BMW 325Ci Coupe (2006 year). Instruction

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

Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed an engine speed of 4,500 rpm or a
road speed of 100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kick-down mode.

After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km

Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.

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:

Close all windows and the glass sunroof.

Increase the air flow rate of the air condi-
tioner or automatic climate control consid-
erably, refer to page

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. Do not touch hot exhaust tail pipes.
Otherwise there is a risk of burns.

Mobile phone in the vehicle

BMW discourages the use of mobile
communications devices, e.g. mobile

phones, inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the
vehicle electronics and mobile communication

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device can influence one another. In addition,
there is no assurance that the radiation which
results from transmission will be dissipated
from the vehicle interior.

Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic

dimming feature*

The automatic dimming feature of the interior
and exterior mirrors

is controlled by two photo

cells in the interior rearview mirror. One photo
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not
cover the area between the interior rearview
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield
directly in front of the mirror.

Hydroplaning

When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge

of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning,
means that the tire can completely lose contact
with the road surface, so that neither the car can
be steered nor the brake be properly applied.

The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page

108

Driving through water

Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only

at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.

Use the handbrake on inclines

On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise

greater clutch wear will result.

For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page

Braking safely

Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most
effective way of braking in situations in which
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.

Driving in wet conditions

When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.

Hills

To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,

drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.

You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page

Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in idle or with the

engine switched off; otherwise, engine braking
action will not be present or there will be no

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Things to remember when driving

power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals, otherwise pedal function could be
impaired.

Corrosion on brake rotors

When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.

When the vehicle is parked

Condensation forms while the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.

Before driving into a car wash

For general information about taking care of
your BMW, refer to the Caring for your vehicle
brochure.

With convenient access and automatic
transmission

Insert the remote control into the ignition
switch.
The engine can be switched off when the selec-
tor lever is in position N. Refer also to page

Cargo loading

To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-

load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage

develops inside the tires. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.

Determining loading limit

Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard

The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed

XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading
can result in damage to the vehicle and
unstable driving conditions.

Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.

Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.

The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.

Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.

If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.

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Load

The permissible load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of the occupants, the less cargo/lug-
gage can be transported.

Stowing cargo

Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the
respective seat backs.

Cover sharp edges and corners.

For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
opposite buckle.

Securing cargo

Secure smaller and lighter items using
retaining straps, a cargo-bay net

or draw

straps

Heavy-duty cargo straps

for securing

larger and heavier objects are available at
your BMW center. Four lashing eyes are
provided for attaching the cargo straps.
Two are located

on the rear cargo-bay

panel

2, two more on the cargo-bay

sidewalls

Please comply with the information sup-
plied with the cargo straps.

Always position and secure the cargo as
described above, so that it cannot endan-

ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden
braking or swerves are necessary.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page

140

, as excessive loads can pose a

safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried
unsecured inside the car, since they could be
thrown around, for example as a result of heavy
braking, sudden swerves, etc., and endanger
the occupants.

Roof-mounted luggage rack*

A special rack system is available as an option
for your BMW. Comply with the precautions
included with the installation instructions.

Mounting points

The mounting points are located in the roof or
along the roof rails

Loading roof-mounted luggage rack

Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
vehicle handling and steering response.

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Refueling

102

Refueling

Always switch off the engine before refu-
eling, otherwise, fuel cannot be added to

the tank and a message will be displayed.

Take all precautionary measures and
observe all applicable regulations when

handling fuel. Do not carry any spare fuel con-
tainers in your vehicle. They can develop a leak
and cause an explosion or cause a fire in the
event of an accident.

Gas cap

Opening

Open fuel filler door. To do so, lightly press
the rear edge.

Turn the gas cap counterclockwise.

Place the gas cap in the bracket attached to
the fuel filler door.

Closing

Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you clearly
hear a click.

Do not jam the strap between the gas cap
and the vehicle. Otherwise fuel vapors

could escape.

The warning lamp lights up briefly if
the gas cap is loose or missing. If this
occurs, close the cap correctly.

Manually releasing the fuel filler door

In the event of a malfunction, you can release
the fuel filler door manually:

Remove the cover from the right-hand side-
wall of the cargo bay.

Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol.
The fuel filler door is released.

Observe the following when refueling

When handling fuels always observe any
safety guidelines posted at the service

station.

When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid lifting the filler
nozzle while filling the tank, as that would lead
to

premature pump shutoff

a reduced efficiency of the fuel-vapor
recovery system.

The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks
off the first time.

Fuel tank capacity

Approx. 16.1 US gallons/61 liters, including the
reserve capacity of 2.1 US gallons/8 liters.

Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/

50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.

Fuel specifications

Do not fill the tank with leaded fuel, as this
would cause permanent damage to the

catalytic converter.

