2003 BMW 320i check engine

Contents

9

Driving:

Ignition lock60
Starting the engine60
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake62
Manual transmission63
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*64
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher67
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*68
Cruise control*69

Everything under control:

Odometer71
Tachometer71
Energy control71
Fuel gauge72
Engine coolant temperature
gauge72
Service interval display73
Check Control73
Clock74
Computer*75

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)*77
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)*78
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)*80
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) –
BMW 325xi, 330xi82
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*84
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)*85
Flat Tire Monitor*86

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams89
Instrument lighting90
High beams/Standing lamps90
Fog lamps*91
Interior lamps91

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Air conditioning92
Automatic climate control*96
Roller sun blind*100

Interior conveniences:

Premium sound system*101
Glove compartment101
Storage compartments102
Cellular phone*104
Ashtray, front*104
Ashtray, rear*105

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading system*106
Ski bag*107
Cargo loading108
Roof-mounted luggage
rack*110

Controls and features

17
1Fuel gauge72
2Indicator lamp for turn signals21
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
5Tachometer and Energy Control71
6Engine coolant temperature
gauge72
7Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
8Control button for the clock74
9Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission19, 66
10 Display for

>

Trip odometer/Odometer71

>

Clock74

>

Service interval73

>

Computer75
11 Check Control73
12 Trip odometer, reset to zero71
13 Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21

Instrument cluster

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

18

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

●

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

●

The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defective
alternator drive belt or a problem with
the alternator's charge circuit. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

●

Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level; top off as
required. If the oil level is correct:
Please contact the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the
instructions on pages 116 and 129
Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)/Flat
Tire Monitor

●

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a tire failure has occurred.
Reduce vehicle speed immediately and
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake
applications. As you steer the vehicle,
use caution and avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information: refer to
pages 85, 86

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The brake warning lamp comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS

●

and
ASC+T/DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC,
ASC+T/DSC and ADB/ADB-X/
DBC control system has failed.
Continue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Please have the system checked
by your BMW center as soon as possi-
ble.
Additional information beginning on
page 78
CBC, ABS and ASC+T/DSC and
ADB/ADB-X/DBC indicator and
warning lamps for Canadian
models.

19

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information: refer to
page 62
Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts

●

Comes on together with an
acoustic signal until the safety
belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 47
Airbags

●

Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 53

Orange: consult the nearest BMW
center

Automatic transmission
The transmission has
responded to a malfunction by
reverting to operation in its emergency
default program. Please consult the
nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 64

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Engine oil level
If the lamp comes on during
normal vehicle operation: the
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible.
Do not drive more than approx.
30 miles/50 km before refilling.
For additional information: refer to
page 126
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at your earliest opportunity, such as
when you next stop to refuel.
For additional information: refer to
page 126

Brake pads

●

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 116
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)/Flat
Tire Monitor

●

Check tire inflation pressures.
Refer to pages 25, 85, 86

Indicator and warning lamps

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

20
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)

●

Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
The ASC+T has been switched off via
the button, ADB is operational; or DSC
has been switched off using the button,
DTC is operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center
in case of a malfunction.
Additional information beginning on
page 78
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
DSC has been switched off manually or
there is a system malfunction.
ADB-X is operational in its standby
mode. If the warning lamp fails to go
out when you press the DSC button
again, this indicates a system malfunc-
tion affecting both DSC and ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
For additional information: refer to
page 82

Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Sta-
bility Control (DSC) and brake
warning lamp

●

The indicator lamps remain on:
The ASC+T/ADB or DSC/DTC
have been switched off manually or
there is a system malfunction.
Please consult the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
Additional information beginning on
page 78
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
DSC and ADB-X system malfunction.
There is no provision for deactivating
ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
For additional information: refer to
page 82
DSC and ADB indicator and
warning lamps for Canadian
models.

Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

●

Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired at your BMW
center as soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to
page 115
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid level is too low.
Top off the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 126
CHECK FILLER CAP

●

This indicator lamp comes on
when the fuel filler cap is loose
or missing.
Close the filler cap tightly: refer to
page 24
SERVICE ENGINE SOON

●

If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.

Indicator and warning lamps

21
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 131
SERVICE ENGINE SOON warn-
ing lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics

●

There is a fault in the electronic
engine-management system.
You can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system inspected by your
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to
page 128

Green: for your information

Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signals
are on.
Rapid flashing indicates a system mal-
function.
For additional information: refer to
page 67

Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated: ready for oper-
ation via the steering wheel with multi-
function buttons.
For additional information: refer to
page 69
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to
page 91

Blue: for your information

High beams
Comes on when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information: refer to
pages 67, 90

Indicator and warning lamps
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

25
Close the fuel filler cap carefully
after refueling until a click is
heard. While closing, be sure not to
squeeze the strap which is fastened to
the cap. A loose or missing cap will
activate the CHECK FILLER CAP
lamp.<
Tank capacity>Approx. 16.6 gal./63 liters, of which
>approx. 2.1 gal./8 liters are reserve
capacity.
Do not drive to the last drop of
fuel. This can prevent the engine
from operating properly and result in
damage.<
Fuel specificationsThe engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Never use leaded fuel, as it would
cause permanent and irreversible
damage to the oxygen sensor and the
catalytic converter.<
Tire inflation pressureThe specified inflation pressures are
provided on a sticker attached to the
B-pillar and are visible with the driver's
door open.Checking tire pressuresAll pressures are specified in the stan-
dard units of pressure, psi and kilopas-
cal, and apply to cold tires – tires at
ambient temperature – refer to tire
pressure table at the end of this chap-
ter.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
(TPM)/Flat Tire Monitor:
After correcting the inflation pressures,
reinitialize the system, refer to
pages 85, 86.
Refueling
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

72
Fuel gaugeOnce the indicator lamp stays on con-
tinuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons/8 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.
Fuel tank capacity approx.
16.6 gallons/63 liters.
Certain operating conditions, such as
those encountered in mountainous
areas, may cause the needle to fluctu-
ate slightly.
Fill the fuel tank before it is com-
pletely empty. Driving to the last
drop of fuel can prevent the engine
from operating properly and result in
damage.<
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an
operation check.
Engine coolant temperature gaugeBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly as an
operation check.
If the lamp comes on during normal
vehicle operation: the engine has over-
heated. Shut off the engine immediately
and allow it to cool down.
To check coolant level, refer to
page 128.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector during normal operation.