maintenance BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 Owner's Manual

Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. We therefore have this request:
Read this Owner's Manual to get summarized information, before you start out in
your new BMW. It contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in
gaining maximum use and satisfaction from the unique range of technical features
on your BMW. This manual also contains information on maintenance and care,
designed to ensure your safety and the proper operation of your vehicle, and to
maintain your vehicle's value.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important
operating, safety and maintenance information.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:
Ð New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Ð Limited Warranty Rust Perforation
Ð Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
Ð Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
Ð California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

6n

For your own safety

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (i.e. 15 %
MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an equiva-
lent amount of co-solvent) will not void
the applicable warranties respecting
defects in materials or workmanship.
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (volatility,
composition, additives, for example)
among gasolines offered for sale in the
United States and Canada. The use of
poor quality fuels may result in drive-
ability, starting and stalling problems
especially under certain environmental
conditions, such as high ambient
temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.

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Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product from
other manufacturers to verify if it can be
used on a BMW safely and without risk
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its
occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.

Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as C.B., walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle,
compromise its safety, interfere with
the vehicle's electrical system or affect
the validity of the BMW Limited
Warranty. See your BMW center for
additional information.

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Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.

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Symbol on vehicle parts

Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology

9n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Lamps:

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
the hardtop116

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures120
Driving notes121
Catalytic converter121
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)122
Disc brakes125
Brake system126
Winter operation127
Power steering129
Cellular phone129
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
specifications137

Under 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
ODB interface socket162

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications27
Tire inflation pressure27
Overview

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
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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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

99n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Air conditionerDraft-free ventilation You can adjust the air outlets for the
upper body area to select the optimum
air flow rates and directions for your
personal requirements:
Use rotary dials 1 to open and close the
air outlets through an infinitely-variable
range. You can adjust the direction of
the air flow with levers 2.
Set the outlets so that the air flows past
you and is not directed straight at you.
Rotary dial 3 allows you to mix the air
from the outlets for your upper body
with more or less cool air..460de040
Microfilter An activated-charcoal microfilter, which
traps incoming dust and pollen, has
been installed in your vehicle. Your
BMW center will replace it during regu-
larly scheduled maintenance. A
substantial reduction in air supply indi-
cates that the filter must be replaced
before normal maintenance.
For additional details on the filter
change, refer to page 180.
Rapid ventilation1 Set the blower speed rotary dial for
the air flow rate to position 4.
2 Switch on the air conditioner.
3 Turn the rotary temperature control
completely to the left (blue).
4 Rotary control for air distribution in
position .
5 Open the air outlets for the upper
body.463de018

106n
Automatic climate control
*
Rear window defroster
When the rear window defroster
is activated, the indicator lamp
comes on. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically. Refer to
page 78.
Draft-free ventilation You can adjust the blower controls for
the upper body area to select the
optimum air flow rates and directions
for your personal requirements:
Use rotary dials 1 to open and close the
air outlets through an infinitely-variable
range. You can adjust the direction of
the air flow with levers 2.
Set the outlets so that the air flows past
you and is not directed straight at you.
Rotary dial 3 allows you mix the air from
the outlets for your upper body by
warming or cooling the air as desired.460de040
Microfilter/Activated-charcoal
filterThe microfilter filters out dust and
pollen from the incoming air. The acti-
vated-charcoal filter helps clean the
incoming outside air of gaseous pollut-
ants. Your BMW center will replace this
combined filter during the regularly
scheduled maintenance. A substantial
reduction in air supply indicates that the
filter must be replaced before normal
maintenance.
For further information on the filter
change, refer to page 180.

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
119n
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