Technical BMW 330i SEDAN 2003 E46 Owner's Manual

Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. Therefore we have one request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new BMW. The
manual contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in obtaining
maximum satisfaction from your BMW's unique array of advanced technical fea-
tures. It also contains information on vehicle maintenance designed to enhance
operating safety while simultaneously helping you to maintain your BMW's value
throughout an extended service life. For additional information refer to the supple-
mental manuals.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important
operating, safety and maintenance information.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

Contents

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures114
Driving notes115
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)115
Brake system116

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure117
Tire condition117
Tire replacement118
Wheel and tire
combinations120
Winter tires120

In the engine compartment:

Hood122
Engine compartment
essentials124
Washer fluids126
Engine oil126
Coolant128
Brake fluid129

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System130

Laws and regulations:

California Proposition 65
warning131
OBD interface socket131

Owner service procedures

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit136
Windshield wiper blades136
Lamps and bulbs137
Changing a wheel141
Run Flat tires*145
Battery146
Fuses146

Giving and receiving
assistance:

Jump-starting147
Towing the vehicle148

Technical data

Engine data152
Dimensions153
Weights154
Capacities155

13

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

29
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

110
Roof-mounted luggage rack*A special roof-rack system is available
as an optional extra for your BMW.
Please observe the precautions
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the anchorages:
To fold up the cover – see arrow –
please use the tool provided with the
roof-rack system.Loading and driving notesRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the
center of gravity of the vehicle when
they are loaded. For this reason, they
exercise a major effect on the vehicle's
handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof load
capacity, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the axle loads when loading
the rack. These weights are listed under
Technical data on page 154.
Make sure that the load is not too
heavy, and attempt to distribute it
evenly. Always load the heaviest pieces
first so that they are at the bottom. Be
sure that adequate clearance is main-
tained for raising the sliding/tilt sunroof,
and that objects do not project into the
opening path of the luggage compart-
ment lid.
Secure the roof-mounted luggage cor-
rectly and securely to prevent it from
shifting or being lost during driving.
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration and braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.
The roof-mounted luggage rack and the
roof load increase the aerodynamic
resistance: increased fuel consumption
and additional stress on the vehicle's
body are the result.

113
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

114Special operating instructions
Break-in proceduresTo ensure that your vehicle continues to
provide maximum economy throughout
an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the
following instructions.Engine and differentialThe first 1,250 miles/2,000 km:
Attempt to constantly vary both vehicle
and engine speeds during these initial
miles while remembering to avoid
engine speeds in excess of 4,500 rpm
and/or vehicle speeds of over
100 mph / 160 km/h:
Always obey all official speed limits.
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point.
You can then proceed to increase both
engine and vehicle speeds once the ini-
tial 1,250 miles/2,000 km have elapsed.
Please remember to observe these
same break-in procedures if either the
engine or the differential should have to
be replaced later in the course of the
vehicle's service life.
TiresOwing to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
We thus ask you to drive with extra care
during the first 200 miles/300 km.
Always obey all official speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as hydroplaning and can
lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effec-
tiveness. Reduce your speed on wet
roads. before the brake pads and rotors
achieve the optimal pad-surface and
wear patterns required for trouble-free
operation and an extended service life
later on.
To break in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill – at a traf-
fic signal, for instance; use caution to
avoid posing a danger to other road
users.
You can prevent corrosion in the drums
by periodically repeating this proce-
dure.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine off – when tow-
ing, for example – substantially higher
levels of pedal force will be required to
brake the vehicle. before the clutch starts to operate at
optimum efficiency. Remember to
engage the clutch carefully during this
initial period.

120
Wheel and tire combinationsThe right choice
BMW recommends using only
wheels and tires that have been
approved by BMW for use on your par-
ticular model. Although other wheels
and tires may theoretically have the
same dimensions, variations in factors
such as manufacturing tolerances can
result in contact between tire and body-
work, ultimately leading to serious acci-
dents. 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.<
For each tire size, BMW has assessed
the safe performance of specific tire
brands and approved them for use.
Consult any BMW center for details.
Comply with any local/national regula-
tions, for example by recording the tire
type in the vehicle documents.
The correct wheel-tire combina-
tion affects various systems such
as ABS, ASC+T/DSC and ADB/
ADB-X/DBC. The function of these sys-
tems is impaired if improper wheel-tire
combinations are used.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same manufacture and tread configura-
tion. In the event of a flat tire, for exam-
ple, remount the approved wheel and
tire combination as soon as possible.<
StorageStore tires in a cool, dry place, protect-
ing them against light whenever possi-
ble. Protect the tires against contact
with oil, grease and fuel.
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires – M+S
tires – for operation under inclement
winter driving conditions. While all-sea-
son tires – M+S designation – provide
better winter traction than the corre-
sponding summer tires, they generally
do not achieve the performance of win-
ter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer and
having the same tread configuration on
all four wheels.
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by trained
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<

122In the engine compartment
HoodTo releasePull the lever located under the left-
hand side of the instrument panel.
Do not attempt to service your
vehicle if you do not have the
required technical background. Failure
to work in an informed, professional
manner when servicing components
and materials constitutes a safety haz-
ard for vehicle occupants and other
road users. If you are not familiar with
the guidelines, please have the opera-
tions performed by your BMW center.<
To openPull the release handle and open the
hood.
To closeAllow the hood to fall from a height of
about 1 ft/30 cm so that it audibly
engages.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the hood is clear
when it is closed, following the same
safety precautions used in all closing
procedures.
If you notice while driving that the hood
is not completely closed, stop immedi-
ately and close it securely.<

135
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex