brake pads BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 Owner's Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Instrument cluster

1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp
for fuel reserve82
2 Turn signal indicator23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for:

>

Battery charge current20

>

High beams23

>

Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and
Energy control81
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge
with "Coolant temperature too high"
indicator82
7 Indicator and warning lamps (clock-
wise) for:

>

Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)/DBC20

>

Antilock Brake System (ABS)22

>

Brake pads22

>

Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)

*
20, 22

>

Rollover protection system67

>

Airbags21

>

Adjust and lock backrest/Please
fasten safety belts21

>

Cruise control23
8 Set button for the clock849 Program display for automatic
transmission

*
75
Indicator lamp for automatic
transmission

*
21, 75
10 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

*
and ADB22
11 Indicator for:

>

Odometer81

>

Trip odometer81

>

Clock84

>

Service Interval82
Indicator for computer,
operation using the turn signal lever,
refer to page 83:

>

Clock

>

Outside temperature

>

Average fuel consumption

>

Range

>

Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control83
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero8114 Indicator and warning lamps (clock-
wise) for:

>

Front fog lamps23

>

Add washer fluid22

>

Coolant level23

>

Electronic Throttle Control
(EML)

*
23

>

Service engine soon22
You can display the outside
temperature and distance driven
in different units of measurement.

<

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Indicator and warning lampsYellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 123.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Lights up while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute
minimum; therefore, add engine oil as
soon as possible. Do not drive more
than 30 miles (50 km) until you do.
For additional information, refer to
page 145.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add oil at the
earliest opportunity (when you stop to
refuel).
For additional information, refer to
page 145.
Brake pads l

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 126.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
Check tire inflation pressure:
refer to pages 27, 91.
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC l
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive
force and braking force.
The indicator lamp remains on:
ASC+T has been switched off via the
button or it is defective, or the DSC has
been switched off, ADB is operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center
in the event of a fault.
For additional information, refer to
page 88.
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) and
brake warning lamp l
The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC
and ADB/DBC are
switched off via the button or are defec-
tive.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 88.
DSC and ADB/DBC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid.
The washer fluid is too low. Top
up the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 144.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
inspected by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 162.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.

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To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you comply
with the following recommendations:
Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine and road
speeds, but do not exceed 4,500 rpm
or a speed of 100 mph (160 km/h):
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Always avoid using the full throttle or
"kickdown" position for the accelerator.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles
(2,000 km), engine speed and vehicle
speed can be gradually increased.
Follow the same break-in procedure if
either the engine or the differential is
replaced in the future.
TiresDue to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
For this reason drive cautiously during
the initial 200 miles (300 km).
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or
complete loss of traction, vehicle
control and braking effectiveness.
Reduce your speed on wet roads.<
Brake systemApproximately 300 miles (500 km) must
elapse before the brake pads and discs
achieve the optimal pad-surface and
wear patterns required for trouble-free
operation and long service life later on.
To break-in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that
traffic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine off Ð when
towing, for example Ð substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle.<ClutchThe clutch will also begin to function
optimally after about 300 miles
(500 km). Engage the gears carefully
during the break-in period.
Break-in procedures

125n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Disc brakesDisc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, and in
operating conditions where brake appli-
cations are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion of the
discs and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs
because the minimal pressure that must
be exerted by the pads to clean the
discs by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake discs are corroded, they will
tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
approved for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
Driving notesWhen driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is effective to apply light
pressure to the brakes every few miles
or kilometers. Be aware of traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The
heat which is generated by the brake
applications helps to dry the brake
pads and discs.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels are not locked, but
rather when they are still barely turning
immediately prior to locking. ABS main-
tains this state automatically. If the
antilock brake system ever fails, you
should revert to pumping the brakes
(refer to page 128).
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear in which
only minimal periodic brake application
is required. This avoids excessive strain
on the brakes and possible
impairment of the braking effect.
You can further increase the engine's
braking effect by selecting a lower gear,
downshifting as far as first gear. When
driving a vehicle with automatic trans-
mission, you can still downshift into first
gear. Refer to page 74.If engine braking should prove to be
inadequate, you should still avoid
extended, continuous braking. Instead
of maintaining low to moderate pres-
sure over an extended period of time,
you should decelerate by applying
more substantial pressure to the brake
pedal (watch for following traffic),
releasing the pedal, and then repeating
the application (staggered braking). The
cooling phases between active braking
intervals prevent the brakes from over-
heating, thus ensuring that full braking
capacity remains available at all times.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the shift lever
or selector lever in Neutral. Do not drive
with the engine shut off. The engine
provides no braking effect when the
clutch is depressed or the transmission
is in Neutral, and there is no power-
assist for braking or steering when the
engine is not running. Never allow floor
mats, carpets or any other objects to
protrude into the area around the brake,
clutch or accelerator pedals, which can
obstruct pedal travel.<

126n
Brake systemBrake fluid level
The brake warning lamp comes
on with the parking brake
released:
The brake fluid level is too low in the
reservoir (refer to page 148).
If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become notice-
ably longer, there may be a defect in
one of the hydraulic circuits of the
brake system.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
center. Higher brake application
pressure may be necessary under these
conditions, and brake pedal travel may
be significantly longer. Please
remember to adapt your driving style
accordingly.<
Brake pads
The brake pads warning lamp
lights up:
Only the minimum pad thick-
ness still remains on the brake pads.
Proceed to the nearest BMW center
as soon as possible to have the pads
replaced.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
approved for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<

128n
Winter operationBrakesWinter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface;
the resulting increase in braking
distance is considerable and should
always be kept in mind.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response.
If the ABS does not respond in a critical
braking situation and the wheels lock:
reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
until the wheels just start to roll again
while still maintaining enough force to
continue braking.
Then increase the pressure, reduce the
pressure when the wheels lock, reapply
pressure etc.
This staggered braking procedure will
reduce stopping distances while
helping you maintain steering control.
You can then attempt to steer around
hazards after you have reduced pres-
sure on the brake pedal.Do not shift down on slick road
surfaces. Doing so could cause
the rear wheels to lose traction and
skid, that could result in the loss of
vehicle control.<
Depress the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces that
provide only poor or uneven traction.<
Skid control Depress the clutch and let up on the
accelerator pedal, or place the selector
lever for the automatic transmission in
the "Neutral" position. Countersteer
carefully and attempt to regain control
of the vehicle.
ParkingEngage 1st or reverse gear. If your
vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, place the selector lever in
"Park." On vehicles with manual trans-
mission, also apply the parking brake
when parking on inclined surfaces. In
order to prevent the parking brake pads
from locking due to frost or corrosion,
dry them by gently applying the parking
brake as the vehicle is coming to a
stop. Make sure that following traffic is
not endangered.
The brake lamps do not come
on when the parking brake is
applied.<

Everything from A to Z
A
ABS (Antilock Brake System) 22,122
Accessories 6
Activated-charcoal filter 106,180
Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC) 73,188
Adding engine oil 145
Adding washer fluid 144,199
Adjusting backrest 52
Adjusting headrests 53
Adjusting the steering wheel 57
Adjusting the temperature 98,104
Adjusting thigh support 54
Air conditioner 96
Air distribution 98,104
Air nozzles 96,102
Air outlets 96,102
ventilation 96,102
Air pressure, tires 27,132
Air supply 98,105
Airbags 21,61 ,159 ,189
sitting properly with 62
Alarm system 42
Antenna 129
Antenna, Diversity 190 Antifreeze
147
radiator 127
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 22,122
Anti-theft alarm system 42
Aquaplaning 121,132
Armrest 110
ASC+T (Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction) 22,88
Ashtray front 111
rear 112
ATC (Adaptive Transmission Control) 73,188
Attach vacuum cleaner 112
AUC (Automatic recirculated-air
control) 105
Automatic car washes 151
Automatic climate control 102
remove window
condensation 105
Automatic cruise control 79
Automatic dimming, interior rearview mirror 58
Automatic recirculated-air control (AUC) 105
Automatic Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T) 22,88 Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 21,73
Automatic windshield washer 77
Average consumption 85
Average speed 86
Avoiding unwanted alarm 43
Axle loads 198
B
Backrest adjusting 52
locking 21,55
releasing 55
Backup lamps 72
bulb replacement 169
Battery 176,200
capacity 200
charge current 20,176
charging 178
discharged 183
removal and
installation 178
Belts 60
Beverage holder 111
Blower 98,105
BMW High Performance Synthetic Oils 146
BMW Maintenance System 150 BMW sports seat
54
Bore 196
Brake fluid 148
Brake hydraulic system 20
Brake lamps, bulb replacement 169
Brake pads 22,126
Brake system 126
Brakes 125
malfunctions 126
Break-in procedures 120
Bulb replacement 166
C
California Proposition 65 Warning 161
Capacities 199
Car Memory 59
Car radio 129
reception 129,190
refer also to the Radio
Owner's Manual
Car washes 151
Care convertible top 157
exterior 152
interior 154
leather upholstery 155
rubber seals and
components 127