engine BMW 325I 2001 User Guide

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizer The key to securityYour BMW is equipped with a passive
anti-theft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system reduces the likelihood
of your vehicle being stolen by making
it impossible to start the engine using
any keys other than the ones furnished
with the vehicle. Your BMW center can
cancel the electronic system authoriza-
tion for individual 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. While the
engine is running, the circuitry in the
ignition key and the vehicle's electronic
system constantly exchange variable,
vehicle-specific signals. The system will
not release the ignition, fuel injection
and starter unless it recognizes 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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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
0 Steering lock engaged The key can be inserted or removed in
this position only.
After removing the key, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the left or right
until the lock engages.
If the key has been left in the ignition,
an acoustic signal will sound after the
door has been opened.460de022
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from the
"Park" position until the engine is
running (ignition key at position 2).
In order to turn the key to position 0 or
to remove it, first move the selector
lever to the position "Park" (Interlock).<
1 Steering lock disengaged Turning the steering wheel slightly to
the right or left often makes it easier to
turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual electrical devices are ready
for operation.2 Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3 Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion:
Depress the clutch when starting the
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine
from starting if the clutch is not
depressed.<
Before starting>Engage the parking brake.
>Put the manual-shift gear lever in idle
or in P for an automatic transmission.
>Depress the clutch pedal.
Do not run the engine in enclosed
areas. The exhaust gases contain
carbon monoxide, an odorless and
colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Breathing the exhaust gases poses an
extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Never leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Do not press the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time, but do not keep
turning it for more than approx.
20 seconds. Release the ignition key
immediately when the engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, drive off
immediately at a moderate engine
speed.<
Steering/Ignition lock Starting the engine

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Starting the engine Switching off the engine If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold start at very low temperatures
approx. +5 7 (Ð15 6) at high altitude
over 3,300 ft (1000 m):
>On the first start attempt, engage
the starter for a longer period
(approx. 10 seconds).
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at start-up are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from dischar-
ging, always switch off electrical
devices which are not in use and the
ignition when the vehicle is not being
driven.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Never remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is still moving.
If you did so, the steering lock would
engage when the steering wheel is
turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined
surfaces, since placing the lever in
1st gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<

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Manual transmission Completely depress the clutch pedal
each time you shift, pressing the
manual-shift gear lever into its respec-
tive end position.
Also depress the clutch when starting
the vehicle, as otherwise lockout will
prevent the engine from starting.
The shift lever's neutral plane (dot in the
illustration) is located between 3rd and
4th gears.
When shifting from each gear into
"Neutral," the shift lever returns auto-
matically to this gear plane because
of its spring loading.360de044
Reverse Select "Reverse" only when the vehicle
is stationary. Press the shift lever to the
left to overcome the resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will
turn on automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead.
Otherwise, riding the clutch will cause
heavy wear and tear to the clutch.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
You have the option of driving with a
normal automatic transmission or
switching to manual.
When you move the selector lever from
the "D" position to the left into the M/S
range, the performance-oriented shift
programs of the automatic transmission
are engaged. As soon as you tap the
selector lever in the "+" or "Ð" direction,
Steptronic changes the gear. The
manual mode is engaged. Whenever
you want to use the automatic mode
again, move the selector lever to the
right into position "D."
The automatic transmission with Step-
tronic is equipped with Adaptive Trans-
mission Control (ATC). ATC reacts with
precision to your individual driving style
and the current driving conditions. It is
for this reason that various shift
programs are used.
For additional information concerning
the ATC, please refer to the chapter
describing "Advanced technology" on
page 173.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + Ð
Starting the engineThe engine can only be started in
selector lever positions P ("Park") or N
("Neutral").Range selectionA detent prevents inadvertent shifts into
some selector lever positions. To
release the shift-lock mechanism, press
the button on the front side of the
selector handle (arrow).463de061
While the vehicle is stationary
and before shifting out of "Park" or
"Neutral," depress the footbrake, other-
wise the selector lever will be blocked
(shiftlock).
Hold the footbrake down until starting
off. Otherwise the vehicle will "creep"
when a drive position is engaged.<
Before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, move the selector
lever to the "Park" or "Neutral" position
and apply the parking brake. The
vehicle will move if this is not done. Do
not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
P ParkSelect "Park" only when the vehicle is
stationary. The transmission locks to
prevent the rear wheels from turning.R ReverseSelect "Reverse" only when the vehicle
is stationary.N Neutral Select "Neutral" only if your journey is
interrupted for a longer period.

