2001 BMW 330Ci CONVERTIBLE light

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Parking brake To engageThe parking brake is designed primarily
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when
it is parked. It operates against the rear
wheels.
The lock engages automatically when
you lift the lever, and the indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on
when the ignition key is in position 2.
Refer to page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button (arrow) and lower the lever.460us024
If, in exceptional circumstances,
it should be necessary to engage
the parking brake while the vehicle is
in motion, do not pull the lever with
excessive pressure. Keep your thumb
pressed against the release button
while carefully pulling the lever up to
apply moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is applied.
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."<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake lightly
from time to time when coasting to a
standstill (at a traffic signal, for
instance), provided that it is safe to do
so.

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Manual transmission Press the clutch pedal all the way down
each time you shift, pressing the
manual-shift gear lever into its proper
end position.
Depress the clutch when starting the
vehicle, too, otherwise, lockout will
prevent the engine from starting.
The shift lever's neutral plane (dot in the
illustration) is located between 3rd and
4th gears.
When shifting from each gear into
"Neutral," the shift lever returns auto-
matically to this neutral position
because of its spring loading.360de044
Reverse Select only when the vehicle is
stationary. Press the shift lever to the
left to overcome the slight resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will
turn on automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead.
Otherwise, riding the clutch will cause
tremendous wear and tear to the
clutch.<

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Washer/Wiper system Rear window defroster Cleaning headlamps
*
When the vehicle's lighting system is
switched on, the headlamps will also be
cleaned every fifth time cleaning wind-
shield is activated.
Do not use the washers if there
is any danger that the fluid will
freeze on the windshield. If you do so,
your vision could be obscured. Use an
antifreeze agent. Refer to page 144.
Do not use the washers if the reservoir
is empty, as otherwise the washer
pump could be damaged. automatically
* when the ignition key is
in position 2.
The illustration shows the button setup
for vehicles equipped with automatic
climate control. For other layouts, refer
to page 96.To activatePress the button with the convertible
top closed or the hardtop mounted: as
long as the indicator lamp remains on,
the rear window defroster operates at
high output (rapid thaw).
After the indicator lamp goes out, the
defroster continues operating at
reduced power for a limited period
before deactivating automatically. 462us036
To deactivatePress the button if the indicator lamp is
on.

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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

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols, start-
ing with the ignition key in position 2,
until the condition has been corrected:
1 Inspect the low-beam and high-beam
headlamps, as well as the side lamps
2 Door open
3 Luggage compartment lid open
4 Check brake and tail lamps
When you open the driver's door after
stopping with the lights still on, a warn-
ing signal sounds for LIGHTS ON.462de272
Mode selectionFrom ignition key position 1 on, you can
call up information from the computer
using the button in the turn signal lever.
Every time you press the button briefly
in the direction of the steering column,
you can call up a new function for dis-
play.
The displays appear in the following
order:
Time, outside temperature, average fuel
consumption, cruising range, average
vehicle speed.
From ignition key position 1 on, the last
active setting is displayed.46cde096
Check Control Computer

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressures at all
four wheels, even when the vehicle is
moving. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure drops
significantly below the specified pres-
sure in one or more tires.
In order for the system to "learn" the
correct tire inflation pressure, check the
inflation pressure in all tires according
to the inflation pressure table (page 28)
and make corrections if necessary.
Then activate the system.
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will inform you if
the tire pressure is not correct.
Activate the systemDepending on the type of equipment,
the switch either has the letters RDC on
it or the RDC-symbol.
1 Turn ignition key to position 2 (do not
start the engine).
2 Press the switch long enough for the
yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster to light up for a few
seconds.
3 After a few minutes driving time, RDC
sets the current inflation pressure in
the tires as the target values to be
monitored.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure following a correction of the tire
inflation pressure. Otherwise, RDC
functions automatically when the igni-
tion key is in position 2, and thus oper-
ates whenever the vehicle is driven.46cus046
In the event of loss in tire
pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped
significantly over a long period of time
(which is normal for any tire), the indi-
cator lamp will come on with a yellow
lamp.
This alerts you to have the tires inflated
to the specified pressures as soon as
possible.
If you are prompted to check the
tire pressure shortly after a
correction has been made, this indi-
cates that the corrected values were
not accurate. Please check the inflation
pressure again and make corrections
according to the inflation pressure
table. Then activate the system once
again.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Side lamps
With the switch in this position,
the front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on.
For lighting on one side for parking as
an additional feature, see page 94.
Low beam headlamps
When you switch the ignition off
with the low beam headlamps
on, only the side lamps will
remain on.
"Follow-me-home" lamps:
If you activate the headlamp
flasher after parking the vehicle, the
low-beam headlamps will come on for a
short time. You can also have this func-
tion deactivated.<
460us035
"LIGHTS ON" warningWhen you open the driver's door after
turning the ignition key to position 0,
a buzzer sounds for a few seconds to
remind you that the headlamps have
not been switched off.Daytime running lamps
*
If you desire, the light switch can be left
in the second position:
When the ignition is switched off, the
external lighting is also switched off.
Turn the rotary dial to adjust the
illumination intensity.
460us036
Side lamps/Low beams
Instrument panel lighting

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The seat cushion and backrest can be
heated with ignition key in position 2.
You can call up different heating modes
by repeatedly pressing the button.
When the three indicator lamps are illu-
minated, the highest heating mode is
activated. One lamp indicates the
lowest heating mode. The temperature
is regulated with a thermostat in each
mode.
You can also switch the higher heating
modes off directly:
Press the button and hold it slightly
longer.46cus047
To openPull the handle and the lamp comes on.ClosingFold up cover.To lockUse one of the master keys. A master
key must 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 and to the
luggage compartment is not possible.<462de235
To prevent injury in the event of
a crash, close the glove compart-
ment immediately after use.<
Rechargeable flashlightThe flashlight is located on the left-
hand side of the glove compartment.
It features integral overload protection
so that it can be left in its holder contin-
uously.
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.<
Seat heating
*
Glove compartment