2002 BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE Convertible top

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Fully-automatic convertible top
*
When closing the electric power
windows while underway, always
remember to either start by closing the
rear windows or to close all of them at
once. Failure to adhere to this
sequence can prevent the windows
from sealing tightly at high speeds.<
At higher speeds, the ensuing
vacuum in the passenger
compartment can cause the convertible
top to begin fluttering. Increase the air
supply via the ventilation controls so
that a vacuum does not occur in the
vehicle.<
1 Close
2 OpenTo open and closeFrom ignition key position 1 and with
the vehicle stationary.
To avoid placing unnecessary loads on
the battery, you should avoid operating
the top when the engine is switched off.
1. Read and comply with the preceding
safety precautions
2. Before opening the convertible top,
ensure that the convertible top
compartment panel is back down
into its original position, refer to
page 35
3. Ensure that the luggage compart-
ment lid is closed
4. Maintain pressure on the corre-
sponding button for the convertible
top operation. The red indicator lamp
flashes whenever the convertible top
mechanism is in operation. It goes
out when the opening or closing
process has been completed.
If it continues flashing after the
control button is released, the
process has not completed opening
or closing. The operation can be
resumed in the desired direction by
pressing the button again.
If the yellow indicator lamp lights up
continuously with the button
pressed, the convertible top
compartment panel has been raised
and the top cannot be moved, refer
to step 2.
The convertible top stops moving
immediately when the button is
released. You can resume operation in
the desired direction by pressing the
button again.<

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Fully-automatic convertible top
*
While the convertible top is in
motion, the rear window will move
toward the passenger compartment
and will gently press the heads of the
passengers sitting in the rear forward.
Normally, this is not dangerous. To
avoid possibly being pinched, passen-
gers in the back seat should lean their
heads slightly forward while the
convertible top is in motion.<
The side power windows are lowered a
small distance whenever the top is set
in motion by pressing the button and
after the opening or closing process is
completed, they will go back up, if you
keep holding the button down for more
than 2 seconds after the indicator lamp
has gone out.
The luggage compartment lid cannot be
opened while the convertible top is in
motion.
Do not close the side power
windows using the buttons if the
convertible top operation has been
interrupted.<
After having been stored for an
extended period of time in the
convertible top compartment Ñ e. g.
during the winter months because the
hardtop was being used Ñ you may have
to support the convertible top by hand
when closing it for the first time:
If the convertible top should halt just
before the closing phase is completed,
press against the front section of the
convertible top frame from the outside to
help the closing process along. Continue
pressing the switch while doing so until
the top starts up again on its own.<
If the opening or closing process
has been interrupted, the convert-
ible top will remain in that position for
15 minutes.
After that, the convertible top can be
moved again and, if it is an emergency
situation, you may need to help the top
along manually. This can also be done
in ignition key position 0.
In certain cases, the luggage compart-
ment lid cannot be opened if the
opening or closing operation has been
interrupted. driver's door lockRefer to page 31.
Manual closing in the event of an
electrical malfunction
The best way to close the convert-
ible top manually is to stand
outside the vehicle, keeping the driver's
door open and the driver's seat flipped
forward. No one is to be in the rear seat
during this operation.<
1. Remove the insert between the rear
seats. Take the trim off of the guide
rod and flip it forward. Press down
hard on the emergency lock (arrow).
After a brief pause, the mechanism
for the convertible top compartment
lid will be released

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Fully-automatic convertible top
*
If the mechanism for the convert-
ible top compartment lid does not
unlock, then insert the Allen wrench 1
into the recess 2 and turn clockwise to
release it
2. If the luggage compartment lid is
closed, open the convertible top
compartment lid up as far as the stop
will allow
3. Lift out the convertible top by holding
on to the lateral guide section 1 and
the front convertible top frame 2.
Position the rear convertible top
frame vertically and close the
convertible top compartment lid. Flip
the rear convertible top frame down-
ward
4. Use a screwdriver to lift out the cover
panel that is in the center of the front
convertible top frame
5. Insert the Allen wrench (stored next
to the emergency lock; refer to
page 44) in the 6-point socket
(arrow)
6. Pull down on the front convertible
top frame as far as possible.
Complete the closing process by
continuing to turn the wrench to the
left. Turn until the front convertible
top frame has locked onto the wind-
shield frame. The system automati-
cally presses the top's rear frame
against the convertible top compart-
ment lid, pretensioning it to ensure
that it seals tightly.

