tow BMW 325CI 2004 Owner's Manual

127
Hardtop*It is not necessary to remove the fabric
top even in the winter, when the hard-
top is generally in constant use. But you
can also remove it easily at any time.
Before the fabric top is stored in the
convertible top compartment, it must
be absolutely dry in order to avoid
water spots and mildew from forming.
The hardtop offers reading lamps and
clothes hooks that can be used just by
pressing. It is also possible to mount a
luggage rack on the roof. Please con-
sult your BMW center.
When hanging clothing from the
hooks, be sure that they will not
obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang
heavy objects on the hooks. If you do
so, they could cause personal injury
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Two people are required for installation
or removal. Work with extreme caution
in order to avoid paint damage and
damage to the body or hardtop.
To facilitate hardtop installation or
removal, you can obtain a specially
designed hardtop lift* or hardtop rack*
at your BMW center.
Storage
Storing the hardtop on the floor:
slide the styrofoam block that
came with the hardtop onto its center.
The arrow on top of the styrofoam block
has to be pointing upward when you
are doing this.<
Installation1. Lower the side windows com-
pletely and flip the sun blinds
down. If necessary, remove the
antenna rod to avoid any damage
2. On vehicles with manual convert-
ible top operation, first release the
convertible top compartment lid,
and, if necessary, open it some-
what. On vehicles with fully-auto-
matic convertible top operation,
open the convertible top compart-
ment lid slightly by pressing the
button for the operation of the con-
vertible top
3. Remove the trim pieces on both
sides by pulling them off toward
the back and reclose the convert-
ible top compartment lid
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130
Do not drive on a deflated – flat –
tire unless your vehicle is
equipped with Run Flat tires. A flat tire
greatly impairs steering and braking
response, and can lead to complete
loss of control over the vehicle. Avoid
overloading the vehicle so that the per-
mitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading can lead to
overheating and internal tire damage.
The ultimate result can assume the
form of a sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate a
flat tire or some other vehicle malfunc-
tion. This type of problem can be
caused by contact with curbs, etc. This
is also true for irregularities in the vehi-
cle's handling characteristics, such as a
pronounced tendency to pull to the left
or right. Should this occur, respond by
immediately reducing your speed. Pro-
ceed carefully to the nearest BMW cen-
ter or professional tire center, or have
the vehicle towed in to have it, its
wheels or its tires inspected.
Tire damage up to and including sud-
den and complete air loss can endan-
ger the lives of both the vehicle occu-
pants and other road users.<
Tire replacementTo maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures — and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assembly balanced
every time you change a tire or wheel.DOT quality gradesTread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must con-
form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades. rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half – 1
1/2 – times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics. highest – B and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Tire condition

138
Washer fluidHeadlamp* and windshield
washer systemApproximate capacity is
5.6 US quarts/5.3 liters.
Fill with water and, if required, with a
washer antifreeze additive according to
manufacturer's recommendations.
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to
the reservoir.<
Antifreeze agents for the washer
fluid are highly flammable. For this
reason, keep them away from sources
of flame and store them only in closed
original containers, inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with the instructions on
the containers.<
Engine oilChecking the oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar
material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the
way into the guide tube and pull it
out again
5. The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts/1 liter. Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.

148Replacement procedures
Onboard tool kitThe onboard tool kit is located in the
luggage compartment lid.
Loosen the wing nut to open.
Windshield wiper blades1. Switch off the engine
2. Fold the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
3. Position the wiper blade at an angle
and pull the release spring – see
arrow
4. Fold the wiper blade down and
unhook it toward the windshield
5. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper
arm toward the top
6. Insert a new wiper blade and apply
pressure until you hear it engage.

