auto BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2001, Model line: 325Ci CONVERTIBLE, Model: BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46Pages: 215, PDF Size: 2.1 MB
Page 31 of 215

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock69
Starting the engine69
Switching off the engine70
Parking brake71
Manual transmission72
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic73
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher76
Washer/Wiper system76
Rear window defroster78
Cruise control79
Everything under control:
Odometer81
Tachometer81
Energy Control81
Fuel gauge82
Coolant temperature gauge82
Service Interval Display82
Check Control83
Computer83
Technology for driving comfort 
and safety:
Park Distance Control (PDC)87
Automatic Stability Control plus 
traction (ASC+T)88
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)89
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)91Lamps:
Side lamps/Low beams93
Instrument panel lighting93
High beams/Parking lamps94
Fog lamps94
Interior lamps94
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
Air conditioner96
Automatic climate control102
Seat heating107
Interior convenience:
Glove compartment107
BMW Universal Transmitter108
Storage facilities110
Cellular phone111
Ashtray, front111
Cigarette lighter112
Ashtray rear112
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag113
Cargo loading114
Roof-mounted luggage rack for 
hardtop116 
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Keys1 The remote control master keys 
determine Key Memory functions. 
Refer to page 59 
There is an extended-life battery 
in every master key that is 
charged automatically in the ignition 
lock as you drive.
At least once a year, drive for an 
extended period with a master key that 
you do not use otherwise to charge the 
battery. Refer also to page 35.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place, 
such as in your wallet. This key is not 
intended for constant use 46cde059
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the glove compartment 
cannot be operated with this key Ð 
this is recommended for valet 
parking, for instance 
Replacement keysReplacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your BMW center. 
Checking vehicle ownership is manda-
tory, since the keys are part of a secu-
rity system. (Refer to "Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer" on page 33).
If possible, take all of the master 
keys that belong to the vehicle 
with you when you pick up your 
replacement key. 
Whenever you receive a new replace-
ment key, turn that key to position 2 in 
the ignition lock once (ignition switched 
on) and then back. This allows the elec-
tronic vehicle immobilizer to "learn" the 
new key.< 
Page 34 of 215

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Central locking system Opening and closing Ð from the outside The conceptThe central locking system is ready for 
operation whenever the driver's door 
is closed. The system engages and 
releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door 
>glove compartment
at the same time.
The central locking system can be 
operated
>from outside via the door lock and 
using the remote control
>from inside by pressing a button.
Activating it from inside does not lock 
the fuel filler door (see page 38). When 
the system is actuated from the 
outside, the anti-theft system is acti-
vated simultaneously. Both the door 
locks and the safety lock buttons 
remain locked. The alarm system is also 
armed or disarmed.
The central locking system unlocks 
automatically in the event of an acci-
dent. In addition, the hazard warning 
flashers and interior lamps come on.
Using the keyTurning the key once in the driver-side 
door will unlock only the driver's door. 
Turning the key a second time will 
unlock the passenger-side door, the 
luggage compartment lid, the fuel filler 
door and the glove compartment.
You can have a signal set as an 
acknowledgment message that 
the vehicle is closed correctly.<460de006
Convenience operationYou can also operate the power 
windows and the fully automatic 
convertible top from the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed, hold 
the key in the "Unlock" position.
>To close: with the door closed, turn 
the key to the "Lock" position and 
hold it.
Watch during the closing process 
to be sure that no one is injured. 
Releasing the key stops the operation.
to unlock/lock the door. 
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from the outsideUsing the remote control The remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for 
unlocking and locking your vehicle. 
Furthermore, it provides two additional 
functions that can only be executed by 
means of the remote control:
>Switch on the interior lamps, refer to 
page 36.
With this function, you can also 
"search for" your vehicle Ñ when 
parked in an underground garage for 
instance.
>To open the luggage compartment, 
refer to page 36
The luggage compartment lid will 
open slightly, regardless of whether it 
was locked or unlocked. 
The anti-theft system is also deacti-
vated simultaneously when you unlock 
the vehicle, the alarm system is 
disarmed, and the interior lamps are 
turned on. When you lock the vehicle, 
the systems are activated and armed, 
and the lamps go off.
You can have a signal set as an 
acknowledgment message that 
the vehicle is closed correctly.<
Master keysKeys with remote control are master 
keys. Refer to page 32.
Children might be able to lock the 
doors from the inside. For this 
reason, always take the vehicle keys 
with you so that the vehicle can be 
opened again from the outside at any 
time.<46cde020
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the key is 
charged automatically in the ignition 
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the 
vehicle using the remote control, the 
battery is discharged. Use this key 
while driving for an extended period in 
order to recharge the battery. Refer 
also to page 32.
To prevent unauthorized use of the 
remote control, surrender only the door 
and ignition key or the spare key (refer 
to page 32) e. g. whenever leaving the 
vehicle for valet parking.
In the event of a system malfunction, 
please contact your BMW center. You 
can also obtain replacement keys 
there.< 
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Opening and closing Ð from the outsideTo unlock the vehicleUnlock driver's door: press button 1.
