2002 BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE steering

117n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for operation under
inclement winter driving conditions.
While all-season tires (M+S designa-
tion) provide better winter traction than
summer tires with the load ratings H, V,
W, Y and ZR, they generally do not
achieve the performance of winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer and
with the same tread configuration on all
four wheels.Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by trained
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<
Tire condition, tire pressureOnce the tire wears to below 0.16 in
(4 mm), winter tires display a percep-
tible decrease in their ability to cope
with winter driving conditions, and
should be replaced in the interest of
safety.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures Ñ and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
StorageStore tires in a cool, dry place,
protecting them against light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against
contact with oil, grease and fuel.Snow chains
*
BMW narrow-link snow chains are
intended for mounting on summer or
winter tires in pairs at the rear wheels
only. Comply with all manufacturer's
safety precautions when mounting the
chains.
You cannot mount snow chains with the
following tires:
225/50 R 16 92
225/45 R 17 91
245/40 ZR 17

121n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Engine oilChecking oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch 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 marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume 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.
Adding engine oilWhile you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower mark
before adding oil, you should never
allow the oil level to fall below this
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.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
at your BMW center.

135n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel
Safety precautions for replacing
flat tires and all wheel changes:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat,
surface. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers. Turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position and engage the
steering lock. Shift into 1st or reverse
(selector lever in Park with automatic
transmission) and engage the parking
brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail,
for example).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all safety guidelines and regula-
tions.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the vehicle on a soft or slippery
support surface (snow, ice, loose
gravel, etc.), as either the vehicle or the
jack could slip sideways.
Position the jack on a firm support
surface.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. They could
prevent the jack from extending to its
full height and reduce its support
capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack Ð risk of fatal injury.<
Your BMW is equipped with a space-
saver spare tire designed for temporary
use in maintaining the vehicle's mobility
in an emergency.
To remove the space-saver spare
tire, lift the floor panel in the
luggage compartment completely out,
refer to page 35.<
What you will needIn order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are through
using them.
>Jack 1
Raise the floor panel in the luggage
compartment, refer to page 35 and
undo the jack (arrow).
When you have completed work, fold
the handle back and insert it in its
holder
>Chock 2
Located behind the jack on the wall
in the luggage compartment. Loosen
the wingnut to remove it

138n
Changing a wheelDriving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
You can anticipate changes in vehicle
handling such as delayed braking
response, longer braking distances and
sacrifices in roadholding.
The changes in handling characteristics
will be even more pronounced in
conjunction with winter tires.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at one time.
Reinstall wheels and tires of the same
size and specification as soon as
possible. Maintain correct tire pres-
sures, refer to page 25.<
Safety tires
*
Safety tires consist of self-supporting
tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that the tire retains
some residual safety in the event of
pressure drop and driving remains
possible to a restricted degree. The
vehicle is equipped with Tire Pressure
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor,
which indicate a flat tire.Flat tireIf there is a tire failure, the red warning
lamp symbol lights up. A supplemen-
tary gong is also heard.
For additional information on Tire Pres-
sure Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor
refer to page 83 or 85.
Reduce vehicle speed carefully to
under 50 mph (80 km/h), avoiding hard
brake applications and steering maneu-
vers.
With the safety tires, you can drive
another approx. 155 miles (250 km) to
reach a safe parking location, a service
station or the nearest BMW center.
With a low vehicle load, this can also be
considerably more than 155 miles
(250 km).Safety tires are only possible in
conjunction with Tire Pressure
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor.<
If the defective wheel cannot be seen
as such immediately from the outside,
check the tire inflation pressure at all
four wheels.
Have the tires changed by your
BMW center. For safety reasons,
do not have a safety tire repaired. Your
BMW center has the information
needed for working with safety tires
and is equipped with the necessary
special tools.<
If appropriate, please consult your
BMW center to reequip your
vehicle from summer to winter tires Ð or
vice versa.<

