ECO mode BMW 325Ci COUPE 2003 E46 User Guide

110
Brake systemBrake fluid levelIf the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become longer,
there may be a defect in one of the
brake system's hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW cen-
ter. It may be necessary to apply
higher levels of pressure to the pedal
when stopping and braking distances
may also be longer. Please remember
to adapt your driving style accord-
ingly. with the vehicle parked or in storage,
and operating conditions in which brak-
ing is restricted to gentle, low-pressure
applications will all increase the ten-
dency for corrosion to form on the
rotors; this is often accompanied by a
simultaneous accumulation of contami-
nation on the brake pads. The pads
must exert a certain minimal level of
pressure against the rotors for the disc
brakes' inherent self-cleaning effect to
remain effective; the pressure available
under the above conditions may not
provide adequate cleansing.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
When driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads it is a good idea to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not
pose a hazard to you or to other road
users. The heat generated in this pro-
cess helps dry the pads and rotors to
ensure that your brake system will
respond with undiminished efficiency
when you need it.
When descending steep hills and
extended grades, downshift to a gear
that will allow you to continue safely
with only a minimal amount of braking.
By minimizing the loads placed on the
brake system, this strategy helps
ensure that optimal brake system
response will remain available at all
times. Use care to avoid exceeding the
approved engine-speed range, refer to
page 70.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in Neutral. Do not
coast with the engine shut off. The
engine provides no braking effect when
the clutch is depressed and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment. For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
released for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suitable for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
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114
Wheel and tire combinationsThe right choice
BMW recommends using only
wheels and tires that have been
approved by BMW for your particular
vehicle model, as otherwise body con-
tact and serious accidents can result
despite the use of the same nominal
size, e.g. due to manufacturing toler-
ances. BMW cannot evaluate all tires
and wheels on the market, and is thus
unable to guarantee that the vehicle will
continue to perform safely if unap-
proved tires and/or wheels are
mounted.<
For each tire size, BMW has assessed
the safe performance of specific tire
brands and approved them for use.
Consult any BMW center for details.
Comply with any local/national regula-
tions, for example by recording the tire
type in the vehicle documents.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects various systems
that would otherwise be impaired, for
example ABS, ASC+T/DSC and
ADB/DBC.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same manufacture and tread configura-
tion. In the event of a flat tire, for exam-
ple, remount the approved wheel and
tire combination as soon as possible.<
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel.
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires – M+S
tires – for operation under inclement
winter driving conditions. While all-sea-
son tires – M+S designation – provide
better winter traction than the corre-
sponding summer tires, they generally
do not achieve the performance of win-
ter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer and
having the same tread configuration on
all four wheels.
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by trained
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<
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124Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost-effectively for
you as possible.
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 dis-
tance traveled alone to determine when
service is due, the BMW Maintenance
System has for years taken the actual
conditions under which the vehicle
operates into consideration, because
miles can be traveled in many different
ways:
From a maintenance point of view,
62,000 miles/100,000 km of short-dis-
tance urban driving cannot be com-
pared with 62,000 miles/ 100,000 km 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 vehi-
cle covers every kind of operating situa-
tion. Minimal use drivers – significantly
fewer than 6,200 miles/10,000 km
annually – should have the engine oil
changed at least every 2 years since oil
deteriorates over time, regardless of
use.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian modelsFor additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-
els, or the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
As a precaution against rust, it is advis-
able to have the body checked for dam-
age from rocks or gravel at the same
time, depending upon operating condi-
tions.
Have your BMW center perform
maintenance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
recorded in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models, or
in the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These
entries are your verification of regular
maintenance on your vehicle and are
required for the performance of war-
ranty repairs.<
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Everything from A to ZSteering wheel with multi-
function buttons 21
Steering wheel, adjusting 50
Steptronic 63
Storage compartments 98
Storage, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Stroke 146
Sun blind 96
Switching off the engine 61
Symbols 4
Synthetic oils 121
T
Tachometer 16, 70
Tail lamps
replacing bulb 133
Tank capacity 149
Technical data 146
Technical modifications 5
Telephone hookup 99
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Temperature adjustment
90, 94
Temperature display
engine coolant 71
outside temperature 74
Temperature layering 91, 95
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 44
Third brake lamp 134Through-loading system 102
Tilt alarm sensor
switching off 39
Time 73
Tire change 135
Tire damage 111
Tire inflation pressure
24, 111
Tire Pressure Monitor
(TPM) 81
Tire replacement 112
Tire tread 111
Tools 130
Torque 146
Towing eyelet 142
Towing the vehicle 142
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor 81
Track 147
Transmission 62
Transporting children
safely 54
Tread depth, tires 111
Tread wear indicator 111
Trigger alarm – Panic
mode 32
Trip odometer 70
Trunk, see Luggage com-
partment 35
capacity 148
Trunk lid, see Luggage com-
partment lid 35Turn signal indicator 20, 66
replacing bulb 132
Turning circle 147
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading 113
V
Vacuum cleaner, connect-
ing 100
Vehicle
break-in procedures 108
starting 61
switching off 61
Vehicle Memory 58
Vehicle storage, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Vehicle weight 148
Ventilation 88, 92
draft-free 91, 95
Viscosity 121
Voice Control System, refer
to the separate Owner's
Manual
Voice recognition 21
W
Warning lamp
Please fasten safety
belts 18Warning lamps 18
Warning messages 72
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet 124
Warranty, refer also to sepa-
rate booklet 6
Washer fluid
refilling 120, 149
Washer reservoir
filling 120, 149
Washer/wiper system 67
Water on roadways
deep water 109
Wear indicator for tires 111
Weights 148
Wheel, changing 135
Wheelbase 147
Wheels and tires 114
Wheelslip control, see
DSC 79
Width 147
Window condensation
removing 91, 94
Windows
convenience operation 31
defrosting 91, 94
power 40
remote control 32
Windshield washer reservoir
filling 120, 149
Windshield wipers 67
Winter tires 114
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