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Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
D Drive (automatic shift program)This position is designed for driving
under all normal operating conditions.
All forward gears are available and the
ATC is fully operational."Kickdown"You will get maximum vehicle perfor-
mance in the "kickdown" mode.
To activate this mode, depress the
accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle position, at which a resistance
point must be overcome.
M/S Manual mode and Sport
ProgramShifting from D into M/S activates the
Sport Program. This is indicated by
"SD" in the gear selection display. This
position is recommended for a perfor-
mance-oriented driving style.
With the first brief touch, the automatic
transmission shifts from the Sport
Program to the manual mode.
Whenever you tap the selector lever
forward in the "+" direction, the trans-
mission shifts up. Whenever the lever is
moved back in the "Ð" direction, the
transmission shifts down. M1 to M5
appear in the gear indicator.463de062
Upshifts or downshifts will only be
carried out by the ATC at appropriate
engine speeds and road speeds. If the
engine speed is too high, for instance,
a downshift will not be executed. The
gear selected will appear briefly in the
instrument cluster followed by the
current gear.
To accelerate quickly in the
manual mode (to pass another
vehicle), shift down manually or employ
the "kickdown" mode.<
Shifting from M/S to the selector lever
positions P, R and N is possible only by
going through D.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
In the following situations, the Step-
tronic "thinks" for you in the manual
mode:
>In order to prevent engine over-
speeding, the transmission shifts
automatically to the next higher gear
shortly before the engine speed
cutoff point.
>At low speeds, the transmission
shifts down automatically Ð you do
not have to act.
>In the "kickdown" mode, the trans-
mission shifts down to the lowest
gear possible, depending
on the engine speed.
>Depending on the situation Ð when
driving in adverse winter conditions,
for example Ð you may also start out
in 2nd or 3rd gear.
Available displays
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5460us143
Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P," set the parking
brake and turn the engine off (ignition
key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine. If the indicator lamp goes out
after a few seconds, normal transmis-
sion performance has been restored.
Drive off normally.
If the indicator lamp does not go out,
all selector lever positions can still be
selected, however in the forward posi-
tions the vehicle has limited perfor-
mance, as it drives only in 3
rd and 4
th
gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest BMW
center.
Do not perform service operations
in the engine compartment with
a drive position engaged. If you do so,
the vehicle could move.<
For towing, tow-starting or jump-
starting the vehicle, refer to the infor-
mation beginning on page 167.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cruise control
*
The vehicle can store and automatically
maintain any desired vehicle speed
above approx. 20 mph (30 km/h) that
you input.
Do not use the cruise control on
winding roads, when high traffic
density prevents driving at a constant
speed, when the road surface is slick
(snow, rain, ice), or when the road
surface is loose (rocks, sand).<To activate the system From ignition key position 2:
Press button 1. The indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on. You
can now use the cruise control.460de077
To store and maintain speed or
to accelerate Press button 2 briefly:
The system registers and maintains the
current vehicle speed. Every time you
briefly touch the button, the speed
increases by 0.6 mph (1 km/h).
Press and hold button 2:
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. When
you release the button, the system
registers and maintains the current
speed.
If, on a downhill gradient, the
engine braking effect is not suffi-
cient, the controlled speed can be
exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill
grades if the engine output is
insufficient.<
To deceleratePress button 3 briefly:
If you are already driving with active
cruise control, the speed is decreased
by approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h) every time
you briefly touch the lever.
Press and hold button 3:
With the cruise control active, the
system automatically reduces the
throttle opening to slow the vehicle.
When you release the button, the
system registers and maintains the
current speed.

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1 Odometer You can activate the displays shown in
the illustration with the ignition key in
position 0 by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster (arrow).2 Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the button (arrow) with the igni-
tion key in position 1 and up.460us144
Avoid engine speeds in the red warning
zone of the gauge.
To protect the engine, the engine-
management system automatically
interrupts the fuel supply in this range;
the resulting effect resembles that
associated with a sudden loss of
power.460us079
Indicates current fuel consumption in
mpg (in liters per 100 km on Canadian
vehicles). You can check your current
driving style to see whether it is condu-
cive to economy and minimum exhaust
emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the
display goes to "Maximum" (zero on
Canadian models).460us080
Odometer Tachometer Energy Control

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Fuel gauge
Coolant temperature gauge
Service Interval Display
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as a
function check.
Once the indicator lamp stays on
continuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons (8 liters) of fuel left in the fuel
tank.
For fuel tank capacity, refer to page 187.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended
driving in mountainous areas, for
example), there may be slight fluctua-
tions of the needle.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result
in damage to the engine and/or cata-
lytic converter.<460us081
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly as a
function check.
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle, the engine has over-
heated. Switch the engine off immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not
unusual for the needle to rise as far as
the edge of the red zone in response
to high outside temperatures or severe operating conditions. Checking
coolant level: refer to page 13 7.460de082
Remaining distance for serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 or after the
engine is started.
The next service due appears with the
message OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the remaining distance
before scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations
of the remaining distance on the rate of
fuel consumption in the period immedi-
ately preceding your data request.
A flashing display and a "Ð" in front of
the number indicate that service is past
due by the number of kilometers/miles
displayed. Please contact your BMW
center for an appointment.460us112