
 
Contents
 
© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich. 
Order No. 01 41 0 156 190
US English VIII/01
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper 
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling). 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit14
Instrument cluster15
Indicator and warning lamps17
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)21
Hazard warning triangle22
Refueling22
Fuel specifications23
Tire inflation pressures24
 
Opening and closing:
 
Keys28
Central locking system28
Opening and closing 
Ð via the remote control29
Ð via the door lock31
Ð from the inside32
Luggage compartment lid33
Luggage compartment35
Alarm system36
Electric power windows38
Manual convertible top39
Fully-automatic convertible 
top42
Wind deflector46
 
Adjustments:
 
Correct sitting posture48
Seats48
Adjusting electric power 
seats49
Lumbar support50
Head restraints50
Entering the rear51
Safety belts52
Seat and mirror memory53
Seat heating54
Steering wheel54
Mirrors55
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags56
Transporting children safely59Rollover protection system61
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory63
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock64
Starting the engine64
Switching off the engine65
Parking brake66
Manual transmission66
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic67
Indicator/Headlamp flasher69
Washer/Wiper system/
Rain sensor70
Cruise control72
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer74
Tachometer74
Energy control74
Fuel gauge75
Temperature gauge75
Service Interval Display75
Check Control76
Computer76
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)79
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)80
 
Contents 

65n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Starting the engine Switching off the engine 
Do not actuate the starter for too 
short a time, but do not actuate it 
for more than approx. 20 seconds. 
Release the ignition key immediately 
when the engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by 
leaving it running while the vehicle 
remains stationary. Instead, drive off 
immediately at a moderate engine 
speed.<
If the engine does not start on the first 
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for 
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at extremely low tempera-
tures of roughly +5 7 (Ð15 6) or below 
and at altitudes of over 3,300 ft 
(1,000 m):
>On the first start attempt, engage the 
starter for a longer period (approx. 
10 seconds)
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the 
engine computer system. Increased 
speeds at start-up are normal and 
should decrease as the engine warms 
up. If engine speed does not decrease, 
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharging, 
always deactivate electrical devices 
that are not in use. Switch the ignition 
off when the vehicle is not being driven.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent 
or long periods with the starter 
engaged, can lead to catalyst 
damage.<
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
You should never remove the igni-
tion key when the vehicle is in 
motion, as the steering lock could 
engage.
When you leave the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key and engage the 
steering lock.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on hills and slopes, as first gear 
or reverse may not provide adequate 
resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "P."< 

66n
Parking brake  Manual transmission The parking brake is primarily designed 
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while 
parked. It operates on the rear wheels.To engageThe detent engages automatically, the 
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster 
comes on when the ignition key is in 
position 2, refer to page 18.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button (arrow) and lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances 
make it necessary to engage the 
parking brake while the vehicle is in 
motion, do not pull it with excessive 
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed 
against the release button while care-
fully pulling the lever up to apply 
moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing) 
at the rear.
The brake lamps do not come on when 
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on hills and slopes, as first gear 
or reverse may not provide adequate 
resistance to rolling. 
Vehicles with automatic transmission: 
Place the selector lever in "P."<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided 
braking, apply the parking brake lightly 
from time to time when coasting to a 
standstill (at a traffic signal, for 
instance), provided that it is safe to do 
so.
Reverse Select only when the vehicle is 
completely stopped. Press the gearshift 
lever to the left to overcome the slight 
resistance.
When you select reverse the backup 
lamps will turn on automatically when 
the ignition key is in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on 
slopes by slipping or "riding" the 
clutch. Use the parking brake instead. 
Riding the clutch leads to severe and 
premature clutch wear.< 

