ignition BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 Owner's Guide

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Washer/Wiper system1 Intermittent mode or rain
sensor
*
Intermittent mode:
You can use rotary dial 6 to select from
four wipe intervals.
In addition, the wipe interval is varied
automatically depending on road
speed.
Rain sensor:
The rain sensor is positioned on the
windshield, directly ahead of the inte-
rior rearview mirror. When the rain
sensor is activated, the windshield
wiper is controlled automatically,
depending on the degree of wetness on
the windshield (in both snow and rain).
You do not have to be concerned with
switching the windshield wiper on or off
or adjusting the wipe interval between 46cde095
intermittent and full wipe. Instead, you
can concentrate fully on the traffic
conditions. This is especially important
under adverse weather conditions.
To activate the rain sensor:
From ignition key position 1 and up, you
can move the lever to position 1. The
wipers travel once across the wind-
shield, regardless of the weather.
You can leave the lever permanently in
position 1. It is then only necessary to
activate the rain sensor from ignition
key position 1 and up. To do this,
>turn rotary dial 6 briefly or
>use cleaning windshield 5.
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain
sensor:
Turn rotary dial 6.
Deactivating the rain sensor:
Put lever in position 0.
Turn the rain sensor off when
passing through an automatic car
wash. Failure to do so could result in
damage caused by undesired wiper
activation.<
2 Normal wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
wipers switch automatically to intermit-
tent wipe (not on vehicles with rain
sensor).3 Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
wipers operate at normal speed (not on
vehicles with rain sensor).5 Cleaning windshield The system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period.
If you pull the lever only briefly, the
system sprays washer fluid onto the
windshield without activating the
wipers.

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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.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cruise controlStarting at about 20 mph (30 km/h), you
can maintain and store any vehicle
speed that you specify.
Do not use the cruise control on
winding roads, when high traffic
density prevents driving at a constant
speed, when the road surface is slick
(snow, rain, ice), or when the road
surface is loose (rocks, sand). Press button 1. The indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on. You
can now use the cruise control.46cde086
To store and maintain speed or to
acceleratePress button 3 briefly:
The system registers and maintains the
current vehicle speed. Every time you
press the button, the speed increases
by approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h).
Press and hold button 3:
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. When
you release the button, the system
registers and maintains the current
speed.
If, on a downhill gradient, the
engine braking effect is not
sufficient, the set cruise control speed
may be exceeded. Speed can drop on
uphill grades if the engine output is
insufficient.<
To deceleratePress button 2 briefly:
When the cruise control is active,
vehicle speed is reduced by approx.
0.6 mph (1 km/h) every time you tap the
button.
Press and hold button 2:
With the cruise control active, the
system automatically reduces the
throttle opening to slow the vehicle.
When you release the button, the
system registers and maintains the
current speed.

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Cruise controlTo interrupt the cruise control When the system is activated, press
and hold button 1. The indicator lamp
stays on. You can use the cruise control
again as desired.
In addition, cruise control is canceled
automatically:
>If the brakes are applied.
>When you apply pressure to the
clutch pedal, and when you move the
automatic transmission selector lever
from "Drive" to "Neutral".
>If you exceed or fall below the
programmed speed for an extended
period (by depressing the acceler-
ator, for example).
To resume the stored settingPress button 4:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored. When you
turn the ignition key to position 0, the
stored speed is deleted and the system
is deactivated.
To deactivate the system When the cruise control has been inter-
rupted, press button 1 again. The indi-
cator lamp goes out and the stored
speed is deleted.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
1 Odometer You can activate the displays shown in
the illustration with the ignition key in
position 0 by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster (arrow).2 Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the button (arrow) with the igni-
tion key in position 1 and up.462us005
Avoid engine speeds in the red warning
zone of the gauge.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is
automatically interrupted in this zone;
you will notice a loss of power.462us017
Indicates current fuel consumption in
mpg (in l/100 km on Canadian vehicles).
You can check your current driving
style to see whether it is conducive to
economy and minimum exhaust emis-
sions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the
display goes to "Maximum" (zero on
Canadian vehicles).462us018
Odometer Tachometer Energy Control

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Fuel gauge Coolant temperature Service Interval Display When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
Once the indicator lamp stays on
continuously, there are still approx. 2
gallons (8 liters) of fuel remaining in the
fuel tank.
For fuel tank capacity: refer to page 199.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended
driving in mountainous areas, for
example), there may be slight fluctua-
tions of the needle.
Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty. Driving to the last drop of
fuel can result in damage to the engine
and/or the catalytic converter.<462us020
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle: the engine is overheated.
Stop and switch the engine off immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not
unusual for the needle to rise as far as
the edge of the red zone in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions. To check the
coolant level: refer to page 147.460de082
Remaining distance for serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 or after the
engine is started.
The next service due appears with the
message OILSERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the distance remaining
before the next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the
preceding driving conditions.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of
the number mean that the service
interval has already been exceeded by
the distance shown on the display.
Please contact your BMW center for an
appointment.46cus006

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols, start-
ing with the ignition key in position 2,
until the condition has been corrected:
1 Inspect the low-beam and high-beam
headlamps, as well as the side lamps
2 Door open
3 Luggage compartment lid open
4 Check brake and tail lamps
When you open the driver's door after
stopping with the lights still on, a warn-
ing signal sounds for LIGHTS ON.462de272
Mode selectionFrom ignition key position 1 on, you can
call up information from the computer
using the button in the turn signal lever.
Every time you press the button briefly
in the direction of the steering column,
you can call up a new function for dis-
play.
The displays appear in the following
order:
Time, outside temperature, average fuel
consumption, cruising range, average
vehicle speed.
From ignition key position 1 on, the last
active setting is displayed.46cde096
Check Control Computer

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Computer ClockIf you wish to have a permanent time
display, you can make this adjustment
in the radio display (refer to the Radio
Owner's Manual).
You can adjust the clock and the time
display in the car radio as follows.
Adjustments From ignition key position 1:
To set ahead: turn the right button to
the right.
To set back: turn the right button to the
left.
The adjustment speed will increase the
longer you hold the button down.
To change the display mode: press the
knob briefly.
Every time you press the knob, the
clock display alternates between the
12-hour or 24-hour mode.
In ignition key position 0: the time is
displayed for a few seconds after you
press the left button (refer to "Odome-
ter" on page 81).46cus007
Outside temperature You can change the units of measure
(6/7) for the outside temperature
display by pressing the right-hand reset
button in the instrument cluster while
the temperature display is active.46cus008

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The conceptThe PDC assists you when you back
into a parking space. A signal warns
you of the distance to an obstacle. To
do this, four ultrasonic sensors in the
rear bumper measure the distance to
the nearest object. The range for the
sensors located at both rear corners
ends approx. 2 ft (60 cm) behind the
bumpers. The two center sensors
cover a distance of approx. 4.9 ft
(1.50 meters).
The system starts to operate automati-
cally about one second after you select
reverse with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2. PDC is deactivated when you
shift back out of reverse.
Acoustical signalsThe distance to the nearest object is
indicated by a tone sounding at various
intervals. As the distance between
vehicle and object decreases, the
intervals between the tones become
shorter. A continuous tone indicates
the presence of an object less than 1 ft
(30 cm) away.
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. three seconds if the distance to
the obstacle remains constant during
this time (if you are moving parallel to
a wall, for instance).
System malfunctions will be indicated
by a continuous high-pitched tone
when the system is activated the first
time. Please refer the problem to your
BMW center.The PDC does not remove the
driver's personal responsibility for
evaluating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstacles. Even when
sensors are involved, there is a blind
spot in which objects cannot be
detected. This applies especially in
those cases where the system
approaches the physical limits of ultra-
sonic measurement, as occurs with tow
bars and trailer couplings, and in the
vicinity of thin and painted objects.
Certain sources of sound, such as a
loud radio, could drown the PDC signal
tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free
of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they continue to operate effec-
tively.
Do not subject the sensors to high-
pressure washers for a prolonged
period of time. Always maintain a
distance of more than 4 in (10 cm).<
Park Distance Control (PDC)
*

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ASC+TThe conceptThese systems enhance driving stability
and traction, especially when you are
just starting off, accelerating or in
curves.
ASC+T recognizes the danger present
in traction loss and will increase driving
stability and traction by reducing the
engine's output, and if necessary, by
applying the brakes to the rear wheels.
ASC+T is available as soon as the
engine starts up.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly
after you switch on the ignition.
Refer to pages 21 and 22.
Indicator lamp flashes:
ASC+T controls the drive and braking
forces.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or if it comes on
during normal driving and stays on:
There is a system malfunction or the
system was deactivated with the
button. Consequently, interventions to
increase driving stability (as described
in the preceding column) are not avail-
able. You can still drive the vehicle
normally without ASC+T.
Please consult your BMW center in the
event of a malfunction. Refer to
pages 21 and 22.
Deactivating the ASC+T Press the button; the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.
The illustration depicts the arrangement
of the buttons if the vehicle is fully
equipped. This may vary, depending on
the equipment actually installed.
In the following exceptional situations,
it may be effective to deactivate the
ASC+T or DSC for a brief period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose
surfaces.
>When driving with snow chains.
Refer also to page 127.
To maintain vehicle stability, drive
with the ASC+T activated when-
ever possible.<46cus044