automatic transmission BMW 325XI SEDAN 2006 E90 Owner's Manual

Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator lamps for turn signals
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Displays for active cruise control
*62
5Tachometer69
6Energy Control70
7Display for
>Clock69
>Outside temperature69
>Indicator and warning lamps798Display for
>Position of automatic transmission
*57
>Sequential manual gearbox SMG
*55
>Computer70
>Date of next scheduled service, and
remaining distance to be driven74
>Odometer and trip odometer69
>Checking engine oil level
*199
>Settings and information73
9Fuel gauge70
10Resetting trip odometer69

Opening and closing
36
Unlocking
Grasp the handle on the driver's or front pas-
senger's door completely, arrow 1. This corre-
sponds to pressing the button.
If a remote control is detected inside the car
after the vehicle is unlocked, the electric steer-
ing wheel lock is released, refer to page52.
Locking
Touch the surface, arrow 2, with your finger for
approx. 1 second. This corresponds to pressing
the button.
For convenient closure, keep your finger on the
surface, arrow 2.
If the vehicle detects that a remote con-
trol has been accidentally left inside the
locked vehicle's luggage compartment after the
luggage compartment lid is closed, the luggage
compartment lid will reopen slightly. The hazard
warning flashers flash and an acoustic signal
*
sounds.<
Unlocking just the luggage
compartment lid
Press the button on the outside of the luggage
compartment lid. This corresponds to pressing
the button.
Switching on radio readiness
Radio readiness is switched on by pressing the
start/stop button, refer to page52.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch,
otherwise the engine will start immedi-
ately.<
Starting the engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion when a remote control is inside the vehicle.
It is not necessary to insert a remote control into
the ignition switch, refer to page52.
Switching off the engine in vehicles
with automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off when the
selector lever is in position P, refer to page54.
To switch the engine off when the selector lever
is in position N, the remote control must be in
the ignition switch.
Before driving a vehicle with automatic
transmission into a car wash
1.Insert remote control into ignition switch.
2.Depress the brake.
3.Move the selector lever to position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction
Convenient access may malfunction due to
local radio waves. If this happens, open or close
the vehicle via the buttons on the remote con-
trol or using the integrated key. To start the
engine afterward, insert the remote control into
the ignition switch.
Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when you attempt to
start the engine: the engine cannot
be started. The remote control is not inside the
vehicle or is malfunctioning. Take the remote
control with you inside the vehicle or have it
checked. If necessary, insert another remote
control into the ignition switch.
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up while the engine is
running: the remote control is no
longer inside the vehicle. After the engine is
switched off, the engine can only be restarted
within approx. 10 seconds.

Driving
52
Driving
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control all the way into the
ignition lock.
>Radio readiness switches on.
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
>The electric steering wheel lock disen-
gages audibly.
Insert the remote control into the ignition
lock before you move the vehicle, other-
wise the electric steering wheel lock will not dis-
engage and you will not be able to steer the
car.<
Removing the remote control from the
ignition lock
Press the remote control in briefly; it is ejected
part of the way.
At the same time:
>The ignition switches off if it was on before-
hand.
>The electric steering wheel lock engages
audibly.
Automatic transmission
You cannot take out the remote control unless
the selector lever is in the P position: interlock.
Start/stop button
Each time the start/stop button is pressed,
radio readiness or the ignition is switched on or
off.
Briefly pressing the start/stop button
while the brake or clutch is depressed
starts the engine.<
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
The time and the outside temperature are dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is switched off automatically:
>Immediately when the remote control is
removed from the ignition lock
>In cars with convenient access
*, by touch-
ing the surface above the door lock, refer to
Locking on page36
Ignition on
Most of the indicator and warning lamps in the
indicator area1 of the instrument cluster, refer
to page13, light up and remain on for different
lengths of time.
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps in the instru-
ment cluster go out.

