2001 BMW 330Ci COUPE light

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Approved wheel and tire specifications Tire specifications Steel rim Light-alloy wheel
BMW 325Ci
All season tires
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S 7Jx16
Summer tires
205/55 R 16 91 V
225/50 R 16 92 W
225/50 ZR 16Ð 7Jx16
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load Ð 7Jx17
225/45 R 17 91 W Ð 8Jx17
Front: 225/45 ZR 17
Rear: 245/40 ZR 17Ð 7.5Jx17
8.5Jx17
Winter tires (M+S)
205/55 R 16 91 Q
225/50 R 16 92 Q Ð 7Jx16
205/50 R 17 93 Q extra load Ð 7Jx17
225/45 R 17 91 Q Ð 8Jx17
Space-saver spare tire
T 115/90 R 16 92 M 3.0Bx16
T 125/90 R 16 98 M 3.5Bx16 Ð
T 125/80 R 17 99 M 3.5Bx17 Ð
Comply with the specifications for tires and wheels in the vehicle's documents.
If you install tire sizes not approved by the manufacturer, an entry in the
vehicle's documents may be necessary.
Snow chains
*
You cannot mount snow chains with the
following tires:
225/50 R 16 92 W
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S
225/50 ZR 16
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/45 R 17 91 Q/T/H M+S
245/40 ZR 17Mixed tiresFor details concerning tire manufac-
turers for mixed tires, refer to the
vehicle's documents.

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Approved wheel and tire specificationsTire specifications Steel rim Light-alloy wheel
BMW 330Ci
All season tires
205/50 R 17 93 H/V M+S extra load Ð 7Jx17
Summer tires
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load Ð 7Jx17
225/45 R 17 91 W Ð 8Jx17
Front: 225/45 ZR 17 7.5x17
Rear: 245/40 ZR 17 8.5x17
Winter tires (M+S)
205/50 R 17 93 Q extra load 7Jx17
225/45 R 17 91 Q Ð 8Jx17
Space-saver spare tire
T 125/80 R 17 99 M 3.5Bx17 Ð
Comply with the specifications for tires and wheels in the vehicle's documents.
If you install tire sizes not approved by the manufacturer, an entry in the
vehicle's documents may be necessary.
Snow chains
*
You cannot mount snow chains with the
following tires:
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S
245/40 ZR 17Mixed tiresFor details concerning tire manufac-
turers for mixed tires, refer to the
vehicle's documents.

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Coolant Brake fluidAdding coolant Wait until the engine cools before
removing the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant
temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster must be located in the blue
zone. If it is not, there is a danger of
scalding.
1 Turn the cap slightly counterclock-
wise in order to allow accumulated
pressure to escape. Then open.
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached Ð do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the pre-
scribed all-season 50:50 mixture ratio
for year-round protection against inter-
nal corrosion. No other additives are
required.
Replace the coolant every four years.If the brake warning lamp comes on
and the parking brake has been
released:
Check the brake fluid level and if nec-
essary, fill it back up to the "MAX" mark.
For adding brake fluid or for determin-
ing and correcting the cause of brake
fluid loss, consult your BMW center.
Your BMW center is familiar with the
specifications for factory-approved
brake fluids (DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss can result in extended
pedal travel. Comply with the informa-
tion provided on page 118.
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Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years by
an authorized BMW center. Refer also
to the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models). Brake fluid is hazardous to
health and damages the vehicle's paint.
You should always store it in its original
container and in a location that is
inaccessible to children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the "MAX"
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable
environmental laws regulating
the disposal of brake fluid.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Washing your vehicle You can have your BMW washed in
an automatic car wash, even when it
is new. Car wash systems that do not
employ brushes are preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the vehicle.
In order to avoid spots, do not wash the
vehicle when the hood is warm, or
during or immediately after exposure to
strong sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle.
>No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the
car wash operator if necessary.
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system.
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects
can cause malfunctions in the function
of the rain sensor.
Deactivate the rain sensor when
going through car washes (refer to
page 71), as otherwise the wipers could
be damaged if they inadvertently start
working.<
Parts of the vehicle that are inacces-
sible to the automatic washer Ð such as
door sills, door and hood edges, etc. Ð
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially
important to be sure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also damage the
vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's
surface. Inadequate distance and
excessive pressure can damage or
weaken the finish, making it more
susceptible to subsequent attack.
In addition, moisture could penetrate to
vehicle components, leading to long-
term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following: do
not wipe dry with a cloth (scratches).
Never use abrasives or strong solvents
to clean the covers. Remove dirt and
contamination (such as insects) by
soaking with BMW Car Shampoo and
then rinsing with plenty of water.
Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never use
a scraper.<
After washing the vehicle, apply
the brakes briefly to dry them.
Braking efficiency might otherwise be
reduced by the moisture and the brake
rotors could also be corroded.<
Caring for your vehicle

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Caring for your vehicleExterior finish To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
using special body-cavity protectants,
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to
the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied. Regular maintenance makes
an important contribution to maintaining
the safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on
vehicle finishes have led paint and
vehicle manufacturers to initiate
ongoing programs designed to further
improve the durability of their finishes.
Despite this, environmental factors that
occur locally or regionally can have
negative effects on the finish of your
vehicle. Use the factors to determine
the frequency and extent of your efforts
to maintain the vehicle finish.Depending upon material and type of
impact (perforation of paint layer),
physical stresses from sand, road salt,
gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to
start extending beneath the finish,
starting at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects,
animal droppings (strong alkali effect)
and tree excretions (resins and pollen)
all contain substances capable of
causing damage when allowed to
remain on the finish of your vehicle for
any period of time. This includes spots,
etching, flaking, and separations in the
top coat.
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other
environmental pollutants will damage
the vehicle's finish unless adequate
care is provided Ð even though this is
generally limited to the outside
horizontal surfaces.In coastal regions, high levels of atmo-
spheric salt and humidity promote
corrosion.
In tropical zones, temperatures of over
105 7 (+40 6) in the shade prevail, in
addition to heavy ultraviolet radiation
and high humidity. Under these condi-
tions, light paints can reach tempera-
tures of up to 175 7 (+80 6) and dark
paints up to 250 7 (+120 6).

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Caring for your vehicleWindow careYou can use window and glass cleaner
to clean inside window surfaces and
mirrors without smearing and streaking.
Never use polishing pastes or abrasive
(quartz) cleansers on mirror lenses.
Clean the wiper blades with soapy
water. The wiper blades should be
replaced twice a year Ð before and after
the winter months. This is especially
important for vehicles with a rain
sensor.
Use only wiper blades approved
by BMW.<
Caring for other vehicle
components and materials Light-alloy wheels should be treated
with alloy wheel cleaner, especially
during the winter months. However, do
not use aggressive products containing
acids, strong alkalis or abrasive
cleaning agents, nor steam cleaners
operating at temperatures above
140 7 (+60 6). (Follow the manufac-
turer's instructions.)
If your vehicle has chrome parts
*, such
as the window frames and door handles,
clean these parts carefully with ample
clean water and a shampoo supplement
if desired, especially if they have an
accumulation of road salt. Use a chrome
polish for an additional treatment.
Plastic components, vinyl upholstery,
headliners, lamp lenses, the clear cover
of the instrument panel and compo-
nents with a sprayed dull black surface
can be cleaned with water (add plastic
shampoo as required). Do not allow
moisture to soak through the seats or
headliner. Never use solvents such as
lacquer thinner, heavy-duty grease
remover, fuels, or similar substances.
Rubber components should be cleaned
with water only; a rubber treatment or
silicone spray may also be applied.Do not remove safety belts to clean
them. Clean them with mild soapy
water only. Do not use chemicals or dry
cleaners to clean safety belts, since this
could damage the belt fabric.
After cleaning, never allow the inertia
reel to retract the belts until they are
completely dry. Dirty safety belts
prevent the inertia reel mechanism from
retracting the strap properly, and thus
constitute a safety hazard.
Heavily soiled floor carpets and mats
*
can be cleaned with an interior cleaner.
The floor mats can be removed from
the vehicle for cleaning.
Use only a damp cloth to clean trim
panels made of real wood
* and other
parts constructed of real wood
*. Follow
up by drying with a soft cloth.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your vehicleCare of upholstery materials Depressions in the upholstery that
result from everyday use can be
brushed smooth by brushing against
the nap with a lightly dampened brush.
The tendency of the pile to lie in a
particular direction on velour upholstery
is not a quality defect. Just as with
home textiles or clothing, this cannot be
avoided.
Lint on upholstery materials, textile or
leather remnants that have been worn
into the upholstery may be removed
with a lint brush or a Velcro
â brush. A
cleaning glove is available for particu-
larly "stubborn" lint. Stains and fairly
large areas of dirt should be cleaned off
without delay, using lukewarm water
and an interior cleaner, stain remover or
appropriate cleaning fluid. Brush the
fabric afterwards to restore its appear-
ance.
If the vehicle will be stored for an
extended period or if it is exposed to
intense sunlight, cover all the seats or
the windows to prevent fading.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<
The buildup of an electrostatic charge
on the seat covers, particularly if
atmospheric humidity is low, can give
the occupants an unpleasant electric
shock if they touch metal body parts
after leaving the vehicle. Although this
is not dangerous in any way, it can be
avoided by touching a bare or polished
metal part of the vehicle while getting
out.
Leather care The leather
* upholstery used by BMW
is a natural product of the highest
quality, processed using state-of-the-
art methods to ensure that it will main-
tain its high quality for years to come,
provided that it is properly cared for.
Because this product is manufactured
using natural materials, you must make
allowance for its special characteristics
and for the peculiarities of its use and
care.
Regular periodic cleaning and care are
essential, as dust and road dirt act as
abrasives in the pores and creases of
the material. This leads to wear spots
and premature brittleness on the
surface of the leather. We therefore
suggest that you clean the leather with
a vacuum cleaner or cloth at frequent
intervals.
For cleaning, use BMW leather cleaning
foam.
Since dirt and grease gradually attack
the protective layer of the leather, the
cleaned surfaces should be treated
with BMW leather care agent. This also
acts as an antistatic agent.
For protection against dampness or
moisture, treat the leather with a
BMW impregnating agent.

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Caring for your vehicle Airbags We recommend that you perform this
procedure twice a year on leather
exposed to normal use.
Spills should be wiped up immediately.
Remove grease and oil stains by
dabbing with spot remover. Avoid
rubbing.
If the upholstery is to be exposed to
intense sunlight or if the vehicle is to be
stored for an extended period, cover all
leather surfaces (or, better yet, the
windows) to prevent fading.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<
Cleaning agents can contain
substances that are dangerous or
that pose health risks. For this reason,
always comply with the warnings and
danger notices on the packaging.
Open the doors or windows on your
vehicle whenever cleaning the interior.
Never clean your vehicle with solvents
or other materials not specifically
intended for this purpose.<
1 Front airbags for driver and
passenger
2 Side airbags for driver and passenger
(front)
3 Side airbags for driver and passenger
(front and rear
*)
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