ECO mode BMW 325xi SEDAN 2003 E46 User Guide

116
Brake systemBrake fluid levelIf the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become longer,
there may be a defect in one of the
brake system's hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW cen-
ter. It may be necessary to apply
higher levels of pressure to the pedal
when stopping and braking distances
may also be longer. Please remember
to adapt your driving style accord-
ingly. with the vehicle parked or in storage,
and operating conditions in which brak-
ing is restricted to gentle, low-pressure
applications will all increase the ten-
dency for corrosion to form on the
rotors; this is often accompanied by a
simultaneous accumulation of contami-
nation on the brake pads. The pads
must exert a certain minimal level of
pressure against the rotors for the disc
brakes' inherent self-cleaning effect to
remain effective; the pressure available
under the above conditions may not
provide adequate cleansing.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
When driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads it is a good idea to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not
pose a hazard to you or to other road
users. The heat generated in this pro-
cess helps dry the pads and rotors to
ensure that your brake system will
respond with undiminished efficiency
when you need it.
When descending steep hills and
extended grades, downshift to a gear
that will allow you to continue safely
with only a minimal amount of braking.
By minimizing the loads placed on the
brake system, this strategy helps
ensure that optimal brake system
response will remain available at all
times. Use care to avoid exceeding the
approved engine-speed range, refer to
page 71.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in Neutral. Do not
coast with the engine shut off. The
engine provides no braking effect when
the clutch is depressed and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
BMW 325xi, 330xi: always refer all
brake inspection and service work to
your BMW center, as failure to observe
the special procedures could result in
damage to components of the all-wheel
drive.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment. For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
released for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suitable for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<

120
Wheel and tire combinationsThe right choice
BMW recommends using only
wheels and tires that have been
approved by BMW for use on your par-
ticular model. Although other wheels
and tires may theoretically have the
same dimensions, variations in factors
such as manufacturing tolerances can
result in contact between tire and body-
work, ultimately leading to serious acci-
dents. BMW cannot evaluate all tires
and wheels on the market, and is thus
unable to guarantee that the vehicle will
continue to perform safely if unap-
proved tires and/or wheels are
mounted.<
For each tire size, BMW has assessed
the safe performance of specific tire
brands and approved them for use.
Consult any BMW center for details.
Comply with any local/national regula-
tions, for example by recording the tire
type in the vehicle documents.
The correct wheel-tire combina-
tion affects various systems such
as ABS, ASC+T/DSC and ADB/
ADB-X/DBC. The function of these sys-
tems is impaired if improper wheel-tire
combinations are used.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same manufacture and tread configura-
tion. In the event of a flat tire, for exam-
ple, remount the approved wheel and
tire combination as soon as possible.<
StorageStore tires in a cool, dry place, protect-
ing them against light whenever possi-
ble. Protect the tires against contact
with oil, grease and fuel.
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires – M+S
tires – for operation under inclement
winter driving conditions. While all-sea-
son tires – M+S designation – provide
better winter traction than the corre-
sponding summer tires, they generally
do not achieve the performance of win-
ter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer and
having the same tread configuration on
all four wheels.
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by trained
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<

130Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.Service interval displayWhile conventional systems rely on
milage alone to determine when service
is due, the BMW Maintenance System
reflects the actual conditions under
which the vehicle is operated: some
miles are more strenuous than others.
From a maintenance point of view,
62,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated
in short-distance urban driving are not
the equivalent of the same distance
covered at moderate cruising speeds in
long-distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
This service strategy accurately reflects
your own vehicle's specific needs by
defining maintenance intervals accord-
ing to individual operating conditions.
Minimal use drivers – significantly fewer
than 6,200 miles/10,000 km annually –
should have the engine oil changed at
least every 2 years since oil deterio-
rates over time, regardless of use.Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian modelsFor additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-
els, or the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.As a precaution against corrosion, if
your vehicle is exposed to potential
damage from unimproved road sur-
faces we suggest that you have the
body checked for damage from stone
chips and gravel at the same time.
Have your BMW center perform
maintenance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
recorded in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models, or
in the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These
entries confirm that your vehicle has
benefitted from regular maintenance,
and are also required for warranty
claims.<
CareYou can find everything you need to
know on this topic by consulting the
separate Caring for your vehicle bro-
chure.

Everything from A to ZFuel consumption 76
display 72
Fuel economy, refer to
Energy control 71
Fuel filler door 24
release following an elec-
trical malfunction 24
Fuel gauge 72
Fuel specifications 25
Fuel tank capacity 155
Fuel tank display 72
Fuel tank gauge 72
Fuel-injection system 152
Fuses, replacing 146
G
Gasoline 25
Gasoline gauge 72
Glove compartment 101
Grills 92, 96
Gross vehicle weight 154
H
Hands-free system 104
Harman Kardon premium
sound system 101
Hazard warning flashers 14
Hazard warning triangle 23
HDC Hill Descent Control 84
Head airbags 53
Head restraints 47
Headlamp flasher 90Headlamp washer system
126, 155
Headlamps 89
automatic control 89
Heated seats 50
Heating and ventilation 96
Heavy loads 108
High beams 21, 67, 90
replacing bulb 137
Hill Descent Control
(HDC) 84
Holder for
beverages 102
litter bag 103
Hood release 122
Horn 14
Hydraulic brake assistant,
see DBC
Hydroplaning 115, 117
I
Ice warning 75
Icy roads 75
Ignition key 30
Ignition lock 60
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18
Inflation pressure 25, 117
monitoring 85
INSPECTION 73
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 90Instrument panel 14, 16
Interface socket for onboard
diagnostics 131
Interior lamps 32, 91
remote control 32
Interior motion sensor 38
switching off 39
Interior rearview mirror 52
automatic dimming
feature 52
Interlock 60
Intermittent mode 68
J
Jack 141
Jump-starting 147
K
Key Memory 59
Keys 30
with remote control 30
L
Lamp, replacing 137
Lashing fittings 109
LATCH child-restraint
mounting system 57
Length 153
License plate lamp
replacing bulb 141
Light switch 89
Lighter 104LIGHTS ON warning 89
Litter bag holder 103
Load-securing devices 109
Lock, steering wheel 60
Low beams 89
automatic 89
replacing bulb 137
Lug wrench 141
Luggage compartment 35
capacity 154
floor mat 38
floor panel 37
lighting 35
Luggage compartment lid 35
emergency operation 35
emergency release 37
remote control 32
securing separately 35
Luggage rack 110
Lumbar support 46
M
M+S tires 120
Maintenance 73, 130
Malfunction displays 73
Manual transmission 63
MC operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio
MD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio
Memory 49
Memory settings 59

Everything from A to ZSliding/tilt sunroof 41
closing following an elec-
trical malfunction 43
convenience operation 31
remote control 32
Snow chains 121
Socket 104
Spare key 30
Spare tire 141
Speedometer 16
Sports seat 45
Standing lamps 90
Starting problems 60
Starting the engine 60
Steering wheel lock 60
Steering wheel with multi-
function buttons 22
Steering wheel, adjusting 51
Steptronic 64
Storage compartments 102
Storage, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Stroke 152
Switching off the engine 62
Symbols 4
Synthetic oils 127
T
Tachometer 16, 71
Tail lamps
replacing bulb 139
Tank capacity 155Technical data 152
Technical modifications 5
Telephone hookup 104
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Temperature adjustment
94, 98
Temperature display
engine coolant 72
outside temperature 75
Temperature layering 95, 99
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 45
Third brake lamp 140
Through-loading system 106
Tilt alarm sensor
switching off 39
Time 74
Tire damage 117
Tire inflation pressure
25, 117
Tire Pressure Monitor
(TPM) 85
Tire replacement 118
Tire tread 117
Tools 136
Torque 152
Towing eyelet 148
Towing the vehicle 148
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor 85
Track 153Transmission 63
Transporting children
safely 55
Tread depth, tires 117
Tread wear indicator 117
Trigger alarm – Panic
mode 32
Trip odometer 71
Trunk 35
capacity 154
Trunk lid, see Luggage com-
partment lid 35
Turn signal indicator 21, 67
replacing bulb 138
Turning circle 153
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading 119
V
Vacuum cleaner, connect-
ing 104
Vehicle
break-in procedures 114
starting 62
switching off 62
Vehicle Memory 59
Vehicle storage, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Vehicle weight 154Ventilation 92, 96
draft-free 95, 99
Viscosity 127
Voice Control System, refer
to the separate Owner's
Manual
Voice recognition 22
W
Warning lamp "Please fasten
safety belts" 19
Warning lamps 18
Warning messages 73
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet 130
Warranty, refer also to sepa-
rate booklet 6
Washer fluid
refilling 126, 155
Washer reservoir
filling 126, 155
Washer/wiper system 68
Water on roads
deep water 115
Wear indicator for tires 117
Weights 154
Wheel, changing 141
Wheelbase 153
Wheels and tires 120
Wheelslip control, see
DSC 80
Width 153