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

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Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

The system runs an operational check
on the indicator and warning lamps
identified with the

l

symbol each time
you switch on the ignition. 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 in the
following section.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current



l

The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defective
alternator drive belt or a problem with
the alternator's charge circuit. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and
serious engine damage. If the drive 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 level; top off as
required. If the oil level is correct:
please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious
damage from inadequate lubrication.

<

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 comply with
the instructions on pages 109 and 124
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor

l

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a tire failure has occurred.
Reduce vehicle speed immediately and
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake
applications. As you steer the vehicle,
use caution to avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information refer to
pages 83, 85

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Indicator and warning lamps

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

l

ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking performance
remains available with no loss of effi-
ciency. Please have the system
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information refer to
page 109
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on during driving: the
engine oil level has fallen to the
absolute minimum; refill as soon as
possible. Do not drive more than
approx. 30 miles (50 km) until you do.
For additional information refer to
page 121
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at the earliest opportunity (next time
you stop to refuel).
For additional information refer to
page 121

Brake pads

l

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information refer
to page 109
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor

l

Check tire inflation pressures,
refer to pages 24, 83, 85
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)


l

Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
ASC+T has been switched off with the
button or it is defective, or the DSC has
been switched off, ADB is operational.
Please contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.
Additional information beginning on
page 80

Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) indicator
lamp and brake warning lamp

l

The indicator lamps remain on:
the DSC


and ADB/DBC have
been switched off with the button or are
defective.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information refer to
page 81
DSC and ADB indicator and
warning lamps for Canadian
models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

l

Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired by your BMW
center.
For additional information refer to
page 82

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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 ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)19, 109
Access to the rear51
Accessories10
Activated-charcoal filter96
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)68
ADB (Automatic Differential
Brake)81
Adding
brake fluid124
coolant123
engine oil121
washer fluids120
Adjusting
electric power seats49
head restraints50
lumbar support50
mirrors55
steering wheel54
Air conditioning90
temperature setting91
Air distribution91, 94
Air nozzles90
Air outlets
ventilation90, 93 Air supply91, 94
Airbags18, 56
sitting correctly48
Alarm system28, 36
Antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents123
disposal123
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)19, 109
Anti-theft system28, 29, 32
Aquaplaning109
Armrest99
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)80
Ashtray
front100
rear101
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)68
Attach vehicle vacuum
cleaner101
AUC (Automatic recircu-
lated-air control)95
Automatic climate
control93, 94
Automatic cruise control72 Automatic Differential Brake
(ADB)81
Automatic dimming feature,
mirrors56
Automatic headlight
control87
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)95
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)80
Automatic transmission67
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic18, 67
Average fuel
consumption78
Average speed78
Axle loads146
B
Backup lamps66
bulb replacement133
Battery139
care139
charging139
disposal139
Battery charge current
indicator17 Belts, safety52
Beverage holder100
Blower91, 94
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil122
BMW Maintenance
System125
BMW sports seat,
adjustment49
BMW Universal
Transmitter97
Bore144
Bottle holder, refer to
beverage holder100
Brake fluid124
disposal124
warning lamp17, 124
Brake fluid level109
Brake hydraulic system,
warning lamp17
Brake lamps
bulb replacement133
Brake pads19

A-Z

Everything from A to Z
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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 ZDisplay lighting88
Displays15
Disposal
antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents123
battery139
brake fluid124
engine oil122
Distance warning79
Door keys28
Doors
electrical malfunction31
locking and unlocking29
manual operation31
DOT Quality Grades,
tires114
Draft-free ventilation92, 95
Drive belts17
Driving notes109
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)81
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control19, 81
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)82
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)19, 81
E
Easy access to the rear51
Electric power seats,
adjustment49
Electric power windows38
Electrical malfunction
doors31
fuel filler door22
luggage compartment
lid33
Electrical malfunction,
closing only
fully-automatic convertible
top44
Elements of operation14
Emergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartment's interior34
Energy Control74
Engine and differential108
Engine compartment
essentials119
Engine coolant, refer to
coolant123 Engine data144
Engine oil
consumption121
disposal122
fluid capacity147
quality122
specifications122
viscosity122
Engine oil level121
check121
indicator19
Engine oil pressure
indicator17
Engine speed144
Engine, starting64
Engine, switching off65
Enlarging luggage
compartment35
Entering the rear51
Exterior mirrors55
F
Failure messages76
Filling capacities147
Fittings, tow starting and
towing141
Flashlight96 Flat Tire
Monitor85, 115, 138
Flat tires113, 135, 138
Floor panel, luggage
compartment35
Fog lamps88
Follow me home lamps87
Front fog lamps88
Front reading lamps89
Fuel consumption78
Fuel consumption
display75
Fuel filler door22
electrical malfunction22
manual operation22
Fuel gauge75
Fuel reserve indicator75
Fuel specifications23
Fuel tank capacity147
Fuel tank gauge75
Fuel-injection system144
Fully-automatic convertible
top42
electrical malfunction,
closing only44
manual closing44
Fuses139