65  
Brake force display 92  
Manual transmission 66  
Sequential manual gearbox  
SMG* 67  
Automatic transmission with  
Steptronic* 71  
Lamps:  
Parking lamps/Low beams 93  
Instrument lighting 94  
High beams/Standing lamps 94  
Fog lamps* 95  
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp  
flasher 74  
Washer/wiper system/Rain  
sensor* 75  
Interior lamps 95  
Controlling the climate for  
pleasant driving:  
Air conditioning 96  
Cruise control* 77  
Automatic climate control* 100  
Everything under control:  
Odometer 79  
Tachometer 79  
Energy control 79  
Fuel gauge 80  
Engine coolant temperature  
gauge 80  
Service interval display 81  
Check Control 81  
Clock 82  
Interior conveniences:  
Premium sound system* 105  
Glove compartment 105  
Storage compartments 106  
Cellular phone* 107  
Ashtray, front* 108  
Ashtray, rear* 108  
Socket 109  
Computer* 83  
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Contents  
Special operating instructions:  
Replacement procedures:  
Onboard tool kit 142  
Windshield wiper blades 142  
Lamps and bulbs 143  
Changing a wheel 147  
Battery 151  
Engine data 160  
Dimensions 161  
Weights 162  
Break-in procedures 120  
General driving notes 121  
Antilock Brake System  
(ABS) 121  
Capacities 163  
Brake system 122  
Wheels and tires:  
Tire inflation pressure 124  
Tire condition 124  
Tire replacement 125  
Wheel and tire  
Fuses 151  
Giving and receiving  
assistance:  
Receiving assistance 152  
Jump-starting 153  
Towing the vehicle 154  
combinations 127  
Winter tires 127  
In the engine compartment:  
Hood 129  
Engine compartment  
essentials 130  
Washer fluids 132  
Engine oil 132  
Coolant 134  
Brake fluid 135  
Maintenance:  
The BMW Maintenance  
System 136  
Laws and regulations:  
California Proposition 65  
warning 138  
OBD interface socket 138  
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Contents  
11  
Everything from A to Z 166  
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12  
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13  
Overview  
Controls and features  
Operation, maintenance  
Owner service procedures  
Technical data  
Index  
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14 Cockpit  
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Cockpit  
15  
1 Parking lamps/Low beams 93  
2 >Turn signal indicators 74  
>Standing lamps 94  
>High beams 94  
>Headlamp flasher 74  
>Computer 83  
3 Washer/wiper system/Rain  
sensor 75  
4 Hazard warning flashers  
5 Central locking system 30  
6 >Initiating an emergency call 152  
>Mobile Service 152  
7 Rear window defroster 98, 103  
8 Horn: the entire surface  
9 Adjusting the steering wheel 52  
10 Fog lamps 95  
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16 Instrument cluster  
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Instrument cluster  
17  
1 Fuel gauge 80  
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals 20  
3 Speedometer  
4 Indicator and warning lamps 18  
to 21  
5 Tachometer and Energy Control 79,  
79  
6 Engine coolant temperature  
gauge 80  
7 Indicator and warning lamps 18  
to 21  
8 Control button for  
>Time 82  
>Service interval display 81  
>Outside temperature display 83  
9 Selector lever and program display  
for automatic transmission/sequen-  
tial manual gearbox 19, 67, 73  
10 Display for  
>Trip odometer/Odometer 79  
>Clock 82  
>Service interval 81  
>Computer 82  
11 Check Control 81  
12 Trip odometer, reset to zero 79  
13 Indicator and warning lamps 18  
to 21  
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18 Indicator and warning lamps  
Engine oil pressure ●  
and switch off the engine.  
Technology that monitors itself  
Indicator and warning lamps that are  
identified by are tested for proper  
functioning whenever the ignition key is  
turned. They each light up once for dif-  
ferent periods of time.  
Red and yellow: continue driving  
cautiously  
The brake warning lamp comes  
on together with the yellow indi-  
cator lamps for ABS and  
DSC:  
Check the engine oil level and top off as  
required. If the oil level is correct:  
please contact the nearest BMW cen-  
ter.  
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and  
ADB-X/DBC control system has  
failed. Continue driving cau-  
tiously and defensively. Avoid  
full brake applications. Please have the  
system checked by your BMW center  
as soon as possible.  
systems, the corresponding lamp does  
not go out after the engine is started, or  
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.  
You will see how to react to this in the  
following section.  
Do not continue driving, as the  
engine could sustain serious dam-  
age from inadequate lubrication.<  
Brake warning lamp ●  
If the lamp comes on when the  
parking brake is not engaged:  
Additional information beginning on  
page 86  
Red: stop immediately  
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-  
ing further, be sure to comply with the  
instructions on pages 122 and 135.  
Battery charge current ●  
The battery is no longer being  
charged. Indicates a defective  
CBC, ABS, DSC and  
ADB-X/DBC indicator and warn-  
ing lamps for Canadian models.  
alternator drive belt or a problem with  
the alternator's charge circuit. Please  
contact the nearest BMW center.  
Brake warning lamp for Cana-  
dian models.  
Flat Tire Monitor ●  
In addition, an acoustic signal is  
sounded: there is a flat tire.  
Reduce speed and carefully come to a  
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-  
ing maneuvers.  
If the drive belt is defective, stop  
and switch off the engine immedi-  
ately to prevent overheating and seri-  
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is  
defective, increased steering effort is  
also required.<  
Red: an important reminder  
Brake warning lamp ●  
Comes on when the parking  
brake is engaged – an additional  
acoustic signal sounds when starting  
off. For additional information: refer to  
page 65  
For additional information: refer to  
page 91  
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Indicator and warning lamps  
19  
Brake warning lamp for Cana-  
dian models.  
Dynamic Stability Control  
(DSC) ●  
Indicator lamp flashes:  
Yellow: check as soon as possible  
Engine oil level  
If the lamp comes on during  
normal vehicle operation: the  
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-  
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible.  
Do not drive more than approx.  
For additional information: refer to  
page 132  
The system is actively regulating drive  
torque and braking force.  
The indicator lamp stays lit:  
DSC has been switched off with the  
button; DTC is operational.  
Please contact the nearest BMW center  
in case of a malfunction.  
Additional information beginning on  
page 86  
Please fasten safety belts ●  
Comes on together with an  
acoustic signal until the safety  
belts are fastened.  
For additional information on safety  
belts: refer to page 48  
Airbags ●  
Please have the system  
inspected at your BMW center.  
For additional information: refer to  
page 54  
Engine oil level  
Comes on after the engine has  
been switched off: add engine  
oil at the earliest opportunity – next time  
you stop to refuel.  
For additional information: refer to  
page 132  
325xi:  
DSC has been switched off manually or  
there is a system malfunction.  
ADB-X is operational. If the indidator  
lamp fails to go out when you press the  
DSC button again, this indicates a sys-  
tem malfunction affecting both DSC  
and ADB-X.  
Please consult the nearest BMW cen-  
ter.  
For additional information: refer to  
page 88  
Orange: consult the nearest BMW  
center  
Brake pads ●  
Automatic tranmission/sequen-  
tial manual gearbox  
Have the brake pads checked.  
For additional information: refer  
to page 122  
The respective transmission has  
responded to a malfunction by reverting  
to operation in its emergency default  
program. Please consult the nearest  
BMW center.  
Flat Tire Monitor ●  
The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-  
tioning or out of order. Please  
have the system inspected at your  
BMW center.  
For additional information: refer to  
pages 67, 71  
For additional information: refer to  
page 91  
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20 Indicator and warning lamps  
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)  
and brake warning lamp ●  
The indicator lamps remain on:  
DSC/DTC have been switched  
off with the button or are faulty.  
Please consult the nearest BMW  
center.  
page 86  
325xi:  
DSC and ADB-X system malfunction.  
There is no provision for switching off  
ADB-X.  
Please consult the nearest BMW cen-  
ter.  
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)  
warning lamp for Canadian  
models.  
Engine electronics ●  
There is a fault in the electronic  
engine-management system.  
You can continue to drive with reduced  
engine output or engine speed. Please  
have the system inspected at your  
BMW center.  
Add washer fluid  
The washer fluid level is too low.  
Top off the fluid at the earliest  
opportunity.  
page 132  
Add coolant  
The coolant level is too low. Add  
coolant at the earliest opportu-  
nity.  
For additional information: refer to  
page 134  
CHECK GAS CAP* ●  
This indicator lamp comes on  
when the gas cap is loose or  
missing.  
Close the gas cap tightly: refer to  
page 24  
Green: for your information  
DSC indicator and brake warn-  
ing lamps for Canadian models.  
Turn signal indicator  
Flashes when the turn signals  
are on.  
SERVICE ENGINE SOON ●  
If the indicator lamp comes on  
either continuously or intermit-  
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-  
sions-related electronic systems.  
Although the vehicle remains opera-  
tional, you should have the systems  
checked by your BMW center at the  
earliest possible opportunity.  
For additional information: refer to  
page 138  
Rapid flashing indicates a system mal-  
function.  
For additional information: refer to  
page 74  
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) ●  
Malfunction in DBC system.  
Conventional braking efficiency  
is available and unrestricted.  
Have the system repaired at your BMW  
center as soon as possible.  
Additional information beginning on  
page 121  
Cruise control  
Lights up when the cruise con-  
trol is activated: ready for oper-  
ation via the buttons in the steering  
wheel.  
For additional information: refer to  
page 77  
Service Engine Soon  
indicator lamp for Canadian  
models.  
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Indicator and warning lamps  
21  
Front fog lamps  
Lights up whenever you switch  
on the fog lamps.  
For additional information: refer to  
page 95  
Blue: for your information  
High beams  
Comes on when the high beams  
are on or the headlamp flasher  
is actuated.  
For additional information: refer to  
pages 74, 94  
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22 Buttons in steering wheel*  
These buttons let you operate the fol-  
lowing functions quickly and without  
being distracted from traffic conditions:  
Forward:  
Cruise control: store and accelerate +  
or decelerate and store –.  
>Radio  
>Selected radio functions  
>The cruise control  
>Selected telephone functions  
>The voice recognition system.  
Press briefly: next station in station  
memory  
Extended pressure: station search  
>CD  
Press briefly: jump to next track  
Extended pressure: search function  
in track  
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-  
tivate.  
The controls are active only when  
the corresponding systems and  
accessories are switched on.<  
>Cassette  
Press briefly: jump to next track or  
stop fast forward  
Press briefly:  
Extended pressure: fast forward  
>Phone  
Scan personal phone book.  
Receive a phone call, initiate dialing,  
terminate a call.  
Extended pressure:  
Switch voice recognition on and off.  
Rewind/reverse: same functions as for-  
ward.  
Switch between phone, radio, cassette  
and CD.  
Volume.  
Cruise control: select a stored setting.  
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Hazard warning triangle*  
First-aid kit*  
23  
The warning triangle is located on the  
left side of the cargo area behind the  
cover panel.  
The first-aid kit is located under the  
passenger seat.  
To open: pull the handle and fold the  
cover down.  
To open: press the button and remove  
the cover.  
To close: fold the cover up and press it  
until the tab engages.  
Always observe all legal regula-  
tions requiring a warning triangle  
to be carried in the vehicle.<  
Some of the articles in the first-aid  
kit have a limited period of use  
before expiration. For this reason,  
check the expiration dates of each of  
the items regularly and replace any  
whose expiration dates have passed.  
You can purchase replacements in any  
drugstore or pharmacy.  
Always observe all legal regulations  
requiring a first-aid kit to be carried in  
the vehicle.<  
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24 Refueling  
Always observe all safety precau-  
tions posted at the service station  
when handling fuel. Never carry spare  
fuel containers in your vehicle. Whether  
empty or full, these containers can leak,  
cause an explosion, or lead to fire in the  
event of a collision.<  
Fuel filler door  
Simple and environmentally  
friendly  
Always switch off the engine  
before refueling, as it is not possi-  
ble to add fuel with the engine running,  
and attempts may also trigger the  
SERVICE ENGINE SOON lamp.<  
Open the gas cap carefully to pre-  
vent fuel from spraying out. Fuel  
spray may cause injury.<  
Keep the gas cap in the bracket  
attached to the fuel filler door.  
Press on the rear edge of the fuel filler  
door to open and close it.  
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle  
completely into the filler pipe. Lifting the  
nozzle during refueling  
If an electrical malfunction occurs, you  
can unlock the fuel filler door manually:  
1. Release the side trim on the right-  
hand sidewall of the cargo area  
2. Pull the knob with the fuel pump  
symbol.  
>results in premature pump shutoff  
>and will reduce the effectiveness of  
the vapor recovery system on the  
pump.  
The fuel tank is full when the filler noz-  
zle shuts off the first time.  
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Refueling  
Fuel specifications  
Tire inflation pressure  
25  
Close the gas cap carefully after  
The engine uses lead-free gasoline  
only.  
refueling until a click is heard.  
While closing, be sure not to squeeze  
the strap which is fastened to the cap.  
A loose or missing cap will activate the  
CHECK GAS CAP* lamp.<  
Required fuel:  
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,  
min. 91 AKI.  
AKI = Anti Knock Index  
Fuel tank capacity  
Never use leaded fuel, as it would  
cause permanent and irreversible  
damage to the oxygen sensor and the  
catalytic converter.<  
>Approx. 16.6 gal./63 liters, of which  
>approx. 2.1 gal./8 liters are reserve  
capacity.  
Do not drive to the last drop of  
fuel. This can prevent the engine  
from operating properly and result in  
damage.<  
Checking tire pressures  
Tire pressures in psi/kilopascal are  
shown on the driver's door post and are  
visible when the door is open.  
Only check the tire inflation pressures  
of cold tires. This means after driving a  
maximum of 1.25 miles/2 km or after  
the vehicle has been parked for at least  
2 hours. Warm tires have higher infla-  
tion pressures.  
In the following tire inflation pressure  
table, all pressures are specified in the  
standard units of pressure, psi and kilo-  
pascal, and apply to cold tires, i.e. tires  
at ambient temperature.  
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26 Tire inflation pressure  
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor:  
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that  
not only meet US standards, but also  
European standards. We recommend  
the exclusive use of BMW approved  
tires.  
After correcting the inflation pressures,  
reinitialize the system. Refer to  
page 91.  
Check the tire pressures on a reg-  
ular basis – at least twice a month  
– and before every extended journey. If  
this is not done, incorrect tire pressures  
can cause driving instability and tire  
damage, ultimately resulting in acci-  
dents.  
Remember to check the inflation pres-  
sure in the space-saver or standard  
spare tire, refer to page 147.  
Inflate the spare tire to the highest infla-  
tion pressure specified for your vehi-  
cle.<  
Comply with tire approval  
specifications  
The inflation pressures in the table  
apply to BMW approved tire sizes and  
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center  
can provide you with more information  
about these. Other pressures may be  
required for tires made by other manu-  
facturers.  
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Tire inflation pressure  
27  
BMW  
Tires  
All pressure specifications in the table are  
indicated in psi/kilopascal with cold tires  
cold = ambient temperature  
325i  
325xi  
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S  
205/55 R 16 91 H  
32/220  
38/260  
38/260  
45/310  
225/50 R 16 92 W – not 325xi  
225/45 R 17 91 W  
225/45 ZR 17  
245/40 ZR 17  
32/220  
38/260  
38/260  
45/310  
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load  
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load  
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S  
35/240  
41/280  
41/280  
48/330  
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S – not 325xi  
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load  
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S  
Space-saver spare tire in cargo area  
61/420  
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28  
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29  
Overview  
Controls and features  
Operation, maintenance  
Owner service procedures  
Technical data  
Index  
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Opening and closing  
30 Keys  
Central locking system  
2 Spare key – for storage in a safe  
place, such as in your wallet. This key  
is not intended for constant use. The  
glove compartment cannot be locked  
and unlocked with this key – which is  
useful for valet parking, for example  
The concept  
The central locking system is ready for  
operation whenever the driver's door is  
closed. The system simultaneously  
engages and releases the locks on the  
>doors  
>tailgate and rear window  
>fuel filler door.  
The central locking system can be  
operated  
>from outside via the remote control  
as well as via the driver's door lock  
>from inside by pressing a button.  
The key set  
1 Master keys with remote control unit  
– these keys determine the functions  
of the Key Memory. Refer to page 61.  
You can mark the individual keys for  
subsequent identification by apply-  
ing the colored decals that you  
received when accepting delivery of  
your vehicle  
The fuel filler door is not locked when  
the central locking system is activated  
from the inside, refer to page 35. When  
the system is actuated from the out-  
side, the anti-theft system is also acti-  
vated. This prevents the doors from  
being unlocked via the lock buttons or  
the release handle. The alarm system is  
also activated or deactivated.  
In every master key there is an  
extended-life battery that is  
charged automatically in the ignition  
lock as you drive.  
For this reason, if you have master keys  
that are not being used, you should use  
those keys at least once a year while  
driving for an extended period to  
charge the battery, refer also to  
page 31.<  
If locked from the inside, the central  
locking system unlocks automatically in  
the event of an accident, except on  
doors that have been locked individu-  
ally using the lock buttons, refer to  
page 35. In addition, the hazard warn-  
ing flashers and interior lamps come on.  
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Opening and closing – via the remote control  
31  
If it is no longer possible to lock  
The concept  
the vehicle via the remote control,  
the battery is discharged. Use this key  
while driving for an extended period in  
order to recharge the battery. To pre-  
vent unauthorized use of the remote  
control, surrender only the spare key  
when leaving the vehicle for valet park-  
ing, for example.  
In the event of a system malfunction,  
please contact your BMW center. You  
can also obtain replacement keys  
there.<  
The remote control also provides two  
additional functions beyond the central  
locking feature:  
>To switch on interior lamps, refer to  
page 32.  
With this function you can also  
search for the vehicle when parked in  
an underground garage, for instance  
>Opening the rear window, refer to  
page 32.  
The rear window will open slightly,  
regardless of whether it was previ-  
ously locked or unlocked.  
1 Unlock, convenience opening mode,  
and disarm alarm system  
2 Lock and secure, arm alarm system,  
activate interior lamps, disarm tilt  
alarm sensor and interior motion sen-  
sor  
Whenever you unlock or lock the vehi-  
cle, you simultaneously deactivate/acti-  
vate the anti-theft system, disarm/arm  
the alarm system and switch the interior  
lamps on/off.  
3 Open the rear window,  
Panic mode – trigger alarm  
You can have a signal set to con-  
firm that the vehicle's locks have  
engaged securely.<  
To release  
Master keys with remote control  
Press the button once to unlock the  
driver's door.  
Persons or animals inside the  
vehicle may be able to lock the  
doors from the inside. For this reason,  
always take the vehicle keys with you  
so that the vehicle can be opened again  
from the outside at any time.<  
Press the button a second time to  
unlock all vehicle locks.  
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32 Opening and closing – via the remote control  
Convenience opening mode  
To open the rear window  
External systems  
The remote control system's operation  
may be affected by other units or  
equipment operating in the immediate  
vicinity of your vehicle.  
Press and hold button: to open the  
electric power windows and glass sun-  
roof.  
Press button.  
the rear window opens slightly. It can  
now be tilted up.  
If this should occur, you can still open  
and close the vehicle using the master  
key in the door lock.  
To lock and secure  
If the vehicle is locked, the rear  
window will be locked again after  
it is closed.  
Before and after a trip, be sure that the  
rear window has not been opened unin-  
tentionally.<  
For US owners only  
Press button.  
The transmitter and receiver units com-  
ply with part 15 of the FCC/Federal  
Communications Commission regula-  
tions. Operation is governed by the fol-  
lowing:  
To switch on the interior lamps  
If you prefer, the tailgate will open  
instead of the rear window.<  
After locking the vehicle, press button  
again.  
FCC ID:  
>LX8EWS  
>LX8FZVS  
>LX8FZVE.  
Panic mode – trigger alarm  
To deactivate the tilt alarm* and  
interior motion sensors*  
By pressing the button for more than  
2 seconds, the alarm system can be  
triggered in the event of danger, if it is  
armed.  
Compliance statement:  
This device complies with part 15 of the  
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the  
following two conditions:  
Press button a second time immedi-  
ately after locking.  
To switch of the alarm:  
>This device may not cause harmful  
interference, and  
For additional information, refer to  
page 39.  
>this device must accept any interfer-  
ence received, including interference  
that may cause undesired operation.  
Press button.  
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Opening and closing – via the remote control  
33  
Any unauthorized modifications to  
these devices could void the  
user's authority to operate the equip-  
ment.<  
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34 Opening and closing – via the door lock  
Whenever closing the windows or  
sliding/tilt sunroof you should  
always monitor their path and progress  
to ensure that no one is injured. Releas-  
ing the key stops the operation.<  
Manual operation  
In the event of electrical malfunction  
Turn the key all the way to the left or  
right to unlock or lock the driver's door.  
One turn of the key in the driver's door  
lock unlocks the driver's door only.  
Turning the key a second time unlocks  
all of the remaining doors, the tailgate  
and the fuel filler door.  
You can have a signal set to con-  
firm that the vehicle's locks have  
engaged securely.<  
Convenience operation  
You can also operate the power win-  
dows and the glass sunroof via the door  
lock.  
>To open: with the door closed, hold  
the key in the Unlock position  
>To close: with the door closed, hold  
the key in the Lock position.  
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Opening and closing – from the inside  
Tailgate  
35  
To unlock and open the doors  
1. Press the button for the central lock-  
ing system  
2. Pull the release handle above the  
armrest on the door you wish to open  
or  
pull the release handle for any door  
twice: to unlock and open the door.  
To lock  
>Either use the central locking button  
to lock all doors at once or  
You can use this button to operate the  
central locking system when the front  
doors are closed. With this button, only  
the doors, the tailgate and rear window  
are unlocked or locked. The anti-theft  
system is not activated.  
To open from the outside  
>press the individual door lock buttons  
down. To prevent the driver from  
being inadvertently locked out of the  
vehicle, the driver's door lock button  
will not engage as long as the door is  
open.  
To avoid damage, check to ensure  
that you have adequate clearance  
before opening the tailgate.<  
Press the button in the handle recess:  
the tailgate opens slightly.  
If only the driver's door was  
unlocked from the outside and  
you press the button, then, with the  
driver's door still open, the passenger-  
side door, the tailgate and the fuel filler  
door will unlock, too.  
The cargo area is illuminated when the  
tailgate is open.  
Persons or animals inside the  
vehicle may be able to lock the  
doors from the inside. For this reason,  
always take the vehicle's keys with you  
so that you can open the vehicle again  
from the outside at any time.<  
If the driver's door is closed, it will be  
locked.<  
If you desire, the central locking  
system can be activated automati-  
cally as soon as you begin to drive. This  
can be adjusted to be key-specific.<  
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36 Tailgate  
Rear window  
Manual operation  
To open from the inside*  
To close  
>Fold rear center armrest or rear back- If the tailgate has not been locked sep- The handle recesses in the interior trim  
rest forward  
arately, you can open it with this button panel of the tailgate make it easier to  
in the footwell on the driver's side when pull the tailgate down.  
the vehicle is stationary.  
>Remove cover 1 – this operation is  
easy to carry out with the aid of the  
ignition key  
Both before starting off and after  
>Press the lever – see arrow – to the  
right.  
completing every journey, check  
to ensure that neither the rear window  
nor the tailgate has been opened inad-  
vertently.<  
The tailgate is locked again as soon as  
you close the lid.  
To avoid injuries, be sure that the  
travel path of the tailgate is clear  
when it is closed, following the same  
precautions as with all closing proce-  
dures.<  
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Rear window  
Cargo area  
37  
Always drive with both the tailgate  
and the rear window securely  
closed, as exhaust gases might other-  
wise be drawn into the interior of the  
vehicle.<  
Should it be absolutely necessary to  
operate the vehicle with the tailgate or  
the rear window open:  
1. Close all windows and the glass sun-  
roof  
2. Greatly increase the quantity of air  
coming from the air conditioning or  
automatic climate control system,  
refer to page 96 or 100.  
To open from the outside  
Small items can be loaded or unloaded Use the retaining straps on the cargo  
quickly if the rear window is opened  
separately.  
Luggage straps  
area floor to secure smaller items of  
luggage.  
Press button – see arrow: the rear win- Movement is reduced when objects are  
dow opens slightly. It can now be tilted placed on the straps.  
up.  
To secure your luggage, use the lug-  
Opening with the remote control, refer  
to page 32.  
gage compartment nets* or flexible  
straps that you can attach to the fittings  
at the inner corners of the cargo area.  
Push the window down to close it.  
Refer also to Cargo loading on  
If pointed or sharp-edged objects page 113.  
could strike the rear window while  
For additional details in the cargo area  
driving, be sure to provide protection  
around all edges. If you do not do this,  
the heating conductors of the rear win-  
dow could be damaged.<  
and for the cargo area cover, please  
refer to Cargo area beginning on  
page 111.  
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38 Alarm system*  
You can have different acknowl-  
edgment signals set to confirm  
arming and disarming.<  
The concept  
The vehicle alarm system responds:  
>When a door, the hood, the tailgate  
or the rear window is opened  
>To movement inside the vehicle –  
interior motion sensor  
>To variations in the vehicle's tilt angle  
such as those occurring during  
attempts to steal the wheels or tow  
the vehicle  
You can also open the rear window  
when the system is armed by pressing  
the remote control button, refer to  
page 32. The window is once again  
secured when it is closed.  
>To interruption of battery voltage.  
Extended pressure on the button sets  
off the alarm – Panic mode, refer to  
page 32.  
The system responds to unauthorized  
vehicle entry and attempted theft by  
simultaneously activating the following:  
Indicator lamp displays  
>The indicator lamp below the interior  
rearview mirror flashes continuously:  
The system is armed  
>Sounding an acoustic alarm for  
30 seconds  
>The indicator lamp flashes while the  
system is armed: a door, the hood,  
the tailgate or rear window is not  
completely closed. Even if you do not  
close the alerted area(s), the remain-  
ing areas are secured, and the indi-  
cator lamp will flash continuously  
after 10 seconds. However, the inte-  
rior motion sensor is not activated  
>The indicator lamp goes out when the  
system is disarmed: no manipulation  
or attempted intrusions have been  
detected in the period since the sys-  
tem was armed  
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-  
vated for approx. five minutes  
>Flashing the high beams on and off in  
rhythm with the hazard warning flash-  
ers.  
To arm and disarm the alarm  
system  
When the vehicle is locked or unlocked  
via the driver's door lock or with the  
remote control, the alarm system is also  
simultaneously armed or disarmed.  
>The indicator lamp flashes for  
10 seconds when the system is dis-  
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Alarm system*  
39  
armed: an attempted entry has been  
detected in the period since the sys-  
tem was armed.  
Interior motion sensor  
In order for the interior motion sensor to  
function properly, the windows and the  
glass sunroof must be completely  
closed.  
Following triggering of an alarm, the  
indicator lamp will flash continuously.  
Nevertheless, you should deactivate  
the interior motion sensor, refer to  
Avoiding unintentional alarms  
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion Avoiding unintentional alarms, if  
sensor may be switched off at the same  
time. You can do this to prevent a false  
alarm from being triggered in garages  
with elevator ramps, for instance, or  
>persons or animals are left in the  
vehicle  
>the windows or the glass sunroof are  
being left open.  
when the vehicle is transported by train:  
The system deactivates the tilt-  
alarm sensor and the interior  
Lock the vehicle twice to arm the sys-  
tem. Press the button on the remote  
control twice in succession or lock the  
vehicle twice with the key.  
motion sensor if the convenience clos-  
ing of windows and the glass sunroof is  
interrupted in the first 10 seconds and  
then restarted. The alarm must then be  
disarmed and reactivated before it will  
resume operation.<  
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and  
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm  
sensor and the interior motion sensor  
are deactivated as long as the system is  
armed.  
You can have the tilt alarm sensor  
and the interior motion sensor  
permanently deactivated.<  
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40 Electric power windows  
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-  
sure point: the windows move auto-  
matically. Pressing the switch again  
stops the opening cycle.  
Despite this safety feature, be  
extremely careful to ensure that  
the closing path of the window is not  
obstructed. Some types of objects  
might fail to trigger the contact strip in  
some situations – very thin objects, for  
instance.  
You can override this safety feature by  
pressing the switch beyond the resis-  
tance point and holding it.<  
You can close the windows in the same  
manner by pulling the switch.  
If your vehicle is equipped with optional  
electric power windows in the rear*  
separate switches will be located below  
the windows.  
For convenience operation via the door  
lock, refer to page 34.  
To open and close windows  
When leaving the vehicle, always  
remove the ignition key from the  
lock and remember to close the doors  
to prevent persons or animals from  
operating the power windows and injur-  
ing themselves, etc.<  
Safety feature  
The front windows are each equipped  
with contact strips located in the upper  
window frames. If pressure is exerted  
against this contact strip while a win-  
dow is being raised, the system will  
respond by stopping the window and  
then retracting it a small distance.  
After the ignition has been switched off:  
You can still operate the electric power  
windows for up to 15 minutes, as long  
as no one opens either of the front  
doors.  
With the ignition key in position 1 or  
higher  
>Press the switch until you feel resis-  
tance: the window retracts as long as  
you maintain pressure on the switch  
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Electric power windows  
Glass sunroof, electric* 41  
To prevent injuries, exercise care  
when closing the glass sunroof  
and keep it in your field of vision until it  
is shut.  
When leaving the vehicle, always  
remove the ignition key from the lock  
and remember to close the doors to  
prevent persons or animals from oper-  
ating the sunroof and injuring them-  
selves, etc.<  
Safety switch  
With the safety switch, you can prevent  
the rear windows from being opened or  
closed via the switches in the rear pas-  
senger area, for example by children.  
Press the safety switch whenever  
persons or animals are riding in  
the rear of the vehicle. Careless use of  
the power windows can lead to injury.<  
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42 Glass sunroof, electric*  
For convenience operation via the door >when it is closing from a point  
lock, refer to page 32 or 34.  
roughly past the middle of its travel,  
the closing cycle is interrupted and the  
glass sunroof will open again slightly.  
Raising the glass sunroof  
With the ignition key in position 1 or  
higher: tap the switch.  
Despite this safety feature, be  
extremely careful that the travel  
path of the sunroof is not obstructed  
whenever it is closed. Remember that  
the safety mechanism may not be able  
to detect obstructions under all circum-  
stances – with very thin objects, for  
instance.  
Tapping the switch again stops the  
motion immediately.  
If you briefly press the switch in the  
raise direction while the sunroof is  
open, the sunroof will rise to its upper-  
most position.  
Opening and closing  
With the ignition key in position 1 or  
higher  
After the ignition has been switched off:  
You can still operate the sunroof for up  
to 15 minutes, as long as no one opens  
either of the front doors.  
You can disable this safety feature by  
pressing the switch beyond the pres-  
sure point and holding it.<  
>Slide the switch until you feel resis-  
tance: the sunroof opens and closes  
as long as you hold the switch  
>Slide the switch briefly past the pres-  
sure point: the sunroof moves auto-  
matically.  
The headliner insert slides back some-  
what when you raise the sunroof.  
Do not use force to close the  
headliner insert with the sunroof in  
its raised position, as damage to the  
mechanism could result.<  
Tapping the switch again stops the  
motion immediately.  
The headliner insert retracts with the  
sunroof while it is opening.  
Safety feature  
After the ignition has been switched off:  
You can still operate the sunroof for up  
to 15 minutes, as long as no one opens  
either of the front doors.  
If the glass sunroof encounters resis-  
tance  
>when it is closing from the raised  
position  
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Glass sunroof, electric*  
43  
Manual operation  
In the event of an electrical malfunction,  
you can also operate the glass sunroof  
manually  
1. Remove the interior lamp, then reach  
into the exposed opening and press  
out the cover  
2. Use the Allen key from the onboard  
tool kit, refer to page 142, to turn the  
glass sunroof in the desired direc-  
tion.  
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To adjust  
44 Safe seating position  
For driving that is relaxed and less likely For airbag locations and additional  
Never allow more than one person  
to wear a single safety belt. Never  
allow infants or small children to ride in  
a passenger's lap. Avoid twisting the  
belt while routing it firmly across the  
hips and shoulder, wear it as snugly  
against your body as possible. Do not  
allow the belt to rest against hard or  
fragile objects. Do not route the belt  
across your neck, or run it across sharp  
edges. Be sure that the belt does not  
become caught or jammed. Avoid  
wearing loose or bulky clothing. You  
should remember to retension the lap  
belt periodically by pulling the shoulder  
strap to take up any slack in the mecha-  
nism. In the event of a frontal impact, a  
loose lap belt could slide over your  
hips, leading to abdominal injury. In  
addition, the safety belt's restraint  
effectiveness is reduced if the belt is  
worn loosely. Expectant mothers  
should always wear their safety belts,  
taking care to position the lap belt  
against the lower hips, where it will not  
exert pressure against the abdominal  
area.<  
to cause fatigue, you should select a  
sitting position that reflects your per-  
sonal requirements. In combination  
with the safety belts and airbags, the  
correct seating position also plays an  
important role in enhancing occupant  
safety in the event of an accident. To  
ensure that the vehicle's safety systems  
provide you with optimal protection, we  
request that you direct your careful  
attention to the following section.  
information on airbags, refer to  
page 54.  
Sitting safely with safety belts  
Your vehicle offers five sitting positions,  
each of which is provided with a safety  
belt.  
ing children refer to page 57.  
Sitting safely with airbags  
Always maintain an adequate dis-  
tance between yourself and the  
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel  
by the rim to keep any chance of injury  
to hands or arms to an absolute mini-  
mum should the airbag be deployed.  
Never allow any objects, individuals or  
animals to obstruct the areas between  
passengers and airbags. Never use the  
front airbag's cover as a storage tray or  
support for objects of any kind. Never  
allow front passengers to rest their feet  
or legs on the airbag cover.<  
For information on using the safety  
belts, refer to page 48.  
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Seats  
Manual seat adjustment  
45  
When adjusting your seat, always  
observe the following precautions  
Never try to adjust your seat while  
operating the vehicle. The seat  
could respond with unexpected move-  
ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle  
control could lead to an accident. Never  
ride with the backrest reclined to an  
extreme horizontal angle. This is espe-  
cially important for front passengers to  
remember. Keep the backrest relatively  
upright to minimize the risk of sliding  
under the safety belt and sustaining  
injury in an accident.<  
Seat adjustment  
3 Backrest angle  
Pull the lever and apply weight to or  
remove weight from the backrest as  
required  
1 Backward/forward adjustment  
Pull the lever and slide the seat to the  
desired position.  
Seat adjustment  
After you release the lever, move the  
seat forward or backward slightly so  
that it engages fully  
>Manual seat adjustment, refer to  
page 45  
>Power seat adjustment, refer to  
page 47  
2 Cushion height  
>Head restraint, refer to page 48.  
Pull the lever and apply weight to or  
remove weight from the seat as  
required  
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46 Manual seat adjustment  
BMW sport seat* adjustment  
You can also adjust the tilt angle and  
the thigh support:  
1 To raise:  
Pull the lever repeatedly, continuing  
until the seat is at the desired tilt  
angle  
2 To lower:  
Push the lever repeatedly, continuing  
until the seat is at the desired tilt  
angle  
3 Thigh support:  
Pull the lever and adjust the position  
of the thigh support for your personal  
comfort  
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Power seat adjustment*  
Lumbar support*  
47  
Seat adjustment  
1 Tilt angle  
To adjust  
You can adjust the backrest's contour  
for additional support in the curvature  
of your spine's lumbar region.  
2 Backward/forward adjustment  
3 Cushion height  
The upper hips and spinal column  
receive supplementary support to help  
you maintain a relaxed, upright posture.  
4 Backrest angle  
The head restraint is adjusted manually,  
refer to page 48.  
>Press front/rear of switch:  
increase/decrease curvature  
>Press the upper/lower end of the  
switch: increase the upper/lower cur-  
vature.  
The thigh support and the head  
restraint are adjusted manually, refer to  
pages 46, 48.  
Please refer to the adjustment  
instructions on page 45 to reduce  
the risk of personal injury.<  
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48 Head restraints  
Safety belts  
2. Press button – see arrow 1 – and  
remove the head restraint.  
Installation – front  
Slide the head restraint into its guides.  
To adjust  
Always wear your safety belt  
To adjust height: pull the head restraint  
up or push it down.  
Always fasten your safety belt before  
starting off. As supplemental restraint  
devices, the airbags are designed to  
enhance the effectiveness of the safety  
belts, and not to replace them.  
Press button – see arrow 1 – to  
retract to the lowest position.<  
To adjust tilt angle of front head  
restraints: tilt them to the desired angle.  
To close  
Make sure you hear the lock engage in  
the belt buckle.  
You can reduce the risk of spinal  
injury and whiplash by adjusting  
the head restraint to a height at which it  
is centered roughly at ear level.<  
To release  
1. Press the red button in the buckle  
2. Hold the belt  
3. Guide belt into its inertia reel.  
Removal – front  
1. Pull the head restraint up to the end  
of its travel  
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Safety belts  
49  
The rear belt buckle with the word  
CENTER is intended exclusively  
for the passenger sitting in the mid-  
dle.<  
Adjusting safety belt height  
Use the height adjustment mechanism  
to adapt the shoulder strap to the ideal  
level for your own body:  
>Slide the button up or down.  
Please refer to the seat adjustment  
instructions on page 44.  
If the safety belt system has been  
subjected to the stresses involved  
in an accident or otherwise damaged:  
have the entire safety belt mechanism  
replaced by your BMW center, includ-  
ing the safety belt tensioner. In addi-  
tion, have your BMW center inspect the  
safety belt anchors. If a child-restraint  
system was in the vehicle during an  
accident, consult the manufacturer's  
instructions regarding replacement.<  
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50 Seat and mirror memory*  
Before activating the programmed  
adjustment feature, ensure that  
To select a stored setting  
Do not select a memory position  
while the vehicle is moving. If you  
do so, there is a risk of accident from  
unexpected seat movement.<  
the footwell behind the driver's seat is  
empty and unobstructed. If you fail to  
do so, persons, animals or objects  
could be injured or damaged if the seat  
should move backward.<  
Ignition key in position 1:  
>Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,  
as desired. Movement stops immedi-  
ately when one of the seat-adjust-  
ment or memory buttons is activated  
during the adjustment process.  
You can store as many as three differ-  
ent driver's seat and mirror adjustment  
settings into the system for later selec-  
tion.  
The driver's door is closed and the igni-  
tion key is either removed or in position  
0 or 2:  
>Maintain pressure on the desired  
memory button – 1, 2 or 3 – until the  
adjustment process is completed.  
Memory will not retain the adjust-  
ment made to the lumbar sup-  
port.<  
If you press the MEMORY button acci-  
dentally: press the button again; the  
indicator lamp goes out.  
To store  
1. In ignition key position 1 or 2  
2. Adjust the seat and door mirrors to  
the desired position  
3. Press the MEMORY button: indica-  
tor lamp in the button comes on  
4. Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as  
desired: indicator lamp goes out.  
Your BMW center can adjust your  
vehicle's systems in such a man-  
ner that your personalized settings are  
automatically set for the seat and exte-  
rior mirror positions when you unlock  
the vehicle with your personal remote  
control.<  
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Seat and mirror memory*  
Seat heating*  
51  
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt  
function  
Automatic curb monitor*  
The seat cushion and backrest can be  
heated with the ignition key in  
position 2.  
You can call up different heating modes  
by repeatedly pressing the button.  
1. Set the mirror selection switch 1 to  
the driver's door mirror position  
2. When shifting into Reverse or placing  
the selector lever in position R, the  
passenger-side mirror tilts down-  
ward to help the driver monitor the  
area directly adjacent to the vehicle  
during parking – curbs, etc.  
You can also switch the higher heating  
modes off directly:  
Press the button and hold it slightly  
longer.  
How far the passenger mirror tilts  
can be set individually for each  
ignition key.<  
You can deactivate this automatic fea-  
ture by setting the mirror selection  
switch to the passenger side position.  
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52 Steering wheel  
Mirrors  
The mirror on the passenger's  
side features a lens with a more  
convex surface than the mirror installed  
on the driver's side. When estimating  
the distance between yourself and  
other traffic, bear in mind that the  
objects reflected in the mirror are closer  
than they appear. This means that esti-  
mations of the distance to following  
traffic should not be regarded as pre-  
cise.<  
Electric defrosting*  
To adjust  
To adjust exterior mirrors  
Both mirrors are automatically heated  
when you turn the ignition key to  
position 2.  
Never attempt to adjust the steer- 1 Switch for 4-way adjustment  
ing wheel while driving the vehicle  
– it could respond with unexpected  
between mirrors  
2 Selection switch for changing  
movement, posing a potential accident  
hazard.<  
To adjust manually  
You can also adjust the mirrors manu-  
1. Fold down the detent lever  
ally:  
2. Adjust steering column reach and  
Press against the edges of the lens.  
height for your selected seating posi-  
tion  
3. Fold the detent lever back up to  
engage the lock.  
For storing mirror settings, refer to Seat  
and mirror memory on page 50.  
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Mirrors  
53  
ror. Refrain from attaching stickers or  
other objects to the windshield in the  
area immediately behind the rearview  
mirror.  
Interior rearview mirror  
Interior rearview mirror with  
automatic dimming feature*  
To reduce glare from vehicles behind  
you when you are driving at night, tilt  
the mirror by turning the knob.  
This mirror automatically responds to  
ambient light and headlamp glare from  
following vehicles by dimming through  
an infinitely variable range and auto-  
matically reverts to its clear, undimmed  
setting whenever you shift into Reverse  
or move the selector lever into  
Vehicles not equipped with an alarm  
system:  
Fold the small lever forward.  
position R.  
To ensure that the mirror continues to  
operate efficiently, ensure that the area  
adjacent to the photocells remains  
clean and unobstructed. One photocell  
is integrated within the mirror's lens –  
see arrow – while the other is located at  
an offset position on the rear of the mir-  
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Passenger safety systems  
54 Airbags  
For information on the correct sitting  
posture, refer to page 44.  
Do not apply adhesive materials to  
the cover panels of the airbags,  
cover them or modify them in any other  
way. Do not remove the airbag restraint  
system. In the event of a malfunction,  
deactivation or triggered activation – as  
The side airbags in the rear pas-  
senger area* of your vehicle may  
already have been deactivated by a  
BMW center. You may have them acti- a response to an accident – of the air-  
vated if you desire to do so. Please bag restraint system, consult your BMW  
contact your BMW center for additional center for inspection, repair or disas-  
information.<  
sembly. Do not modify or tamper with  
either the wiring or the individual com-  
ponents in the airbag system. These  
The airbags do not deploy in  
response to minor collisions, rear include the upholstered covers on the  
1 Front airbags on the driver and pas-  
senger sides  
impacts and certain kinds of vehicle  
steering wheel, instrument panel, side  
trim panels of the doors and front roof  
pillars and on the sides of the headliner.  
Also, do not attempt to remove the  
steering wheel. Unprofessional  
rollover.<  
2 Head airbags for driver and front pas-  
senger  
3 Side airbags on the driver and pas-  
senger sides – front and rear*  
attempts to service the system could  
lead to failure in an emergency or  
undesired airbag activation, either of  
which could result in personal injury. Do  
not touch the individual components  
immediately after the system has been  
activated, as this could result in per-  
sonal injury.<  
Protective effect  
The front airbags supplement the three-  
point safety belts by providing addi-  
tional protection in the event of a  
severe frontal collision in which the pro-  
tection afforded by the belts alone may  
no longer be sufficient. The head and  
side airbags help provide protection in  
the event of a collision from the side.  
The respective side airbag helps sup-  
port the seat occupant's upper body.  
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Airbags  
55  
At all times, occupants should sit  
deactivated, please contact your BMW  
upright and be properly restrained center.<  
– infants and small children in appropri-  
ate child-restraint systems; larger chil-  
dren and adults using the safety belts.  
Even when all these guidelines are fol-  
lowed, there is still a small residual risk  
Never let an occupant's head rest near of injuries to the face, hands and arms  
or on a side airbag because the inflating occurring from airbag deployment in  
airbag could cause a serious or fatal  
injury. Please note that the word Airbag  
imprinted on the door trim panel indi-  
cates the airbag's location.  
isolated instances.  
In sensitive individuals, the ignition and  
inflation noise may induce a mild hear-  
ing loss that is temporary in most  
cases.  
Accident research shows that the saf-  
est place for children in an automobile  
is in the rear seat. However, a child sit-  
ting in the rear seat and not properly  
restrained may place his or her head on  
or near the airbag, if so equipped. For  
example, a child — even though belted  
in — may fall asleep with his or her head  
against the side airbag. It may be diffi-  
cult for a driver to ensure that children  
in the rear seat will remain properly  
positioned at all times and not place  
their heads on or near the side airbag.  
Therefore, we recommend that the rear  
seat side airbags, if installed in the  
vehicle, be deactivated if children will  
travel in the rear seat.  
This is the right way a child should sit in  
a child-restraint when rear side airbags  
are provided.  
Corresponding airbag warning labels  
are found on both sun visors.  
The rear seat side airbags may already  
have been deactivated by a BMW cen-  
ter. If you are uncertain of their status,  
or wish to have the airbags activated or  
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56 Airbags  
If there is a system malfunction, there is  
a risk that the airbags will not be trig-  
gered within their normal response  
range, even if the level of impact would  
normally have triggered them.  
Have your BMW center inspect the air-  
bag system immediately.  
This is the right way a larger child  
should sit wearing the seat belt when  
rear side airbags are provided.  
Indicator lamp  
The indicator lamp indicates the  
operational status of the airbag  
system with the ignition key in  
position 1 or higher.  
System operational:  
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly  
when you turn the ignition key to  
position 1 or higher.  
System malfunction:  
>The indicator lamp does not come on  
or  
>the indicator lamp lights up continu-  
ously.  
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Transporting children safely  
57  
Commercially available child-restraint  
systems are designed to be secured  
with a lap belt or with the lap belt por-  
tion of a combination lap/shoulder belt.  
Improperly or inadequately installed  
restraint systems can increase the risk  
of injury to children. Always read and  
follow the instructions that come with  
the system.  
Correct location for installing  
In your BMW, all seats equipped with a  
three-point safety belt – except for the  
driver's seat – are suitable for installing  
universal child-restraint systems of all  
age classes and which have been  
Child-restraint system with  
tether strap  
If you use a child-restraint system with  
a tether strap, three additional tether  
anchorage points have been provided.  
Depending on the location selected for  
seating in the rear passenger area,  
attach the tether strap to the corre-  
sponding anchorage point to secure the  
child-restraint system, as shown in the  
illustration.  
approved for the age group in question.  
To gain access to this anchor fitting lift  
the plastic plug with the help of a  
screwdriver.  
If the respective seating position is fit-  
ted with a head restraint lift the head  
restraint and pass the tether strap  
between the head restraint and the seat  
back.  
It is recommended to readjust the head  
restraint in the lowest possible position.  
Adjust the tether strap according to the  
child-restraint manufacturer's instruc-  
tions.  
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58 Transporting children safely  
Before installing any child-  
restraint device or child seat,  
please read the following:  
Never install a rearward-facing child-  
restraint system in the front passenger  
seat of this vehicle.  
that has first been properly secured  
with a safety belt.  
Never install a rearward-facing child-  
restraint system in the front passenger  
seat.  
