brake fluid BMW 330Ci COUPE 2002 E46 Owner's Manual

5n

OverviewControlsMaintenaceRepairsDataIndex

Controls and features
Operation, maintenance

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams77
Instrument lighting78
High beams/Standing lamps78
Fog lamps78
Interior lamps79

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Air conditioning80
Automatic climate control83
Roller sun blind86

Interior conveniences:

Premium sound system86
Glove compartment87
Storage compartments87
Cellular phone89
Ashtray, front89
Ashtray, rear90
Clothes hooks90

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading system91
Ski bag92
Cargo loading93
Roof-mounted luggage rack94

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures98
Driving notes99
Antilock Brake System (ABS)99
Brake system100

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure101
Tire condition101
Tire replacement102
Wheel and tire
combinations104
Winter tires105

In the engine compartment:

Hood106
Engine compartment
essentials107
Washer fluids108
Engine oil109
Coolant111
Brake fluid112

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System113

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications114
California Proposition
65 Warning114
OBD interface socket115

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

l

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for
different 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 to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current



l

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
serious engine damage. If the drive belt
is defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<

Engine oil pressure


l

Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off engine. Check
the engine oil level and top off as
required. If the oil level is correct,
please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious
damage from inadequate lubrication.

<

Brake warning lamp

l

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before
driving further, be sure to comply with
the instructions on pages 100 and 112
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor

l

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a tire failure has occurred.
Reduce vehicle speed immediately to
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake
applications. As you steer the vehicle,
use caution and avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information: refer to
pages 73, 75

100n
Brake systemBrake fluid level If 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
center. 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
accordingly. with the vehicle parked or in storage,
and operating conditions in which
braking is restricted to gentle, low-
pressure applications will all increase
the tendency for corrosion to form on
the rotors; this is often accompanied by
a simultaneous accumulation of
contamination 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
process 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 64.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.
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.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that the manufacturer
has released for your particular vehicle
model. The manufacturer cannot eval-
uate non-approved brake pads to
determine if they are suited for use, and
therefore cannot ensure the operating
safety of the vehicle if they are
installed.<

107n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Engine compartment essentials1 Brake fluid reservoir112
2 Engine oil dipstick1093 Coolant expansion tank111
4 Reservoir for the headlamp and
windshield washer system1085 Engine oil filler neck109
6 Auxiliary terminal for
jump-starting128

112n
Brake fluidWarning lamp
The brake warning lamp comes
on when the parking brake is
not engaged: the brake fluid
level is too low, refer to page 17.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Adding brake fluidFor adding brake fluid or for deter-
mining and correcting the cause of
brake fluid loss, consult your BMW
center. Your BMW center is familiar
with the specifications for factory-
approved brake fluids (DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. Refer to the informa-
tion on page 100.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the brake system's
safety and reliability, have the brake
fluid changed every two years by a
BMW center. Refer also to page 65 and
to the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion which is out of reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the MAX
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating
the disposal of brake fluid.<

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)19, 99
Acceleration traction control,
refer to DSC71
Accessories10
Activated-charcoal filter86
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)58
ADB (Automatic Differential
Brake)71
Adding
brake fluid112
coolant111
engine oil109
washer fluid108
Adjusting
head restraints43
lumbar support42
manual seat41
power seat42
steering wheel46
thigh support41
Air conditioning80
temperature settings81
Air distribution81, 84 Air nozzles80, 83
Air outlets80, 83
ventilation80
Air supply81, 84
Airbags18, 48
sitting correctly40
Alarm system36
Antifreeze111
radiator111
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)19, 99
Anti-theft system36
Aquaplaning99
Armrest87
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)70
Ashtray
front89
rear90
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)58
Attach vehicle vacuum
cleaner89
AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control)85
Automatic climate
control83
temperature settings84 Automatic cruise control62
Automatic Differential Brake
(ADB)71
Automatic headlight
control77
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)85
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)70
Automatic transmission57
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic18, 57
Automatic-dimming inside
rearview mirror48
Average consumption68
Average speed68
Axle loads134
B
Backrest
adjusting41
releasing43
Backup lamps56
bulb replacement121
Battery127
charge current indicator
lamp17
charging127 Beverage holder88
Blower81, 84
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil110
BMW Maintenance
System113
BMW sports seat
manual adjustment41
power adjustment42
Bore132
Bottle holder, refer to
beverage holder88
Brake fluid112
Brake hydraulic system17
Brake lamps
bulb replacement121
Brake system100
brake fluid level100
brake pads100
brake pads, indicator19
disc brakes100
Brake system, brake
malfunction100
Break-in procedure98
Bulbs and lamps,
replacement118

A-Z