Convertible top BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 User Guide

48n
The manual convertible top
The fully automatic convertible top
*
At higher speeds, the ensuing
vacuum in the passenger
compartment can cause the convertible
top to begin fluttering. Increase the air
supply via the ventilation controls so
that a vacuum does not occur in the
vehicle.<
The completely automatically operated
convertible top combines assured
protection against the elements
together with simple, convenient
handling. So that you will get the most
out of enjoying your convertible, here
are a few tips:
It is advisable to close the convertible
top when the vehicle is parked. The
closed convertible top not only protects
the passenger compartment from
unforeseeable damage from the
weather, it also provides a certain
degree of theft protection. In addition,
keep valuables only in the locked
luggage compartment, even with the
convertible top closed.
Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top.
To prevent damage, do not operate the
convertible top at temperatures below
Ð 10 6.
To conserve the battery, only operate
the top with the engine running if
possible.
The convertible top operation is
completely automatic. You will hardly
ever need to support it by hand, refer to
page 49.
Operate the convertible top only if
the vehicle is parked and do not
start driving while the convertible top is
in motion, because at certain points,
this could possibly interrupt the
process. A partially open convertible
top can possibly lead to damage or
injury.
If you initiated convertible top operation
while the vehicle was standing still, and
then start to drive off, you can complete
the process at a traffic light, for
example, while traveling at a moderate
rate of speed. To do this, keep pressing
the proper switch.
Traffic laws applicable in your area take
precedence when you operate the
convertible top, otherwise you may be
breaking the law.
Before closing the convertible top,
remove any objects from the windshield
frame that could keep the convertible
top from closing properly.
Do not lay objects on the convertible
top, since they will fall off when the
convertible top is in motion and cause
damage or injuries.
To close the electric power windows
while driving, always be sure to close
either the rear windows first, or all
four windows at the same time, other-
wise, at high speeds, the windows may
not close tightly.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The fully automatic convertible top
*
Do not reach into the convertible top
mechanism during opening and closing.
Keep children away from the moving
parts of the convertible top during oper-
ation.
The automatic sequence will be inter-
rupted immediately if you release the
button that operates the top. The
sequence can be continued in the
desired direction by pressing this
button.<
After having been stored for an
extended period of time in the
convertible top compartment Ñ e. g.
during the winter months because the
hardtop
* was being used Ñ you may
have to support the convertible top by
hand when closing it for the first time:
If the convertible top should halt just
before the closing phase is completed,
press against the front section of the
convertible top frame from the outside to
help the closing process along. Continue
pressing the switch while doing so until
the top starts up again on its own.<
Opening and closing1 Closing
2 Opening
Continue pressing the button for oper-
ating the convertible top until the
opening or closing process has ended.
The side windows will lower slightly
while it is being opened. When the top
is being closed, the side windows will
also close if you continue pressing the
button after the convertible top has
finished closing.
The red indicator lamp will light up
while the convertible top is in motion. It
will keep blinking after you release the
button, if the opening or closing proce-
dure was not completed properly.46cus043
The convertible top cannot be moved if
the convertible top compartment panel
is raised. In this case, the yellow indi-
cator lamp will light up and stay on
when the button is pressed, indicating
that it is not possible to complete a
convertible top operation.
Flip down the convertible top compart-
ment panel; see page 41.
If the opening or closing process
has been interrupted, the convert-
ible top will remain in that position for
15 minutes
.
After that, the convertible top can be
moved again and, if it is an emergency
situation, you may need to help the top
along manually. This can also be done
in ignition key position 0.
The luggage compartment cannot be
opened while the convertible top is in
motion.
When operating the convertible top, the
windows will lower slightly when you
press on the switch, and after the
opening operation has finished, they
will move up again if you continue
holding the switch down for more than
2 seconds after the indicator lamp has
gone out.<

50n
The fully automatic convertible top
*
Wind deflector
*
While the convertible top is in
motion, the side windows will
lower slightly. Do not close the side
power windows using the switches if
the convertible top has been inter-
rupted while it is in motion.
In certain cases, the luggage compart-
ment lid cannot be opened if the
opening or closing operation has been
interrupted.
Never store the convertible top while it
is wet to avoid permanent damage from
moisture.
While the convertible top is in motion,
the rear window will move toward the
passenger compartment and will gently
press the heads of the passengers
sitting in the rear forward. Normally, this
is not dangerous. To avoid possibly
being pinched, passengers in the back
seat should lean their heads slightly
forward while the convertible top is in
motion.<
Convenient operation from the
driver-side door lock>To open: with the door closed, turn
and hold the key in the "Unlock" posi-
tion.
>To close: with the door closed, turn
and hold the key to the "Lock" posi-
tion.
Letting go of the key will stop the
motion.
In order to keep the closing process in
view, it is not possible to use the
convenient operation via the remote
control for safety reasons.
At higher speeds, the ensuing
vacuum in the passenger
compartment can cause the convertible
top to begin fluttering. Increase the air
supply via the ventilation controls so
that a vacuum does not occur in the
vehicle.<
The wind deflector keeps air movement
in the passenger compartment to a
minimum, thus providing you with a
pleasant drive, even at higher speeds.
The wind deflector comes in a protec-
tive sleeve, and because of its slim
dimensions, can be easily stored in the
luggage compartment.Installing1 Take the wind deflector out of its
protective sleeve.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Wind deflector
*
2 Flip out both side pieces and lock
into place (arrow).46cde098
Hold the wind deflector so that the
smaller half faces toward the
front.<
3 Guide the mounting pin for the side
piece into the proper opening.
4 Pull back on the mounting pin for the
other side piece by using the slide, so
that the mounting pin can be guided
into the opening provided.
5 Unlock the convertible top compart-
ment lid; see page 45 or 49, and
open the convertible top compart-
ment lid.
6 Flip the back half of the wind
deflector backward, so that the
mounts are lying on the vehicle.
46cde099
7 Close the convertible top compart-
ment lid. The wind deflector is now
attached so that it is theft-proof.
Operate the convertible top
compartment lid from above only
to avoid any pinching.
With the wind deflector in place: never
push the front seats all the way back to
avoid damaging the wind deflector. installing in reverse order.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Transporting children safelyCommercially available child seats
complying with the legal standard are
designed to be secured with a seat belt
or with the seat belt portion of a combi-
nation lap/shoulder belt.
Improperly or inadequately installed
restraint systems can increase the risk
of injury to children. Always read and
follow the instructions that come with
the system.
If you use a child restraint system with a
tether strap, two additional tether
anchorage points (refer to the arrows in
the illustration) have been provided.
They are located under the convertible
top compartment.
Depending on the location selected for
seating in the rear passenger area,
attach the tether strap to the corres-
ponding anchorage point to secure the
child restraint system.46cus001
Lift the respective headrest and pass
the tether strap between the headrest
and the seat back.
Adjust the tether strap according to the
child restraint manufacturer's instruc-
tions.
Before installing any child restraint
device or child seat, please read
the following:
Never install a rearward-facing child
restraint system in the front passenger
seat of this vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag
supplemental restraint system for the
front passenger. Because the backrest
on any rear-facing child restraint
system (of the kind designed for infants
under 1 year and 20 lbs./9 kg) would be
within the airbag's deployment range,
you should never mount such a device
in the front passenger seat, as the
impact of the airbag against the child
restraint's backrest could lead to
serious or fatal injuries.
If it is necessary for a child (not an
infant) to ride in the front seat, certain
precautions should be taken. First,
move the passenger seat as a far away
from the dashboard as possible. This
important precaution is intended to
maximize the distance between the
airbag and the child. Older children
should be tightly secured with the
safety belt. Younger children should be
secured in an appropriate forward-
facing child restraint system that has
first been properly secured with a
safety belt.
Never install a rear-facing child restraint
system in the front passenger seat.
We strongly urge you to carefully read
and observe the instructions for instal-
lation and use provided by the child
restraint's manufacturer whenever you
use such a device.
Allways ensure that all occupants (of all
ages) remain properly and securely
restrained at all times.c
All rear seating positions in your vehicle
meet the recommendations of SAE
J1819, an industry recommended
practice for securing child restraint
systems in motor vehicles.

