2004 BMW 325CI CONVERTIBLE brake light

96
Because the sides of Run Flat
tires are reinforced, a drop in infla-
tion pressure usually cannot be
detected from the outside, refer to Run
Flat tires, page 156.<
2. To continue driving, follow the
instructions under Driving with a
damaged tire on page 157.
System malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up yellow.
The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. Please refer the
problem to your BMW center.
Brake force displayThe brake force display indicates to the
driver of the vehicle behind you how
hard you are braking your vehicle.
The display has two levels:
>Normal braking: the brake lamps
among the rear lamps and the center
brake lamp light up
>Hard braking or use of ABS: the tail
lamps light up with the same bright-
ness as the brake lamps and thereby
intensify the visual effect of the brake
lamps.
Flat Tire Monitor*

124Special operating instructions
Break-in proceduresTo ensure that your vehicle continues to
provide maximum economy throughout
an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the
following instructions.Engine and differentialThe first 1,250 miles/2,000 km:
Constantly vary both vehicle and engine
speeds, remembering not to exceed
4,500 rpm or vehicle speeds of over
100 mph / 160 km/h:
Always obey all official speed limits.
Do not use full throttle, and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point during these initial
miles.
You can then proceed to increase
engine or vehicle speeds once the ini-
tial 1,250 miles/2,000 km have elapsed.
Please remember to observe the same
break-in procedures if either the engine
or the differential should have to be
replaced later in the course of the vehi-
cle's service life.
TiresOwing to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
We thus ask you to drive with extra care
during the first 200 miles/300 km.
Always obey all official speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as hydroplaning, and can
lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effec-
tiveness. Reduce your speed on wet
roads. before the brake pads and rotors
achieve the optimal pad-surface and
wear patterns required for trouble-free
operation and an extended service life
later on.
To break in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill – at a traf-
fic signal, for instance; use caution to
avoid posing a danger to other road
users.
You can prevent corrosion in the drums
by periodically repeating this proce-
dure.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine off – when tow-
ing, for example – substantially higher
levels of pedal force will be required to
brake the vehicle. before the clutch starts to operate at
optimum efficiency. Remember to
engage the clutch carefully during this
initial period.

125
General driving notes
Brakes: do not drive with your foot
resting on the brake pedal. Even
light but consistent pedal pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear
and possibly even brake failure.
Hydroplaning: when driving on wet or
slushy roads, reduce vehicle speed. If
you do not, a wedge of water may form
between the tires and the road surface.
This phenomenon can lead to partial or
complete loss of contact between the
tires and road surface, as well as loss of
vehicle control and braking ability.
Driving through water: do not drive
through water on the road if it is deeper
than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at walk-
ing speed. Otherwise, the vehicle's
engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.
Clothes hooks, with hardtop: when
hanging clothing from the hooks, be
sure that they will not obstruct the
driver's vision. Do not hang heavy
objects on the hooks. If you do so, they
could cause personal injury during
braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Antilock Brake System (ABS)The conceptABS keeps the wheels from locking
during braking, thereby enhancing
active driving safety.Braking with ABSIf you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of ABS system if you apply maximum
pedal pressure – panic stop.
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort, despite the full brake application.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)DBC is included in the DSC, refer to
page 93. The system responds to sud-
den, high-intensity applications of force
to the brake pedal by automatically
braking the vehicle with maximum
boost to achieve the shortest possible
braking distances during panic stops.
This system also exploits the benefits of
ABS. Do not reduce the pressure exerted against the brake pedal until
the braking maneuver has been com-
pleted. DBC is deactivated when you
release the brake pedal.
Cornering Brake Control (CBC)CBC is an advanced engineering devel-
opment of ABS. When braking during
cornering with high lateral accelera-
tion, or when braking during a lane
change, vehicle stability is improved
and the steering response is enhanced.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

126
Brake systemBrake fluid levelIf the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become longer,
there may be a defect in one of the
brake system's hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest autho-
rized BMW center. It may be nec-
essary to apply higher levels of pres-
sure to the pedal when stopping and
braking distances may also be longer.
Please remember to adapt your driving
style accordingly. with the vehicle parked or in storage,
and operating conditions in which brak-
ing is restricted to gentle, low-pressure
applications will all increase the ten-
dency for corrosion to form on the
rotors; this is often accompanied by a
simultaneous accumulation of contami-
nation on the brake pads. The pads
must exert a certain minimal level of
pressure against the rotors for the disc
brakes' inherent self-cleaning effect to
remain effective.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
When driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads it is useful to apply light pressure
to the brake pedal every few miles.
Monitor traffic conditions to ensure that
this maneuver does not pose a hazard
to you or to other road users. The heat
generated in this process helps dry the
pads and rotors to ensure that your
brake system will respond with undi-
minished efficiency when you need it.
When descending steep hills and
extended grades, downshift to a gear
that will allow you to continue safely
with only a minimal amount of braking.
By minimizing the loads placed on the
brake system, this strategy helps
ensure that optimal brake system
response will remain available at all
times. Use care to avoid exceeding the
approved engine-speed range, refer to
page 86.Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in Neutral. Do not
coast with the engine shut off. The
engine provides no braking effect when
the clutch is depressed and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
released for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suitable for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
Portable phone in the vehicleBMW recommends using mobile com-
munications devices, e.g. portable
phones, inside the vehicle with a suit-
able outside antenna. Otherwise, it can-
not be ruled out that the vehicle elec-
tronics and portable phone may
interfere with each other.

