oil BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 Owner's Manual

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

19n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Instrument cluster

1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp
for fuel reserve82
2 Turn signal indicator23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for:

>

Battery charge current20

>

High beams23

>

Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and
Energy control81
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge
with "Coolant temperature too high"
indicator82
7 Indicator and warning lamps (clock-
wise) for:

>

Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)/DBC20

>

Antilock Brake System (ABS)22

>

Brake pads22

>

Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)

*
20, 22

>

Rollover protection system67

>

Airbags21

>

Adjust and lock backrest/Please
fasten safety belts21

>

Cruise control23
8 Set button for the clock849 Program display for automatic
transmission

*
75
Indicator lamp for automatic
transmission

*
21, 75
10 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

*
and ADB22
11 Indicator for:

>

Odometer81

>

Trip odometer81

>

Clock84

>

Service Interval82
Indicator for computer,
operation using the turn signal lever,
refer to page 83:

>

Clock

>

Outside temperature

>

Average fuel consumption

>

Range

>

Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control83
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero8114 Indicator and warning lamps (clock-
wise) for:

>

Front fog lamps23

>

Add washer fluid22

>

Coolant level23

>

Electronic Throttle Control
(EML)

*
23

>

Service engine soon22
You can display the outside
temperature and distance driven
in different units of measurement.

<

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "

l

" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge

l


The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator V-belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not
continue driving, otherwise, the
engine could be damaged due to over-
heating. If the V-belt is defective,
increased steering effort is also
required.

<

Engine oil pressure


l


Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil and top off as
required. If the oil level is correct,
please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving. If you do
so, the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.

<
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a tire failure has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately to stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information, refer to
page 91.
Brake warning lamp l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before
driving further, be sure to read the
notes on pages 126 and 148.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

22n
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 123.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Lights up while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute
minimum; therefore, add engine oil as
soon as possible. Do not drive more
than 30 miles (50 km) until you do.
For additional information, refer to
page 145.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add oil at the
earliest opportunity (when you stop to
refuel).
For additional information, refer to
page 145.
Brake pads l

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 126.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
Check tire inflation pressure:
refer to pages 27, 91.
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC l
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive
force and braking force.
The indicator lamp remains on:
ASC+T has been switched off via the
button or it is defective, or the DSC has
been switched off, ADB is operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center
in the event of a fault.
For additional information, refer to
page 88.
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) and
brake warning lamp l
The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC
and ADB/DBC are
switched off via the button or are defec-
tive.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 88.
DSC and ADB/DBC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid.
The washer fluid is too low. Top
up the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 144.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
inspected by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 162.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.

82n
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

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

136n
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter
road conditions. So-called all-season
tires with the M+S identification mark
do indeed possess better winter trac-
tion than summer tires that have the H,
V, W, Y and ZR speed ratings, but they
generally fail to provide the same levels
of performance as winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer having
the same tread configuration on all four
wheels.
Mount only winter tires which have
been approved by BMW. Any BMW
center will be glad to provide you with
information on the best winter tires for
every particular driving condition.
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<
Tire condition, tire pressureWinter tires display a perceptible loss in
their ability to cope with winter driving
conditions once the tread wears to
below 0.16 in (4 mm), and therefore in
the interest of safety, should be
replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures Ð and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against
contact with oil, grease and fuel.Snow chains
*
Use narrow-link BMW snow chains
on
winter tires only in pairs and only on the
rear wheels. Comply with all manufac-
turer's safety precautions when
mounting the chains.

143n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine compartment Ð BMW 325Ci, 330Ci1 Brake fluid reservoir148
2 Dipstick for the engine oil145
3 Coolant expansion tank147
4 Engine oil filler neck145
5 Reservoir for headlamp
* and
windshield washer system144
6 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting183

145n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking the oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material.
4 Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out
again.
5 The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.462de244
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, never let the oil drop below
the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential and the
power steering.<462de245

146n
Engine oil Specified engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil is
extremely important for the function
and life of an engine. Based on exten-
sive testing, BMW has approved only
certain types of engine oils.
Use only approved "BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil."
If you are unable to obtain "BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil," you may
use small volumes of other approved
synthetic oils for topping up between oil
changes. Use only oils with the specifi-
cation API SH or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details
concerning the specific "BMW
High Performance Synthetic Oil" or
synthetic oils that have been
approved.<
You can also call BMW of North
America at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this
website: www.bmwusa.com to obtain
this information.
Viscosity ratings Viscosity is the oil flow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in
the area where you drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These kinds of oil may be used for
driving in all ambient temperatures.
530us200