2001 BMW 325Ci COUPE catalytic converter

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Lamps:

Side lamps/Low beams87
Instrument panel lighting87
High beams/Parking lamps88
Fog lamps88
Interior lamps88

Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:

Air conditioner90
Automatic climate control96
Seat heating101
Roller sun blind101

Interior convenience:

HiFi system101
Glove compartment102
Storage facilities102
Cellular phone104
Ashtray, front104
Cigarette lighter105
Ashtray, rear105
Clothes hooks105

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading system106
Ski bag107
Cargo loading108
Roof-mounted luggage rack109

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures112
Driving notes113
Catalytic converter113
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)115
Disc brakes117
Brake system118
Winter operation119
Power steering121
Cellular phones121
Radio reception121

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure122
Tire condition122
Tire replacement123
Tire rotation124
Wheel and tire
combinations125
Winter tires126
Snow chains126
Approved wheel and tire
specifications127

Under the hood:

Hood130
Engine compartment132
Washer fluids134
Washer nozzles134
Engine oil135
Coolant137
Brake fluid138
Vehicle Identification
Number139

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System140
Caring for your vehicle141
Airbags146
Vehicle storage147

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications148
California Proposition
65 Warning148
ODB interface socket149

27n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressure The engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
Proper inflation pressures are on a
sticker attached to the B-pillar and
visible with the driver's door open.Check tire pressuresOn the next page you will find all the tire
pressure and ambient air temperature
specifications stated in the units usually
used in your country (psi; kilopascal).
For vehicles with RDC (Tire Pressure
Control):
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reactivate the system. Refer to
page 85.462de197
Check tire inflation pressures,
including the space-saver spare
tire, or spare tire, regularly, at least
every two weeks and before beginning
any extended driving. Otherwise, incor-
rect tire pressure can lead to tire
damage and accidents.
Inflate the spare tire to the highest
inflation specified for your vehicle.<

76n
Fuel gauge Temperature gauge Service Interval Display When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
Once the indicator lamp stays on
continuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons (8 liters) of fuel remaining in
the fuel tank.
For fuel tank capacity, refer to page 187.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended
driving in mountainous areas, for
example), there may be slight fluctua-
tions of the needle.
Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty. Driving to the last drop of
fuel can result in damage to the engine
and/or the catalytic converter.<462us020
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle: the engine is overheated.
Stop and switch the engine off immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not
unusual for the needle to rise as far as
the edge of the red zone in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions. Checking coolant
level: refer to page 137.460de082
Remaining distance for 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 OILSERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the distance remaining
before the next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the previous
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.46cus006

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
111n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures112
Driving notes113
Catalytic converter113
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)115
Disc brakes117
Brake system118
Winter operation119
Power steering121
Cellular phones121
Radio reception121
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure122
Tire condition122
Tire replacement123
Tire rotation124
Wheel and tire
combinations125
Winter tires126
Snow chains126
Approved wheel and tire
specifications127Under the hood:
Hood130
Engine compartment132
Washer fluids134
Washer nozzles134
Engine oil135
Coolant137
Brake fluid138
Vehicle Identification
Number139
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System140
Caring for your vehicle141
Airbags146
Vehicle storage147
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications148
California Proposition
65 Warning148
OBD interface socket149
Car care

113n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light but
consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear, and
possibly to brake failure.
Aquaplaning:
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce vehicle speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water may form between the
tires and the road surface. This
phenomenon is referred to as aqua-
planing or hydroplaning. It is character-
ized by a partial or complete loss of
contact between the tires and the road
surface. The ultimate results are loss of
steering and braking control.
Driving through water:
Do not drive through water on the road
if it is deeper than 1 foot (30 cm), and
then only at walking speed. Otherwise,
the vehicle's engine, the electrical
systems and the transmission may be
damaged.
Rear window shelf:
Never use it to store heavy or hard
objects, otherwise, occupants could
be injured if the vehicle is braked hard.
Clothes hooks:
When suspending clothing from the
hooks, be sure that they will not
obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang
heavy objects on the hooks. If you do
so, they could cause personal injury
during braking or evasive maneuvers. exhaust emissions.
It is designed for use with unleaded fuel
only. Even minute quantities of lead
would be enough to permanently
damage both the catalytic converter
and the system oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and to avoid potential
damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements.
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty.
>Tow-start only when the engine is
cold. If you attempt to tow-start with
a warm engine, unburned residual
fuel in the catalytic converter could
ignite and cause damage. It is better
to jump-start the vehicle with outside
assistance.
>Avoid other situations in which the
fuel is not burned, or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start (stopping and
restarting an engine which is running
properly does not present a problem).
Never allow the engine to run with
any of the spark plug cables discon-
nected.
Driving notes Catalytic converter

114n
Catalytic converter
Be sure to comply with the
preceding instructions to prevent
unburned fuel from reaching the cata-
lytic converter. If you do not, the cata-
lytic converter could respond by
overheating, leading to serious
damage.
Very high temperatures occur in any
vehicle equipped with a catalytic
converter. Heat shields are installed
adjacent to some sections of the
exhaust system. Never remove these
shields; do not apply undercoating to
their surfaces. When driving, standing
at idle, and parking the vehicle, take
extra care to avoid contact between the
exhaust system and flammable mate-
rials (grass, hay, leaves, etc.). Such
contact could lead to a fire, resulting in
serious personal injury and property
damage.<

149n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
OBD interface socketThe OBD interface socket for onboard
diagnostics is located on the driver's
side, on the left-hand bottom of the
instrument panel and under a cover
panel. The cover has the letters "OBD"
on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to
assure proper emission control system
operation for the vehicle's lifetime by
monitoring emission-related compo-
nents and systems for wear and
malfunction.460us250
An illuminated indicator informs
you of the need for service,
not that you need to stop the
vehicle. Your system should be
checked, however, at the earliest
possible opportunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this
indicates a high level of engine misfire.
Reduce speed and contact your near-
est BMW center immediately. Severe
engine misfire over even a short period
of time can seriously damage emission
control components, especially the
catalytic converter.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
If the fuel filler cap is not firmly
screwed on, the OBD system can
detect leaking vapor and the indicator
will light up. If the fuel filler cap is then
tightened, the indicator will usually go
out after a short period of time.<

Everything from A to Z
193n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cargo
loading108
securing108
Caring for the vehicle's
finish143
Cassette operation, refer to
the Radio Owner's Manual
Catalytic converter113
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)21,116
CD operation, refer to the
Radio Owner's Manual
Cellular phone104,121
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp157
Center 3-point-safety belt in
the rear106
Center armrest102
Central locking system34
button38
Changing a wheel159
Changing tires159
Check Control77
Child restraint systems56
Child seat56
Child seat security62
Cigarette lighter105
Cleaning headlamps72
Cleaning windshield71
Clock78 Clock, refer also to the Radio
or Onboard Monitor
Owner's Manual
Clothes hooks105
Cockpit16
Code, refer to the Radio
Owner's Manual
Coin box, cup holder103
Combination switch70
Compression184
Computer77
Computer, refer also to the
Onboard Monitor Owner's
Manual
Configure settings54
Consumption79
Consumption display76
Contents10
Convenience operation
sliding/tilt sunroof34
windows34
Coolant119,137,187
antifreeze119
Coolant temperature
gauge76
Cooling system187
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)21,116
Cruise control73
Cruising range79
Curb weight186
Current, check indicator20
D
Data
dimensions185
engine184
technical184
weights186
Daytime-driving lamp87
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)116
Deep water113
Defroster, rear
window92,100
Defrosting the
windows94,99
Digital clock78
Dimensions185
Dipstick135
Disc brakes117
Displacement184
Display lighting87
Displays18
Distance warning81
Diversity Antenna
system176
Divided rear backrest106
Door key32
Door locks, care119
Doors
emergency operation34
remote control35
unlocking and locking34
DOT Quality Grades123 Draft-free
ventilation93,100
Drive belts188
Driving hints113
Driving in winter119
Driving lamps87
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)22,82,175
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)116
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)22,82,175
E
Electric power seat50
Electric power windows44
Electrical accessories,
failure166
Electrical system188
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Elements of operation16
Emergency operation
doors34
fuel filler door167
slidling/tilt sunrrof167
Energy Control75
Engine compartment132
Engine coolant137,187
Engine data184