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103

Required fuel

Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91

This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is:

328i: 87

335i: 89.

If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no effect on the engine life.

Do not use any gasoline below the mini-
mum specified fuel grade. Otherwise the

engine could be damaged.

Use high-quality brands

Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10% ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8% oxygen by weight,
that is, 15% MTBE or 3% methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void
the applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.

The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
drivability, starting and stalling problems

especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.

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Wheels and tires

104

Wheels and tires

Tire inflation pressures

Information for your safety

It is not merely the tires' service life, but also
driving comfort and, to a great extent, driving
safety that depend on the condition of the tires
and the maintenance of the specified tire pres-
sure.

Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
and correct it, if necessary: at least twice a

month and before starting long trips. If you fail
to observe this precaution you may be driving
on tires with incorrect tire pressures, a condi-
tion that can not only compromise your vehi-
cle's driving stability, but also lead to tire dam-
age and the risk of an accident. Do not drive
with deflated, i.e. flat tires, except when using
Run-Flat Tires. A flat tire will seriously impair
your vehicle's handling and braking response.
Attempts to drive on a flat tire can lead to loss of
control over the vehicle.

Checking pressure

Only check tire inflation pressure when the
tires are cold. This means after a maximum of
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has
been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are
warm, the tire inflation pressure is higher.

After correcting tire inflation pressures,
always reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,

refer to page

Inflation pressure specifications

The tables below provide all the correct inflation
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient
temperature.

The inflation pressures apply to the tire
sizes approved and tire brands recom-

mended by BMW; a list of these is available
from your BMW center.

For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressures, observe the following:

Tire sizes for your vehicle

Load conditions

Maximum allowable driving speed

Tire inflation pressures for driving up to

100 mph or 160 km/h

For normal driving up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
and to achieve optimum driving comfort, adjust
pressures to the respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds up to a maximum of
100 mph or 160 km/h.
These tire inflation pressures can also be found
on the driver's-side door post when the driver's
door is open.

The maximum permissible speed for
these tire pressures is 100 mph or

160 km/h. Do not exceed this speed, otherwise
tire damage and accidents could occur.

Tire inflation pressures for driving

above 100 mph or 160 km/h

In order to drive at maximum speeds in
excess of 100 mph or 160 km/h, adjust

pressures to the respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds including those
exceeding 100 mph or 160 km/h. Otherwise tire
damage and accidents could occur.

Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits, otherwise violations of the laws could
occur.

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105

Tire inflation pressures for the 328i

Tire size

Pressure specifications in psi/kPa

Traveling speeds

up to a max. of

100 mph / 160 km/h

Traveling speeds

including those exceeding

100 mph / 160 km/h

All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature

without Sports package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/45 R 17 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL

32/220

33/230

32/220

35/240

42/290

Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V

32/220

35/240

Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V

32/220

38/260

Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL

33/230

32/220

35/240

Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL

38/260

32/220

42/290

with Sports package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/45 R 17 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL

32/220

33/230

32/220

33/230

35/240

42/290

Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V

32/220

35/240

Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V

32/220

38/260

Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL

33/230

32/220

36/250

Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL

38/260

32/220

42/290

More details on permissible loads and weights can be found on page

140

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Wheels and tires

106

Tire inflation pressures for the 335i

Tire size

Pressure specifications in psi/kPa

Traveling speeds

up to a max. of

100 mph / 160 km/h

Traveling speeds

including those exceeding

100 mph / 160 km/h

All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature

without Sports package:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S

32/220

35/240

32/220

33/230

35/240

42/290

Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W

33/230

32/220

36/250

Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W

35/240

44/300

Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y

33/230

32/220

Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y

35/240

32/220

38/260

Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL

36/250

33/230

36/250

Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL

39/270

33/230

44/300

with Sports package:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S

32/220

35/240

32/220

33/230

36/250

44/300

Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W

33/230

38/260

Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W

35/240

44/300

Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y

33/230

32/220

33/230

Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y

35/240

32/220

38/260

Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL

36/250

35/240

38/260

Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL

39/270

35/240

44/300

More details on permissible loads and weights can be found on page

140

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107

Tire identification marks

Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.

Tire size

Speed code letter

Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h

Tire Identification Number

Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:

Tire age

The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT … 0705 means that the
tire was manufactured in week 7 of 2005.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.

Uniform Tire Quality Grading

Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A

DOT Quality Grades

Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C

All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition

to these grades.

Tread wear

The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1

γ) times as

well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.

Traction

The 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 specified government test sur-
faces 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, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.

e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in

Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires

225/45 R

7 91 V

e.g.
Manufacturer's code
for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire age

DOT xxxx xxx 0705

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BMW 325Ci Coupe (2006 year). Instruction - part 6