ESP BMW 325I SEDAN 2005 E90 User Guide

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If the button was pressed accidentally:
press the button again; the LED goes out.
Safety belts
Observe the adjustment instructions on
page39 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the
safety belt as an additional safety device, but
they do not represent a substitute.
On the rear seats, the center belt lock marked
with the letters CENTER is solely intended for
the center passenger.
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in
the belt buckle.
The upper belt anchorage is suitable for adults
of any stature as long as they are sitting cor-
rectly, refer to page39.
Opening
1.Grasp the belt firmly.
2.Press the red button in the buckle.
3.Guide the belt into its reel.
'Fasten safety belts' reminder for front
seats
The indicator lamp comes on and an
acoustic signal sounds. In addition, a
message will appear on the Control
Display. Check whether the safety
belt has been fastened correctly.The 'Fasten safety belts' reminder is issued as
long as the driver's safety belt has not been fas-
tened. The 'Fasten safety belts' reminder is also
activated at road speeds above approx. 5 mph
or 8 km/h if the front passenger's safety belt is
not fastened, if heavy objects are placed on the
front passenger seat, or if driver or front pas-
senger unfasten their safety belts.
Damage to safety belts
If the safety belts are damaged or
stretched in an accident: have the entire
belt system, including the tensioning mecha-
nisms, replaced at your BMW center or at a
workshop that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. Have the belt anchorage points
inspected for damage at the same time. Failure
to observe this precaution may prevent the
safety belts from effectively providing optimal
protection when needed.<
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
The mirror on the front passenger's side
features a lens with a more convex sur-
face 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 estimations of the
distance to following traffic should not be
regarded as precise.<
1Adjustments
2Switching to the other mirror or automatic
curb monitor
*

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Programmable buttons on the steering
wheel
You can program the buttons to suit your per-
sonal preferences:
These settings are stored for the remote con-
trol currently in use.
iDrive concept, refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "Steering wheel buttons" and press
the controller.
A list showing various functions is dis-
played:
>"Navigation voice instructions"
Voice messages from the navigation
system
>"Air recirculation on / off"
Permanent shut-off of outside air, refer to Automatic recirculated-air control
AUC on page91
>"Mute on / off"
To mute the audio sources
>"Monitor on / off"
Switching Control Display on/off
>"Telephone list"
Switch between any menu and tele-
phone
>"Next entertainment source"
To change the audio source
5.Select the desired function and press the
controller.
6.Select a button, if appropriate, and press
the controller.
.
You can operate the selected function using the
corresponding button.
Operating function
Briefly press the appropriate button in the
steering wheel.
Voice instructions of navigation system:
>Switch voice instructions on/off:
Press button for longer
>To repeat the last voice instruction:
Press the button briefly
>To cancel a voice instruction during an
announcement:
Press the button briefly

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Installing child-restraint
systems
Before installing any child-restraint system or
child seat, read the following:
Observe the child-restraint system man-
ufacturer's instructions for installation
and use. Otherwise the degree of protection
may be reduced. After an accident, have all
parts of the child-restraint system and of the
relevant vehicle safety belt system checked and
replaced if necessary. Have this work done only
at your BMW center or at a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.<
Commercially-available child-restraint systems
are designed to be secured with a lap belt or
with the lap belt portion 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.
Child seat security
All of the rear belt retractors and the front pas-
senger safety belt can be locked for mounting
and securing child-restraint systems.
Information regarding this is located near the
buckle latch of each safety belt.
To lock the safety belt
Pull the entire length of the belt from the belt
retractor. 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.
To unlock the safety belt
Release the buckle, remove the child-restraint
system and allow the belt retractor to reel the
belt completely in.
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, refer to the arrows in the
illustration. Depending on the location selected
for seating in the rear passenger area, attach
the tether strap to the corresponding anchor-
age point to secure the child-restraint system,
as shown in the illustration below.
Placement of the tether strap
Outer sitting positions:
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
into the lowest possible position.
Center sitting position:
Push the center head restraint upward. Guide
the tether strap between the head restraint and
the rear seat back. The tether strap must be
between the anchorages of the head restraint.

