key BMW 325I 2001 Owners Manual

© 2000 BMW AG
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order no. 01 41 0 155 307
US-English IX/00
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling).
4n

Notes on the Owner's Manual

We have made every effort to ensure
that you are able to find what you need
in this Owner's Manual as quickly as
possible. The fastest way to find certain
topics is by using the detailed index at
the end. If you wish to gain only an ini-
tial overview of your vehicle, you will
find this in the first chapter.
The detailed list of contents that direct-
ly follows the summary of contents is
intended to stimulate your curiosity re-
garding your BMW and to encourage
you to read the manual.
Should you wish to sell your BMW at
some time in the future, please remem-
ber to hand over the Owner's Manual to
the new owner; it is part of the vehicle.
If you have any questions, an autho-
rized BMW center will be glad to advise
you.

Symbols used

Indicates instructions or precau-
tions that must be followed pre-
cisely in order to avoid the possibility of
personal injury and serious damage to
the vehicle.

<


Contains information that will
assist you in gaining the optimum
benefit from your vehicle and enables
you to care more effectively for your
vehicle.

<


Refers to measures that can
be taken to help protect the
environment.

<



<

Marks the end of a specific item of
information.

*
Indicates special equipment, coun-
try-specific equipment and optional
extras.
Identifies systems or components,
which your BMW center can either
activate or adapt to suit an individual
driver's requirements ("Car Memory",
"Key Memory"). Refer to page 52.

<



The individual vehicle

On buying your BMW, you have de-
cided in favor of a model with individu-
alized equipment and features. This
Owner's Manual describes all models
and equipment that BMW offers within
the same group.
We hope you will understand that
equipment and features are included
that you might not have chosen for your
vehicle. Any differences can easily be
identified, since all optional accessories
and special equipment are marked with
an asterisk

*
.
If your BMW features equipment which
is not described in this Owner's Manual
(car radio or telephone, for instance),
Supplementary Owner's Manuals are
enclosed. We ask you to read these
manuals as well.

6n

For your own safety

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10% ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8% oxygen by weight (that is,
15% MTBE or 3% methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will
not void the applicable warranties re-
specting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality (volatility, composition, addi-
tives, etc.) among gasolines offered for
sale in the United States and Canada.
The use of poor quality fuels may result
in driveability, starting and stalling
problems especially under certain envi-
ronmental conditions, such as high am-
bient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.

<



Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-
mum performance when installed on
your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to verify if it can
be used on a BMW safely and without
risk to either the vehicle, its operation,
or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from
all BMW centers.

Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as C.B., walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle, com-
promise its safety, interfere with the
vehicle's electrical system or affect the
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty.
See your BMW center for additional
information.
Do not use key or remote to lock doors
or trunk with anyone inside the car. See
Owner's Manual for more details.

<


Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.

<



Symbol on vehicle parts

Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this Owner's
Manual for information on a particular
part or assembly.

For your own safety

Contents

Overview
Controls and features

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)24
Sports steering wheel25
Hazard warning flashers26
Warning triangle26
First-aid kit26
Refueling27
Fuel specifications28
Tire inflation pressure28

Opening and closing:

Keys32
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð
from the outside34
Opening and closing Ð
from the inside38
Tailgate38
Cargo area40
Alarm system41
Electric power windows43
Sliding/tilt sunroof44

Adjustments:

Seats46
Seat and mirror memory49
Steering wheel50
Mirrors51
Car Memory, Key Memory52

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts53
Airbags55
Transporting children safely58

Driving:

Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
Turn signal indicator/
Headlamp flasher68
Washer/Wiper system68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control71

Everything under control:

Odometer73
Tachometer73
Energy Control73
Fuel gauge74
Coolant temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control75
Clock75
Computer76

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)78
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)79
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)80
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)85

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "

l

" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion 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 will light 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. There is a malfunction
of the alternator V-belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
V-belt is defective, increased steering
effort is also required.

<

Engine oil pressure


l


Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine. Check
the engine oil level and refill as required.
If the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, otherwise,
the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.

