2002 BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE Owner's Manual

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Manual convertible topAs soon as the top convertible
compartment lid closes the central
locking system will release the lock to
allow renewed access to the luggage
compartment.
To avoid fabric damage stemming
from extended exposure to mois-
ture, you should never retract the
convertible top when it is wet, refer also
to the "Caring for your vehicle"
manual.<
To close the convertible top1. Turn the ignition key to position 1
2. Press the button to unlock it. The
convertible top will be unlocked and
the side windows will lower slightly
3. Open the convertible top compart-
ment lid all the way
4. Lift the convertible top out by the
lateral guide section 1 and the front
convertible top frame 2, swinging it
forward until you encounter percep-
tible resistance
To avoid damaging the side trim,
always fold the convertible top
forward before folding the rear frame
brace up into its vertical position.<
5. Either close the slightly lowered side
windows or put them at the desired
height
6. Press down slightly on the convert-
ible top compartment lid from above
(arrow). The closing process will then
be carried out automatically, refer to
page 40
Operate the convertible top
compartment lid from above only
in order to avoid any pinching.<
As soon as the top convertible
compartment lid closes the central
locking system will release the lock to
allow renewed access to the luggage
compartment.<
7. Holding on to the locking handle, pull
the front part of the convertible top
frame up onto the windshield frame,
and lock the convertible top by
turning the handle until you hear the
convertible top engage and lock.
The system automatically presses the
top's rear frame against the convertible
top compartment lid, pretensioning it to
ensure that it seals tightly.

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Manual convertible top Fully-automatic convertible top
*
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.<
The fully-automatic convertible top
combines the benefits of effective
protection against the elements with
simple and convenient operation.
To gain maximum satisfaction from your
convertible, please observe the
following:
>We strongly recommend that you
close the convertible top before
leaving the vehicle parked. When
closed, the top not only guards the
passenger compartment from unfore-
seeable damage from the weather,
but also affords a degree of protec-
tion against theft. However, even
when the top is closed valuables
should always be stored in the locked
luggage compartment
>Never attempt to mount any kind of
roof rack or luggage carrier on the
convertible top
>Never retract or attempt to move the
convertible top at temperatures
below 14 7 (Ð 10 6), as damage
could result.
Never store the convertible top
while it is wet to avoid permanent
damage from moisture.<
Driving when the opening or
closing process has not been
completed can cause vehicle damage or
personal injury.
Try to make sure that the vehicle is
completely stationary before using the
fully-automatic convertible top, other-
wise the system could respond by stop-
ping in mid-travel.
If you set the convertible top in motion
with the vehicle stationary and then have
to start suddenly Ð for instance, at a
traffic light Ð you can still complete the
operation by driving as slowly as
possible and again pressing and main-
taining pressure on the button. To avoid
possible legal violations, always
remember that traffic regulations always
take priority over these instructions.
Before closing the top always ensure
that the windshield frame is clear and
free of any obstructions that could
prevent it from seating correctly.
Do not lay objects on the convertible
top, as they could fall off when it moves,
causing vehicle damage or personal
injury.
Always keep your hands and fingers well
away from the top's mechanism while it
is opening and closing. Ensure that chil-
dren remain at a safe distance from the
top's travel range while it is in motion.<

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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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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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Correct sitting posture SeatsFor relaxed and fatigue-free driving you
should select a sitting position that
reflects your personal requirements.
Correct posture combines with safety
belts and airbags to enhance occupant
safety in the event of an accident. To
ensure that the vehicle's safety systems
provide you with optimal protection, we
request that you direct your careful
attention to the following section.
For supplementary information on
transporting children refer to page 59. Sitting correctly with airbags
Always maintain an adequate
distance between yourself and the
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel
by the rim to keep any chance of injury
to hands or arms to an absolute
minimum should the airbag be
deployed. Never allow any objects,
individuals or animals to obstruct the
areas between passengers and airbags.
Never use the front airbag's cover as a
storage tray or support for objects of
any kind. Never allow front passengers
to rest their feet or legs on the airbag
cover.<
For airbag locations and additional
information on airbags refer to page 56.
Safe with safety belts
Never allow more than one person
to wear a single safety belt. Never
allow infants or small children to ride in
a passenger's lap. Avoid twisting the
belt while routing it firmly across the
hips and shoulder, wear it as snugly
against your body as possible. Do not
allow the belt to rest against hard or
fragile objects. Do not route the belt
across your neck, or run it across sharp
edges. Be sure that the belt does not
become caught or jammed. Avoid
wearing bulky clothing and pull on the
lap belt periodically to retension it over
your shoulders. In the event of a frontal
impact, a loose lap belt could slide over
your hips, leading to abdominal injury.
In addition, the safety belt's restraint
effectiveness is reduced if it is worn
loosely. Expectant mothers should
always wear their safety belts, taking
care to position the lap belt against the
lower hips, where it will not exert pres-
sure against the abdominal area.<
For information on using the safety
belts refer to page 52.
When adjusting your seat, always
observe the following precautions
Never try to adjust your seat while
operating the vehicle. The seat
could respond with unexpected move-
ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle
control could lead to an accident. Never
ride with the backrest reclined to an
extreme horizontal angle (important for
front passengers to remember). Keep
the backrest relatively upright to mini-
mize the risk of sliding under the safety
belt and sustaining injury in an acci-
dent.<
Seat adjustment>Power seat, refer to page 49
>Head restraint, refer to page 50
>Entering the rear, refer to page 51