brake pads BMW 325i SEDAN 2001 E46 Owner's Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Instrument cluster

1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp
for fuel reserve75
2 Indicator lamp for turn signal
indicators23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for:

>

Battery charge current20

>

High beams23

>

Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and Energy Control74
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge
with "Coolant temperature too high"
indicator75
7 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for:

>

Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC/DBC)20

>

Antilock Brake System (ABS)22

>

Brake pads22

>

Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)

*
20, 22

>

Airbags21

>

Please fasten safety belts21

>

Cruise control

*
23
8 Set button for the clock769 Program display for automatic
transmission

*
66, 68
Indicator lamp for automatic
transmission

*
21, 66
10 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

*
or DSC

*
and ADB

*
/
ADB-X

*
22
11 Indicator for:

>

Odometer74

>

Trip odometer74

>

Clock76

>

Service Interval76
Display for computer

*
, operation via
the turn signal lever, refer to
page 77:

>

Clock

>

Outside temperature

>

Average fuel consumption

>

Range

>

Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control76
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero7414 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for:

>

Front fog lamps

*
23

>

Add washer fluid22

>

Coolant level23

>

Electronic Engine Power Control
(EML)

*
23

>

Service Engine Soon23
You can display the outside
temperature and distance driven
in different units of measurement.

<

22n
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 119.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on 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 139.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: Add more engine
oil the next time you stop for gas.
For additional information, refer to
page 139.
Brake pads l

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 121.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
Check the tire inflation pressure.
Refer to pages 28 and 86.
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 stays lit:
ASC+T has been switched off via the
button, or it is defective, or, the DSC
has been turned off, ADB is in ready
mode.
Please consult the nearest BMW center
in the event of a system malfunction.
For additional information, refer to
ASC+T beginning on page 80.
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
The DSC has either been turned off or
is defective. ADB-X is in ready mode. If
the warning lamp does not go out after
pressing the DSC button repeatedly,
then both the DSC
and ADB-X are
defective.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 84.
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) and
brake warning lamp l
The indicator lamps remain on:
The DSC and ADB/DBC have
been switched off by means of the
button or are defective.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 82.
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
DSC and ADB-X are defective. ADB-X
cannot be switched off.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 81.
Indicator and warning lamps
DSC and ADB/ADB-X/DBC for
Canadian models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low, refill
at the earliest opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 138.

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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 speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed
4,500 RPM or a road speed of 100 mph
(160 km/h) during this initial period.
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Do not apply full throttle and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point.
After 1,200 miles (2,000 km), you can
gradually increase the engine speed or
road speed.
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 first 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 systemBrake pads and disks do not attain their
optimal wear patterns until after approx.
300 miles (500 km).
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

120n
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 oper-
ating conditions where brake applica-
tions 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 that 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 ABS
fails, you should revert to the staggered
braking technique described on
page 122.
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.
The braking effect of the engine can be
further increased by downshifting, into
first gear, if necessary. In the manual
mode of the automatic transmission,
you can also downshift into first gear.
Refer to page 66.Should engine braking prove inade-
quate, you should still avoid extended,
continuous braking. Instead of main-
taining low to moderate pressure 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 inter-
vals 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.
BMW 325xi, 330xi: have brake inspec-
tions performed at a BMW center only.
If you do not, parts of the four-wheel
drive system could be damaged.
Do not allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the brake pedal, the clutch or
the accelerator which could obstruct
their freedom of movement.<

121n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brake systemBrake fluid level
If the brake warning lamp
comes on and the parking brake
has been released:
The brake fluid level is too low in the
reservoir (refer to page 143).
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
If the warning lamp for the brake
pads lights up:
The brake pads have reached
their minimum pad thickness. 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.<

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)22,118
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal
filter102,171
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)66,178
Adding engine oil139
Adding washer
fluid138,195
Adjusting the backrest48
Adjusting the steering
wheel51
Adjusting the
temperature94
Adjusting the thigh support
area49
Air conditioner92
Air distribution94,100
Air nozzles92,98
Air outlets92,98
ventilation92,98
Air pressure125
Air supply94,101
Airbags21,55,151,179
Alarm system42
Antenna124
Antenna, Diversity181
Antifreeze142
radiator122 Antilock Brake System
(ABS)22,118
Anti-theft alarm system42
Aquaplaning117,125
Armrest105
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)22
Ashtray107
front107
rear108
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)66,178
Attach car vacuum
cleaner108
AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control)101
Automatic car washes146
Automatic climate
control98
removing condensation
from the windows101
Automatic cruise control72
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror53
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)101
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)22
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic21,66 Automatic windshield
washer70
Average consumption78
Average speed78
Axle loads194
B
Backrest, adjusting48
Backup lamps65
bulb replacement161
Battery168,196
capacity196
charge170
discharged173
removal and
installation169
Battery charge current20
Battery safety terminal169
Belts54
Beverage holder105
Blower94,101
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils140
BMW sports seat49
Bore192
Brake fluid143
Brake hydraulic system20
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement161
Brake pads22
Brake system121 Brakes120
malfunctions121
Break-in procedures116
Bulb replacement158
C
California Proposition
65 Warning153
Capacities195
Car Memory53
Car radio124
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Car radio
reception124,181
Car vacuum cleaner,
connecting108
Car wash146
Care
exterior147
interior150
Care of upholstery150
Care of wool velour150
Cargo loading112
Caring for the vehicle
finish148
Catalytic converter117
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)21,119
Cellular phone107,124
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
A-Z