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Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored speed
2Selected speed is displayed briefly
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation
are currently not met.
Calling up Check Control messages, refer to
page74.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp comes on when
the system has failed. A message
appears on the Control Display. You
can find more information starting on page73.
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control, you can select a
desired speed which is not only automatically
maintained when driving on open roadways, but
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control is a technological advance
over the familiar cruise control and is a welcome
relief from the constant adjustment of speed
that can accompany driving in traffic on free-
ways or other high-speed thoroughfares. Espe-
cially on longer trips, the system can reduce
fatigue and tension, while increasing your
enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and
responsibly.
Within the limits of its capability, the system
automatically adapts the car's speed to that of a
slower vehicle in front of you. You can specify the distance to be maintained from the vehicle
in front in four stages. For safety reasons, the
distance is speed-dependent. Based on your
selected distance setting, the system automat-
ically decreases the throttle setting and lightly
applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle
brake lamps will automatically illuminate to sig-
nal a following driver to take action. In addition,
it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver
to downshift, depending on the kind of trans-
mission your vehicle is equipped with, to main-
tain the distance setting selected. If the vehicle
ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead
becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate to
the speed you have selected by increasing the
throttle setting and shifting gears automatically
or by the driver as needed. Your selected speed
will be held when driving downhill, too.
Since this active cruise control system is a new
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems which you may
be accustomed to, you are strongly urged to
read all of the pages relating to this system
before use. Pay special attention to the System
limitations section beginning on page61.<
Braking sensation
The system's automatic brake operation results
in a braking sensation that is slightly different
from what you feel when you brake the vehicle
yourself in a similar situation. Possible noises
during automatic deceleration are normal.
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. An indicator lamp notifies you that you
should shift gears when you drive for an
extended period at very high or very low engine
speeds, or the system is deactivated.
Range of applications
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or
30 km/h, and the maximum speed is 110 mph
or 180 km/h.
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way
diminishes or substitutes for the driver’s own

Driving
58 personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise
controlling the vehicle. The driver should
decide when to use the system on the basis of
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions.
Active cruise control is intended for use on
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow,
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths.
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's
speed and distance setting within applicable
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when
the system is actively following a vehicle in front
of you. Otherwise, driving conditions could
result which violate the law or pose a risk of
accident.<
One lever for all functions
1Store and increase desired speed
2Store and decrease desired speed
3Deactivate system, refer to page56
4Resume stored desired speed and dis-
tance, refer to page56
5Select distance to vehicle driving ahead,
refer to page59
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press the lever, arrow1, or pull it,
arrow2, at a driving speed of more than approx.
20 mph or 30 km/h.
The speed at which you are currently driving will
be stored and maintained. It is displayed in the
speedometer and briefly in the instrument clus-
ter.
On uphill gradients, it may prove impossible to
maintain the set speed if current engine power
output is insufficient. If the engine braking
effect is insufficient on downhill slopes, the sys-
tem will brake the vehicle slightly.
Adjusting desired speed
Adjust your desired speed to the traffic
conditions and remain ready to brake at
all times, as there is otherwise a risk of accident.
Great differences in speed to the vehicle ahead,
e.g. when quickly approaching a truck or when
another vehicle swerves into your lane, cannot
be compensated for by the system.<
Increasing in increments
Tap the lever repeatedly to the resistance point
or beyond, arrow1, until the desired speed is
reached.
>Each time the lever is tapped to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is tapped beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed is
increased to the next multiple of 5 mph or
10 km/h until a maximum of 110 mph or
180 km⁄h is reached.
The speed then displayed is stored and
achieved, provided that the road is clear.

