ECU BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2002 E46 User Guide

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Transporting children safelyIf the selected seating position is
equipped with a head restraint, lift the
head restraint and pass the tether strap
between the head restraint and the
backrest.
Adjust the tether strap according to the
child restraint manufacturer's
instructions.
Before installing any child-restraint
device or child seat, please read
the following:
Never install a rear-facing child-restraint
system in the front passenger seat of
this vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag
supplemental restraint system for the
front passenger. Because the backrest
on any rear-facing child-restraint system
(of the kind designed for infants under 1
year and 20 lbs/9 kg) would be within
the airbag's deployment range, you
should never mount such a device in the
front passenger seat, as the impact of
the airbag against the child restraint's
backrest could lead to serious or fatal
injuries.
If it is necessary for a child (not an infant)
to ride in the front seat, certain precau-
tions should be taken. First, move the
passenger seat as a far away from the
instrument panel as possible. This
important precaution is intended to
maximize the distance between the
airbag and the child. Older children
should be tightly secured with the safety
belt. Younger children should be
secured in an appropriate forward-
facing child-restraint system that has
first been properly installed with a safety
belt. Never install a rear-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger
seat.
We strongly urge you to carefully read
and observe the instructions for installa-
tion and use provided by the child
restraint's manufacturer whenever you
use such a device.
Always ensure that all occupants (of all
ages) remain properly and securely
restrained at all times.<
All rear seating positions in your vehicle
meet the recommendations of
SAE J1819, an industry recommended
standard for securing child-restraint
systems in motor vehicles.
Child-safety locksAll of the rear belt retractors and the
front passenger's safety belt can be
locked for mounting and securing child-
restraint systems.
A label with the appropriate instructions
is located in the immediate vicinity of
the buckle of each safety belt.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
You can drive as with a normal auto-
matic transmission. In addition, you can
also shift manually.
When you move the selector lever from
the "D" position to the left into the M/S
range, the performance-oriented shift
programs of the automatic transmission
are engaged. Steptronic enters the
manual selection mode and executes
the desired shift whenever you tap the
selector lever in the direction indicated
by "+" or "Ð." When you wish to use the
automatic transmission mode again,
move the selector lever to the right into
the "D" position.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + Ð
Starting the engineThe engine can only be started in
selector lever positions P ("Park") or N
("Neutral").Range selectionA detent prevents inadvertent shifts to
the "Reverse" or "Park" selector lever
positions. To disengage the detent,
press the button on the front side of
the shift knob (arrow).
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of "Park" or
"Neutral," depress the footbrake in
order to disengage the selector lever's
lock mechanism (Shiftlock).
Hold the footbrake down until starting
off. The vehicle will otherwise "creep"
when a drive position is engaged.<
To prevent the vehicle from
starting off on its own, always
move the selector lever to position P
or N and engage the parking brake
before leaving your vehicle with the
engine running.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
P ParkSelect only when the vehicle is
stationary. Transmission locks to
prevent rear wheels from turning.R ReverseSelect only when the vehicle is
stationary.

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Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
N NeutralSelect only when stopping for an
extended period.D Drive (automatic shift program)This position is designed for driving
under all normal operating conditions.
All forward gears are available.Kickdown modeIn the kickdown mode, you achieve
maximum acceleration and in
position D top speed.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-
throttle position.
M/S Manual mode and
Sport ProgramMove the selector lever from D to M/S
to activate the Sport Program; SD
appears in the display panel. The M/S
mode is recommended for perfor-
mance-oriented driving.
Once in the M/S mode you can tap the
selector lever to switch the automatic
transmission from the Sport Program to
its manual selection mode.
This mode allows you to execute
upshifts manually by tapping the lever
toward "+," while downshifts are
selected by tapping in the "Ð" direction.
The displays M1 through M5 appear in
the display panel to indicate your
current gear selection.
The Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC) executes upshifts and downshifts
only when the new gear will provide a
suitable combination of engine and
road speed, for example ATC will not
execute downshifts if the engine speed
is too high. The desired, then the actual
gear, briefly appear in the instrument
cluster.
To accelerate quickly in the
manual mode (to pass another
vehicle), shift down manually or employ
the kickdown mode.<
Shifting from M/S to the selector lever
positions P, R and N is possible only by
going through D.

102n
Ski bag
*
The ski bag allows the safe and clean
transport of up to 4 pairs of standard
skis or up to two snowboards.
The length of the ski bag and the addi-
tional space provided in the luggage
compartment make it possible to carry
skis up to 6.8 ft (2.1 m) long. Because
of the tapered shape of the bag, the ski
bag can only accommodate two pairs
of skis up to 6.8 ft (2.1 m) long.
Loading1. Take the safety belts out of their
holders
2. Press button downward (arrow) and
remove the filler piece by pulling it
forward
3. Extend the ski bag between the front
seats. The zipper provides conve-
nient access to the inside of the bag,
and can also be left open to promote
drying
4. Press the release button in the
luggage compartment (arrow)
5. Use the magnetic holder to fasten
the cover panel to the back wall.
To store the ski bag, perform the above
steps in reverse sequence.Securing cargo
Secure skis and any other objects
stored in the bag by tightening the
retaining strap at the buckle.<
Make sure that the skis are clean
before loading them into the bag.
Avoid damage from sharp edges during
loading.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Ski bag Cargo loading
When reattaching the cover, guide
both bars into the guide and press
the cover back into place. Secure the
safety belts in their holders again.<
Stowing cargo If you are transporting cargo in your
BMW:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible Ð directly behind the
luggage compartment partition Ð and
as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
With the convertible top closed,
you can increase the space in the
luggage compartment, refer to page 35.
We recommend that you always fold
the convertible top compartment panel
down as soon as you have removed
your cargo from the luggage compart-
ment. This way, you can be sure that
you can always operate your convert-
ible top at any time.
At the same time, when the top is
raised you should fold the convertible
top compartment panel back up before
stowing large objects in the luggage
compartment; this precaution will help
reduce the likelihood of damage to
either the convertible top compartment
or your luggage.<

104n
Cargo loadingSecuring cargo >For small, light items, use the rubber-
lined, non-skid side of the floor mat
or secure using the luggage compart-
ment net
* or elastic straps
>For large, heavy pieces, consult your
BMW center for load-securing
devices*. Anchorages (arrow) are
provided at the inner corners of the
luggage compartment for attaching
these devices.
Read and comply with the information
enclosed with the load-securing
devices.
Always position and secure the
cargo correctly. If you do not, it
can endanger the passengers during
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the approved gross
vehicle weight or the approved axle
loads, refer to page 146, otherwise the
vehicle's operating safety is no longer
assured and you are in violation of the
law.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in
the passenger compartment without
securing them. Otherwise they could be
thrown around during braking and
evasive maneuvers and endanger the
passengers.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Roof-mounted luggage rack for the hardtop
*
A special roof-rack system is available
as an optional extra for your BMW.
Please observe the precautions
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the anchorages:
To fold up the covers (arrow), please
use the tool which is provided with the
roof-rack system.Loading and driving notesRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the
center of gravity of the vehicle when
they are loaded. For this reason, they
exercise a major effect on the vehicle's
handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof load
capacity, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the maximum axle loads
when loading the rack. These weights
are listed under Technical Data on
page 146.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on
the bottom). Make sure that no objects
will be in the way when the luggage
compartment lid is opening or closing.
Secure the roof luggage correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or
being lost during driving (danger to
following traffic).
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration or braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.
The roof-mounted luggage rack and the
roof load increase the aerodynamic
resistance: increased fuel consumption
and additional stress on the vehicle's
body are the result.

112n
Hardtop
*
5. Before installing, first flip the cover
panels that are located underneath
the left and right interior lamps
down. To do this, press on the
slight bump on the cover panel.
There is a holder in the cover panel
to securely store the trim pieces
that have been removed (1)
6. Open the red release levers as far
as the stop will allow (2)
7. Position the hardtop onto the
supports with the help of a second
person. Be sure to put the mount-
ings exactly into the proper
brackets
8. In the back, close the red locking
levers by turning to the inside as far
as the stop located behind the trim
will allow. Flip the cover panels
back into place
9. To lock the hardtop in the front,
keep pressing on the front locking
levers until you hear them engage
10. Check the rubber weatherstripping
between the windshield frame and
the top on both the left and right
sides. If it is folded or bent out of
place you should smooth it back
into position by hand to ensure
secure and reliable sealing.
Lift the hardtop carefully. Be
extremely careful not to shift the
seals. Seals that have been shifted out
of place or actually pulled out cause
leaks.<
RemovalFollow the same procedure as when
installing, just reverse the steps.

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To releasePull the lever located under the left-
hand side of the instrument panel.
Do not attempt to service your
vehicle if you do not have the
required technical background. Failure
to work in an informed, professional
manner when servicing components
and materials constitutes a safety
hazard for vehicle occupants and other
road users. If you are not familiar with
the guidelines, please have the opera-
tions performed at your BMW center.<
To openPull the release handle and open the
hood.
To closeAllow the hood to fall from a height of
about 12 in (30 cm) so that it audibly
engages.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the hood is clear
when it is closed, observing the same
precautions as with all closing proce-
dures.
If you notice that the hood is not
completely closed while driving, stop
immediately and close it securely.<
Hood

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Changing a wheel>Space-saver spare tire
Located next to the jack.
Loosen the wing nut (arrow) by hand,
remove the storage shelf and take the
wheel out
>Lug wrench Ð in the onboard tool kit
on the underside of the luggage
compartment lid, refer to page 130.
Procedure1. Read and comply with the safety
precautions provided on the previous
page
2. Secure the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling:
Place the chock against the rear
surface of the front tire on the side
opposite the side being raised. If the
vehicle is parked on a downward
slope, place the chock securely in
front of the tire. If the wheel must be
changed on a surface with a more
severe slope, take additional precau-
tions to secure the vehicle from
rolling
3. Wheels with full wheel covers
*:
Reach into the ventilation openings
and pull the cover off4. Loosen the lug bolts by rotating half
a turn
5. Position the jack at the jacking point
(arrows) closest to the flat tire with
the jack base vertically below the
jacking point and the entire surface
of the head of the jack will move into
the square recess of the jacking
point (refer to the detail in the next
illustration) when the jack is cranked
6. Continue raising the vehicle up until
the wheel you are changing is raised
from the ground
7. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove
the wheel