5
Notes
Status at time of printing
BMW pursues a policy of continuous,
ongoing development that is conceived
to ensure that our vehicles continue to
embody the highest quality and safety
standards combined with advanced,
state-of-the-art technology. For this
reason, the features described in this
Owner's Manual could differ from those
in your vehicle. Nor can errors and
omissions be entirely ruled out. You are
therefore asked to appreciate that no
claims can be recognized on the basis
of the data, illustrations or descriptions
in this Owner's Manual.
For your own safety
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight – that is,
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent – will
not void the applicable warranties
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality – volatility, composition, addi-
tives, etc. among gasolines offered for
sale in the United States and Canada.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result
in driveability, starting and stalling
problems especially under certain envi-
ronmental conditions, such as high
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Obey all applicable safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.
<
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine
parts and accessories approved by
BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-
mum performance when installed on
your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to ascertain
whether it can be used on a BMW
safely and without risk to either the
vehicle, its operation, or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
handbook.book Page 5 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 12:16 PM
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
handbook.book Page 10 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 12:16 PM
44
Manual seat adjustmentSeat adjustment1Forward/backward adjustment
Pull the lever and slide the seat to the
desired position.
After you release the lever, move the
seat forward or backward slightly so
that it engages fully
2Cushion height
Pull the lever and apply weight to or
remove weight from the seat as
required
3Backrest angle
Pull the lever and apply weight to or
remove weight from the backrest to
reach the desired position
BMW sports seat* adjustmentYou can also adjust the tilt angle and
the thigh support:
1To tilt up:
Pull the lever up repeatedly, continu-
ing until the seat reaches the desired
tilt angle
2To tilt down:
Push the lever down repeatedly, con-
tinuing until the seat reaches the
desired tilt angle
3Thigh support:
Pull the lever and adjust the position
of the cushion for thigh support as
desired
handbook.book Page 44 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 12:16 PM
55
Depending on the location selected for
seating in the rear passenger area,
attach the tether strap to the corre-
sponding anchorage point to secure the
child-restraint system, as shown in the
illustration.
If the respective seating position is fit-
ted with a head restraint, lift the head
restraint, and pass the tether strap
between the head restraint and the seat
back.
It is recommended to readjust the head
restraint in the lowest possible position.
Adjust the tether strap according to the
child-restraint manufacturer's instruc-
tions.
Before installing any child-
restraint device or child seat,
please read the following:
Never install a rear-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger
seat of this vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag
supplemental restraint system for the
front passenger. Because the backrest
on any rear-facing child-restraint sys-
tem – of the kind designed for infants
under 1 year and 20 lbs/9 kg – would
be within the airbag's deployment
range, you should never mount such a
device in the front passenger seat,
since the impact of the airbag against
the child-restraint's backrest could lead
to serious or fatal injuries.
If it is necessary for a child – not an
infant – to ride in the front seat, certain
precautions should be taken. First,
move the passenger seat as far away
from the dashboard as possible. This
important precaution is intended to
maximize the distance between the air-
bag and the child. Older children
should be tightly secured with a safety
belt after they have outgrown a booster
seat that is appropriate for their age,
height, and weight. Younger children
should be secured in an appropriate
forward-facing child-restraint system
that has first been properly installed
with a safety belt.
Never install a rear-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger
seat.
We strongly urge you to carefully read
and comply with the instructions for
installation and use provided by the
child restraint's manufacturer when-
ever you use such a device.
Do not attempt to modify child-restraint
systems. If you do this, the protection
provided by these systems could be
impaired.
Always ensure that all occupants – of all
ages – remain properly and securely
restrained at all times.<
All rear seating positions in your vehicle
meet the recommendations of
SAE J1819, an industry-recommended
practice for securing child-restraint sys-
tems in motor vehicles.
Transporting children safely
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 55 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 12:16 PM
104
Cargo loading
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the approved gross
weight or the approved maximum axle
loads, refer to page 148, otherwise the
vehicle's operating safety is no longer
assured and you are in violation of the
law.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in
the passenger compartment without
securing them. Otherwise they would
be thrown around during braking and
evasive maneuvers and endanger the
passengers.<
Stowing cargo>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible – directly behind the back-
rests or the luggage compartment
partition – and as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
>For transporting very heavy loads
when the rear seat is not occupied,
secure the outer safety belts in the
opposite buckles, refer to the illustra-
tion.
handbook.book Page 104 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 12:16 PM
105
Securing cargo>For small, light items, use the rubber-
lined, non-skid side of the floor mat
or secure using the luggage compart-
ment net* or elastic straps, refer to
page 37
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing
devices*. Achorages located in the
luggage compartment can be used
for fastening the load-securing
devices; see arrow.