151
Front turn signal indicators21 watt bulb
1. Turn the bulb holder with the plug to
the left and remove
2. Pull the bulb off and replace it.
When replacing the bulb on the
right, loosen and lift the reservoir
for the headlamp and windshield
washer system if necessary.<
Side turn signal indicators1. Press the front edge of the lamp
toward the back with the tip of your
finger and remove
2. Pull off the plug and replace the
entire lamp.
The side turn signal indicator is
designed using LED technology. If
faulty, the entire side turn signal indica-
tor must be replaced.<
Rear lamps1Turn signal indicator
2Backup lamp
21 watt bulb
3Tail lamp/brake lamp
All bulbs in the fender are
designed using LED technology.
Please contact your BMW center in
case of a malfunction.<
Lamps and bulbs
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153
License plate lamps5 watt bulb
1. Place a screwdriver in the slot and
press toward the left to release the
lens
2. Replace the bulb.
Changing a wheel
Safety precautions in the event of
a flat tire or wheel change:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat, sur-
face. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers. Turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position and engage the
steering lock. Shift into 1st or Reverse,
or if you have an automatic transmis-
sion position the selector lever in Park,
and engage the parking brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area – behind a guardrail,
for example.
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all safety guidelines and regula-
tions.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the vehicle on a soft or slippery
support surface – snow, ice, loose
gravel, etc. – as either the vehicle or the
jack could slip sideways.
Position the jack on a firm support sur-
face.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. They could pre-
vent the jack from extending to its full
height and reduce its support capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack. There is otherwise a risk of
fatal injury.<
Your BMW is equipped with a space-
saver spare tire designed for temporary
use in maintaining the vehicle's mobility
in an emergency.
To remove the space-saver spare
tire, lift the floor panel in the lug-
gage compartment completely out,
refer to page 37.<
Lamps and bulbs
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160
2. Start the engine of the other vehicle
as usual.
If the first start attempt is not suc-
cessful, wait a few minutes before
another attempt in order to allow the
discharged battery to recharge
3. Allow the engines to run for several
minutes
4. Disconnect the jumper cables in
reverse sequence.
Depending on the cause of the fault,
have the battery checked and
recharged by your BMW center.
Do not use spray starter fluids to
start the engine.<
Towing the vehicle
Always comply with all applicable
towing laws and regulations.<
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Use wheel lift or flat bed carrier
>Do not tow with sling-type equip-
ment.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, possibly lead-
ing to accidents.<
Jump-starting

161
Towing the vehicle with the front
axle raisedVehicles with automatic transmission:
1. Towing speed: maximum 45 mph /
70 km/h
2. Towing distance: maximum
90 miles/150 km.
Vehicles with sequential manual gear-
box SMG:
While the ignition is on, move the selec-
tor lever to position N, then turn off the
ignition.Towing eyeletThe screw-in towing eyelet is stored in
the onboard tool kit; be sure that it
remains in the vehicle at all times. It can
be attached at the front or rear of the
vehicle. It should not be used to pull a
vehicle out of deep snow, mud, sand,
etc.
Always observe all applicable towing
laws and regulations.
Access to tow socketsFront:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver inserted in the recess at the top.
Rear:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver inserted in the recess at the top.
Use only the towing eyelet sup-
plied with the vehicle and screw it
in firmly until it stops. Use the towing
eyelet for towing on paved roads only. If
you do not follow these instructions, the
towing eyelet could be torn out and
vehicle damage could occur.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, possibly lead-
ing to accidents.<
Towing the vehicle
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162
Avoid staggered towing and be
careful that the towing strap is
taut before starting to drive the vehicle
doing the towing.<
Use only a nylon towing strap to tow
the vehicle, since the inherent resil-
ience of this material helps protect both
vehicles from sudden jerking move-
ments.
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it will not be pos-
sible to control vehicle handling.<
Tow-startingFor instructions on jump-starting, refer
to page 159.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another car, since damage to the
energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.Towing the vehicle

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake
System 125
indicator lamp 19
Acceleration assistant 78
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety 5
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 158
Activated-charcoal filter 110
Adaptive headlights 98
Adding brake fluid 141
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning 102
Air conditioning mode 104
automatic climate
control 108
Air distribution
air conditioning 104
automatic climate
control 108
Air distribution,
individual 108
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 102, 106
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 25, 129
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode
104, 109Air supply
air conditioning 104
automatic climate
control 108
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 104, 108
Airbags 61
deactivating 64
indicator lamp 18, 63
sitting safely 52
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 102, 106
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 25
Alarm system 38
avoiding unintentional
alarms 39
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 132
Antifreeze 140
coolant 140
washer fluid 138
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 125
indicator lamp 19
Anti-theft system 30
Anti-theft warning system,
refer to Alarm system 38
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 168
Approved gross weight,
refer to Weights 168Armrest 114
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front 115
rear 116
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 93
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 109
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air
distribution 108
Automatic
air distribution 108
air supply 108
cruise control 84
headlamp control 97
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate
control 106
Automatic curb monitor 58
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 60
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 109Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 79
indicator lamp 19, 81
interlock 71
selector lever lock 79
shiftlock 79
Automatic windshield
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 83
Average fuel
consumption 91
Average speed 91
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 39
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 168
B
Backrest
unlock 55
Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 53
Backup lamps 74
bulb replacement 151
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 23
Bar, towing 161