We strongly urge you to carefully read  
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag and comply with the instructions for  
supplemental restraint system for the installation and use provided by the  
front passenger. Because the backrest child-restraint's manufacturer whenever  
on any rearward-facing child-restraint  
system – of the kind designed for  
infants under 1 year and 20 lbs/9 kg –  
would be within the airbag's deploy-  
ment range, you should never mount  
such a device in the front passenger  
seat, since the impact of the airbag  
against the child-restraint's backrest  
could lead to serious or fatal injuries.  
If it is necessary for a child – not an  
you use such a device. Do not attempt  
to modify child-restraint systems. If you  
do this, the protection provided by  
these systems could be impaired.  
Be sure that all occupants – of all ages –  
remain properly and securely restrained  
at all times.<  
Securing child-restraint system  
All of the rear belt retractors and the  
front passenger's safety belt can be  
locked for mounting and securing child-  
restraint systems.  
All rear seating positions in your vehicle  
meet the recommendations of  
A label with the appropriate instructions  
for this is located in the immediate  
infant – to ride in the front seat, certain SAEJ1819, an industry-recommended  
precautions should be taken. First,  
move the passenger seat as far away  
from the instrument panel as possible.  
This important precaution is intended to  
maximize the distance between the air-  
bag and the child. Older children  
should be tightly secured with a safety  
belt after they have outgrown a booster  
seat that is appropriate for their age,  
height, and weight. Younger children  
should be secured in an appropriate  
forward-facing child-restraint system  
practice for securing child-restraint sys- vicinity of the buckle latch of each  
tems in motor vehicles.  
safety belt.  
To lock the safety belt  
Extract the entire length of the belt from  
the inertia reel mechanism. Allow the  
reel to retract the belt somewhat and  
engage the buckle, then tighten the belt  
against the child-restraint system. The  
retraction mechanism is now locked.  
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Transporting children safely  
59  
The belt cannot be extracted further.  
Always observe the installation instruc-  
tions provided by the manufacturer of  
the child-restraint system.  
To unlock the safety belt  
Release the safety belt, remove the  
child seat and retract the safety belt to  
its end position on the belt retractor.  
LATCH child-restraint mounting  
system  
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tethers for  
CHildren  
The illustration is an example showing  
the anchorages for a LATCH child seat  
system on the right rear seat.  
The anchorages for the LATCH child  
seat system are concealed behind plas-  
tic covers that reclose when the LATCH  
child seat is removed.  
The left and right rear seats are both  
equipped with a LATCH child-restraint  
mounting system.  
Canadian models only:  
Always follow all manufacturer's  
instructions and observe all safety  
precautions when installing the LATCH  
child-restraint mounting system.<  
The LATCH anchorage points are iden-  
tified by buttons.  
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60 Transporting children safely  
Child safety locks  
Slide down the safety lever on the rear  
door:  
The door can now be opened from the  
outside only.  
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61  
>Activates/deactivates the 'Follow me  
home' function, refer to page 93  
>Activates/deactivates daytime driv-  
ing lamps, refer to page 93  
>Sets the units of measure for display-  
ing time, outside temperature, dis-  
tance traveled and fuel consumption  
in the instrument cluster  
>When you shift into Reverse, an  
acoustic signal indicates that PDC  
has been activated, refer to page 85  
>Switches on rear window defroster  
automatically, to pages 98, 103  
>Activates/deactivates various alarm  
system functions, refer to page 39  
>After giving an ice warning, the  
the previous setting, to page 83.  
How the system functions  
No doubt you have often reflected on  
how great it would be if you could per-  
manently configure your vehicle's vari-  
ous features and adjustments to mirror  
your own personal preferences. In engi-  
neering your vehicle, BMW has  
included a number of options for stor-  
ing personal adjustment data. These  
ter.  
The available configuration data fall into  
Distinguishing between keys  
two categories, according to whether  
their primary orientation is the vehicle –  
Vehicle Memory – or the individual –  
son has a separate remote-control key,  
you can have your BMW center enter  
basic adjustment data for up to four  
individuals in the system.  
Color-coded decals have been pro-  
vided to help you distinguish the differ-  
center. Here are just a few examples:  
>Locks the vehicle automatically after  
starting off, refer to page 35  
>Unlocks the driver's door first, then  
the vehicle's remaining locks, refer to  
page 35  
>Opens the tailgate instead of the rear  
window with the remote control, refer  
to page 32  
The system relies on a bilateral data  
exchange to identify the individual user  
and executes the selected settings  
whenever the remote control unit is  
used to disengage the locks.  
You will see this symbol through-  
out the Owner's Manual. It is to  
remind you at appropriate places of the  
settings that are available to you.<  
>Automatically adjusts the driver's  
seat to the personal programmed  
settings when the vehicle is  
unlocked, refer to page 50  
Examples for Vehicle Memory:  
>Various signals as acknowledgment  
when locking or unlocking your vehi-  
cle, refer to pages 31, 34  
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62 Vehicle Memory, Key Memory  
>Determines how far the passenger  
mirror will tilt, refer to Automatic curb  
monitor, page 51.  
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Driving  
Ignition lock  
Starting the engine  
63  
Vehicles with manual transmis-  
sion:  
Step on the clutch when starting the  
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine  
from starting if the clutch is not  
depressed.<  
Do not allow the engine to warm  
up by leaving it running while the  
vehicle remains stationary. Instead,  
drive off immediately at a moderate  
engine speed.<  
Do not allow the engine to run in  
enclosed spaces. Otherwise,  
breathing the exhaust fumes can lead  
to unconsciousness and death. The  
exhaust gases contain carbon monox-  
ide, an odorless and colorless, but  
highly toxic gas. Do not leave the vehi-  
cle unattended with the engine running.  
An unattended vehicle with a running  
engine represents a safety hazard.  
When driving, standing at idle or park-  
ing the vehicle, take care to avoid con-  
tact between the hot exhaust system  
and flammable materials – grass, hay,  
leaves, etc. Such contact could lead to  
a fire, resulting in serious personal  
injury and property damage.<  
Steering locked  
The key can only be inserted and  
removed in this position.  
After removing the key, turn the steer-  
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until  
the lock engages.  
Ignition key positions  
0 Steering locked  
If the key is not removed, an acoustic  
signal is sounded after the driver's door  
has been opened.  
1 Steering unlocked  
2 Ignition switched on  
3 Starting engine  
Steering unlocked  
You will find that it is often easier to turn  
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-  
tion 1 when you move the steering  
wheel slightly to help disengage the  
lock.  
Vehicles with automatic transmis-  
sion:  
Do not move the selector lever from  
position P until the engine is running,  
ignition key position 2.  
Start the engine. Do not press the  
accelerator pedal.  
Your vehicle is equipped with an inter-  
lock. Therefore, the ignition key cannot  
be turned to position 0 or removed until  
the selector lever is in position P.<  
Individual electrical accessories are  
ready for operation.  
Do not actuate the starter for too  
short a time, but do not actuate it  
for more than approx. 20 seconds.  
Release the ignition key immediately  
when the engine starts.<  
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64 Starting the engine  
If the engine does not start on the first  
attempt – if it is very hot or cold, for  
instance:  
To prevent the battery from discharg-  
ing, always deactivate electrical  
devices that are not in use. Switch the  
ignition off when the vehicle is not  
being driven.  
2. Place the selector lever in neutral  
position N  
3. Start the engine.  
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway  
down while engaging the starter.  
If the engine does not start, reen-  
gage the gear last selected, refer  
to the gear indicator in the display, and  
move the selector lever into neutral  
position N again.  
The gearbox is automatically taken out  
of gear if the driver's door is opened  
while the engine is running and the  
driver does not actuate the pedals, the  
shift paddles or the selector lever. This  
is accompanied by a warning tone and  
the flashing gear indicator. The gear  
display N appears in the instrument  
cluster.<  
Cold start at very low temperatures of  
under approx. +57/–156at high alti-  
tudes of over 3,300 ft/1,000 m:  
Manual transmission  
1. Engage the parking brake  
2. Gearshift lever in idling position  
3. Start the engine.  
>On the first start attempt, it may be  
necessary to engage the starter for a  
longer period, but no longer than  
20 seconds  
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway  
down while engaging the starter.  
Automatic transmission  
1. Depress footbrake  
2. Place the selector lever in position P  
or N  
3. Start the engine.  
Extended starting attempts, char-  
acterized by excessively frequent  
or long periods with the starter  
engaged, can damage the catalytic  
converter.<  
To prevent the vehicle from start-  
ing off on its own, always move  
the selector lever to position P and  
engage the parking brake before leav-  
ing your vehicle with the engine run-  
ning.  
Do not leave the vehicle unattended  
with the engine running. An unattended  
vehicle with a running engine repre-  
sents a safety hazard.<  
Before exiting the vehicle with the  
engine running, move the selector  
lever into position N and apply the park-  
ing brake.  
Do not leave the vehicle unattended  
with the engine running. An unattended  
vehicle with a running engine repre-  
sents a safety hazard.<  
Engine idle speed is controlled by the  
engine computer system. Increased  
speeds at start-up are normal and  
should decrease as the engine warms  
up. If engine speed does not decrease,  
service is required.  
Sequential manual gearbox SMG  
1. Depress footbrake  
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Switching off the engine  
Parking brake  
65  
You should never remove the igni- The warning stops after approx.  
tion key when the vehicle is in  
motion, as the steering lock could  
engage.  
9 seconds.  
When you leave the vehicle, always  
remove the ignition key and engage the  
steering lock.  
Always engage the parking brake when  
parking on downhill roads. Engaging a  
gear may not sufficiently secure the  
vehicle against rolling.<  
Manual transmission  
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.  
The parking brake is designed primarily  
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when  
it is parked. It operates against the rear  
wheels.  
Automatic transmission  
Move the selector lever into position P,  
and turn the ignition key to position 1 or  
0.  
To engage  
The detent engages automatically, and  
the indicator lamp in the instrument  
cluster comes on when the ignition key  
is in position 2, refer to page 18.  
SMG gearbox  
If you turn the ignition key to position 1  
or 0 with the selector lever in position  
R, or in sequential mode, a gear auto-  
matically remains engaged.  
To release  
Pull up slightly on the lever, press the  
button and lower the lever.  
If you turn the ignition key to position 1  
or 0 with the selector lever in neutral  
position N, a warning tone and the  
flashing gear indicator in the display  
remind you that no gear is engaged to  
secure the vehicle against rolling.  
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66 Parking brake  
Manual transmission  
If exceptional circumstances  
Do not hold the vehicle in place on  
slopes by slipping or 'riding' the  
clutch. Use the parking brake instead.  
Riding the clutch leads to severe and  
premature clutch wear.<  
make it necessary to engage the  
parking brake while the vehicle is in  
motion, do not pull it with excessive  
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed  
against the release button while care-  
fully pulling the lever up.  
Excessive pressure can lead to over-  
braking and loss of traction – fishtailing  
– at the rear axle.  
The brake lamps do not come on when  
the parking brake is engaged.  
Vehicles with manual or SMG gearbox:  
Engage the parking brake when parking  
on downhill roads, since engaging a  
gear may not provide adequate resis-  
tance to rolling, not even in first or  
reverse gear.  
6-speed transmission*  
When changing gear in the 5th/6th gear  
plane, be sure to press the gearshift  
lever to the right to prevent inadvert-  
ently shifting to a gear of the 3rd/4th  
gear plane.  
Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
place the selector lever in P.<  
Reverse  
To avoid corrosion and one-sided  
braking, apply the parking brake  
lightly from time to time when coasting  
to a standstill – at a traffic signal, for  
example – provided that it is safe to do  
so.<  
Select only when the vehicle is station-  
ary. Press the shift lever to the left to  
overcome the resistance.  
As you do this, the backup lamps will  
light up automatically when the ignition  
key is in position 2.  
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Sequential manual gearbox SMG*  
67  
The gearbox is automatically  
placed in neutral gear if the  
driver's door is opened while the engine  
is running and the driver does not actu-  
ate the pedals, the shift paddles or the  
selector lever.  
This is accompanied by an acoustic  
signal and the flashing gear indicator.  
The gear display N appears in the  
instrument cluster.  
The concept  
The sequential manual gearbox SMG is  
an automated manual gearbox with  
which clutching and shifting is assumed  
by an electro-hydraulic system.  
The SMG is operated via the selector  
lever in the center console and two shift  
paddles on the steering wheel.  
It offers the following functions:  
A driving position can only be engaged  
when the driver's door is closed.  
When the vehicle is unlocked, a buzzer  
in the area of the transmission indicates  
that the system is ready for operation.<  
>Sequential mode: manual mode  
>Drive mode: automatic operation  
>Ability to choose between two differ-  
ent driving programs: Standard,  
Sport  
>Operating safety through protection  
against misshifting  
>Automatic upshifts and downshifts in  
the drive mode  
>Automatic downshifts at minimum  
engine rpm  
>Kickdown function in the drive mode.  
>Acceleration assistant, refer to  
page 70.  
Selector lever positions  
The current selector lever position is  
indicated by a light-emitting diode in  
the center console.  
Shiftlock  
R: Reverse  
N: Neutral  
When the car is at a standstill, a safety  
function requires you to depress the  
brake pedal if you want to move the  
selector lever from the neutral  
Position for forward driving with one-  
touch functions:  
position N to a driving position.  
Sequential mode  
+: manual upshifts  
—: manual downshifts  
D: drive mode.  
Driving precautions  
Use enough acceleration to pull  
away speedily when moving off on  
an uphill gradient. Never try to prevent  
the car from rolling back on an uphill  
gradient by depressing the accelerator  
pedal; always apply the handbrake.  
Otherwise you could overheat the SMG  
gearbox.<  
The SMG is ready for operation in igni-  
tion key position 2.  
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68 Sequential manual gearbox SMG*  
To switch back to sequential mode: tap  
R Reverse  
Select only when the vehicle is station-  
ary.  
the selector lever again to the right  
toward D or change the current gear via  
the shift paddles or the selector lever.  
N Neutral  
Kickdown  
You can achieve maximum acceleration  
using kickdown.  
Always engage before starting the  
engine, refer to Starting the engine on  
page 64.  
Depress the accelerator pedal past the  
increased resistance point at the full-  
throttle position.  
Sequential mode  
Each time the engine is started, the  
sequential mode is activated as soon as  
you move the selector lever into the for-  
ward driving position while the brake is  
depressed.  
Shifting gears  
With selector lever:  
>To upshift, tap the selector lever  
toward +  
>To downshift, tap the lever toward —.  
The gears are shifted via the shift pad-  
dles or the selector lever.  
With shift paddles on steering wheel:  
It is also possible to drive off in second  
gear, e.g. on snow-covered roads.  
>To upshift, pull one of the shift pad-  
dles  
>To downshift, push the paddle.  
D Drive mode  
You accelerate from higher gears, e.g.  
during passing, by manually downshift-  
ing.  
In the drive mode all forward gears are  
shifted automatically.  
To switch from sequential to drive  
mode: tap the selector lever to the right  
toward D.  
In the following situations, the SMG in  
the sequential mode assists you:  
>The transmission will only execute  
upshifts and downshifts that will  
result in an appropriate combination  
of vehicle speed and engine rpm. For  
For rapid acceleration, e.g. during  
passing, depress the accelerator pedal  
completely: kickdown.  
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Sequential manual gearbox SMG*  
69  
instance, downshifts that would  
result in excessive engine speed can-  
not be executed  
For information on jump-starting and  
towing the vehicle, refer to page 153.  
>When you brake the car to a stop, the  
transmission automatically shifts  
down to first gear  
>As speed diminishes, the transmis-  
sion will shift down automatically,  
without any action on your part, just  
before the vehicle slows to below  
each gear's minimum speed.  
Warning tone  
An acoustic signal sounds if the SMG  
gearbox overheats; if possible you  
should either stop or increase your pull-  
away speed so that the system can  
cool down.  
Available displays  
R N 1 2 3 4 5 6  
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6  
The currently engaged gear, the  
selected mode, and any malfunctions  
are displayed in the instrument cluster.  
Indicator lamp  
If the indicator lamp comes on,  
there is a malfunction in the  
transmission system.  
All selector lever positions can still be  
engaged, but in the forward driving  
positions only certain gears are actually  
available when the vehicle is driven.  
Avoid extreme loads and proceed to  
the nearest BMW center.  
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70 Sequential manual gearbox SMG*  
1. Activate the Sport program  
2. Press and hold the DSC button, refer  
to page 86, for more than three sec-  
onds  
3. Quickly press the accelerator pedal  
down fully: kickdown. The optimum  
rpm for driving off will be adjusted.  
To maintain vehicle stability,  
always drive with the DSC acti-  
vated whenever possible.<  
Sport program  
You can choose between two driving  
programs: smoothly dynamic or Sport.  
With the Sport program, gearshifts are  
faster in sequential mode and the shift  
points are adapted in drive mode.  
To activate the Sport program: press  
the SPORT button. The LED in the but-  
ton lights up.  
Acceleration assistant  
The acceleration assistant permits opti-  
mum racing-style acceleration on roads  
with good grip.  
Do not use the acceleration assis-  
tant frequently as this could other-  
wise cause premature wear of the com-  
ponents.<  
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Automatic transmission with Steptronic*  
71  
While the vehicle is stationary and  
before shifting out of Park or Neu-  
tral, depress the footbrake in order to  
disengage the selector lever's lock  
mechanism – Shiftlock.<  
You can drive as with a normal auto-  
matic transmission. In addition, you can  
also shift manually.  
When you move the selector lever from  
the D position to the left into the M/S  
range, the performance-oriented shift  
programs of the automatic transmission  
are engaged. Steptronic enters the  
manual selection mode and executes  
the desired shift whenever you tap the  
selector lever in the direction indicated  
by + or –. Whenever you want to use  
Hold the footbrake down until  
starting off. The vehicle will other-  
wise 'creep' when a drive position is  
engaged. To prevent the vehicle from  
starting off on its own, always move the  
selector lever to position P and engage  
the parking brake before leaving your  
vehicle with the engine running.  
Do not leave the vehicle unattended  
with the engine running. An unattended  
vehicle with a running engine repre-  
sents a safety hazard.<  
automatic again, just move the selector  
lever toward the right to position D.  
Under normal operating conditions, fuel  
consumption is lowest when driving in  
position D.  
Selector lever positions  
P R N D M/S + –  
Starting the engine  
The engine can only be started in selec-  
tor lever positions P – for Park – or N –  
for Neutral.  
P Park  
Select only when the vehicle is station-  
ary. Transmission locks to prevent rear  
wheels from turning.  
Range selection  
A catch prevents inadvertent movement  
of the selector lever to positions R and  
P. To deactivate the catch, press the  
button on the front of the selector lever  
knob, see arrow.  
R Reverse  
Select only when the vehicle is station-  
ary.  
N Neutral  
Select only when stopping for an  
extended period.  
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72 Automatic transmission with Steptronic*  
The transmission will only execute  
upshifts and downshifts that will result  
in an appropriate combination of vehi-  
cle speed and engine rpm. For  
instance, downshifts that would result  
in excessive engine speed are not exe-  
cuted. The desired, then the actual  
gear, briefly appear in the instrument  
cluster.  
D Drive – automatic shift program  
This position is designed for driving  
under all normal operating conditions.  
All forward gears are available.  
Kickdown  
In the kickdown mode, you achieve  
maximum acceleration and top speed  
in position D.  
To accelerate quickly in the man-  
ual mode for maneuvers such as  
passing another vehicle, shift down  
manually or employ the kickdown  
mode.<  
Depress the accelerator pedal past the  
increased resistance point at the full-  
throttle position.  
M/S manual operation and Sport  
program  
Move the selector lever from D to M/S  
to activate the Sport program; SD  
appears in the display panel. The M/S  
mode is recommended for perfor-  
mance-oriented driving.  
Shifting from M/S to the selector lever  
positions P, R and N is possible only by  
going through D.  
Once in the M/S mode, you can tap the  
selector lever to switch the automatic  
transmission from the Sport program to  
its manual mode.  
This mode allows you to execute  
upshifts manually by tapping the lever  
toward +, while downshifts are selected  
by tapping in the – direction. The dis-  
plays M1 through M5 appear in the dis-  
play panel to indicate your current gear  
selection.  
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Automatic transmission with Steptronic*  
73  
If the indicator lamp does not go out,  
positions. However, the vehicle will now  
only operate in 3rd and 4th gear.  
If this happens, avoid extreme engine  
loads and consult the nearest autho-  
rized BMW center.  
Never work in the engine com-  
partment when a drive gear – for-  
ward or reverse – is engaged. If you do  
this, the vehicle could move.<  
Available displays  
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5  
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the  
information beginning on page 153.  
Electronic transmission control  
module  
If the indicator lamp comes on,  
there is a malfunction in the  
transmission system.  
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the  
transmission selector lever to P. Set the  
parking brake and turn the engine off –  
ignition key to position 0.  
Wait a few seconds, then start the  
engine.  
If the indicator lamp goes out after a  
few seconds, normal transmission per-  
formance has been restored. You may  
continue to drive as usual.  
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74 Turn signal indicator/Headlamp flasher  
1 High beams – blue indicator lamp  
2 Headlamp flasher – blue indicator  
lamp  
3 Turn signal indicator – green indicator  
lamps accompanied by a periodic  
clicking sound from the relay  
To signal briefly  
Press the lever up to but not beyond  
the resistance point. It then returns to  
the center position when released.  
If the flashing indicator lamp and  
the clicking from the relay are  
both faster than normal, one of the turn  
signal indicators has failed.<  
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Washer/wiper system/Rain sensor*  
75  
Rain sensor  
Fast wiper speed  
The rain sensor is positioned on the  
windshield, directly behind the interior  
rearview mirror.  
When the vehicle is stationary, the wip-  
ers revert to operation at normal speed  
– not on vehicles with rain sensor.  
To activate the rain sensor:  
>With the ignition key in position 1 or  
higher, move the lever to position 1.  
The wipers will make at least one  
sweep across the windshield.  
You can leave the lever permanently  
in position 1. With the ignition key in  
position 1 or higher, all you then need  
to do to activate the rain sensor is  
>briefly turn the rotary dial 5, or  
>clean the windshield 1, refer to  
page 76.  
0 Wipers retracted  
1 Intermittent operation or rain sensor  
2 Normal wiper speed  
3 Fast wiper speed  
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain sen-  
sor: turn rotary dial 5.  
4 Brief wipe  
5 Rotary dial for control of the wipe  
interval or the sensitivity of the rain  
sensor  
To deactivate the rain sensor: put lever  
in position 0.  
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-  
matic car washes. Failure to do so  
could result in damage caused by  
undesired wiper activation.<  
Intermittent mode  
Not on vehicles with rain sensor.  
You can set the wipe interval at four  
stages with rotary dial 5.  
Normal wiper speed  
In addition, the wipe interval is varied  
automatically depending on road  
speed.  
When the vehicle is stationary, the wip-  
ers switch automatically to intermittent  
wipe – not on vehicles with rain sensor.  
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76 Washer/wiper system/Rain sensor*  
The system sprays washer fluid against  
Windshield washer nozzles  
the windshield and activates the wipers  
for a brief period. When the vehicle's  
lighting system is switched on, the  
headlamps will also be cleaned at rea-  
sonable intervals.  
The windshield washer nozzles are  
heated automatically* when the ignition  
key is in position 2.  
Rear window wiper  
Rear window wiper in intermittent  
mode. When reverse gear is engaged,  
continuous operation is switched on  
automatically.  
Cleaning windshield and  
headlamps*  
0 Wipers retracted  
You can also program the interval:  
>Briefly move the wiper lever from  
position 0 to position 2  
>The period that elapses until the wip-  
ers again start to move – from  
position 0 to 2 – is the programmed  
interval for intermittent operation –  
max. 30 seconds.  
1 Clean windshield and headlamps  
2 Rear window wiper intermittent mode  
3 Clean the rear window  
Do not use the washers if there is  
any danger that the fluid will  
freeze on the windshield, as your vision  
could be obscured. Always use a wind-  
shield washer antifreeze in cold  
weather. Refer to page 132.  