152
Bulbs in the luggage compartment lid:
1. Using a screwdriver, loosen the clip
2. Swing trim panel down – see arrow 1.
Unlock bulb holder – see arrow 2 –
and remove
3. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and exchange the
bulb
4. Press the bulb holder into place con-
tinuing until you hear it engage
5. Reinstall the trim panel with the clip.
Center high-mount brake lampLED strip on the rear window.
Please contact your BMW center in
case of a malfunction.
Lamps and bulbs

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake
System 125
indicator lamp 19
Acceleration assistant 78
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety 5
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 158
Activated-charcoal filter 110
Adaptive headlights 98
Adding brake fluid 141
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning 102
Air conditioning mode 104
automatic climate
control 108
Air distribution
air conditioning 104
automatic climate
control 108
Air distribution,
individual 108
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 102, 106
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 25, 129
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode
104, 109Air supply
air conditioning 104
automatic climate
control 108
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 104, 108
Airbags 61
deactivating 64
indicator lamp 18, 63
sitting safely 52
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 102, 106
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 25
Alarm system 38
avoiding unintentional
alarms 39
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 132
Antifreeze 140
coolant 140
washer fluid 138
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 125
indicator lamp 19
Anti-theft system 30
Anti-theft warning system,
refer to Alarm system 38
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 168
Approved gross weight,
refer to Weights 168Armrest 114
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front 115
rear 116
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 93
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 109
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air
distribution 108
Automatic
air distribution 108
air supply 108
cruise control 84
headlamp control 97
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate
control 106
Automatic curb monitor 58
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 60
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 109Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 79
indicator lamp 19, 81
interlock 71
selector lever lock 79
shiftlock 79
Automatic windshield
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 83
Average fuel
consumption 91
Average speed 91
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 39
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 168
B
Backrest
unlock 55
Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 53
Backup lamps 74
bulb replacement 151
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 23
Bar, towing 161

Everything from A to Z
173
Battery 157
charge 157
disposal 157
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 159
remote control 30, 31
Battery charge current 18
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 56
Beverage holders 115
Blower
air conditioning 104
automatic climate
control 108
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils 139
BMW Maintenance
System 142
BMW sports seat 53
Bore, refer to Engine
data 166
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 115
Brake fluid 141
indicator lamp 18, 141
level 141
Brake force display 96
Brake hydraulic system 126
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 151
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 88Brake lights
brake force display 96
Brake pads 126
brake fluid level
18, 126, 141
breaking in 124
disc brakes 126
indicator lamp 19
Brake rotors
brake system 126
breaking in 124
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 125
brake fluid 141
breaking in 124
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 73
Break-in procedures 124
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 149
Bulb, replacing 149
Buttons in steering wheel 22
C
California Proposition
65 warning 143
Can holders, see Beverage
holders 115
Capacities 169Car battery 157
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 30
Car radio, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio
Car telephone
preparation 115
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 116
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 125
warning lamp 19
CD changer, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Cellular phone 115
Center armrest
front 114Center high-mount brake
lamp
bulb replacement 152
Central locking system 30
button 34
passenger
compartment 34
Changing a wheel 153
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 88
Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child seats, refer to Child-
restraint systems 64
Child-restraint mounting
system (LATCH) 66
Child-restraint system 64
Chock 154
Cigarette lighter 115
Cigarette lighter socket 116
Cleaning chrome parts, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Cleaning light alloy wheels,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning position, convert-
ible top 45, 50
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning windshield 84
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZClock 89
12-/24-hour mode 89
setting, refer also to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Closing
from inside 34
from outside 31
Clothes hooks 125
Clutch
breaking in 124
Cockpit 14
Code, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Coin box 115
Cold start, refer to Starting
the engine 71
Compact disc operation,
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Compartments 114
Compression ratio, refer to
Engine data 166
Computer 90
Condensation, refer to Air
conditioning mode
104, 108
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 70Connecting a vacuum
cleaner, refer to Cigarette
lighter 116
Consumption
display 86
Consumption, refer to Aver-
age fuel consumption 91
Control elements, refer to
Cockpit 14
Convenience operation
from outside 33
windows 32
Convertible top
cleaning position 45, 50
closing in an
emergency 48
electrical fault 48
indicator lamps 47
remote control 31
Convertible top activation
fully automatic top 46
manual top 41
Convertible top compart-
ment panel 37
Coolant 140
indicator lamp 19, 87
level 140
temperature gauge 87
Coolant water, refer to Cool-
ant 140
Cooling, refer to Tempera-
ture 104, 108Copyright 4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 125
warning lamp 19
Correct tires 132
Cruise control 84
indicator lamp 20
Cup holders, see Beverage
holders 115
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 168
Current consumption, refer
to Energy control 86
Curve lighting, refer to
Adaptive headlights 98
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data 166
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit 14
Data
capacities 169
dimensions 167
engine 166
technical 166
weights 168
Daytime driving lamps 97
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
19, 125
Deep water, refer to Water
on roadways 125Defrost position, refer
to Defrosting windows
105, 108
Defrosting and demisting
windows
air conditioning 105
automatic climate
control 108
Defrosting windows
105, 108
Defrosting windshield, refer
to Defrosting windows
105, 108
Demisting windows
air conditioning 105
automatic climate
control 108
Determining the maximum
load 118
Differential
breaking in 124
Digital clock 89
Dimensions 167
Dipstick, engine oil 138
Disc brakes 126
Displacement, refer to
Engine data 166
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 98
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster 16