2001 BMW 330XI SEDAN manual transmission

68n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
In the following situations, the Step-
tronic "thinks" for you in the manual
mode:
>In order to prevent the engine from
overrevving, the transmission shifts
automatically to the next higher gear
just before the engine speed cutoff
point.
>If you do not do anything to inter-
vene, it will automatically downshift
at lower speeds.
>In kickdown, it will downshift into
the lowest gear possible, depending
on the engine speed.
>According to the situation, for
instance in wintry conditions, the
vehicle can be started in 2nd or
3rd gear.
Available displays
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5460us143
Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P," set the parking
brake and turn the engine off (ignition
key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission
performance has been restored. You
may continue to drive as usual.
If the indicator lamp does not go out,
all selector lever positions can still be
selected, however in the forward
positions the vehicle has limited
performance as it drives only in 3rd
and 4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest BMW
center.
Do not work in the engine
compartment when a drive gear
(forward or reverse) is engaged. If you
do this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the
information beginning on page 173.

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

194n
Weights
BMW 320i BMW 325i BMW 325xi BMW 330i BMW 330xi
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)3,175
(1,440)
3,252
(1,475)3,241
(1,470)
3,318
(1,505)3,494
(1,585)
3,560
(1,615)3,318
(1,505)
3,373
(1,530)3,527 (1,600)
3,583 (1,625)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)4,233
(1,920)
4,310
(1,955)4,299
(1,950)
4,376
(1,985)4,553
(2,065)
4,619
(2,095)4,376
(1,985)
4,431
(2,010)4,586 (2,080)
4,641 (2,105)
Approved front axle weight lbs. (kg) 1,962 (890) 1,962 (890) 2,183 (990) 1,984 (900) 2,205 (1,000)
Approved rear axle weight lbs. (kg) 2,403
(1,090)2,436
(1,105)2,469
(1,120)2,469
(1,120)2,491 (1,130)
Approved roof load capacity lbs. (kg) 165 (75) 165 (75) 165 (75) 165 (75) 165 (75)
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (l) 15.5 (440) 15.5 (440) 15.5 (440) 15.5 (440) 15.5 (440)
Never exceed either the approved axle weights or the gross vehicle weight.

195n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 16.6 (approx. 63)
approx. 2.1 (approx. 8)Fuel specification: page 28
Windshield washer system/
Headlamp washer systemquarts (liters) approx. 5.6 (approx. 5.3) For details: page 138
Cooling system including heater circuit quarts (liters) approx. 8.9 (approx. 8.4) For details: page 142
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) 320i, 325i, 330i:
approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5)
325xi, 330xi:
approx. 7.9 (approx. 7,5)BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
For details: page 140
Manual and automatic transmission, transfer
box and differentialÐ Lifetime fluid, no fluid change
required

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)22,118
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal
filter102,171
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)66,178
Adding engine oil139
Adding washer
fluid138,195
Adjusting the backrest48
Adjusting the steering
wheel51
Adjusting the
temperature94
Adjusting the thigh support
area49
Air conditioner92
Air distribution94,100
Air nozzles92,98
Air outlets92,98
ventilation92,98
Air pressure125
Air supply94,101
Airbags21,55,151,179
Alarm system42
Antenna124
Antenna, Diversity181
Antifreeze142
radiator122 Antilock Brake System
(ABS)22,118
Anti-theft alarm system42
Aquaplaning117,125
Armrest105
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)22
Ashtray107
front107
rear108
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)66,178
Attach car vacuum
cleaner108
AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control)101
Automatic car washes146
Automatic climate
control98
removing condensation
from the windows101
Automatic cruise control72
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror53
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)101
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)22
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic21,66 Automatic windshield
washer70
Average consumption78
Average speed78
Axle loads194
B
Backrest, adjusting48
Backup lamps65
bulb replacement161
Battery168,196
capacity196
charge170
discharged173
removal and
installation169
Battery charge current20
Battery safety terminal169
Belts54
Beverage holder105
Blower94,101
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils140
BMW sports seat49
Bore192
Brake fluid143
Brake hydraulic system20
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement161
Brake pads22
Brake system121 Brakes120
malfunctions121
Break-in procedures116
Bulb replacement158
C
California Proposition
65 Warning153
Capacities195
Car Memory53
Car radio124
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Car radio
reception124,181
Car vacuum cleaner,
connecting108
Car wash146
Care
exterior147
interior150
Care of upholstery150
Care of wool velour150
Cargo loading112
Caring for the vehicle
finish148
Catalytic converter117
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)21,119
Cellular phone107,124
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
A-Z

Everything from A to Z
203n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Louvers92,98
Low beam headlamps88
Low beams, bulb
replacement159
Lug bolts166
Lug wrench165
Luggage compartment41
capacity194
floor mat41
floor panel41
remote control37
Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement164
Luggage compartment
lid39
emergency release39
securing separately39
Luggage compartment
lighting39
Luggage rack113
Lumbar support49 M
M+S tires129
Maintenance75,145
Malfunction displays76
Manual transmission65
Manually controlled
recirculated-air101
Memory50 MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)24
Microfilter95,171
Mirror memory50
Mirrors52
Mobile phone124
Modifications,
technical6,153
Motion sensor, interior42
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)24
N
Neckrest48 O
OBD interface socket154
Obstruction protection44
Odometer74
Oil
capacity195
consumption139
dipstick139
quality140
specifications140
viscosity140
Oil additives139
Oil change intervals, see the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet
Oil filter change195 Oil level
check139
indicator lamp20
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp20
OILSERVICE75
Onboard tool kit158
Opening and closing Ð from
the inside38
Opening and closing Ð from
the outside34
Outside temperature
display77
Owner service
procedures206
P
Paint blemishes147
Paint, care147
Paintwork, minor
repairs148
Paintwork, waxing148
Park Distance Control
(PDC)79
Parking brake64
Parking help79
Parking lamps89
Parking, winter123
PDC (Park Distance
Control)79
Performance192
Phone, mobile124 Pocket flashlight104
Pollen95,102
Power seat49
Power steering123
Power windows44
safety switch45
Pressure monitoring,
tires86,186
Pressure, tires28,125
R
Radiator195
Radio Data System
(RDS)181
Radio reception124,181
Radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Rain sensor69,185
RDC (Tire Pressure
Control)86,186
RDS (Radio Data
System)181
Reading lamps90
Rear backrest, folding109
Rear lamps161
Rear window
defroster71,94,102
Rearview mirror52
Recirculated air mode94
Reclining seat47
Refueling27
Remote control35