Do not use the washers when the reser-  
voir is empty. This could cause damage  
to the washer pump.<  
Cleaning the rear window  
The system sprays washer fluid onto  
the rear window.  
To change the wiper blades refer to  
page 142.  
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Cruise control*  
77  
Starting at about 20 mph / 30 km/h, you The speed stored in memory is deleted. Press and hold button –:  
can maintain and store any vehicle  
With the cruise control active, the sys-  
tem automatically reduces the throttle  
opening to slow the vehicle. When you  
release the button, the system stores  
and maintains the current speed.  
speed that you specify.  
To store and maintain speed or to  
accelerate  
The cruise control is operational when-  
ever the engine is running and the sys-  
tem has been activated.  
Press button + briefly:  
To activate the system  
To interrupt the cruise control  
The system stores and maintains the  
current vehicle speed. Every time you  
tap the button, the speed increases by  
approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h.  
In ignition key position 2: press the but-  
ton in the steering wheel. The indicator  
lamp in the instrument cluster comes  
on, refer to page 20. You can now use  
the cruise control.  
When the system is activated, press the  
button. The indicator lamp stays on.  
You can use the cruise control again  
whenever you want by calling up the  
speed that was stored last.  
Press and hold button +:  
The vehicle accelerates without pres-  
sure on the accelerator pedal. When  
you release the button, the system  
stores and maintains the current speed.  
In addition, cruise control is interrupted  
automatically:  
Do not use cruise control on twist-  
ing roads, when high traffic den-  
sity prevents driving at a constant  
speed, or when the road surface is slick  
– snow, rain, ice – or loose – rocks or  
gravel, sand.<  
>When the brakes are applied  
>When you apply pressure to the  
clutch pedal, or when you move the  
automatic transmission selector lever  
from D to N  
>If you exceed or fall below the preset  
speed for an extended period – by  
depressing the accelerator, for exam-  
ple.  
If on a downhill gradient the  
engine braking effect is not suffi-  
cient, the controlled speed can be  
exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill  
grades if the engine output is insuffi-  
cient.<  
To deactivate the system  
To decelerate  
Press button as often as you need to  
until the indicator lamp in the instru-  
ment cluster goes out.  
Press button – briefly:  
When cruise control is active, every tap  
of the button reduces the speed by  
approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h.  
Cruise control is also deactivated when  
the ignition key is in position 0.  
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78 Cruise control*  
To recall the stored setting  
Press button:  
The vehicle accelerates to and main-  
tains the last speed stored.  
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Everything under control  
Odometer  
Tachometer  
Energy control  
79  
1 Odometer  
Do not operate the engine with the nee- Indicates the current fuel consumption  
dle in the red overspeed zone of the  
gauge.  
in mpg – in liters/100 km on Canadian  
models. You can check your current  
2 Trip odometer  
driving style to see whether it is condu-  
cive to economy and minimum exhaust  
emissions.  
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is  
interrupted when you approach this  
sector.  
Odometer  
You can activate the displays shown in  
the illustration with the ignition key in  
position 0 by pressing the left button in  
the instrument cluster.  
When the vehicle is stationary, the dis-  
play goes to Maximum – zero on Cana-  
dian models.  
Trip odometer  
To reset the trip odometer to zero,  
press the left button with the ignition  
key in position 1 or higher.  
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80 Fuel gauge  
Engine coolant temperature gauge  
To check coolant level, refer to  
page 134.  
Once the indicator lamp stays on con-  
tinuously, there are still approx.  
2 gallons/8 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.  
Blue  
The engine is still cold. Drive at moder-  
ate engine and vehicle speeds.  
Fuel tank capacity approx.  
16.6 gallons/63 liters  
Between the blue and red zones  
Certain operating conditions, such as  
those encountered in mountainous  
areas, may cause the needle to fluctu-  
ate slightly.  
Normal operating temperature. The  
needle may rise as far as the edge of  
the red sector in normal operation.  
Red  
Fill the fuel tank before it is com-  
pletely empty. Driving to the last  
drop of fuel can prevent the engine  
from operating properly and result in  
damage.<  
When you switch on the ignition, the  
warning lamp comes on briefly to con-  
firm that the system is operational.  
If the lamp comes on during normal  
vehicle operation: the engine has over-  
heated. Switch off the engine immedi-  
ately and allow it to cool down.  
When you switch on the ignition, the  
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an  
operation check.  
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Service interval display  
Check Control  
81  
A flashing message and a "–" in front of  
the number mean that the service inter-  
val has already been exceeded by the  
distance shown on the display. Please  
contact your BMW center for an  
appointment.  
Remaining distance to service  
When the ignition key is in position 2,  
the following information and/or condi-  
tions are indicated using symbols until  
the conditions have been corrected.  
The displays shown in the illustration  
appear for a few seconds when the  
ignition key is in position 1 or higher or  
after the engine is started.  
1 Check the low beams and high  
beams, as well as the parking lamps  
The next service due appears with the  
message OIL SERVICE or  
2 Door open  
INSPECTION, together with the dis-  
tance remaining in miles – in kilometers  
in Canada – before the next scheduled  
service.  
3 Tailgate open  
4 Check brake and tail lamps  
When you open the driver's door, after  
having turned the ignition key to posi-  
tion 0, you will hear an acoustic signal  
for a few seconds to remind you that  
the lamps have not been switched off.  
The computer bases its calculations of  
the remaining distance on the preced-  
ing driving style.  
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82 Clock  
If you wish to have a permanent time  
Every time you press the button, the  
clock display alternates between the  
12-hour or 24-hour mode.  
display, you can make this setting in the  
radio display, refer to the Owner's Man-  
ual for Radio.  
In ignition key position 0: the time is  
displayed for a few seconds after you  
press the left button, refer to Odometer  
on page 79.  
You can set the clock and the time dis-  
play in the car radio as follows.  
Setting  
Before the clock can be set, the  
time must be showing in the  
instrument cluster display.<  
With the ignition key in position 1 or  
higher  
To set ahead: turn the right button to  
the right.  
To set back: turn the right button to the  
left.  
The adjustment speed will increase the  
longer you continue to hold the right  
button.  
To change the display mode: press the  
right button briefly.  
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Computer*  
83  
After giving an ice warning, the  
display returns to the previous  
setting.<  
The ice warning does not alter the  
fact that surface ice can form at  
temperatures above 37.57/+36, on  
bridges or shaded road surfaces, for  
instance.<  
Mode selection  
Outside temperature  
With the ignition key in position 1 or  
You can change the units of measure  
higher, you can call up information from 6/7for the outside temperature dis-  
the computer using the button in the play by pressing the right-hand reset  
turn signal lever. By pressing the button button in the instrument cluster while  
briefly toward the steering column, you the temperature display is active. The  
can call up a new function for display.  
units of measure 6/7in the tempera-  
ture display of the automatic climate  
control change automatically, refer to  
page 100.  
The displays appear in the following  
order:  
Time of day, outside temperature, aver-  
age fuel consumption, cruising range,  
average vehicle speed.  
Ice warning  
If the outside temperature drops to  
about 37.57/+36, then the computer  
will automatically switch to a display of  
the outside temperature. In addition, a  
signal sounds as a warning and the dis-  
play flashes for a brief period.  
With the ignition key in position 1 or  
higher, the last active setting is dis-  
played.  
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84 Computer*  
It is important that you refuel when  
the cruising range falls below  
approx. 35 miles/50 kilometers. Other-  
wise, the engine cannot be guaranteed  
to operate properly and damage may  
result.<  
Average speed  
If you continue to hold the button on the  
turn signal lever, the average speed  
being displayed is recalculated from  
that point in time.  
Average fuel consumption  
Any time spent when the vehicle is sta-  
tionary and the engine is switched off is  
ignored for the calculation.  
If you continue to hold the button on the  
turn signal lever, the average fuel con-  
sumption last displayed is recalculated  
from that point in time.  
If you wish, you can have the aver-  
age fuel consumption displayed in  
a different unit of measure.<  
Range  
The computer bases its calculations for  
the cruising range on operating condi-  
tions in the preceding period and on the  
remaining fuel in the tank.  
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Technology for safety and driving convenience  
Park Distance Control (PDC)*  
85  
PDC does not remove the driver's  
personal responsibility for evaluat-  
ing the distance between the vehicle  
PDC is deactivated when you shift back  
out of reverse.  
The concept  
PDC assists you when you back into a  
parking space. Acoustic signals alert  
you to the momentary distance to an  
object behind your vehicle. The system  
features four ultrasonic sensors  
mounted in your rear bumper. The mon-  
itoring range for the two corner sensors  
extends outward roughly 2 ft/60 cm,  
while two centrally located sensors  
detect objects at distances of up to  
approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.  
You can have a signal set to con- and any objects. Even when sensors  
firm that the PDC has been acti-  
vated. The signal then sounds when  
you shift into Reverse or move the  
selector lever into the R position.<  
are involved, there is a blind spot in  
which objects cannot be detected. This  
applies especially in those cases where  
the system approaches the physical  
limits of ultrasonic measurement, as  
occurs with tow bars and trailer cou-  
plings, and in the vicinity of thin or  
wedge-shaped objects. Moreover, low  
objects that have already been  
detected – such as a curb edge – can  
disappear out of the detection range of  
the sensors before a continuous tone  
sounds.  
Acoustic signals  
The distance to the nearest object is  
indicated by a tone sounding at various  
intervals. As the distance between vehi-  
cle and object decreases, the intervals  
between the tones become shorter. A  
continuous tone indicates the pres-  
ence of an object less than 1 ft/30 cm  
PDC is a parking aid that can  
identify objects if they are  
approached slowly, as is generally the  
case when parking. Avoid driving  
Loud sources of sound from outside or  
inside the vehicle could drown out the  
PDC signal tone.<  
towards objects rapidly; due to underly- away.  
ing physical principles, the system may  
The warning signal is canceled after  
otherwise alert you too late for you to  
take evasive steps.<  
approx. three seconds if the distance to  
the object remains constant during this  
time – if you are moving parallel to  
a wall, for instance.  
Keep the sensors clean and free  
of ice or snow in order to ensure  
that they will continue to operate effec-  
tively.  
Do not apply high pressure spray to the  
sensors for a prolonged period of time.  
Always maintain a distance of more  
than 4 in/10 cm.<  
The system starts to operate automati-  
cally approx. one second after you shift  
into Reverse or move the selector lever  
into the R position with the ignition key  
in position 2.  
System malfunctions will be indicated  
by a continuous high-pitched tone  
when the system is activated the first  
time. Please refer the problem to your  
BMW center.  
Let this short period elapse before  
driving backwards.<  
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86 Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)  
The vehicle will remain completely  
The concept  
DSC maintains vehicle stability, even in  
critical driving situations.  
operational, however, without DSC. In  
the event of a fault, please consult your  
BMW center.  
DSC is operational every time you start  
the engine.  
Indicator and warning lamp for  
Canadian models.  
DSC incorporates the Dynamic Traction  
Control (DTC) and Cornering Brake  
Control (CBC) functions.  
For information on vehicles with all-  
wheel drive, refer to page 88 ff.  
Indicator lamps  
Deactivating the DSC/activating  
the DTC  
Press the DSC button briefly, the indi-  
cator lamp comes on and remains lit.  
The indicator lamp in the instru-  
ment cluster goes out shortly  
after you switch on the ignition,  
refer to page 19.  
DSC is deactivated; DTC is operational.  
>The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con-  
trols the drive and braking forces  
>The indicator lamp stays lit: DSC has  
been switched off with the button;  
DTC and DBC are operational. DTC  
control intervention is not indicated.  
In the following rare situations, it may  
prove useful to activate the DTC for a  
brief period:  
>When rocking the vehicle or starting  
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces  
>When driving on snow-covered  
grades, in deep snow, or on a snow-  
covered surface that has been  
The indicator lamp and the  
brake warning lamp continu-  
ously light up in yellow:  
packed down from being driven on  
>When driving with snow chains.  
The DSC, DTC and DBC have  
been switched off manually or  
there is a system malfunction.  
Traction is increased by deactivating  
the control systems that enhance trac-  
tion under normal conditions.  
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Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)  
87  
The laws of physics cannot be  
Deactivating the DSC and the  
DTC  
Hold the DSC button down for at least  
3 seconds. The indicator lamp and the  
yellow brake warning lamp will remain  
on continuously.  
repealed, even with DSC. It will  
always be the driver's responsibility to  
drive in a manner that matches road  
conditions. This is why you should not  
use the additional safety margin the  
system provides as an excuse to take  
risks.  
Whenever the DTC is activated, the  
DSC is switched off and performs minor  
stabilizing intervention.  
The systems for enhancing stability and  
traction are deactivated, and there is no  
active braking intervention or torque  
control.  
Do not make any modifications to the  
DSC system. Allow only authorized  
technicians to perform service proce-  
dures on the DSC.<  
To maintain vehicle stability,  
always drive with the DSC acti-  
vated whenever possible.<  
Reactivating the DSC  
Press the button again briefly; the indi-  
cator lamp or the indicator lamps will go  
out. DTC is deactivated.  
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88 Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) – 325xi  
The vehicle will remain completely  
The concept  
DSC maintains vehicle stability, even in  
critical driving situations.  
operational, however, without DSC. In  
the event of a fault, please consult your  
BMW center.  
DSC is operational every time you start  
the engine.  
DSC incorporates the Automatic Differ-  
ential Brake (ADB-X) and Cornering  
Brake Control (CBC) functions.  
Indicator lamps  
The indicator lamp in the instru-  
ment cluster goes out shortly  
after you switch on the ignition,  
refer to page 19.  
To deactivate DSC  
Press the DSC button; the indicator  
lamp comes on and remains lit.  
>The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con-  
trols the drive and braking forces  
>The indicator lamp stays lit: DSC has  
been switched off with the button;  
ADB-X is operational. ADB-X control  
intervention is not indicated.  
DSC is switched off, and ADB-X reverts  
to its maximum torque-transfer mode.  
In the following rare situations, it may  
be effective to deactivate the DSC for a  
brief period:  
>When rocking the vehicle or starting  
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces  
>When driving with snow chains.  
If the indicator lamp fails to go out  
when you press the DSC button  
again, this indicates a malfunction in  
the DSC and ADB-X systems; the sta-  
bility enhancement functions are no  
longer available.<  
To maintain vehicle stability,  
always drive with the DSC acti-  
vated whenever possible.<  
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Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) – 325xi  
89  
Reactivating the DSC  
Press the button again; the indicator  
lamp goes out.  
The laws of physics cannot be  
repealed, even with DSC. It will  
always be the driver's responsibility to  
drive in a manner that matches road  
conditions. This is why you should not  
use the additional safety margin the  
system provides as an excuse to take  
risks.  
The system does not intervene to  
enhance vehicle stability when  
switched off.  
Do not make any modifications to the  
DSC system. Allow only authorized  
technicians to perform service proce-  
dures on the DSC.<  
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90 Hill Descent Control (HDC)*  
The concept  
To use HDC  
By reducing the vehicle's speed on  
steep downhill stretches, HDC main-  
tains predictable vehicle handling  
response to provide you with control of  
your BMW during extreme descents.  
With manual transmission:  
You should always ensure that either  
reverse or first gear is engaged before  
using HDC, as the engine's braking  
effect is most pronounced in these  
gears, and only reduced engine braking  
is available in higher gears.  
The vehicle slows to a pace just slightly  
faster than walking speed.  
HDC is available for activation at vehi-  
cle speeds below approx. 22 mph /  
35 km/h. When driving down steep  
hills, the vehicle reduces speed auto-  
matically down to about double walking  
speed – approx. 7.5 mph / 12 km/h –  
and then maintains this speed at a con-  
stant.  
With automatic transmission: HDC is  
available for use in all ranges.  
System malfunctions  
To activate the system  
Signaled by the indicator lamp, which  
responds to problems by going out  
while HDC is in operation or by failing  
to come on when you activate the sys-  
tem:  
Press the HDC button; the green indi-  
cator lamp integrated within the button  
comes on.  
The indicator lamp flashes whenever  
the system is actively intervening to  
control your speed with automatic  
brake applications.  
You can use the accelerator or brakes  
to vary this speed within a range from  
approx. 3 mph / 5 km/h to approx.  
15 mph / 25 km/h.  
HDC is temporarily not available if  
brake temperature is too high.  
If the DSC indicator lamp comes  
on at the same time:  
In conjunction with the multifunction  
steering wheel you can use the +/–  
button to set the cruise control to a tar-  
get speed in the range from approx.  
3 mph / 5 km/h to approx. 15 mph /  
25 km/h.  
To deactivate the system  
Press the button again, the indicator  
lamp goes out.  
There is a fault in the HDC and  
DSC systems. Have your BMW center  
inspect this system as soon as possi-  
ble.  
HDC is automatically deactivated once  
the vehicle accelerates to more than  
37 mph / 60 km/h, as well as whenever  
you switch off the ignition.  
HDC is automatically deactivated once  
vehicle speed again exceeds approx.  
37 mph / 60 km/h.  
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Flat Tire Monitor*  
91  
The concept  
System limitations  
As you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor  
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot pro-  
vide you with advance warning of  
sudden and severe tire damage caused  
by external factors and does not detect  
keeps track of pressure levels in all four  
tires. The system alerts you whenever  
the inflation pressure of a tire falls sig-  
nificantly below the pressure of another the balanced and very gradual pressure  
tire.  
loss that takes place in all four tires  
over an extended period of time.<  
The system actually detects pressure  
loss by monitoring differences in the  
relative speeds of the four wheels. It  
interprets variations outside specified  
limits as severe pressure loss, and then  
responds by generating a warning.  
On the other hand, the following situa-  
tions can lead to a delayed detection of  
pressure loss and even to the system  
not functioning:  
Initializing the system  
>Driving on snow-covered or slippery  
roads  
>Performance-oriented driving: slip at  
the drive wheels, high levels of lateral  
acceleration  
>When driving with snow chains, false  
warnings and undetected pressure  
losses may occur  
>When driving with a space-saver  
spare tire, the Flat Tire Monitor can-  
not function.  
Each time you correct the pres-  
Functional requirements  
sure in a tire, or change a wheel or  
tire, reinitialize the system immediately  
afterwards. This requires a bit of driv-  
ing.<  
In order for the Flat Tire Monitor to learn  
the correct tire inflation pressure,  
please do the following:  
1. Check the tire inflation pressures in  
all tires  
2. Compare them with the tire inflation  
pressure table on page 26 and cor-  
rect them, if necessary  
1. Before driving off, start the engine  
but do not start driving  
2. Press the button as long as you need  
to until the yellow indicator lamp in  
the instrument cluster lights up for a  
few seconds  
3. Initialize the system.  
3. Drive off.  
It takes a few minutes before the Flat  
Tire Monitor can detect a flat tire and  
issue a warning.  
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92 Flat Tire Monitor*  
Brake force display  
When driving with snow chains or  
Because the sides of Run Flat  
The brake force display indicates to the  
a space-saver spare tire, do not  
tires are reinforced, a drop in infla- driver of the vehicle behind you how  
initialize the system.<  
tion pressure usually cannot be  
detected from the outside, refer to Run  
Flat tires, page 150.<  
hard you are braking your vehicle.  
The display has two levels:  
Flat tire  
>Normal braking: the brake lamps  
among the rear lamps and the center  
brake lamp light up  
>Hard braking or use of ABS: the tail  
lamps light up with the same bright-  
ness as the brake lamps and thereby  
intensify the visual effect of the brake  
lamps.  
The indicator lamp in the instru-  
ment cluster lights up red. This  
visual alert is accompanied by  
an acoustic warning signal.  
2. To continue driving, follow the  
instructions under Driving with a  
damaged tire on page 151.  
1. Carefully reduce speed and come to  
a stop. Avoid sudden braking and  
steering maneuvers  
System malfunction  
The indicator lamp in the instru-  
ment cluster lights up yellow.  
The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-  
tioning or out of order. Please refer the  
problem to your BMW center.  
2. Determine which wheel is damaged  
If this cannot be determined, con-  
tact your BMW center.<  
3. Replace the damaged wheel, refer to  
Changing a wheel on page 147.  
After replacing the damaged tire, initial-  
ize the system.  
Vehicles with Run Flat tires:  
1. Carefully reduce your speed to under  
50 mph / 80 km/h. Avoid strong  
braking and steering maneuvers. Do  
not exceed a speed of 50 mph /  
80 km/h.  
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Lamps  
Parking lamps/Low beams  
93  
Follow me home lamps  
Automatic headlight control*  
When you activate the headlamp  
When the switch is set to this  
position the system automati-  
cally activates and cancels the  
low beams in response to changes in  
flasher after parking the vehicle with the  
lamps turned off, the low-beam head-  
lamps will come on for a short time.  
ambient light – in tunnels, at dusk, etc. –  
and in the event of rain and snow.  
You can also have this function  
deactivated.<  
The vehicle's external lights  
remain on constantly when you  
switch on the front fog lamps after the  
headlights have come on automati-  
cally.<  
LIGHTS ON warning  
When you open the driver's door, after  
having turned the ignition key to posi-  
tion 0, you will hear an acoustic signal  
for a few seconds to remind you that  
the lamps have not been switched off.  
Parking lamps  
The front, rear and side vehicle  
lighting is switched on. You can  
use the parking lamps to signal  
the position of the vehicle when it is  
parked. For lighting on one side for  
parking as an additional feature, refer to  
page 94.  
Automatic headlight control can-  
not serve as a substitute for the  
driver's judgement in determining when  
the vehicle lights should be switched  
on. For example, the sensors are not  
able to detect fog. To avoid safety risks,  
you should respond to these kinds of  
low-visibility situations by switching the  
headlights on manually.<  
Daytime driving lamps*  
If you desire, the lamp switch can be  
left in the second position: when the  
ignition is switched off, the external  
lighting is also switched off.  
Low beams  
When the ignition is switched off  
while the low beams are on, the  
headlamps go out and only the  
parking lamps remain on.  
You can have the activation set-  
tings for the daytime driving lamps  
programmed on your vehicle.<  
You can have the sensitivity of  
your vehicle's automatic head-  
light control adjusted.<  
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94 Instrument lighting  
High beams/Standing lamps  
Turn the rotary dial to adjust the illumi- 1 High beams – blue indicator lamp  
nation intensity.  
2 Headlamp flasher – blue indicator  
lamp  
3 Standing lamps  
Standing lamps, left or right  
As an additional feature, you can illumi-  
nate your vehicle on either side for  
parking:  
In ignition key position 0, engage the  
lever in the appropriate turn-signal  
position.  
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Fog lamps*  
Interior lamps  
95  
Rear reading lamps  
Switch on and off with the button adja-  
cent to each lamp.  
In order to prevent battery dis-  
charge, all of the lamps in the  
vehicle are automatically switched off  
approx. 15 minutes after you turn the  
ignition key to position 0.<  
Light-emitting diodes  
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) installed  
behind translucent lenses serve as the  
light sources for many of the controls  
and displays in your vehicle. These  
light-emitting diodes are related to con-  
ventional lasers, and legislation defines  
them as light-emitting diodes, Class 1.  
Front fog lamps  
The interior lamps operate automati-  
cally.  
The green indicator lamp in the  
instrument cluster lights up to  
indicate that the front fog lamps  
To switch the interior lamps on  
and off manually  
Press button 1 briefly:  
are on.  
If the automatic headlight control  
is on, the low beams will come on  
automatically whenever you activate  
the front fog lamps.<  
If you want the interior lamps to remain  
off all the times, press and hold the but-  
ton for approx. 3 seconds.  
Do not remove the protective lens  
and avoid staring directly at the  
unfiltered beam for several hours, as  
inflammation of the retina could  
result.<  
Press the button briefly to revert to nor-  
mal operation.  
Front reading lamps*  
Switch on and off with the button 2  
adjacent to each lamp.  