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)19, 109
Access to the rear51
Accessories10
Activated-charcoal filter96
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)68
ADB (Automatic Differential
Brake)81
Adding
brake fluid124
coolant123
engine oil121
washer fluids120
Adjusting
electric power seats49
head restraints50
lumbar support50
mirrors55
steering wheel54
Air conditioning90
temperature setting91
Air distribution91, 94
Air nozzles90
Air outlets
ventilation90, 93 Air supply91, 94
Airbags18, 56
sitting correctly48
Alarm system28, 36
Antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents123
disposal123
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)19, 109
Anti-theft system28, 29, 32
Aquaplaning109
Armrest99
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)80
Ashtray
front100
rear101
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)68
Attach vehicle vacuum
cleaner101
AUC (Automatic recircu-
lated-air control)95
Automatic climate
control93, 94
Automatic cruise control72 Automatic Differential Brake
(ADB)81
Automatic dimming feature,
mirrors56
Automatic headlight
control87
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)95
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)80
Automatic transmission67
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic18, 67
Average fuel
consumption78
Average speed78
Axle loads146
B
Backup lamps66
bulb replacement133
Battery139
care139
charging139
disposal139
Battery charge current
indicator17 Belts, safety52
Beverage holder100
Blower91, 94
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil122
BMW Maintenance
System125
BMW sports seat,
adjustment49
BMW Universal
Transmitter97
Bore144
Bottle holder, refer to
beverage holder100
Brake fluid124
disposal124
warning lamp17, 124
Brake fluid level109
Brake hydraulic system,
warning lamp17
Brake lamps
bulb replacement133
Brake pads19

A-Z

Everything from A to ZManual transmission66
Manually controlled recircu-
lated-air95
Master keys28
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)22
Microfilter92, 96
Mirror defrosting55
Mirror memory53
Mirrors55
Mobile phone, refer to
cellular phone100
Modifications,
technical10, 126
Motion sensor, refer to
interior motion sensor36
Mounting the roof rack110
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)22 O
OBD interface socket127
Odometer74
Oil
additives121
capacity147
consumption121
quality122
specifications122
viscosity122 Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil dipstick121
Oil filter change147
OIL SERVICE75
Onboard computer76
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Onboard tool kit130
Opening and closing
from the inside32
via the door lock31
via the remote control29
Original hand-held
transmitter97
Outside temperature
display77
P
Paint care, refer to the
"Caring for your vehicle"
manual
Park assistant79
Park Distance Control
(PDC)79 Parking aid79
Parking brake66
Parking lamps
bulb replacement131
PDC (Park Distance
Control)79
Phone, refer to cellular
phone100
Pocket light96
Power windows38
Q
Quality Grades, tires114 R
Radiator147
Rain sensor70
RDC (Tire Pressure
Monitor)83
Reading lamps
front89
rear89
Rear fog lamps
bulb replacement133
Rear lamps133
Rear reading lamps89
Rear window
defroster91, 95 Rearview mirror55
Recirculated-air mode91
Refueling22
Remote control29
Remove window
condensation92, 94
Replace windshield wiper
blades130
Replacement keys28
Replacing lamps and
bulbs130
Reporting safety defects11
Reverse66
Rollover protection
system61
Roof weight146
Roof-mounted luggage
rack105
S
Safe with safety belts48
Safety belts48, 52
seat-integrated51
Safety defects, reporting11
Safety tires115, 138
Seat heating54
Seat memory53
Seat-integrated safety belt
system (SGS)51

Everything from A to Z
155n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seats48
adjustment48
adjustment
precautions48
Securing cargo103
Securing child-restraint
system59
Selector lever, automatic
transmission67
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US
models)125
Service Interval
Display75, 125
Setting the temperature91
Shiftlock67
Side airbags56
Sitting correctly with
airbags48
Ski bag102
Socket for electrical
appliances101
Spare key28
Spare tire135
Speedometer15
Sports seat, adjustment49
Standing lamps88
Starting the engine64 Steering wheel lock64
Stopping the vehicle65
Storage compartments99
Stowing cargo103
Stroke144
Switching off the engine65
Symbols8
Synthetic oils122
T
Tail lamps
bulb replacement133
Tank capacity147
Technical data144
Technical
modifications10, 126
Telephone preparation100
Temperature display
outside temperature77
Temperature gauge
engine coolant75
Temperature
layering92, 95
Temperature setting91, 94
Third brake light134 Tilt alarm sensor37
operating via remote
control30
switching off37
Tire change135
Tire condition113
Tire inflation
pressures24, 113
checking24
indicator83
monitoring83
Tire inflation pressures
table25
Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC)83, 115, 138
Tire pressures24
refer also to tire inflation
pressures
Tire replacement114
Tire tread113
Tires108
Tools130
Torque144
Tow fittings141
Towing the vehicle141
Track145
Transmission66 Transmitter keys28
Transporting children
safely59
Tread depth, tires113
Tread wear113
Trip odometer74
Trunk lid, refer to luggage
compartment lid33
Trunk, refer to luggage
compartment35
Turn signal
indicators20, 69
Turn signals
bulb replacement132
Turning radius145
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading115
Universal Transmitter97
Use antifreeze, radiator123 V
Vehicle keys28
Vehicle Memory63
Vehicle weight146
Vehicle, starting64
Ventilation90, 93
draft-free92, 95