ESP BMW 330Ci CONVERTIBLE 2001 E46 Owner's Guide

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking the oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material.
4 Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out
again.
5 The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.462de244
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, never let the oil drop below
the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential and the
power steering.<462de245

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Washing your vehicle You can have your BMW washed in
an automatic car wash, even when it
is new. Car wash systems that do not
employ brushes are preferable, refer to
page 157.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the vehicle.
In order to avoid spots, do not wash the
vehicle when the hood is warm, or
during or immediately after exposure to
strong sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle.
>No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the
car wash operator if necessary.
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system.
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects
can cause malfunctions in the function
of the rain sensor.
Deactivate the rain sensor when
going through car washes (refer to
page 77) Ñ otherwise, the wipers could
be damaged if they inadvertently start
working.<
Parts of the vehicle that are inaccessi-
ble to the automatic washer Ð such as
door sills, door and hood edges, etc. Ð
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially
important to be sure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also damage the
vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face. Inadequate distance and exces-
sive pressure can damage or weaken
the finish, making it more susceptible to
subsequent attack. In addition,
moisture could penetrate to vehicle
components, leading to long-term
damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following: do
not wipe dry with a cloth (scratches).
Never use abrasives or strong solvents
to clean the covers. Remove dirt and
contamination (such as insects) by
soaking with BMW Car Shampoo and
then rinsing with plenty of water.
Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never use
a scraper.<
After washing the vehicle, apply
the brakes briefly to dry them.
Braking efficiency might otherwise be
reduced by the moisture and the brake
rotors could also be corroded.<
Caring for your vehicle

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Caring for your vehicleExterior finish To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
using special body-cavity protectants,
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to
the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied. Regular maintenance makes
an important contribution to maintaining
the safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects
of harmful environmental factors on
vehicle finishes have led paint and
vehicle manufacturers to initiate
ongoing programs designed to further
improve the durability of their finishes.
Despite this, environmental factors that
occur locally or regionally can have
negative effects on the finish of your
vehicle. Use the factors to determine
the frequency and extent of your efforts
to maintain the vehicle finish.Depending upon material and type of
impact (perforation of paint layer),
physical stresses from sand, road salt,
gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to
start extending beneath the finish,
starting at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects,
animal droppings (strong alkali effect)
and tree excretions (resins and pollen)
all contain substances capable of caus-
ing damage when allowed to remain on
the finish of your vehicle for any period
of time. This includes spots, etching,
flaking, and separations in the top coat.
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other
environmental pollutants will damage
the vehicle's finish unless adequate
care is provided Ð even though this is
generally limited to the outside
horizontal surfaces.In coastal regions, high levels of
atmospheric salt and humidity promote
corrosion.
In tropical zones, temperatures of over
105 7 (+40 6) in the shade prevail, in
addition to heavy ultraviolet radiation
and high humidity. Under these condi-
tions, light paints can reach tempera-
tures of up to 175 7 (+80 6) and dark
paints up to 250 7 (+120 6).

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your vehicleCaring for the vehicle's finish Regular washing is a preventive
measure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the
vehicle's finish, especially if you drive
your vehicle in areas with high levels of
air pollution or aggressive natural
substances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive sub-
stances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical
structure or to discoloration. Gasoline
spilled during refueling, oil, grease and
brake fluid should always be cleaned
away immediately, as should bird
droppings.
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use clean-
ing fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth
or cotton pad to remove. Remove tar
spots with tar remover. After cleaning,
the affected areas should be waxed to
ensure continued protection.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<
Waxing your vehicle Protect the finish using carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes only.
The best way to determine when the
finish needs to be waxed is by noting
when water stops beading on the
surface.
You can use a glass cleaner to remove
any wax or silicone that may have been
left on the windows during waxing.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<
Paint damageYou can touch up small areas of paint
damage with a BMW spray paint or a
BMW touchup stick.
The paint color code for your vehicle
is provided on a sticker located on the
right hand-side under the hood and
on the first page of your Service and
Warranty Information Booklet
(US models) or Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
Damage caused by flying stones,
scratches, etc., must be touched up
without delay to prevent rust from
forming.
If corrosion has started to form in an
area with paint damage, remove all rust
and clean the area. Then prime the area
with a BMW Primer Stick. Finally, apply
the finish coat. Wait a few days, then
polish the repaired area. Finish by
applying a wax preservative.
More extensive paint damage should
be repaired professionally in accor-
dance with the manufacturer's instruc-
tions. Your BMW center uses original
BMW finish materials in accordance
with approved repair procedures.

