tow BMW 325XI 2003 User Guide

109
Lifting the floor panel1. Lift up the floor panel slightly at
loop 1
2. Release the loop end from the under-
side of the floor panel; see arrow
3. Hook the loop end with the tab onto
the rubber weather-stripping.
Before folding the floor panel back
down, attach the loop end to the
holder on the underside of the floor
panel.<
Side coversOpen the side covers by pressing the
button.
Cargo loading
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
weight or the approved maximum axle
loads, refer to page 154, otherwise the
vehicle's operating safety is no longer
assured and you are in violation of the
law.
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.<
Cargo area
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110
Stowing cargo>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible – directly behind the back-
rests or the cargo area partition – and
as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
>Pull out the partition net*, refer to
previous page, taking care to ensure
that there is no danger that any of the
objects stored in the cargo area will
protrude through the net*
>For very heavy loads when the rear
seat is not occupied, secure each
safety belt in the opposite buckle.
Securing cargo>Small and light luggage and cargo
can be secured with the aid of flexi-
ble straps or a cargo area net*, refer
to page 36
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing
devices*. Lashing fittings located in
the cargo area can be used for fas-
tening the load-securing devices; see
arrow.
Read and comply with the instructions
enclosed with the load-securing
devices.
Cargo loading
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114Special operating instructions
Break-in proceduresTo ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you
observe the following information.Engine and differentialUp to 1,250 miles/2,000 km:
Constantly vary both engine and vehicle
speeds, remembering not to exceed
4,500 rpm or 100 mph / 160 km/h dur-
ing this period.
Always obey all official 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 both
engine and vehicle speeds once the ini-
tial 1,250 miles/2,000 km have elapsed.
You should also observe the same
break-in procedures if the engine or dif-
ferential should have to be replaced
later in the course of the vehicle's life.
TiresDue to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
after an initial break-in period. We thus
ask you to drive with extra care during
the first 200 miles/300 km.
Always obey all official 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, vehicle control and braking effec-
tiveness. Reduce your speed on wet
roads. before the brake pads and rotors
achieve the optimal pad-surface and
wear patterns required for trouble-free
operation and an extended service life
later on.
To break in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill – at a traf-
fic signal, for instance – provided that
traffic conditions allow you to do so.
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 switched off –
when towing, for example – substan-
tially higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle. before the clutch starts to operate at
optimum efficiency. Remember to
engage the clutch carefully during this
initial period.
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118
Proceed carefully to the nearest BMW
center or professional tire center, or
have the vehicle towed in to have it, its
wheels or its tires inspected.
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.<
Tire replacementTo maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer.DOT quality gradesTread 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. 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.
TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
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. 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.
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
Tire condition
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126
Washer fluidsHeadlamp* and windshield
washer systemCapacity approx.
5.6 US quarts/5.3 liters.
Fill with water and – if required – with a
washer antifreeze additive according to
manufacturer's recommendations.
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to
the reservoir.<
Rear window washer reservoirCapacity approx.
2.4 US quarts/2.3 liters.
Fill with water and – if required – with a
washer antifreeze according to manu-
facturer's recommendations.
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to
the reservoir.<
Antifreeze agents for the washer
fluid are highly flammable. For this
reason, keep them away from sources
of flame and store them only in their
original containers. Store it inaccessible
to children. Comply with the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Engine oilChecking the oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar
material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the
way into the guide tube and pull it
out again
5. The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.
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136Replacement procedures
Onboard tool kitThe onboard tool kit is located beneath
the floor panel in the cargo area.
For information on raising the floor
panel, refer to page 109.
Windshield wiper bladesWindshield1. Switch off the engine
2. Fold the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
3. Position the wiper blade at an angle
and pull the release spring – see
arrow
4. Fold the wiper blade down and
unhook it toward the windshield
5. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper
arm toward the top
6. Insert a new wiper blade and apply
pressure until you hear it engage.
Rear window1. Switch off the engine
2. Fold the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
3. Pull out the wiper blade – see arrow
4. Guide the new wiper blade into
place, continue to apply pressure
until you hear the detent engage.
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138
Parking lamps5 watt bulb
Engine compartment, left side:
1. Turn the bulb holder to the left – see
arrow – and remove
2. Remove and replace the bulb.
Front turn signal indicators21 watt bulb
1. Extend a screwdriver through the
upper opening and loosen the screw,
continuing until you can extract the
bulb by removing it from the front
2. Disconnect the plug
3. Apply gentle pressure and turn the
bulb toward the letters AUF – refer to
the marking on the housing– then
remove it for replacement
4. Connect the plug
5. Align the lamp assembly's two ridges
and the centering pin with the guides
on the vehicle when installing
6. Slide in the lamp, applying gentle
pressure to seat it firmly
7. Tighten the screw.
Lamps and bulbs
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140
Bulbs in tailgate:
1. Insert a screwdriver in the recess –
see arrow – and press down to
release the assembly
2. Fold the trim panel down, release the
bulb holder and remove
3. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and replace the
bulb
4. Press the bulb holder into position
until you hear it engage
5. Press the trim panel back in, continu-
ing until you hear it snap into place.Center high-mount brake lampLED strip on the rear window.
Please contact your BMW center in
case of a malfunction.
License plate lamps5 watt bulb
1. Place a screwdriver in the slot and
press toward the left – see arrow – to
release the lens
2. Replace the bulb.
Lamps and bulbs
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148
Do not use spray starter fluids to
start the engine.<
Towing the vehicleTowing eyeletThe screw-in towing eyelet is stored in
the onboard tool kit; be sure that it
remains in the vehicle at all times. It is
designed for installation in the tow
sockets located at the front and rear of
the vehicle, and is intended for towing
on paved road surfaces only. The tow-
ing eyelet should not be used to pull a
vehicle out of deep snow, mud, sand,
etc. Always observe all applicable tow-
ing laws and regulations.
Access to tow socketsFront:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver inserted in the recess at the top.
Jump-starting
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149
Rear:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver inserted in the recess at the top.
Make sure the towing eyelet is
firmly screwed all the way in, oth-
erwise the thread could be damaged.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, possibly lead-
ing to accidents.<
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use wheel-lift or flatbed equipment
>Please comply with applicable state
towing laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, possibly lead-
ing to accidents. axle1. Place the transmission in Neutral
2. Switch off the engine
3. Towing speed:
max. 30 mph / 50 km/h
4. Towing distance:
max. 95 miles/150 km.
Remove the rear driveshaft for
longer towing distances with the
front axle lifted; remove the front drive-
shaft for towing over longer distances
with the rear axle lifted. Failure to com-
ply with this will result in damage to the
transfer box.<
Towing the vehicle
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