ignition BMW 325I 2001 User Guide

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags1 Front airbags for driver and passenger
2 Side impact Head Protection System
for driver and passenger (front)
3 Side airbags for driver and passenger
(front and rear
*)
Protective effectThe front airbags supplement the three-
point safety belts by providing addi-
tional protection for the front-seat occu-
pants, in the event of a severe frontal
collision in which the protection
afforded by the belts alone may no
longer be sufficient. The Head Protec-
tion System and side airbags help
provide protection in the event of a colli-
sion from the side. Each of the side
airbags is designed to help support the
occupant's upper body.463de041
The side airbags in the rear
passenger area
* of your vehicle
may already have been deactivated
either at the time of manufacture or by a
BMW center. You may have them acti-
vated if you desire to do so. Please
contact your BMW center for additional
information.<
The illustration depicts schematically
the primary directions of vehicle impact
that initiate airbag deployment.
The airbags will not be triggered in
the event of a minor accident, a
vehicle roll-over, or collisions from the
rear.c
463de040
Operational status
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster displays the opera-
tional status of the airbag
system from ignition key position 1 and
up.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
then goes out.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on.
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
before going out and then lighting up
again.
If there is a system malfunction, there
is a risk that the airbags will not be
triggered within their normal response
range, even if the level of impact would
normally have triggered them.
Have your BMW center inspect and
repair the system immediately.
The airbag indicator lamp also
comes on if the safety belt
tensioners have been triggered.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbagscenter. Labels in the rear 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
contact your BMW center.<
Even when all these guidelines are
observed, 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.
For additional information concerning
the airbag system, refer to pages 147
and 172.This is the right way for a child to sit in a
child restraint when rear side airbags
(arrow) are provided.
462us012
This is the right way for a larger child
to sit wearing the safety belt when rear
side airbags (arrow) are provided.462us013

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
0 Steering lock engaged The key can be inserted or removed in
this position only.
After removing the key, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the left or right
until the lock engages.
If the key has been left in the ignition,
an acoustic signal will sound after the
door has been opened.460de022
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from the
"Park" position until the engine is
running (ignition key at position 2).
In order to turn the key to position 0 or
to remove it, first move the selector
lever to the position "Park" (Interlock).<
1 Steering lock disengaged Turning the steering wheel slightly to
the right or left often makes it easier to
turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual electrical devices are ready
for operation.2 Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3 Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion:
Depress the clutch when starting the
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine
from starting if the clutch is not
depressed.<
Before starting>Engage the parking brake.
>Put the manual-shift gear lever in idle
or in P for an automatic transmission.
>Depress the clutch pedal.
Do not run the engine in enclosed
areas. The exhaust gases contain
carbon monoxide, an odorless and
colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Breathing the exhaust gases poses an
extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Never leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Do not press the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time, but do not keep
turning it for more than approx.
20 seconds. Release the ignition key
immediately when the engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, drive off
immediately at a moderate engine
speed.<
Steering/Ignition lock Starting the engine

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Starting the engine Switching off the engine If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold start at very low temperatures
approx. +5 7 (Ð15 6) at high altitude
over 3,300 ft (1000 m):
>On the first start attempt, engage
the starter for a longer period
(approx. 10 seconds).
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at start-up are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from dischar-
ging, always switch off electrical
devices which are not in use and the
ignition when the vehicle is not being
driven.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Never remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is still moving.
If you did so, the steering lock would
engage when the steering wheel is
turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined
surfaces, since placing the lever in
1st gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Parking brake To engageThe parking brake is designed primarily
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when
it is parked. It acts on the rear wheels.
The lock engages automatically when
you lift the lever, and the indicator lamp
in the instrument panel comes on when
the ignition key is in position 2. Refer to
page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button (arrow) and lower the lever.460us024
If, in exceptional circumstances,
it should be necessary to apply the
parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull the lever with exces-
sive pressure. Keep your thumb
pressed against the release button
while carefully pulling the lever up to
apply moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is applied.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always apply the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined surfaces,
since placing the lever in 1st gear or
reverse may not provide adequate
resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake lightly
from time to time when coasting to a
standstill (at a traffic signal, for
instance), provided that it is safe to do
so.

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Manual transmission Completely depress the clutch pedal
each time you shift, pressing the
manual-shift gear lever into its respec-
tive end position.
Also depress the clutch when starting
the vehicle, as otherwise lockout will
prevent the engine from starting.
The shift lever's neutral plane (dot in the
illustration) is located between 3rd and
4th gears.
When shifting from each gear into
"Neutral," the shift lever returns auto-
matically to this gear plane because
of its spring loading.360de044
Reverse Select "Reverse" only when the vehicle
is stationary. Press the shift lever to the
left to overcome the resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will
turn on automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead.
Otherwise, riding the clutch will cause
heavy wear and tear to the clutch.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
In the following situations, the Step-
tronic "thinks" for you in the manual
mode:
>In order to prevent engine over-
speeding, the transmission shifts
automatically to the next higher gear
shortly before the engine speed
cutoff point.
>At low speeds, the transmission
shifts down automatically Ð you do
not have to act.
>In the "kickdown" mode, the trans-
mission shifts down to the lowest
gear possible, depending
on the engine speed.
>Depending on the situation Ð when
driving in adverse winter conditions,
for example Ð you may also start out
in 2nd or 3rd gear.
Available displays
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5460us143
Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P," set the parking
brake and turn the engine off (ignition
key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine. If the indicator lamp goes out
after a few seconds, normal transmis-
sion performance has been restored.
Drive off normally.
If the indicator lamp does not go out,
all selector lever positions can still be
selected, however in the forward posi-
tions the vehicle has limited perfor-
mance, as it drives only in 3
rd and 4
th
gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest BMW
center.
Do not perform service operations
in the engine compartment with
a drive position engaged. If you do so,
the vehicle could move.<
For towing, tow-starting or jump-
starting the vehicle, refer to the infor-
mation beginning on page 167.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Washer/Wiper system1 Intermittent mode or rain
sensor
*
Intermittent mode:
You can use rotary dial 6 to select from
four wipe intervals.
In addition, the wipe interval automati-
cally adapts to variations in road speed.
Rain sensor:
The rain sensor is positioned on the
windshield, directly ahead of the inte-
rior rearview mirror. When the rain
sensor is activated, the windshield
wiper is controlled automatically,
depending on the degree of wetness of
the windshield (in both snow and rain).
You do not have to be concerned with
switching the windshield wiper on or off
or adjusting the wipe interval between
intermittent and full wipe. Instead, you 463de010
can concentrate fully on the traffic
conditions. This is especially important
under adverse weather conditions.
To activate the rain sensor:
From ignition key position 1 and up,
move the lever to position 1. The wipers
travel once across the windshield,
regardless of the weather.
You can leave the lever permanently in
position 1. It is then only necessary to
activate the rain sensor from ignition
key position 1 and up. To do this,
>turn rotary dial 6 briefly or
>use cleaning windshield 5.
To modify the sensitivity of the rain
sensor:
Turn rotary dial 6.
Deactivating the rain sensor:
Put lever in position 0.
Turn the rain sensor off when
passing through an automatic car
wash. Failure to do so could result in
damage caused by undesired wiper
activation.<
2 Normal wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
wipers switch automatically to intermit-
tent wipe (not on vehicles with rain
sensor).3 Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
wipers operate at normal speed (not on
vehicles with rain sensor).5 Cleaning windshieldThe system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period.
If you only pull the lever briefly, the
system sprays washer fluid onto the
windshield without activating the
wipers.

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Washer/Wiper system Rear window defroster 7 Rear window wiperRear window wiper in intermittent
mode. When reverse gear is engaged,
continuous operation is switched on
automatically
You can also program the interval:
>Switch briefly from position 0 to
position 7.
>The time until reactivation (from
position 0 to 7) is the programmed
interval (max. 30 seconds).8 Cleaning rear windowWasher fluid sprayed on the rear
window.
Refer to page 152 for changing the
wiper blades.
Cleaning headlamps
*
If the headlamps are on, they will also
be cleaned every fifth time you activate
cleaning windshield.
Do not use the washers if there is
any danger that the fluid will freeze
on the windshield. If you do so, your
vision could be obscured. Use an anti-
freeze agent. Refer to page 134.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty. If you do so, the washer
pump could be damaged. automatically
* when the ignition key is
in position 2.
The illustration shows the button set-up
for vehicles equipped with automatic
climate control. For other layouts, refer
to page 90.To activate>Press the button once: as long as the
indicator lamp remains on, the rear
window defroster continues at high
output (rapid thaw).
>Press button twice: the rear window
defroster operates continuously.To deactivateIf the indicator lamp is still on, press the
button.462us036

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Cruise control
*
The vehicle can store and automatically
maintain any desired vehicle speed
above approx. 20 mph (30 km/h) that
you input.
Do not use the cruise control on
winding roads, when high traffic
density prevents driving at a constant
speed, when the road surface is slick
(snow, rain, ice), or when the road
surface is loose (rocks, sand). Press button 1. The indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on. You
can now use the cruise control.460de077
To store and maintain speed or
to accelerate Press button 2 briefly:
The system registers and maintains the
current vehicle speed. Every time you
briefly touch the button, the speed
increases by 0.6 mph (1 km/h).
Press and hold button 2:
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. When
you release the button, the system
registers and maintains the current
speed.
If, on a downhill gradient, the
engine braking effect is not suffi-
cient, the controlled speed can be
exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill
grades if the engine output is
insufficient.<
To deceleratePress button 3 briefly:
If you are already driving with active
cruise control, the speed is decreased
by approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h) every time
you briefly touch the lever.
Press and hold button 3:
With the cruise control active, the
system automatically reduces the
throttle opening to slow the vehicle.
When you release the button, the
system registers and maintains the
current speed.