warning lights BMW 330xi SEDAN 2002 E46 Owner's Manual

17n

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

The system runs an operational check
on the indicator and warning lamps
identified with the

l

symbol each time
you switch on the ignition. 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 the engine.
Check the engine oil level; 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 106 and 118
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 and
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake
applications. As you steer the vehicle,
use caution and avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information: refer to
pages 78 and 80

18n

Indicator and warning lamps

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The brake warning lamp comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS and
ASC+T/DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, ASC+T/
DSC and


ADB/ADB-X/DBC


control system has failed.
Continue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Please have the system checked
by your BMW center as soon as
possible.
For additional information: refer to
pages 72, 73
CBC, ABS and ASC+T/DSC and
ADB/ADB-X/DBC indicator and
warning lamps for Canadian
models.

Red: an important reminder

Parking brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking
brake is applied Ð an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information: refer to
page 58
Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Fasten safety belts

l

An acoustic warning also
sounds in some versions. Lights
up either for several seconds or until
the belt is engaged, depending upon
version.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 45
Airbags

l

Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 49

Orange: consult the nearest
BMW center

Automatic transmission
The transmission has
responded to a malfunction by
reverting to operation in its emergency
default program. Please consult the
nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 59

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest
opportunity. For additional information:
refer to page 114
SERVICE ENGINE SOON

l

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 at your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 121.
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine electronics

l


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 by your
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity. For additional information: refer to
page 117

Green: for your information

Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signals
are on.
Rapid flashing indicates a system
malfunction.
For additional information: refer to
page 61
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise
control is activated: available for
operation via the multifunction steering
wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 64
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to
page 83

Blue: for your information

High beams
Comes on when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information: refer to
pages 61, 83

67n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Fuel gauge Temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayOnce the indicator lamp stays on
continuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel
tank.
For information on the fuel tank
capacity, refer to page 143.
Certain operating conditions (such as
those encountered in mountainous
areas) may cause the needle to fluc-
tuate slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.<
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an
operation check.
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
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.
For instructions on checking the
coolant level, refer to page 117.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector in normal operation.
Remaining distance to serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 or after the
engine is started.
The next service due appears with the
message OIL SERVICE or INSPEC-
TION, together with the distance
remaining in miles (kilometers) before
the next scheduled service. The
computer bases its calculations of the
remaining distance on the preceding
driving style.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of
the number mean that the service
interval has already been exceeded by
the distance shown on the display.
Please contact your BMW center for an
appointment.

80n
Flat Tire Monitor
*
The conceptAs you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor
keeps track of pressure levels in all four
tires in order to detect and warn of any
substantial pressure loss.
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.
Initializing the systemInitializing is necessary to familiarize the
system with the correct inflation pres-
sure.
Repeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or
replacement. Do not carry out further
system initialization after adjusting the
inflation pressure and letting the system
"learn" the correct pressures.
1 Check the tire inflation pressure in all
the tires, comparing them with the
inflation pressure table on page 25
and adjust their pressure if necessary
2 Turn the ignition key to position 2
3 Press button as long as you need to
until the yellow indicator lamp on the
instrument cluster lights up. After a
little while, the indicator lamp will go
out by itself
4 After a few minutes driving time, the
Flat Tire Monitor adopts the current
pressure levels as the reference, and
from that point on, can detect and
report a flat tire.

81n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Flat Tire Monitor
*
To activate/deactivate the systemThe Flat Tire Monitor automatically
assumes operation whenever you turn
the ignition key to position 2. Unless
manually deactivated, it is always on
during normal vehicle operation.
To deactivate the system: press the
button, the yellow indicator lamp comes
on.
To activate the system: press the
button again, the indicator lamp goes
out.
You should deactivate the system
before driving with snow chains, as the
chains can generate spurious warnings
and/or prevent the system from
detecting actual pressure loss.
Flat tire warning
The red warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up to
warn of pressure loss and tire
failure. This visual alert is accompanied
by an acoustic warning signal. Reduce
your speed immediately, and steer and
brake gently as you bring the vehicle to
a stop.
To reset the warning lamp: after
replacing the damaged tire you will
need to reset the red warning lamp
manually: maintain pressure on the Flat
Tire Monitor button until the warning
lamp goes out. Then reinitialize the
system.
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot
provide you with advance warning
of sudden and severe tire damage
caused by external factors.
The system also does not detect the
gradual and minor loss of pressure that
all tires display over extended periods
of time.<
Check tire inflation pressures on a
regular basis, correcting them as
necessary, refer to page 24.
The system may respond to operation
on slippery or snow-covered road
surfaces with false warnings or delays
in detecting actual pressure loss.
Performance-oriented driving (slip at
the drive wheels, high rates of lateral
acceleration) can also increase the time
that the Flat Tire Monitor requires to
detect a flat.<
System malfunctionsThe yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up and remains on
until the problem is corrected.
Please refer the problem to your BMW
center.

82n
Parking lamps/Low beamsParking lamps
The front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on. You can
use the parking lamps for
parking. For lighting on one side for
parking as an additional feature, refer to
page 83.
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 lamps
When you activate the headlamp
flasher after parking the vehicle with the
lights turned off, the low-beam head-
lamps will come on for a short time. You
can also have this function deacti-
vated.<
LIGHTS ON warningWhenever you open the driver's door
after having turned the ignition key to
position 0, you will hear a buzzing
sound for a few seconds to remind you
if 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 ignition is switched off, the
external lighting is also switched off.
You can have the activation
settings for the daytime driving
lamps programmed on your vehicle.<
Automatic headlight control
*
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.)
as well as rain and snow.
The vehicle's external lights
remain on constantly when you
switch on the front fog lamps after the
headlights have come on automati-
cally.<
Automatic headlight control
cannot 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 headlights on manu-
ally.<
You can have the sensitivity of
your vehicle's automatic head-
light control adjusted.<

132n
Changing a wheelDriving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
You can anticipate changes in vehicle
handling such as delayed braking
response, longer braking distances and
sacrifices in roadholding.
The changes in handling characteristics
will be even more pronounced if winter
tires are mounted.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at one time.
Reinstall wheels and tires of the same
size and specification as soon as
possible. Maintain correct tire pres-
sures, refer to page 25.<
Safety tires
*
Safety tires consist of self-supporting
tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that the tire retains
some residual safety in the event of
pressure drop and driving remains
possible to a restricted degree. The
vehicle is equipped with Tire Pressure
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor,
which indicate a flat tire.Flat tireIf there is a tire failure, the red warning
lamp symbol lights up. A supplemen-
tary gong is also heard.
For additional information on Tire Pres-
sure Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor
refer to pages 78 or 80.
Reduce vehicle speed carefully to
under 50 mph (80 km/h), avoiding hard
brake applications and steering maneu-
vers.
With the safety tires, you can drive
another approx. 155 miles (250 km) to
reach a safe parking location, a service
station or the nearest BMW center.
With a low vehicle load, this can also be
considerably more than 155 miles
(250 km).Safety tires are only possible in
conjunction with Tire Pressure
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor.<
If the defective wheel can not be seen
as such immediately from the outside,
check the tire inflation pressure at all
four wheels.
Have the tires changed by your
BMW center. For safety reasons,
do not have a safety tire repaired. Your
BMW center has the information
needed for working with safety tires
and is equipped with the necessary
special tools.<
If appropriate, please consult your
BMW center to reequip your
vehicle from summer to winter tires Ð or
vice versa.<

Everything from A to Z
149n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
I
Ice warning69
Icy roads69
Ignition key28
Ignition lock56
Imprint4
Indicator lamps17
Inflation pressures,
tires24, 107
Inside rearview mirror
automatic dimming
feature49
INSPECTION67
Instrument cluster15
Instrument lighting83
Instruments15
Interface socket for onboard
diagnostics (OBD)121
Interior lamps30, 84
remote control30
Interior motion sensor37
avoiding unintentional
alarms37
deactivate by remote
control30
Interior rearview mirror48
Interlock56
J
Jack129
Jump-starting134 K
Key Memory55
Keys28
with remote control28 L
Lamps and bulbs,
replacement124
Lashing eyes99
LATCH child-restraint
mounting system52
Length141
License plate lamp
bulb replacement128
LIGHTS ON warning82
Litter bag holder93
Load-securing devices99
Lock buttons32
Louvers85
Low beams82
bulb replacement125
Lug wrench129 Luggage compartment35
bulb replacement127
capacity142
floor mat35
floor panel35
Luggage compartment
lid33
bulb replacement127
disconnect from central
locking system33
electrical malfunction33
manual operation33
operate via remote
control30
secure separately33
Luggage compartment
lighting33
Luggage compartment's
interior, emergency
release35
Luggage rack100
Lumbar support43
M
M+S tires111
Maintenance67, 119
Malfunction displays68
Manual operation
doors31
fuel filler door22
luggage compartment
lid33
sliding/tilt sunroof40
Manual seat adjustment42
Manual transmission58
Manually controlled recircu-
lated-air90
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)21
Microfilter87, 91
Microphone94
Mirror defrosting48
Mirror memory46
Mirrors48
Modifications,
technical10, 120
Motion sensor, refer to
interior motion sensor
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)21