2003 BMW 330i SEDAN service

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

24
RefuelingFuel filler door
Always switch off the engine
before refueling, as it is not possi-
ble to add fuel with the engine running,
and attempts may also trigger the
SERVICE ENGINE SOON lamp.<
Press on the rear edge of the fuel filler
door to open and close it.
If an electrical malfunction occurs, you
can unlock the fuel filler door manually:
1. Undo the trim panel on the right side
of the luggage compartment
2. Pull the knob with the fuel pump
symbol.
Always observe all safety precau-
tions posted at the service station
when handling fuel.
Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full,
these containers can leak, cause an
explosion, or lead to fire in the event of
a collision.<
Simple and environmentally
friendly
Open the filler cap carefully to
prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.<
Keep the filler cap in the bracket – see
arrow – attached to the fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refuel-
ing
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effectiveness of
the vapor recovery system on the
pump.
The fuel tank is full when the filler noz-
zle shuts off the first time.

29
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

53 Passenger safety systems
Airbags1Front driver and passenger-side air-
bags
2Head airbags for driver and front pas-
senger
3Side airbags on the driver and pas-
senger sides – front and rear*Protective effectThe front airbags supplement the three-
point safety belts by providing addi-
tional protection in the event of a
severe frontal collision in which the pro-
tection afforded by the belts alone may
no longer be sufficient. The Head Pro-
tection System and side airbags help
provide protection in the event of a col-
lision from the side. Each of the side
airbags is designed to help support the
seat occupant's upper body.
For information on the correct sitting
posture, refer to page 44.
The side airbags in the rear pas-
senger area* of your vehicle may
already have been deactivated either at
the time of manufacture or by a BMW
center. You may have them activated if
you desire to do so. Please contact
your BMW center for additional infor-
mation.<
The airbags do not deploy in
response to minor collisions, rear
impacts and certain kinds of vehicle
rollover.<
Do not apply adhesive materials to
the cover panels of the airbags,
cover them or modify them in any other
way. Do not remove the airbag restraint
system. In the event of a malfunction,
deactivation or triggered activation – as
a response to an accident – of the air-
bag restraint system, consult your BMW
center for inspection, repairs or disas-
sembly. Do not modify or tamper with
either the wiring or the individual com-
ponents in the airbag system. These
include the upholstered covers on the
steering wheel, the instrument panel,
side panels on doors and the roof struts
as well as down the sides of the roof
liners. Also, do not attempt to remove
the steering wheel. Unprofessional
attempts to service the system could
lead to failure in an emergency or
undesired airbag activation, either of
which could result in personal injury. Do
not touch the individual components
immediately after the system has been
activated, as this could result in per-
sonal injury.<
All vehicle occupants should
always sit upright and be properly
restrained – infants and small children
in appropriate child-restraint systems;
larger children and adults using the
safety belts. Never let an occupant's
head rest near or on a side airbag
because the inflating airbag could
cause a serious or fatal injury. Please
note that the word Airbag imprinted on
the door trim panel indicates the air-
bag's location.
Accident research shows that the saf-
est place for children in an automobile
is in the rear seat. However, a child sit-
ting in the rear seat and not properly
restrained could place his or her head
on or near the airbag, if so equipped.
For example, a child — even though
belted in — may fall asleep with his or
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61
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 below approx. +57/–156 and at
altitudes over 3,300 ft/1,000 m:
>On the first start attempt, it may be
necessary to engage the starter for a
longer period, but no longer than
20 seconds
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at startup are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharg-
ing, 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 damage the catalytic
converter.<
Starting the engine
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73
Service interval displayRemaining distance to next
serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 or higher or
after the engine is started.
The next service due appears with the
message OIL SERVICE or
INSPECTION, together with the dis-
tance remaining in miles – in kilometers
in Canada – before the next scheduled
service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the preced-
ing driving style.
A flashing message and a "–" in front of
the number mean that the service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the
distance shown on the display. Please
contact your BMW center for an
appointment.
Check ControlThe following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols, with
the ignition key in position 2 or higher,
until the condition has been corrected.
1Check the low beam and high beam
headlamps, as well as the parking
lamps
2Door open
3Luggage compartment lid open
4Check brake and tail lamps
When you open the driver's door after
completing a journey, an acoustic
warning signal will sound if you have
forgotten to turn off the headlamps.
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81
Under these special circumstances
traction is increased by deactivating the
control systems that enhance traction
under normal conditions.Deactivating the DSC and the
DTCPress the DSC button down for at least
3 seconds; the indicator lamp and the
yellow brake warning lamp will remain
on continuously.
The systems for enhancing stability and
traction are deactivated, and there is no
active braking intervention or torque
control.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the DSC acti-
vated whenever possible. cator lamp or the indicator lamps will go
out. DTC is deactivated.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. An
appropriate driving style always
remains the responsibility of the driver.
We therefore urge you to avoid using
the additional safety margin of the sys-
tem as an excuse for taking risks.
Whenever the DTC is activated, the
DSC is switched off and DTC performs
minor stabilizing intervention.
Do not make any modifications to the
DSC system. Allow only authorized
technicians to perform service proce-
dures on the DSC.<
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)*
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83
Reactivating the DSCpress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. An
appropriate driving style always
remains the responsibility of the driver.
We therefore urge you to avoid using
the additional safety margin of the sys-
tem as an excuse for taking risks.
The system does not intervene to
enhance vehicle stability when
switched off.
Do not make any modifications to the
DSC system. Allow only authorized
technicians to perform service proce-
dures on the DSC. OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex