2003 BMW 325Ci COUPE warning

Contents

Notes

About this Owner's Manual4
Symbols used4
Your individual vehicle4
Status at time of printing5
For your own safety5
Symbol on vehicle parts6
Service and warranty6
Reporting safety defects6

Overview

Cockpit14
Instrument cluster16
Indicator and warning lamps18
Steering wheel with multifunction
buttons*21
Hazard warning triangle*22
First-aid kit*22
Refueling23
Fuel specifications24
Tire inflation pressure24

Controls and features

Opening and closing:

Keys30
Central locking system30
Opening and closing – via the
remote control31
Opening and closing – via the
door lock33
Opening and closing – from the
inside34
Luggage compartment lid35
Luggage compartment37
Alarm system*38
Electric power windows40
Sliding/tilt sunroof*41

Adjustments:

Safe seating position43
Seats43
Manual seat adjustment44
Power seat adjustment*45
Lumbar support*45
Head restraints46
Entering the rear46
Safety belts47
Seat and mirror memory*48
Seat heating*49
Steering wheel50
Mirrors50

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Contents

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures108
Driving notes109
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)109
Brake system110

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure111
Tire condition111
Tire replacement112
Wheel and tire
combinations114
Winter tires114

In the engine compartment:

Hood116
Engine compartment
essentials118
Washer fluids120
Engine oil120
Coolant122
Brake fluid123

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System124

Laws and regulations:

California Proposition 65
warning126
OBD interface socket126

Owner service procedures

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit130
Windshield wiper blades130
Lamps and bulbs131
Changing a wheel135
Run Flat tires*139
Battery140
Fuses140

Giving and receiving
assistance:

Jump-starting141
Towing the vehicle142

Technical data

Engine data146
Dimensions147
Weights148
Capacities149

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15
1Parking lamps/Low beams85
2

>

Turn signal indicators66

>

Standing lamps86

>

High beams86

>

Headlamp flasher66

>

Computer74
3Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor67
4Hazard warning flashers
5Central locking system30
6Rear window defroster90, 95
7Horn: the entire surface
8Adjusting the steering wheel50
9Fog lamps87

Cockpit

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

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17
1Fuel gauge71
2Indicator lamp for turn signals20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps18
to20
5Tachometer and Energy Control70
6Engine coolant temperature
gauge71
7Indicator and warning lamps18
to20
8Control button for the clock73
9Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission19, 65
10 Display for

>

Trip odometer/Odometer70

>

Clock73

>

Service interval72

>

Computer74
11 Check Control72
12 Trip odometer, reset to zero70
13 Indicator and warning lamps18
to20

Instrument cluster

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

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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 engine. Check
the engine oil level and 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 110 and 123.
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 to
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake
applications. As you steer the vehicle,
use caution and avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information: refer to
pages 81, 82

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 control
system has failed. Continue
driving cautiously and defen-
sively. Avoid hard brake applications.
Please have the system checked by
your BMW center as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on
page 77
CBC, ABS and ASC+T/DSC and
ADB/DBC indicator and warning
lamps for Canadian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking
brake is applied – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information: refer to
page 61

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19
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 at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 52

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 63

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 120
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add more engine
oil at the earliest opportunity, such as
when you next stop to refuel.
For additional information: refer to
page 120
Brake pads

●

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 110
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)/Flat
Tire Monitor

●

Check tire inflation pressures.
Refer to pages 24, 81, 84

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 77
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability 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 77

Indicator and warning lamps

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

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20
DSC and ADB indicator and
brake warning lamps for Cana-
dian models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

●

Malfunction in the 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 109
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 120
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 23

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.
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 126
Service Engine Soon warning
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 at your
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to
page 122

Green: for your information

Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signal is
operated.
Rapid flashing indicates a system mal-
function.
For additional information: refer to
page 66
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 68
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the front fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to
page 87

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 66, 86

Indicator and warning lamps

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22
Hazard warning triangle*The hazard warning triangle is stored in
a storage case on the left side of the
luggage compartment.
Always observe all legal regula-
tions requiring a warning triangle
to be carried in the vehicle.<
First-aid kit*The first-aid kit is located under the
passenger seat.
To release: pull the handle and fold the
cover down.
To close: fold the cover up and press it
until the tab engages.
Some of the articles in the first-aid
kit have a limited period of use
before expiration. For this reason,
check the expiration dates of each of
the items regularly and replace any
whose expiration dates have passed.
You can purchase replacements in any
drugstore or pharmacy.
Always observe all legal regulations
requiring a first-aid kit to be carried in
the vehicle.<
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