2001 BMW 330Ci CONVERTIBLE service

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock69
Starting the engine69
Switching off the engine70
Parking brake71
Manual transmission72
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic73
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher76
Washer/Wiper system76
Rear window defroster78
Cruise control79
Everything under control:
Odometer81
Tachometer81
Energy Control81
Fuel gauge82
Coolant temperature gauge82
Service Interval Display82
Check Control83
Computer83
Technology for driving comfort
and safety:
Park Distance Control (PDC)87
Automatic Stability Control plus
traction (ASC+T)88
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)89
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)91Lamps:
Side lamps/Low beams93
Instrument panel lighting93
High beams/Parking lamps94
Fog lamps94
Interior lamps94
Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Air conditioner96
Automatic climate control102
Seat heating107
Interior convenience:
Glove compartment107
BMW Universal Transmitter108
Storage facilities110
Cellular phone111
Ashtray, front111
Cigarette lighter112
Ashtray rear112
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag113
Cargo loading114
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
hardtop116

68n
Rollover protection system3 Continue pressing down on the
protective bar (1) from above until
you hear it click into place.
4 Replace the cover panel and press
down firmly.
5 Press the rear section of the headrest
closed (2).46cde035
Do the same for the second protective
bar. If you are not familiar with these
procedures, consult your BMW center.
Have the rollover protection system
checked by your BMW center after it
has been inadvertently triggered.
Do not move the convertible top
under any circumstances if the
rollover protection system has
extended.
Do not use the rear headrests as
storage shelves.
Absolutely no modifications are to be
made to any of the rollover protection
system's individual components or any
of its wiring.
Only your BMW center is to carry out
any work on the rollover protection
system.
Work done on the system that is carried
out improperly could lead to failure in
an emergency or accidental airbag acti-
vation.
To have the system checked and to
ensure long-term operation: be sure to
adhere to the Service Interval Display
for maintenance intervals. Every 2 years
at the latest, the rollover protection
system must be inspected by a BMW
center.c

70n
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 actuate 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 starts at very low temperatures,
starting at about +57 (Ð156) and
at high altitudes over 3,300 ft
(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 start-up 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.
Whenever you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and lock the
steering wheel.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always apply the parking brake
when parking on slopes and inclined
surfaces, since placing the shift lever
in 1st gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<

82n
Fuel gauge Coolant temperature 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 199.
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. To check the
coolant level: refer to page 147.460de082
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
preceding driving conditions.
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

90n
DSC*Switch DSC off/activate ADBPress the DSC button briefly; the indi-
cator lamp comes on and stays on.
DSC has been switched; ADB is opera-
tional.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to deacti-
vate the ADB for a short period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose
surfaces.
>When driving on snow-covered
grades, in deep snow, or on a snow-
covered surface that has been
packed down from being driven on
>When driving with snow chains.
Refer also to page 128.
The gain in traction is achieved by a
reduction in stabilizing intervention.46cus045
Switch DSC and ADB off>Hold the DSC switch down for at
least 3 seconds. The indicator lamp
and the yellow brake warning lamps
will remain on continuously.
In this case, no interventions to
increase stability and traction for engine
and brakes are carried out.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with DSC switched
on as often as possible.<
Switch DSC and ADB on againPress the button again; the indicator
lamp or the indicator lamps will go out.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. It will
always be the driver's responsibility to
drive in a manner that matches road
conditions. We therefore urge you to
avoid using the additional safety margin
of the system as an excuse for taking
risks.
The DSC will not carry out any stabi-
lizing intervention when the ADB is in
ready mode.
Do not make any modifications to the
DSC system. Allow only authorized
technicians to perform service proce-
dures on the DSC.<
For additional details concerning DSC,
please refer to the chapter "Advanced
technology" on page 189.

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
119n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures120
Driving notes121
Catalytic converter121
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)122
Disc brakes125
Brake system126
Winter operation127
Power steering129
Cellular phones129
Radio reception129
Hardtop130
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure132
Tire condition132
Tire replacement133
Tire rotation134
Wheel and tire
combinations135
Winter tires136
Snow chains136
Approved wheel and tire
specifications137Under the hood:
Hood140
Engine compartment142
Washer fluids144
Washer nozzles144
Engine oil145
Coolant147
Brake fluid148
Vehicle Identification
Number149
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System150
Caring for your vehicle151
Cleaning and care of the
convertible top157
Airbags159
Vehicle storage160
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications161
California Proposition
65 Warning161
OBD interface socket162
Car care

120n
To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you comply
with the following recommendations:
Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine and road
speeds, but do not exceed 4,500 rpm
or a speed of 100 mph (160 km/h):
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Always avoid using the full throttle or
"kickdown" position for the accelerator.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles
(2,000 km), engine speed and vehicle
speed can be gradually increased.
Follow the same break-in procedure if
either the engine or the differential is
replaced in the future.
TiresDue to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
For this reason drive cautiously during
the initial 200 miles (300 km).
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or
complete loss of traction, vehicle
control and braking effectiveness.
Reduce your speed on wet roads.<
Brake systemApproximately 300 miles (500 km) must
elapse before the brake pads and discs
achieve the optimal pad-surface and
wear patterns required for trouble-free
operation and long service life later on.
To break-in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that
traffic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine off Ð when
towing, for example Ð substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle. optimally after about 300 miles
(500 km). Engage the gears carefully
during the break-in period.
Break-in procedures

122n
Antilock Brake System (ABS)The concept ABS enhances active safety by helping
to prevent the wheels from locking
under braking. This is because locked
wheels are dangerous. When the front
wheels slide, the driver loses steering
control over the vehicle. Traction loss at
the rear wheels can cause the rear end
to break into an uncontrolled skid.
The system can achieve the shortest
braking distances possible under most
conditions (on straight-aways and in
curves, on asphalt, ice, wet road
surfaces, etc.).
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
>To help provide vehicle stability.
>To help maintain steering control and
maneuverability Ð on all types of road
surfaces (asphalt, concrete, mud, wet
road surfaces, snow, ice).
Braking with ABSAt about 6 mph (10 km/h), the system
becomes operative. Whenever the
vehicle's speed drops below approx.
4 mph (6 km/h), the ABS is deactivated.
This means that the wheels can lock in
the final phase of a panic stop Ð a factor
of no significance in actual use.
If you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply maxi-
mum brake pressure ("panic stop").
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can nevertheless
avoid possible obstacles with a
minimum of steering effort.
The ABS system closed-loop control
circuit cycles in fractions of a second.
A pulsation at the brake pedal, together
with the sounds associated with the
hydraulic controls, tells you that the
brake system is within its maximum
limit range and reminds you that you
should adapt road speed to the road
conditions.
On road surfaces that have a loose
surface layer on a firm base with good
traction (on gravel or snow, for
example), or when snow chains are
mounted, braking distances may be
longer than with locked wheels. Nevertheless, ABS possesses the
advantage of vehicle stability and
steering response.
Information for your safetyNot even ABS can suspend the laws of
physics. ABS cannot prevent the
consequences of brake applications
with inadequate clearances for safety
between vehicles, when exceeding the
speed limit, or the risks involved when
aquaplaning occurs. Responsibility for
these types of situations remains in the
hands (and at the feet) of the driver. You
should never allow the added safety of
ABS to lull you into a false sense of
security, or mislead you into taking
increased risks.
Do not make any modifications to
the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be
performed by authorized technicians
only.<