lights BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2003 E46 Owner's Manual

18

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

●

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent 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 follow-
ing section.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

●

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 seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

●

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 cen-
ter.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)/Flat
Tire Monitor

●

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 92, 93
Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the
instructions on pages 124 and 139.
Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when you start
off.
For additional information: refer to
page 72
Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Lock backrest/Fasten safety
belts

●

Comes on together with an
acoustic signal until the safety belts are
fastened. Flashes if the backrest is not
locked.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 56
Airbags

●

Please have the system
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 61

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21
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated: ready for oper-
ation via the steering wheel with multi-
function buttons.
For additional information: refer to
page 79
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to
page 98

Blue: for your information

High beams
Comes on when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information: refer to
pages 77, 97

Indicator and warning lamps

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39
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes during
arming: the door(s), the hood or the
luggage compartment lid are not
completely closed. Even if you do not
close the alerted area(s), the remain-
ing areas are secured, and the indi-
cator lamp will flash continuously
after 10 seconds. However, the inte-
rior motion sensor is not activated
>The indicator lamp goes out when the
system is disarmed: no manipulation
or attempted intrusions have been
detected in the period since the sys-
tem was armed
>The indicator lamp flashes for
10 seconds when the system is dis-
armed: an attempted entry has been
detected in the period since the sys-
tem was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the
indicator lamp will flash continuously.Avoiding unintentional alarmsThe tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor may be switched off at the same
time. You can do this to prevent a false
alarm from being triggered in garages
with elevator ramps, for instance, or
when the vehicle is transported by train:
Lock the vehicle twice to arm the sys-
tem. Press the button on the remote
control twice in succession or lock the
vehicle twice with the key.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor
are deactivated as long as the system is
armed.Interior motion sensor*Deactivate the interior motion sensor –
refer to Avoiding unintentional alarms –
if persons or animals are to remain in
the vehicle.
The system deactivates the tilt-
alarm sensor and the interior
motion sensor if the convenience clos-
ing of windows is interrupted in the first
10 seconds and then restarted. The
alarm must then be disarmed and reac-
tivated before it will resume opera-
tion.<
Alarm system*
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42
To open the convertible top
Never attempt to open or close
the convertible top unless the
vehicle is completely stationary. To pre-
vent vehicle damage the top compart-
ment lid's lock will not disengage
unless the luggage compartment lid is
closed.<
1. Flip the locking handle out – refer to
illustration – and turn it as far as the
end stop will allow
2. Raise the convertible top a little bit,
release the tension
3. To unlock, press the button with the
ignition key in position 1 or higher.
The top compartment lid's lock dis-
engages and the lid itself rises a
small distance. The side windows
will lower slightly
If the indicator lamp lights up
when the button is pressed, the lid
cannot be unlocked because the top
compartment panel is raised, refer to
page 37. Lower the top compartment
panel and close the tailgate.<
Manual convertible top
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47
1To close
2To openLocks and security systemsWith the ignition key in position 1 or
higher, and with the vehicle stationary
To avoid placing unnecessary loads on
the battery, you should avoid operating
the top when the engine is switched off.
1. Read and comply with the preceding
safety precautions
2. Before opening the convertible top,
ensure that the convertible top com-
partment panel is back down into its
original position, refer to page 37
3. Ensure that the luggage compart-
ment lid is closed
4. Maintain pressure on the corre-
sponding button for the convertible
top operation.
The red indicator lamp flashes when-
ever the convertible top mechanism
is in operation. It goes out when the
opening or closing process has been
completed.
If it continues flashing after the con-
trol button is released, the process
has not completed opening or clos-
ing. You can resume operation in the
desired direction by pressing the
button again.
If the yellow indicator lamp lights up
continuously with the button
pressed, the convertible top com-
partment panel has been raised and
the top cannot be moved, refer to
step 2.
The convertible top stops moving
immediately when the button is
released. You can resume operation in
the desired direction by pressing the
button again.<
While the convertible top is in
motion, the rear window will move
toward the passenger compartment. To
avoid possible pinching, the area
around the closing convertible top
should be clear.<
The side power windows are lowered a
small distance whenever the top is set
in motion by pressing the button and
after the opening or closing process is
completed, they will go back up, if you
keep holding the button down for more
than 2 seconds after the indicator lamp
has gone out.
The luggage compartment lid cannot be
opened while the convertible top is in
motion.
Do not close the side power win-
dows using the buttons if the con-
vertible top operation has been inter-
rupted.<
After having been stored for an
extended period of time in the
convertible top compartment, e.g. dur-
ing the winter months because the
hardtop was being used, you may have
to support the convertible top by hand
when closing it for the first time: If the
convertible top should halt just before
Fully-automatic convertible top*
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57
Seat and mirror memory*You can store and recall three different
driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions.
