checking oil BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2002 E46 Owner's Manual

75n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Fuel gauge Temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayOnce the indicator lamp stays on
continuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel
tank.
For fuel tank capacity refer to page 147.
Certain operating conditions (such as
those encountered in mountainous
areas) may cause the needle to fluc-
tuate slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.<
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an
operation check.
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on during normal
vehicle operation: the engine has over-
heated. Shut off the engine immediately
and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to
page 123.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector in normal operation.
Remaining distance to 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 OIL SERVICE or INSPEC-
TION, together with the distance
remaining in miles (kilometers) before
the next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations
of the remaining distance on operating
conditions in the preceding period.
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.

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Engine oilChecking oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch 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.
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.
Adding engine oilWhile you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower mark
before adding oil, you should never
allow the oil level to fall below this
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 system.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
at your BMW center.

Everything from A to Z
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Brake system108, 109
brake pads110
brake rotors,
corrosion110
defect in hydraulic
circuits109
disc brakes110
Break-in procedure108
Bulbs and lamps,
replacement131 C
California Proposition
65 Warning126
Canned beverage
holder100
Capacities147
Car care, refer to the "Caring
for your vehicle" manual
Car phone100
Car wash systems, refer to
the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Care of upholstery materials,
refer to the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual Cargo loading103
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)18, 81
Cellular phone
refer also to the
"Telephone Owner's
Manual"
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp134
Center armrest99
Central locking system28
inside control button32
Changing a wheel135
Charging the battery139
Check Control76
Check engine oil level121
Checking coolant level123
Checking tire pressures24
Child-restraint systems59
Cigarette lighter101
Cleaning headlamps71
Cleaning windshield71 Clock76
refer also to the
"Telephone Owner's
Manual"
Clutch108
Cockpit14
Coin box100
Compartments99
Compression ratio144
Computer76
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Configuring individual
settings via Vehicle and
Key Memory63
Consumption78
display75
Convenience operation via
driver's door lock
fully-automatic convertible
top31
power windows31
Convertible top
compartment panel35
Convertible top, fully
automatic operation42 Coolant123
capacity147
Coolant temperature
gauge75
Cooling system,
capacity147
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)18, 81
Correct sitting posture48
Cruise control72
Cruising range78
Cup holder, refer to
beverage holder100
Curb weight146
D
Data
dimensions145
engine144
weights146
Daytime driving lamps87
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)82
Defrost windows92, 94
Digital clock76
Dimensions145
Dipstick, engine oil121
Displacement144

Everything from A to Z
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seats48
adjustment48
adjustment
precautions48
Securing cargo103
Securing child-restraint
system59
Selector lever, automatic
transmission67
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US
models)125
Service Interval
Display75, 125
Setting the temperature91
Shiftlock67
Side airbags56
Sitting correctly with
airbags48
Ski bag102
Socket for electrical
appliances101
Spare key28
Spare tire135
Speedometer15
Sports seat, adjustment49
Standing lamps88
Starting the engine64 Steering wheel lock64
Stopping the vehicle65
Storage compartments99
Stowing cargo103
Stroke144
Switching off the engine65
Symbols8
Synthetic oils122
T
Tail lamps
bulb replacement133
Tank capacity147
Technical data144
Technical
modifications10, 126
Telephone preparation100
Temperature display
outside temperature77
Temperature gauge
engine coolant75
Temperature
layering92, 95
Temperature setting91, 94
Third brake light134 Tilt alarm sensor37
operating via remote
control30
switching off37
Tire change135
Tire condition113
Tire inflation
pressures24, 113
checking24
indicator83
monitoring83
Tire inflation pressures
table25
Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC)83, 115, 138
Tire pressures24
refer also to tire inflation
pressures
Tire replacement114
Tire tread113
Tires108
Tools130
Torque144
Tow fittings141
Towing the vehicle141
Track145
Transmission66 Transmitter keys28
Transporting children
safely59
Tread depth, tires113
Tread wear113
Trip odometer74
Trunk lid, refer to luggage
compartment lid33
Trunk, refer to luggage
compartment35
Turn signal
indicators20, 69
Turn signals
bulb replacement132
Turning radius145
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading115
Universal Transmitter97
Use antifreeze, radiator123 V
Vehicle keys28
Vehicle Memory63
Vehicle weight146
Vehicle, starting64
Ventilation90, 93
draft-free92, 95