engine light BMW 323I SEDAN 2007 E90 Owner's Guide

Practical interior accessories
112
Ashtray, front
Opening
Push the ridge on the cover.
Emptying
Lift out the insert.
Lighter
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, press in the cigarette lighter.
The lighter can be pulled out as soon as it pops
back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by
the knob only. Holding or touching it in
other areas could result in burns.
When leaving the car, always remove the remote control so that children cannot operate
the cigarette lighter and burn themselves.<
Ashtray, rear
Opening
Push the ridge on the cover.
Emptying
Lift out the insert.
Connecting electrical
appliances
In your BMW, you can use electrical devices
such as a flashlight, car vacuum cleaner, etc., up
to approx. 200 watts at 12 volts, as long as one
of the following sockets is available. Avoid dam-
aging the sockets by attempting to insert plugs
of unsuitable shape or size.
Cigarette lighter socket*
To access the socket: take the cigarette lighter
out of the socket.
Socket in the center armrest
External audio device, refer to page111.

Driving tips
123Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
vehicle electronics and mobile communication
device can influence one another. In addition,
there is no assurance that the radiation which
results from transmission will be dissipated
from the vehicle interior.<
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 sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning,
means that the tire can completely lose contact
with the road surface, so that neither the car can
be steered nor the brake be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page211.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the parking brake. Other-
wise greater clutch wear will result.<
For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page89.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most
effective way of braking in situations in which
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every few miles. Monitor 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 full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page60.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in idle or with the
engine switched off; otherwise, engine braking
action will not be present or there will be no
power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals, otherwise pedal function could be
impaired.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.

Refueling
200
Refueling
Always switch off the engine before refu-
eling, otherwise, fuel cannot be added to
the tank and a message will be displayed.<
Take all precautionary measures and
observe all applicable regulations when
handling fuel. Do not carry any spare fuel con-
tainers in your vehicle. They can develop a leak
and cause an explosion or cause a fire in the
event of an accident.<
Gas cap
Opening
1.Open fuel filler door. To do so, lightly press
the rear edge.
2.Turn the gas cap counterclockwise.
3.Place the gas cap in the bracket attached to
the fuel filler door.
Closing
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you clearly
hear a click.
Do not jam the strap between the gas cap
and the vehicle. Otherwise fuel vapors
could escape. A message will be displayed if the
gas cap is loose or missing.<
Manually releasing the fuel filler door
In the event of a malfunction, you can release
the fuel filler door manually:
Sedan
1.Remove the cover from the right-hand side-
wall of the cargo bay.
2.Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol.
The fuel filler door is released.
Sports Wagon
1.Fold up the cargo bay floor panel.
2.Remove the cover from the right-hand side-
wall of the cargo bay. To do so, turn the
screws, arrows 1, 90° and take out the
cover, arrow 2.
3.Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol.
The fuel filler door is released.

Under the hood
216
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being checked.
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at
a standstill on a level surface, or about
5 minutes while the car is on the move.
3Oil level down to minimum:
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to
Adding engine oil on page217.
4Oil level is too high.
Too much oil will harm the engine.
Have the vehicle checked without
delay.<
5The oil level sensor is defective.
Do not add engine oil. You can continue
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer
to page219. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
Display via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.3.Select "Info sources" and press the control-
ler.
4.Select "Service" and press the controller.
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Turn the controller
until "Service requirements" is selected and
press the controller.
6.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the second field from the top. Turn the con-
troller until "Engine oil level" is selected and
press the controller. The oil level is dis-
played.
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level O.K."
>"No measurement available: Updating
engine oil level measurement..."
The engine oil level is measured. This can
take about 3 minutes if the car is at a stand-
still on a level surface and the engine is run-
ning, and about 5 minutes while the car is on
the move.
>"Oil level at the minimum! Refill with 1 quart
of engine oil."
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to
Adding engine oil below.

Mobility
231Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order, so that no sparks which could
cause injury occur.<
Your BMW has a jump-starting connection in
the engine compartment which acts as the bat-
tery's positive terminal, refer also to the Engine
compartment overview on page215. The cap is
marked with +.
1.Pull the cap of the BMW jump-starting con-
nection up to remove.
2.Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground of
the assisting vehicle.
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground
or negative pole.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles.<
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
Sedan: it is stored in the onboard tool kit under-
neath the cover on the right-hand side of the
cargo bay, refer to page221.
Sports Wagon: it is stored in the onboard tool kit
underneath the cover on the left-hand side of
the cargo bay, refer to page221.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift

Giving and receiving assistance
232 the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise the tow
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper:
Press on the upper edges of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page57, otherwise the low-beam
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and
windshield wipers may be unavailable. If the
electrical system fails, do not attempt to tow-
start or tow away the car. The electric steering
wheel lock cannot be disengaged and the car is
not steerable. Jump starting, refer to page230.
Power steering assistance is not available when
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and
steering will require increased effort.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers, depend-
ing on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idle position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page60.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km, otherwise the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
Towing methods
In come countries, it is illegal to tow your vehicle
with a tow bar or tow rope on public highways.
Please familiarize yourself with the relevant
towing regulations for the country in which you
are driving.
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle, otherwise it may
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle,
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage.<
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could
result in damage.<

