2002 BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE tow

76n
Check Control ComputerWhen you turn the ignition key to posi-
tion 2, any of the following symbols may
appear to call your attention to problem
areas; the symbols remain in the
display panel until the problem is
corrected:
1 Check the low and high beams as
well as the parking lamps
2 Door open
3 Luggage compartment lid open
4 Check tail or brake lamps
When you open the driver's door after
completing a journey, an acoustic
warning signal will sound if the head-
lamps are still on.
Mode selectionFrom ignition key position 1, you can
call up information from the computer
using the button in the turn signal lever.
The information is displayed in the
instrument cluster. By pressing the
button briefly toward the steering
column, you can call up a new function
for display.
The displays appear in the following
order:
Time of day, outside temperature,
average fuel consumption, cruising
range, average vehicle speed.
When the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 1 or higher the last active setting is
displayed.
ClockIf you wish to have a permanent time
display, you can make this setting in the
radio display (refer to the Radio
Owner's Manual).
You can set the clock and the time
display in the car radio as follows.

79n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Park Distance Control (PDC)
*
The conceptPDC provides extra safety and conve-
nience during parking and all backing
operations by providing an acoustic
signal to indicate the distance between
your rear bumper and the nearest
object. The system features four ultra-
sonic sensors mounted in your rear
bumper. The monitoring range for the
two corner sensors extends outward
roughly 2 ft (60 cm), while two centrally
located sensors detect objects at
distances of up to approx. 5 ft (1.50
meters).
The system starts to operate automati-
cally approx. one second after you
select reverse or move the selector
lever into the "R" position with the igni-
tion key in position 2. PDC is deacti-
vated when you shift back out of
reverse.
Acoustic signalsThe distance to the nearest object is
indicated by a tone sounding at various
intervals. As the distance between
vehicle and object decreases, the inter-
vals between the tones become
shorter. A continuous tone indicates the
presence of an object less than 1 ft
(30 cm) away.
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. three seconds if the distance to
the obstacle remains constant during
this time (if you are moving parallel to
a wall, for instance).
System malfunctions will be indicated
by a continuous high-pitched tone
when the system is activated the first
time. Please refer the problem to your
BMW center.The PDC does not remove the
driver's personal responsibility for
evaluating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstacles. Always
remember that the sensors can neither
detect nor provide warnings of obsta-
cles located within their blind angles.
This applies especially in those cases
where the system approaches the
physical limits of ultrasonic measure-
ment, as occurs with tow bars and
trailer couplings, and in the vicinity of
thin or wedge-shaped objects.
Certain sources of sound, such as a
loud radio, could drown the PDC signal
tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free
of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they will continue to operate effec-
tively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Always maintain a distance of more
than 4 in (10 cm).<

91n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Air conditioningAir supply
You can select blower speeds
from 1 to 4. The heating and
ventilation become more and
more effective as the air
supply settings are increased. In
position 0, the blower and the heater
are switched off. The outside air supply
is blocked in position 0.
Temperature
In order to increase the
temperature of the passenger
compartment, turn the
temperature control to the
right (red). The temperature of the
incoming air is kept constant.
Air distribution
You can direct the emerging
air toward the windows ,
toward your upper body or
into the footwell . All inter-
mediate settings are possible. In the
setting, there is a low flow of air onto
the windows to keep them free of
condensation.
Rear window defroster
When the rear window defroster
is activated, the indicator lamp
comes on. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically.
The rear window defroster auto-
matically assumes operation
within 5 minutes after the engine is
started at outside temperatures below
approx. 39 7 (+4 6).<
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and Ð depending on the
temperature setting Ð rewarmed.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started. Switching on the air
conditioning will reduce condensation
forming on the windows.
Condensation forms in the air
conditioning system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant
external odors by temporarily
suspending the supply of outside air.
The system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle.
If the windows should fog over in
the recirculated-air mode, switch
it off and increase the air supply as
required.<

103n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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.<

