check engine light BMW 325XI SPORTS WAGON 2005 Owners Manual

Contents

9

Passenger safety systems:

Airbags54
Transporting children safely57
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory61

Driving:

Ignition lock63
Starting the engine63
Switching off the engine65
Parking brake65
Manual transmission66
Sequential manual gearbox
SMG*67
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*71
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher74
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*75
Cruise control*77

Everything under control:

Odometer79
Tachometer79
Energy control79
Fuel gauge80
Engine coolant temperature
gauge80
Service interval display81
Check Control81
Clock82
Computer*83

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)*85
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)86
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) –
325xi88
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*90
Flat Tire Monitor*91
Brake force display92

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams93
Instrument lighting94
High beams/Standing lamps94
Fog lamps*95
Interior lamps95

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Air conditioning96
Automatic climate control*100

Interior conveniences:

Premium sound system*105
Glove compartment105
Storage compartments106
Cellular phone*107
Ashtray, front*108
Ashtray, rear*108
Socket109

Loading and transporting:

Ski bag*110
Cargo area111
Cargo loading113
Roof-mounted luggage
rack*116

Controls and features

18

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

●

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this in the
following section.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

●

The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defective
alternator drive belt or a problem with
the alternator's charge circuit. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

●

Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level and top off as
required. If the oil level is correct:
please contact the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the
instructions on pages 122 and 135.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Flat Tire Monitor

●

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: there is a flat tire.
Reduce speed and carefully come to a
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information: refer to
page 91

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The brake warning lamp comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS

●

and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and
ADB-X/DBC control system has
failed. Continue driving cau-
tiously and defensively. Avoid
full brake applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center
as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on
page 86
CBC, ABS, DSC and
ADB-X/DBC indicator and warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp

●

Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off. For additional information: refer to
page 65

20
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
and brake warning lamp

●

The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC/DTC have been switched
off with the button or are faulty.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
Additional information beginning on
page 86
325xi:
DSC and ADB-X system malfunction.
There is no provision for switching off
ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
DSC indicator and brake warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

●

Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired at your BMW
center as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on
page 121

Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid level is too low.
Top off the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 132
CHECK GAS CAP*

●

This indicator lamp comes on
when the gas cap is loose or
missing.
Close the gas cap tightly: refer to
page 24
SERVICE ENGINE SOON

●

If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 138
Service Engine Soon
indicator lamp for Canadian
models.

Engine electronics

●

There is a fault in the electronic
engine-management system.
You can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system inspected at your
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to
page 134

Green: for your information

Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signals
are on.
Rapid flashing indicates a system mal-
function.
For additional information: refer to
page 74
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated: ready for oper-
ation via the buttons in the steering
wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 77

Indicator and warning lamps

80
Fuel gaugeOnce the indicator lamp stays on con-
tinuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons/8 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.
Fuel tank capacity approx.
16.6 gallons/63 liters
Certain operating conditions, such as
those encountered in mountainous
areas, may cause the needle to fluctu-
ate slightly.
Fill the fuel tank before it is com-
pletely empty. Driving to the last
drop of fuel can prevent the engine
from operating properly and result in
damage.<
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an
operation check.
Engine coolant temperature gaugeBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating temperature. The
needle may rise as far as the edge of
the red sector in normal operation.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on during normal
vehicle operation: the engine has over-
heated. Switch off the engine immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.
To check coolant level, refer to
page 134.

91
Flat Tire Monitor*The conceptAs you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor
keeps track of pressure levels in all four
tires. The system alerts you whenever
the inflation pressure of a tire falls sig-
nificantly below the pressure of another
tire.
The system actually detects pressure
loss by monitoring differences in the
relative speeds of the four wheels. It
interprets variations outside specified
limits as severe pressure loss, and then
responds by generating a warning.Functional requirementsIn order for the Flat Tire Monitor to learn
the correct tire inflation pressure,
please do the following:
1. Check the tire inflation pressures in
all tires
2. Compare them with the tire inflation
pressure table on page 26 and cor-
rect them, if necessary
3. Initialize the system.
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot pro-
vide you with advance warning of
sudden and severe tire damage caused
by external factors and does not detect
the balanced and very gradual pressure
loss that takes place in all four tires
over an extended period of time.<
On the other hand, the following situa-
tions can lead to a delayed detection of
pressure loss and even to the system
not functioning:
>Driving on snow-covered or slippery
roads
>Performance-oriented driving: slip at
the drive wheels, high levels of lateral
acceleration
>When driving with snow chains, false
warnings and undetected pressure
losses may occur
>When driving with a space-saver
spare tire, the Flat Tire Monitor can-
not function.
Initializing the system
Each time you correct the pres-
sure in a tire, or change a wheel or
tire, reinitialize the system immediately
afterwards. This requires a bit of driv-
ing.<
1. Before driving off, start the engine
but do not start driving
2. Press the button as long as you need
to until the yellow indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up for a
few seconds
3. Drive off.
It takes a few minutes before the Flat
Tire Monitor can detect a flat tire and
issue a warning.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

