ABS BMW 330CI CONVERTABLE 2006 Owners Manual

Contents

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures124
General driving notes125
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)127
Hardtop*127

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure130
Tire code133
Tire condition134
Run Flat tires*135
New wheels and tires136
Snow chains*137

In the engine compartment:

Hood138
Engine compartment
essentials140
Washer fluid142
Engine oil142
Coolant144
Brake fluid145

Maintenance:

BMW Maintenance System146

Laws and regulations:

California laws148
OBD interface socket148

Owner service procedures

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit152
Windshield wiper blades152
Lamps and bulbs153
Changing a wheel157
Battery161
Fuses161

Giving and receiving
assistance:

Receiving assistance162
Jump-starting163
Towing and tow-starting the
vehicle165

Technical data

Engine data170
Dimensions171
Weights172
Capacities173

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 in the follow-
ing section.

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

●

The engine oil pressure is too
low. Stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and switch off the engine. It is not
possible to continue driving. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

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 93.
Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. It is very
important that you follow the instruc-
tions on page 145 before driving on.
Have the system checked immediately.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

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 and DSC
control system has failed. Con-
tinue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid full brake
applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center
as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on
page 91.
CBC, ABS and DSC and 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 you start
off.
For additional information, refer to
page 71.

19
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Lock backrest/Fasten safety
belts

●

Comes on together with an
acoustic signal until the safety belts are
fastened. Flashes if the backrest is not
locked.
For additional information on locking
the seat backrests, refer to page 53.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 54.
Airbags

●

Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page 61.

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. Have the system checked
immediately.
For additional information, refer to
pages 75, 79.

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 142.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at the earliest opportunity, such as
the next time you stop to refuel.
For additional information, refer to
page 142.
Brake pads

●

Have the brake pads checked
immediately.
For additional information, refer to
page 126.
Flat Tire Monitor

●

The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. If there is
a malfunction, have the system
checked. For additional information,
refer to page 94.

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.
If there is a malfunction, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on
page 91.
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
and brake warning lamp

●

The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC/DTC have been switched
off with the button or are faulty.
If there is a malfunction, have
the system checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Additional information beginning on
page 91.
DSC indicator and brake warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.

Indicator and warning lamps

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

34
To closeThe handle recesses in the interior trim
panel of the luggage compartment lid
make it easier to pull the lid down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the luggage com-
partment lid is clear when it is closed,
following the same precautions as with
all closing procedures.<
Operate the vehicle only when the
luggage compartment lid is com-
pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust
fumes could penetrate the interior of
the vehicle. <
Should it be absolutely necessary to
operate the vehicle with the luggage
compartment lid open and the convert-
ible top closed:
1. Close all windows
2. Greatly increase the quantity of air
coming from the air conditioning or
automatic climate control system,
refer to page 100 or 104.
Emergency releaseThis lever releases the luggage com-
partment lid from inside the luggage
compartment.
Luggage compartment lid

50To adjust
Safe seating positionFor driving that is relaxed and less likely
to cause fatigue, you should select a
sitting position that reflects your per-
sonal requirements. In combination
with the safety belts and airbags, the
correct seating position also plays an
important role in enhancing occupant
safety in the event of an accident. To
ensure that the vehicle's safety systems
provide you with optimal protection, we
request that you direct your careful
attention to the following section.
For supplementary information on
transporting children, refer to page 62.Sitting safely with airbags
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and the
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel
by the rim to keep any chance of injury
to hands or arms to an absolute mini-
mum should the airbag be deployed.
Never allow any objects, individuals or
animals to obstruct the areas between
passengers and airbags. Never use the
front airbag's cover as a storage tray or
support for objects of any kind. Never
allow front passengers to rest their feet
or legs on the airbag cover.<
For airbag locations and additional
information on airbags, refer to
page 59.Sitting safely with safety beltsYour vehicle is equipped with four
seats, each of which is provided with a
safety belt.Never allow more than one person
to wear a single safety belt. Never
allow infants or small children to ride in
a passenger's lap. Avoid twisting the
belt while routing it firmly across the
hips and shoulder, wear it as snugly
against your body as possible. Do not
allow the belt to rest against hard or
fragile objects. Do not route the belt
across your neck, or run it across sharp
edges. Be sure that the belt does not
become caught or jammed. Avoid
wearing bulky clothing and pull on the
lap belt periodically to retension it over
your shoulders. In the event of a frontal
impact, a loose lap belt could slide over
your hips, leading to abdominal injury.
In addition, the safety belt's restraint
effectiveness is reduced if it is worn
loosely. Expectant mothers should
always wear their safety belts, taking
care to position the lap belt against the
lower hips, where it will not exert pres-
sure against the abdominal area.<
For information on using the safety
belts, refer to page 54.

67
3. Keep pressing down on the protec-
tive bar – see arrow 1 – from on top
until you hear it click into place
4. Put the cover panel back in place
and press down firmly
5. Push the back panel of the head
restraint closed – see arrow 2.
Do the same for the second protective
bar. If you are not familiar with any of
the procedures, consult your BMW
center.
Have the rollover protection system
checked out by your BMW center after
it has been inadvertently triggered.
Do not move the convertible top
under any circumstances if the
rollover protection system has
extended.
Do not use the rear head restraints as
storage shelves.
Absolutely no modifications are to be
made to any of the rollover protection
system's individual components or any
of its wiring.
Only your BMW center is to carry out
any work on the rollover protection sys-
tem.
Work done on the system that is carried
out improperly could lead to failure in
an emergency or accidental activation.
Regarding having the system checked
to ensure long-term operation: be scru-
pulous in adhering to the Service inter-
val display for maintenance intervals.
Every 2 years at the latest, the rollover
protection system must be inspected at
a BMW center.<
Rollover protection system
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

94
Because the sides of Run Flat
tires are reinforced, a drop in infla-
tion pressure usually cannot be
detected from the outside, refer to Run
Flat tires, page 135.<
2. To continue driving, follow the
instructions under Driving with a
damaged tire on page 135.
System malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up yellow.
The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. Please refer the
problem to your BMW center.
Brake force displayBrake force display indicates to the
road users behind you how hard you
are braking.
>Normal braking: the brake lamps
among the rear lamps and the center
brake lamp light up
>Hard braking or braking with ABS: in
addition, the illuminated rear lamp
surface is extended, refer to the pic-
ture.
Flat Tire Monitor*

125
General driving notesHot exhaust system
High temperatures occur with
every vehicle equipped with a cat-
alytic converter. Heat shields are
installed adjacent to some sections of
the exhaust system. Never remove
these shields; do not apply undercoat-
ing to their surfaces. When driving,
standing at idle and parking the vehicle,
take care to avoid contact between the
hot exhaust system and flammable
materials, e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc.
Such contact could lead to a fire,
resulting in serious personal injury and
property damage.<
Parking the vehicleCondensation forms in the air condi-
tioner system during operation, which
then exits under the vehicle. It is thus
not unusual for a small puddle to form
under the car while the system is run-
ning.Before driving through a car washFold in the exterior mirrors manually
because they could otherwise be dam-
aged due to the width of the vehicle.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy
roads, reduce vehicle speed. If
you do not, a wedge of water may form
between tire and road surface. This
phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or com-
plete loss of traction, vehicle control
and braking effectiveness.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as
the tread depth of the tires decreases,
refer also to Tire tread on page 135.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm,
and then only at walking speed. Other-
wise, the vehicle's engine, the electrical
systems and the transmission may be
damaged.<
Braking safelyYour BMW is equipped with ABS as a
standard feature. If you are in a situa-
tion which requires full braking, it is
best to brake using maximum brake
pressure: panic stop. Since the vehicle
maintains steering responsiveness, you
can avoid possible obstacles with a
minimum of steering effort, despite the
full brake application.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Otherwise,
even light but consistent pedal pres-
sure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake
failure.<
Wet roads:
if the roads are wet or if there is heavy
rain, it is advisable to gently press the
brakes for a brief moment every few
miles/kilometers. Monitor traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The
heat generated in this process helps
dry the pads and rotors. Immediate
braking force is then available if neces-
sary.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

127
Antilock Brake System (ABS)The conceptABS keeps the wheels from locking
during braking, thereby enhancing
active driving safety.Braking with ABSIf you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of ABS system if you apply maximum
pedal pressure: panic stop.
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort, despite the full brake application.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)DBC is included in the DSC, refer to
page 91. The system responds to sud-
den, high-intensity applications of force
to the brake pedal by automatically
braking the vehicle with maximum
boost to achieve the shortest possible
braking distances during panic stops.
This system also exploits the benefits of
ABS. Do not reduce the pressure exerted against the brake pedal until
the braking maneuver has been com-
pleted. DBC is deactivated when you
release the brake pedal.
Cornering Brake Control (CBC)CBC is an advanced engineering devel-
opment of ABS. When braking during
cornering with high lateral accelera-
tion, or when braking during a lane
change, vehicle stability is improved
and the steering response is enhanced.
Hardtop*It is not necessary to remove the fabric
top even in the winter, when the hard-
top is generally in constant use. But you
can also remove it easily at any time.
Before the fabric top is stored in the
convertible top compartment, it must
be absolutely dry in order to avoid
water spots and mildew from forming.
The hardtop offers reading lamps and
clothes hooks that can be used just by
pressing. It is also possible to mount a
luggage rack on the roof. Please con-
sult your BMW center.
When hanging clothing from the
hooks, be sure that they will not
obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang
heavy objects on the hooks. If you do
so, they could cause personal injury
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Two people are required for installation
or removal. Work with extreme caution
in order to avoid paint damage and
damage to the body or hardtop.
To facilitate hardtop installation or
removal, you can obtain a specially
designed hardtop lift* or hardtop rack*
at your BMW center.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

136
If there is a total loss of tire inflation
pressure, 0 psi/0 kPa, or obvious tire
damage, you can determine the dis-
tance you may continue driving based
on the following values:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full;
or 4 persons without luggage:
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
4 persons or more, luggage compart-
ment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h. Be
aware that vehicle handling will be
altered when there is a loss in inflation
pressure. Anticipate, e.g., reduced
tracking during braking, longer braking
distances and changed steering char-
acteristics.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
not having damaged Run Flat tires
repaired. In this case, consult your
BMW center.<
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires
mounted only by a skilled profes-
sional. Work that is improperly carried
out could result in consequential dam-
age and pose safety hazards.<
Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the correct wheel and tire com-
bination. Have the wheels balanced
each time a wheel or tire has been
replaced.
The correct wheel and tire combination
also affects different systems such as
ABS or DSC. The function of these sys-
tems is impaired if improper wheel and
tire combinations are used.
BMW advises against using
retreaded tires, as driving safety
could otherwise be impaired. This is
due to the possible variations in casing
structures and, in some cases, to their
extreme age, which can lead to a
decrease in their durability.<
The correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends using only
wheels and tires that have been
tested and approved by BMW for the
particular vehicle model, as otherwise
body contact and serious accidents can
result despite the use of the same nom-
inal size, e.g. due to manufacturing tol-
erances. 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.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
brand and tread configuration. After a
flat tire, have the previous wheel and
tire combination restored as soon as
possible.
Recommended tire sizes and
brandsFor each tire size, certain tire brands
have been tested, classified as road-
safe and approved by BMW. You can
find out about these from a professional
Run Flat tires*