auto BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 User Guide
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Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock69
Starting the engine69
Switching off the engine70
Parking brake71
Manual transmission72
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic73
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher76
Washer/Wiper system76
Rear window defroster78
Cruise control79
Everything under control:
Odometer81
Tachometer81
Energy Control81
Fuel gauge82
Coolant temperature gauge82
Service Interval Display82
Check Control83
Computer83
Technology for driving comfort
and safety:
Park Distance Control (PDC)87
Automatic Stability Control plus
traction (ASC+T)88
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)89
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)91Lamps:
Side lamps/Low beams93
Instrument panel lighting93
High beams/Parking lamps94
Fog lamps94
Interior lamps94
Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Air conditioner96
Automatic climate control102
Seat heating107
Interior convenience:
Glove compartment107
BMW Universal Transmitter108
Storage facilities110
Cellular phone111
Ashtray, front111
Cigarette lighter112
Ashtray rear112
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag113
Cargo loading114
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
hardtop116
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Keys1 The remote control master keys
determine Key Memory functions.
Refer to page 59
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key that is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
At least once a year, drive for an
extended period with a master key that
you do not use otherwise to charge the
battery. Refer also to page 35.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for constant use 46cde059
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key Ð
this is recommended for valet
parking, for instance
Replacement keysReplacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your BMW center.
Checking vehicle ownership is manda-
tory, since the keys are part of a secu-
rity system. (Refer to "Electronic vehicle
immobilizer" on page 33).
If possible, take all of the master
keys that belong to the vehicle
with you when you pick up your
replacement key.
Whenever you receive a new replace-
ment key, turn that key to position 2 in
the ignition lock once (ignition switched
on) and then back. This allows the elec-
tronic vehicle immobilizer to "learn" the
new key.<
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Central locking system Opening and closing Ð from the outside The conceptThe central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door
is closed. The system engages and
releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door
>glove compartment
at the same time.
The central locking system can be
operated
>from outside via the door lock and
using the remote control
>from inside by pressing a button.
Activating it from inside does not lock
the fuel filler door (see page 38). When
the system is actuated from the
outside, the anti-theft system is acti-
vated simultaneously. Both the door
locks and the safety lock buttons
remain locked. The alarm system is also
armed or disarmed.
The central locking system unlocks
automatically in the event of an acci-
dent. In addition, the hazard warning
flashers and interior lamps come on.
Using the keyTurning the key once in the driver-side
door will unlock only the driver's door.
Turning the key a second time will
unlock the passenger-side door, the
luggage compartment lid, the fuel filler
door and the glove compartment.
You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgment message that
the vehicle is closed correctly.<460de006
Convenience operationYou can also operate the power
windows and the fully automatic
convertible top from the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed, hold
the key in the "Unlock" position.
>To close: with the door closed, turn
the key to the "Lock" position and
hold it.
Watch during the closing process
to be sure that no one is injured.
Releasing the key stops the operation.<Manual operation (in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the key to the extreme left or right
to unlock/lock the door.
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from the outsideUsing the remote control The remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for
unlocking and locking your vehicle.
Furthermore, it provides two additional
functions that can only be executed by
means of the remote control:
>Switch on the interior lamps, refer to
page 36.
With this function, you can also
"search for" your vehicle Ñ when
parked in an underground garage for
instance.
>To open the luggage compartment,
refer to page 36
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether it
was locked or unlocked.
The anti-theft system is also deacti-
vated simultaneously when you unlock
the vehicle, the alarm system is
disarmed, and the interior lamps are
turned on. When you lock the vehicle,
the systems are activated and armed,
and the lamps go off.
You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgment message that
the vehicle is closed correctly.<
Master keysKeys with remote control are master
keys. Refer to page 32.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this
reason, always take the vehicle keys
with you so that the vehicle can be
opened again from the outside at any
time.<46cde020
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the key is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle using the remote control, the
battery is discharged. Use this key
while driving for an extended period in
order to recharge the battery. Refer
also to page 32.
To prevent unauthorized use of the
remote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key or the spare key (refer
to page 32) e. g. whenever leaving the
vehicle for valet parking.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<
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Opening and closing Ð from the outsideTo unlock the vehicleUnlock driver's door: press button 1.
After unlocking the driver's door, press
button 1 again to unlock the entire
vehicle.Convenience opening modePress and hold button 1. The electric
power windows and the fully automatic
convertible top are opened.To lock and securePress button 2.46cde056
To switch on the interior lampsAfter locking the vehicle, press button 2
again.To switch off tilt alarm
* and
interior motion sensor*
Press button 2 again immediately after
locking.
For additional information: refer to
page 43.46cde057
To open the luggage
compartment lidPress button 3.
The luggage compartment lid will open
slightly, regardless of whether the lid
was previously locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure
that the luggage compartment lid
was not opened unintentionally.<46cde058
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Luggage compartment lid Luggage compartmentClosingThe handle recesses in the interior trim
panel of the luggage compartment lid
(arrows) make it easier to pull the lid
down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the luggage
compartment lid is clear when it is
closed, as with all closing procedures.<46cde047
Do not drive with the luggage
compartment lid open, since
exhaust fumes could penetrate the inte-
rior of the vehicle. Should it be abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle
with the luggage compartment lid open:
>Close all windows.
>Increase the air supply for the air
conditioner or automatic climate
control to a high level. Refer to
page 96 or 102.<
Hook in the floor panel1 Press the button (arrow).