134
Ask your BMW center for details
concerning the specific BMW
High Performance Synthetic Oil or syn-
thetic oils that have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North Amer-
ica toll-free at 1-800-831-1117 or visit
this website: www.bmwusa.com to
obtain this information.
Viscosity ratingsViscosity is the oilflow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in
the area you drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These kinds of oil may be used for driv-
ing in all ambient temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot. If
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant
can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents
are hazardous to health. You should
always store them in their closed origi-
nal containers and in a location which is
out of reach of children. Antifreeze and
anti-corrosion agents are inflammable.
For this reason, do not spill them on hot
engine parts. They could ignite and
cause burns. Comply with the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of antifreeze agents with corro-
sion inhibitor.<
Checking the coolant level and
adding coolantCheck the coolant level when the
engine is cold, approx. 687/+206:
1. Open the cap for the expansion tank
by turning it slightly counterclock-
wise to allow accumulated pressure
to escape, then open
2. The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is at least
even with the upper edge of the filler
neck; see arrow. The end of the float
may stick out by a maximum of
3/4 in / 2 cm – that is, up to the sec-
ond mark on the float
3. If necessary, add coolant. If the cool-
ant is low, slowly add coolant until
the correct level is reached – do not
overfill.
Engine oil

153
Jump-startingWhen your battery is discharged, you
can use two jumper cables to start your
vehicle with power from the battery in a
second vehicle. You can also use the
same method to help start another
vehicle. Only use jumper cables with
fully insulated handles on the terminal
clamps.
Do not touch high-voltage wiring
and cables on a running engine.
Contact with components carrying high
voltage can be harmful or fatal. Care-
fully observe the following instructions
to avoid personal injury and/or damage
to one or both vehicles. support vehicle has 12 volts and
approximately the same capacity –
measured in Ah. This information is
provided on the battery
2. Stop the engine of the support vehi-
cle
3. Switch off all electrical components
in both vehicles.
Make absolutely certain that there
is no contact between the body-
work of the two vehicles, otherwise
there is a short circuit hazard.<
Connecting the jumper cables
Always adhere to this sequence
when connecting jumper cables;
failure to observe this procedure can
lead to sparks at the battery terminals
and pose an injury hazard.<
The auxiliary jump-starting terminal
located in your BMW's engine compart-
ment acts as the positive battery termi-
nal. Refer to the engine compartment
overview on page 130. The cover of this
auxiliary terminal is marked with a +.
1. Open the cover of the BMW auxiliary
jump-starting terminal. Do so by pull-
ing the tab – see arrow 1
2. Connect one terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the battery or to an auxil-
iary jump-starting terminal of the
support vehicle
3. Connect the second terminal clamp
of the plus/+ jumper cable to the
positive terminal of the battery or to
an auxiliary jump-starting terminal of
the vehicle to be started
4. Your BMW is equipped with a special
nut – see arrow 2 – to serve as the
ground or negative terminal.
Attach a terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative
terminal of the support vehicle's bat-
tery or to a suitable ground on its
engine or bodywork
5. Attach the second terminal clamp of
the minus/– jumper cable to the neg-
ative terminal of the battery or to a
suitable ground on the engine or
bodywork of the vehicle to be
started.Starting the engine1. Start the engine of the support vehi-
cle and let it run for several minutes
at a slightly elevated engine idle
speed
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z
167
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 48
Beverage holders 106, 107
Blower
air conditioning 98
automatic climate
control 102
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils 133
BMW Maintenance
System 136
BMW sports seat 46
Bore, refer to Engine
data 160
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 106, 107
Brake fluid 135
indicator lamp 18, 135
level 135
Brake force display 92
Brake hydraulic system 122
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 145
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 81
Brake lights
brake force display 92
Brake pads
brake fluid level
18, 122, 135
breaking in 120
disc brakes 122Brake rotors
brake system 122
breaking in 120
Brake system
brake pads, indicator
lamp 19
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 121
brake fluid 135
breaking in 120
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 65
Break-in procedures 120
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 143
Bulb, replacing 143
Buttons in steering wheel 22
C
California Proposition 65
warning 138
Can holders, see Beverage
holders 106, 107
Capacities 163
Car battery 151
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 30Car radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Car telephone
preparation 107
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 108
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Cargo area 37, 111
cover 111
emergency release, refer
to Manual operation 36
floor panel 113
lamps 35
lid, refer to Tailgate 35
