2004 BMW 325CI CONVERTIBLE differential

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.

139
Adding engine oilOnly add engine oil when the oil level
has dropped to just above the lower
mark on the dipstick.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This also applies to the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential, and the
power steering system.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
at your BMW center.
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing. For this reason, any skin areas
that come into contact with oil should
be thoroughly washed with soap and
water.
Store oils, grease and similar materials
so that they are inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with warning labels and
information on containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of used oil.<
Specified engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil is
extremely important for the operation
and service life of an engine. Based on
extensive testing, BMW has approved
only certain grades of engine oil.
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.
If an approved BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil should be unavailable, you
may use small amounts of other syn-
thetic oils for topping up between oil
changes. Use only oils with the specifi-
cation API SH or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details
concerning the specific BMW
High Performance Synthetic Oil or syn-
thetic oils that have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North Amer-
ica toll-free at 1-800-831-1117 or visit
this website: www.bmwusa.com to
obtain this information.
Viscosity ratingsViscosity is the oilflow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in
the area where you drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These kinds of oil may be used for driv-
ing in all ambient temperatures.
Engine oil
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

169
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reservegal./liters
gal./litersapprox. 16.6/63
approx. 2.1/8Fuel specification, refer to
page 25
Windshield/
Headlamp washer reservoir quarts/liters approx. 5.6/5.3Specifications, refer to
page 138
Engine oil and filter change quarts/liters approx. 6.9/6.5 BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
Specifications, refer to page 138
Manual and automatic transmission and differential – Lifetime lubricant, no oil change
required
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