tires BMW 325Ci COUPE 2003 E46 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2003, Model line: 325Ci COUPE, Model: BMW 325Ci COUPE 2003 E46Pages: 162, PDF Size: 4.23 MB
Page 10 of 162

Contents
Operation, maintenance
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures108
Driving notes109
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)109
Brake system110
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure111
Tire condition111
Tire replacement112
Wheel and tire
combinations114
Winter tires114
In the engine compartment:
Hood116
Engine compartment
essentials118
Washer fluids120
Engine oil120
Coolant122
Brake fluid123
Maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System124
Laws and regulations:
California Proposition 65
warning126
OBD interface socket126
Owner service procedures
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit130
Windshield wiper blades130
Lamps and bulbs131
Changing a wheel135
Run Flat tires*139
Battery140
Fuses140
Giving and receiving
assistance:
Jump-starting141
Towing the vehicle142
Technical data
Engine data146
Dimensions147
Weights148
Capacities149
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Page 24 of 162

24
Close the fuel filler cap carefully
after refueling until a click is
heard. While closing, be sure not to
squeeze the strap which is fastened to
the cap. A loose or missing cap will
activate the CHECK FILLER CAP
lamp.<
Fuel tank capacity>Approx. 16.6 gal./63 liters, of which
>approx. 2.1 gal./8 liters are reserve
capacity.
Do not drive to the last drop of
fuel. This can prevent the engine
from operating properly and result in
damage.<
Fuel specificationsThe engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Never use leaded fuel, as it would
cause permanent and irreversible
damage to the oxygen sensor and the
catalytic converter.<
Tire inflation pressureThe specified inflation pressures are
provided on a sticker attached to the
B-pillar and are visible with the driver's
door open.Checking tire pressuresAll pressures are specified in the stan-
dard units of pressure, psi and kilopas-
cal, and apply to cold tires, i.e. tires at
ambient temperature. Refer to tire pres-
sure table at the end of this chapter.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
(TPM)/Flat Tire Monitor:
After correcting the inflation pressures,
reinitialize the system. Refer to
pages 81, 83.
Refueling
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25
Another instruction plate regarding
inflation pressures on the door pillar
indicates which system your vehicle is
equipped with.
Check the tire pressures on a reg-
ular basis – at least twice a month
– and before every extended journey. If
this is not done, incorrect tire pressures
can cause driving instability and tire
damage, ultimately resulting in acci-
dents.
Remember to check the inflation pres-
sure in the space-saver or standard
spare tire.
Inflate the spare tire to the highest infla-
tion pressure specified for your vehi-
cle.
apply to BMW approved tire sizes and
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center
can provide you with more information
about these. Higher pressures may be
required for tires made by other manu-
facturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW approved
tires.
Tire inflation pressure
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26
BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in the table are indicated
in psi/kilopascal with cold tires –
cold = ambient temperature
325Ci 205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
205/55 R 16 91 H
225/50 R 16 92 W
225/45 R 17 91 W30/210 35/240 35/240 42/290
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1730/210
––
35/24035/240
––
42/290
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S33/230 38/260 38/260 45/310
330Ci 225/45 R 17 91 W 30/210 35/240 35/240 42/290
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1730/210
––
35/24035/240
––
42/290
225/40 ZR 18
255/35 ZR 1832/220
––
38/26039/270
––
46/320
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S33/230 38/260 38/260 45/310
All Space-saver spare tire 61/420Tire inflation pressure
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81
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)*The conceptTPM monitors the tire pressures at all
four tires even while the vehicle is mov-
ing. The system provides an alert when-
ever the inflation pressure drops signifi-
cantly below the specified pressure in
one or more tires.
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster informs you that
the tire pressure deviates from
the target values.
Initializing the systemInitializing is necessary to familiarize the
system with the correct inflation pres-
sures.
Repeat this process after tire replace-
ment, tire rotation or any changes in tire
inflation pressure.
1. Check the tire inflation pressures in
all the tires, comparing them with the
inflation pressure chart on page 24,
and adjust them if necessary
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2, do
not start the engine
3. Press the button long enough for the
yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster to light up for a few sec-
onds
4. After a few minutes' driving time,
TPM sets the current inflation pres-
sures in the tires as the target values
to be monitored.In the event of loss in inflation
pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped
significantly over a long period of time,
which is normal for any tire, the yellow
indicator lamp will come on.
This alerts you to have the tires inflated
to the specified pressures as soon as
possible.
If you are prompted to check the
tire pressure shortly after a cor-
rection has been made, this indicates
that the corrected values were not
valid. Please check the inflation pres-
sure again and make corrections
according to the inflation pressure
table. Then reinitialize the system.
a red lamp. This visual alert is accom-
panied by an acoustic warning signal.
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82
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed
immediately and stop the vehicle in a
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the
defective tire, refer to page 135.
The space-saver spare tire is pro-
vided for temporary use only in the
case of a tire failure. It does not have
TPM electronics and is not monitored.
The spare tire that has the same dimen-
sions as the tires already mounted on
the vehicle is equipped with the neces-
sary TPM electronics and will also be
monitored once the tire has been
mounted and the system initialized.<
The TPM cannot alert you to
severe and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your
BMW center.
Your BMW center has the information
needed for working with TPM and is
equipped with the necessary special
tools.
The yellow indicator lamp will come on
during the malfunction.
The indicator lamp also comes on
>in the event of a system fault
>if a wheel is mounted without the
appropriate electronics
>if, in addition to the spare tire, addi-
tional wheels with TPM electronics
are on board.
Please refer the problem to your BMW
center.
Flat Tire Monitor*The conceptAs you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor
keeps track of pressure levels in all four
tires in order to detect and warn of any
substantial pressure loss.
The system actually detects pressure
loss by monitoring differences in the
relative speeds of the four wheels. It
interprets variations outside specified
limits as severe pressure loss, and then
responds by generating a warning.
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)*
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83
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 24
and adjusting their pressure if neces-
sary
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Press the button as long as you need
to until the indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. After a
little while, the indicator 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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84
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 24.
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, high rates of lateral
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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Page 108 of 162

