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engage the lever in the appropriate turn-signal position.
96 Fog lamps*
Interior lamps
Front fog lamps
The green indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up to indicate that the front fog lamps
are on.
If the automatic headlamp control is on, the low beams will come on
automatically whenever you activate the front fog lamps.<
The interior lamps operate automati- cally. To switch the interior lamps on and off manually Press button 1 briefly: If you want the interior lamps to remain off all the time, press and hold the but- ton for approx. 3 seconds. 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.
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.
Interior lamps
Do not remove the protective lens and avoid staring directly at the unfiltered beam for several hours, as inflammation of the retina could result.<
97
Controlling the climate for pleasant driving Air conditioning
98
Air conditioning
1 Air onto the windshield and the side
windows
2 Air for the upper body area 101
3 Air to the footwell 4 Air supply/Blower 100
5 Temperature 100
6 Air distribution 100
7 Rear window defroster 100
8 Air conditioning 100
9 Outside air/Recirculated-airmode 100
99
Outside air/Recirculated-air mode You can respond to unpleasant external odors by temporarily
blocking the supply of outside air. The system then recirculates the air cur- rently within the vehicle.
If the windows should fog over in the recirculated-air mode, switch this mode off and increase the air sup- ply as required.<
100
Air conditioning
Air supply/Blower
Rear window defroster
You can select blower speeds from 1 to 4. The heating and ventilation become more and more effective as the air sup-
When the rear window defroster is activated, the indicator lamp comes on. The rear window defroster switches off automatically.
ply settings are increased. In position 0, the blower and the heater are switched off. The outside air supply is blocked in position 0.
Temperature
In order to increase the tem- perature of the passenger compartment, turn to the right toward the red zone. The tem- perature of the incoming air is kept con- stant.
Air distribution
You can direct air to flow onto , toward your the windows upper body 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.
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.<
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi- fied and – depending on the
temperature setting – rewarmed. 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.
Condensation forms during opera- tion of the air conditioning system,
which then exits under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water of this kind are thus normal.<
Air conditioning
101
Microfilter The built-in microfilter removes dust and pollen from the incoming air. Your BMW center will replace it during rou- tine maintenance. A substantial reduc- tion in airflow indicates that the filter needs to be replaced before scheduled maintenance.
Draft-free ventilation 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 Levers for airflow direction 3 Rotary dial allows you to control the temperature of the airflow from these outlets as desired
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 to the red zone
3. Turn the rotary control for air distri-
bution to position
4. Switch on the rear window defroster
to defrost the rear window.
102 Automatic climate control*
Automatic climate control*
1 Air onto the windshield and the side
windows
2 Air for the upper body area 105
3 Air to the footwell 4 Air inlet for interior temperature sensor – please keep clear and unobstructed5 Outside air/Automatic recirculated-
air control (AUC)/Recirculated air 105
6 Automatic air distribution and
supply 104
7 Individual air distribution 104
8 Temperature 104
9 Display for temperature 104and air supply 104
10 Air supply/Blower 104
11 To defrost windows and removecondensation 104
12 Air conditioning 104
13 Rear window defroster 105103
104
Automatic climate control*
Tips for pleasant driving Use the automatic mode – switch on with AUTO button 6. Select the desired interior temperature. Detailed setting options are described for you in the following section.
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.<
Automatic air distribution and supply
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.
, toward the upper , and into the footwell
vated, the automatic airflow control remains in operation. Air flows onto the windows body You can reactivate the automatic air distribution mode by selecting the AUTO button.
Temperature
The interior temperature that appears in the display panel is a general figure intended for refer- ence purposes. We recommend 727/ +226 as 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. It then maintains this temperature, regardless of the season. To select the units of measure, 6 or 7, for the display, refer to page 84.
Individual air distribution
Air supply/Blower
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-
By pressing the upper or lower button, you can vary the air sup- ply. This deactivates the auto-
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. When the lowest blower speed is set and you press the lower button, all of the displays are canceled: the blower, heating and air conditioning are switched off. The outside air supply is blocked. You can reactivate the system by pressing any button for the auto- matic climate control.
To defrost windows and remove condensation
This program quickly removes ice and condensation from the
windshield and the side windows.
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi- fied and – depending on the
temperature setting – rewarmed. 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.
Automatic climate control*
105
Condensation forms during opera- tion of the air conditioning system,
recirculates the air currently within the vehicle.
which then exits under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water of this kind are thus normal.<
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. Press the button repeatedly to select one of three different operating modes. > Indicator lamps off: outside airflow is
on
> 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
If the windows should fog over in the recirculated-air mode, switch this mode off and increase the air sup- ply as required.<
Rear window defroster
When the rear window defroster is activated, the indicator lamp comes on. The rear window defroster switches off automatically.
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 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 Levers for airflow direction 3 Rotary dial allows you to control the temperature of the airflow from these outlets as desired
106
Automatic climate control*
Roller sun blind*
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.