Driving
60 >When you deactivate the Dynamic Stability
Control DSC
>When DSC or ABS is intervening
>When the system does not recognize any
objects for a longer period of time, e.g. on
infrequently traveled roads without a shoul-
der or guard rails, or if the radar sensor is
covered with dirt, refer to page61
>When you actuate the handbrake while driv-
ing
When the system is deactivated, you
must brake the vehicle yourself and/or
maneuver as necessary, otherwise there is a
risk of accident.<
Warning lamp
The warning lamp comes on when
active cruise control has been auto-
matically deactivated due to one of
the following factors: you are driving under a
speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h, the handbrake is
applied, or DSC is intervening. A message
appears on the Control Display.
Resuming stored desired speed and
distance
Press button 4.
The stored speed and distance are regained
and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
>When driving control systems are interven-
ing
>In cars with manual transmission: when you
shift gears very slowly or engage neutral
gear
>In cars with automatic transmission: when
you engage selector lever position N
>When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2Shows yellow: vehicle detected ahead
Flashes in red: system cannot maintain dis-
tance; driver must brake the vehicle
Flashes in yellow: driving control systems
are intervening; cruise control is deacti-
vated
3Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up as soon as the sys-
tem is activated.
4Selected desired speed is temporarily dis-
played
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation
are currently not met. Calling up Check Control
messages, refer to page74.<
Warning lamps
The indicator2 flashes in red; a
signal sounds.
The system indicates that you
must brake and/or maneuver the
vehicle yourself. Active cruise con-
trol cannot automatically restore the distance to
the vehicle ahead.
This indicator does not release you, however,
from your responsibility to adapt your desired
speed and driving style to prevailing driving
conditions.
The indicator 2 flashes in yellow.
The prerequisites for operating
active cruise control are not met,
e.g. as a result of ABS or DSC

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interventions. Active cruise control is deacti-
vated. You can reactivate the system, if desired,
by tapping or pulling the lever when road and
traffic conditions permit this. It is not possible to
resume a stored speed.
Radar sensor
The sensor's ability to detect vehicles ahead
may be restricted as a result of heavy rain, dirt, snow or ice. If necessary, clean the radar sensor
located in the front bumper, see arrow. Be sure
t o u s e p a r t i c ul a r c a r e w h e n r e m o v i n g a n y l a y e r s
of snow or ice from the sensor.
When the radar sensor is not properly posi-
tioned, active cruise control cannot be activated
at all.
Malfunction
The warning lamp comes on when
the system has failed. A message
appears on the Control Display. You
can find more information starting on page73.
System limitations
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system does have physical limi-
tations. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead
of you, as for example, at a traffic light or a
parked vehicle. Also, the system does not react
to oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other types
of potential traffic such as a rider on horseback.
It is also possible that the system may not
detect smaller moving objects such as motor-
cycles or bicycles. Be especially alert when
encountering any of these situations as the sys-
tem will neither automatically brake, nor provide
a warning to you. Also, be aware that every
decrease in the distance setting allows your
vehicle to come closer to a vehicle in front of you and requires a heightened amount of alert-
ness.<
Active cruise control is not and must not
be used as a collision avoidance/warning
system.<
If while your vehicle is actively following a vehi-
cle in front of you and the vehicle ahead speeds
up or the lane ahead becomes clear, then your
vehicle will accelerate to the speed you have
selected. Be aware that changing to a clear,
unobstructed lane will also result in your vehicle
accelerating.
Be certain to deactivate the system when
you pull into an exit lane for a highway off-
ramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's

Driving
62 reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause
the system to react to a vehicle actually in the
lane next to you. Always be ready to take action
or apply the brakes if necessary.
While active cruise control is capable of
braking your vehicle automatically when
you approach a slower vehicle ahead, it is
important to be aware that the ability of the sys-
tem to apply the brakes is also limited, e.g.
when you reduce your desired speed sharply.
The system cannot stop your vehicle. It uses
only a portion of braking system capacity and
does not utilize the full capacity of the vehicle
braking system. Therefore, the system cannot
decrease your speed for large differences in
speed between your vehicle and the vehicle
ahead. Examples: when you approach a vehicle
traveling at a much lower speed than your own
speed such as approaching a toll booth or when
a much slower vehicle cuts in front of you at
close range.<
Active cruise control can only decelerate the
vehicle to approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h.
Swerving vehicles
When a vehicle moves from an adjacent lane
into your lane, active cruise control will not rec-
ognize this vehicle until it is fully in your lane
ahead of your vehicle.
When a vehicle ahead suddenly swerves
into your lane, the system may not be able
to maintain the selected distance automatically.
This also applies to great differences in speed
between you and vehicles ahead, e.g. when
quickly approaching a truck. There is a risk of
collision. Once the system has established that
a vehicle is indeed in front of you, it will indicate
that you must brake and/or maneuver the vehi-cle yourself. Take action yourself, as there is
otherwise a risk of accident.<
Behavior in curves
Because of the limited range of the system, it is
possible that in curves or on the peaks and val-
leys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead may be rec-
ognized late, or not at all. Therefore, it is up to
the driver to select a speed that is prudent in
view of the curves and terrain of the roadway.
In approaching a curve, it is possible that active
cruise control would react briefly to a vehicle in
the adjacent lane. In addition, the system can
sense if your vehicle is in a curve and may not
accelerate. If your vehicle decelerates in either
case, you can choose to overcome the deceler-
ation by briefly pressing the accelerator pedal.
Your responsibility
Your actions have priority at all times. When you
press the accelerator pedal while driving with
active cruise control, the automatic braking
function will be temporarily interrupted. Once
you release the accelerator pedal, the desired
speed or the selected distance to the vehicle
ahead is achieved again.
Do not leave your foot on the accelerator
pedal and make sure that no objects such

Everything under control
64
Everything under control
Odometer, outside
temperature display, clock
1Resetting trip odometer
2Outside temperature display and clock
3Odometer and trip odometer
Units of measure
To select the respective units of measure, miles
or km for the odometer as well as 7 or 6 for
the outside temperature, refer to page68.
Outside temperature display, clock
Setting the time, refer to page71.
Ice warning
A signal sounds when the outside temperature
falls to approx. +37.57/+36; this will be
accompanied by a message. Risk of icy roads.
Please bear in mind that black ice may be
present on roads at temperatures higher
than +37.57/+36, e.g. on bridges and
shaded roads.<
Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting trip odometer:
With the ignition switched on, press button1 in
the instrument cluster.
When the vehicle is parked
If you still want to view the time, outside tem-
perature and odometer reading briefly after the
remote control has been removed from the igni-tion lock:
Press button 1 in the instrument cluster.
Tachometer
Never force the engine speed up into the red
warning field, see arrow. In this range, the fuel
supply is interrupted to protect the engine.
Energy Control
Displays the current fuel consumption. This
allows you to see whether your current driving

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style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 15.9 gallons/
60 liters. You can find information on refueling
on page168.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve
zone, a message will appear on the Control Dis-
play for a short time and the cruising range for
the remaining amount of fuel is displayed on the
computer. Under a cruising range of approx.
30 miles/50 km, the message remains in the
Control Display.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, as otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Computer
Displays in the instrument cluster
To call up the information, press the button in
the turn indicator stalk.
The following items of information are dis-
played in the order listed:
>Cruising range
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
To set the corresponding units of measure,
refer to Changing units of measure on page68.
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available
with the remaining fuel. The range is calculated
on the basis of the way the car has been driven
over the last 18 miles/30 km and the amount of
fuel currently in the tank.
B e s u r e t o r e f u e l a s s o o n a s p o s s i b l e o n c e
your cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, as otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Average speed
Periods with the vehicle parked and the engine
switched off are not included in the calculations
of average speed.
With the trip computer, refer to page66, you
can have the average speed for another trip dis-
played.
To reset average speed: press the button in the
turn indicator stalk for approx. 2 seconds.