BMW 325xi (2006 year). Instruction

If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Turn the controller
until "Steering wheel buttons" is selected
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 page

"Mute on / off"
To mute the audio sources

"Monitor on / off"
To switch Control Display on/off

"Telephone list"
To show/hide phone book or last dis-
played list of stored phone numbers

"Next entertainment source"
To change the audio source

Select the desired function and press the
controller.

Transporting children safely

The right place for children

Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger

themselves and/or other persons by opening
the doors, for example.

The rear center seat is not suitable for installing
universal child-restraint systems for all age
groups, approved for the age group in question.

Children always in the rear

Accident research has shown that the safest
place for children is on the rear seats.

Children under the age of 13 or smaller
than 5 ft/150 cm may be transported only

in the rear in suitable child-restraint systems
appropriate for their age, weight and size. Oth-
erwise there is an increased risk of injury in the
event of an accident.

Children 13 years of age or older must be buck-
led in with a safety belt as soon as there no
longer is any child-restraint system that is
appropriate for their age, size and weight.
All rear seats in your vehicle meet the recom-
mendations of the SAE J1819 standard for
safely mounting child-restraint systems in
motor vehicles.

Exception for front passenger seat

Should it be necessary to use a child-
restraint system on the front passenger

seat, the front and side airbags must be deacti-
vated. Otherwise, a child traveling on that seat
will be at an increased risk of injury if the airbags
are triggered off, even with a child-restraint sys-
tem. Your BMW Center will be glad to advise
you.

For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags refer to page

Installing child-restraint

systems

Observe the child-restraint system man-
ufacturer's instructions for selecting,

installing and using child-restraint systems.
Otherwise the protective effect may be dimin-
ished.

Standard child-restraint systems are designed
to be secured with a lap belt or with the lap-belt
section of a lap-and-shoulder belt. Incorrectly
or improperly installed child-restraint systems
can increase the risk of injury to children.
Always follow the installation instructions for
the system with the greatest care.

On the front passenger's seat

Before installing a child-restraint system
on the front passenger's seat, make sure

that the front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are deactivated, otherwise there is an
increased risk of injury if the airbags deploy.

Seat height

Before installing a universal child-restraint sys-
tem, move the front passenger's seat up as far
as it will go to ensure that the safety belt will be
ideally positioned. Do not change the seat
height afterward.

Backrest width

The backrest width of the front passenger
seat must be adjusted to its widest set-

ting, otherwise the stability of the child seat on
the front passenger seat is limited.

Adjust the backrest width to its widest set-
ting, refer to page

Install the child seat.

Transporting children safely

Child seat security

All rear safety belts and the front passenger's
safety belt can be prevented from being pulled
out in order to fasten child-restraint systems.

To lock the safety belt

Secure the child-restraint system with the
belt.

Pull the belt strap all the way out.

Allow the belt strap to retract and pull it taut
against the child-restraint system.

The safety belt is locked.

To unlock the safety belt

Open the belt buckle

Remove the child-restraint system.

Allow the safety belt strap to retract all the
way.

Child-restraint system with tether

strap

There are three additional anchors for child-
restraint systems with tether straps, see
arrows.

Placement of the tether strap

Fold the anchors upward before using them.

Push the head restraint upward.

Guide the tether strap through the mount-
ing for the head restraint.

Push the head restraint into its lowermost
position.

LATCH child-restraint fixing system

LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.

When installing a LATCH child seat, com-
ply with the system manufacturer's oper-

ating and safety instructions.

Rear seats with through-loading

system

The anchor points for the LATCH child-
restraint fixing system are located behind the
indicated protective caps. Flip up the corre-
sponding caps.

Rear seats without through-loading
system

The anchor points for the LATCH child-
restraint fixing system can be found at the loca-
tions marked by the arrows. They are not visible
from the outside.

On journeys

Child-safety locks for rear doors

Slide down the safety lever on the rear doors:
The door can now be opened from the outside
only.

Safety switch for power windows

Press the safety switch for the power windows,
refer to page

, if children are traveling on the

rear seat.