Reference 249
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
CD player166
– compressed audio files166
– controls156
– fast forward/reverse170
– playing a track168
– random order169
– repeating a track169
– selecting a track167
– switching on/off156
– tone control157
– volume157
Center armrest110
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulbs226
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
"Central locking"30
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside29
Central locking system29
– convenient access36
– hotel function34
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs222
Changing the language on the
Control Display85
Changing the measurement
units on the Control
Display77
Changing wheels227
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment215
Check Control82
"Check Control
messages"84
Check Gas Cap200
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH55
Child-restraint systems53
Child-safety lock56
Child seats, refer to
Transporting children
safely53Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter, refer to
Lighter112
Cleaning, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Cleaning headlamps63
– washer fluid64
"Climate"102
Clock72
– 12h/24h mode81
– setting time80
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside
29
Clothes hooks111
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine58
Combined instrument, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Comfort access, refer to
Convenient access36
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
"Communication"181,191,
192,193
Compact disc, refer to
– CD changer166
– CD player166
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock57
Compass108
Computer74
– displays on Control
Display74
– hour signal81
Computer, refer to iDrive16
"Concert hall" for Tone
control158
"Concierge"193
Concierge service193
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked124
Condition Based Service
CBS219Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile28
Confirmation signals for
locking/unlocking the
vehicle30
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances112
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption74
Consumption display
– average consumption74
Consumption indicator
– Energy Control73
"Continue guidance to
destination?"144
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display
– brightness85
– changing the language85
– switching off/on21
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Control unit, refer to iDrive16
Convenient access36
– replacing the battery
38
– what to observe before
entering a car wash38
Convenient operation
– glass sunroof30
– glass sunroof with
convenient access37
– windows30
– windows with convenient
access37
Coolant217
– checking level218
Coolant temperature73
Cooling, maximum103
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant217
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant217
Cornering lamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light99
Correct tires212

Everything from A - Z
250 Courtesy lamps, refer to
Interior lamps100
Cross-hairs in navigation136
Cruise control64
– active66
– malfunction65
Cruising range74
Cup holders111
Curb weight, refer to
Weights239
Current fuel consumption,
refer to Energy Control73
"Current position"150
Current position
– displaying150
– entering139
– storing139
"Customer
Relations"184,193
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting100
Data, technical236
– dimensions237
– engine236
– weights239
"Date"82
Date
– setting81
– setting format82
"Date format"82
"Daytime running lamps"98
Daytime running lamps98
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control87
DCC, refer to Cruise
control64
"Deactivated"49
Deactivating front passenger
airbags95
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking30Decommissioning the vehicle
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Defect
– door lock31
– fuel filler door200
– glass sunroof40
– panorama glass roof42
Defogging windows104
Defrost, windows104
Defrosting windows104
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
– automatic climate
control104
Defrosting windshield, refer to
Defrosting windows104
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows104
"Delete address book" in
navigation140
"Delete all numbers" on the
mobile phone184
"Delete data" in
navigation140
"Delete" for mobile
phone183
Destination address
– deleting140
– entering131,134
Destination for navigation
– entry131
– navigation list138
– selecting from address
book139
– selecting using
information137
– storing139Destination guidance143
– canceling voice
instructions52
– changing specified
route141
– displaying route144
– displaying routes144
– distance and arrival143
– starting143
– terminating/continuing143
– voice instructions146
– volume of voice
instructions147
Destination list for navigation
system138
Destinations recently driven
to138
Detour, refer to Driving around
a traffic jam150
Detour during navigation150
"Detour" in navigation150
"Dial" for mobile phone181
"Dial number"182
Digital clock72
Digital compass108
Dimensions237
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals61
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions146
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book138
Displacement, refer to Engine
data236
Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting100
"Display off"21
Displays
– on the Control Display16
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant217
– remote control battery38
– vehicle battery227

Everything from A - Z
252 Entering the intersection133
"Entertainment"156
Entry lamps, refer to Interior
lamps100
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
Control73
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control158
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control158
Error messages, refer to
Check Control82
"ESN"164
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control87
Event data recorders220
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system122
Expanding the cargo bay115
Exterior mirrors50
– adjusting50
– automatic dimming
feature51
– automatic heating50
– folding in and out50
External audio
device111,173
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away231
– for tying down loads125
F
Fader, tone control157
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control82
Failure of an electrical
consumer227
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional
alarm36
– switching off an alarm36
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts49Fastest route for
navigation141
Fast forward
– CD changer170
– CD player170
"Fast route" in navigation141
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control105
Fine wood, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
First aid pouch229
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock57
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight110
Flash when locking/
unlocking30
Flat
– Run-Flat Tires212
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM91
Flat tire
– Tire Pressure Monitor91
Flat Tire Monitor FTM90
– indicating a flat tire91
– indicator/warning lamp91
– initializing the system90
– malfunction91
– snow chains90,213
– system limits90
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition211
Floor mats, carpets, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir64
"FM", waveband156,160
FM, waveband160
Fog lamps99
– indicator lamp13,99
Folding in the mirrors, before
driving into a car wash50
Folding rear seat backrest115
Folding up the floor panel117
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely123Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps100
For your own safety5
Four-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive88
Front airbags95
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor90
Fuel201
– average consumption74
– display73
– high-quality brands201
– quality201
– specifications201
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities241
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge73
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge73
Fuel-efficient driving, refer to
Energy Control73
Fuel filler door200
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction200
Fuses227
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control107
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel201
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge73
Gasoline engine, checking oil
level215
Gear indicator
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic60
– manual transmission59
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic60
– manual transmission59

Refueling
So that you always have access to the data you
need when refueling, you are recommended to
enter the relevant figures for your car in the
table provided below. Consult the index for indi-
vidual specifications.Fuel
Engine oil
Do not add engine oil until the corresponding
warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights up,
refer to page217.
Tire inflation pressures
Quality
Please enter your preferred fuel here.
Preferred oil specifications
Summer tires
FrontRearWinter tires
FrontRear
Up to 4 persons
5 persons or 4 plus luggage