2001 BMW 325i SEDAN warning

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Hood
Do not work on your vehicle
without appropriate skills. Always
switch off the engine and allow it to
cool down before working in the engine
compartment. Always disconnect the
battery before working on any electrical
systems or equipment, especially when
these are located within the engine
compartment. Comply with all appli-
cable instructions and warnings. Failure
to work in an informed, professional
manner when servicing components
and materials constitutes a safety
hazard for vehicle occupants and other
road users. If you are not familiar with
the guidelines, please have the opera-
tions performed by your BMW center.<
To unlock Pull the lever located under the left-
hand side of the instrument panel. 460us012
To openPull the release handle and open the
hood.460de044

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oil
Always comply with all environ-
mental protection guidelines and
regulations 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.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brake fluidIf the brake warning lamp comes on
and the parking brake has been
released:
Check the brake fluid level and if
necessary, refill it 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 121.460de128
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
a 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 toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion 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 burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of brake fluid.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags For protection against dampness or
moisture, treat the leather with a BMW
impregnating agent.
We recommend that you perform this
procedure twice a year on leather
exposed to normal use.
Spills should be wiped up immediately.
Remove grease and oil stains without
rubbing, but rather by dabbing with
spot remover.
If the upholstery will be exposed to
intense sunlight, or if the vehicle is to
be stored for an extended period, cover
all leather surfaces to prevent fading (or
better yet, cover the windows).
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
Cleaning agents can contain
substances that are dangerous or
that pose health risks. For this reason,
always comply with the warnings and
danger notices on the packaging.
Open the doors or windows on your
vehicle when cleaning the interior.
Never clean your vehicle with solvents
or other materials not specifically
intended for this purpose.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Technical modifications California Proposition 65 Warning Any BMW center will be glad to inform
you of the advisability, legal require-
ments and factory recommendations
regarding technical modifications on
your vehicle. For this purpose, the
BMW center will require the Vehicle
Identification Number and, in some
cases, also the engine number. Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)Light-emitting diodes installed behind
translucent lenses serve as the light
source for many of the controls and
displays in your vehicle. The concept
behind their operation is related to that
employed for lasers, and they are offi-
cially designated as Class 1 light-emit-
ting diodes.
Do not remove the protective lens
and avoid staring directly at the
unfiltered beam for extended periods
(several hours). To do so could result in
inflammation of the iris.<
California laws require us to state the
following warning:
Engine exhaust, some of its
constituents, and certain vehicle
components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.<

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OBD interface socket The OBD interface socket for onboard
diagnostics is located on the driver's
side at the left-hand bottom of the
instrument panel and under a cover.
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 deterioration 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 by your BMW
center.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this
indicates a high level of engine misfire.
Reduce speed and contact your
nearest BMW center immediately.
Severe engine misfire over even a short
period of time can seriously damage
emission control components, espe-
cially the catalytic converter.
"Service Engine Soon" warning
lamp for Canadian models.
If the fuel filler cap is not on tight
enough, 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.<

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Changing a wheel
Take these precautionary
measures if you have either a flat
tire or are changing the tire:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat
surface. Switch on the hazard flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position, remove the key and
engage the steering lock. Shift into 1st
or reverse (selector lever in "Park" with
automatic) and engage the parking
brake.
Have all passengers leave the vehicle
and remain well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail,
for instance).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all applicable safety guidelines and
regulations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface that is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the vehicle on a soft or slippery
support surface (snow, ice, loose
gravel, etc.), as it could slide sideways.
Position the jack on a firm support
surface.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. If you do so, the
jack might not be able to reach its full
support capacity because of the limited
height.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack. Failure to comply with this
creates a risk of fatal injury.<
Your BMW has either a spare wheel or
a space-saver spare tire for temporary
use and to ensure your mobility.
To remove the spare wheel, lift out
the floor panel in the luggage
compartment completely (refer to
page 41).<
You will need the followingIn order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are through
using them.
>Jack (1)
Raise the floor panel in the luggage
compartment (refer to page 41) and
loosen the red wing nut (arrow).
When you have completed work,
screw the jack all the way back
down. Fold the handle back and
insert it in its holder
>Wedge (2)
The wedge, or wheel chock, is
located behind the jack on the
luggage compartment's rear wall.
Loosen the wing nut to remove it460de058

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Self-diagnostics All of the important electrical and elec-
tronic systems in the vehicle are tested
regularly and automatically Ð the driver
does not have to perform any extra
operations or adjustments.
The indicator lamps also come on
briefly after the ignition has been turned
on.
While you are driving, the functional
status of the actuator motors (for the
windshield wipers, power windows,
seats, sliding/tilt sunroof, etc.) is
constantly analyzed by current
measurements in their relays.460de177
In the same manner, the electrical
resistance of the airbag ignition genera-
tors and all of the remaining airbag
components is measured at all times.
Any fault in this system would be
detected immediately by a current fluc-
tuation that would necessarily accom-
pany it. The fault would be indicated
immediately by the airbag warning
lamp.
Even after you shut off the engine, the
overall functional status of your vehicle
is monitored. For example, all of the
flaps of the heating and ventilation
system travel to the nearest limit posi-
tion. This ensures that the defrost func-
tion is always available even if a
malfunction in the air conditioner
system/automatic climate control
should occur while the vehicle is
parked overnight, for instance.
A calibration cycle runs every tenth time
the engine is shut off. During this cycle,
the actuator motors of all the heating
and ventilation flaps travel to their limit
stops in both directions. The limit posi-
tions and the return travel paths are
checked in this manner in order to
ensure that appropriate adjustments for
the operating elements can be made at
any time.You will hear the sounds of the air flaps
as the air conditioning system/auto-
matic climate control carry out their
self-diagnostic functions after the igni-
tion has been turned off. All of the other
self-diagnostics functions operate
silently in the background.
Any possible faults detected during
these self-diagnostics can be read out
by your BMW center during the next
regularly-scheduled maintenance and
corrected with a minimum of time.