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 page

Ignition on

Most of the indicator and warning lamps in the
indicator area

1 of the instrument cluster, refer

to page

, 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.

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

Apply the handbrake.

Depress the clutch and shift to idle position.

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

Depress the brake.

Move the selector lever to position P.

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*

Depress the brake.

Engage selector lever position N and make
sure that this position is displayed in the
instrument cluster.

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. + 5

7/–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

handbrake, otherwise the vehicle could roll
away.

Manual transmission

Apply the handbrake.

With the car at a standstill, briefly press the
start/stop button.

Shift into first gear or reverse.

Automatic transmission

With the car at a standstill, move the selec-
tor lever to position P.

Briefly press the start/stop button.

Apply the handbrake.

Sequential manual gearbox SMG

Apply the handbrake.

Engage a drive position.

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.

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,
page

Automatic downshifting and prevention of
misshifting in sequential mode as well

Acceleration assistant, refer to page

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.

Driving

Sequential mode

After every engine start, sequential mode is
activated when you press the selector lever
towards the right while the brake is depressed.
You can shift up or down using the shift paddles
or the selector lever. You do not need to lift your
foot from the accelerator pedal while doing so.
It is also possible to start off in second gear, e.g.
on slippery surfaces.
SMG assists you in the following situations:

Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combina-
tion of engine and vehicle speed; for exam-
ple, a downshift that would cause the
engine to overrev cannot be executed by
the system.

The system shifts down into first gear auto-
matically when the vehicle comes to a stop.

The system shifts down automatically just
before the engine speed falls below the
minimum speed required for a certain gear;
the driver does not need to intervene.

Shifting gears via selector lever

Pull the selector lever backwards to shift up.

Push it forward to shift down.

Shifting gears via the shift paddles on
the steering wheel

Pull one of the shift paddles to shift up.

Press it to shift down.

D Drive mode

In Drive mode, all forward gears are shifted
automatically.

To switch from sequential mode to Drive mode:
press the selector lever towards the right in the
direction of D.
Kick-down: to accelerate rapidly, e.g. when
passing another vehicle, depress the accelera-
tor pedal all the way. You will achieve maximum
acceleration.
To switch back to sequential mode: press the
selector lever again towards the right in the
direction of D or shift gears via the shift paddles
or the selector lever.

On uphill slopes, drive off without delay.
Do not hold the vehicle in place by

depressing the accelerator pedal; engage the
handbrake instead. Otherwise, the transmis-
sion could overheat.

Dynamic Driving Control

Dynamic Driving Control enables you to drive
your BMW in an even more performance-ori-
ented manner at the touch of a button:

Gears are shifted more quickly.

In Drive mode, the engine speed range is
utilized optimally.

Activating the system

Press the SPORT button while the ignition is
switched on. The LED in the button lights up.

Deactivating the system

Press the SPORT button again or

engage reverse gear or

switch off the engine.

The LED in the button goes out.

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.

Activate Dynamic Driving Control.

Deactivate DSC, refer to page

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
page

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.

Driving

R Reverse

Select only when the vehicle is stationary.

N Neutral, idle

You can select this in a car wash, for example.
The vehicle can roll.

D Drive, automatic position

Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are selected automatically.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con-
sumption is lowest when you are driving in posi-
tion D.

Kick-down

Kick-down enables you to achieve maximum
performance.
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle resistance point.

Manual operation and Sport program

M/S

Move selector lever from position D toward the
left into the M/S shifting slot:
The sport program is activated and DS appears
in the instrument cluster. This position is rec-
ommended for a performance-oriented driving
style.
When you press the selector lever forwards or
backwards, the manual mode is activated and
Steptronic changes gear. The instrument clus-
ter shows M1 through M6.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combination
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example,
a downshift that would cause the engine to
overrev will not be executed by the system. The

gear selected appears briefly in the instrument
cluster, followed by the gear actually in use.
To use the automatic function again, move the
selector lever to the right into position D.

Overriding selector lever lock

Should the selector lever refuse to move out of
position P although the button on the selector
lever is pressed, the selector lever lock can be
overridden:

Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.