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Controlling the climate for pleasant driving  
96 Air conditioning  
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Air conditioning  
97  
1 Air onto the windshield and the side  
windows  
2 Air for the upper body area 99  
3 Air to the footwell  
4 Air supply/Blower 98  
5 Temperature 98  
6 Air distribution 98  
7 Rear window defroster 98  
8 Air conditioning 98  
9 Outside air/Recirculated-air  
mode 98  
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98 Air conditioning  
Air supply/Blower  
Rear window defroster  
Outside air/Recirculated-air mode  
You can select blower speeds  
from 1 to 4. The heating and  
When the rear window defroster  
is activated, the indicator lamp  
You can respond to unpleasant  
external odors by temporarily  
ventilation become more and comes on. The rear window defroster  
more effective as the air sup- switches off automatically.  
ply settings are increased. In position 0,  
excluding the supply of outside air. The  
system then recirculates the air cur-  
rently within the vehicle.  
the blower and the heater are switched  
off. The outside air supply is blocked in  
position 0.  
You can have your vehicle pro-  
grammed in such a way that the  
rear window defroster switches on  
If the windows should fog over in  
the recirculated-air mode, switch  
automatically. This occurs within 5 min- this mode off and increase the air sup-  
utes after starting the engine when out- ply as required.<  
side temperatures are below approx.  
Temperature  
In order to increase the tem-  
perature of the passenger  
397/+46.<  
compartment, turn to the  
right, red. The temperature of  
the incoming air is kept constant.  
Air conditioning  
The air is cooled and dehumidi-  
fied and – depending on the  
temperature setting – rewarmed.  
Air distribution  
Depending on the weather, the wind-  
shield may fog over briefly when the  
engine is started. Switching on the air  
conditioning will reduce condensation  
forming on the windows.  
You can direct air to flow onto  
the windows  
upper body  
, toward your  
or into the  
footwell  
. All intermediate  
settings are possible. In the setting  
there is a low flow of air onto the win-  
dows to keep them free of condensa-  
tion.  
,
Condensation forms during opera-  
tion of the air conditioning system,  
which then exits under the vehicle. It is  
thus not unusual for a small puddle to  
form under the car while the system is  
running.<  
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Air conditioning  
99  
Microfilter  
The built-in microfilter removes dust  
and pollen from the incoming air. Your  
BMW center will replace it during regu-  
larly scheduled maintenance. A sub-  
stantial reduction in airflow indicates  
that the filter needs to be replaced  
before scheduled maintenance.  
Draft-free ventilation  
To defrost windows and remove  
condensation  
1. Set the blower speed control for the  
air supply to position 4  
2. Turn the rotary temperature control  
completely to the right – red  
3. Rotary control for air distribution to  
position  
4. Switch on the rear window defroster  
to defrost the rear window.  
You can adjust the blower controls for  
the upper body area to obtain the opti-  
mum airflow rates and directions for  
your personal requirements:  
1 Rotary dials for infinitely variable  
opening and closing of the vent out-  
lets  
2 Selector levers for airflow direction  
3 Rotary dial allows you to control the  
temperature of the airflow from these  
outlets as desired  
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100 Automatic climate control*  
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Automatic climate control*  
101  
1 Air onto the windshield and the side  
windows  
2 Air for the upper body area 103  
3 Air to the footwell 103  
4 Air inlet for interior temperature  
sensor – please keep clear and  
unobstructed  
5 Outside air/Automatic recirculated-  
air control (AUC)/Recirculated  
air 103  
6 Automatic air distribution 102  
7 Individual air distribution 102  
8 Temperature 102  
9 Display for temperature 102  
and air supply 102  
10 Air supply/Blower 102  
11 To defrost windows and remove  
condensation 102  
12 Air conditioning 102  
13 Rear window defroster 103  
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102 Automatic climate control*  
windows  
, and into the footwell  
switch the automatic distribution of air  
back on by selecting the AUTO button. heating and air conditioning are  
switched off. The outside air supply is  
, toward the upper body  
When the lowest blower speed is set  
and you press the lower button, all of  
the displays are canceled: the blower,  
Tips for pleasant driving  
. You can  
Use the automatic mode by pressing  
AUTO button 6. Select an interior tem-  
perature that is comfortable for you.  
Detailed setting options are described  
for you in the following section.  
blocked. You can reactivate the system  
by pressing any button for the auto-  
matic climate control.  
Temperature  
The interior temperature that  
appears in the display panel is a  
general figure intended for refer-  
ence purposes. We recommend  
727/+226as a comfortable setting,  
even if the air conditioning is on. When  
you start the vehicle, the system  
ensures that the selected temperature  
is achieved as quickly as possible  
regardless of the season. It then main-  
tains this temperature.  
You can make the settings of your  
vehicle in such a manner that  
when you unlock the vehicle with the  
remote control of your personal key,  
your own personalized setting for the  
automatic climate control is initiated.<  
To defrost windows and remove  
condensation  
This program quickly removes  
ice and condensation from the  
windshield and the side windows.  
Automatic air distribution and  
supply  
Air conditioning  
The air is cooled and dehumidi-  
fied and – depending on the  
temperature setting – rewarmed.  
The AUTO program adjusts the  
air distribution and the air sup-  
ply for you and in addition adapts the  
temperature to external influences –  
summer, winter – to meet preferences  
you can specify.  
To select the units of measure 6/7of  
the display, refer to page 83.  
Depending on the weather, the wind-  
shield may fog over briefly when the  
engine is started. Air conditioning helps  
prevent the windows from fogging up.  
Air supply/Blower  
By pressing the upper or lower  
button, you can vary the air sup-  
ply. This deactivates the auto-  
Individual air distribution  
matic control of the air supply, AUTO  
disappears from the display panel. Nev-  
ertheless, the automatic air distribution  
remains unchanged. You can reactivate  
the automatic air distribution mode by  
selecting the AUTO button.  
Condensation forms during opera-  
tion of the air conditioning system,  
which then exits under the vehicle. It is  
thus not unusual for a small puddle to  
form under the car while the system is  
running.<  
You can cancel the AUTO pro-  
gram by selecting specific dis-  
tribution patterns to suit your  
own individual requirements.  
While the AUTO program is then deacti-  
vated, the automatic airflow control  
remains in operation. Air flows onto  
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Automatic climate control*  
103  
If the windows should fog over in  
the recirculated-air mode, switch  
this mode off and increase the air sup-  
ply as required.<  
Outside air/Automatic  
recirculated-air control (AUC)/  
Recirculated air  
You can respond to unpleasant  
external odors or pollutants by  
temporarily stopping the flow of outside  
air. The system then recirculates the air  
currently within the vehicle.  
Rear window defroster  
When the rear window defroster  
is activated, the indicator lamp  
comes on. The rear window defroster  
switches off automatically.  
Press the button repeatedly to select  
one of three different operating modes.  
>Indicator lamps off: outside air supply  
is on  
You can have your vehicle pro-  
grammed in such a way that the  
rear window defroster switches on  
automatically. This occurs within 5 min-  
utes after starting the engine when out-  
side temperatures are below approx.  
397/+46.<  
Draft-free ventilation  
>Left indicator lamp on – AUC mode:  
the system recognizes pollutants in  
the outside air and blocks the flow of  
air when necessary. The system then  
recirculates the air currently within  
the vehicle. Depending on the air  
quality, the automatic system then  
switches back and forth between  
outside air supply and recirculation of  
the air within the vehicle  
>Right indicator lamp on: the flow of  
external air into the vehicle is perma-  
nently blocked. The system then  
recirculates the air currently within  
the vehicle.  
You can adjust the blower controls for  
the upper body area to obtain the opti-  
mum airflow rates and directions for  
your personal requirements:  
1 Rotary dials for infinitely variable  
opening and closing of the vent out-  
lets  
2 Selector levers for airflow direction  
3 Rotary dial allows you to control the  
temperature of the airflow from these  
outlets as desired  
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104 Automatic climate control*  
Microfilter/activated-charcoal  
filter  
The built-in microfilter removes dust  
and pollen from the incoming air. The  
activated-charcoal filter provides addi-  
tional protection by filtering gaseous  
pollutants from the outside air. Your  
BMW center replaces this combined fil-  
ter as a standard part of your scheduled  
maintenance. A substantial reduction in  
airflow indicates that the filter needs to  
be replaced before scheduled mainte-  
nance.  
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Interior conveniences  
Premium sound system*  
Glove compartment  
105  
Harman Kardon premium sound  
system  
Press the button to activate and deacti-  
vate the acoustic enhancement.  
To open  
Pull the handle. The lamp in the glove  
compartment will come on.  
To close  
Fold the cover up.  
The system creates the acoustic  
impression of a much larger passenger  
compartment accompanied by  
improved stereophonic sound at all  
seating positions.  
To prevent injury in the event of an  
accident, close the glove com-  
partment immediately after use.<  
The system responds to poor reception  
conditions by repeatedly alternating  
between the stereo and monophonic  
modes. You should then switch the sys-  
tem off.  
To lock  
Lock with one of the master keys. A  
master key will also be required to  
unlock the glove compartment.  
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106 Glove compartment  
Storage compartments  
If – for example for valet parking –  
you turn over only your spare key,  
refer to page 30, then access to the  
locked glove compartment is not possi-  
ble.<  
Rechargeable flashlight  
The flashlight is located on the left side  
of the glove compartment.  
It features integral overload protection,  
so it can be left in its holder continu-  
ously.  
Front center armrest  
Beverage holders, coin box  
To avoid completely discharging  
and possibly damaging the flash-  
light, always ensure that it is switched  
off before inserting it in the socket.<  
To open: press the button and fold up. A coin box and two beverage holders  
are provided in the center console.  
Additional compartments and  
nets*  
You will find additional storage com-  
partments in the front doors and in the  
center console. Storage nets are on the  
front seat backrests.  
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Storage compartments  
Cellular phone*  
107  
Rear center armrest  
Storage package*  
Hands-free system  
The rear center armrest includes a stor- For your convenience, there are:  
On vehicles that are wired for a tele-  
age compartment, a beverage holder  
and a litter bag holder.  
phone* or equipped with a communica-  
tions package*, the cover for the  
handsfree microphone is located in the  
headliner near the interior lamp.  
>Two flip-out sockets on the rear cen-  
ter console  
>An eyeglasses compartment*, not  
shown, in the front center console.  
1 Storage compartment: pull up  
2 Beverage holder: press  
For further information on using your  
cellular phone, refer to the Owner's  
Manual for the telephone.  
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108 Ashtray, front*  
Ashtray, rear*  
Cigarette lighter socket  
Suitable for attaching power supplies  
for flashlights, car vacuum cleaners,  
etc., up to a rating of approx. 200 watts  
at 12 volts. Avoid damage to the socket  
caused by inserting plugs of different  
shapes or sizes.  
To empty  
To empty  
Press on the edge of the open cover:  
the ashtray moves up and can be  
removed.  
Press on the edge of the open cover in  
the opening direction. The ashtray  
moves up and can be removed.  
Cigarette lighter  
Hold or touch the hot cigarette  
lighter by the knob only. Holding  
or touching it in other areas could result  
in burns.  
The cigarette lighter remains opera-  
tional when the ignition key has been  
removed. For this reason, children  
should never be left in the vehicle unat-  
tended.<  
Press the lighter 1 in. You can remove  
the lighter from its socket for use as  
soon as it snaps back out.  
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Socket  
109  
A fold-out power socket – 12 volts – is  
located in the cargo area.  
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Loading and transporting  
110 Ski bag*  
The ski bag allows the safe and clean  
transport of up to 4 pairs of standard  
skis or up to two snowboards.  
The length of the ski bag and the addi-  
tional space provided in the cargo area  
make it possible to carry skis up to  
6 ft 10 in / 2.10 m long. Because of the  
tapered shape of the bag, only two  
pairs of skis longer than 6 ft 10 in /  
2.10 m can be carried.  
Loading  
Securing cargo  
1. Fold the center armrest outward.  
Loosen the trim from the upper  
Velcro® fastener and place it on the  
armrest  
Secure skis and any other objects  
stored in the bag by tightening the  
retaining strap at the buckle.<  
2. Press the button – see arrow 1, from  
inside the passenger compartment:  
Be sure that your skis are clean  
before loading them into the bag.  
the cargo hatch drops onto the floor Avoid damage from sharp edges during  
of the cargo area  
loading.<  
3. Press down the detent lever – see  
arrow 2 – and fold the cover forward  
4. Extend the ski bag between the front  
seats. The zipper provides conve-  
nient access to stored items. It may  
be opened to allow the ski bag to  
dry.  
To store the ski bag, perform the above  
steps in reverse sequence.  
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Cargo area  
111  
Folding rear backrest  
Cargo area cover  
Partition net*  
Reach into the recess and pull forward.  
Never use the cover to carry  
heavy or hard objects, as such  
When you fold back the backrest, objects could pose a hazard to the  
Use the loop to pull out the partition  
net, then grasp both sides of the rod  
and insert it into its holder. It is easiest  
to do this from the back seat.  
be sure that the catch engages  
securely. The red warning indicator in  
the recess disappears when the  
retainer is locked.<  
vehicle's occupants during sudden  
braking maneuvers.  
Guide the cover back into place; do not  
allow it to snap back, as it could sustain  
damage.<  
Do not allow the partition net to  
snap back. Doing so could pose a  
risk of injury and the partition net could  
be damaged.<  
Pull out the cover and suspend it by  
attaching it to the holders.  
If the backrests are folded forward, the  
partition net's case can be stored on  
the backrests; you can then extract the  
partition net and hold it in place by  
inserting the retainers into the front  
holders, refer to next page.  
You can carry light objects such as arti-  
cles of clothing on the cover.  
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112 Cargo area  
To ensure that the case is properly  
positioned, remember to insert it  
on both guides from the right side,  
always continuing until the detents  
snap into place. Failure to observe the  
prescribed insertion procedure could  
also result in damage to the door's  
upholstery.<  
To remove cargo cover and  
partition net  
Storing with backrests folded  
forward  
1. Press the buttons on the sides – see Supports for the case are provided on  
arrow 1 the rear sides of the backrests – see  
2. Extract the case by pulling to the rear arrow 1.  
– see arrow 2.  
Insert the case from the right as shown  
in the illustration, continuing until the  
detent engages – see arrow 2. Ensure  
that the cargo cover points toward the  
front of the vehicle, with the partition  
net's loop on the top.  
Installation  
Simply slide the case forward in the two  
side holders until it engages.  
You can pull the partition net out and  
insert it into the holders above it in the  
upper roof area.  
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Cargo area  
Cargo loading  
113  
Avoid overloading the vehicle so  
that the permitted load on the tires  
is not exceeded. Overloading can lead  
to overheating and internal tire damage.  
The ultimate result can assume the  
form of a sudden air loss.<  
Lifting the floor panel  
Side covers  
1. Lift up the floor panel slightly at  
loop 1  
Open the side covers by pressing the  
button.  
2. Release the loop end from the under-  
side of the floor panel  
3. Hook the loop end with the tab onto  
the rubber weather-stripping.  
Before folding the floor panel back  
down, attach the loop end to the  
holder on the underside of the floor  
panel.<  
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114 Cargo loading  
4. The resulting figure equals the avail-  
able amount of cargo and luggage  
load capacity.  
For example, if the XXX amount  
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be  
five 150 lbs. passengers in your vehi-  
cle, 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,  
load from your trailer will be trans-  
fered 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.  
Determining the maximum load  
1. Locate the following statement on  
Stowing cargo  
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as  
possible – directly behind the back-  
rests or the cargo area partition – and  
as low as possible  
>Cover sharp edges and corners  
>Do not pile objects higher than the  
top edge of the backrest  
>Pull out the partition net*, refer to  
previous page, taking care to ensure  
that there is no danger that any of the  
objects stored in the cargo area will  
protrude through the net*  
your vehicle‘s placard*:  
The combined weight of occu-  
pants and cargo should never  
exceed XXX kg or YYY lbs., as this  
could otherwise result in damage to the  
vehicle or 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  
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Cargo loading  
115  
Always position and secure loads  
correctly. If you do not, the load  
can endanger the passengers during  
braking or evasive maneuvers.  
Do not exceed the approved gross  
vehicle weight or the approved axle  
loads, refer to page 162, otherwise the  
vehicle's operating safety is no longer  
assured and the vehicle will not be in  
compliance with the certification regu-  
lations.  
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in  
the passenger compartment without  
securing them. Otherwise they would  
evasive maneuvers and could endanger  
the passengers.<  
>For very heavy loads when the rear  
seat is not occupied, secure each  
safety belt in the opposite buckle.  
Securing cargo  
>Small and light luggage and cargo  
can be secured with the aid of flexi-  
ble straps or a luggage compartment  
net*, refer to page 37  
>For large, heavy pieces, see your  
BMW center for load-securing  
devices*. Anchorages located in the  
cargo area can be used for fastening  
the load-securing devices.  
Read and comply with the instructions  
enclosed with the load-securing  
devices.  
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116 Roof-mounted luggage rack*  
You should therefore always remember  
not to exceed the approved roof load  
capacity, the approved gross vehicle  
weight or the axle loads when loading  
the rack. These weights are listed under  
Technical data on page 162.  
Make sure that the load is not too bulky,  
and attempt to distribute it evenly.  
Always load the heaviest pieces first so  
that they are at the bottom. Be sure that  
adequate clearance is maintained for  
raising the glass sunroof, and that  
objects do not project into the opening  
path of the tailgate.  
A special roof-rack system is available  
as an optional extra for your BMW.  
Please observe the precautions  
included with the installation instruc-  
tions.  
Secure the roof-mounted luggage cor-  
rectly and securely to prevent it from  
shifting or being lost during driving.  
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden  
acceleration and braking. Do not corner  
at high speeds.  
Anchorages  
Access to the anchorages:  
To fold up the covers, please use the  
tool provided with the roof-rack system.  
The roof-mounted luggage rack and the  
roof load increase the aerodynamic  
resistance: increased fuel consumption  
and additional stress on the vehicle's  
body are the result.  
Loading and driving notes  
Roof-mounted luggage racks raise the  
center of gravity of the vehicle when  
they are loaded. For this reason, they  
exercise a major effect on the vehicle's  
handling and steering response.  
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117  
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118  
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119  
Overview  
Controls and features  
Operation, maintenance  
Owner service procedures  
Technical data  
Index  
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Special operating instructions  
120 Break-in procedures  
To ensure that your vehicle provides  
maximum economy throughout a long  
service life, we request that you  
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-  
dure from time to time.  
Tires  
Due to technical factors associated  
with their manufacture, tires do not  
achieve their full traction potential until  
an initial break-in period has elapsed.  
Thus drive with extra care during the  
initial 200 miles/300 km.  
observe the following suggestions.  
The brake lamps do not come on  
when the parking brake is set.  
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit  
on your BMW is available only when the  
engine is running. When you move the  
vehicle with the engine off – when tow-  
ing, for example – substantially higher  
levels of pedal force will be required to  
brake the vehicle.<  
Engine and differential  
Up to 1,250 miles/2,000 km:  
Constantly vary both vehicle and engine Obey your local and state maximum  
speeds, remembering not to exceed  
4,500 rpm or vehicle speeds of over  
100 mph / 160 km/h:  
speed limits.  
When the vehicle is operated on  
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of  
water may form between the tire and  
the road surface. This phenomenon is  
referred to as hydroplaning, and can  
lead to partial or complete loss of trac-  
tion, as well as loss of vehicle control  
and braking effectiveness. Reduce your  
speed on wet roads.<  
Obey your local and state maximum  
speed limits.  
Clutch  
Do not use full throttle, and avoid  
pressing the accelerator beyond the  
kickdown point during these initial  
miles.  
Approx. 300 miles/500 km must elapse  
before the clutch starts to operate at  
optimum efficiency. Remember to  
engage the clutch carefully during this  
initial period.  
You can then proceed to increase  
engine or vehicle speeds once the ini-  
tial 1,250 miles/2,000 km have elapsed.  
Brake system  
You should also observe the same  
break-in procedures if the engine or dif-  
ferential should have to be replaced  
later in the course of the vehicle's life.  
Approx. 300 miles/500 km must elapse  
before the brake pads and rotors  
achieve the optimal pad-surface and  
wear patterns required for trouble-free  
operation and long service life later on.  
To break in the separate parking brake  
drums, apply the parking brake lightly  
when coasting to a standstill – at a traf-  
fic signal, for instance – provided that  
traffic conditions allow you to do so.  
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General driving notes  
Antilock Brake System (ABS)  
121  
Brakes: do not rest your foot on  
the brake pedal while driving.  
Even light but consistent pedal pres-  
sure can lead to high temperatures,  
brake wear and possibly even brake  
failure.  
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 surface. This  
phenomenon can lead to partial or  
complete loss of contact between the  
tires and road surface, as well as loss of  
vehicle control and braking ability.  
Driving through water: do not drive  
through water on the road if it is deeper  
than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at walk-  
ing speed. Otherwise, the vehicle's  
engine, the electrical systems and the  
transmission may be damaged.  
Do not reduce the pressure exerted  
against the brake pedal until the brak-  
ing maneuver has been completed.  
DBC is deactivated when you release  
the brake pedal.  
The concept  
ABS keeps the wheels from locking  
during braking, thereby enhancing  
active driving safety.  
Braking with ABS  
Cornering Brake Control (CBC)  
If you are in a situation that requires full  
braking, you will exploit the full benefits  
of ABS system if you apply maximum  
pedal pressure – panic stop. Since the  
vehicle maintains steering responsive-  
ness, you can avoid possible obstacles  
with a minimum of steering effort,  
CBC is an advanced engineering  
design of the ABS. When braking while  
cornering at high speed or braking dur-  
ing high lateral acceleration, or when  
braking during a lane change, vehicle  
stability is improved and steering  
response is enhanced.  
despite the full brake application.  
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined  
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits  
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its  
active mode.  
Cargo area cover: never use it to store  
heavy or hard objects; otherwise, occu-  
pants could be injured if the vehicle is  
braked hard.  
Clothes hooks: when hanging clothing  
from the hooks, be sure that they will  
not obstruct the driver's vision. Do not  
hang heavy objects on the hooks. If you  
do so, they could cause personal injury  
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<  
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)  
DBC is included in the DSC, refer to  
page 86.  
The system responds to sudden, high-  
intensity applications of force to the  
brake pedal by automatically braking  
the vehicle with maximum boost to  
achieve the shortest possible braking  
distances during panic stops. This sys-  
tem exploits all the benefits of ABS.  
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122 Brake system  
It is a good idea to periodically dry the  
brakes with a gentle application when  
driving in rain and on wet roads. Watch sion or selector lever in Neutral. Do not  
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 your brake system will  
respond with undiminished efficiency  
when you need it.  
Do not coast with the clutch  
depressed or with the transmis-  
Brake fluid level  
Low brake fluid level in the reservoir  
combined with longer than usual pedal  
travel may indicate a defect in one of  
the brake system's hydraulic circuits.  
coast with the engine shut off. The  
engine provides no braking effect when  
the clutch is depressed and there is no  
power-assist for braking or steering  
when the engine is not running.  
325xi: always refer all brake inspection  
and service work to your BMW center,  
as failure to observe the special proce-  
dures could result in damage to com-  
ponents of the all-wheel drive.  
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any  
other objects to protrude into the area  
around the accelerator, clutch and  
brake pedals and obstruct their move-  
ment.<  
Proceed to the nearest BMW cen-  
ter. It may be necessary to apply  
higher levels of pressure to the pedal  
when stopping and braking distances  
may also be longer. Please remember  
to adapt your driving style accord-  
ingly.<  
When descending steep hills and  
extended grades, downshift to a gear  
that will allow you to continue safely  
with only a minimal amount of braking.  
This helps avoid placing excessive  
loads on the brake system. Use care to  
avoid exceeding the approved engine-  
speed range, refer to page 79.  