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Fully-automatic convertible top
*
Wind deflector
*
Please consult your BMW center
to have the defect corrected.<
In the event of an electrical
malfunction, never open the
convertible top manually. The convert-
ible top compartment lid cannot be
locked, and would open while you are
driving.<
With the convertible top open, the wind
deflector keeps air movement in the
passenger compartment to a minimum,
thus providing you with a pleasant
drive, even at higher speeds. The wind
deflector comes in a protective sleeve,
and because of its slim dimensions, can
be easily stored in the luggage
compartment.Installation1. Take the wind deflector out of its
protective sleeve

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Wind deflector2. Flip out both sides and lock into
place. It is essential for the two
components marked in the illustra-
tion (arrows) to mesh at this point
3. Hold the wind deflector so that the
smaller half points toward the front
and guide the mounting pin for the
side piece into the proper opening
4. Pull back on the mounting pin for the
other side piece by using a slide, so
that the mounting pin can be guided
into the opening provided
5. Unlock the convertible top compart-
ment lid via the convertible top
control button, refer to page 43, and
open the convertible top compart-
ment lid
6. Flip the back half of the wind
deflector backward, so that the
mounts are lying on the vehicle
7. Close the convertible top compart-
ment lid via the convertible top
control button. The wind deflector is
now attached so that it is theft-proof.
Operate the convertible top
compartment lid from above only
in order to avoid any pinching.
With the wind deflector in place: to
avoid damaging the wind deflector
never push the front seats all the way
back.<
RemovalFollow the same procedure as when
installing, just reverse the steps.

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Rollover protection system2. Pull up on the lever (arrow) toward
the front of the vehicle and keep it in
this position
3. Keep pressing down on the protec-
tive bar 1 from on top until you hear it
click into place
4. Put the cover panel back in place
and press down firmly
5. Press the rear part of the head
restraint 2 to retract it.
Do the same for the second protective
bar. If you are not familiar with any of
the procedures, consult your BMW
center.
Have the rollover protection system
checked out 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 head restraints 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 activation.
Regarding having the system checked
to ensure long-term operation: be scru-
pulous in adhering to the Service
Interval Display for maintenance inter-
vals. Every 2 years at the latest, the roll-
over protection system must be
inspected at a BMW center.<

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Ski bag Cargo loading
When reattaching the cover, guide
both bars into the guide and press
the cover back into place. Secure the
safety belts in their holders again.<
Stowing cargo If you are transporting cargo in your
BMW:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible Ð directly behind the
luggage compartment partition Ð and
as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
With the convertible top closed,
you can increase the space in the
luggage compartment, refer to page 35.
We recommend that you always fold
the convertible top compartment panel
down as soon as you have removed
your cargo from the luggage compart-
ment. This way, you can be sure that
you can always operate your convert-
ible top at any time.
At the same time, when the top is
raised you should fold the convertible
top compartment panel back up before
stowing large objects in the luggage
compartment; this precaution will help
reduce the likelihood of damage to
either the convertible top compartment
or your luggage.<

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Brake system Hardtop
*
Disc brakesLimited vehicle use, extended periods
with the vehicle parked or in storage,
and operating conditions in which
braking is restricted to gentle, low-
pressure applications will all increase
the tendency for corrosion to form on
the rotors; this is often accompanied by
a simultaneous accumulation of
contamination on the brake pads. The
pads must exert a certain minimal level
of pressure against the rotors for the
disc brakes' inherent self-cleaning
effect to remain effective.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
When driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads it is useful to apply light pressure
to the brake pedal every few miles.
Monitor traffic conditions to ensure that
this maneuver does not pose a hazard
to you or to other road users. The heat
generated in this process helps dry the
pads and rotors to ensure that your
brake system will respond with undi-
minished efficiency when you need it.
When descending steep hills and
extended grades, downshift to a gear
that will allow you to continue safely with only a minimal amount of braking.
By minimizing the loads placed on the
brake system, this strategy helps
ensure that optimal brake system
response will remain available at all
times. Use care to avoid exceeding the
approved engine-speed range, refer to
page 74.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmission
or selector lever in neutral. Do not coast
with the engine shut off. The engine
provides no braking effect when the
clutch is depressed and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and brake
pedals and obstruct their movement.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that the manufacturer
has released for your particular vehicle
model. The manufacturer cannot eval-
uate 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.<
It is not necessary to remove the fabric
top even in the winter, when the
hardtop is generally in constant use.
But you can also remove it at any time
with no problem. Before the fabric top
is stored in the convertible top
compartment, it must be absolutely dry
in order to avoid water spots and
mildew from forming.
The hardtop offers reading lamps and
clothes hooks that can be used just by
pressing. In addition, a roof-rack can be
mounted, for more information, please
contact your BMW center.
When suspending articles of
clothing from the hooks, be sure
that they will not obstruct the driver's
vision. Do not hang heavy objects on
the hooks. If you do so, they could
cause personal injury during braking or
evasive maneuvers.<
Two people are required for installation
or removal. Work with extreme caution
in order to avoid paint damage and
damage to the body or hardtop.
To facilitate hardtop installation or
removal, you can obtain a specially
designed hardtop lift
* or hardtop rack
*
at your BMW center.