2001 BMW 325i SEDAN power steering

Contents

Overview
Controls and features

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)24
Sports steering wheel with
multifunction buttons25
Hazard warning flashers26
Warning triangle26
First-aid kit26
Refueling27
Fuel specifications28
Tire inflation pressure28

Locks and security systems:

Keys32
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from the
outside34
Opening and closing Ð from the
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment41
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Sliding/tilt sunroof45

Adjustments:

Seats47
Seat and mirror memory50
Steering wheel51
Mirrors52
Car Memory, Key Memory53

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts54
Airbags55
Transporting children safely59

Driving:

Steering/Ignition lock62
Starting the engine62
Switching off the engine63
Parking brake64
Manual transmission65
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic66
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher69
Wiper/Washer system69
Rear window defroster71
Cruise control72

Everything under control:

Odometer74
Tachometer74
Energy Control74
Fuel gauge75
Temperature gauge75
Service Interval Display75
Check Control76
Clock76
Computer77

Technology for safety and
convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)79
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)80
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)82
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)86

Contents

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Lamps:

Side lamps/Headlamps88
Instrument lighting88
High beams/Parking lamps89
Fog lamps89
Interior lamps89

Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:

Air conditioner92
Automatic climate control98
Seat heating103
Roller sun blind103

Interior conveniences:

HiFi system104
Glove compartment104
Storage compartments105
Cellular phones107
Ashtray, front107
Cigarette lighter108
Ashtray, rear108

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading system109
Ski bag110
Cargo loading112
Roof-mounted luggage rack113

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures116
Driving notes117
Catalytic converter117
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)118
Disc brakes120
Brake system121
Winter operation121
Power steering123
Cellular phones124
Radio reception124

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressures125
Tire condition125
Tire replacement126
Tire rotation127
Wheel and tire
combinations128
Winter tires129
Snow chains129
Approved wheel and tire
specifications130

Under the hood:

Hood134
Engine compartment136
Washer fluids138
Washer nozzles138
Engine oil139
Coolant142
Brake fluid143
Vehicle Identification
Number144

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System145
Caring for your vehicle146
Airbags151
Vehicle storage152

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications to the
vehicle153
California Proposition
65 Warning153
OBD interface socket154

30n
Controls Locks and security systems:
Keys32
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from the
outside36
Opening and closing Ð from the
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment41
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Sliding/tilt sunroof45
Adjustments:
Seats47
Seat and mirror memory50
Steering wheel51
Mirrors52
Car Memory, Key Memory53
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts54
Airbags55
Transporting children safely59

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
115n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Under the hood:
Hood134
Engine compartment136
Washer fluids138
Washer nozzles138
Engine oil139
Coolant142
Brake fluid143
Vehicle Identification
Number144
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System145
Caring for your vehicle146
Airbags151
Airbags152
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications to the
vehicle153
California Proposition
65 Warning153
OBD interface socket154
Car care Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures116
Driving notes117
Catalytic converter117
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)118
Disc brakes120
Brake system121
Winter operation122
Power steering123
Cellular phones124
Radio reception124
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure125
Tire condition125
Tire replacement126
Tire rotation127
Wheel and tire
combinations128
Winter tires129
Snow chains129
Approved wheel and tire
specifications130

120n
Disc brakesDisc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, and in oper-
ating conditions where brake applica-
tions are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion of the
discs and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs
because the minimal pressure that must
be exerted by the pads to clean the
discs by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake discs are corroded, they will
tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
approved for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
Driving notesWhen driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is effective to apply light
pressure to the brakes every few miles
or kilometers. Be aware of traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The
heat that is generated by the brake
applications helps to dry the brake
pads and discs.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels are not locked, but
rather when they are still barely turning
immediately prior to locking. ABS main-
tains this state automatically. If the ABS
fails, you should revert to the staggered
braking technique described on
page 122.
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear in which
only minimal periodic brake application
is required. This avoids excessive strain
on the brakes and possible
impairment of the braking effect.
The braking effect of the engine can be
further increased by downshifting, into
first gear, if necessary. In the manual
mode of the automatic transmission,
you can also downshift into first gear.
Refer to page 66.Should engine braking prove inade-
quate, you should still avoid extended,
continuous braking. Instead of main-
taining low to moderate pressure over
an extended period of time, you should
decelerate by applying more substantial
pressure to the brake pedal (watch for
following traffic), releasing the pedal,
and then repeating the application
(staggered braking). The cooling
phases between active braking inter-
vals prevent the brakes from over-
heating, thus ensuring that full braking
capacity remains available at all times.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the shift lever
or selector lever in neutral. Do not drive
with the engine shut off. The engine
provides no braking effect when the
clutch is depressed or the transmission
is in neutral, and there is no power-
assist for braking or steering when the
engine is not running.
BMW 325xi, 330xi: have brake inspec-
tions performed at a BMW center only.
If you do not, parts of the four-wheel
drive system could be damaged.
Do not allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the brake pedal, the clutch or
the accelerator which could obstruct
their freedom of movement.<

123n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Winter operation Power steering
Do not shift down on slick road
surfaces. Doing so could cause
the rear wheels to lose traction and
skid, resulting in a loss of vehicle
control.<
Depress the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces that
provide only poor or uneven traction.<
Skid control Depress the clutch and release the
accelerator pedal, or place the selector
lever of the automatic transmission into
the "Neutral" position. Countersteer
carefully and attempt to regain control
of the vehicle.
ParkingEngage 1st or reverse gear. If your
vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, place the selector lever in
Park. On vehicles with manual trans-
mission, also apply the parking brake
when parking on inclined surfaces. In
order to prevent the parking brake
linings from locking due to frost or
corrosion, dry them by gently applying
the parking brake as the vehicle is
coming to a stop. Make sure that
following traffic is not endangered.
The brake lamps do not light up
when the parking brake is
applied.<
If the steering response changes, e.g.
high steering effort:
Contact a BMW center to have this
system inspected.
If the power steering fails,
increased effort will be required to
steer the vehicle.<

139n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking the oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material.
4 Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out
again.
5 The oil level should be between the
two graduations on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.462de244
The space between the two marks on
the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, never let the oil drop below
the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential, and the
power steering system.<462de245

196n
Electrical system V-belts Battery 12V, 80 AhSpark plugs NGK BKR 6 EQUP
Bosch FGR 7 DQPWater pump Ð Generator Ð
Power steering
V-belt 6 PK x 1538
A/C compressor
V-belt 5 PK x 863You can obtain Original BMW
parts and accessories, as well as
professional advice from your BMW
center.<