104n
Cargo loadingSecuring cargo >For small, light items, use the rubber-
lined, non-skid side of the floor mat
or secure using the luggage compart-
ment net
* or elastic straps
>For large, heavy pieces, consult your
BMW center for load-securing
devices*. Anchorages (arrow) are
provided at the inner corners of the
luggage compartment for attaching
these devices.
Read and comply with the information
enclosed with the load-securing
devices.
Always position and secure the
cargo correctly. If you do not, it
can endanger the passengers during
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the approved gross
vehicle weight or the approved axle
loads, refer to page 146, otherwise the
vehicle's operating safety is no longer
assured and you are in violation of the
law.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in
the passenger compartment without
securing them. Otherwise they could be
thrown around during braking and
evasive maneuvers and endanger the
passengers.<

108n
To ensure that your vehicle continues to
provide maximum economy throughout
an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the
following instructions.
Engine and differentialThe first 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Attempt to constantly vary both vehicle
and engine speed during these initial
miles while remembering to avoid
engine speeds in excess of 4,500 rpm
and/or vehicle speeds of over 100 mph
(160 km/h):
Always obey all official speed limits.
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point.
After the initial 1,200 miles (2,000 km)
you can gradually increase both engine
and vehicle speeds.
Please remember to observe the same
break-in procedures if either the engine
or the differential is replaced later in the
course of the vehicle's service life.
TiresOwing to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
We thus ask you to drive with extra care
during the first 200 miles (300 km).
Always obey all official speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or
complete loss of traction, vehicle
control and braking effectiveness.
Reduce your speed on wet roads. elapse before the brake pads and
rotors achieve the optimal pad-surface
and wear patterns required for trouble-
free operation and an extended service
life later on.
To break-in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance); use caution to
avoid posing a danger to other road
users. You can prevent corrosion in the
drums by periodically repeating this
procedure.
The brake lamps do not come on
when you engage the parking
brake.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine off Ð when
towing, for example Ð substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle. elapse before the clutch starts to
operate at optimum efficiency.
Remember to engage the clutch care-
fully during this initial period.
Break-in procedures

111n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Hardtop
*
Storage
Storing the hardtop on the floor:
Slide the styrofoam block that
came with the hardtop onto its center.
The arrow on top of the styrofoam block
has to be pointing upward when you
are doing this.<
Installation1. Lower the side windows completely
and flip the sun blinds down. If
necessary, remove the antenna rod
to avoid any damage
2. On vehicles with manual convertible
top operation, first release the
convertible top compartment lid,
and, if necessary, open it some-
what. On vehicles with fully-auto-
matic convertible top operation,
open the convertible top compart-
ment lid slightly by pressing the
button for the operation of the
convertible top
3. Remove the trim pieces on both
sides by pulling them off toward the
back (arrow), and reclose the
convertible top compartment lid
4. Release the front locking levers by
pressing the buttons. The levers will
release slightly. Raise the levers as
far as the stop will allow

113n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else
Ð driving safety that depend on the
condition of the tires and the mainte-
nance of the specified tire pressure.
Incorrect tire inflation pressure is
a frequent cause of tire damage.
Tire pressure also has a major effect on
your BMW's handling response.
Be sure to check the tire pressures,
including the space-saver spare tire or
the spare tire, on a regular basis, at
least twice a month and before every
extended journey, refer to page 24.
Otherwise, incorrect tire pressure can
lead to poor handling, to tire damage
and accidents.<
Tire tread Ð tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to
go below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though
the legally specified minimum tread
depth is 0.063 in (1.6 mm). Tread wear
indicators (arrow) are embedded in the
base of the tire's tread. Their locations
are indicated by the legend TWI Ð Tread
Wear Indicator Ð at various points on
the tire's shoulder. When the tread
reaches a depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm),
these indicators appear to signal that
the tires have worn to the minimum
legal level. Below 0.12 in (3 mm) tread
depth, there is an increased risk of
aquaplaning, even at relatively
moderate speeds and with only small
amounts of water on the road.
Do not drive on a deflated (flat)
tire. A flat tire greatly impairs
steering and braking response, and can
lead to complete loss of control over
the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading leads to over-
heating and causes damage inside the
tires. The ultimate result can assume
the form of a sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate a
flat tire or some other vehicle malfunc-
tion. The type of problem can be
caused by contact with curbs, etc. This
is also true for irregularities in the
vehicle's handling characteristics, such
as a pronounced tendency to pull to the
left or right. Should this occur, respond
by immediately reducing your speed.
Proceed carefully to the nearest BMW
center or professional tire center, or
have the vehicle towed in to have it, its
wheels and tires inspected.
Tire inflation pressures

Tire condition