2 Grab the handle and pull up.46cde031
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Electric power windowsOpen and close the windowsFrom ignition key position 1:
>Press the switch up to but not past
the pressure point:
The window will lower slightly, as
long as you continue pressing the
switch.
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point:
The window will move automatically.
Pressing the switch again stops the
opening cycle.
You can close windows in the same
manner by pulling the switch.46cus052
Operate all the side windows>Press the switch up to but not past
the pressure point:
All of the windows will continue to
lower as long as you continue to
press the switch.
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point:
All windows will move automatically.
Pressing the switch again stops the
opening cycle.
You can close all the windows in the
same manner by pulling the switch.46cus053
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still use the electric power
windows for up to 15 minutes, as long
as no one opens any of the doors.
Remove the key from the ignition
lock and close the doors when
you leave the vehicle, so that children
cannot operate the power windows and
possibly injure themselves.<
To use the convenience mode via the
door lock, refer to page 34.
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The manual convertible top4 Position the rear convertible top bow
vertically and grip it firmly.
You can support the rear convert-
ible top bow while lifting it up by
pressing the designated area (arrow).<46cde073
5 Reach into the gap of the slightly
opened convertible top compart-
ment lid and open it all the way by
hand (1).
6 Lay the rear convertible top bow in
the convertible top compartment (2).
Release the rear convertible top
bow before laying down the
convertible top, otherwise the side trim
panel could be damaged.<
7 Lift the top up at the front and move it
toward the rear.
Push the convertible top
completely into the convertible
top compartment. This makes it easier
to close the convertible top compart-
ment lid, especially at lower tempera-
tures.<46cde068
8 Press down slightly on the convert-
ible top compartment lid from above
(arrow). The closing procedure will
then be carried out automatically.
9 Either close the slightly lowered side
windows or move them into the
desired position.
Operate the convertible top
compartment lid from above only
in order to avoid pinching.
If the convertible top compartment lid
has not been closed properly, you will
not be able to open the luggage
compartment lid. This is to avoid any
possible damage.<46cde076
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The manual convertible topCentral locking will unlock automati-
cally after the convertible top compart-
ment lid has been closed, i.e., the
luggage compartment lid is no longer
locked and can be opened again.
To avoid permanent damage from
moisture, never store the convert-
ible top when it is wet. Refer to the
chapter "Care," starting on page 156).<
Closing the convertible top.1 Put the ignition key in position 1.
2 Press the switch to unlock it.
The convertible top compartment lid
will be unlocked and the side
windows will lower slightly.
3 Open the convertible top compart-
ment lid completely by hand.
4 Lift the convertible top out by the
lateral guide section (1) and the front
convertible top bow (2), swinging it
forward until you encounter percep-
tible resistance.
Position the rear convertible top
bow vertically only after the
convertible top has been swung toward
the front, otherwise the side trim panel
could be damaged.<46cus037
5 Either close the slightly lowered side
windows or move them into the
desired position.
6 Press down slightly on the convert-
ible top compartment lid from above.
The closing procedure will then be
carried out automatically, refer to
page 46.
Operate the convertible top
compartment lid from above only
in order to avoid pinching.<
After the convertible top compart-
ment lid has been closed, the
central locking system will unlock auto-
matically, i. e. the luggage compartment
lid is no longer locked and can be
opened again.<
7 Holding on to the locking handle, pull
the front part of the convertible top
frame up onto the windshield frame,
and lock the convertible top by
turning the handle until you hear the
convertible top engage.
The rear convertible top bow will auto-
matically be pressed down onto the
convertible top compartment lid and
because of the tension, will close com-
pletely.
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The manual convertible top
The fully automatic convertible top
*
At higher speeds, the ensuing
vacuum in the passenger
compartment can cause the convertible
top to begin fluttering. Increase the air
supply via the ventilation controls so
that a vacuum does not occur in the
vehicle.<
The completely automatically operated
convertible top combines assured
protection against the elements
together with simple, convenient
handling. So that you will get the most
out of enjoying your convertible, here
are a few tips:
It is advisable to close the convertible
top when the vehicle is parked. The
closed convertible top not only protects
the passenger compartment from
unforeseeable damage from the
weather, it also provides a certain
degree of theft protection. In addition,
keep valuables only in the locked
luggage compartment, even with the
convertible top closed.
Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top.
To prevent damage, do not operate the
convertible top at temperatures below
Ð 10 6.
To conserve the battery, only operate
the top with the engine running if
possible.
The convertible top operation is
completely automatic. You will hardly
ever need to support it by hand, refer to
page 49.
Operate the convertible top only if
the vehicle is parked and do not
start driving while the convertible top is
in motion, because at certain points,
this could possibly interrupt the
process. A partially open convertible
top can possibly lead to damage or
injury.
If you initiated convertible top operation
while the vehicle was standing still, and
then start to drive off, you can complete
the process at a traffic light, for
example, while traveling at a moderate
rate of speed. To do this, keep pressing
the proper switch.
Traffic laws applicable in your area take
precedence when you operate the
convertible top, otherwise you may be
breaking the law.
Before closing the convertible top,
remove any objects from the windshield
frame that could keep the convertible
top from closing properly.
Do not lay objects on the convertible
top, since they will fall off when the
convertible top is in motion and cause
damage or injuries.
To close the electric power windows
while driving, always be sure to close
either the rear windows first, or all
four windows at the same time, other-
wise, at high speeds, the windows may
not close tightly.