BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 Owner's Guide

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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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizer The key to securityYour BMW is equipped with a passive
antiÐtheft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce
the susceptibility of the vehicle to theft
by making it impossible to start the
engine using any means other than the
special keys furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for indi-
vidual keys (in the event of loss, for
instance). A deactivated key can no
longer be used to start the engine.46cde060
How the electronics workAt the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip that is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, serving as a
communications interface designed to
allow the vehicle's electronics system
to maintain a continuous stream of vari-
able, vehicle-specific signals with the
electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will not release the ignition, fuel
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can
damage the integrated electronic
circuitry. A damaged key can no longer
be used to start the engine.<

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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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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from the outsidePanic mode (triggering alarm)By pressing button 3 for 2 to 5 seconds,
the alarm can be sounded in the event
of danger, if the alarm system is armed.
Pressing button 1 will turn the alarm off.
The LED (light-emitting diode) will light
up briefly whenever you press the indi-
vidual buttons.Non-BMW systemsThe proper functioning of the remote
control system may be affected by
other devices or equipment operating in
the immediate vicinity of your vehicle.
If this should occur, you can still open
and close the vehicle using the master
key in either the door or luggage
compartment lock.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or
changes to these devices could
void the user's authority to operate this
equipment.<

38n
Opening and closing Ð from the inside Use this button to operate the central
locking system whenever the doors are
closed. The doors and luggage
compartment lid are unlocked or locked
only. The anti-theft alarm system is not
activated.
If only the driver's door was
unlocked from the outside and you
press the button, then the passenger-
side door, the luggage compartment lid,
the fuel filler door and the glove
compartment will unlock if the driver's
door is open.
The driver's door will be locked if it is
closed.<
If you desire, the central locking
system will secure the locks as 460us007
soon as you start to drive. This can be
adjusted to be key-specific.<To unlock and open the doors>Either unlock the doors at the same
time using the button for the central
locking system and then pull each of
the release handles above the
armrests,
or
>pull the release handle for each door
twice: the first pull unlocks the door,
and the second one opens it.
To engage the locks>Either use the central locking button
to lock both doors at once,
or
>press the individual safety lock
buttons down. To prevent the driver
from being inadvertently locked out
of the vehicle, the driver's door safety
lock button will not engage as long as
the door is open.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this
reason, always take the vehicle's keys
with you so that the vehicle can be
opened again from the outside at any
time.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Luggage compartment lid The lock Only the master keys (refer to page 32)
fit in the lock for the luggage compart-
ment lid.To secure separatelyTurn the master key to the right past the
resistance point and then pull it out in
the horizontal position.
This locks the luggage compartment lid
and disconnects it from the central
locking system. If you surrender only
the door and ignition key, for valet
parking, for instance (refer to page 32),
this will prevent unauthorized access to
the luggage compartment.46cde001
Opening from outsidePress the button in the handle recess
(arrow):
The luggage compartment lid opens
slightly.
The luggage compartment is lit when
the lid is opened. Manual operation(in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the master key to the right as far
as possible Ð the luggage compartment
lid will open slightly.
The luggage compartment is locked
again as soon as you close the lid.06cde01046cde003
Opening from the insideIf the luggage compartment lid has not
been locked separately, you can open it
with this button in the footwell on the
driver's side when the vehicle is
stationary.460de011

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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