2001 BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE Owner's Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking the oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material.
4 Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out
again.
5 The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.462de244
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, never let the oil drop below
the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential and the
power steering.<462de245

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Engine oil Specified engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil is
extremely important for the function
and life of an engine. Based on exten-
sive testing, BMW has approved only
certain types of engine oils.
Use only approved "BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil."
If you are unable to obtain "BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil," you may
use small volumes of other approved
synthetic oils for topping up between oil
changes. Use only oils with the specifi-
cation API SH or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details
concerning the specific "BMW
High Performance Synthetic Oil" or
synthetic oils that have been
approved.<
You can also call BMW of North
America at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this
website: www.bmwusa.com to obtain
this information.
Viscosity ratings Viscosity is the oil flow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in
the area where you drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These kinds of oil may be used for
driving in all ambient temperatures.
530us200

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oil Coolant
Always observe all environmental
protection laws when disposing of
used oil.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center only.
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing.
For this reason, thoroughly wash any
areas of skin that come into contact
with oil using soap and water.
Always store oils, grease and similar
materials so that they are inaccessible
to children. Comply with warning labels
and information on containers.<
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot. If
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant
can cause burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, never use anything other than
factory-approved, nitrite and amino-
free extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor. Your BMW center is
familiar with the official specifications.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. You should always
store it in its original container and in a
location that is inaccessible to children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor contains ethylene glycol, a
flammable substance. For this reason,
do not spill antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor on hot engine parts. It could
ignite and cause burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of extended-duty antifreeze
with corrosion inhibitor.<
Checking coolant levelCorrect coolant level for cold engine
(approx. 68 7 or +20 6):
Unscrew the cap from the expansion
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is at least
even with the upper edge of the filler
neck (refer to the arrow in the illustra-
tion), but no more than 0.8 in (2 cm)
above it Ð that is, up to the second mark
on the float (refer also to the schematic
diagram next to the filler neck).46cde036

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Coolant Brake fluidAdding coolant Wait until the engine cools before
removing the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant temper-
ature gauge in the instrument cluster
must be located in the blue zone. If it
is not, there is a danger of scalding.
1 Turn the cap slightly counterclock-
wise in order to allow accumulated
pressure to escape. Then open.
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached Ð do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the
prescribed all-season 50:50 mixture
ratio for year-round protection against
internal corrosion. No other additives
are required.
Replace the coolant every four years.The brake warning lamp comes on
when the parking brake has been
released:
Check the brake fluid level and if
necessary, top up to the "MAX" mark.
For 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 can result in extended
pedal travel. Comply with the informa-
tion provided on page 126.
460de128
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years by
an authorized BMW center. Refer also
to the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models). Brake fluid is hazardous to
health and damages the vehicle's paint.
You should always store it in its original
container and in a location that is
inaccessible to 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
environmental laws regulating
the disposal of brake fluid.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Vehicle Identification NumberIn the engine compartment, on the
right-hand strut dome (arrow). 462de247

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The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety Ð and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.
Service Interval DisplayAdvanced technology is employed
to calculate the optimal maintenance
intervals. These are then indicated in
the Service Interval Display. While
conventional systems rely on distance
traveled alone to determine when
service is due, the BMW Maintenance
System has for years considered the 46cus018
actual conditions under which the
vehicle operates, because miles can be
traveled in many different ways:
From a maintenance point of view,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) of short-
distance urban driving are not equiva-
lent to the same distance covered at
moderate speeds in long-distance
highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual use of the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. However, even those who
drive only short distances Ð significantly
less than 6,000 miles (10,000 km) annu-
ally Ð should have the engine oil
changed at least every 2 years, since oil
deteriorates over time, regardless of
use.Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)For additional information on mainte-
nance intervals and procedures, please
refer to the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models), or the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
As a precaution against rust, it is advis-
able to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
Have your BMW center perform
maintenance and repair.
Your BMW center is always informed on
the latest maintenance work and repair
techniques and equipped with the
required special tools. In addition,
checking parts known from experience
to be subject to wear is a permanent
part of the maintenance specifications.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models), or in
the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian models). These en-
tries are your verification for the regular
maintenance of your vehicle and are
required for the performance of
warranty repairs.<
The BMW Maintenance System

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Washing your vehicle You can have your BMW washed in
an automatic car wash, even when it
is new. Car wash systems that do not
employ brushes are preferable, refer to
page 157.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the vehicle.
In order to avoid spots, do not wash the
vehicle when the hood is warm, or
during or immediately after exposure to
strong sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle.
>No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the
car wash operator if necessary.
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system.
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects
can cause malfunctions in the function
of the rain sensor.
Deactivate the rain sensor when
going through car washes (refer to
page 77) Ñ otherwise, the wipers could
be damaged if they inadvertently start
working.<
Parts of the vehicle that are inaccessi-
ble to the automatic washer Ð such as
door sills, door and hood edges, etc. Ð
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially
important to be sure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also damage the
vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face. Inadequate distance and exces-
sive pressure can damage or weaken
the finish, making it more susceptible to
subsequent attack. In addition,
moisture could penetrate to vehicle
components, leading to long-term
damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following: do
not wipe dry with a cloth (scratches).
Never use abrasives or strong solvents
to clean the covers. Remove dirt and
contamination (such as insects) by
soaking with BMW Car Shampoo and
then rinsing with plenty of water.
Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never use
a scraper.<
After washing the vehicle, apply
the brakes briefly to dry them.
Braking efficiency might otherwise be
reduced by the moisture and the brake
rotors could also be corroded.<
Caring for your vehicle

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Caring for your vehicleExterior finish To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
using special body-cavity protectants,
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to
the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied. Regular maintenance makes
an important contribution to maintaining
the safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects
of harmful environmental factors on
vehicle finishes have led paint and
vehicle manufacturers to initiate
ongoing programs designed to further
improve the durability of their finishes.
Despite this, environmental factors that
occur locally or regionally can have
negative effects on the finish of your
vehicle. Use the factors to determine
the frequency and extent of your efforts
to maintain the vehicle finish.Depending upon material and type of
impact (perforation of paint layer),
physical stresses from sand, road salt,
gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to
start extending beneath the finish,
starting at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects,
animal droppings (strong alkali effect)
and tree excretions (resins and pollen)
all contain substances capable of caus-
ing damage when allowed to remain on
the finish of your vehicle for any period
of time. This includes spots, etching,
flaking, and separations in the top coat.
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other
environmental pollutants will damage
the vehicle's finish unless adequate
care is provided Ð even though this is
generally limited to the outside
horizontal surfaces.In coastal regions, high levels of
atmospheric salt and humidity promote
corrosion.
In tropical zones, temperatures of over
105 7 (+40 6) in the shade prevail, in
addition to heavy ultraviolet radiation
and high humidity. Under these condi-
tions, light paints can reach tempera-
tures of up to 175 7 (+80 6) and dark
paints up to 250 7 (+120 6).