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Caring for your vehicleWindow careYou can use window and glass cleaner
to clean inside window surfaces and
mirrors without smearing and streaking.
Never use polishing pastes or abrasive
(quartz) cleansers on mirror lenses.
Clean the wiper blades with soapy
water. The wiper blades should be
replaced twice a year Ð before and after
the winter months. This is especially
important for vehicles with a rain
sensor.
Use only wiper blades approved
by BMW.<
Caring for other vehicle
components and materials Light-alloy wheels should be treated
with alloy wheel cleaner, especially
during the winter months. However, do
not use aggressive products contain-
ing acids, strong alkalis or abrasive
cleaning agents, nor steam cleaners
operating at temperatures above
140 7 (+60 6) (follow the manufac-
turer's instructions).
If your vehicle has chrome parts
*, such
as the window frames and door handles,
clean these parts carefully with ample
clean water and a shampoo supplement
if desired, especially if they have an
accumulation of road salt. Use a chrome
polish for an additional treatment.
Plastic components, vinyl upholstery,
headliners (hardtop), lamp lenses, the
clear cover of the instrument panel and
components with a sprayed dull black
surface can be cleaned with water (add
plastic shampoo as required). Do not
allow moisture to soak through the
seats or headliner (hardtop). Never use
solvents such as lacquer thinner,
heavy-duty grease remover, fuels, or
similar substances. Rubber components should be cleaned
with water only; a rubber treatment or
silicone spray may also be applied.
Do not remove safety belts to clean
them. Clean them with mild soapy
water only. Do not use chemicals or dry
cleaners to clean safety belts, since this
could damage the belt fabric.
After cleaning, never allow the inertia
reel to retract the belts until they are
completely dry. Dirty safety belts
prevent the inertia reel mechanism from
retracting the strap properly, and thus
constitute a safety hazard.
Heavily soiled floor carpets and mats
*
can be cleaned with an interior cleaner.
The floor mats can be removed from
the vehicle for cleaning.
Use only a damp cloth to clean trim
panels made of real wood
* and other
parts constructed of real wood
*. Follow
up by drying with a soft cloth.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags 1 Front airbags for driver and
passenger
2 Side airbags for driver and passenger
(front and rear
*)
Important safety notices
Do not attempt to remove the gas
generators of the airbag supple-
mental restraint system from the
vehicle. Testing and servicing must be
performed by trained technicians only.
In the event of a malfunction, deactiva-
tion, or triggered actuation (as a
response to an accident) of the airbag
restraint system, consult your BMW
center for repairs or service operations.
46cde048
Do not modify or tamper with either the
wiring or the individual components in
the airbag system. These include the
padded steering wheel hub, the instru-
ment panel, the side trim panels of the
front doors and in the rear. Do not apply
adhesive materials to these compo-
nents or cover them over or alter them
in any other way. Do not attempt to
remove or dismantle the steering
wheel.
To ensure compliance with official
safety regulations, entrust disposal of
airbag generators to a BMW center.
Unprofessional attempts to service the
system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal
injury.<

160n
Vehicle storage
If you plan on parking the vehicle
for more than three months, have
the maintenance operations described
on this page performed.<
Preparations for storageHave your BMW center perform the
following procedures:
1 Clean and apply a rustproofing agent
or other treatment to the engine,
engine compartment, undercarriage,
axles and major components in
accordance with approved repair
procedures. First wash the vehicle
surface, then clean the interior,
following up with paint and chrome
care, after which you clean the
rubber seals for the hood and doors.
2 Change the engine oil and oil filter at
operating temperature. As an addi-
tional corrosion protection measure,
an anticorrosive agent can be added
to the engine in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions.
3 Check the coolant level and concen-
tration and top up if necessary.
4 Check the fluid level of the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir and top
up if necessary.
5 Fill the fuel tank completely to pre-
vent the formation of condensation.
6 Increase the tire inflation pressure to
51 psi (350 kilopascal).
Before parking the vehicle1 To prevent the brake discs and
drums from corroding, dry the park-
ing and footbrake by applying the
brakes.
2 Park the vehicle in a covered, dry and
well-ventilated space. Place the
transmission in 1st gear or set the
selector lever to the "P" position.
Chock the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from rolling if necessary. Do
not set the parking brake.
3 Remove the battery, charge it
completely and store it in a cool (but
frost-free) room.
4 Remove the hardtop and store
separately. Refer to page 130.
5 Close the convertible top.During storageRecharge the battery every six months.
If it is not recharged, it will not be
serviceable. Every time the battery is
drained, especially over extended
periods, its service life is reduced.
Removing the vehicle from
storageRecharge the battery if the "Magic
Eye"
* turns black. Refer to page 176.
Then have Inspection I performed by
your BMW center, including a brake
fluid replacement if necessary. Refer
to the Service Manual.

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OBD interface socketThe OBD interface socket for onboard
diagnostics is located on the driver's
side, on the left-hand bottom of the
instrument panel and under a cover
panel. The cover is marked with the
letters "OBD".
The purpose of the OBD system is to
assure proper emission control system
operation for the vehicle's lifetime by
monitoring emission-related compo-
nents and systems for deterioration and
malfunction.460us250
An illuminated indicator informs
you of the need for service, not
that you need to stop the vehicle.
Your system should be checked, how-
ever, at the earliest possible opportunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this
indicates a high level of engine misfire.
Reduce speed and contact the nearest
BMW center immediately. Severe
engine misfire over even a short period
of time can seriously damage emission
control components, especially the
catalytic converter.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
If the fuel filler cap is not on tight
enough, the OBD system can
detect leaking vapor and the indicator
will light up. If the fuel filler cap is then
tightened, the indicator will usually go
out after a short period of time.<

176n
Changing a wheel Battery Driving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Be aware that vehicle handling will be
altered. Slower brake response time,
longer braking distances and changed
steering characteristics may be
anticipated when approaching limit
conditions.
The changes in handling characteristics
will be even more pronounced in
conjunction with winter tires.
Only one space-saver spare tire
*
may be mounted at a time. Mount
a wheel and tire with the same size
and specifications as the others at the
earliest possible opportunity. Maintain
correct tire pressures. Refer to
page 28.<
LocationThe battery is located at the right-rear
of the luggage compartment. Remove
the luggage compartment floor panel
(refer to page 40), and give a screw-
driver or a coin a f-turn counter-clock-
wise to release and remove the two
fasteners, plus an additional fastener in
the top center side trim panel. In order
to remove the storage tray, slide the
side trim panel slightly upward.
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<46cde045
Charge conditionYou can read the charge condition of
the battery with the "Magic Eye"
*
(a hydrometer):
>Green: adequate charge.
>Black: not adequately charged. The
battery must be recharged. Please
contact your BMW center for addi-
tional information.
>Yellow: replace the battery.
The service life specified for the
battery can be achieved only if it is
always kept adequately charged. If the
vehicle is primarily used for stop-and-
go traffic, be sure to check the charge
state more often.<
46cde044

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
BatteryBattery careThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. That means that the original
electrolyte will normally last for the
service life of the battery under
moderate climatic conditions.
For all questions that regard the
battery, please consult your BMW
center. Since the battery is absolutely
maintenance free, the following is for
your information only.<
SymbolsYou will find the following symbols on
your vehicle battery. To avoid injury,
please comply with the corresponding
precautions whenever you work with or
near the battery.
Before handling the battery,
please read the following infor-
mation.
Wear eye protection. Do not
allow particles containing
battery acid or lead to come into
contact with your eyes, your skin, or
your clothing.
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and
protective gloves. Do not tip the
battery. Battery acid can leak from the
ventilation openings.
Do not allow children access to
batteries and battery acid.
Never allow sparks or open
flame in the vicinity of the
battery. Avoid sparks from elec-
trical cables or electrical equipment.
Turn the key to position 0 in the ignition
lock when disconnecting or connecting
the battery. Do not short circuit the
battery terminals. This creates a risk of
injury from high-energy sparks.
A highly explosive gas is gener-
ated when the battery is
charged.
If you happen to get acid in your
eyes, rinse thoroughly for
15 minutes with clear water.
Consult a physician immediately. If you
get acid spray on your skin or clothing,
rinse with plenty of water. If electrolyte
is accidentally ingested, consult a
physician immediately.
In order to protect the battery
case from ultraviolet radiation,
do not place it in direct sunlight.
A discharged battery can freeze. Store
the battery in areas where temperature
remains above freezing.