light BMW 320i 2003 User Guide

50
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt
functionAutomatic curb monitor*
1. Move mirror selector switch 1 to the
driver's mirror position
2. When shifting into Reverse or placing
the selector lever in position R, the
passenger-side mirror tilts down-
ward to help the driver monitor the
area directly adjacent to the vehicle
during parking – curbs, etc.
How far the passenger mirror tilts
can be set individually for each
ignition key.<
You can deactivate this automatic fea-
ture by setting the mirror selection
switch to the passenger side position.
Seat heating*The seat cushion and backrest can be
heated with the ignition key in
position 2.
You can select different heating modes
by repeatedly pressing the buttons.
You can also switch the higher heating
modes off directly:
Press the button and hold it slightly
longer.
Seat and mirror memory*

54
her head against the side airbag. It may
be difficult for a driver to ensure that
children in the rear seat will remain
properly positioned at all times and not
place their heads on or near the side
airbag. Therefore, we recommend that
the rear-seat side airbags, if installed in
the vehicle, be deactivated if children
will travel in the rear seat.
The rear seat side airbags may already
have been deactivated, either at the
time of manufacture or by a BMW cen-
ter. Labels in the door opening should
indicate the status of your rear-seat
side airbags. If you are uncertain of
their status, or wish to have the airbags
activated or deactivated, please con-
tact your BMW center.<
Even when all these guidelines are fol-
lowed, there is still a small residual risk
of injuries to the face, hands and arms
occurring from airbag deployment in
isolated instances.
The ignition and inflation noise may
induce a mild temporary hearing loss in
sensitive individuals.
Corresponding airbag warning labels
are found on both sun visors.This is the right way a child should sit in
a child restraint when rear side airbags,
see arrow, are provided.
This is the right way a larger child
should sit wearing the seat belt when
rear side airbags, see arrow, are pro-
vided.Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp indicates the
operational status of the airbag
system with the ignition key in
position 1 or higher.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
when you turn the ignition key to
position 1 or higher.
System malfunction:
>Indicator lamp does not come on or
>indicator lamp lights up continuously.
Airbags

60Driving
Ignition lock0Steering locked
1Steering unlocked
2Ignition switched on
3Starting engine
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from
position P until the engine is running –
ignition key position 2.
Your vehicle is equipped with an inter-
lock. Therefore, the ignition key cannot
be turned to position 0 or removed until
the selector lever is in position P.<
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion:
Step on the clutch when starting the
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine
from starting if the clutch is not
depressed.<
Steering lockedThe key can only be inserted and
removed in this position.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until
you hear the lock engage.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic
signal is sounded after the driver's door
has been opened.
The sound system remains operational
for approx. 20 minutes after you switch
off the ignition – ignition key in position
0 or key extracted. Simply switch it
back on.Steering unlockedYou will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the
lock.
Individual electrical accessories are
ready for operation.
Starting the engineBefore starting>Engage the parking brake
>Ensure that the shift lever is in neu-
tral, or, with an automatic transmis-
sion, that the selector lever is in posi-
tion P
>Depress the clutch pedal.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. Otherwise,
breathing the exhaust fumes can lead
to unconsciousness and death. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monox-
ide, an odorless and colorless, but
highly toxic gas. Do not leave the vehi-
cle unattended with the engine running.
An unattended vehicle with a running
engine represents a safety hazard.<
When driving, standing at idle,
and parking the vehicle, take care
to avoid contact between the hot
exhaust system and flammable materi-
als – grass, hay, leaves, etc. Such con-
tact could lead to a fire, resulting in
serious personal injury and property
damage.<
>Start the engine. Do not press the
accelerator pedal.

62
Switching off the engineTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
You should never remove the igni-
tion key when the vehicle is in
motion, as the steering lock could
engage.
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 sur-
faces. Placing the lever in gear may not
provide adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in Park.<
Parking brakeThe parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates on the rear wheels.To engageThe detent engages automatically, and
the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on when the ignition key
is in position 2, refer to page 18.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button – see arrow – and lower the
lever.

63
If exceptional circumstances
make it necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull it with excessive
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed
against the release button while care-
fully pulling the lever up.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction – fishtailing
– at the rear axle. The brake lamps do
not come on when the parking brake is
engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Placing the lever in gear may not
provide adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in Park.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake
lightly from time to time when coasting
to a standstill – at a traffic signal, for
example – provided that it is safe to do
so.<
Manual transmission
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead.
Riding the clutch leads to severe and
premature clutch wear.<
ReverseSelect only when the vehicle is station-
ary. Press the shift lever to the left to
overcome the slight resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will
light up automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Parking brake
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69
Cleaning windshield and
headlamps*0Wipers retracted
1Clean windshield and headlamps*
Do not use the washers if there is
any danger that the fluid will
freeze on the windshield, as your vision
could be obscured. Always use a wind-
shield washer antifreeze in cold
weather. Refer to page 126.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty as this could cause dam-
age to the washer pump.<
The system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period.
When the vehicle's lighting system is
switched on, the headlamps will also be
cleaned at reasonable intervals.Windshield washer nozzlesThe windshield washer nozzles are
heated automatically* when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Cruise control*You can store and automatically main-
tain any desired vehicle speed above
approx. 20 mph / 30 km/h.
The cruise control is available whenever
the engine is running and the system
has been activated.To activate the systemFrom ignition key position 2:
Press the button. The indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on, refer
to page 21. You can now use the cruise
control.
Do not use cruise control on twist-
ing roads, when high traffic den-
sity prevents driving at a constant
speed, or when the road surface is slick
– snow, rain, ice – or loose – rocks or
gravel, sand. the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Cruise control is also deactivated when
the ignition key is in position 0.
Washer/wiper system/Rain sensor*
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72
Fuel gaugeOnce the indicator lamp stays on con-
tinuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons/8 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.
Fuel tank capacity approx.
16.6 gallons/63 liters.
Certain operating conditions, such as
those encountered in mountainous
areas, may cause the needle to fluctu-
ate slightly.
Fill the fuel tank before it is com-
pletely empty. Driving to the last
drop of fuel can prevent the engine
from operating properly and result in
damage.<
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an
operation check.
Engine coolant temperature gaugeBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly as an
operation check.
If the lamp comes on during normal
vehicle operation: the engine has over-
heated. Shut off the engine immediately
and allow it to cool down.
To check coolant level, refer to
page 128.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector during normal operation.

