width BMW 330Ci COUPE 2001 E46 Owner's Manual

106n
Through-loading systemThe rear backrest is divided into two
sections (one-third and two-thirds of
the width of the seat). For carrying
longer objects, you can fold down
either section of the backrest sepa-
rately.
To unlock, pull the lever corresponding
to the section (arrow).460de154
The rear backrest section will move
forward slightly when it is unlocked.
Reach into the gap and pull the
backrest down.
When you fold back the backrest,
be sure that the retainer engages
correctly. If it is not correctly engaged,
transported cargo could enter the pas-
senger compartment from the luggage
compartment during brake applications
or evasive maneuvers and endanger the
vehicle occupants.<
The fittings at the inner corners of the
luggage compartment provide you with
a convenient means of attaching
luggage nets
* and flexible straps for
securing suitcases and luggage. Refer
also to "Cargo loading" on page 108.
462de240
Center 3-point-safety belt in the
rear
*
You can retract the 3-point-safety belt
in the rear, before folding the through-
loading system back:
Loosen the safety belt and put the
buckle latch that is on the end of the
safety belt into the bracket mounted on
the rear window shelf (arrow).
To install a child restraint system
always use the outer belts. The
centre seat belt should only be used
when it is necessary to secure three
child restraint systems.
Do not modify the child restraint system
in any way. If you do so, it will not
provide your child with maximum
protection.<462us054

123n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer. BMW tests and approves
wheel/tire combinations, beginning on
page 127.DOT Quality GradesTreadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger vehicle tires must
conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in addition to these
grades.< Tread wearThe tread wear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1g) times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.
TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of as-
phalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.< TemperatureThe temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause
the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive tem-
perature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
vehicle tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire
is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.< Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
Do not use retreaded tires. Driving
safety may be impaired by their
use. This is due to the possible varia-
tions in casing structures and, in some
cases, to their extreme age, factors that
can lead to a decrease in their
durability.<
Tire replacement

125n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Wheel and tire combinations The right choice Use only BMW-approved tires, begin-
ning on page 127.
Due to the high speeds this vehicle can
reach, the use of specific brands,
specifications and sizes is mandatory.
Consult any BMW center for details.
Comply with local/national regulations.
The correct wheel/tire combina-
tion has an effect on the different
systems such as ABS, ATC,
ASC+T/DSC and ADB/DBC, whose
functioning would be otherwise im-
paired if the incorrect wheel/tire combi-
nations were used.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same manufacture and tread configura-
tion. In the event of a flat tire, for
example, remount the approved wheel/
tire combination as soon as possible.<
Codes on the tires and wheels The tire codes will aid you in selecting
the correct tire.
The codes on radial tires:
The speed rating indicates the approved
maximum speed for the tire.
Summer tires:
S = up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V = up to 150 mph (240 km/h)
W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y = up to 187 mph (300 km/h)
ZR = over 150 mph (240 km/h) Example:
Nominal width
in mm
Aspect ratio in X
Radial tire ID code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating
(not on ZR tires)
Speed rating
(before R on ZR tires)
225/50 R
1692W
Winter tires and all-season tires:
Q M+S = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T M+S = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H M+S = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
Codes stamped on light-alloy wheels:
Protect tire valve from dirt by using
screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in the
valves frequently leads to slow leaks. Example:
Rim width
in inches
Code letter for
flange type
Symbol for full-drop
center rim
Rim diameter in inches
Hump on the 2 rim shoulders
7 x 16 H 2
J

Everything from A to Z
197n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Switching off the engine64
Symbols4,164
Synthetic oils136 T
Tachometer75
Tail lamp assembly, bulb
replacement155
Tail lamps155
Tank capacity187
Technical data184
Technical
modifications6,148
Telephone hookup104
Telephone, refer also to the
separate Owner's Manual
Temperature display
outside temperature78
Temperature gauge
engine coolant76
Temperature
layering93,100
Temperature,
adjusting92,98
Thigh support
adjustment49
Third brake lamp157
Three-point-safety belt in the
rear106
Through-loading
system106 Tilt sensor alarm
system36,43
remote control36
Tire
codes125,127
condition122
damage122
inflation
pressure27,122
replacement123
rotation124
tread122
Tire pressure
checking27
monitoring85,179
Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)85,179
Tire Quality Grading123
Tools152
Torque184
Towing eyelets169
Towing the vehicle169
Track185
Traction Control System,
refer to DSC82
Transmission66
Transmitter key32
Transporting children
safely60
Tread depth, tires122
Tread wear indicator122 Trip odometer75
Trunk lid, refer to luggage
compartment lid
Turn signal indicator23,70
bulb replacement154
Turning radius185
Two-way radios121
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading123
Used batteries165 V
Vacuum cleaner105
Vanity mirror, bulb
replacement158
V-belts188
Vehicle battery163,188
Vehicle care
exterior142
interior144
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)139
Vehicle immobilizer33
Vehicle painting142
Vehicle starting63
Vehicle storage147
Vehicle vacuum cleaner,
attaching105
Vehicle weight186 Ventilation90,93,96
draft-free93,100
Vinyl upholstery, care144
Voice recognition24
W

Warning flashers25
Warning lamp "Please fasten
safety belts"21
Warning lamps20
Warning messages77
Warning triangle25
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet140
Washer fluids134,187
Washer nozzles,
adjusting134
Washer reservoir, filling134
Washer system70
Washing your vehicle141
Water on roadways113
Waxing, paintwork143
Wear indicator in the
tires122
Weights186
Wheel lug wrench159
Wheel rims125,127
Wheel, changing159
Wheelbase185
Wheels and tires125,127
Width185