<
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
In addition, an acoustic signal
will go off: a tire failure has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information, refer to
page 85.
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 read the
notes on pages 122 and 138.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

24n
Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)The controls integrated in the multifunc-
tion steering wheel (MFL) are provided
so that you can operate a number of
accessories quickly and without being
distracted from traffic conditions. You
can operate:
>Selected radio functions,
>the cruise control,
>selected cellular phone functions.
In order to operate a system via
the MFL, the corresponding
system controls must be activated.<
Refer to the individual accessory
manuals for more detailed descriptions.
1 Press briefly:
Receive a call, start dialing, terminate
a call
Press longer:
Voice recognition
*: switch on and off
2 Radio/Cellular phone: select
3 Radio/Cellular phone: scan backward
or scan station keys or scroll through
the phone listings
4 Radio/Cellular phone: volume
5 Radio/Cellular phone: scan forward
or scan station keys or scroll through
the phone listings
460de326
6 Horn: the entire surface
7 Cruise control: resume stored setting
8 Cruise control: store and
accelerate (+); decelerate
and store (Ð)
9 Cruise control: activate/interrupt/
deactivate

25n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Sports steering wheel
*
The controls integrated in the sports
steering wheel are provided so that you
can operate a number of accessories
quickly and without being distracted
from traffic conditions.
You can operate:
>Selected radio functions,
>the cruise control,
>selected cellular phone functions.
In order to operate a system via
the sports steering wheel, the
corresponding system controls must be
activated.<
Refer to the individual accessory
manuals for more detailed descriptions.
1 Radio/Cellular phone: select
2 Press briefly:
Receive a call, start dialing, terminate
a call
Press longer:
Voice recognition
*: switch on and off
3 Radio/Cellular phone: volume
4 Radio/Cellular phone: scan backward
or scan station keys or scroll through
the phone listings
5 Radio/Cellular phone: scan forward
or scan station keys or scroll through
the phone listings
463de057
6 Horn: the entire surface
7 Cruise control: resume stored setting
8 Cruise control: store and
accelerate (+); decelerate
and store (Ð)
9 Cruise control: activate/interrupt/
deactivate

26n
Hazard warning flashers Warning triangle
*
First-aid kit
*
The button flashes intermittently when
the hazard flashers are on.
To help you locate the switch in an
emergency, the button is also illumi-
nated whenever the vehicle's lamps
are on.
The turn signal indicator function
takes priority over the hazard
warning function. This means that with
the ignition key in position 1, you can
still use the turn signal indicator funtion,
even if the hazard warning flashers are
being used at the same time.< 460us002
The hazard warning triangle is stored
on the left-hand side of the luggage
compartment behind the cover panel.
To open: press the button (arrow) and
remove the cover.
Comply with legal requirements
for keeping a hazard warning
triangle in the vehicle.<463de035
The first-aid kit is located under the front
passenger's seat.
To open: pull the handle and fold the
cover down.
To close: fold the cover up.
Some of the articles in the first-aid
kit may be used within a limited
time only. For this reason, check the
expiration dates of each of the items
regularly, and replace any with passed
dates. You can acquire replacements
in any drugstore or pharmacy.
Comply with legal requirements for
keeping a first-aid kit in the vehicle.< 460de003

30n
Opening and closing:
Keys32
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð
from the outside34
Opening and closing Ð
from the inside38
Tailgate39
Cargo area40
Alarm system41
Electric power windows43
Sliding/tilt sunroof44
Adjustments:
Seats46
Seat and mirror memory49
Steering wheel50
Mirrors51
Car Memory, Key Memory52
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts53
Airbags55
Transporting children safely58
Controls

32n
Keys1 The master keys with remote control
determine the functions for the Key
Memory; refer to page 52
There is an extended-life battery in
every master key that is charged
automatically in the steering lock as you
drive.
For this reason, if you have a master key
that is otherwise not used, use that key
at least once every year while driving for
an extended period to charge the
battery. Refer also to page 35.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for constant use 46cde059
3 Door and ignition key
The lock for the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key,
which is an advantage when using for
valet parking, for instance
Replacement keysReplacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your authorized BMW
center. Since the keys belong to a
security system, your BMW center is
obligated to ensure that a person
requesting a key is authorized to do so
(refer to "Electronic vehicle immobilizer"
on page 35).
If possible, take all of the master
keys that belong to the vehicle
with you when you pick up your
replacement key.
Whenever you receive a new replace-
ment key, turn that key to position 2 in
the ignition lock once (ignition switched
on) and then back. This allows the elec-
tronic vehicle immobilizer to "learn" the
new key.<

33n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizer The key to securityYour BMW is equipped with a passive
anti-theft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system reduces the likelihood
of your vehicle being stolen by making
it impossible to start the engine using
any keys other than the ones furnished
with the vehicle. Your BMW center can
cancel the electronic system authoriza-
tion for individual keys (in the event of
loss, for instance). A deactivated key
can no longer be used to start the
engine.46cde060
How the electronics workAt the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip that is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device. While the
engine is running, the circuitry in the
ignition key and the vehicle's electronic
system constantly exchange variable,
vehicle-specific signals. The system will
not release the ignition, fuel injection
and starter unless it recognizes an
"authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can
damage the integrated electronic
circuitry. A damaged key can no longer
be used to start the engine.<