Comply with the information enclosed
with the load-securing devices.
Roof-mounted luggage rack*A special roof-rack system is available
as an optional extra for your BMW.
Please observe the precautions
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the anchorages:
To fold up the cover – see arrow –
please use the tool provided with the
roof-rack system.Loading and driving notesRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the
center of gravity of the vehicle when
they are loaded. For this reason, they
have a major effect on the vehicle's
handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof load
capacity, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the axle loads when loading
the rack. These weights are listed under
Technical data on page 148.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first so
that they are at the bottom. Be sure that
adequate clearance is maintained for
raising the sliding/tilt sunroof, and that
objects do not project into the opening
path of the luggage compartment lid.
Secure the roof-mounted luggage cor-
rectly and safely to prevent it from shift-
ing or being lost during driving.
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration and braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.
The luggage rack and the roof load
increase aerodynamic resistance:
increased fuel consumption and addi-
tional stress on the vehicle's body are
the result.
Cargo loading
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 105 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 12:16 PM
148
Weights
BMW 325Ci BMW 330Ci
Curb weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs/kg
lbs/kg3,197/1,450
3,285/1,4903,285/1,490
3,362/1,525
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs/kg
lbs/kg4,255/1,930
4,343/1,9704,343/1,970
4,420/2,005
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 1,984/900 2,006/910
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,425/1,100 2,469/1,120
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg 165/75 165/75
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft/l 14.5/410 14.5/410
Approved axle loads and approved gross vehicle weight must never be exceeded.
handbook.book Page 148 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 12:16 PM
Everything from A to Z
153
Cockpit 14
Code, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio
Coin box 98
Compartments 98
Compression ratio 146
Computer 74
Condensation
removing from windows
91, 94
Consumption 75
display 71
Coolant 122, 149
Cooling system 149
Copyright 4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 18, 109
Cruise control 68
Cup holder, see Beverage
holder 98
Curb weight 148
Cushion height 147
D
Data
dimensions 147
engine 146
technical 146
weights 148
Daytime driving lamps 85
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control 109Defrost position 91, 94
Defrosting
rear window 90, 95
windows 91, 94
Digital clock 73
Dimensions 147
Dipstick, engine oil 120
Displacement 146
Display lighting 86
Displays 16
Distance warning 76
Divided rear backrest 102
Door key 30
Door lock buttons 34
Doors
emergency operation 33
unlocking and locking 31
Driving notes 109
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 18, 19, 79
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control 79
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 109
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 18, 19, 79
Dynamic Traction Control
(DTC) 79
E
Electric power windows 40Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 140
Electrical malfunction
fuel filler door 23
sliding/tilt sunroof 42
Emergency operation
doors 33
fuel filler door 23
sliding/tilt sunroof 42
Emergency release
luggage compartment
lid 37
Emissions, minimum, refer
to Energy control 70
Energy control 70
Engine
starting 59
switching off 61
Engine compartment 118
Engine coolant 149
adding 122
temperature gauge 71
Engine data 146
Engine oil
adding 120
capacity 149
quality 121
viscosity 121
Engine oil consumption 120
Engine oil level 19
check 120
Engine oil pressure 18Engine oil types 121
Engine speed 146
Entering the rear 46
Environmentally-friendly
driving, refer to Energy
control 70
Exterior mirrors 50
Eyelet, towing 142
F
False alarm, avoiding 39
Fault displays 72
First-aid kit 22
Flashlight 98
Flat tire 111, 135
Flat Tire Monitor 82
Fog lamps 87
Folding rear backrest 102
Follow me home lamps 85
Front fog lamps 87
Front seat adjustment 43
Frost protection
radiator 122
Fuel consumption 75
display 71
Fuel economy, refer to
Energy control 70
Fuel filler door 23
release following an elec-
trical malfunction 23
Fuel gauge 71
Fuel specifications 24
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 153 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 12:16 PM