Pull the sleeve up over the selector lever
until the sleeve is inside out.

Using the screwdriver from the onboard
tool kit, refer to page

205

, press the red

lever while moving the selector lever to the
desired position.

Turn signals/

headlamp flasher

1 High beams
2 Headlamp flasher
3 Turn signals

Using turn signals

Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To turn off manually, press the lever to the
resistance point.

Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator
lamp indicates that a turn signal indicator

has failed.
After switching off the ignition, make sure that
the roadside parking lamps are not switched
on.

Indicating a turn briefly

Press the lever as far as the resistance point for
as long as you wish to indicate a turn.

Triple turn signal activation

Press the lever as far as the resistance point.
The turn signals flash three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
iDrive concept, refer to page

Open the start menu.

Press the controller to open the menu.

Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.

Select "Lighting" and press the controller.

Select "Triple turn signal activation" and
press the controller.

Triple turn signaling is activated.

Wiper system

1 Switching on wipers
2 Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3 Activating/deactivating intermittent wipe or

rain sensor

4 Cleaning windshield and headlamps

5 Setting speed for intermittent wipe, or sen-

sitivity of the rain sensor

Switching on wipers

The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.

Normal wiper speed

Press once.
The system switches to operation in the inter-
mittent mode when the vehicle is stationary.

Fast wiper speed

Press twice or press beyond the resistance
point.
The system switches to normal speed when the
vehicle is stationary.

Intermittent wipe or rain sensor*

If the car is not equipped with a rain sensor, the
intermittent-wipe time is a preset.
If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the time
between wipes is controlled automatically and
depends on the intensity of the rainfall. The
sensor is mounted on the windshield, directly in
front of the interior rearview mirror.

Driving

Activating intermittent wipe or rain
sensor

Press button

3. The LED in the button lights up.

Setting speed for intermittent wipe or

sensitivity of the rain sensor

Slide switch

5 up or down.

Deactivating intermittent wipe or rain
sensor

Press button

3 again. The LED goes out.

Deactivate the rain sensor before enter-
ing an automatic car wash. Failure to do

so could result in damage caused by undesired
wiper activation.

Cleaning windshield and headlamps*

Pull lever

Washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield and
the wipers are operated for a short time.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched
on, the headlamps are cleaned at regular and
appropriate intervals.

Do not use the washers if there is any
danger that the fluid will freeze on the

windshield. If you do, your vision could be
obscured. Antifreeze should therefore be
added to the fluid, refer to Washer fluid.
Do not use the washers when the washer fluid
reservoir is empty, otherwise you will damage
the washer pump.

Windshield washer nozzles

The windshield washer nozzles are heated
automatically while the engine is running or the
ignition switched on.

Washer fluid

Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable.
Always keep it well away from sparks and

open flames, and store it in the tightly closed
original container, well out of the reach of chil-
dren. Comply with the instructions on the con-
tainer.

Washer fluid reservoir

Fill with water and, if required, with a washer
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.

Mix the water and antifreeze before filling
the washer fluid reservoir to make sure

the correct concentration is maintained.

Capacity

Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.

Cruise control*

The concept

Cruise control is available for use at speeds of
approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h. The car then stores
and maintains the speed that you specify using
the lever on the steering column. In order to
maintain the specified speed, the system
brakes the vehicle when the engine braking
effect is insufficient on downhill gradients.

Do not use cruise control when driving
conditions are unfavorable for driving at a

constant speed. Otherwise you could lose con-
trol of the vehicle and cause an accident as a
result. Unfavorable driving conditions include,
for example, winding roads, heavy traffic or a

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

1 Storing and maintaining speed or accelerat-

ing

2 Storing and maintaining speed or deceler-

ating

3 Deactivating cruise control
4 Resuming 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, arrow

1, 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

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
reduced by up to 5 mph or 10 km/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, arrow

The displays in the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:

When you brake the vehicle

Driving

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

1 Stored speed
2 Selected 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
page

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 page

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

BMW 325xi (2006 year). Instruction - part 4