opening, remote
control 32
volume 162
Cargo, securing 115
Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 121
warning lamp 18CD changer, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Cellular phone 107
Center high-mount brake
lamp
bulb replacement 146
Central locking system 30
button 35
passenger
compartment 35
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 81
Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child safety locks 60
Child seats 57
Child-restraint mounting
system (LATCH) 59
Child-restraint systems 57
Chock 148
Cigarette lighter 108
Cigarette lighter socket 108
Clean rear window 76
Cleaning chrome parts, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z
169
Disposal
oil 133
vehicle battery 151
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 85
Door key 30
Door lock 34
Doors
emergency operation 34
Draft-free ventilation 99, 103
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 93
Driving notes 121
Dry air, refer to Air condi-
tioning mode 98, 102
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 86
indicator lamp 19, 86
DTC Dynamic Traction Con-
trol 86
indicator lamp 19, 86
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 19, 121
indicator lamp 19
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 19, 86
Dynamic Traction Control
(DTC) 86
indicator lamp 19, 86E
Electric glass sunroof 41
Electric power windows 40
Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 151
Electrical malfunction
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 73
door lock 34
driver's door 34
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 43
tailgate 36
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP), refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 86
Emergency call 152
Emergency operation
doors 34
driver's door 34
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 43
Emergency release
tailgate 36
Emissions, minimum, refer
to Energy control 79
Energy control 79Engine
breaking in 120
data 160
electronics 19
indicator lamp 19
speed 79, 160
starting 63
switching off 65
Engine compartment 130
Engine coolant 134
adding 134
Engine oil
adding 133
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 133
capacity 163
indicator/warning lamp 19
quality 133
viscosity 134
Engine oil consumption 132
Engine oil level 19
check 132
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil pressure
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil types 133
Engine output, refer to
Engine data 160
Engine speed 79, 160
Environmentally-friendly
driving, refer to Energy
control 79ESP Electronic Stability Pro-
gram, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC 86
Exterior mirrors 52
Eyeglasses
compartment 107
Eyelet, towing 155
F
False alarm, refer to
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 39
Fastening the safety belts 48
Fault displays 81
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit 23
First-aid kit 23
Flashlight 106
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable
flashlight 106
Flat tire 147
Flat Tire Monitor 91
space-saver spare tire 147
Flat Tire Monitor 91
indicator lamp 18, 19, 92
Flat tire, refer to Tire condi-
tion 124
Floor panel, lifting 113
Fluid reservoir for washer
systems 132
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z
171
Ignition lock 63
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18
Indicator/warning lamp
airbags 18
alarm system 38
brakes 18, 19
Check Gas Cap 19
coolant 19, 80
DSC 19
Flat Tire Monitor
18, 19, 92
fog lamps 20
Please fasten safety
belts 18
reserve 80
Service Engine Soon 19
Individual air distribution 102
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 61
Inflation pressure 124
Inflation pressure monitor-
ing, refer to Flat Tire Moni-
tor 91
Inflation pressure, tires 25
INSPECTION 81
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 94
Instrument panel 14
Interface socket for onboard
diagnostics (OBD) 138Interior lamps 95
remote control 32
Interior motion sensor 38
switching off 39
Interior rearview mirror 53
automatic dimming
feature 53
Interior temperature
adjusting 98, 102
Interlock, refer to Steering
wheel lock 63
Intermittent
mode, wipers 75
Interval
display, service 81
J
Jack 147
Jacking points 148
Jump-starting 153
K
Key Memory 61
Keys 30
with remote control 30
Kickdown 68, 72
L
Lamp defect 143
Lamps and bulbs 143
Lashing down loads, refer to
Cargo loading 113Lashing eyelets, refer to
Securing cargo 115
Lashing fittings, refer to
Securing cargo 115
LATCH child-restraint
mounting system 59
Leather care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
LEDs light-emitting
diodes 95
Length, refer to
Dimensions 161
License plate lamp
bulb replacement 146
Light switch 93
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs 95
Lighter 108
LIGHTS ON warning 93
Lights, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 93
Litter bag holder 107
Load, refer to Cargo
loading 113
Loading
vehicle 113
Lock buttons on doors, refer
to Locking 35
Lock, steering wheel 63Locking
from inside 35
from outside 31, 34
Locking and unlocking
doors
from inside 35
from outside 31, 34
Low beams 93
automatic 93
bulb replacement 143
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 81
Lug bolts 148
key 148
torque 148
Luggage area cover, see
Cargo area cover 111
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo area 37
Luggage net, refer to Parti-
tion net 111
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack 116
Luggage straps 37
Lumbar support 47
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires 127
Maintenance 81, 136
Maintenance system 136
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex