2001 BMW 320i towing

Contents

Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit158
Windshield wiper blades158
Lamps and bulbs158
Changing a wheel165
Battery168
Fuses170
Microfilter/Activated-charcoal
filter171

In case of electrical
malfunction:

Fuel filler door172
Sliding/Tilt sunroof172

Assistance, giving and
receiving:

Jump-starting173
Towing the vehicle174Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC)178
Airbags179
Automatic Stability Control plus
traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)180
Radio reception181
Four-wheel drive182
Safety belt tensioner183
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming
feature184
Rain sensor185
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)186
Self-diagnostics187
Xenon lamps188Engine data192
Dimensions193
Weights194
Capacities195
Electrical system196
V-belts196

68n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
In the following situations, the Step-
tronic "thinks" for you in the manual
mode:
>In order to prevent the engine from
overrevving, the transmission shifts
automatically to the next higher gear
just before the engine speed cutoff
point.
>If you do not do anything to inter-
vene, it will automatically downshift
at lower speeds.
>In kickdown, it will downshift into
the lowest gear possible, depending
on the engine speed.
>According to the situation, for
instance in wintry conditions, the
vehicle can be started in 2nd or
3rd gear.
Available displays
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5460us143
Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P," set the parking
brake and turn the engine off (ignition
key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission
performance has been restored. You
may continue to drive as usual.
If the indicator lamp does not go out,
all selector lever positions can still be
selected, however in the forward
positions the vehicle has limited
performance as it drives only in 3rd
and 4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest BMW
center.
Do not work in the engine
compartment when a drive gear
(forward or reverse) is engaged. If you
do this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the
information beginning on page 173.

112n
Cargo loadingStowing cargo If you are transporting a load in your
BMW:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible Ð directly behind the back-
rests or the luggage compartment
partition Ð and as low as possible.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest.460de160
>If you are transporting very heavy
loads when the rear seat is not occu-
pied, secure the outer safety belts in
the opposite buckles (refer to the
illustration).460de185
Securing the load >For small, light items, use the rubber-
lined non-skid side of the floor mat or
secure with a luggage compartment
net
* or elastic straps (refer to
page 41).
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing
devices
*. Lashing eyes (arrow) are
provided at the inner corners of the
luggage compartment for attaching
these load-securing devices.
>Comply with the information
enclosed with the load-securing
devices.
460de161

116n
To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you comply
with the following recommendations.
Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed
4,500 RPM or a road speed of 100 mph
(160 km/h) during this initial period.
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Do not apply full throttle and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point.
After 1,200 miles (2,000 km), you can
gradually increase the engine speed or
road speed.
Follow the same break-in procedure if
either the engine or the differential is
replaced in the future.
TiresDue to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
For this reason, drive cautiously during
the first 200 miles (300 km).
Obey your local and state maximum
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 aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or
complete loss of traction, vehicle
control and braking effectiveness.
Reduce your speed on wet roads.<
Brake systemBrake pads and disks do not attain their
optimal wear patterns until after approx.
300 miles (500 km).
To break-in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that
traffic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
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 Ð when
towing, for example Ð substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle. optimally after about 300 miles
(500 km). Engage the gears carefully
during the break-in period.
Break-in procedures

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
157n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Repairs
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit158
Windshield wiper blades158
Lamps and bulbs158
Changing a wheel165
Battery168
Fuses170
Microfilter171
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Fuel filler door172
Sliding/tilt sunroof172
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting173
Towing the vehicle174

174n
Towing the vehicleTow fittingThe screw-in tow fitting is stored in the
onboard tool kit; be sure that it remains
in the vehicle at all times. This fitting is
designed for installation in the tow
sockets located at the front and rear of
the vehicle. It is intended for towing on
paved road surfaces only. This fitting
should not be used to pull a vehicle out
of deep snow, mud, sand, etc.
Always comply with all applicable
towing laws and regulations. Access to tow socketsFront:
Use a screwdriver in the upper section
of the recess to press the cover out.460de063
Rear:
Use a screwdriver in the upper section
of the recess to press the cover out.
Screw the tow fitting in completely
and tightly. If you do not, the
threads could be damaged.
Do not tow the vehicle by any compo-
nents of the running gear, or lash them
down in any way. If you do so, the
components could be damaged,
leading to possible accidents.<460de064
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Do not tow with sling-type equip-
ment.
>Use a wheel lift or flat bed equip-
ment.
>Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, leading to
possible accidents.c380us124

175n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Towing the vehicleBMW 325xi, 330xi: towing the
vehicle with one raised axle only 1 Place the gearshift lever or selector
lever in "Neutral"
2 Switching off the engine
3 Towing speed:
Max. 30 mph (50 km/h)
4 Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km)
Remove the rear driveshaft for
towing over longer distances with
the front axle lifted; remove the front
driveshaft for towing over longer
distances with the rear axle lifted.
Failure to comply with this will result in
damage to the transfer box.<

Everything from A to Z
201n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp163
Center 3-point-safety belt in
the rear109
Center armrest105
Central locking system34
button38
Changing a tire165
Changing a wheel165
Charge indicator lamp20
Check Control76
Child restraint
systems55,59,61
Child seat59
Child seat security61
Child-safety locks55
Cigarette lighter108
Clock76
refer also to the Radio or
Onboard Monitor Owner's
Manual
Cockpit16
Coin holder105
Combination switch69
Compression192
Computer77
Configure settings53
Consumption78
Consumption display75
Contents10
Coolant122,142,195
antifreeze122 Coolant temperature
gauge75
Cooling system195
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)21,119
Cruise control72
Cruising range78
Cup holder105
Curb weight194
D
Dashboard16
Data
dimensions193
engine192
weights194
Daytime-driving lamp
switch88
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)119
Defrost position96,101
Defroster, rear
window94,102
Defrosting the
windows96,101
Digital clock76
Dimensions193
Dipstick139
Disc brakes120
Displacement192
Displays18 Distance warning79
Diversity Antenna181
Divided rear backrest109
Door key32
Door locks, care122
Doors
child-safety locks55
emergency operation34
unlocking and locking34
Draft-free
ventilation95,102
Driving hints117
Driving in winter122
Driving lamps88
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)22,80,180
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)119
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)22,80,180
E
Electric power windows44
Electrical accessories,
failure170
Electrical system196
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Elements of operation16
Emergency operation,
doors34
Energy Control74 Engine compartment136
Engine coolant142,195
Engine data192
Engine oil
capacity195
consumption139
pressure20
quality140
specifications140
viscosity140
Engine oil level22
check139
Engine speed192
Engine, starting62
Exterior mirrors52
F
Failure messages76
Fault displays76
Fault, ABS119
Filler cap cover27
Filling capacities195
Filling the washer
reservoir195
First-aid kit26
Fittings, towing and
tow-starting174
Flashlight104
Flat tire125,165
Fog lamps89
Folding rear backrest109
Footbrake120