steering BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 Owner's Guide

189n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Deceleration sensors continuously
monitor the acceleration forces acting
upon the vehicle. If, as the result of a
frontal collision, a deceleration is
reached at which the protection of the
safety belts alone is no longer
adequate, the gas generators of the
driver and passenger-front airbags are
ignited. However, the passenger-side
airbag is only triggered if an additional
sensor has recognized that the
passenger seat is occupied.
In the event of a side collision, the side
airbags in the front and/or rear
* are
triggered if necessary.
390de012
The airbags located under the marked
covers inflate and unfold in a matter of
a few milliseconds. In this process, they
tear through the designed separation
points of the upholstered covers or
press them out.
Because the inflation process must be
virtually instantaneous, it is accompa-
nied by a certain amount of ignition and
inflation noise, which will be drowned
out by the noise from the accident
itself. The gas required to inflate the
airbags is not dangerous, and the
associated smoke then dissipates.
The entire process is completed within
fractions of a second.Highly sensitive sensors monitor the
number of revolutions of the wheels.
When equipped with DSC, they also
monitor steering angle, lateral accelera-
tion, brake pressure and the movement
of the vehicle around its vertical axis.
If differences in the wheel speeds
occur, ASC+T counteracts the danger
of wheelspin by reducing engine
torque; if necessary, ASC+T will also
respond by applying the brakes to the
rear wheels.
In addition, DSC permanently monitors
the vehicle's current operating condi-
tion and compares it with an ideal
condition that is calculated from the
sensor's signals. If deviations from this
occur (understeering or oversteering,
for instance), DSC can stabilize the
vehicle in fractions of a second by
reducing engine output and with the
assistance of braking intervention at
individual wheels. Dangerous skids are
thus prevented before they can even
start, and all of this is possible, of
course, only within physically possible
limits. You may need some time to
become accustomed to the system's
intervention. However, it provides
optimum drive force and vehicle
stability. The braking intervention may
be accompanied by sounds specific to
the system.
Airbags ASC+T/DSC
*

200n
Electrical system Drive belts Battery 12V, 80 AhSpark plugs NGK BKR 6 EQUP
Bosch FGR 7 DQPWater pump Ð Generator Ð
Power steering
V-belt 6 PK x 1538
A/C compressor
V-belt 5 PK x 863You can obtain Original BMW
Parts and Accessories, as well as
professional advice from your BMW
center.<

Everything from A to Z
A
ABS (Antilock Brake System) 22,122
Accessories 6
Activated-charcoal filter 106,180
Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC) 73,188
Adding engine oil 145
Adding washer fluid 144,199
Adjusting backrest 52
Adjusting headrests 53
Adjusting the steering wheel 57
Adjusting the temperature 98,104
Adjusting thigh support 54
Air conditioner 96
Air distribution 98,104
Air nozzles 96,102
Air outlets 96,102
ventilation 96,102
Air pressure, tires 27,132
Air supply 98,105
Airbags 21,61 ,159 ,189
sitting properly with 62
Alarm system 42
Antenna 129
Antenna, Diversity 190 Antifreeze
147
radiator 127
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 22,122
Anti-theft alarm system 42
Aquaplaning 121,132
Armrest 110
ASC+T (Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction) 22,88
Ashtray front 111
rear 112
ATC (Adaptive Transmission Control) 73,188
Attach vacuum cleaner 112
AUC (Automatic recirculated-air
control) 105
Automatic car washes 151
Automatic climate control 102
remove window
condensation 105
Automatic cruise control 79
Automatic dimming, interior rearview mirror 58
Automatic recirculated-air control (AUC) 105
Automatic Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T) 22,88 Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 21,73
Automatic windshield washer 77
Average consumption 85
Average speed 86
Avoiding unwanted alarm 43
Axle loads 198
B
Backrest adjusting 52
locking 21,55
releasing 55
Backup lamps 72
bulb replacement 169
Battery 176,200
capacity 200
charge current 20,176
charging 178
discharged 183
removal and
installation 178
Belts 60
Beverage holder 111
Blower 98,105
BMW High Performance Synthetic Oils 146
BMW Maintenance System 150 BMW sports seat
54
Bore 196
Brake fluid 148
Brake hydraulic system 20
Brake lamps, bulb replacement 169
Brake pads 22,126
Brake system 126
Brakes 125
malfunctions 126
Break-in procedures 120
Bulb replacement 166
C
California Proposition 65 Warning 161
Capacities 199
Car Memory 59
Car radio 129
reception 129,190
refer also to the Radio
Owner's Manual
Car washes 151
Care convertible top 157
exterior 152
interior 154
leather upholstery 155
rubber seals and
components 127

Everything from A to Z
207n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Interlock69
Intermittent mode, wiper
system76 J
Jack173
Jump-starting183 K
Key Memory59
Keys32
with remote control32 L
Lamps and bulbs166
LAMPS ON warning93
Lashing eyes115
LATCH attachment of the
child seat64
Leather care155
Length197
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement171
Light-alloy wheels137
Lighter112
Loads, securing114
Load-securing devices115
Low beam headlamps93
bulb replacement167
Lug bolts174 Luggage
compartment40,41
capacity198
emergency release39
floor panel40
lid39
lighting39
lock separately39
remote control36
Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement172
Luggage rack116
Lumbar support55
M
M+S tires136
Maintenance82,150
Malfunction displays83
Manual convertible top,
operating45
Manual transmission72
Manually controlled
recirculated-air105
Memory57
MFL (Multi-function steering
wheel)24
Microfilter99,180
Mirror memory57
Mirrors57
Mobile phones129 Modifications,
technical6,161
Motion sensor, interior43
Mounting child safety
seat64
Mounting the roof
carrier130
Multi-function steering
wheel (MFL)24
N
Navigation system, refer to
the radio Owner's Manual O
OBD interface socket162
Odometer81
Oil
additives145
capacity199
consumption145
dipstick145
quality146
specifications146
viscosity146
Oil change intervals, see the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models)/Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models) Oil filter change199
Oil level
check145
indicator lamp20
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp20
OILSERVICE82
Onboard tool kit166
Opening and closing
from the inside38
from the outside34
Operating the convertible
top manually in the event
of an electrical
malfunction181
Outside temperature
display84
P
Paint blemishes152
Paint, care152
Paintwork
minor repairs153
waxing153
Park Distance Control
(PDC)87
Parking brake71
Parking help87
Parking lamps94
Parking, winter128

Everything from A to ZPDC (Park Distance
Control)87
Performance196
Phone, mobile129
Pocket flashlight107
Pollen99,106
Power steering129
Power windows44
convenience operation34
Pressure monitoring,
tires91,192
Pressure, tires27,132 Q
Quality Grades133 R
Radiator199
Radio
reception129,190
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Radio Data System
(RDS)190
Rain sensor77,191
RDC (Tire Pressure
Control)91,192
RDS (Radio Data
System)190
Rear lamps169
Rear window
defroster78,98,106
Rear-entry assist55 Rearview mirror57
Recirculated air mode98
Reclining seat52
Refueling26
Remote control35
Remove condensation,
windows105
Replacement keys32
Reporting safety defects7
Restraint system61,64
Reverse17,72
Rollover protection
system67,68,193
Roof load capacity198
Roof-mounted luggage
rack116
Rubber seals and
components127
S
Safety belt tensioner190
Safety belts60
Safety buttons38
Safety defects, reporting7
Seat adjustment52
Seat heating107
Seat memory57
Seat-integrated safety
belts55
Seats52
Securing cargo114
Securing loads114 Selector lever, automatic
transmission73
Self-defrosting mirrors57
Self-diagnostics192
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet150
Service Interval
Display82,150
Shiftlock73
Side airbags61
Side impact Head Protection
System61
Side lamps93
bulb replacement168
Sitting properly with
airbag62
Ski bag113
Skid control128
Slippery roads127
Snow
chains127,136,137
Socket112
for flashlight112
for power supplies112
for vacuum cleaner112
Spare key32
Spare tire173
Spark plugs200
Speaker111
Specifications, fuel27
Speed, average86
Speedometer18
Sports seat54 Starting
problems121,183
Starting the engine69
Steel wheels137
Steering129
Steering lock69
Steering wheel57
adjusting57
Steptronic73
Stopping the vehicle70
Storage compartments110
Storage facilities110
Storing your vehicle160
Stroke196
Summer tires135
Sun visors58
Switching off the engine70
Symbols4,177
Synthetic oils146
T
Tachometer81
Tail lamp assembly, bulb
replacement169
Tank capacity199
Tank cover
unlock in case of electrical
fault180
Technical data196
Technical
modifications6,161
Telephone hookup111

Owner service procedures
A
Activated-charcoal filter 180
Adding brake fluid 148
Adding engine coolant 148
Adding engine oil 145
Air pressure, checking 27
Antifreeze 147
Avoiding unwanted alarm 43
B
Backup lamps, bulb replacement 169
Battery add distilled water 177
charging 178
Brake faults 126
Brake fluid, adding 148
Brake lamps, bulb replacement 169
Brakes, brake faults 126
C
Changing a tire 173
Changing a wheel 173
Changing the
microfilter 180 Checking air pressure
27
Checking engine oil level 145
D
Defrost setting 100,105
Defrosting the windows 100,105
Difficult steering 129
Doors, emergency actuation 34
E
Electrical accessories, failure 179
Emergency operation convertible top 181
doors 34
fuel filler door 180
Engine coolant, adding 148
Engine oil add 145
level checking 145
quality 146
specifications 146
viscosity 146
Eyelets, towing 184
F
False alarm, avoiding 43
First-aid kit 25
Flat tire 173
Fog lamps, bulb replacement 169
Footwell lamps, bulb replacement 172
Fuel filler door manual release after
electrical fault 180
Fuses, replacing 179
G
Glove compartment lamp, bulb replacement 172
H
Hazard warning flashers 25
Hazard warning triangle 25
Headlamp cover, care 167
High beam headlamps, bulb replacement 167
Hood release 140
I
Indicator lamps 20
Inflation pressures 27,132 Interior lamps, bulb
replacement 171
Interior motion sensor, switching off 43
J
Jack 173
L
License plate lamp, bulb replacement 171
Low beam headlamps, bulb replacement 167
Luggage compartment emergency release 39
Luggage compartment lamps, bulb
replacement 172
Luggage compartment lid emergency release 39
M
Maintenance 150
Microfilter, changing 180
Motion sensor, switching off 43