To actuate, press the button briefly with the ignition key in position 1 or higher. The illustration depicts the arrangement of the buttons if the vehicle is fully equipped. The arrangement may vary depending on the equipment actually installed.
Interior conveniences Premium sound system*
Glove compartment
107
Harman Kardon premium sound system Press the button to activate and deacti- vate the acoustic enhancement. The system creates the acoustic impression of a much larger passenger compartment accompanied by improved stereophonic sound at all seating positions. 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 open Pull the handle. The lamp in the glove compartment comes on.
To close Fold the cover up.
To prevent injury in the event of an accident, close the glove com-
partment immediately after use.<
To lock Lock with one of the master keys. A master key will also be required to unlock the glove compartment.
108
Glove compartment
Storage compartments
If – for example for valet parking – you turn over only your spare key,
refer to page 32, 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.
To avoid completely discharging and possibly damaging the flash- light, always ensure that it is switched off before inserting it in the socket.<
Beverage holders, coin box A coin box and two beverage holders are provided in the center console.
Front center armrest To open: press the button and fold up.
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.
Storage compartments
109
Rear center armrest* Without through-loading system: The rear center armrest includes a stor- age compartment, a beverages holder and a litter bag holder. 1 Storage compartment: pull up 2 Beverages holder: press
Rear center armrest* With through-loading system: The rear center armrest includes a bev- erages holder and a litter bag holder. > Beverages holder: press
Storage package* For your convenience, there are: > Two flip-out sockets on the rear cen-
ter console
> An eyeglasses compartment*, not shown, in the front center console.
110 Cellular phone*
Ashtray, front*
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.
Hands-free system On vehicles that are wired for a tele- phone* or equipped with a communica- tions package*, the cover for the hands-free microphone is located in the headliner near the interior lamp. For further information on using your cellular phone, refer to the separate Owner's Manual for the telephone.
To empty Press on the edge of the open cover: 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 lighter 1 in. You can remove the lighter from its socket for use as soon as it springs back out.
Ashtray, rear*
111
To empty Press on the edge of the open cover in the opening direction: the ashtray moves up and can be removed.
Loading and transporting Through-loading system*
112
Rear center 3-point safety belt* You can roll up the rear 3-point belt before folding back the through-loading system: > Release the belt and insert its latch in the recess provided for this purpose in the rear tray.
1. Pull the corresponding lever to
2. The backrest moves forward slightly
release
when released. Reach into the gap and fold it down.
When folding the backrest back into its original position always
ensure that the detent engages securely. A loose backrest might fail to prevent cargo from entering the pas- senger compartment during sudden braking or evasive maneuvers, posing a potential hazard to occupants.<
The fittings at the corners of the lug- gage compartment provide you with a convenient means of attaching luggage compartment nets* and flexible straps for securing luggage. Refer also to Cargo loading on page 114.
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 luggage compartment 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.
113
5. Use the magnetic retainers to attach the cover panel to the upper surface – metal surface below rear tray – of the luggage compartment.
To store the ski bag, perform the above steps in reverse sequence.
Loading Vehicles without through-loading sys- tem: 1. Fold the center armrest outward.
Loosen the trim from the upper Velcro® fastener and place it on the armrest
2. Press the button – see arrow 1, from inside the passenger compartment: this releases the cover panel in the luggage compartment
3. Press the detent levers inward – see arrows 2 – and fold the cover to the front
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
114
Ski bag*
Cargo loading
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.<
Securing cargo
Secure skis and any other objects stored in the bag by tightening the
retaining strap at the buckle.<
Be sure that your skis are clean before loading them into the bag. Avoid damage from sharp edges during loading.<
Loading Vehicles with through-loading system: 1. Fold the center armrest outward.
Loosen the trim from the upper Velcro® fastener and place it on the armrest
2. Press the button downward – see arrow 1 – and swing the cover for- ward
3. 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
4. Press the button – see arrow 2: the
cover in the luggage compartment is unlocked.
To store the ski bag, perform the above steps in reverse sequence.
Cargo loading
115
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.
Stowing cargo > Load heavy cargo as far forward as possible – directly behind the back- rests or the luggage compartment partition – and as low as possible
> Cover sharp edges and corners > Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
Determining the maximum load 1. Locate the following statement on
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
116
Cargo loading
> For transporting very heavy loads
when the rear seat is not occupied, secure the outer safety belts in the opposite buckles, refer to the illustra- tion.
Securing cargo > For small, light items, use the rubber-
lined, non-skid side of the floor mat or secure using a luggage compart- ment net* or elastic straps, refer to page 40
> For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing devices*. Anchorages located in the luggage compartment can be used for fastening the load-securing devices.
Read and comply with the instructions enclosed with the load-securing devices.
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 be thrown around during braking and evasive maneuvers and could endanger the passengers.<
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
117
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 heavy, 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 main- tained for raising the glass sunroof, and that objects do not project into the opening path of the luggage compart- ment lid. 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. 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.
A special roof-rack system is available as an optional extra for your BMW. Please observe the precautions included with the installation instruc- tions.