Disc brakes  
When the vehicle is driven only occa-  
sionally, during extended periods when  
the vehicle is not used at all, and in  
operating conditions where brake appli-  
cations are less frequent, there is an  
increased tendency for corrosion of the  
rotors and accumulation of contamina-  
tion on the brake pads. This occurs  
because the minimal pressure that must  
be exerted by the pads to clean the  
rotors by brake applications is not  
reached.  
Brake pads  
For your own safety: use only  
brake pads which BMW has  
approved for your specific vehicle  
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-  
approved brake pads to determine if  
they are suitable for use, and therefore  
cannot ensure the operating safety of  
the vehicle if they are installed.<  
Corrosion on brake rotors is signaled by  
a running or pulsation during braking;  
even extended subsequent braking will  
not cure this phenomenon.  
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Brake system  
123  
Portable phone in the vehicle  
BMW recommends using mobile com-  
munications devices, e.g. portable  
phones, inside the vehicle with a suit-  
able outside antenna. Otherwise, it can-  
not be ruled out that the vehicle elec-  
tronics and portable phone may  
interfere with each other.  
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Wheels and tires  
124 Tire inflation pressure  
Tire condition  
When the tread reaches a depth of  
1/16 in / 1.6 mm, these indicators  
appear and signal that the tires have  
worn to the minimum legal level.  
Information for your safety  
The factory-approved tires are matched  
to your vehicle and have been selected  
to provide optimum safety and driving  
comfort when used properly.  
It is not merely the tire's service life, but  
also driving comfort and – above all else  
– driving safety that depend on the con-  
dition of the tires and the maintenance  
of the specified tire inflation pressure.  
Incorrect tire inflation pressure is a fre-  
quent cause of tire damage. It also sig-  
nificantly influences the roadholding  
ability of your BMW.  
Tire tread – tire damage  
Inspect your tires frequently for tread  
wear, signs of damage and for foreign  
objects lodged in the tread. Check the  
tread depth.  
Be sure to check the tire inflation  
pressure, including the space-  
saver spare tire or the spare tire, on a  
regular basis, at least twice a month  
and before every extended journey,  
refer to page 25. If this is not done,  
incorrect tire pressures can cause driv-  
ing instability and tire damage, ulti-  
mately resulting in accidents.<  
Tread depth should not be allowed to  
go below 1/8 in / 3 mm, even though  
the legally specified minimum tread  
depth is 1/16 in / 1.6 mm.  
Below 1/8 in / 3 mm tread depth, there  
is a great risk of hydroplaning, even at  
relatively moderate speeds and with  
only small amounts of water on the  
road. Tread wear indicators – see arrow  
– are embedded in the base of the tire's  
tread. Their locations are indicated by  
the letters TWI – Tread Wear Indicator –  
at various points on the tire's shoulder.  
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Tire condition  
Tire replacement  
125  
Do not drive on a deflated – flat –  
tire unless your vehicle is  
To maintain good handling and vehicle depart significantly from the norm due  
response, use only tires of a single to variations in driving habits, service  
tread configuration from a single manu- practices and differences in road char-  
equipped with Run Flat tires. A flat tire  
greatly impairs steering and braking  
response, and can lead to complete  
loss of control over the vehicle.  
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that  
the permitted load on the tires is not  
exceeded. Overloading can lead to  
overheating and internal tire damage.  
The ultimate result can assume the  
form of a sudden air loss.  
Unusual vibrations encountered during  
normal vehicle operation can indicate a  
damaged tire or some other vehicle  
malfunction. This type of problem can  
be caused by contact with curbs, etc.  
This is also true for irregularities in the  
vehicle's handling characteristics, such  
as a pronounced tendency to pull to the  
left or right. Should this occur, respond  
by immediately reducing your speed.  
Proceed carefully to the nearest BMW  
center or professional tire center, or  
have the vehicle towed in to have it, its  
wheels or its tires inspected.  
facturer.  
acteristics and climate.  
Comply with the specified tire inflation  
pressures — and be sure to have the  
wheel and tire assembly balanced  
every time you change a tire or wheel.  
Traction  
The traction grades, from highest to  
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.  
Those grades represent the tire's ability  
to stop on wet pavement as measured  
under controlled conditions on speci-  
fied government test surfaces of  
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C  
may have poor traction performance.  
DOT quality grades  
Tread wear  
Traction AA A B C  
Temperature A B C  
All passenger car tires must con-  
form to Federal Safety Require-  
ments in addition to these grades.<  
The traction grade assigned to  
this tire is based on straight-  
ahead braking traction tests, and does  
not include acceleration, cornering,  
hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-  
teristics.<  
Tread wear  
The tread wear grade is a comparative  
rating based on the wear rate of the tire  
when tested under controlled condi-  
tions on a specified government test  
course.  
Temperature  
The temperature grades are A – the  
highest – B, and C, representing the  
tire's resistance to the generation of  
heat and its ability to dissipate heat  
when tested under controlled condi-  
tions on a specified indoor laboratory  
test wheel.  
For example, a tire graded 150 would  
Tire damage, up to and including sud-  
den and complete air loss, can endan-  
ger the lives of both the vehicle occu-  
pants and other road users.<  
1
wear one and one-half – 1 /2 – times as  
well on the government course as a tire  
graded 100. The relative performance  
of tires depends upon the actual condi-  
tions of their use, however, and may  
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126 Tire replacement  
Sustained high temperature can cause  
the material of the tire to degenerate  
BMW advises against using  
retreaded tires, since driving  
Run Flat tires are available only in  
combination with the Flat Tire  
and reduce tire life, and excessive tem- safety may be impaired. This is due to  
perature can lead to sudden tire failure. the possible variations in casing struc-  
Monitor.<  
The grade C corresponds to a level of  
performance which all passenger car  
tires must meet under the Federal  
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.  
Grades B and A represent higher levels  
of performance on the laboratory test  
wheel than the minimum required by  
law.  
tures and, in some cases, to their  
extreme age, which can lead to a  
decrease in their durability.<  
Tire age  
The date on which the tire was manu-  
factured is indicated by the code on the  
sidewall:  
DOT... 3603 indicates that the tire was  
manufactured in week 36 of the year  
2003.  
The temperature grade for this tire  
is established for a tire that is  
properly inflated and not overloaded.  
Excessive speed, underinflation, or  
excessive loading, either separately or  
in combination, can cause heat buildup  
and possible tire failure.<  
BMW recommends the replacement of  
all tires – including the spare tire* –  
when the tires are no more than 6 years  
old, even if a tire life of 10 years is pos-  
sible.  
Uniform Tire Quality Grading  
Run Flat tires*  
Quality grades can be found where  
applicable on the tire sidewall between  
tread shoulder and maximum section  
width. For example:  
Before purchasing tires, check if your  
BMW is equipped with Run Flat tires.  
These are indicated by a circular sym-  
bol containing the letters RSC on the  
tire sidewall, refer to Changing a wheel.  
In this case, use only Run Flat tires,  
since no spare wheel is available in the  
event of a flat. For more information on  
Run Flat tires, refer to page 150.  
Tread wear 200  
Traction AA  
Temperature A  
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Wheel and tire combinations  
Winter tires  
127  
The correct wheel-tire combina-  
tion affects different systems such  
The right choice  
Choosing the right tire  
BMW recommends the use of winter  
tires for operation under winter road  
conditions. While all-season tires – with  
M+S designation – provide better winter  
traction than the corresponding sum-  
mer tires, they generally do not achieve  
the performance of winter tires.  
BMW recommends using only  
as ABS, DSC and ADB-X/DBC. The  
function of these systems is impaired if  
improper wheel-tire combinations are  
used. For this reason, use only tires of  
the same manufacture and tread con-  
figuration. In the event of a flat tire, for  
example, remount the approved wheel  
and tire combination as soon as possi-  
ble.<  
wheels and tires that have been  
approved by BMW for your particular  
vehicle model, as otherwise body con-  
tact and serious accidents can result  
despite the use of the same nominal  
size, e.g. due to manufacturing toler-  
ances. BMW cannot evaluate all tires  
and wheels on the market, and is thus  
unable to guarantee that the vehicle will  
continue to perform safely if unap-  
proved tires and/or wheels are  
In the interest of safe tracking and  
steering response, install winter tires  
made by the same manufacturer and  
having the same tread configuration on  
all four wheels.  
Storage  
mounted.<  
Always store tires in a cool, dry place.  
Store them away from light whenever  
possible. Protect the tires against con-  
tact with oil, grease and fuel.  
Never exceed the maximum  
speed for which the winter tires  
are rated.  
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to  
service tires can lead to damage and  
accidents.  
Have this work performed by trained  
professionals only. Any BMW center  
has the required technical knowledge  
and the proper equipment and will be  
happy to assist you.<  
For each tire size, BMW has assessed  
the safe performance of specific tire  
brands and approved them for use.  
Consult any BMW center for details.  
Comply with any local/national regula-  
tions, for example by recording the tire  
type in the vehicle documents.  
Do not exceed the maximum tire infla-  
tion pressures specified on the tire  
sidewall.  
Run Flat tires*  
Before purchasing winter tires, check if  
your BMW is eqipped with Run Flat  
tires. These are indicated by a circular  
symbol containing the letters RSC on  
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128 Winter tires  
the tire sidewall, refer to Changing a  
wheel. In this case, use only Run Flat  
winter tires, since no spare tire is pro-  
vided in the event of a flat tire.  
325xi: in an extreme emergency – for  
instance, with the vehicle stuck on one  
side, or when obstructions make it  
impossible to reach one tire – a chain  
may also be mounted on just one tire  
for the limited period needed to resolve  
the problem.  
Tire condition, tire pressure  
At tread depths below approx. 3/16 in /  
4 mm, winter tires display a perceptible  
decrease in their ability to cope with  
winter driving conditions, and should be  
replaced in the interest of safety.  
Comply with all manufacturer's safety  
precautions when mounting the chains.  
Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph /  
50 km/h when using snow chains.  
You cannot mount snow chains on the  
following tires:  
Comply with the specified tire inflation  
pressures — and be sure to have the  
wheel and tire assembly balanced  
every time you change a tire or wheel.  
225/50 R 16  
225/45 R 17  
245/40 R 17  
225/40 R 18  
255/35 R 18  
Snow chains*  
Only certain snow chains have been  
tested by BMW and determined and  
approved as roadworthy. Consult any  
BMW center for details. BMW recom-  
mends using only these approved fine-  
link snow chains. Use them in pairs on  
either summer or winter tires, but only  
on both rear wheels.  
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Moni-  
tor after mounting snow chains to  
the tires.  
When driving with snow chains, it may  
be useful to turn off the DSC for a short  
time, refer to page 87 or 88.<  
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In the engine compartment  
Hood  
129  
To release  
To open  
To close  
Pull the lever located under the left-  
hand side of the instrument panel.  
Pull the release handle and open the  
hood.  
Allow the hood to fall from a height of  
about 1 ft/30 cm so that it audibly  
engages.  
Do not attempt to service your  
vehicle if you do not have the  
To avoid injuries, be sure that the  
travel path of the hood is clear  
when it is closed, following the same  
safety precautions used in all closing  
procedures.  
If you determine while driving that the  
hood is not completely closed, stop  
immediately and close it securely.<  
required technical background. Failure  
to work in an informed, professional  
manner when servicing components  
and materials constitutes a safety haz-  
ard for vehicle occupants and other  
road users. If you are not familiar with  
the guidelines, BMW recommends that  
you have the operations performed by  
your BMW center.<  
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130 Engine compartment essentials  
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Engine compartment essentials  
131  
1 Brake fluid reservoir 135  
2 Dipstick, engine oil 132  
3 Coolant expansion tank 134  
4 Reservoir for the headlamp and  
windshield washer system 132  
5 Engine oil filler neck 132  
6 Auxiliary terminal for jump-  
starting 153  
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132 Washer fluids  
Engine oil  
Headlamp* and windshield  
washer system  
Capacity approx.  
Rear window washer reservoir  
Capacity approx.  
2.4 US quarts/2.3 liters.  
Checking the oil level  
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface  
2. Switch the engine off after it has  
reached normal operating tempera-  
ture  
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-  
stick out and wipe it off with a clean  
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar  
material  
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the  
way into the guide tube and pull it  
out again  
5. The oil level should be between the  
two marks on the dipstick.  
5.6 US quarts/5.3 liters.  
Fill with water and, if required, with a  
washer antifreeze additive according to  
manufacturer's recommendations.  
Fill with water and, if required, with a  
washer antifreeze additive according to  
manufacturer's recommendations.  
We recommend that you mix the  
washer fluid before adding it to  
the reservoir.<  
We recommend that you mix the  
washer fluid before adding it to  
the reservoir.<  
Antifreeze agents for the washer  
fluid are highly flammable. For this  
reason, keep them away from sources  
of flame and store them only in their  
As with fuel economy, oil consumption  
closed original containers. Store it inac- is directly influenced by your driving  
cessible to children. Comply with the  
style and vehicle operating conditions.  
instructions on the containers.<  
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Engine oil  
133  
Continuous exposure to used oil  
has caused cancer in laboratory  
testing. For this reason, any skin areas  
that come into contact with oil should  
be thoroughly washed with soap and  
water.  
The oil volume between the two marks  
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.  
1.1 US quarts/1 liter. Do not fill beyond  
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess  
oil will damage the engine.  
Store oils, grease and similar materials  
so that they are inaccessible to chil-  
dren. Comply with warning labels and  
information on containers.<  
Comply with the applicable envi-  
ronmental laws regulating the dis-  
posal of used oil.<  
Adding engine oil  
Only add engine oil when the oil level  
has dropped to just above the lower  
mark on the dipstick.  
Specified engine oils  
The quality of the engine oil is  
extremely important for the function  
and service life of an engine. Based on  
extensive testing, BMW has approved  
only certain grades of engine oil.  
BMW engines are designed to  
operate without oil additives; the  
use of additives could lead to damage  
in some cases. This also applies to the  
manual transmission, the automatic  
transmission, the differential, and the  
power steering system.<  
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-  
mance Synthetic Oil.  
If an approved BMW High Performance  
Synthetic Oil should be unavailable, you  
may use small volumes of other syn-  
thetic oils for topping up between oil  
changes. Use only oils with the specifi-  
cation API SH or higher.  
Recommendation: have the oil changed  
by your BMW center.  
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134 Engine oil  
Coolant  
Ask your BMW center for details  
concerning the specific BMW  
High Performance Synthetic Oil or syn- you attempt to do so, escaping coolant  
Do not add coolant to the cooling  
system when the engine is hot. If  
thetic oils that have been approved.<  
can cause burns.  
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents  
You can also call BMW of North Amer- are hazardous to health. You should  
ica toll-free at 1-800-831-1117 or visit  
this website: www.bmwusa.com to  
obtain this information.  
always store them in their closed origi-  
nal containers and in a location which is  
out of reach of children. Antifreeze and  
anti-corrosion agents are inflammable.  
For this reason, do not spill them on hot  
engine parts. They could ignite and  
cause burns. Comply with the instruc-  
tions on the containers.<  
Viscosity ratings  
Viscosity is the oilflow rating as estab-  
lished in SAE classes.  
Checking the coolant level and  
adding coolant  
Check the coolant level when the  
The selection of the correct SAE class  
depends on the climatic conditions in  
the area you drive your BMW.  
Comply with the applicable envi-  
ronmental laws regulating the dis-  
posal of antifreeze agents with corro-  
sion inhibitor.<  
engine is cold, approx. 687/+206:  
1. Open the cap for the expansion tank  
by turning it slightly counterclock-  
wise to allow accumulated pressure  
to escape, then open  
2. The coolant level is correct when the  
upper end of the red float is at least  
even with the upper edge of the filler  
neck; see arrow. The end of the float  
may stick out by a maximum of  
3/4 in / 2 cm – that is, up to the sec-  
ond mark on the float  
Approved oils are in SAE classes  
5W-40 and 5W-30.<  
These kinds of oil may be used for driv-  
ing in all ambient temperatures.  
3. If necessary, add coolant. If the cool-  
ant is low, slowly add coolant until  
the correct level is reached – do not  
overfill.  
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Brake fluid  
135  
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,  
it absorbs moisture from the air  
over time.  
In order to ensure the brake system's  
safety and reliability, have the brake  
fluid changed every two years by a  
BMW center. Refer to the Service and  
Warranty Information Booklet for US  
models or the Warranty and Service  
Guide Booklet for Canadian models.  
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the  
vehicle's paint. You should always store  
it in its closed original container and in  
a location which is out of reach of chil-  
dren.  
Do not spill the brake fluid and do not  
fill the brake fluid reservoir beyond the  
MAX mark. The brake fluid could ignite  
upon contact with hot engine parts and  
cause serious burns.<  
Indicator lamp  
The brake warning lamp comes  
on when the parking brake is  
not engaged: the brake fluid  
level is too low, refer to page 18.  
Brake warning lamp for Cana-  
dian models.  
Comply with the applicable envi-  
ronmental laws regulating  
the disposal of brake fluid.<  
Adding brake fluid  
For adding brake fluid or for determin-  
ing and correcting the cause of brake  
fluid loss, consult your BMW center.  
Your BMW center is familiar with the  
specifications for factory-approved  
brake fluids – DOT 4.  
Brake fluid loss results in extended  
brake pedal travel. Refer to the informa-  
tion on page 122.  
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Maintenance  
136 The BMW Maintenance System  
The BMW Maintenance System has  
been designed as a reliable means of  
providing maximum driving and operat-  
ing safety – and as cost-effectively as  
possible for you.  
Determining the maintenance intervals  
according to the actual use of the vehi-  
cle covers every kind of operating situa-  
tion. Minimal use drivers – those who  
drive significantly fewer than  
6,200 miles/10,000 km annually –  
should have the engine oil changed at  
least every 2 years since oil deterio-  
rates over time, regardless of use.  
Please keep in mind that regular main-  
tenance is not only necessary for the  
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a  
significant role in maintaining the resale  
value of the vehicle.  
Service and Warranty Information  
Booklet for US models/  
Warranty and Service Guide  
Booklet for Canadian models  
Service interval display  
While conventional systems rely on dis-  
tance traveled alone to determine when  
service is due, the BMW Maintenance  
System has for years taken the actual  
conditions under which the vehicle  
operates into consideration, because  
miles can be traveled in many different  
ways:  
For additional information on required  
maintenance intervals and procedures,  
please refer to the Service and War-  
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-  
els, or the Warranty and Service Guide  
Booklet for Canadian models.  
As a precaution against corrosion, it is  
advisable to have the body checked for  
damage from rocks or gravel at the  
same time, depending upon operating  
conditions.  
From a maintenance point of view,  
62,000 miles/100,000 km of short-dis-  
tance urban driving cannot be com-  
pared with 62,000 miles/100,000 km of  
long-distance highway travel.  
The BMW Maintenance System  
includes the Engine Oil Service and  
Inspections I and II.  
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The BMW Maintenance System  
137  
Have your BMW center perform  
maintenance and repair.  
Be sure that all maintenance work is  
recorded in the Service and Warranty  
Information Booklet for US models, or  
in the Warranty and Service Guide  
Booklet for Canadian models. These  
entries confirm that your vehicle has  
benefitted from regular maintenance,  
and are also required for warranty  
claims.<  
Care  
You can find everything you need to  
know on this topic by consulting the  
separate Caring for your vehicle bro-  
chure.  
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Laws and regulations  
138 California Proposition 65 warning  
OBD interface socket  
California laws require us to state the  
following warning:  
Engine exhaust and a wide variety  
of automobile components and  
parts, including components found in  
the interior furnishings in a vehicle, con-  
tain or emit chemicals known to the  
State of California to cause cancer and  
birth defects and reproductive harm. In  
addition, certain fluids contained in  
vehicles and certain products of com-  
ponent wear contain or emit chemicals  
known to the State of California to  
cause cancer and birth defects or other  
reproductive harm.  
Battery posts, terminals and related  
accessories contain lead and lead com-  
pounds. Wash your hands after hand-  
ling.  
Used engine oil contains chemicals that  
have caused cancer in laboratory ani-  
mals. Always protect your skin by  
washing thoroughly with soap and  
water.<  
The interface socket for onboard diag-  
nostics is located on the left-hand side  
of the driver's side, below the instru-  
ment panel and under a cover panel.  
The cover has the letters OBD on it.  
This interface makes it possible to  
access data on emissions-related com-  
ponents using special equipment.  
An illuminated indicator informs  
you of the need for service, not  
that you need to stop the vehi-  
cle. Your system should be checked,  
however, at the earliest opportunity.  
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this  
indicates a high level of engine misfire.  
Reduce speed and contact the nearest  
BMW center immediately. Severe  
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OBD interface socket  
139  
engine misfiring for even a short period  
of time can seriously damage emission  
control system components, especially  
the catalytic converter.  
SERVICE ENGINE SOON warn-  
ing lamp for Canadian models.  
If the gas cap is not on tight  
enough, the OBD system can  
detect leaking vapor and the indicator  
will light up. If the gas cap is then tight-  
ened, the indicator will usually go out  
after a short period of time.<  
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140  
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141  
Overview  
Controls and features  
Operation, maintenance  
Owner service procedures  
Technical data  
Index  
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Replacement procedures  
142 Onboard tool kit  
Windshield wiper blades  
The onboard tool kit is located beneath Windshield  
Rear window  
1. Switch off the engine  
the floor panel in the cargo area.  
1. Switch off the engine  
For information on raising the floor  
panel, refer to page 113.  
2. Fold the wiper arm completely out  
from the windshield  
2. Fold the wiper arm completely out  
from the windshield  
3. Position the wiper blade at an angle  
and pull the release spring – see  
arrow  
4. Fold the wiper blade down and  
unhook it toward the windshield  
5. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper  
arm toward the top  
3. Pull out the wiper blade – see arrow  
4. Guide the new wiper blade into  
place, continue to apply pressure  
until you hear the detent engage.  
6. Insert a new wiper blade and apply  
pressure until you hear it engage.  
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Lamps and bulbs  
143  
The lamps and bulbs make essential  
contributions to the safety of your vehi-  
cle. Therefore, proceed carefully when  
handling bulbs. BMW recommends that  
you have such work performed by your  
BMW center if you are not familiar with  
the procedures.  
Insert the new bulb as shown in  
the inset.  
When attaching the bulb holder, ensure  
that the lock snaps in place properly.<  
When cleaning the headlamps,  
please follow the instructions in  
the Caring for your vehicle brochure.<  
Do not touch the glass portion of  
a new bulb with your bare hands  
since even small amounts of impurities  
burn in to the surface and reduce the  
service life of the bulb. Use a clean  
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-  
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic  
base.<  
Xenon lamps  
The service life of these bulbs is very  
long and the probability of a failure is  
very low, provided that they are not  
switched on and off an unusual number  
of times. If one of these bulbs should  
nevertheless fail, it is possible to con-  
tinue driving with great caution using  
the fog lamps, provided local traffic  
laws do not prohibit this.  
Low beams and high beams  
Engine compartment, left side:  
1 Low beams  
2 High beams  
A replacement bulb set is available from  
your BMW center.  
H7 bulb, 55 watts  
The H7 bulb is pressurized. There-  
fore, wear safety glasses and pro-  
tective gloves. Failure to comply with  
this precaution could lead to injury if the  
bulb is damaged.<  
Before working on the electrical  
system, switch off the electrical  
accessory you are working on or dis-  
connect the cable from the negative  
terminal of the battery. Failure to  
observe this precaution could result in  
short circuits.  
To prevent injuries and damage, com-  
ply with any instructions provided by  
the bulb manufacturer.<  
Because of the extremely high  
voltages involved, any work on the  
xenon lighting system, including bulb-  
changing, should be carried out by  
technically-qualified personnel only.  
Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal  
injury.<  
1. Turn the two release catches at the  
front to the left – see arrow – to  
remove the bulb holder  
2. Remove and replace the bulb.  
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144 Lamps and bulbs  
Parking lamps  
5 watt bulb  
Front turn signal indicators  
21 watt bulb  
5. Align the lamp assembly's two ridges  
and the centering pin with the guides  
on the vehicle when installing  
6. Slide in the lamp, applying gentle  
pressure to seat it firmly  
Engine compartment, left side:  
1. Extend a screwdriver through the  
upper opening and loosen the screw,  
continuing until you can extract the  
bulb by removing it from the front  
2. Disconnect the plug  
1. Turn the bulb holder to the left and  
remove  
2. Remove and replace the bulb.  
7. Tighten the screw.  
3. Apply gentle pressure and turn the  
bulb toward the letters AUF – refer to  
the marking on the housing– then  
remove it for replacement  
4. Connect the plug  
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Lamps and bulbs  
145  
Side turn signal indicators  
5 watt bulb  
Rear lamps  
Section of the left cargo area:  
Bulbs in the fender:  
All bulbs: 21 watts  
1 Turn signal indicator  
2 Backup lamp  
All of the bulbs are integrated in a cen-  
tral bulb holder.  
1. Press the back edge of the lamp  
toward the front with the tip of your  
finger and remove  
2. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb  
while turning it to the left to remove.  
1. Release and remove the cargo area  
side panel  
2. Release and remove the bulb holder  
– see arrow  
3 Tail lamp  
4 Tail lamp/brake lamp  
3. Remove the power plug and lay the  
bulb holder to one side, for instance,  
on the floor of the cargo area  
4. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb  
to the left. Remove and replace the  
bulb  
5. Plug in the power supply fitting  
6. Press the bulb holder into position  
until you hear it engage.  
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146 Lamps and bulbs  
Bulbs in tailgate:  
2. Fold the trim panel down, release the License plate lamps  
1. Insert a screwdriver in the recess –  
see arrow – and press down to  
release the assembly  
bulb holder and remove  
5 watt bulb  
3. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb  
1. Place a screwdriver in the slot and  
to the left. Remove and replace the  
bulb  
4. Press the bulb holder into position  
until you hear it engage  
press toward the left to release the  
lens  
2. Replace the bulb.  
5. Press the trim panel back in, continu-  
ing until you hear it snap into place.  
Center high-mount brake lamp  
LED strip on the rear window.  
Please contact your BMW center in  
case of a malfunction.  
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Lamps and bulbs  
Changing a wheel  
147  
Safety precautions in the event of height and reduce its support capacity.  
a flat tire or wheel change: Do not lie under the vehicle or start the  
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from engine when the vehicle is supported  
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat, sur- by the jack. There is otherwise a risk of  
face. Switch on the hazard warning  
fatal injury.<  
flashers. Turn the steering wheel to the  
straight-ahead position and engage the Your BMW is equipped with a spare tire  
steering lock. Shift into 1st or Reverse, or a space-saver spare tire designed for  
or if you have an automatic transmis-  
temporary use in maintaining the vehi-  
sion position the selector lever in Park, cle's mobility in an emergency.  
and engage the parking brake.  
All passengers should be outside the  
vehicle and well away from your imme-  
diate working area, behind a guardrail,  
for instance.  
To remove the spare tire, lift the  
floor panel in the cargo area com-  
pletely out, refer to page 113.<  
Tailgate lamp  
5 watt bulb  
1. Pull out the bulb socket  
2. Replace the bulb.  
If a warning triangle or portable hazard  
the roadside at an appropriate distance  
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply  
with all local safety guidelines and reg-  
ulations.  
Change the wheel only on a level, firm  
surface which is not slippery. Avoid  
jacking the vehicle on a soft or slippery  
support surface – snow, ice, loose  
gravel, etc. – as either the vehicle or the  
jack could slip sideways.  
Position the jack on a firm support sur-  
face.  
Do not place wooden blocks or similar  
objects under the jack. They could pre-  
vent the jack from extending to its full  
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148 Changing a wheel  
wheel must be changed on a sur-  
face with a more severe slope, take  
additional precautions to secure  
the vehicle from rolling  
3. Wheels with full wheel covers*:  
reach into the ventilation openings  
and pull the cover off  
4. Loosen the lug bolts by rotating  
half a turn  
What you will need  
>Spare tire or space-saver spare tire –  
Located next to the jack.  
Loosen the wing nut by hand, remove  
the storage shelf and take the wheel  
out.  
In order to avoid rattling noises later,  
note the position of the tools when you  
remove them and return them to their  
original position when you are done  
using them.  
Procedure  
>Jack 1  
1. Read and comply with the safety  
precautions provided on the previ-  
ous page  
2. Secure the vehicle to prevent it  
from rolling:  
Open the left side cover and remove.  
Fold up the floor panel, lift away the  
spare tire cover, and screw off the  
red wing nut.  
When you have completed work,  
screw the jack all the way back  
down. Fold the handle back and  
insert it in its holder  
Place the chock against the rear  
surface of the front tire on the side  
opposite the side being raised. If  
the vehicle is parked on a down-  
ward slope, place the chock  
securely in front of the tire. If the  
>Chock 2  
Behind the vehicle jack. Loosen the  
wing nut to remove it  
>Lug wrench 3  
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Changing a wheel  
149  
5. Position the jack at the jacking  
point closest to the flat tire with the  
jack base vertically below the jack-  
ing point. The entire surface of the  
head of the jack moves into the  
square recess of the jacking point –  
refer to the detail in the next illus-  
tration – when the jack is cranked  
8. Remove accumulations of mud or  
dirt from the mounting surfaces of  
the wheel and hub. Clean the lug  
bolts  
9. Position the new wheel or the  
space-saver spare tire on the hub  
and screw at least two lug bolts fin-  
ger-tight into opposite bolt holes  
13. Wheels with full wheel covers*:  
place the wheel cover with the  
valve opening over the valve. Use  
both hands to press the cover  
securely onto the rim  
14. Check and correct the tire inflation  
pressure at the earliest opportunity.  
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor:  
after mounting the spare tire or  
correcting the tire inflation pres-  
sure, reinitialize the system, refer to  
page 91.  
6. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel 10. Screw in the remaining lug bolts.  
you are changing is raised from the  
ground  
7. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove 11. Lower the jack and remove it from  
Screw in all the bolts in a diagonal  
pattern  
the wheel  
beneath the vehicle  
12. Tighten the lug bolts securely in a  
diagonal pattern  
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt  
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirty  
valve stems frequently lead to slow  
pressure loss.  
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150 Changing a wheel  
Run Flat tires*  
Do not attempt to install the full  
Driving with the space-saver  
spare tire  
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a  
speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h.  
wheel cover on the space-saver  
spare tire, since this could damage the  
cover.<  
Be aware that vehicle handling may be  
altered. Anticipate, e.g., reduced track-  
ing during braking, longer braking dis-  
tances, and changed steering charac-  
teristics when approaching limit  
conditions. These handling characteris-  
tics will be even more pronounced if  
winter tires are mounted.  
The vehicle jack is designed for  
changing wheels only. Do not  
attempt to raise another vehicle model  
with it or to raise any other type of load.  
To do so could cause accidents and  
personal injury.  
To ensure continued safety, have the  
tightness of the torque bolts checked  
with a calibrated lug wrench – torque  
specification: 88.5 lb ft/120 Nm – at the  
earliest opportunity.<  
Run Flat tires are labeled on the side-  
wall with a circular symbol containing  
the letters RSC. Run Flat tires consist of  
self-supporting tires and special rims.  
The tire reinforcement ensures that  
driving remains possible to a restricted  
degree in the event of pressure drop or  
even if the tire is deflated.  
Only one space-saver spare tire  
may be mounted at one time.  
Mount a wheel and tire of the original  
size at the earliest possible opportu-  
nity.<  
When storing a wheel in the spare tire  
recess, take care to avoid bending the  
threaded rod.  
Driving with a spare tire*  
If the original BMW light-alloy wheels  
have been replaced with other light-  
alloy wheels, different lug bolts may be  
required.  
For certain wheel/tire combina-  
tions, the size of the spare tire will  
differ from that of the remaining tires.  
The spare tire is fully functional at all  
loads and speeds. However, the spare  
tire should be replaced at the earliest  
possible opportunity in order to achieve  
the original operating conditions.<  
When mounting or replacing sum-  
mer tires with winter tires, or vice  
versa, use Run Flat tires since no spare  
wheel is available in the event of a flat.  
In this event, BMW recommends con-  
sulting your BMW center. Your BMW  
center has the information needed for  
working with Run Flat tires and is  
equipped with the necessary special  
tools.<  
Replace the defective tire as soon as  
possible and have the new wheel/tire  
balanced.  
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Run Flat tires*  
Battery  
Fuses  
151  
Driving with a damaged tire  
Maintenance  
Depending on the cargo load, Run Flat The battery is absolutely maintenance-  
tires allow you to continue driving at a free, that is, the original electrolyte will  
maximum speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h. If normally last for the service life of the  
there is a total loss of tire inflation pres- battery under moderate climatic condi-  
sure, 0 psi/0 kPa, or obvious tire dam-  
age, you can determine the distance  
you may continue driving based on the  
following values:  
tions.  
Please consult your BMW center  
whenever you have any questions  
concerning the battery.<  
>With a light load:  
1 to 2 persons without luggage:  
approx. 150 miles/250 km  
>With a medium load:  
2 persons, full cargo area; or 5 per-  
sons without luggage:  
approx. 100 miles/150 km  
>With a full load:  
5 persons, full cargo area:  
approx. 30 miles/50 km.  
Charging the battery  
You will find the fuses and information  
on their respective allocation in the  
glove compartment behind a panel with  
two snap clips.  
When charging the battery in the vehi-  
cle, leave the engine off at all times.  
Connect the charge cables to the termi-  
nals in the engine compartment. For  
terminal locations, refer to Jump-start-  
ing on page 153.  
Do not attempt to repair a blown  
fuse or replace it with a fuse  
having a different color or amperage  
rating. To do this could cause a fire in  
the vehicle resulting from a circuit over-  
load.<  
Disposal  
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a  
speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h. Be  
aware that vehicle handling will be  
altered when there is a loss in inflation  
pressure. Anticipate, e.g., reduced  
tracking during braking, longer braking  
distances and changed steering char-  
acteristics.  
Return used batteries to a recy-  
cling point or your BMW center.  
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-  
tion for transport and storage. Secure  
the battery against tilting during trans-  
port.<  
For safety reasons, BMW recommends  
not having damaged Run Flat tires  
repaired. In this case, consult your  
BMW center.<  
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Giving and receiving assistance  
152 Receiving assistance  
The BMW Group's Mobile Service  
offers you 24-hour assistance in the  
event of a breakdown, even on week-  
ends and holidays.  
If the indicator lamp is flashing but you  
cannot hear the emergency call center,  
you may still be heard by the emer-  
gency call center.  
The telephone numbers of the Mobile  
Service control center in your country  
are listed in the BMW Dealer Directory.  
For technical reasons, the emer-  
gency call function cannot be  
guaranteed in certain unfavorable con-  
ditions.<  
If your vehicle has the necessary equip-  
ment, you can contact the Mobile Ser-  
vice or issue an emergency call using  
buttons in the interior rearview mirror.  
If certain requirements are met, an  
emergency call is automatically initiated  
after a serious accident. The automatic  
emergency call will not be hindered by  
pressing the button.  
When an emergency call is initiated, a  
telephone connection is established  
with the general emergency call center.  
Fold down the cover.  
1 Emergency call  
2 Mobile Service  
In vehicles with activated BMW Assist  
function, a telephone connection is set  
up to the BMW Assist emergency call  
center. If the current location of your  
vehicle can be determined, this location  
is transmitted to the BMW Assist emer-  
gency call center.  
Mobile Service*  
To establish contact with the BMW  
Group's Mobile Service:  
Requirements for initiating an emer-  
gency call or contacting Mobile Service:  
>The car phone is registered with a  
mobile network  
>The emergency call system is opera-  
tional.  
Press button 2 for at least 2 seconds.  
The indicator lamp above the buttons  
lights up. As soon as a telephone con-  
nection has been set up with the Mobile  
Service, the indicator lamp flashes.  
Initiating an emergency call*  
Press button 1 for at least 2 seconds.  
Depending on the country you are in,  
your vehicle's current location will also  
be transmitted if your vehicle is  
equipped with an activated BMW Assist  
function.  
The indicator lamp above the buttons  
lights up. As soon as a telephone con-  
nection has been set up to the main  
emergency call center, the indicator  
lamp flashes.  
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Jump-starting  
153  
When your battery is discharged, you  
can use two jumper cables to start your  
vehicle with power from the battery in a  
second vehicle. You can also use the  
same method to help start another  
vehicle. Only use jumper cables with  
fully insulated handles on the terminal  
clamps.  
2. Connect one terminal clamp of the  
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive  
terminal of the battery or to an auxil-  
iary jump-starting terminal of the  
support vehicle  
3. Connect the second terminal clamp  
of the plus/+ jumper cable to the  
positive terminal of the battery or to  
an auxiliary jump-starting terminal of  
the vehicle to be started  
4. Your BMW is equipped with a special  
nut – see arrow 2 – to serve as the  
ground or negative terminal.  
Do not touch high-voltage wiring  
and cables on a running engine.  
Contact with components carrying high  
voltage can be harmful or fatal. Care-  
fully observe the following instructions  
to avoid personal injury and/or damage  
to one or both vehicles.<  
Connecting the jumper cables  
Attach a terminal clamp of the  
minus/– jumper cable to the negative  
terminal of the support vehicle's bat-  
tery or to a suitable ground on its  
engine or bodywork  
Always adhere to this sequence  
when connecting jumper cables;  
failure to observe this procedure can  
lead to sparks at the battery terminals  
and pose an injury hazard.<  
Preparations  
5. Attach the second terminal clamp of  
the minus/– jumper cable to the neg-  
ative terminal of the battery or to a  
suitable ground on the engine or  
bodywork of the vehicle to be  
started.  
1. Check whether the battery of the  
support vehicle has 12 volts and  
approximately the same capacity –  
measured in Ah. This information is  
provided on the battery  
2. Stop the engine of the support vehi-  
cle  
3. Switch off all electrical components  
in both vehicles.  
The auxiliary jump-starting terminal  
located in your BMW's engine compart-  
ment acts as the positive battery termi-  
nal. Refer to the engine compartment  
overview on page 130. The cover of this  
auxiliary terminal is marked with a +.  
Starting the engine  
1. Open the cover of the BMW auxiliary  
jump-starting terminal. Do so by pull-  
ing the tab – see arrow 1  
1. Start the engine of the support vehi-  
cle and let it run for several minutes  
at a slightly elevated engine idle  
speed  
Make absolutely certain that there  
is no contact between the body-  
work of the two vehicles, otherwise  
there is a short circuit hazard.<  
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154 Jump-starting  
Towing the vehicle  
2. Start the engine of the other vehicle  
as usual.  
Always observe all applicable  
towing laws and regulations.<  
If the first start attempt is not suc-  
cessful, wait a few minutes before  
another attempt in order to allow the  
discharged battery to recharge  
3. Allow the engines to run for several  
minutes  
4. Disconnect the jumper cables in  
reverse sequence.  
Depending on the cause of the fault,  
have the battery checked and  
recharged by your BMW center.  
Towing with a commercial tow  
truck  
>Use wheel lift or flat bed carrier  
>Do not tow with sling-type equip-  
ment.  
Do not use spray starter fluids to  
start the engine.<  
Never allow passengers to ride in  
a towed vehicle for any reason.  
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,  
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control  
arms, or any other part of the vehicle  
suspension, as severe damage to these  
components will occur, possibly lead-  
ing to accidents.<  
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Towing the vehicle  
155  
Towing the vehicle with the front Towing eyelet  
axle raised  
Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
The screw-in towing eyelet is stored in  
the onboard tool kit; be sure that it  
remains in the vehicle at all times. It can  
be attached at the front or rear of the  
vehicle. The towing eyelet should not  
be used to pull a vehicle out of deep  
snow, mud, sand, etc. Always observe  
all applicable towing laws and regula-  
tions.  
1. Towing speed: maximum 45 mph /  
70 km/h  
2. Towing distance: maximum  
90 miles/150 km.  
Vehicles with sequential manual gear-  
box SMG:  
While the ignition is on, move the selec-  
tor lever to position N, then turn off the  
ignition.  
Access to tow sockets  
Front:  
325xi: towing the vehicle with the  
front or rear axle raised  
1. Place the transmission in Neutral  
2. Switch off the engine  
3. Towing speed:  
Press out the cover panel with a screw-  
driver inserted in the recess at the top.  
max. 30 mph / 50 km/h  
4. Towing distance:  
max. 90 miles/150 km.  
Remove the rear driveshaft for  
longer towing distances with the  
front axle lifted; remove the front drive-  
shaft for towing over longer distances  
with the rear axle lifted. Failure to com-  
ply with this will result in damage to the  
transfer box.<  
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156 Towing the vehicle  
Avoid staggered towing and be  
careful that the towing strap is  
taut before starting to drive the vehicle  
doing the towing.<  
Use only a nylon towing strap to tow  
the vehicle, since the inherent resil-  
ience of this material helps protect both  
vehicles from sudden jerking move-  
ments.  
The towed vehicle should always  
be the lighter of the two vehicles.  
If this is not the case, it will not be pos-  
sible to control vehicle handling.<  
Rear:  
Press out the cover panel with a screw-  
driver inserted in the recess at the top.  
Tow-starting  
For instructions on jump-starting, refer  
to page 153.  
Use only the towing eyelet sup-  
plied with the vehicle and screw it  
in firmly until it stops. Use the towing  
eyelet for towing on paved roads only. If  
you do not follow these instructions, the  
towing eyelet could be torn out and  
vehicle damage could occur. Never  
attach tie-down hooks, chains, straps,  
or tow hooks to tie rods, control arms,  
or any other part of the vehicle suspen-  
sion, as severe damage to these com-  
ponents will occur, possibly leading to  
accidents.<  
Never attempt to use your vehicle to  
push another car, since damage to the  
energy-absorbing bumpers could  
result.  
