2001 BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE ECO mode

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. We therefore have this request:
Read this Owner's Manual to get summarized information, before you start out in
your new BMW. It contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in
gaining maximum use and satisfaction from the unique range of technical features
on your BMW. This manual also contains information on maintenance and care,
designed to ensure your safety and the proper operation of your vehicle, and to
maintain your vehicle's value.
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.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:
Ð New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Ð Limited Warranty Rust Perforation
Ð Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
Ð Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
Ð California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lampsRed and yellow: continue driving
cautiously
The brake warning lamp and the
yellow indicator lamps for ABS
and ASC+T/DSC both light up:
The entire ABS, CBC, ASC+T/
DSC
and
ADB/DBC system has
failed. Continue driving
cautiously and defensively.
Avoid hard brake applications.
Please have the system checked by
your BMW center as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 88, 123.
CBC, ABS, ASC+T/DSC
indi-
cator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking
brake is applied Ð an acoustic
signal also sounds when starting off.
For additional information, refer to
page 71. Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Adjust and lock backrest/Please
fasten safety belts l
A warning signal will sound at
the same time. Flashes, if the backrest
is not locked. Lights up until the safety
belt is fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 60.
Airbags l

Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 61, 189.
Orange: consult the nearest BMW
center
Automatic transmission
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 75.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from the outsidePanic mode (triggering alarm)By pressing button 3 for 2 to 5 seconds,
the alarm can be sounded in the event
of danger, if the alarm system is armed.
Pressing button 1 will turn the alarm off.
The LED (light-emitting diode) will light
up briefly whenever you press the indi-
vidual buttons.Non-BMW systemsThe proper functioning of the remote
control system may be affected by
other devices or equipment operating in
the immediate vicinity of your vehicle.
If this should occur, you can still open
and close the vehicle using the master
key in either the door or luggage
compartment lock.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or
changes to these devices could
void the user's authority to operate this
equipment.<

70n
Starting the engine Switching off the engine Do not press the accelerator pedal
while starting the engine.
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time, but do not actuate it
for more than approx. 20 seconds.
Release the ignition key immediately
when the engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, begin
driving immediately at a moderate
engine speed.<
If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at very low temperatures,
starting at about +57 (Ð156) and
at high altitudes over 3,300 ft
(1,000 meters):
>On the first start attempt, engage the
starter for a longer period (approx.
10 seconds).
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at start-up are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from
discharging, always deactivate elec-
trical devices that are not in use. Switch
the ignition off when the vehicle is not
being driven.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is still moving.
If you did so, the steering lock would
engage when the steering wheel is
turned.
Whenever you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and lock the
steering wheel.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always apply the parking brake
when parking on slopes and inclined
surfaces, since placing the shift lever
in 1st gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Parking brake To engageThe parking brake is designed primarily
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when
it is parked. It operates against the rear
wheels.
The lock engages automatically when
you lift the lever, and the indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on
when the ignition key is in position 2.
Refer to page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button (arrow) and lower the lever.460us024
If, in exceptional circumstances,
it should be necessary to engage
the parking brake while the vehicle is
in motion, do not pull the lever with
excessive pressure. Keep your thumb
pressed against the release button
while carefully pulling the lever up to
apply moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is applied.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always apply the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined
surfaces, since placing the shift lever in
1st gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake lightly
from time to time when coasting to a
standstill (at a traffic signal, for
instance), provided that it is safe to do
so.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
You have the option of driving with a
normal automatic transmission or
switching to manual.
When you move the selector lever from
the "D" position to the left into the M/S
range, the performance-oriented shift
programs of the automatic transmission
are engaged. As soon as you briefly
touch the selector lever in the "+" or "Ð"
direction, Steptronic shifts gears and
manual operation becomes active.
Whenever you want to use the auto-
matic mode again, move the selector
lever to the right into position "D."
The automatic transmission with Step-
tronic is equipped with Adaptive Trans-
mission Control (ATC). ATC reacts with
precision to your individual driving style
and the current driving conditions. It is
for this reason that various shift
programs are used.
You will find additional information
about ATC in the chapter called
"Advanced Technology" on page 188.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + Ð
Starting the engineThe engine can only be started in
selector lever positions P ("Park") or N
("Neutral").Range selectionA detent prevents inadvertent shifts into
certain selector lever positions. To
release the shift-lock mechanism, press
the button on the front side of the
selector handle (arrow).46cus054
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of "Park" or
"Neutral," depress the brake, other-
wise you will not be able to move the
selector lever (Shiftlock).
Hold the footbrake down until starting
off. Otherwise the vehicle will "creep"
when a drive position is engaged.<
If you leave the vehicle with the
engine running, move the selector
lever to the "Park" or "Neutral" position
and apply the parking brake. If you fail
to do this, the vehicle could move. Do
not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
P ParkSelect only when the vehicle is
stationary. The transmission locks to
prevent the rear wheels from turning.R ReverseSelect only when the vehicle is
stationary.N NeutralSelect "Neutral" only if your journey is
interrupted for a longer period.

74n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
D Drive (automatic shift program)This position is designed for driving
under all normal operating conditions.
All forward gears are available and the
ATC is fully operational."Kickdown"In the "kickdown" mode, you achieve
maximum performance. To activate this
mode, depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the full-throttle position, at
which a resistance point must be over-
come.
M/S Manual mode and
Sport ProgramShifting from D into M/S activates the
Sport Program and indicates SD in the
gear indicator. This position is recom-
mended for a performance-oriented
driving style.
With the first brief touch, the automatic
transmission shifts from the Sport
Program to the manual mode. When
you move the selector lever forward in
the "+" direction, the transmission shifts
up. When the lever is moved back in the
"Ð" direction, the transmission shifts
down. M1 to M5 appear in the gear
indicator.46cus055
Upshifts or downshifts will be carried
out by the ATC only at appropriate
engine and road speeds, e. g. the
engine will not downshift if engine
speed is too high. The gear selected
will appear briefly in the instrument
cluster followed by the current gear.
To accelerate quickly in the
manual mode (to pass another
vehicle, for instance), shift down manu-
ally or employ the "kickdown" mode.<
Shifting from M/S to the selector lever
positions P, R and N is possible only by
going through D.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
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 RPM cutoff point.
>At low speeds, the transmission
shifts down automatically and you do
not have to act
>In the "kickdown" mode, the trans-
mission shifts down to the lowest
gear which is possible, depending on
the engine speed.
>Depending on the situation Ñ when
driving in adverse winter conditions,
for example Ñ you may also start out
in 2nd or 3rd gear.
Possible displays
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
46cus005
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the
transmission selector lever to "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,
you can place the selector lever in all
positions. However, the vehicle will now
only operate 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 183.