The lumbar support settings are
not stored in the memory. 2. Select the desired seat and exterior
mirror positions
3. Press the MEMORY button: the indi-
cator lamp in the button lights up
4. Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as
desired: the indicator lamp goes out.
To select a stored setting
Do not select a memory position
while the vehicle is moving. If you
do so, there is a risk of accident from
unexpected seat movement.<
Ignition key in position 1:
>Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,
as desired.
Movement stops immediately when
one of the seat-adjustment or mem-
ory buttons is activated during the
adjustment process.
The driver's door is closed and the igni-
tion key is either removed or in position
0 or 2:
>Maintain pressure on the desired
memory button – 1, 2 or 3 – until the
adjustment process is completed.
If you press the MEMORY button
accidentally: press the button
again; the indicator lamp goes out.<
You can have this feature pro-
grammed so that when you use
the remote control from your personal-
ized key to unlock your door, your seat
and the exterior mirrors will move into
your own preferred positions.<
Before activating the programmed
adjustment feature, ensure that
the footwell behind the driver's seat is
empty and unobstructed. If you fail to
do so, persons, animals or objects
could be injured or damaged if the seat
should move backward.<
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62
place their heads on or near the side
airbag. Therefore, we recommend that
the rear-seat side airbags, if installed in
the vehicle, be deactivated if children
will travel in the rear seat.
The rear-seat side airbags may already
have been deactivated, either at the
time of manufacture or by a BMW cen-
ter. Labels in the door opening should
indicate the status of your rear-seat
side airbags. If you are uncertain of
their status, or wish to have the airbags
activated or deactivated, please con-
tact your BMW center.<
Even when all these guidelines are fol-
lowed, there is still a small residual risk
of injuries to the face, hands and arms
occurring from airbag deployment in
isolated instances.
The ignition and inflation noise may
induce a mild temporary hearing loss in
sensitive individuals.
Corresponding airbag warning labels
are located on both sun visors.This is the right way a child should sit in
a child-restraint when rear side airbags,
see arrow, are provided.
This is the right way a larger child
should sit wearing the seat belt when
rear side airbags, see arrow, are pro-
vided.Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp indicates the
operational status of the airbag
system when the ignition key is
in position 1 or higher.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
when you turn the ignition key to
position 1 or higher.
System malfunction:
>Indicator lamp does not come on or
>indicator lamp lights up continuously.
Airbags
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82
Fuel gaugeOnce the indicator lamp stays on con-
tinuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons/8 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.
Fuel tank capacity approx.
16.6 gallons/63 liters.
Certain operating conditions, such as
those encountered in mountainous
areas, may cause the needle to fluctu-
ate slightly.
Fill the fuel tank before it is com-
pletely empty. Driving to the last
drop of fuel can prevent the engine
from operating properly and result in
damage.<
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an
operation check.
Engine coolant temperature gaugeBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly as an
operation check.
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.
To check coolant level, refer to
page 138.
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector during normal operation.
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94
Initializing the systemInitializing is necessary to familiarize the
system with the correct inflation pres-
sures.
Repeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or
replacement. Do not carry out further
system initialization after adjusting the
inflation pressure and letting the system
"learn" the correct pressures.
1. Check the tire inflation pressures in
all the tires, comparing them with the
inflation pressure chart on page 25
and adjusting their pressure if neces-
sary
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Press the button until the yellow indi-
cator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up. After a little while, the indi-
cator lamp will go out by itself
4. After a few minutes' driving time, the
Flat Tire Monitor adopts the current
pressure levels as the reference and
from that point on, can detect and
report a flat tire.
To activate/deactivate the systemThe Flat Tire Monitor automatically
assumes operation whenever you turn
the ignition key to position 2. Unless
manually deactivated, it is always on
during normal vehicle operation.
To deactivate the system: press the
button, the yellow indicator lamp comes
on.
To activate the system: press the but-
ton again, the indicator lamp goes out.
You should deactivate the system
before driving with snow chains, as the
chains can generate spurious warnings
and/or prevent the system from detect-
ing actual pressure loss.
Flat Tire Monitor*
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95
Flat tire
The red warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up to
warn of pressure loss and tire
failure. This visual alert is accompanied
by an acoustic warning signal. Reduce
your speed immediately, and steer and
brake gently as you bring the vehicle to
a stop.
To reset the warning lamp: after replac-
ing the damaged tire you will need to
reset the red warning lamp manually:
maintain pressure on the Flat Tire Moni-
tor button until the warning lamp goes
out. Then reinitialize the system.
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot pro-
vide you with advance warning of
sudden and severe tire damage caused
by external factors.
The system also does not detect the
gradual and minor loss of pressure that
all tires display over extended periods
of time.<
Check tire inflation pressures on a
regular basis, correcting them as
necessary, refer to page 25.
The system may respond to operation
on slippery or snow-covered road sur-
faces with false warnings or delays in
detecting actual pressure loss.
Performance-oriented driving, slip at
the drive wheels and high rates of lat-
eral acceleration can also increase the
time that the Flat Tire Monitor requires
to detect a flat.<
System malfunctionsThe yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up and remains on
until the problem is corrected.
Please refer the problem to your BMW
center.
Flat Tire Monitor*
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