BMW 325I 2005 Owners Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
89
Roller sun blinds*
Rear window blind
Tap the button in the center console to raise or
lower the roller sun blind.
Roller sun blinds for rear side windows
Pull loop of roller sun blind and hook onto
bracket.
Glove compartment
Opening
Pull the handle.
The light in the glove compartment switches
on.
Closing
Fold the cover up.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent while the vehicle is being driven,
close the glove compartment immediately after
use.<
Locking
To lock the glove compartment, use the inte-
grated key of the remote control or the spare
key, refer to page18.
Rechargeable flashlight*
It is on the left-hand side of the glove compart-
ment. The flashlight can remain plugged in.
Whenever required, pull the flashlight out of its
socket.
Only insert the flashlight back into the
socket when it is switched off, otherwise
there is a risk of damage.<
Center armrest
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats
contains either a compartment or the cover for
the snap-in adapter
*, depending on the equip-
ment version.
Opening
Press the button, see arrow.
The lid opens.

Practical interior accessories
90
Ventilated storage compartment
The storage compartment in the center armrest
can be ventilated: slide the switch backwards.
The temperature is controlled via the knurled
wheel for adjusting the temperature of air venti-
lating the rear of the passenger compartment,
refer to page85.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks
over the car's loudspeaker system. You can set
the volume and tone by means of the car radio,
refer to the separate Owner's Manual for Radio.
Connecting
Lift up the center armrest.
1Power supply for your external audio
device:
Socket with removable cap
2Connection for audio playback:
3.5 mm cinch connector
To play audio tracks through the car's loud-
speaker system, connect the headset or line-
out port of the external device to connection 2.
Storage compartments inside
the vehicle
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you
will find compartments beside the steering col-
umn
*, in the front doors and in the center con-
sole
*.
There are nets
* on the front-seat backrests.
Clothes hooks
There are clothes hooks on the grab handles in
the rear passenger compartment.
Items of clothing hung from the hooks
must not obstruct the driver's view. Do
not hang heavy objects from the hooks, other-
wise they could endanger the car's occupants,
e.g. in case of heavy braking or sudden swerv-
ing.<
Cup holders
Do not place glassware in a cup holder;
otherwise there is an increased risk of
injury in the event of an accident.<
Front
Opening
Briefly press the center of the cover.
Closing
Briefly press the cover in the center and push in
the cup holder.
Rear
There are two additional cup holders in the rear
center armrest.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
91
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 removed 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 possibly burn them-
selves.<
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*
Pull the cigarette lighter out of the socket, refer
to page91.
Socket in the center armrest
External audio device, refer to page90.

Practical interior accessories
92
Sockets in the rear center console*
Remove corresponding cover.
Socket in the luggage compartment*
Open the cap.
Through-loading system*
Opening
1.Open the belt lock of the rear center safety
belt. To do so, press the button, see arrow,
and release the latch plate.
2.Insert the latch plate at the end of the belt
into the specially designated fixture on the
rear window shelf.3.Push the corresponding head restraint
down as far as it will go, refer to page34.
4.To release the rear seat back, pull the corre-
sponding lever in the luggage compart-
ment.
5.The unlocked rear seat back moves forward
slightly. Fold the seat back forward by the
head restraint.
Closing
1.Return the rear seat back to its upright posi-
tion and engage it.
When returning the backrest into its
seating position, make sure that the
seat's locking mechanism engages prop-
erly. Otherwise, cargo could be thrown
around in the event of sharp braking or
swerving and endanger the occupants.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
93
2.Release the latch plate from the fixture on
the rear window shelf and insert it into the
belt lock of the center safety belt. Make sure
you hear the latch plate engage in the belt
buckle.
The lashing eyes in the luggage compartment
provide you with a way to attach luggage com-
partment nets
* or draw straps for securing suit-
cases and luggage, refer to page101.
Storage spaces in the
luggage compartment
Left storage compartment, suitable e.g. for
storing a box of cleaning tissues or up to 12 CD
cases, depending on vehicle equipment ver-
sion.
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the
following additional storage spaces can be
found in the luggage compartment:
>Net
* for securing smaller objects, to be
attached to the fixtures on the floor panel
>Hooks for hanging up, e.g., shopping bags
or tote bags
>Rubber strap on the left trim panel for
securing small objects such as a folding
umbrella
>Net for small objects on the right trim panel
>Retaining straps next to the rear lashing
eyes, e.g. for securing an umbrella
>Folding, removable box
* under the floor
panel, e.g. for wet or dirty items
>Insertable dividers
* and removable storage
tray for the storage compartment under the
floor panel>Drawer for storing small items. Pull the han-
dle firmly to release the drawer. If neces-
sary, you can pull out the drawer entirely,
refer to the information below
Do not drive or close the luggage com-
partment lid while the drawer is pulled
out.
On uphill gradients, release the drawer with
caution, otherwise it could slide out on its own
and cause injury.
Do not exceed a maximum load of 11 lbs/5 kg
for the drawer, otherwise damage could
result.<
Removing the drawer
1.Push the drawer all the way in.
2.Turn the catches on the left and right all the
way out.
3.Remove the drawer by pulling it down and
backwards.
Reinserting the drawer
1.Hook the guides of the drawer into the front
of the yellow guide aids on the underside of
the luggage compartment.
2.Insert the catches into the mounts on the
underside of the luggage compartment.
3.Turn the catches on the left and right all the
way in.
Folding up the luggage compartment
floor panel
Press the floor panel against the top of the lug-
gage compartment; a locking device holds the
luggage compartment floor panel in place. To
detach the floor panel, pull it out of the locking
device.