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157  
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158  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
159  
Overview  
Controls and features  
Operation, maintenance  
Owner service procedures  
Technical data  
Index  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
 
160 Engine data  
325i, 325xi  
3
Displacement  
Number of cylinders  
cu in/cm  
152.2/2,494  
6
Maximum power output  
at engine speed  
hp  
rpm  
184  
6,000  
Maximum torque  
at engine speed  
lb ft/Nm  
rpm  
175/237  
3,500  
Compression ratio  
ε
10.5  
Stroke  
Bore  
in/mm  
in/mm  
2.95/75  
3.31/84  
Fuel mixture preparation  
Digital electronic engine-management system (DME)  
325xi: power can be tested only on a suitable dynamometer.  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
   
Dimensions  
161  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
   
162 Weights  
325i  
325xi  
Curb weight  
with manual transmission/SMG  
with automatic transmission  
lbs/kg  
lbs/kg  
3,362/1,525  
3,450/1,565  
3,594/1,630  
3,627/1,645  
Approved gross vehicle weight  
with manual transmission/SMG  
with automatic transmission  
lbs/kg  
lbs/kg  
4,509/2,045  
4,597/2,085  
4,696/2,130  
4,729/2,145  
Approved front axle load  
Approved rear axle load  
Approved roof load capacity  
Cargo area capacity  
lbs/kg  
lbs/kg  
lbs/kg  
cu ft/l  
1,984/900  
2,139/970  
2,668/1,210  
165/75  
2,657/1,205  
165/75  
15.4-57.1/435-1,617  
15.4-57.1/435-1,617  
Approved axle loads and approved gross vehicle weight must never be exceeded.  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
   
Capacities  
163  
Notes  
Fuel tank  
Reserve  
gal./liters  
gal./liters  
approx. 16.6/63  
approx. 2.1/8  
Fuel specification, refer to  
page 25  
Windshield/  
Headlamp washer reservoir front  
Rear window washer reservoir  
Specifications, refer to  
page 132  
quarts/liters approx. 5.6/5.3  
quarts/liters approx. 2.4/2.3  
Engine oil and filter change  
quarts/liters 325i: approx. 6.9/6.5  
325xi: approx. 7.9/7.5  
BMW High Performance  
Synthetic Oil  
Oil specifications, refer to  
page 132  
Manual and automatic transmission,  
transfer box and differential  
Lifetime lubricant, no oil  
change required  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
   
164  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
165  
Overview  
Controls and features  
Operation, maintenance  
Owner service procedures  
Technical data  
Index  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
 
Everything from A to Z  
A
Air supply  
Caring for your vehicle  
Automatic transmission with  
Steptronic 71  
interlock 63  
selector lever lock 71  
shiftlock 71  
Automatic windshield  
washer, refer to Rain sen-  
sor 75  
ABS Antilock Brake  
System 121  
automatic climate  
control 102  
ditioning mode 98, 102  
Airbags 54  
indicator lamp 18, 56  
sitting safely 44  
Airing out, refer to Ventila-  
tion 96, 100  
avoiding unintentional  
alarms 39  
Winter tires 127  
indicator lamp 18  
Acceleration assistant 70  
Accessories, refer to For  
your own safety 5  
Accident, refer to Emer-  
gency call 152  
Activated-charcoal filter 104  
ADB-X Automatic Differen-  
tial Brake, all-wheel 88  
Adding brake fluid 135  
Additional sources of infor-  
mation 4  
rear 108  
AUC Automatic recircu-  
lated-air control 103  
AUTO program, refer  
to Automatic air distribu-  
tion 102  
Automatic  
air distribution 102  
Average fuel  
consumption 84  
Average speed 84  
Avoiding unintentional  
alarms 39  
Axle loads, refer to  
Weights 162  
cruise control 77  
Air conditioning 96  
Air conditioning mode 98  
automatic climate  
control 102  
Automatic car wash, refer to  
the Caring for your vehicle  
brochure  
Automatic climate  
control 100  
Automatic curb monitor 51  
Automatic Differential Brake,  
all wheel ADB-X 88  
Automatic dimming, interior  
rearview mirror 53  
Automatic recirculated-air  
control (AUC) 103  
coolant 134  
washer fluid 132  
Antilock Brake System  
(ABS) 121  
indicator lamp 18  
Anti-theft system 30  
Anti-theft warning system,  
refer to Alarm system 38  
Approved axle loads, refer  
to Weights 162  
Approved gross weight,  
refer to Weights 162  
Armrest  
front 106  
rear 107  
Backrest, adjusting 46  
Backrest, refer to Seat  
adjustment 45, 47  
Backup lamps 66  
bulb replacement 145  
Bandages, refer to First-aid  
kit 23  
Battery 151  
charge 151  
disposal 151  
Air distribution  
air conditioning 98  
automatic climate  
control 102  
Air distribution,  
individual 102  
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-  
tion 96, 100  
Air pressure, refer to Tire  
inflation pressure 25, 124  
Air recirculation, refer to  
Recirculated-air mode  
98, 103  
indicator lamp 18  
jump-starting 153  
remote control 30, 31  
Battery charge current 18  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
 
Everything from A to Z  
167  
Belts, refer to Safety  
belts 48  
Beverage holders 106, 107  
Blower  
air conditioning 98  
automatic climate  
control 102  
BMW High Performance  
Synthetic Oils 133  
BMW Maintenance  
System 136  
BMW sports seat 46  
Bore, refer to Engine  
data 160  
Bottle holders, see Bever-  
age holders 106, 107  
Brake fluid 135  
indicator lamp 18, 135  
level 135  
Brake force display 92  
Brake hydraulic system 122  
Brake lamps  
bulb replacement 145  
indicator lamp, defective  
lamp 81  
Brake lights  
brake force display 92  
Brake pads  
brake fluid level  
18, 122, 135  
breaking in 120  
Brake rotors  
brake system 122  
breaking in 120  
lamp 19  
Brake wear warning  
indicator lamp 19  
Brakes  
ABS 121  
brake fluid 135  
breaking in 120  
indicator/warning lamp  
18, 19  
parking brake 65  
Bulb replacement, refer to  
Buttons in steering wheel 22  
Car radio, refer to Owner's  
preparation 107  
Car telephone, refer to the  
Car vacuum cleaner, con-  
necting 108  
Car wash, refer to the Caring  
for your vehicle brochure  
Cargo area 37, 111  
cover 111  
emergency release, refer  
floor panel 113  
lamps 35  
lid, refer to Tailgate 35  
CD changer, refer to the  
Owner's Manual for  
Radio/Onboard Computer  
Owner's Manual for  
Radio/Onboard Computer  
Cellular phone 107  
Center high-mount brake  
lamp  
bulb replacement 146  
Central locking system 30  
button 35  
passenger  
compartment 35  
Charge indicator lamp 18  
Check Gas Cap  
indicator lamp 19  
Child safety locks 60  
Child seats 57  
control 32  
Child-restraint mounting  
system (LATCH) 59  
Child-restraint systems 57  
Chock 148  
Cigarette lighter 108  
Cigarette lighter socket 108  
Clean rear window 76  
Cleaning chrome parts, refer  
to the Caring for your vehi-  
cle brochure  
C
Cargo, securing 115  
Carpet care, refer to the  
Caring for your vehicle  
brochure  
Cassette operation, refer to  
the Owner's Manual for  
Radio/Onboard Computer  
CBC Cornering Brake Con-  
trol 121  
California Proposition 65  
warning 138  
Can holders, see Beverage  
holders 106, 107  
Capacities 163  
Car battery 151  
Car care, refer to the Caring  
for your vehicle brochure  
Car keys, refer to Keys 30  
warning lamp 18  
disc brakes 122  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
Everything from A to Z  
Cleaning light alloy wheels,  
refer to the Caring for your  
vehicle brochure  
the Caring for your vehicle  
brochure  
Compression ratio, refer to  
Computer 83  
Condensation, refer to Air  
conditioning mode 98, 102 Cover, refer to Cargo area  
Configuring settings, refer to  
Memory 61  
Connecting a vacuum  
cleaner, refer to Cigarette  
lighter 108  
warning lamp 18  
Correct tires 127  
Defrost position, refer  
to Defrosting windows  
99, 102  
windows  
air conditioning 99  
automatic climate  
control 102  
Defrosting windows 99, 102  
Defrosting windshield,  
refer to Defrosting win-  
dows 99, 102  
air conditioning 99  
automatic climate  
control 102  
Determining the maximum  
load 114  
Differential  
Digital clock 82  
Dimensions 161  
Dipstick, engine oil 132  
Disc brakes 122  
Displacement, refer to  
Engine data 160  
Display lighting, refer to  
Instrument lighting 94  
Displays, refer to Instrument  
cluster 16  
cover 111  
Cleaning windshield 76  
Clock 82  
Cruise control 77  
indicator lamp 20  
Cup holders, see Beverage  
holders 106, 107  
Curb weight, refer to  
Weights 162  
data 160  
12-/24-hour mode 82  
setting, refer also to the  
Owner's Manual for  
Radio/Onboard Computer  
Closing  
from inside 35  
from outside 31  
Clothes hooks 121  
Clutch  
breaking in 120  
Consumption  
display 79  
Consumption, refer to Aver-  
Cockpit 14  
glass sunroof 32  
windows 32  
Coolant 134  
indicator lamp 19, 80  
level 134  
temperature gauge 80  
Coolant water, refer to Cool-  
ant 134  
Cooling, refer to Tempera-  
ture 98, 102  
Copyright 4  
D
Cockpit 14  
Dashboard, refer to  
Cockpit 14  
Data  
capacities 163  
dimensions 161  
engine 160  
Code, refer to the Owner's  
Manual for Radio/Onboard  
Computer  
Coin box 106  
Cold start, refer to Starting  
the engine 63  
Compact disc operation,  
refer to the Owner's Man-  
ual for Radio/Onboard  
Computer  
Compartments 106  
Compartments in cargo  
area 113  
technical 160  
weights 162  
Daytime driving lamps 93  
DBC Dynamic Brake Control  
19, 121  
Deep water, refer to Water  
on roadways 121  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
Everything from A to Z  
169  
ESP Electronic Stability Pro-  
gram, refer to Dynamic  
Stability Control DSC 86  
Eyeglasses  
Disposal  
E
Engine  
data 160  
electronics 19  
indicator lamp 19  
speed 79, 160  
starting 63  
switching off 65  
Engine compartment 130  
Engine coolant 134  
adding 134  
Engine oil  
adding 133  
additives, refer to Adding  
capacity 163  
quality 133  
viscosity 134  
Engine oil consumption 132  
Engine oil level 19  
check 132  
indicator/warning lamp 18  
Engine oil pressure  
indicator/warning lamp 18  
Engine oil types 133  
Engine output, refer to  
Engine data 160  
Engine speed 79, 160  
Environmentally-friendly  
driving, refer to Energy  
control 79  
oil 133  
ure 151  
Electrical malfunction  
with Steptronic 73  
vehicle battery 151  
Distance warning, refer to  
Park Distance Control  
(PDC) 85  
Door key 30  
Door lock 34  
compartment 107  
Eyelet, towing 155  
Doors  
F
emergency operation 34  
Draft-free ventilation 99, 103  
Driving light, refer to Parking  
lamps/Low beams 93  
Driving notes 121  
Dry air, refer to Air condi-  
tioning mode 98, 102  
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-  
trol 86  
indicator lamp 19, 86  
DTC Dynamic Traction Con-  
trol 86  
indicator lamp 19, 86  
Dynamic Brake Control  
(DBC) 19, 121  
driver's door 34  
fuel filler door 24  
glass sunroof 43  
False alarm, refer to  
Avoiding unintentional  
alarms 39  
Fastening the safety belts 48  
Fault displays 81  
First aid, refer to First-aid  
kit 23  
First-aid kit 23  
Flashlight 106  
Flashlight, refer to  
Rechargeable  
flashlight 106  
tailgate 36  
Emergency call 152  
glass sunroof 43  
Flat tire 147  
Emergency release  
tailgate 36  
Flat Tire Monitor 91  
space-saver spare tire 147  
Flat Tire Monitor 91  
indicator lamp 18, 19, 92  
Flat tire, refer to Tire condi-  
tion 124  
Floor panel, lifting 113  
Fluid reservoir for washer  
systems 132  
indicator lamp 19  
Dynamic Stability Control  
(DSC) 19, 86  
Emissions, minimum, refer  
to Energy control 79  
Energy control 79  
Dynamic Traction Control  
(DTC) 86  
indicator lamp 19, 86  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
Everything from A to Z  
Fog lamps 95  
G
96, 100  
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo  
loading 114  
Height adjustment  
seats 45, 47  
steering wheel 52  
Height, refer to  
Dimensions 161  
High beams 74, 94  
bulb replacement 143  
headlamp flasher 94  
Hill Descent Control  
(HDC) 90  
indicator/warning lamp 20  
Folding rear backrest 111  
Follow me home lamps 93  
driving notes 121  
Front airbags 54  
Front center armrest 106  
Front fog lamps 95  
indicator lamp 20  
Fuel  
display 80  
quality 25  
volume 163  
Fuel consumption  
display 84  
tion 84  
Handbrake, refer to Parking  
brake 65  
Gasoline, refer to Fuel spec- Harman Kardon premium  
ifications 25  
HDC Hill Descent Control 90  
Head airbags 54  
Head restraints 48  
Headlamp cleaning system  
cleaning headlamps 76  
washer fluid 132, 163  
matic 93  
Gear indicator 69, 73  
Gear lever  
automatic transmission  
with Steptronic 71  
sequential manual gear-  
box SMG 67  
Gearbox  
General driving notes 121  
Glass sunroof  
Holder for  
beverages 106, 107  
litter bag 107  
Fuel display, refer to Fuel  
gauge 80  
Fuel economy, refer to  
Energy control 79  
Fuel filler door 24  
release following an elec-  
trical malfunction 24  
Fuel gauge 79  
Fuel level indicator, refer to  
Fuel gauge 80  
Fuel mixture preparation 160  
Fuel reserve indicator, refer  
to Fuel gauge 80  
convenience operation  
32, 34  
Headlamps  
Hood release 129  
Horn 14  
Hub cap 148  
Hydraulic brake assistant,  
refer to DBC 121  
Hydraulic system  
brakes 122  
bulb replacement 143  
care, refer to the Caring  
for your vehicle brochure  
Heated mirrors 52  
Heated rear window  
air conditioning 98  
automatic climate  
control 103  
Heated seats 51  
Heating  
exterior mirrors 52  
rear window 98, 103  
seats 51  
remote control 31, 32  
Glass sunroof, electric 41  
closing following an elec-  
trical malfunction 43  
Glove compartment 105  
Grills, refer to Ventilation  
96, 100  
Hydroplaning 121  
Gross weight, refer to  
Weights 162  
I
Ice warning 83  
Ignition 63  
Ignition key 30  
positions 63  
Fuel tank capacity 163  
Fuses 151  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
Everything from A to Z  
171  
Ignition lock 63  
Imprint 4  
Indicator lamps 18  
Indicator/warning lamp  
airbags 18  
alarm system 38  
brakes 18, 19  
Check Gas Cap 19  
coolant 19, 80  
DSC 19  
Interior lamps 95  
Lashing eyelets, refer to  
Lashing fittings, refer to  
LATCH child-restraint  
mounting system 59  
Caring for your vehicle  
brochure  
Locking  
from inside 35  
from outside 31, 34  
Locking and unlocking  
doors  
from outside 31, 34  
Low beams 93  
automatic 93  
bulb replacement 143  
indicator lamp, defective  
lamp 81  
switching off 39  
automatic dimming  
feature 53  
Interior temperature  
adjusting 98, 102  
Interlock, refer to Steering  
wheel lock 63  
LEDs light-emitting  
diodes 95  
Length, refer to  
Flat Tire Monitor  
18, 19, 92  
Intermittent  
fog lamps 20  
Please fasten safety  
belts 18  
reserve 80  
Service Engine Soon 19  
mode, wipers 75  
Interval  
Dimensions 161  
Lug bolts 148  
key 148  
torque 148  
bulb replacement 146  
Light switch 93  
LEDs 95  
Cargo area cover 111  
Luggage compartment, refer  
to Cargo area 37  
Luggage net, refer to Parti-  
tion net 111  
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-  
mounted luggage rack 116  
Luggage straps 37  
Lumbar support 47  
J
Individual settings, refer to  
Memory 61  
Inflation pressure 124  
Inflation pressure monitor-  
Jacking points 148  
Jump-starting 153  
Lighter 108  
LIGHTS ON warning 93  
Lights, refer to Parking  
lamps/Low beams 93  
Litter bag holder 107  
Load, refer to Cargo  
loading 113  
K
Key Memory 61  
ing, refer to Flat Tire Moni- Keys 30  
tor 91  
with remote control 30  
Inflation pressure, tires 25  
INSPECTION 81  
Kickdown 68, 72  
Loading  
vehicle 113  
M
Instrument cluster 16  
Instrument lighting 94  
Instrument panel 14  
Interface socket for onboard  
diagnostics (OBD) 138  
L
Lock buttons on doors, refer  
to Locking 35  
Lock, steering wheel 63  
M+S tires, refer to Winter  
tires 127  
Maintenance 81, 136  
Maintenance system 136  
Lamp defect 143  
Lamps and bulbs 143  
Lashing down loads, refer to  
Cargo loading 113  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
Everything from A to Z  
refer to the telephone  
Owner's Manual  
Malfunction  
door lock 34  
Microphone, refer to Cellular  
phone 107  
Mirror  
O
Onboard computer, refer to  
the Owner's Manual for  
Onboard Computer  
Onboard tool kit 142  
Opening and closing  
from inside 35  
Oil  
additives, refer to Adding  
engine oil 133  
fuel filler door 24  
Malfunction displays 81  
Manual operation  
door lock 34  
driver's door 34  
fuel filler door 24  
glass sunroof 43  
tailgate 36  
Manual transmission 66  
Master keys  
MC operation, refer to the  
Owner's Manual for  
Radio/Onboard Computer  
MD operation, refer to the  
Owner's Manual for  
Radio/Onboard Computer  
Mechanical seats 45  
Memory, refer to Seat and  
mirror memory 50  
Memory, refer to Vehicle  
Memory, Key Memory 61  
Microfilter  
automatic curb monitor 51  
Mirrors 52  
heated 52  
memory, refer to Seat and  
mirror memory 50  
Mobile Service 152  
refer to For your own  
safety 5  
Multifunction steering  
wheel 22  
turn signal indicator/head-  
lamp flasher 74  
capacity 163  
dipstick 132  
quality 133  
viscosity 133  
Oil change interval, refer  
to Service interval  
display 136  
Oil change intervals, refer to  
via door lock 34  
via remote control 31  
Outlets, ventilation 96, 100  
Outside temperature dis-  
play 83  
changing unit of  
measure 83  
P
models/Warranty and Ser- Paintwork care, refer to the  
Canadian models  
Oil dipstick 132  
Oil filter change 163  
Oil level  
checking 132  
indicator lamp 18  
Oil pressure  
indicator lamp 18  
OIL SERVICE 81  
Oil types 133  
Old batteries, refer to Dis-  
posal 151  
Caring for your vehicle  
brochure  
Panic mode – trigger  
alarm 32  
Park Distance Control  
(PDC) 85  
Parking aid, refer to Park  
Distance Control (PDC) 85  
Parking brake 65  
indicator lamp 18  
Parking lamps 93  
bulb replacement 144  
Parking lamps/Low  
beams 93  
N
Navigation system, refer to  
the Owner's Manual for  
Radio/Onboard Computer  
Neck restraints, refer to  
Head restraints 48  
Nets 106  
air conditioning 99  
automatic climate  
control 104  
Nozzles, refer to Ventilation  
96, 100  
Onboard computer 83  
Partition net 111  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
Everything from A to Z  
173  
Parts and accessories, refer  
to Your individual vehicle 5 Radio remote control key,  
Passenger-side exterior mir-  
ror tilt function 51  
Control 85  
R
automatic climate  
control 103  
98, 103  
Reverse gear  
manual transmission 66  
Roof load capacity 162  
Roof-mounted luggage  
rack 116  
refer to Master key with  
Manual for Radio  
Rain sensor 75  
Run Flat tires 126, 150  
Pinch protection  
glass sunroof 42  
Range 84  
Reading lamps  
front 95  
rear 95  
Rear armrest, refer to Rear  
center armrest 107  
Rear lamps  
bulb replacement 145  
lamp 81  
Reclining seat, refer to Seat  
adjustment 45, 47  
Refueling 24  
fuel filler door 24  
Releasing  
hood 129  
vice 81  
Remaining distance, refer to  
Range 84  
Remote control 31  
S
Plastic, refer to the Caring  
for your vehicle brochure  
Please fasten safety belts  
indicator lamp 18  
Pollen, refer to Microfilter 99  
Pollen, refer to Microfil-  
ter 104  
Safe seating position 44  
Safety belt height adjust-  
ment 49  
Safety belts 48  
sitting safely 44  
warning lamp 18  
Safety feature  
glass sunroof 42  
Safety instructions 5  
Safety switches for rear win-  
dows 41  
Engine data 160  
Power seat 47  
Power supply, refer to Ciga-  
rette lighter socket 108  
Power windows  
Replacing lamps, refer to  
Lamps and bulbs 143  
Replacing tires 125  
Reporting safety defects 7  
Restraint systems  
for children 57  
Restraint systems, refer to  
Safety belts 48  
Reverse  
refer to Antilock Brake  
System 121  
refer to Dynamic Stability  
Control (DSC) 86  
Screwdriver, refer to  
Onboard tool kit 142  
Seat adjustment 45  
BMW sports seat 46  
mechanical 45  
remote control 32  
Rear window defroster  
air conditioning 98  
Rear window heating  
automatic climate  
control 103  
Rear window shelf, refer to  
Cargo area cover 111  
Rear window wiper 76  
changing 142  
safety switch 41  
Pressure monitoring, tires  
Flat Tire Monitor 91  
Pressure, tires 25, 124  
Protective function  
electric power windows 40  
Putting the vehicle into stor-  
age  
automatic transmission  
with Steptronic 71  
SMG gearbox 68  
power 47  
Seat belt tensioner, refer to  
Safety belts 48  
refer to the Caring for your  
vehicle brochure  
Rearview mirror 52  
Receiving assistance 152  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  
Everything from A to Z  
Seat heating 51  
Shifting gears  
Speedometer 16  
SPORT button 70  
Storing seat positions,  
refer to Seat and mirror  
memory 50  
Stroke, refer to Engine  
data 160  
Surface ice, refer to Ice  
warning 83  
Switches, refer to  
Cockpit 14  
Seat memory, refer to Seat  
and mirror memory 50  
Seat positions, storing 50  
Seats 45  
Securing cargo 115  
Securing the vehicle  
from inside 35  
from outside 31, 34  
Selector lever  
automatic transmission 71  
sequential manual gear-  
box SMG 67  
with Steptronic 71  
sequential manual gear-  
box SMG 68  
Shiftlock 67  
Sport program  
automatic transmission  
with Steptronic 72  
Sports seat 46  
Stability control, refer to  
Dynamic Stability Control  
(DSC) 86  
Side airbags 54  
Side turn signal indicators  
bulb replacement 145  
Sitting safely  
Switching off  
engine 65  
vehicle 65  
with airbags 44  
Shiftlock 67, 71  
Selector lever positions  
Size 161  
Ski bag 110  
Starting difficulties  
Synthetic oils 133  
temperature 63  
T
sequential manual gear-  
box SMG 67  
Sequential manual gearbox  
SMG 67  
indicator lamp 19  
Service and Warranty Infor-  
mation Booklet 136  
SERVICE ENGINE SOON  
warning lamp 19  
Electric glass sunroof 41  
SMG sequential manual  
indicator lamp 19  
Smokers' package, refer to  
Ashtray 108  
Snow chains 128  
SOS, refer to Emergency  
call 152  
Space-saver spare tire  
changing a wheel 147  
Spare key 30  
Starting help DSC 86  
Starting the engine 63  
Starting, refer to Starting the  
engine 63  
Status of the Owner's Man-  
ual 5  
Steering wheel lock 63  
Steering wheel, adjusting 52  
Steptronic, refer to Manual  
operation 72  
Storage compartments 106  
Storage nets 106  
Tachometer 79  
Tail lamps  
bulb replacement 145  
Tail lamps, refer to Rear  
lamps 145  
Tailgate 35  
emergency operation 36  
indicator lamp 81  
opening from inside the  
vehicle 36  
opening from outside 35  
opening, remote  
control 32  
Service interval display  
81, 136  
Shift paddles 68  
Spare tire 147  
Spare wheel 150  
Storage space, refer to  
Cargo area 111  
remote control 32  
unlocking manually 36  
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Everything from A to Z  
175  
Tailgate lamp  
ing 46  
Tires  
breaking in 120  
changing 147  
condition 128  
damage 124  
flat 147  
replacing 125  
size, refer to Wheel and  
tire combinations 127  
storing 127  
bulb replacement 147  
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel  
tank capacity 163  
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel  
gauge 80  
Technical data 160  
Technical modifications 5  
Technical modifications,  
refer to For your own  
safety 5  
Telephone hookup 107  
Telephone, refer to the sep-  
arate Owner's Manual  
Television, refer to the  
Temperature  
air conditioning 98  
automatic climate  
control 102  
automatic transmission  
with Steptronic 71  
sequential manual gear-  
box SMG 67  
Transmission lock, refer to P  
Park 71  
Transmission malfunction  
automatic transmission  
with Steptronic 73  
sequential manual gear-  
box SMG 69  
Transport securing devices,  
refer to Securing  
cargo 115  
Transporting children  
safely 57  
Trap protection  
lamp 146  
Through-loading system 111  
Tilt alarm sensor 32  
remote control 32  
switching off 39  
Tilting passenger-side exte-  
rior mirror 51  
Time 82  
Tire pressure monitoring,  
refer to Flat Tire  
tread 124  
refer to Tire tread – tire  
damage 124  
winter tires 127  
kit 142  
electric power windows 40  
Tread depth, refer to Tire  
tread 124  
Torque 160  
engine 148  
Temperature adjustment  
98, 102  
Temperature display  
engine coolant 80  
ice warning 83  
outside temperature 83  
setting units 83  
Temperature layering  
99, 103  
lug bolts 148  
Tow sockets for towing eye-  
let 155  
Towing eyelet 155  
Towing the vehicle 154  
Track width, refer to Dimen-  
sions 161  
Treadwear indicator in the  
tires, refer to Tire tread –  
tire damage 124  
Treadwear, tires 124  
Trigger alarm – Panic  
mode 32  
Trip distance recorder, refer  
to Trip odometer 79  
Trip meter, refer to Trip  
odometer 79  
Tempomat, refer to Cruise  
control 77  
Trip odometer 79  
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Everything from A to Z  
Trunk lid, refer to Tailgate 35 Vehicle  
Warning lamp  
Windows  
area lighting 35  
Turn signal indicator 74  
bulb replacement 144  
indicator lamp 20  
Turn signal indicator, side  
bulb replacement 145  
Turning circle, refer to  
Dimensions 161  
TV function, refer to the  
Owner's Manual for  
battery 151  
belts 18  
Booklet 136  
Washer fluid  
adding 132, 163  
Washer fluid reservoir 132  
volume 132  
Washer jets, refer to Wind-  
shield washer jets 76  
Washer/wiper system 75, 76 Winter tires 127  
convenience operation  
32, 34  
power 40  
remote control 31, 32  
Windshield washer  
nozzles 76  
Windshield washer reservoir  
volume, see  
break-in procedures 120  
dimensions 161  
loading 113  
starting 63  
switching off 65  
washing, refer to the Car-  
ing for your vehicle bro-  
chure 75  
weight 162  
Vehicle storage  
Capacities 163  
Windshield washer reser-  
voir, filling 132, 163  
Windshield wipers, refer to  
Washer/wiper system 75  
Onboard Computer  
U
refer to the Caring for your  
vehicle brochure  
to the Caring for your vehi- Vehicle weight 162  
Waste tray, refer to  
condition 128  
storing 127  
Wiper blades  
Underbody protection, refer  
cle brochure  
Uniform Tire Quality  
Grading 126  
Ventilation 96, 100  
draft-free 99, 103  
Viscosity 134  
water 121  
Weights 162  
replacing 142  
Work in the engine compart-  
ment 129  
Units  
average fuel  
Voice Input System 22  
Voice recognition, refer to  
separate Owner's Manual  
Volume  
Wheel and tire  
Wrench, refer to Onboard  
tool kit 142  
combinations 127  
Wheelbase, refer to Dimen-  
sions 161  
Wheels and tires 127  
Wheelslip control DSC 86  
Width, refer to  
consumption 84  
temperature 83  
Unlocking  
from inside 35  
from outside 31, 34  
X
cargo area 162  
Xenon lamps  
bulb replacement 143  
W
Warning and indicator  
lamps 18  
Dimensions 161  
Window condensation  
removing 99, 102  
V
Valve  
screw caps 148  
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Refueling  
To ensure that you always have conve-  
nient access to all essential information  
when you stop for fuel, we recommend  
that you fill out the adjoining chart by  
entering the data that apply to your  
vehicle. Consult the index for individual  
specifications.  
Fuel  
Designation  
Please enter your preferred fuel here.  
Engine oil  
Quality  
The oil volume between the two marks  
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.  
1.1 US quarts/1 liter.  
Tire inflation pressure  
Summer tires  
Front Rear  
Winter tires  
Front Rear  
Up to 4 persons  
5 persons or 4 plus luggage  
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More about BMW  
bmwusa.com  
The Ultimate  
Driving Machine  
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Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 157 605 - 09/03 BMW AG  

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