Controls
53Reference
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Starting the engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms,
otherwise the inhaling of toxic exhaust
gases can cause unconsciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, otherwise such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the car with the engine running,
place the transmission in idle or move the
selector lever to position P and apply the hand-
brake to prevent the car from moving.<
When starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it
running while the vehicle remains stationary.
Instead, begin to drive immediately at a moder-
ate engine speed.
Do not depress either the brake or the
clutch until you are ready to start the
engine. The engine is started immediately
when you briefly touch the start/stop button
and depress the brake if the car has automatic
transmission, or the clutch if the car has manual
transmission.<
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Depress the clutch and shift to idle position.
3.Briefly press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time, and stops automatically as soon as the
engine has started.
Automatic transmission
1.Depress the brake.
2.Move the selector lever to position P.
3.Briefly press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time, and stops automatically as soon as the
engine has started.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG*
1.Depress the brake.
2.Engage selector lever position N and make
sure that this position is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
3.Start the engine.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time, and stops automatically as soon as the
engine has started.
If the engine does not start, depress the
brake and push the selector lever to the
right, then engage position N. Observe the dis-
play in the instrument cluster while doing so.<
Special starting conditions
In the following situations, press the accelerator
pedal halfway down when starting the engine:
>If the engine does not start on the first
attempt, for instance when it is extremely
hot or cold.
>If the engine is started at very low tempera-
tures, below approx. + 57/–156, at high
altitudes above approx. 3,300 ft/1,000 m.
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is
not burned or inadequately burned and there is
a danger of overheating and damaging the cat-
alytic converter.<
Switching off the engine
Always take the remote control with you
when you leave the vehicle.
When parking on a downhill incline, apply the

Driving
54 handbrake, otherwise the vehicle could roll
away.<
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.With the car at a standstill, briefly press the
start/stop button.
3.Shift into first gear or reverse.
Automatic transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, move the selec-
tor lever to position P.
2.Briefly press the start/stop button.
3.Apply the handbrake.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Engage a drive position.
3.Briefly press the start/stop button.
If the engine is switched off while N is engaged,
this will be signaled visually and acoustically.
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes
the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp is lit, and when you
drive off an acoustic signal sounds in
addition. The handbrake is still applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and
lower the lever.
In exceptional cases, if the handbrake has
to be used to slow or stop the car, do not
pull the lever up too hard. In doing so, continu-
ously press the button of the handbrake lever.
Otherwise, too violent an application of the
handbrake can overbrake the rear axle and
cause the rear of the car to swerve.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the hand-
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the hand-
brake is applied.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press
the gearshift lever to the right. Otherwise
the engine could be damaged if you inadvert-
ently shift into 3rd or 4th gear.<

Controls
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Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
When the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a
slight resistance has to be overcome.
Sequential manual gearbox
SMG*
The concept
The sequential manual gearbox SMG is an
automated transmission in which operation of
the clutch and gearshifts are performed by an
electro-hydraulic system.
SMG is operated via the selector lever in the
center console and two shift paddles on the
steering wheel.
It offers you the following functions:
>Choice of manual or automatic operation:
sequential mode or Drive mode
>Choice of two driving programs: Normal or
Sport, refer to Dynamic Driving Control,
page56
>Automatic downshifting and prevention of
misshifting in sequential mode as well
>Acceleration assistant, refer to page57
Selector lever positions
The current selector lever position can be seen
on the center console.
>R: Reverse gear
>N: Neutral, idle
>One-touch functions for sequential mode:
+: manual upshifting
–: manual downshifting>D: Drive mode or sequential mode
N is automatically selected when the
driver's door is opened while the engine is
running, as long as the pedals, shift paddles and
selector lever are not operated.
This is indicated by an acoustic signal and a
flashing N in the instrument cluster.<
Gear indicator
R N 1 to 6
The gear currently engaged is displayed, pre-
ceded by a D in Drive mode.
This indicator is the only way you can
confirm whether or not the desired selec-
tor lever position is engaged.<
Shiftlock
Before moving the lever away from N with the
vehicle stationary, first depress the brake; oth-
erwise the desired gearshift will not be carried
out.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
Gear-change mode
The gears can be changed in two different
ways.
>Sequential mode
Gears are shifted by means of the shift pad-
dles or the selector lever.
>D Drive mode
All forward gears are shifted automatically.
You can switch from one mode to the other by
pressing the selector lever towards the right in
the direction of D.

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Acceleration assistant
The acceleration assistant provides for optimal,
racing-style acceleration when starting off on a
non-slippery surface.
Do not use the acceleration assistant too
frequently, otherwise components could
wear prematurely.<
1.Activate Dynamic Driving Control.
2.Deactivate DSC, refer to page85.
3.Quickly depress the accelerator pedal all
the way: kick-down. The optimal engine
speed for pulling away is achieved.
To maintain driving stability, reactivate
DSC afterward.<
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to
page58.
Vehicle parking
To prevent the vehicle from rolling,
always select position P and apply the
handbrake before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running.<
Disengaging the remote control
In order to remove the remote control from the
ignition lock, you must first move the selector
lever to position P and switch off the engine:
interlock.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the instrument cluster
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The selector lever position is displayed, or the
current gear in the manual mode.
Changing selector lever positions
>With the ignition switched on or the engine
running, the selector lever can be moved
out of position P: interlock.
>Before moving the lever away from P or N
with the vehicle stationary, first depress the
brake; otherwise the selector lever will
refuse to move: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping
after you select a driving position,
depress the brake until you are ready to
start.<
A lock prevents you from inadvertently engag-
ing selector lever positions R and P. To cancel
the lock, press the button on the front of the
selector lever, refer to arrow.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
rear wheels are locked.

Controls
61Reference
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Mobility
poor road surface, e.g. snow, rain, ice or loose
material.<
Manual transmission/SMG
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.
In Drive mode, the SMG acts similarly to an
automatic transmission in position D.
One lever for all functions
1Storing and maintaining speed or accelerat-
ing
2Storing and maintaining speed or deceler-
ating
3Deactivating cruise control
4Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Maintaining current speed
Tap the lever, arrow 1, or pull it briefly, arrow 2.
The car's current speed is stored and main-
tained. It is displayed in the speedometer and
briefly in the instrument cluster.
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.
Increasing desired speed
Repeatedly press the lever to the resistance
point or beyond, arrow1, until the desired
speed is reached.>Each time the lever is pressed to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pressed beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed is
increased by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Accelerating using the lever
Accelerating slightly:
Press the lever to the resistance point, arrow 1,
until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerating significantly:
Press the lever beyond the resistance point,
arrow 1, until the desired speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. The system stores and
maintains the speed.
Decreasing desired speed
Repeatedly pull the lever to the resistance point
or beyond, arrow 2, until the desired speed is
displayed.
>Each time the lever is pulled to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is decreased
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pulled beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed is
re duc e d by up to 5 mph or 10 k m/h until the
minimum speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h is
achieved.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
If the speed is to be reduced significantly,
depress the brake; otherwise, decelera-
tion may be insufficient and dangerous situa-
tions could result.<
Deactivating cruise control
Tap the lever upwards or downwards, arrow3.
The displays in the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>When you brake the vehicle

Driving
62 >When you switch gears very slowly or shift
to idle in cars with manual transmission
>When you select the automatic transmis-
sion's/SMG's neutral position N
>When you activate DTC or deactivate DSC
>When DSC or ABS is intervening
Cruise control is not deactivated by depressing
the accelerator pedal. Once the accelerator
pedal is released, the stored speed is achieved
again and maintained.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp comes on when
cruise control has been automatically
deactivated by engaging the hand-
brake or as a result of DSC intervening. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display.
Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Briefly press the button, arrow 4. the stored
speed is resumed and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
>When driving stability control systems are
intervening
>In cars with manual transmission: when you
shift gears very slowly or shift to idle posi-
tion
>With automatic transmission/SMG: when
you engage selector lever position N
>When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored speed
2Selected speed is displayed brieflyIf --- 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
page80.<
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 page79.
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 high-
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

Controls
63Reference
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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 page66.
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/SMG
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.
In Drive mode, the SMG acts similarly to an
automatic transmission in position D.
Range of applications
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or
30 km/h, and the maximum desired 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
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 page65
4Resume stored desired speed and dis-
tance, refer to page65
5Select distance to vehicle driving ahead,
refer to page64
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press the lever, arrow 1, or briefly pull it,
arrow 2, at a driving speed of more than approx.
20 mph or 30 km/h.