84
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*The conceptBy reducing the vehicle's speed on
steep downhill stretches, HDC main-
tains predictable vehicle handling
response to provide you with control of
your BMW during extreme descents.
The vehicle slows to a pace just slightly
faster than walking speed.
HDC is available for activation at vehi-
cle speeds below approx. 22 mph /
35 km/h. When driving down steep
hills, the vehicle reduces speed auto-
matically down to about double walking
speed – approx. 7.5 mph / 12 km/h –
and then maintains this speed at a con-
stant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes
to vary this speed within a range from
approx. 3 mph / 5 km/h to approx.
15 mph / 25 km/h.
In conjunction with the steering wheel
with multifunction buttons you can use
the +/– button to set the cruise control
to a target speed in the range from
approx. 3 mph / 5 km/h to approx.
15 mph / 25 km/h.
HDC is automatically deactivated once
vehicle speed again exceeds approx.
37 mph / 60 km/h.
To activate the systemPress the HDC button; the green indi-
cator lamp integrated within the button
comes on.
The indicator lamp flashes whenever
the system is actively intervening to
control your speed with automatic
brake applications.To deactivate the systemPress the button again, the indicator
lamp goes out.
HDC is automatically deactivated once
the vehicle accelerates to more than
37 mph / 60 km/h, as well as whenever
you switch off the ignition.
To use HDCVehicles with manual transmission:
You should always ensure that either
reverse or first gear is engaged before
using HDC, as the engine's braking
effect is most pronounced in these
gears, and only reduced engine braking
is available in higher gears.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
HDC is available for use in all ranges.System malfunctionsAre signaled by the indicator lamp,
which responds to problems by going
out while HDC is in operation or by fail-
ing to come on when you activate the
system:
HDC has been temporarily deactivated
as a result of high brake temperatures.
If the DSC indicator lamp comes
on at the same time:
Malfunction in HDC and DSC
system. Refer the problem to your
BMW center.

85
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)*The conceptTPM monitors the tire pressures at all
four tires even while the vehicle is mov-
ing. The system provides an alert when-
ever the inflation pressure drops signifi-
cantly below the specified pressure in
one or more tires.
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster informs you when
the tire pressure deviates from
the target values.
Initializing the systemInitializing is necessary to familiarize the
system with the correct inflation pres-
sures.
Repeat this process after tire replace-
ment, tire rotation or any changes in tire
inflation pressure.
1. Check the tire inflation pressures in
all the tires, comparing them with the
inflation pressure chart on page 25
and adjusting their pressure if neces-
sary
2. Turn ignition key to position 2, do not
start the engine
3. Press the button long enough for the
yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster to light up for a few sec-
onds
4. After a few minutes' driving time,
TPM sets the current inflation pres-
sures in the tires as the target values
to be monitored.In the event of loss in inflation
pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped
significantly over a long period of time,
which is normal for any tire, the yellow
indicator lamp will come on.
This alerts you to have the tires inflated
to the specified pressures as soon as
possible.
If you are prompted to check the
tire pressure shortly after a cor-
rection has been made, this indicates
that the corrected values were not
valid. Please check the inflation pres-
sure again and make corrections
according to the inflation pressure
table. Then reinitialize the system. sure, a red light will appear in the indi-
cator lamp. This visual alert is accom-
panied by an acoustic warning signal.
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87
Initializing the systemInitializing is necessary to familiarize the
system with the correct inflation pres-
sure.
Repeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or
replacement. Do not carry out further
system initialization after adjusting the
inflation pressure and letting the system
"learn" the correct pressures.
1. Check the tire inflation pressures in
all the tires, comparing them with the
inflation pressure chart on page 25
and adjusting their pressure if neces-
sary
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Press button as long as you need to
until the indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up. After a little
while, the indicator lamp will go out
by itself
4. After a few minutes' driving time, the
Flat Tire Monitor adopts the current
pressure levels as the reference, and
from that point on, can detect and
report a flat tire.
To activate/deactivate the systemThe Flat Tire Monitor automatically
assumes operation whenever you turn
the ignition key to position 2. Unless
manually deactivated, it is always on
during normal vehicle operation.
To deactivate the system: press the
button, the yellow indicator lamp comes
on.
To activate the system: press the but-
ton again, the indicator lamp goes out.
You should deactivate the system
before driving with snow chains, as the
chains can generate spurious warnings
and/or prevent the system from detect-
ing actual pressure loss.
Flat Tire Monitor*
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