67n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
You can drive as with a normal auto-
matic transmission. In addition, you can 
also shift manually.
When you move the selector lever from 
the "D" position to the left into the M/S 
range, the performance-oriented shift 
programs of the automatic transmission 
are engaged. Steptronic enters the 
manual selection mode and executes 
the desired shift whenever you tap the 
selector lever in the direction indicated 
by "+" or "Ð." When you wish to use the 
automatic transmission mode again, 
move the selector lever to the right into 
the "D" position.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + Ð
Starting the engineThe engine can only be started in 
selector lever positions P ("Park") or N 
("Neutral").Range selectionA detent prevents inadvertent shifts to 
the "Reverse" or "Park" selector lever 
positions. To disengage the detent, 
press the button on the front side of 
the shift knob (arrow).
While the vehicle is stationary and 
before shifting out of "Park" or 
"Neutral," depress the footbrake in 
order to disengage the selector lever's 
lock mechanism (Shiftlock).
Hold the footbrake down until starting 
off. The vehicle will otherwise "creep" 
when a drive position is engaged.< 
To prevent the vehicle from 
starting off on its own, always 
move the selector lever to position P 
or N and engage the parking brake 
before leaving your vehicle with the 
engine running.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended 
with the engine running. An unattended 
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
P  ParkSelect only when the vehicle is 
stationary. Transmission locks to 
prevent rear wheels from turning.R  ReverseSelect only when the vehicle is 
stationary. 

68n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
N  NeutralSelect only when stopping for an 
extended period.D  Drive (automatic shift program)This position is designed for driving 
under all normal operating conditions. 
All forward gears are available.Kickdown modeIn the kickdown mode, you achieve 
maximum acceleration and in 
position D top speed.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the 
increased resistance point at the full-
throttle position.
M/S Manual mode and
Sport ProgramMove the selector lever from D to M/S 
to activate the Sport Program; SD 
appears in the display panel. The M/S 
mode is recommended for perfor-
mance-oriented driving.
Once in the M/S mode you can tap the 
selector lever to switch the automatic 
transmission from the Sport Program to 
its manual selection mode.
This mode allows you to execute 
upshifts manually by tapping the lever 
toward "+," while downshifts are 
selected by tapping in the "Ð" direction. 
The displays M1 through M5 appear in 
the display panel to indicate your 
current gear selection.
The Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC) executes upshifts and downshifts 
only when the new gear will provide a 
suitable combination of engine and 
road speed, for example ATC will not 
execute downshifts if the engine speed 
is too high.  The desired, then the actual 
gear, briefly appear in the instrument 
cluster.
To accelerate quickly in the 
manual mode (to pass another 
vehicle), shift down manually or employ 
the kickdown mode.<
Shifting from M/S to the selector lever 
positions P, R and N is possible only by 
going through D. 

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. 

146n
Weights 
BMW 325Ci BMW 330Ci
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs. (kg) 
lbs (kg)3,560 (1,615) 
3,627 (1,645)3,616 (1,640)
3,704 (1,675)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs (kg) 
lbs (kg)4,442 (2,015) 
4,509 (2,045)4,497 (2,040)
4,575 (2,075)
Approved front axle loads lbs (kg) 2,083 (945) 2,094 (950)
Approved rear axle loads lbs (kg) 2,546 (1,155) 2,579 (1,170)
Approved maximum roof weight for the hardtop lbs (kg) 165 (75) 165 (75)
Luggage compartment capacity 
with the convertible top compartment raisedcu ft (l)
cu ft (l)9.2 (260)
10.6 (300)9.2 (260)
10.6 (300)
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or the approved gross vehicle weight. 

147n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Capacities 
Notes
Fuel tank 
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 16.6 (approx. 63) 
approx. 2.1 (approx. 8)Fuel specification, refer to 
page 23
Windshield/headlamp washer reservoir quarts (liters) approx. 5.6 (approx. 5.3) Specifications, refer to page 120
Cooling system including heating circuit quarts (liters) approx. 8.9 (approx. 8.4) Specifications, refer to page 123
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5) BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil 
Specifications, refer to page 121
Manual and automatic transmission 
and differentialÐ Lifetime lubricant, no oil change 
required