After unlocking the driver's door, press 
button 1 again to unlock the entire 
vehicle.Convenience opening modePress and hold button 1. The electric 
power windows and the fully automatic 
convertible top are opened.To lock and securePress button 2.46cde056
To switch on the interior lampsAfter locking the vehicle, press button 2 
again.To switch off tilt alarm
* and 
interior motion sensor* 
Press button 2 again immediately after 
locking. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 43.46cde057
To open the luggage 
compartment lidPress button 3.
The luggage compartment lid will open 
slightly, regardless of whether the lid 
was previously locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure 
that the luggage compartment lid 
was not opened unintentionally.<46cde058 
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Luggage compartment lid Luggage compartmentClosingThe handle recesses in the interior trim 
panel of the luggage compartment lid 
(arrows) make it easier to pull the lid 
down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the 
travel path of the luggage 
compartment lid is clear when it is 
closed, as with all closing procedures.<46cde047
Do not drive with the luggage 
compartment lid open, since 
exhaust fumes could penetrate the inte-
rior of the vehicle. Should it be abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle 
with the luggage compartment lid open:
>Close all windows.
>Increase the air supply for the air 
conditioner or automatic climate 
control to a high level. Refer to 
page 96 or 102.<
Hook in the floor panel1 Press the button (arrow).
2 Grab the handle and pull up.46cde031 
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Electric power windowsOpen and close the windowsFrom ignition key position 1:
>Press the switch up to but not past 
the pressure point: 
The window will lower slightly, as 
long as you continue pressing the 
switch.
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: 
The window will move automatically. 
Pressing the switch again stops the 
opening cycle.
You can close windows in the same 
manner by pulling the switch.46cus052
Operate all the side windows>Press the switch up to but not past 
the pressure point: 
All of the windows will continue to 
lower as long as you continue to 
press the switch.
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: 
All windows will move automatically. 
Pressing the switch again stops the 
opening cycle.
You can close all the windows in the 
same manner by pulling the switch.46cus053
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still use the electric power 
windows for up to 15 minutes, as long 
as no one opens any of the doors. 
Remove the key from the ignition 
lock and close the doors when 
you leave the vehicle, so that children 
cannot operate the power windows and 
possibly injure themselves.<
To use the convenience mode via the 
door lock, refer to page 34. 
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The manual convertible top4 Position the rear convertible top bow 
vertically and grip it firmly.
You can support the rear convert-
ible top bow while lifting it up by 
pressing the designated area (arrow).<46cde073
5 Reach into the gap of the slightly 
opened convertible top compart-
ment lid and open it all the way by 
hand (1).
6 Lay the rear convertible top bow in 
the convertible top compartment (2).
Release the rear convertible top 
bow before laying down the 
convertible top, otherwise the side trim 
panel could be damaged.<
7 Lift the top up at the front and move it 
toward the rear. 
Push the convertible top 
completely into the convertible 
top compartment. This makes it easier 
to close the convertible top compart-
ment lid, especially at lower tempera-
tures.<46cde068
8 Press down slightly on the convert-
ible top compartment lid from above 
(arrow). The closing procedure will 
then be carried out automatically.
9 Either close the slightly lowered side 
windows or move them into the 
desired position.
Operate the convertible top 
compartment lid from above only 
in order to avoid pinching. 
If the convertible top compartment lid 
has not been closed properly, you will 
not be able to open the luggage 
compartment lid. This is to avoid any 
possible damage.<46cde076 
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The manual convertible topCentral locking will unlock automati-
cally after the convertible top compart-
ment lid has been closed, i.e., the 
luggage compartment lid is no longer 
locked and can be opened again.
To avoid permanent damage from 
moisture, never store the convert-
ible top when it is wet. Refer to the 
chapter "Care," starting on page 156).<
Closing the convertible top.1 Put the ignition key in position 1.
2 Press the switch to unlock it. 
The convertible top compartment lid 
will be unlocked and the side 
windows will lower slightly.
3 Open the convertible top compart-
ment lid completely by hand.
4 Lift the convertible top out by the 
lateral guide section (1) and the front 
convertible top bow (2), swinging it 
forward until you encounter percep-
tible resistance.
Position the rear convertible top 
bow vertically only after the 
convertible top has been swung toward 
the front, otherwise the side trim panel 
could be damaged.<46cus037
5 Either close the slightly lowered side 
windows or move them into the 
desired position.
6 Press down slightly on the convert-
ible top compartment lid from above. 
The closing procedure will then be 
carried out automatically, refer to 
page 46.
Operate the convertible top 
compartment lid from above only 
in order to avoid pinching.<
After the convertible top compart-
ment lid has been closed, the 
central locking system will unlock auto-
matically, i. e. the luggage compartment 
lid is no longer locked and can be 
opened again.<
7 Holding on to the locking handle, pull 
the front part of the convertible top 
frame up onto the windshield frame, 
and lock the convertible top by 
turning the handle until you hear the 
convertible top engage.
The rear convertible top bow will auto-
matically be pressed down onto the 
convertible top compartment lid and 
because of the tension, will close com-
pletely. 
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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.