Practical interior accessories
94 Equipment version with drawer:
Take the retaining strap on the right-hand side
of the drawer out of the bracket and use it to fix
the cargo luggage compartment panel in place.
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
load of 55 lbs/25 kg for the storage com-
partment under the floor panel, otherwise dam-
age could result.<
Lashing eyes
You will find lashing eyes in the luggage com-
partment for securing luggage items with nets
or tensioning straps, refer to page101.
Ski bag*
Designed for safe, clean transport of up to
4 pairs of standard skis or up to 2 snowboards.
With the ski bag you can stow skis with a length
of up to 6 ft 10 in/2.10 m. When skis of 6 ft 10 in/
2.10 m length are loaded, the overall capacity of
the ski bag is reduced due to its tapered design.
Loading
1.Fold down the center armrest.
2.Press the button, reach into the recess and
fold down the cover.
3.Open the Velcro fastener, spread the ski
bag between the front seats and insert the
skis or snowboards.
The zip fastener makes objects in the ski
bag easier to reach.4.Insert the latch plate of the ski bag's retain-
ing strap in the center belt buckle.
Make sure to load only clean skis into the ski
bag. Wrap sharp edges to prevent damage.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con-
tents. Tighten the retaining strap on the ten-
sioning buckle for this purpose.
Secure the ski bag in the manner
described, otherwise it could endanger
the car's occupants, e.g. in case of heavy brak-
ing or sudden swerving.<
To store the ski bag, perform the steps
described for loading in reverse order.
Removing the ski bag
The ski bag can be completely removed, e.g. for
fa ster drying or to allow you to use other inserts.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
95
1.Fold down the center panel in the rear seat
backrest.
2.Pull the handle, arrow1.
3.Pull out the insert, arrow 2.
For more information on the various
inserts available, contact your BMW Cen-
ter.<

Driving tips
This section provides you with information
useful in dealing with specific driving and
operating conditions.
Driving tips

Things to remember when driving
98
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follow the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Attempt to vary both engine and vehicle
speeds, but refrain from exceeding an engine
speed of 4,500 rpm or a driving speed of
100mphor 160km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kick-down mode.
After 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
Do not use the acceleration assistant during the
break-in period, page47.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distance driven of approx. 300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Close the luggage compartment lid
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid is closed. Other-
wise, exhaust fumes could enter the interior of
the vehicle.<
If special circumstances make it absolutely nec-
essary to drive with the luggage compartment
lid open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air flow rate of the air condi-
tioner or automatic climate control consid-
erably, refer to page81 or84.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to various sections of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply undercoating to them.
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, with the
risk of serious personal injuries and property
damage.<
Mobile phone in the vehicle
BMW discourages the use of mobile
communications devices, e.g. mobile
phones, inside the vehicle without a direct con-