2001 BMW 330Ci COUPE ESP

175n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Deceleration sensors continuously
monitor the acceleration forces acting
upon the vehicle. If, as the result of a
frontal collision, a deceleration is
reached at which the protection of the
safety belts alone is no longer
adequate, the gas generators of the
driver and passenger-front airbags are
ignited. However, the passenger-side
airbag is only triggered if an additional
sensor has recognized that the
passenger seat is occupied.
In the event of a side collision, the head
and side airbags in the front or rear
* are
triggered if necessary.
390de319
The airbags located under the marked
covers inflate and unfold in a matter of
a few milliseconds. In this process, they
tear through the designed separation
points of the upholstered covers or
press them out.
Because the inflation process must be
virtually instantaneous, it is accompa-
nied by a certain amount of ignition and
inflation noise, which will be drowned
out by the noise from the accident
itself. The gas required to inflate the
airbags is not dangerous, and the
associated smoke then dissipates.
The entire process is completed within
fractions of a second.Highly sensitive sensors monitor the
number of revolutions of the wheels.
When equipped with DSC, they also
monitor steering angle, lateral accelera-
tion, brake pressure and the movement
of the vehicle around its vertical axis.
If differences in the wheel speeds
occur, ASC+T counteracts the danger
of wheelspin by reducing engine
torque; if necessary, ASC+T will also
respond by applying the brakes to the
rear wheels.
In addition, DSC permanently monitors
the vehicle's current operating condi-
tion and compares it with an ideal
condition that is calculated from the
sensor's signals. If deviations from this
occur (understeering or oversteering,
for instance), DSC can stabilize the
vehicle in fractions of a second by
reducing engine output and with the
assistance of braking intervention at
individual wheels. As a result,
dangerous skids can be prevented even
as they are just beginning. But this is
only possible within the laws of physics.
You may need some time to become
accustomed to this system's interven-
tion. However, it provides optimum
drive force and vehicle stability.
The braking intervention may be
accompanied by sounds specific to
the system.
Airbags ASC+T/DSC
*

177n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Interior rearview mirror with automatic dimming feature
*
The interior rearview mirror with auto-
matic dimming feature reduces blinding
from following traffic by adapting the
intensity of the reflected images to
correspond to levels of light registered
by the unit's sensors. The mirror reverts
to its undimmed setting as soon as the
light source disappears. One lamp
sensor is mounted on the front of the
mirror housing. This sensor, which is
directed forward, measures light inten-
sity in the area ahead of the vehicle.
The second sensor is integrated within
the mirror's glass. The electronic
control system compares the light
intensity from front and rear. The differ-
ence provides the basic parameter
used to modulate an electrical current
and induce chemical changes in a
semisolid layer incorporated in the lens.463us013
The semisolid reacts chemically to this
electrical current, thus providing
dimming of the mirror through an infi-
nitely-variable range (electrochromic
technology).
As a result, it is no longer necessary to
dim the mirror manually, and the driver
can concentrate completely on traffic
conditions.

181n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Xenon lamps
*
The xenon lamp provides forward illu-
mination with significantly more bright-
ness and uniformity than the traditional
halogen lamp.
In a xenon lamp, an electric arc replaces
the filament in order to generate intense
illumination. A gas mixture in a quartz
glass tube with metal vapor is ignited by
a high electric voltage. The arc that is
generated is then sustained by a lower
voltage. When the lamp is turned on,
there is a brief warm-up period.
Maximum brightness is attained in
approx. 15 seconds.390de134
Xenon lamps provide significantly
improved visibility, especially during
adverse weather conditions and difficult
driving situations (e. g. driving at night in
heavy rain or through road repair areas
where there are no lane markers).
Vehicles with xenon lamps are equipped
with automatic headlamp range control.
As a result, the lane ahead of you is
always optimally lighted, even under
varying load conditions, and drivers in
oncoming traffic are not blinded.
Xenon lamps make a significant contri-
bution to highway safety since other
highway users, bicyclists and motor-
cyclists in the right lane, and pedes-
trians are more easily detected.

Owner service proceduresP
Parking lamps, bulb
replacement154
Pressure, tires27 R
Rear lamps155
Releasing the fuel filler
door167
Releasing the hood130
Removing condensation
from the windows94,99
Replacement key32
Replacing bulbs152
Replacing windshield wiper
blades152
Return used batteries165
Rotating the tires159 S
Sliding/tilt sunroof, closing
after electrical fault167
Space-saver spare tire159
Spare key32
Spare tire159
Starting problems64,113
Switching off the tilt sensor
alarm system43
T
Tail lamp assembly, bulb
replacement155
Tire
changing159
checking air pressure27
damage122
Tools152
Towing eyelets169
Towing the vehicle169
Turn signal indicator, bulb
replacement154 U
Unintentional alarm,
avoiding43
Use of antifreeze,
radiator138 V
Vanity mirror, bulb
replacement158 W

Warning lamps20
Washer fluid, adding134
Washer nozzles,
adjusting134
Washer reservoir, filling134
Wheel lug wrench159 Windows,
defrosting94,99
Windshield washer,
filling134
Windshield wiper blades,
replacing152
Work in the engine
compartment130

So that you will have important
specifications available when you
stop to refuel, we recommend
that you supplement this table
with data which apply to your
vehicle.
Fuel
Engine oil The oil volume between the
two marks on the oil dipstick
corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Designation Premium Unleaded
Gasoline
AKI: minimum 91
QualityTire inflation pressures
Summer Winter
Front Rear Front Rear
4 persons
5 persons or 4 plus luggage
Refueling
BMW recommends Castrol