Manual transmission, Parking brake – BMW 325Ci Coupe 2004 User Manual

Page 62

If exceptional circumstances
make it necessary to engage the

parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull it with excessive
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed
against the release button while care-
fully pulling the lever up.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction – fishtailing
– at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual or SMG gearbox:
Engage the parking brake when parking
on downhill roads, since engaging a
gear may not provide adequate resis-
tance to rolling, not even in first or
reverse gear.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
place the selector lever in Park.

To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake

from time to time when coasting to a
standstill – at a traffic signal, for exam-
ple – provided that it is safe to do so.

Manual transmission

Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or 'riding' the

clutch. Use the parking brake instead.
Riding the clutch leads to severe and
premature clutch wear.

6-speed transmission*

When changing gear in the 5th/6th gear
plane, be sure to press the gearshift
lever to the right to prevent inadvert-
ently shifting to a gear of the 3rd/4th
gear plane.

Reverse

Select only when the vehicle is station-
ary. Press the shift lever to the left to
overcome the slight resistance.

As you do this, the backup lamps will
light up automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.

Parking brake