flat tire BMW 325I SEDAN 2004 E46 Owner's Manual

Contents

Notes

About this Owner's Manual4
Additional sources of
information4
Symbols used4
Your individual vehicle5
Status at time of printing5
For your own safety5
Symbol on vehicle parts6
Service and warranty7
Reporting safety defects7

Overview

Cockpit14
Instrument cluster16
Indicator and warning lamps18
Buttons in steering wheel*22
Hazard warning triangle*23
First-aid kit*23
Refueling24
Fuel specifications25
Tire inflation pressure25

Controls and features

Opening and closing:

Keys32
Central locking system32
Opening and closing – via the
remote control33
Opening and closing – via the
door lock36
Opening and closing – from the
inside37
Luggage compartment lid38
Luggage compartment40
Alarm system*41
Electric power windows43
Glass sunroof, electric*44

To adjust:

Safe seating position47
Seats48
Manual seat adjustment48
Power seat adjustment*50
Lumbar support*50
Head restraints51
Safety belts51
Seat and mirror memory*53
Seat heating*54
Steering wheel55
Mirrors55

Passenger safety systems:

Airbags57
Transporting children safely60
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory64

Contents

9

Driving:

Ignition lock65
Starting the engine65
Switching off the engine67
Parking brake67
Manual transmission68
Sequential manual gearbox
SMG*69
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*73
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher76
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*77
Cruise control*78

Everything under control:

Odometer80
Tachometer80
Energy control80
Fuel gauge81
Engine coolant temperature
gauge81
Service interval display82
Check Control82
Clock83
Computer*84

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)*86
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)87
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) –
325xi, 330xi89
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*91
Flat Tire Monitor*92
Brake force display93

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams94
Instrument lighting95
High beams/Standing lamps95
Fog lamps*96
Interior lamps96

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Air conditioning98
Automatic climate control*102
Roller sun blind*106

Interior conveniences:

Premium sound system*107
Glove compartment107
Storage compartments108
Cellular phone*110
Ashtray, front*110
Ashtray, rear*111

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading system*112
Ski bag*113
Cargo loading114
Roof-mounted luggage
rack*117

Controls and features

Contents

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures120
General driving notes121
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)121
Brake system122

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure124
Tire condition124
Tire replacement125
Wheel and tire
combinations127
Winter tires127

In the engine compartment:

Hood129
Engine compartment
essentials130
Washer fluids132
Engine oil132
Coolant134
Brake fluid134

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System136

Laws and regulations:

California Proposition 65
warning138
OBD interface socket138
Owner service procedures
Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit142
Windshield wiper blades142
Lamps and bulbs143
Changing a wheel147
Run Flat tires*150
Battery151
Fuses151

Giving and receiving
assistance: Receiving assistance152
Jump-starting153
Towing the vehicle154
Technical data

Engine data160
Dimensions161
Weights162
Capacities163

18

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

●

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent 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

●

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 seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

●

Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level; top off as
required. If the oil level is correct:
please contact the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the
instructions on pages 122 and 134.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Flat Tire Monitor

●

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: there is a flat tire.
Reduce speed and carefully come to a
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information: refer to
page 92

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The brake warning lamp comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS

●

and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and
ADB-X/DBC control system has
failed. Continue driving cau-
tiously and defensively. Avoid
hard brake applications. Please have
the system checked by your BMW cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on
page 86
CBC, ABS, DSC and ADB-X/
DBC indicator and warning
lamps for Canadian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information: refer to
page 67

19
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts

●

Comes on together with an
acoustic signal until the safety
belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 51
Airbags

●

Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 57

Orange: consult the nearest BMW
center

Automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox
The respective transmission has
responded to a malfunction by reverting
to operation in its emergency default
program. Please consult the nearest
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 69, 73

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Engine oil level
If the lamp comes on during
normal vehicle operation: the
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible.
Do not drive more than approx.
30 miles/50 km before refilling.
For additional information: refer to
page 132
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at your earliest opportunity, such as
when you next stop to refuel.
For additional information: refer to
page 132
Brake pads

●

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 122
Flat Tire Monitor

●

The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. Please
have the system inspected by your
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 92

Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

●

Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off with the
button; DTC is operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center
in case of a malfunction.
Additional information beginning on
page 86
325xi, 330xi:
DSC has been switched off manually or
there is a system malfunction.
ADB-X is operational in its standby
mode. If the indidator lamp fails to go
out when you press the DSC button
again, this indicates a system malfunc-
tion affecting both DSC and ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
For additional information: refer to
page 89

Indicator and warning lamps

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

25
Close the gas 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 GAS CAP* lamp.<
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 pressureChecking tire pressuresTire pressures in psi/kilopascal are
shown on the driver's door post and are
visible when the door is open.
Only check the tire inflation pressures
of cold tires. This means after driving a
maximum of 1.25 miles/2 km or after
the vehicle has been parked for at least
2 hours. Warm tires have higher infla-
tion pressures.
In the following tire inflation pressure
table, all pressures are specified in the
standard units of pressure, psi and kilo-
pascal, and apply to cold tires, i.e. tires
at ambient temperature.
Refueling
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

26
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor:
After correcting the inflation pressures,
reinitialize the system. Refer to
page 92.
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
accidents.
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. specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to BMW approved tire sizes and
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center
can provide you with more information
about these. Other 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

27
BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in the table are indicated in psi/kilo-
pascal with cold tires
cold = ambient temperature
320i 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 W29/200 33/230 33/230 41/280
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1729/200
––
33/23033/230
––
41/280
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load, 205/50 R 17 93 W extra load,
195/65 R 15 91 Q M+S, 205/60 R 15 91 Q M+S,
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+S32/220 36/250 36/250 44/300
325i
325xi205/55 R 16 91 H M+S, 205/55 R 16 91 H,
225/50 R 16 92 W – not 325xi, 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 – not 325xi,
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
330i 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+S,
225/45 R 17 91 W32/220 38/260 39/270 46/320
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1732/220
––
38/26039/270
––
46/320
225/40 ZR 18
255/35 ZR 1832/220
––
38/26039/270
––
46/320Tire inflation pressure
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

28
330xi 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
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, 205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load33/230 38/260 38/260 45/310
All Space-saver spare tire 61/420 BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in the table are indicated in psi/kilo-
pascal with cold tires
cold = ambient temperatureTire inflation pressure

92
Flat Tire Monitor*The conceptAs you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor
keeps track of pressure levels in all four
tires. The system alerts you whenever
the inflation pressure of a tire falls sig-
nificantly below the pressure of another
tire.
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.Functional requirementsIn order for the Flat Tire Monitor to learn
the correct tire inflation pressure,
please do the following:
1. Check the tire inflation pressures in
all tires
2. Compare them with the tire inflation
pressure table on page 26 and cor-
rect them, if necessary
3. Initialize the system.
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot pro-
vide you with advance warning of
sudden and severe tire damage caused
by external factors and does not detect
the balanced and very gradual pressure
loss that takes place in all four tires
over an extended period of time.<
On the other hand, the following situa-
tions can lead to a delayed detection of
pressure loss and even to the system
not functioning:
>Driving on snow-covered or slippery
roads
>Performance-oriented driving: slip at
the drive wheels, high levels of lateral
acceleration
>When driving with snow chains, false
warnings and undetected pressure
losses may occur
>When driving with a space-saver
spare tire, the Flat Tire Monitor can-
not function.
Initializing the system
Each time you correct the pres-
sure in a tire, or change a wheel or
tire, reinitialize the system immediately
afterwards. This requires a bit of driv-
ing.<
1. Before driving off, start the engine
but do not start driving
2. Press the button as long as you need
to until the yellow indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up for a
few seconds
3. Drive off.
It takes a few minutes before the Flat
Tire Monitor can detect a flat tire and
issue a warning.