Anchorages Access to the anchorages: To fold up the covers, please use the tool provided with the roof-rack system.
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.
118
119
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
Special operating instructions Break-in procedures
120
To ensure that your vehicle provides maximum economy throughout a long service life, we request that you observe the following suggestions.
Engine and differential Up to 1,250 miles/2,000 km: Constantly vary both vehicle and engine speeds, remembering not to exceed 4,500 rpm or vehicle speeds of over 100 mph / 160 km/h: Obey your local and state maximum speed limits. Do not use full throttle, and avoid pressing the accelerator beyond the kickdown point during these initial miles. You can then proceed to increase engine or vehicle speeds once the ini- tial 1,250 miles/2,000 km have elapsed. Please remember to observe these same break-in procedures if either the engine or the differential should have to be replaced later in the course of the vehicle's service life.
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. Obey your local and state maximum 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.<
Brake system 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 – use caution to avoid posing a danger to other road users. To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce- dure from time to time.
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.<
Clutch 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.
General driving notes
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
121
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.
Cornering Brake Control (CBC) 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.
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. Rear parcel tray: 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.<
The concept ABS keeps the wheels from locking during braking, thereby enhancing active driving safety.
Braking with ABS If you are in a situation that requires full braking, you will exploit the full benefits of the ABS system if you apply maxi- mum pedal pressure – panic stop. Since the vehicle maintains steering responsiveness, you can avoid possible obstacles with a minimum of steering effort, 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.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) DBC is included in the DSC, refer to page 87. 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.
122 Brake system
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.
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.<
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. Corrosion on brake rotors is signaled by a running or pulsation during braking; even extended subsequent braking will not cure this phenomenon.
It is a good idea to periodically dry the brakes with a gentle application when driving in rain and on wet roads. Watch 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. 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 80.
Do not coast with the clutch depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in Neutral. Do not 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, 330xi: always refer all brake inspection and service work to your BMW center, as failure to observe the special procedures could result in dam- age to components 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.<
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.<
Brake system
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.
123
wall with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. At a tread depth of 1/16 in / 1.6 mm, the indicators signal that the legally permis- sible wear limit has been reached.
Wheels and tires Tire inflation pressure
124
Tire condition
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. Tire pres- sure also has a major effect on your BMW's handling response.
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.<
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. 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 in the tread-groove base – see arrow – are distributed around the wheel circumfer- ence and are labeled on the tire side-
Tire condition
Tire replacement
125
Do not drive on a flat tire unless your vehicle is 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 vehi- cle 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 flat tire or some other vehicle malfunc- tion. This type of problem can be caused by contact with curbs, etc. This is also true for abnormalities in the vehi- cle's handling characteristics, such as a pronounced tendency to pull to the left or right. Should this occur, respond by immediately reducing your speed. Pro- ceed carefully to the nearest BMW cen- ter or professional tire center, or have the vehicle towed in to have it, its wheels or its tires inspected. 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.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle response, use only tires of a single tread configuration from a single manu- facturer. 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.
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.<
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. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half – 1 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
depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in road char- acteristics and climate.
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.
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.<
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.
126
Tire replacement
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive tem- perature can lead to sudden tire failure. 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.
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.<
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section width. For example: Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
BMW advises against using retreaded tires, since driving
For more information on Run Flat tires, refer to page 150.
Run Flat tires are available only in combination with the Flat Tire
Monitor.<
safety may be impaired. This is due to the possible variations in casing struc- 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. 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.
Run Flat tires* 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.
Wheel and tire combinations
Winter tires
127
The correct wheel and tire combi- nation affects various systems
that would otherwise be impaired, for example ABS, DSC and ADB-X/DBC. For this reason, use only tires of the same manufacture and tread configura- tion. In the event of a flat tire, for exam- ple, remount the approved wheel and tire combination as soon as possible.<
Storage 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. Do not exceed the maximum tire infla- tion pressures specified on the tire sidewall.
The right choice
BMW recommends using only wheels and tires that have been
approved by BMW for use on your par- ticular model. Although other wheels and tires may theoretically have the same dimensions, variations in factors such as manufacturing tolerances can result in contact between tire and body- work, ultimately leading to serious acci- dents. 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 mounted.<
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.
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. 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.
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.<
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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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.
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 the specified tire inflation pressures — and be sure to have the wheel and tire assembly balanced every time you change a tire or wheel.
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.
325xi, 330xi: only in an 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. 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: 225/50 R 16
225/45 R 17
225/40 R 18
245/40 R 17
255/35 R 18Do 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 88 or 89.<
In the engine compartment Hood
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To release Pull the lever located under the left- hand side of the instrument panel.
To open Pull the release handle and open the hood.
Do not attempt to service your vehicle if you do not have the
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.<
To close Allow the hood to fall from a height of about 1 ft/30 cm so that it audibly engages.
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 notice while driving that the hood is not completely closed, stop immedi- ately and close it securely.<
