auto BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 Owner's Guide

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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.<

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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
Entering the rear Lumbar support
*
The seat-integrated safety belt allows
easy access to the rear. You do not
need to adjust the safety belts. They
automatically adapt to various body
sizes.
1 Lift the lever (1) up and tilt the back-
rest forward.
2 Press the switch (2) toward the front
of the car and hold it there until the
seat moves to the desired position.
You can lock a backrest that has
been tilted forward. This makes
sense when, for instance, someone is
climbing into the rear on an incline. To
do this, press against the backrest until
you hear it click into place. To move it
back into place, you do not need to
unlock it by moving the lever (1).<46cus029
If you tilt the backrest back and hold the
switch (2) pressed toward the back of
the vehicle, the seat will return to its
former position.
If you let go of the switch (2)
before the seat has returned to its
former position, it will remain in the
position where you leave it. To move it
back into place, you do not need to
unlock it by moving the lever (1).<
Lock both backrests while driving,
as otherwise there is danger of an
unexpected movement causing an
accident. The indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster flashes if the back-
rest is not locked, refer to page 21.
Then the indicator lamp comes on until
the safety belt is fastened.<
You can adjust the backrest's contour
for additional support in the curvature
of your spine's lumbar region.
The upper hips and spinal column
receive supplementary support to help
you maintain a relaxed, upright posture.
>Press front/rear of switch:
Increase/decrease curvature.
>Press the upper/lower end of the
switch:
Increase the upper/lower curvature.46cde011

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Seat and mirror memory*You can store and recall three different
driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions. The illustration shows the buttons
on the driver's seat for making these
adjustments.
The headrest setting is stored in
the memory, but the lumbar
support is not. 2 Set the desired seat, headrest and
exterior mirror positions.
3 Press the
M
EMORY button: the indi-
cator lamp in the button lights up.
4 Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as
desired: the indicator lamp goes out.
46cde014
To select a stored settingConvenience function:
1 Open the driver's door after
unlocking or turn the ignition key in
position 1.
2 Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,
as desired.
The adjustment cycle is canceled
immediately if you press a seat
adjustment switch or one of the
memory buttons.
Security function:
1 With the driver's door closed and the
ignition key either removed or in posi-
tion 0 or 2.
2 Maintain pressure on the desired
memory button (1, 2 or 3) until the
adjustment process is completed.
If you accidentally press the
M
EMORY
button: press the button again; the
indicator lamp goes out.
Do not select a memory position
while the vehicle is moving. If you
do so, there is a risk of accident from
unexpected seat movement.<
Your BMW center can adjust your
vehicle's systems in such a
manner that your personalized settings
are automatically set for the seat, head-
rest and exterior mirror positions when
you unlock the vehicle with your
personal remote control.<
If you make use of this method of
adjustment, be sure that the foot-
well behind the driver's seat is unob-
structed before unlocking the vehicle.
If you fail to do so, persons or objects
could be injured or damaged if the seat
should move backward.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Seat and mirror memory*
Adjusting steering wheel Mirrors
Passenger side exterior mirror tilt
function(automatic curb monitor
*)
1 Move the mirror selector switch 1 to
the "driver's mirror" position.
2 When the selector lever is placed in
"Reverse," the passenger-side mirror
tilts downward. This allows the driver
to see the area directly adjacent to
the vehicle during parking (curbs,
etc.).
You can deactivate this automatic
feature: set the mirror selection switch
to the "passenger side" position.
462us058
1 Push the locking lever downward.
2 Adjust the steering wheel (fore/aft
and up/down) to the desired position.
3 Pull back the lever again to clamp the
steering wheel in the new position.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while the vehicle is moving. If you
do so, there is a risk of accident from
unexpected movement.<460de073
Exterior mirrors1 Switch for 4-way adjustment
2 Selection switch for changing
between mirrors462us057

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MirrorsYou can also adjust the mirrors manu-
ally by pressing against the outer edges
of their lenses.
The mirror on the passenger's
side features a lens with a more
convex surface than the mirror installed
on the driver's side. When estimating
the distance between yourself and
other traffic, bear in mind that the
objects reflected in the mirror are closer
than they appear. Estimations of the
distance to following traffic should
therefore not be regarded as precise. with the ignition key in position 2.
Interior rearview mirror To reduce glare from vehicles behind
you when driving at night, tilt the mirror
by turning the rotary button.Sun visorsThese can be folded down toward the
windshield and swiveled out against the
side window.46cus034
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming feature
*
By responding to the effects of ambient
light and the glare from following traffic,
this mirror automatically dims through
an infinitely-variable range.
The mirror switches to its clear,
undimmed mode whenever the trans-
mission is placed in reverse gear
(selector lever in "Reverse").
To ensure that the mirror continues to
operate properly, keep the two photo-
cells clean and unobstructed. One
photocell (arrow) is in the mirror glass,
while the other is offset somewhat on
the other side of the mirror.
For addition information on the electro-
chromic technology used in this mirror,
refer to page 191.46cde023

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Car Memory, Key Memory How the system functionsYou have probably frequently wished
that you could configure individual
functions of your vehicle to reflect your
own personal requirements. In engi-
neering your vehicle, BMW has
included several user-defined func-
tions in the vehicle's design. Your BMW
center can make these settings for you
in accordance with your wishes.
There are settings related to the vehicle
("Car Memory") and settings related to
individuals ("Key Memory"). You can
have up to four different basic settings
adjusted for four different persons. The
only requirement is that each person
uses his or her own remote control key. 463de029
When your vehicle is unlocked with the
remote control, the vehicle recognizes
the individual user by means of a data
exchange with the key, and makes
adjustments accordingly.
In order for you to distinguish between
different keys, colored decals are
supplied together with the keys.
What the system can doYour BMW center can provide you with
details on the capabilities of the Car
Memory and Key Memory systems.
A few examples follow below:
Examples for Car Memory:
>Various signals used as acknowl-
edgement when locking or unlocking
your vehicle.
>Deactivating/activating the Follow-
Me-Home lamps function.
>Activating/deactivating daytime
running lamps
*.
Examples for Key Memory:
>Automatic adjustment of the driver's
power seat.
>Locking your vehicle after starting off.
>When unlocking your vehicle, first
unlock the driver's door, then the rest
of the vehicle.
You will see this symbol
throughout the Owner's Manual. It
is to remind you at appropriate places
of the settings that are available to
you.<

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Drive with your safety belt onFasten your safety belt at the beginning
of every trip.
To fasten:
Make sure you hear the catch engage in
the belt buckle.
To release:
Press the red button in the buckle, hold
the belt firmly and guide it back into its
reel.
The safety belt system will automati-
cally adapt to your body contours.
Before putting on your safety belts
in the rear, take them out of the
holder.<
For care instructions, refer to page 154.46cus022
For your safety, please comply
with the following instructions for
wearing safety belts. If you do not, the
safety belts may not be able to provide
their maximum protection. The
following information also applies to
your passengers:
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a
passenger's lap.
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it
firmly across your hips and shoulder.
Do not allow the belt to rest against
hard or fragile objects in your pockets.
Never route the belt across your neck,
do not run it across sharp edges and
ensure that the belt does not become
caught or jammed.
Avoid wearing clothing that prevents
the belt from fitting properly. Pull on the
belt periodically to readjust the tension
across your shoulder. In the event of a
frontal impact, a loose lap belt could
slide over your hips, leading to abdom-
inal injury. In addition, the safety belt's
restraint effectiveness is reduced if the
belt is worn loosely.
Expectant mothers should always wear
the safety belt, taking special care to
place the lap belt over the lower hips,
where it does not exert pressure on the
abdominal area.
Leave the rear safety belts in the
holders if they are not needed to avoid
unwanted movement from the safety
belts at high speeds.<
For child restraint system installation,
refer to page 64.
If the safety belt system has been
subjected to the stresses involved
in an accident or otherwise damaged:
Have the entire safety belt mechanism
replaced by your BMW center,
including the safety belt tensioner. In
addition, have your BMW center
inspect the safety belt anchors. If a
child restraint system was in the vehicle
during an accident, consult the manu-
facturer's instructions regarding
replacement.<
Safety belts

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags
At all times, occupants should sit
upright and be properly restrained
(infants and small children in appro-
priate child restraint systems; larger
children and adults using the safety
belts). Never let an occupant's head
rest near or on a side airbag because
the inflating airbag could cause a
serious or fatal injury. Please note that
the word "Airbag" imprinted on the door
trim panel indicates the airbag's loca-
tion.
Accident research shows that the
safest place for children in an
automobile is in the rear seat. However,
a child sitting in the rear seat and not
properly restrained may place his or her
head on or near the airbag, if so
equipped. For example, a child Ñ even
though belted Ñ may fall asleep with his
or 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 so
equipped, 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
center. 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
contact your BMW center.<
Even when all these guidelines are
observed, there is still a small residual
risk of injuries to the face, hands and
arms occurring in isolated instances.
The ignition and inflation noise may
induce a mild temporary hearing loss in
sensitive individuals.
For additional information concerning
the airbag system, refer to pages 159
and 189.This is the right way for a child to sit in
a child restraint when rear side airbags
(arrow) are provided.
46cus025

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Rollover protection systemIn the event of an accident or some
other critical driving situation (extreme
tilting in the longitudinal or transverse
axis, loss of contact with the ground),
the rollover protection system will be
automatically activated. The protective
bars located in the rear headrests
extend within fractions of a second.
In addition to the integrated rollover bar
in the windshield frame, the rollover
protection system gives all the vehicle
occupants the necessary headroom.
Always keep the travel path clear
for the rollover protection system.
Under no circumstances should you
cover the headrests.
In the event of less serious accidents,
the safety belt will protect you and,
depending on the severity of the acci-
dent, so will the safety belt tensioner
and the multi-stage airbag restraint
system.c
If, after being automatically triggered,
the protective function is not needed,
then the rollover protection system can
be lowered back into place. No special
tool is needed for this.
1 Using a screwdriver from the on-
board tool kit, remove the cover
panel; to do this, position the screw-
driver under the notch (arrow).46cde007
2Pull the lever (arrow) toward the front
of the car and hold it in this position.46cde006