Page 25 of 178

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.<
Fuel 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, that is 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 92, 93.
Refueling
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 25 Wednesday, July 31, 2002 9:29 AM
Page 26 of 178
26
Another instruction plate regarding
inflation pressures on the door pillar
indicates which system your vehicle is
equipped with.
Check the tire pressures on a reg-
ular basis – at least twice a month
– and before every extended journey.
Otherwise, incorrect tire pressure can
lead to poor handling, to tire damage
and accidents.
Remember to check the inflation pres-
sure in the space-saver or standard
spare tire.
Inflate the spare tire to the highest infla-
tion pressure specified for your vehi-
cle.
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to BMW approved tire sizes and
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center
can provide you with more information
about these. Higher pressures may be
required for tires made by other manu-
facturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW approved
tires.Tire inflation pressure
handbook.book Page 26 Wednesday, July 31, 2002 9:29 AM
Page 27 of 178
27
BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in the table are indicated
in psi/kilopascal with cold tires –
cold = ambient temperature
325Ci 205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
205/55 R 16 91 H
225/50 R 16 92 W
225/45 R 17 91 W29/200 33/230 36/250 44/300
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1729/200
––
33/23036/250
––
44/300
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S32/220 36/250 39/270 46/320
330Ci 225/45 R 17 91 W 29/200 33/230 36/250 44/300
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 17
225/40 R 18
255/35 R 1829/200
–
32/220
-–
33/230
-
36/25036/250
–
39/270
-–
44/300
-
46/320
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S32/220 36/250 39/270 46/320
All Space-saver spare tire 61/420Tire inflation pressure
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 27 Wednesday, July 31, 2002 9:29 AM
Page 28 of 178
28handbook.book Page 28 Wednesday, July 31, 2002 9:29 AM
Page 29 of 178
29
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 29 Wednesday, July 31, 2002 9:29 AM
Page 30 of 178

30Opening and closing
KeysThe key set1Master keys with remote control –
determine the functions of the Key
Memory, refer to page 69.
You can mark the individual keys for
subsequent identification by apply-
ing the colored decals that you
received when accepting delivery of
your vehicle
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key that is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have master keys
that are not being used otherwise, use
those keys approximately once a year
while driving for an extended period to
charge the battery.<
2Spare master key – for storage in a
safe place, such as in your wallet.
This key is not intended for constant
use
3Door and ignition key – the locks for
the luggage compartment lid and the
glove compartment cannot be oper-
ated with this key. This is useful for
valet parking, for example
Central locking systemThe conceptThe central locking system engages
and releases the following locks at the
same time
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door
>glove compartment.
The central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed.
The central locking system can be
operated
>from outside via the door lock as well
as via the remote control
>from inside by pressing a button.
The fuel filler door is not locked when
the central locking system is activated
from the inside, refer to page 34.
When the system is actuated from the
outside, the anti-theft system is also
activated. This prevents the doors from
being unlocked via the lock buttons or
the release handle. The alarm system is
also armed or disarmed.
The central locking system is automati-
cally deactivated in the event of an
accident. In addition, the hazard warn-
ing flashers and interior lamps come on.
handbook.book Page 30 Wednesday, July 31, 2002 9:29 AM
Page 31 of 178

31
Opening and closing – via the remote controlThe conceptThe remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for unlock-
ing and locking your vehicle. Further-
more, it provides two additional
functions:
>To switch on interior lamps, refer to
page 32.
With this function you can also
search for the vehicle when parked in
an underground garage, for instance
>To open the luggage compartment
lid, refer to page 32.
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether it
was previously locked or unlocked.
Whenever you unlock or lock the vehi-
cle, you simultaneously deactivate/acti-
vate the anti-theft system, disarm/arm
the alarm system and switch the interior
lamps on/off.
You can have a signal set to con-
firm that the vehicle's locks have
engaged securely.<
Master keys with remote control
Persons or animals inside the
vehicle may be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this reason,
you should always take the vehicle keys
with you so that the vehicle can be
opened again from the outside at any
time.<
If it is no longer possible to lock
the vehicle via the remote control,
the battery is discharged. Use this key
while driving for an extended period in
order to recharge the battery.
To prevent unauthorized use of the
remote control, surrender only the
spare key or the door and ignition key
when leaving the vehicle for valet park-
ing, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<
1Unlock, disarm alarm system
2Lock and secure, arm alarm system,
activate interior lamps, disarm tilt
alarm sensor and interior motion sen-
sor
3Open the luggage compartment lid,
Panic mode – trigger alarmTo releasePress the button once to unlock the
driver's door.
Press the button a second time to
disengage all vehicle locks.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 31 Wednesday, July 31, 2002 9:29 AM
Page 32 of 178

32
To lock and securePress the button.To switch on the interior lampsWith the vehicle locked, press the but-
ton.To deactivate the tilt alarm* and
interior motion sensors*Press the button a second time imme-
diately after locking.
For additional information, refer to
page 39.To open the luggage
compartmentPress the button.
The luggage compartment lid will open
slightly, regardless of whether it was
previously locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure
that the luggage compartment lid
has not been opened unintentionally.<
Panic mode – trigger alarmProvided that the alarm system is
armed, you can respond to imminent
danger by holding down the button for
more than seconds.
To switch off the alarm:
Press the button.External systemsThe remote control system's operation
may be affected by other units or
equipment operating in the immediate
vicinity of your vehicle.
If this should occur, you can still open
and close the vehicle using the master
key in either the door or luggage com-
partment lid locks.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units com-
ply with part 15 of the FCC Federal
Communications Commission regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the fol-
lowing:
FCC ID:
>LX8EWS
>LX8FZVS
>LX8FZVE.
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference
>This device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications to
these devices could void the
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.<
Opening and closing – via the remote control
handbook.book Page 32 Wednesday, July 31, 2002 9:29 AM