108Special operating instructions
Break-in proceduresTo ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you comply
with the following information.Engine and differentialThe first 1,250 miles/2,000 km:
Constantly vary both vehicle and engine
speeds, remembering not to exceed
4,500 rpm and/or vehicle speeds of
over 100 mph / 160 km/h:
Always obey all official speed limits.
Do not use full throttle, and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point during these initial
miles.
You can then proceed to increase both
engine and vehicle speeds once the ini-
tial 1,250 miles/2,000 km have elapsed.
Please remember to observe these
same break-in procedures if either the
engine or the differential should have to
be replaced later in the course of the
vehicle's service life.
TiresDue to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
after an initial break-in period. We thus
ask you to drive with extra care during
the first 200 miles/300 km.
Always obey all official speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as hydroplaning and can
lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effec-
tiveness. Reduce your speed on wet
roads.
achieve the optimal pad-surface and
wear patterns required for trouble-free
operation and an extended service life
later on.
To break in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill – at a traf-
fic signal, for instance – provided that
traffic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine off – when tow-
ing, for example – substantially higher
levels of pedal force will be required to
brake the vehicle.
optimum efficiency. Remember to
engage the clutch carefully during this
initial period.
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109
Driving notes
Brakes: do not drive with your foot
resting on the brake pedal. Even
light but consistent pressure on the
brake pedal can lead to high tempera-
tures, accelerated brake wear and pos-
sibly even brake failure.
Hydroplaning: when driving on wet or
slushy roads, reduce your speed. If you
do not, a wedge of water may form
between tires and road surface. This
phenomenon can lead to partial or
complete loss of contact between the
tires and road surface, as well as loss of
vehicle control and braking ability.
Driving through water: do not drive
through water on the road if it is deeper
than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at walk-
ing speed. Otherwise, the vehicle's
engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.
Rear parcel tray: never use it to store
heavy or hard objects, as otherwise
occupants could be injured during
braking maneuvers.
Clothes hooks: when hanging clothing
from the hooks, be sure that they will
not obstruct the driver's vision. Do not
hang heavy objects on the hooks. If you
do so, they could cause personal injury
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Antilock Brake System (ABS)The conceptABS keeps the wheels from locking
during braking, thereby enhancing
active driving safety.Braking with ABSIf you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply maxi-
mum pedal pressure – panic stop.
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort, despite the full brake application.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)DBC is included in the DSC, refer to
page 79.
The system responds to sudden, high-
intensity applications of force to the
brake pedal by automatically braking
the vehicle with maximum boost to
achieve the shortest-possible braking
distances during "panic stops." This
system exploits all the benefits of ABS.Do not reduce the pressure exerted
against the brake pedal until the brak-
ing maneuver has been completed.
DBC is deactivated when you release
the brake pedal.
Cornering Brake Control (CBC)CBC is an advanced engineering devel-
opment of ABS. When braking during
cornering with high lateral accelera-
tion, or when braking during a lane
change, vehicle stability is improved
and the steering response is enhanced.
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