2001 BMW 325i SEDAN charging

20n
Indicator and warning lamps Technology that monitors itself Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "l" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge l
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator V-belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not
continue driving. If you do so, the
engine could be damaged due to over-
heating. If the V-belt is defective,
increased steering effort is also
required.<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop the vehicle and switch off
the engine immediately. Check
the engine oil and top off as required. If
the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. If you do
so, the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.<
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a tire failure has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information, refer to
page 86.
Brake hydraulic system l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
Check the brake fluid level. Before
driving further, be sure to read the
notes on pages 121 and 143.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

63n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
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 turn 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 start at extremely low tempera-
tures, from approx. +5 7 (-15 6)
and at elevations above 3,300 feet
(above 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 startup 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.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined
surfaces. Placing the lever in 1st gear
or reverse may not provide adequate
resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<

104n
HiFi system Ð harman kardonSpecial acoustical effects are activated
or deactivated every time you press the
button.
When the system is activated, the
impression of a significantly larger
passenger compartment is created at
all seating areas, together with an
improvement of the stereo effect.
When reception is weak, the system
frequently switches between stereo and
mono operation. Switch it off.460us287
To openPull the handle. The lamp comes on.To closeFold the cover up.To lockLock with one of the master keys.
A master key can also be used for
unlocking.
If you turn over only your door and
ignition keys for valet parking
(refer to page 32), for example, access
to the glove compartment is not
possible.<460de041
To prevent injury in the event of
a crash, close the glove compart-
ment immediately after use.<
Rechargeable flashlight

The flashlight is located on the left-
hand side of the glove compartment.
It features integral overload-protection
so it can be left in its holder continu-
ously.
Be sure that the flashlight is
switched off when it is inserted
into its holder. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to over-
charging and damage.<
HiFi system
* Glove compartment

170n
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

Owner service proceduresA
Activated-charcoal filter,
changing171
Adding brake fluid143
Adding engine coolant142
Adding engine oil139
Air pressure, checking28
Antifreeze142 B
Backup lamps, bulb
replacement161
Battery
add distilled water169
charging170
Brake fluid, adding143
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement161
Brakes, brake faults121 C
Changing a tire165
Changing a wheel165
Checking air pressure28
Checking engine oil
level139
Checking oil level139 D
Defrost setting96
Defrosting the
windows96,101 Difficult steering123
Doors, emergency
operation34
E
Electrical accessories,
failure170
Electrical malfunction
fuel filler door172
sliding/tilt sunroof172
Emergency operation
doors34
fuel filler door172
sliding/tilt sunroof172
Engine coolant, adding142
Engine oil
add139
check139
quality140
specifications140
viscosity140
Engine oil level,
checking139 F
First-aid kit26
Fittings, towing and
tow-starting174
Flat tire165
Footwell lamps, bulb
replacement164 Front fog lamps, bulb
replacement161
Fuses, replacing170
G
Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement164 H
Hazard warning flashers26
Hazard warning triangle26
Headlamp cover, care159
High beams, bulb
replacement159 I
Indicator lamps20
Inflated pressure28,125
Interior lamps, bulb
replacement163
Interior motion sensor,
switching off43 J
Jack165 L
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement163
Low beams, bulb
replacement159 Lug wrench165
Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement164
Luggage compartment lid,
emergency release39
M
Maintenance145
Microfilter, changing171
Motion sensor, switching
off43 O
Oil
quality140
specifications140
viscosity140
Onboard tool kit158 P
Pressure, tires28 R
Rear lamps161
Releasing the fuel filler door
following an electrical
malfunction172
Releasing the hood134
Removing condensation
from the
Owner service procedure