68n
Rollover protection system3 Continue pressing down on the
protective bar (1) from above until
you hear it click into place.
4 Replace the cover panel and press
down firmly.
5 Press the rear section of the headrest
closed (2).46cde035
Do the same for the second protective
bar. If you are not familiar with these
procedures, consult your BMW center.
Have the rollover protection system
checked by your BMW center after it
has been inadvertently triggered.
Do not move the convertible top
under any circumstances if the
rollover protection system has
extended.
Do not use the rear headrests as
storage shelves.
Absolutely no modifications are to be
made to any of the rollover protection
system's individual components or any
of its wiring.
Only your BMW center is to carry out
any work on the rollover protection
system.
Work done on the system that is carried
out improperly could lead to failure in
an emergency or accidental airbag acti-
vation.
To have the system checked and to
ensure long-term operation: be sure to
adhere to the Service Interval Display
for maintenance intervals. Every 2 years
at the latest, the rollover protection
system must be inspected by a BMW
center.c

78n
Washer/Wiper system Rear window defroster Cleaning headlamps
*
When the vehicle's lighting system is
switched on, the headlamps will also be
cleaned every fifth time cleaning wind-
shield is activated.
Do not use the washers if there
is any danger that the fluid will
freeze on the windshield. If you do so,
your vision could be obscured. Use an
antifreeze agent. Refer to page 144.
Do not use the washers if the reservoir
is empty, as otherwise the washer
pump could be damaged. automatically
* when the ignition key is
in position 2.
The illustration shows the button setup
for vehicles equipped with automatic
climate control. For other layouts, refer
to page 96.To activatePress the button with the convertible
top closed or the hardtop mounted: as
long as the indicator lamp remains on,
the rear window defroster operates at
high output (rapid thaw).
After the indicator lamp goes out, the
defroster continues operating at
reduced power for a limited period
before deactivating automatically. 462us036
To deactivatePress the button if the indicator lamp is
on.

114n
Ski bag
*
Cargo loading
When reattaching the filler piece,
guide both bars into the guide and
press the filler piece back into place.
Secure the safety belts in their holders
again.<
46cde067
Stowing cargo If you are transporting a load in your
BMW:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible Ð directly behind the back-
rests or the luggage compartment
partition Ð and as low as possible.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.46cde063
With the convertible top closed,
you can increase the space in
your luggage compartment. Refer to
page 41.
We recommend that you always fold
the convertible top compartment panel
down as soon as you have removed
your cargo from the luggage compart-
ment. This way, you can be sure that
you can always operate the convertible
top at any time.
Conversely, when the convertible top is
closed, raise the convertible top
compartment panel before stowing
your cargo in the luggage compartment
to avoid any damage to the convertible
top compartment or your load.<

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures120
Driving notes121
Catalytic converter121
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)122
Disc brakes125
Brake system126
Winter operation127
Power steering129
Cellular phones129
Radio reception129
Hardtop130
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure132
Tire condition132
Tire replacement133
Tire rotation134
Wheel and tire
combinations135
Winter tires136
Snow chains136
Approved wheel and tire
specifications137Under the hood:
Hood140
Engine compartment142
Washer fluids144
Washer nozzles144
Engine oil145
Coolant147
Brake fluid148
Vehicle Identification
Number149
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System150
Caring for your vehicle151
Cleaning and care of the
convertible top157
Airbags159
Vehicle storage160
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications161
California Proposition
65 Warning161
OBD interface socket162
Car care

130n
Hardtop
*
It is not necessary to remove the fabric
top even in the winter, when the
hardtop is generally in constant use.
But you can remove it at any time
without difficulty. Before the fabric top
is stored in the convertible top well, it
must be absolutely dry in order to avoid
water spots and mildew from forming.
The hardtop offers reading lamps and
clothing hooks that can be used by
pressing lightly. In addition, a roof-rack
assembly is possible. In this regard,
please contact your BMW center.
When hanging clothing from the
hooks, be sure that they do 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 persons are required for installa-
tion 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 cart
*
at your BMW center.
Storing
Storing the hardtop on the floor:
push the styrofoam block
provided with the hardtop forward to its
center. The arrow on the styrofoam
block must be pointing upward.<
46cde088
Installation1 Lower the side windows completely
and flip the sun visors down. If
necessary, remove the rod antenna
to avoid any damage.
2 For vehicles with manual convertible
top operation, first release the
convertible top compartment lid, and,
if necessary, open it somewhat. For
vehicles with fully automatic convert-
ible top operation
*, open the
convertible top compartment lid
slightly by pressing the button for
operating the convertible top.
3 Remove the trim pieces on both
sides by pulling them off toward the
back (arrow) and reclose the convert-
ible top compartment lid.
46cde070