ignition BMW 325I SEDAN 2004 E46 Owner's Manual

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

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

32Opening and closing
KeysThe key set1Master keys with remote control unit
– these keys determine the functions
of the Key Memory. Refer to page 64.
You can mark the individual keys for
subsequent identification by apply-
ing the colored decals that you
received when accepting delivery of
your vehicle
In every master key there is an
extended-life battery that is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have master keys
that are not being used otherwise, use
those keys at least once a year while
driving for an extended period to
charge the battery.<
2Spare key – for storage in a safe
place, such as in your wallet. This key
is not intended for constant use. The
luggage compartment lid and the
glove compartment cannot be locked
and unlocked with this key. This is
useful for valet parking, for example
Central locking systemThe conceptThe central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The system simultaneously
engages and releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door.
The central locking system can be
operated
>from outside via the remote control
as well as via the driver's door lock
>from inside by pressing a button.
The fuel filler door is not locked when
the central locking system is activated
from the inside, refer to page 37. When
the system is actuated from the out-
side, the anti-theft system is also acti-
vated. This prevents the doors from
being unlocked via the lock buttons or
the release handle. The alarm system is
also activated or deactivated.
If locked from the inside, the central
locking system unlocks automatically in
the event of an accident, except on
doors that have been locked individu-
ally using the lock buttons, refer to
page 39. In addition, the hazard warn-
ing flashers and interior lamps come on.

43
Electric power windowsTo open and close windows
When leaving the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key from the
lock and remember to close the doors
to prevent children from operating the
power windows and injuring them-
selves, etc.<
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still operate the electric power
windows for up to 15 minutes, as long
as no one opens either of the front
doors.
With the ignition key in position 1 or
higher:
>Press the switch until you feel resis-
tance: the window retracts as long as
you maintain pressure on the switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: the window moves auto-
matically. Pressing the switch again
stops the opening cycle.
You can close the windows in the same
manner by pulling the switch.
Separate switches are located under
the windows in the rear passenger
area.
For convenience operation via the
remote control or the door lock, refer to
page 34 or 36.Safety featureA contact strip is located on the inside
upper frame of each of the front win-
dows. If pressure is exerted against this
contact strip while a window is being
raised, the system will respond by stop-
ping the window and then retracting it a
small distance.Despite this safety feature, be
extremely careful to ensure that
the closing path of the window is not
obstructed. Some types of objects
might fail to trigger the contact strip in
some situations – very thin objects, for
instance.
You can override this safety feature by
pressing the switch beyond the resis-
tance point and holding it.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

44
Safety switchWith the safety switch, you can prevent
the rear windows from being opened or
closed via the switch in the rear pas-
senger area – by children, for example.
Press the safety switch whenever
children are riding in the rear of
the vehicle. Careless use of the power
windows can lead to injury.<
Glass sunroof, electric*
To prevent injuries, exercise care
when closing the glass sunroof
and keep it in your field of vision until it
is shut.
When leaving the vehicle, always
extract the ignition key from the lock
and remember to close the doors to
prevent children from operating the
sunroof and injuring themselves, etc.<
Electric power windows

45
Opening and closingWith the ignition key in position 1 or
higher
>Slide the switch until you feel resis-
tance: the sunroof opens and closes
as long as you hold the switch
>Slide the switch past the pressure
point: the sunroof moves automati-
cally.
Tapping the switch again stops the
motion immediately.
The headliner insert retracts with the
sunroof while it is opening.
After the ignition has been switched off:
you can still operate the sunroof for up
to 15 minutes, as long as no one opens
either of the front doors.
For convenience operation via the
remote control or the door lock, refer to
page 34 or 36.Raising the glass sunroofWith the ignition key in position 1 or
higher: tap the switch.
Tapping the switch again stops the
motion immediately.
If you briefly press the switch in the
raise direction while the sunroof is
open, the sunroof will rise to its upper-
most position.
After the ignition has been switched off:
you can still operate the sunroof for up
to 15 minutes, as long as no one opens
either of the front doors.
The headliner insert slides back some-
what when you raise the sunroof.
Do not use force to close the
headliner insert with the sunroof in
its raised position, as damage to the
mechanism could result. tance
>when it is closing from the raised
position
>when it is closing from a point
roughly past the middle of its travel
the closing cycle is interrupted and the
glass sunroof will open again slightly.
Despite this safety feature, be
extremely careful that the travel
path of the sunroof is not obstructed
whenever it is closed. Remember that
the safety mechanism may not be able
to detect obstructions under all circum-
stances – with very thin objects, for
instance.
You can disable this safety feature by
pressing the switch beyond the pres-
sure point and holding it.<
Glass sunroof, electric*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

53
Seat and mirror memory*You can store and recall three different
driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions.
Memory will not retain the adjust-
ment made to the lumbar sup-
port. 2. Adjust your seat and exterior mirrors
to the desired position
3. Press the M
EMORY
button: the indica-
tor lamp in the button lights up
4. Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as
desired: indicator lamp goes out.
To select a stored setting
Do not select a memory position
while the vehicle is moving. If you
do so, there is a risk of accident from
unexpected seat movement.<
Ignition key in position 1:
>Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,
as desired.
Movement stops immediately when
one of the seat-adjustment or mem-
ory buttons is activated during the
adjustment process.
The driver's door is closed and the igni-
tion key is either removed or in position
0 or 2:
>Maintain pressure on the desired
memory button – 1, 2 or 3 – until the
adjustment process is completed.
If you press the M
EMORY
button acci-
dentally: press the button again; the
indicator lamp goes out.
Your BMW center can adjust your
vehicle's systems in such a man-
ner that your personalized settings are
automatically set for the seat and exte-
rior mirror positions when you unlock
the vehicle with your personal remote
control.<
Before activating the programmed
adjustment feature, ensure that
the footwell behind the driver's seat is
empty and unobstructed. If you fail to
do so, persons, animals or objects
could be injured or damaged if the seat
should move backward.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

54
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt
functionAutomatic curb monitor*
1. Move mirror selector switch 1 to the
driver's mirror position
2. When shifting into Reverse or placing
the selector lever in position R, the
passenger-side mirror tilts down-
ward to help the driver monitor the
area directly adjacent to the vehicle
during parking – curbs, etc.
How far the passenger mirror tilts
can be set individually for each
ignition key.<
You can deactivate this automatic fea-
ture by setting the mirror selection
switch to the passenger side position.
Seat heating*The seat cushion and backrest can be
heated with the ignition key in
position 2.
You can select different heating modes
by repeatedly pressing the buttons.
You can also switch the higher heating
modes off directly:
Press the button and hold it slightly
longer.
Seat and mirror memory*

55
Steering wheelTo adjust
Never attempt to adjust the steer-
ing wheel while driving the vehicle
– it could respond with unexpected
movement, posing a potential accident
hazard.<
1. Push the locking lever downward
2. Adjust steering column reach and
height for your selected seating posi-
tion
3. Pull the lever back up to clamp the
steering wheel in the new position.
MirrorsTo adjust exterior mirrors1Mirror switch for 4-way adjustment
2Selection switch for changing
between mirrorsTo adjust manuallyThe mirrors can also be adjusted manu-
ally:
Press against the edges of the lens.
For storing mirror settings, refer to Seat
and mirror memory on page 53.
The mirror on the passenger's
side is convex. When estimating
the distance between yourself and
other traffic, bear in mind that the
objects reflected in the mirror are closer
than they appear. This means that esti-
mates of the distance to following traffic
should not be regarded as precise.<
Electric defrosting*Both mirrors are automatically heated
when you turn the ignition key to
position 2.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

58
All vehicle occupants should
always sit upright and be properly
restrained – infants and small children
in appropriate child-restraint systems;
larger children and adults using the
safety belts. Never let an occupant's
head rest near or on a side airbag
because the inflating airbag could
cause a serious or fatal injury. Please
note that the word Airbag imprinted on
the door trim panel indicates the air-
bag's location.
Accident research shows that the saf-
est place for children in an automobile
is in the rear seat. However, a child sit-
ting in the rear seat and not properly
restrained could place his or her head
on or near the airbag, if so equipped.
For example, a child — even though
belted in — may fall asleep with his or
her head against the side airbag. It may
be difficult for a driver to ensure that
children in the rear seat will remain
properly positioned at all times and not
place their heads on or near the side
airbag. Therefore, we recommend that
the rear seat side airbags, if installed in
the vehicle, be deactivated if children
will travel in the rear seat.
The rear seat side airbags may already
have been deactivated by a BMW cen-
ter. 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 fol-
lowed, there is still a small residual risk
of injuries to the face, hands and arms
occurring from airbag deployment in
isolated instances.
In sensitive individuals, the ignition and
inflation noise may induce a mild hear-
ing loss that is temporary in most
cases.
Corresponding airbag warning labels
are found on both sun visors.This is the right way a child should sit in
a child-restraint when rear side airbags
are provided.
Airbags