engine oil BMW 325Ci COUPE 2002 E46 Owner's Manual

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Controls and features
Operation, maintenance

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams77
Instrument lighting78
High beams/Standing lamps78
Fog lamps78
Interior lamps79

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Air conditioning80
Automatic climate control83
Roller sun blind86

Interior conveniences:

Premium sound system86
Glove compartment87
Storage compartments87
Cellular phone89
Ashtray, front89
Ashtray, rear90
Clothes hooks90

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading system91
Ski bag92
Cargo loading93
Roof-mounted luggage rack94

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures98
Driving notes99
Antilock Brake System (ABS)99
Brake system100

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure101
Tire condition101
Tire replacement102
Wheel and tire
combinations104
Winter tires105

In the engine compartment:

Hood106
Engine compartment
essentials107
Washer fluids108
Engine oil109
Coolant111
Brake fluid112

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System113

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications114
California Proposition
65 Warning114
OBD interface socket115

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Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

l

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition 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 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 engine. Check
the engine oil level and 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 100 and 112
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 to
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake
applications. As you steer the vehicle,
use caution and avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information: refer to
pages 73, 75

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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 without limitations.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW center. For additional infor-
mation: refer to page 99
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while 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 109
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add more engine
oil at the earliest opportunity (next time
you stop to refuel).
For additional information: refer to
page 109



Brake pads

l

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 100

Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/Flat
Tire Monitor

l

Check tire inflation pressures.
Refer to pages 24, 73, 76
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 consult the nearest BMW center
in case of a malfunction.
Additional information beginning on
page 70

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

l

The indicator lamps remain on:
The DSC


and ADB/DBC have been
switched off manually or there is a
system malfunction.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 71
DSC and ADB indicator and
brake warning lamps for Cana-
dian models.

Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

l


Malfunction in the DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available without limitations.
Have the system repaired by your BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 72

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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 135.
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. Stop and switch the engine off
immediately and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to
page 111.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 INSPECTION,
together with the distance remaining in
miles (kilometers) before the next sched-
uled service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the preceding
driving style.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of
the number mean that the service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the
distance shown on the display. Please
contact your BMW center for an
appointment.

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Engine compartment essentials1 Brake fluid reservoir112
2 Engine oil dipstick1093 Coolant expansion tank111
4 Reservoir for the headlamp and
windshield washer system1085 Engine oil filler neck109
6 Auxiliary terminal for
jump-starting128

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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.

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Engine oil
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing. For this reason, any skin areas
that come into contact with oil should
be thoroughly washed with soap and
water.
Always store oil, grease, etc., out of
reach of children. Comply with all
warning labels and information on
containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of used oil.<
Specified engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil is
extremely important for the operation
and service life of an engine. Based on
extensive testing, BMW has approved
only certain grades of engine oil.
Use only approved "BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil."
If you are unable to obtain an approved
"BMW High Performance Synthetic
Oil," you may use small volumes of
other synthetic oils for topping up
between oil changes. Use only oils with
the specification 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 oilflow 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.

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The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and oper-
ating safety Ð and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.
Service Interval DisplayWhile conventional systems rely on
distance traveled alone to determine
when service is due, the BMW Mainte-
nance System has for years considered
the actual conditions under which the
vehicle operates, because miles can be
traveled in many different ways:
From a maintenance point of view,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) of short-
distance urban driving cannot be
compared with 62,000 miles
(100,000km) of long-distance highway
travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual use of the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. However, even those who
only drive a little bit Ð significantly fewer
than 6,200 miles (10,000 km) annually Ð
should have the engine oil changed at
least every 2 years since oil deterio-
rates over time, regardless of use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Cana-
dian models)For additional information on specified
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and
Warranty Information Booklet (US
models), or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
As a precaution against rust, it is advis-
able to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
Have your BMW center perform
maintenance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models), or in
the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian models). These
entries are your verification of regular
maintenance on your vehicle and are
required for the performance of
warranty repairs.<
The BMW Maintenance System

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Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 16.6 (approx. 63)
approx. 2.1 (approx. 8)Fuel specification: page 23
Windshield/Headlamp washer reservoir quarts (liters) approx. 5.6 (approx. 5.3) Specifications: page 108
Cooling system including heater circuit quarts (liters) approx. 8.9 (approx. 8.4) Specifications: page 111
Engine with oil filter change quarts (liters) approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5) BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
Specifications: page 109
Manual and automatic transmission
and differential.Ð Lifetime lubricant, no oil change
required

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)19, 99
Acceleration traction control,
refer to DSC71
Accessories10
Activated-charcoal filter86
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)58
ADB (Automatic Differential
Brake)71
Adding
brake fluid112
coolant111
engine oil109
washer fluid108
Adjusting
head restraints43
lumbar support42
manual seat41
power seat42
steering wheel46
thigh support41
Air conditioning80
temperature settings81
Air distribution81, 84 Air nozzles80, 83
Air outlets80, 83
ventilation80
Air supply81, 84
Airbags18, 48
sitting correctly40
Alarm system36
Antifreeze111
radiator111
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)19, 99
Anti-theft system36
Aquaplaning99
Armrest87
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)70
Ashtray
front89
rear90
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)58
Attach vehicle vacuum
cleaner89
AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control)85
Automatic climate
control83
temperature settings84 Automatic cruise control62
Automatic Differential Brake
(ADB)71
Automatic headlight
control77
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)85
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)70
Automatic transmission57
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic18, 57
Automatic-dimming inside
rearview mirror48
Average consumption68
Average speed68
Axle loads134
B
Backrest
adjusting41
releasing43
Backup lamps56
bulb replacement121
Battery127
charge current indicator
lamp17
charging127 Beverage holder88
Blower81, 84
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil110
BMW Maintenance
System113
BMW sports seat
manual adjustment41
power adjustment42
Bore132
Bottle holder, refer to
beverage holder88
Brake fluid112
Brake hydraulic system17
Brake lamps
bulb replacement121
Brake system100
brake fluid level100
brake pads100
brake pads, indicator19
disc brakes100
Brake system, brake
malfunction100
Break-in procedure98
Bulbs and lamps,
replacement118

A-Z