2004 BMW 320I SEDAN Speed

17
1Fuel gauge81
2Indicator lamp for turn signals20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
5Tachometer and Energy Control80
6Engine coolant temperature
gauge81
7Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
8Control button for the clock83
9Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox19, 69, 75
10 Display for

>

Trip odometer/Odometer80

>

Clock83

>

Service interval82

>

Computer84
11 Check Control82
12 Trip odometer, reset to zero80
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 122 and 134.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Flat Tire Monitor

●

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: there is a flat tire.
Reduce speed and carefully come to a
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information: refer to
page 92

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

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

●

and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and
ADB-X/DBC control system has
failed. Continue driving cau-
tiously and defensively. Avoid
hard brake applications. Please have
the system checked by your BMW cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on
page 86
CBC, ABS, DSC and ADB-X/
DBC indicator and warning
lamps for Canadian models.

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 67

20
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
and brake warning lamp

●

The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC/DTC have been switched
off with the button or are faulty.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
Additional information beginning on
page 86
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 89
DSC indicator and brake warn-
ing 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 121

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 132
CHECK GAS CAP*

●

This indicator lamp comes on
when the fuel filler cap is loose
or missing.
Close the gas 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.
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 138
Service Engine Soon indicator
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 134

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 76
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated: ready for oper-
ation via the buttons in the steering
wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 78

Indicator and warning lamps

65 Driving
Ignition lockIgnition key positions0Steering locked
1Steering unlocked
2Ignition switched on
3Starting engine
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from
position P until the engine is running,
ignition key position 2.
Your vehicle is equipped with an inter-
lock. Therefore, the ignition key cannot
be turned to position 0 or removed until
the selector lever is in position P.<
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion:
Step on the clutch when starting the
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine
from starting if the clutch is not
depressed.<
Steering lockedThe key can only be inserted and
removed in this position.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until
the lock engages.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic
signal is sounded after the driver's door
has been opened.Steering unlockedYou will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the
lock.
Individual electrical accessories are
ready for operation.
Starting the engine
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.<
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. Otherwise,
breathing the exhaust fumes can lead
to unconsciousness and death. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monox-
ide, an odorless and colorless, but
highly toxic gas. Do not leave the vehi-
cle unattended with the engine running.
An unattended vehicle with a running
engine represents a safety hazard.
When driving, standing at idle or park-
ing the vehicle, take care to avoid con-
tact between the hot exhaust system
and flammable materials – grass, hay,
leaves, etc. Such contact could lead to
a fire, resulting in serious personal
injury and property damage.<
Start the engine. Do not press the
accelerator pedal.
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.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

66
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.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can damage the catalytic
converter.<
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at start-up 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.Manual transmission1. Engage the parking brake
2. Gearshift lever in idling position
3. Start the engine.Automatic transmission1. Depress footbrake
2. Place the selector lever in position P
or N
3. Start the engine.
To prevent the vehicle from start-
ing off on its own, always move
the selector lever to position P and
engage the parking brake before leav-
ing your vehicle with the engine run-
ning.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a safety hazard. 2. Place the selector lever in neutral
position N
3. Start the engine.
If the engine does not start, reen-
gage the gear last selected, refer
to the gear indicator in the display, and
move the selector lever into neutral
position N again.
The gearbox is automatically taken out
of gear if the driver's door is opened
while the engine is running and the
driver does not actuate the pedals, the
shift paddles or the selector lever. This
is accompanied by a warning tone and
the flashing gear indicator. The gear
display N appears in the instrument-
cluster.<
Before exiting the vehicle with the
engine running, move the selector
lever into position N and apply the park-
ing brake.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a safety hazard.<
Starting the engine

68
If exceptional circumstances
make it necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull it with excessive
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed
against the release button while care-
fully pulling the lever up.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction – fishtailing
– at the rear axle. The brake lamps do
not come on when the parking brake is
engaged.
Vehicles with manual or SMG gearbox:
Engage the parking brake when parking
on downhill roads, since engaging a
gear may not provide adequate resis-
tance to rolling, not even in first or
reverse gear.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
place the selector lever in P.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake
lightly from time to time when coasting
to a standstill – at a traffic signal, for
example – provided that it is safe to do
so.<
Manual transmission
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or 'riding' the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead.
Riding the clutch leads to severe and
premature clutch wear.<
6-speed transmission*When changing gear in the 5th/6th gear
plane, be sure to press the gearshift
lever to the right to prevent inadvert-
ently shifting to a gear of the 3rd/4th
gear plane.ReverseSelect only when the vehicle is station-
ary. Press the shift lever to the left to
overcome the resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will
light up automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Parking brake

69
Sequential manual gearbox SMG*The conceptThe sequential manual gearbox SMG is
an automated manual gearbox with
which clutching and shifting is assumed
by an electro-hydraulic system.
The SMG is operated via the selector
lever in the center console and two shift
paddles on the steering wheel.
It offers the following functions:
>Sequential mode: manual mode
>Drive mode: automatic operation
>Ability to choose between two differ-
ent driving programs: Standard,
Sport
>Operating safety through protection
against misshifting
>Automatic upshifts and downshifts in
the drive mode
>Automatic downshifts at minimum
engine rpm
>Kickdown function in the drive mode.
>Acceleration assistant, refer to
page 72.
Selector lever positionsThe current selector lever position is
indicated by a light-emitting diode in
the center console.
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
Position for forward driving with one-
touch functions:
Sequential mode
+: manual upshifts
—: manual downshifts
D: drive mode.
The SMG is ready for operation in igni-
tion key position 2.
The gearbox is automatically
placed in neutral gear if the
driver's door is opened while the engine
is running and the driver does not actu-
ate the pedals, the shift paddles or the
selector lever.
This is accompanied by an acoustic
signal and the flashing gear indicator.
The gear display N appears in the
instrument cluster.
A driving position can only be engaged
when the driver's door is closed.
When the vehicle is unlocked, a buzzer
in the area of the transmission indicates
that the system is ready for operation.<
ShiftlockWhen the car is at a standstill, a safety
function requires you to depress the
brake pedal if you want to move the
selector lever from the neutral
position N to a driving position.Driving precautions
Use enough acceleration to pull
away speedily when moving off on
an uphill gradient. Never try to prevent
the car from rolling back on an uphill
gradient by depressing the accelerator
pedal; always apply the handbrake.
Otherwise you could overheat the SMG
gearbox.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

70
RReverseSelect only when the vehicle is station-
ary.NNeutralAlways engage before starting the
engine, refer to Starting the engine on
page 66.Sequential modeEach time the engine is started, the
sequential mode is activated as soon as
you move the selector lever into the for-
ward driving position while the brake is
depressed.
The gears are shifted via the shift pad-
dles or the selector lever.
It is also possible to drive off in second
gear, e.g. on snow-covered roads.DDrive modeIn the drive mode all forward gears are
shifted automatically.
To switch from sequential to drive
mode: tap the selector lever to the right
toward D.
For rapid acceleration, e.g. during
passing, depress the accelerator pedal
completely: kickdown.To switch back to sequential mode: tap
the selector lever again to the right
toward D or change the current gear via
the shift paddles or the selector lever.
KickdownYou can achieve maximum acceleration
using kickdown.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-
throttle position.
Shifting gearsWith selector lever:
>To upshift, tap the selector lever
toward +
>To downshift, tap the lever toward —.
With shift paddles on steering wheel:
>To upshift, pull one of the shift pad-
dles
>To downshift, push the paddle.
You accelerate from higher gears, e.g.
during passing, by manually downshift-
ing.
In the following situations, the SMG in
the sequential mode assists you:
>The transmission will only execute
upshifts and downshifts that will
result in an appropriate combination
of vehicle speed and engine rpm. For
Sequential manual gearbox SMG*