2001 BMW 325i SEDAN Owner's Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
BatteryBattery careThe battery is absolutely maintenance-
free, that is, the original electrolyte will
normally last for the service life of the
battery under moderate climatic condi-
tions.
For all questions that regard the
battery, please consult your BMW
center. Since the battery is mainte-
nance-free, the following is for your
information only. your vehicle battery. To avoid injury,
please comply with the corresponding
precautions whenever you work with or
near the battery.
Before handling the battery,
please read the following infor-
mation.
Wear eye protection. Do not
allow particles containing
battery acid or lead to come into
contact with your eyes, your skin, or
your clothing.
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and
protective gloves. Do not tip the
battery. Battery acid can leak from the
ventilation openings.
Do not allow children access to
batteries and battery acid.
Never allow sparks or open
flame in the vicinity of the
battery. Avoid sparks from elec-
trical cables or electrical equipment.
Turn the key to position 0 in the
steering lock when disconnecting or
connecting the battery. Do not short-
circuit the battery terminals. This
creates a risk of injury from high-energy
sparks.
A highly explosive gas is gener-
ated when the battery is charged.
If battery acid is splashed into
your eyes, immediately rinse
them with clear water for
15 minutes. Consult a physician imme-
diately. If your skin or clothing are
splashed by acid, rinse immediately
with ample clear water. If battery acid is
accidentally swallowed, consult a
physician immediately.
In order to protect the battery
case from ultraviolet radiation,
do not place it in direct sunlight.
A discharged battery can freeze. Store
the battery in areas where temperature
remains above freezing.
Removal and installation
Do not disconnect the battery
when the engine is running. If you
do so, the ensuing voltage surge will
damage the vehicle's onboard elec-
tronics.
Do not make any modifications in the
wires to the positive terminal. If you do
so, the protective function of the safety
battery terminal is no longer ensured.
Repair and disposal must be performed
by trained technicians only.<
When removing the battery, disconnect
the cable on the negative terminal first,
then the cable on the positive terminal.
Loosen the center adjusting screw on
the battery retaining strap (use the
screwdriver included with the onboard
tool kit) and disconnect the strap.
When installing a battery, connect the
positive terminal first, then connect the
negative terminal.
When installing a battery, be sure
that it is mounted properly and
that the retaining bracket is installed
with the center adjustment screw. If this
is not done, the battery will not be
adequately secured in case of an acci-
dent.<

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Battery FusesCharging the battery Charge the battery in the vehicle only
when the engine is not running.
Before doing any work on the elec-
trical system, be sure to unclamp
the cable from the battery's negative
terminal. Failure to do so can result in
short-circuits, a fire or personal injury.<
If the vehicle is to be parked longer than
four weeks, disconnect the battery from
the vehicle's electrical system by
disconnecting the negative terminal
cable and then recharge using a suit-
able charging device.
If you intend to store your vehicle for
longer than twelve weeks: remove the
battery, charge it and store it in a cool
(but frost-and dust-free) room. Every
three months and before reinstalling the
battery, have it recharged. If it is not
recharged, it will not be serviceable.
Every time the battery is discharged,
especially over extended periods, its
service life is reduced.
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling center or your BMW center.
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Secure
the battery to prevent it from tilting
during transport.<
Storage periods during which the
battery is disconnected are not
taken into consideration by the Service
Interval Display for changing the brake
fluid.
For this reason, be sure that the brake
fluid is changed every two years,
regardless of the information displayed.
Read and comply with the information
on page 143 covering this subject.<
If an electrical accessory should fail,
switch it off and check the fuse. In the glove compartment1 Open the glove compartment and
turn the two white quick-release
fasteners outward. Spare fuses and
plastic tweezers are located on the
fuse holder.
2 Use the plastic tweezers to remove
the fuse for the accessory or equip-
ment that has stopped working.
3 If the fuse is burned through (the
metal strip is melted and separated),
replace it with a new fuse of the same
ampere rating (color code).460de062

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Fuses Microfilter/Activated-charcoal filterThe fuses, their respective ampere
ratings and the equipment in their
circuits are all indicated below the fuse
holder.
To close the fuse holder, snap it into
position at the top and turn the two
fasteners inward.
Do not attempt to repair a burned
fuse or replace it with a fuse
having a different color or amperage
rating. To do this could cause a fire in
the vehicle resulting from a circuit over-
load.<
If a fuse blows repeatedly, refer the
problem to your BMW center for repair.
1 Open the hood
2 Loosen the three fasteners (arrow)
with a f-turn
3 Remove the filter cover 460de156
4 Remove the filter by pulling it
forward. Install the new filter
5 Position the filter cover and secure it
with the three fasteners. 460de157

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Manual release Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol
(arrow) on the right trim panel of the
luggage compartment. 460de178
Manual operation 1 Remove the interior lamp (refer to
page 163), reach into the opening
and push the panel out
2 Turn the sunroof's steel crank with
the Allen wrench from the onboard
tool kit (refer to page 158) in the
desired direction.460de183
Fuel filler door Sliding/tilt sunroof
*

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Do not use spray starter fluids.
If the battery is discharged, the engine
can be started with the use of two
jumper cables and the battery of
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables
with fully insulated grips on the terminal
clamps.
Do not touch the parts conducting
electrical current while the engine
is running. Failure to comply with this
creates a risk of fatal injury.<
Carefully comply with the following
instructions to avoid personal injury or
damage to one or both vehicles:
1 Be sure that the battery on the
support vehicle is also rated at
12 volts, and that the capacities of
the two batteries (Ah) are roughly
comparable (printed on casing)
2 Leave the discharged battery
connected to the vehicle's electrical
system
3 Make sure that there is no contact
between the bodywork of the two
vehicles Ð this creates a risk of short
circuits
4 Start by connecting the jumper cable
from the positive terminal of the
support vehicle to the positive
terminal connector located in your
BMW's engine compartment. The
cover of the positive terminal
connector is marked with a "+" sign.
Refer to the illustration. Remove by
pulling the tab (arrow 1)
5 Then connect the negative terminals.
Attach the cable to either the support
vehicle's negative battery terminal (Ð),
or to a suitable ground on its engine
or bodywork. Then connect the other
end of the cable to a ground on the
engine or on the bodywork of the
vehicle that is to be started. There is
a special nut provided for this on the
BMW (arrow 2)462us053
Follow the same sequence for
connecting the jumper cables
when helping other vehicles. If you do
not, there is the risk of injury if sparks
are generated at the battery.<
6 Start the engine of the support
vehicle and let it run
7 Start the engine on the vehicle
needing the jump-start, and allow it
to run as usual. If the first start
attempt is not successful, wait a few
minutes before another attempt in
order to allow the discharged battery
to recharge
8 Before disconnecting the jumper
cables from your BMW, turn on the
lighting, the rear window defroster
and set the blower to the highest
speed; allow the engine to run
approx. 10 seconds. This will prevent
a voltage surge from the voltage
regulator to the electrical accessories
9 Then disconnect the jumper cables in
reverse sequence.
Depending on the cause of the fault,
recharge the battery.
Jump-starting

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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

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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.<

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