warning light BMW 330CI CONVERTIBLE 2004 E46 Owner's Manual

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

●

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.

<

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 94
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 126 and 141.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian 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 73
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 55
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 56
Airbags

●

Please have the system
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 61

20
DSC indicator and brake warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

●

Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired at your BMW
center as soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to
page 125
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 138
SERVICE ENGINE SOON

●

If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.

Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 143
Service Engine Soon indicator
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics

●

There is a fault in the electronic
engine-management system.
You can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system inspected at your
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to
page 140
CHECK GAS CAP*

●

This indicator lamp comes on
when the gas cap is loose or
missing.
Close the gas cap tightly: refer to
page 24

Rollover protection system

●

The rollover protection system
has been deactivated due to a
malfunction. Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center at the
earliest opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 68

Green: for your information

Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signal is
operated.
Rapid flashing indicates a system mal-
function.
For additional information: refer to
page 82
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated: ready for oper-
ation via the buttons in the steering
wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 84
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to
page 99

Indicator and warning lamps

73
Switching off the engine
You should never remove the igni-
tion key when the vehicle is in
motion, as the steering lock could
engage.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Engaging a gear may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.<
Vehicles with manual
transmissionTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.Automatic transmissionMove the selector lever into position P,
and turn the ignition key to position 1 or
0.SMG gearboxIf you turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0 with the selector lever in position
R, or in sequential mode, a gear auto-
matically remains engaged.
If you turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0 with the selector lever in neutral
position N, a warning tone and the
flashing gear indicator in the display
remind you that no gear is engaged to
secure the vehicle against rolling.
The warning stops after approx.
9 seconds.
Parking brakeThe parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates on the rear wheels.To engageThe detent engages automatically and
the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on when the ignition key
is in position 2, refer to page 18.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

87
Fuel gaugeOnce the indicator lamp stays on con-
tinuously, there are still approx. 2.1 gal-
lons/8 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.
Fuel tank capacity approx.
16.6 gallons/63 liters.
Certain operating conditions, such as
those encountered in mountainous
areas, may cause the needle to fluctu-
ate slightly.
Fill the fuel tank before it is com-
pletely empty. Driving to the last
drop of fuel can prevent the engine
from operating properly and result in
damage.<
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an
operation check.
Engine coolant temperature gaugeBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector during normal operation.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly as an
operation check.
If the lamp comes on during normal
vehicle operation: the engine has over-
heated. Shut off the engine immediately
and allow it to cool down.
To check coolant level, refer to
page 140.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

93
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)The conceptDSC maintains vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
DSC is operational every time you start
the engine.
DSC contains the Dynamic Traction
Control (DTC) and Cornering Brake
Control (CBC) functions.Indicator lamps
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly
after you switch on the ignition,
refer to page 19.
>The indicator lamp flashes: DSC is
actively controlling drive torque and
braking intervention
>The indicator lamp stays lit: DSC has
been switched off with the button;
DTC and DBC are operational. DTC
control intervention is not indicated.
The indicator lamp and the
brake warning lamp continu-
ously light up in yellow:
The DSC, DTC and DBC have
been switched off manually or
there is a system malfunction.
The vehicle will remain completely
operational, however, without DSC. In
the event of a fault, please consult your
BMW center.
Indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
Deactivating the DSC/activating
the DTCPress the DSC button briefly; the indi-
cator lamp comes on and stays on.
DSC is deactivated; DTC is operational.
In the following rare situations, it may
prove useful to activate the DTC for a
brief period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains
>When driving on snow-covered
grades, in deep snow, or on a snow-
covered surface that has been
packed down from being driven on.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

94
Under these special circumstances
traction is increased by deactivating the
control systems that enhance traction
under normal conditions.Deactivating the DSC and the
DTCHold the DSC button down for at least
3 seconds. The indicator lamp and the
yellow brake warning lamp light up and
remain on continuously.
The systems for enhancing stability and
traction are deactivated, and there is no
active braking intervention or torque
control.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the DSC acti-
vated whenever possible. lamp or the indicator lamps will go out.
DTC is deactivated.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed even with DSC. An
appropriate driving style always
remains the responsibility of the driver.
We therefore urge you to avoid using
the additional safety margin of the sys-
tem as an excuse for taking risks.
Whenever the DTC is activated, the
DSC is switched off and performs minor
stabilizing intervention.
Do not make any modifications to the
DSC system. Allow only authorized
technicians to perform service proce-
dures on the DSC.<
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 25 and cor-
rect them, if necessary
3. Initialize the system.
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

95
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.
When driving with snow chains or
a space-saver spare tire, do not
initialize the system.<
Flat tire
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up red. This
visual alert is accompanied by
an acoustic warning signal.
1. Carefully reduce speed and come to
a stop. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers
2. Determine which wheel is damaged
If this cannot be determined, con-
tact your BMW center.<
3. Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Changing a wheel on page 153.
After replacing the damaged tire, initial-
ize the system.
Vehicles with Run Flat tires:
1. Carefully reduce your speed to under
50 mph / 80 km/h. Avoid sudden
braking and steering maneuvers. Do
not exceed a speed of 50 mph /
80 km/h
Flat Tire Monitor*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

97 Lamps
Parking lamps/Low beamsParking lamps
The front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on. You can
use the parking lamps to signal
the position of the vehicle when it is
parked. For lighting on one side for
parking as an additional feature, refer to
page 99.
Low beams
When the ignition is switched off
while the low beams are on, the
headlamps go out and only the
parking lamps remain on.
Follow me home lampsWhen you activate the headlamp
flasher after parking the vehicle with the
lamps turned off, the low-beam head-
lamps will come on for a short time.
You can also have this function
deactivated. having turned the ignition key to posi-
tion 0, you will hear an acoustic signal
for a few seconds to remind you that
the lamps have not been switched off.Daytime driving lamps*If you desire, the light switch can be left
in the second position: when the igni-
tion is switched off, the external lighting
is also switched off.
You can have the activation set-
tings for the daytime driving lamps
programmed on your vehicle. When the switch is set to this
position the system automati-
cally activates and cancels the
low beams in response to changes in
ambient light – in tunnels, at dusk, etc. –
and in the event of rain and snow. If the
low-beam headlamps are on, the LED
next to the symbol lights up.
The vehicle's external lights
remain on constantly when you
switch on the front fog lamps after the
headlamps have come on automati-
cally.<
Automatic headlamp control can-
not serve as a substitute for the
driver's judgement in determining when
the vehicle lights should be switched
on. For example, the sensors are not
able to detect fog. To avoid safety risks,
you should respond to these kinds of
low-visibility situations by switching the
headlamps on manually.<
You can have the sensitivity of
your vehicle's automatic head-
lamp control adjusted.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake
System 125
indicator lamp 19
Acceleration assistant 78
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety 5
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 158
Activated-charcoal filter 110
Adaptive headlights 98
Adding brake fluid 141
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning 102
Air conditioning mode 104
automatic climate
control 108
Air distribution
air conditioning 104
automatic climate
control 108
Air distribution,
individual 108
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 102, 106
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 25, 129
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode
104, 109Air supply
air conditioning 104
automatic climate
control 108
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 104, 108
Airbags 61
deactivating 64
indicator lamp 18, 63
sitting safely 52
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 102, 106
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 25
Alarm system 38
avoiding unintentional
alarms 39
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 132
Antifreeze 140
coolant 140
washer fluid 138
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 125
indicator lamp 19
Anti-theft system 30
Anti-theft warning system,
refer to Alarm system 38
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 168
Approved gross weight,
refer to Weights 168Armrest 114
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front 115
rear 116
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 93
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 109
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air
distribution 108
Automatic
air distribution 108
air supply 108
cruise control 84
headlamp control 97
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate
control 106
Automatic curb monitor 58
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 60
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 109Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 79
indicator lamp 19, 81
interlock 71
selector lever lock 79
shiftlock 79
Automatic windshield
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 83
Average fuel
consumption 91
Average speed 91
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 39
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 168
B
Backrest
unlock 55
Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 53
Backup lamps 74
bulb replacement 151
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 23
Bar, towing 161

Everything from A to Z
173
Battery 157
charge 157
disposal 157
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 159
remote control 30, 31
Battery charge current 18
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 56
Beverage holders 115
Blower
air conditioning 104
automatic climate
control 108
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils 139
BMW Maintenance
System 142
BMW sports seat 53
Bore, refer to Engine
data 166
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 115
Brake fluid 141
indicator lamp 18, 141
level 141
Brake force display 96
Brake hydraulic system 126
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 151
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 88Brake lights
brake force display 96
Brake pads 126
brake fluid level
18, 126, 141
breaking in 124
disc brakes 126
indicator lamp 19
Brake rotors
brake system 126
breaking in 124
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 125
brake fluid 141
breaking in 124
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 73
Break-in procedures 124
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 149
Bulb, replacing 149
Buttons in steering wheel 22
C
California Proposition
65 warning 143
Can holders, see Beverage
holders 115
Capacities 169Car battery 157
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 30
Car radio, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio
Car telephone
preparation 115
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 116
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 125
warning lamp 19
CD changer, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Cellular phone 115
Center armrest
front 114Center high-mount brake
lamp
bulb replacement 152
Central locking system 30
button 34
passenger
compartment 34
Changing a wheel 153
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 88
Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child seats, refer to Child-
restraint systems 64
Child-restraint mounting
system (LATCH) 66
Child-restraint system 64
Chock 154
Cigarette lighter 115
Cigarette lighter socket 116
Cleaning chrome parts, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Cleaning light alloy wheels,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning position, convert-
ible top 45, 50
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning windshield 84
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex