2004 BMW 325CI CONVERTIBLE roof

Contents

9

Passenger safety systems:

Airbags61
Transporting children safely64
Rollover protection system68
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory70

Driving:

Ignition lock71
Starting the engine71
Switching off the engine73
Parking brake73
Manual transmission74
Sequential manual gearbox
SMG*75
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*79
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher82
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*83
Cruise control*84

Everything under control:

Odometer86
Tachometer86
Energy control86
Fuel gauge87
Engine coolant temperature
gauge87
Service interval display88
Check Control88
Clock89
Computer90

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)*92
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)93
Flat Tire Monitor*94
Brake force display96

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams97
Adaptive headlights*98
Instrument lighting98
High beams/Standing lamps99
Fog lamps99
Interior lamps100

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Air conditioning102
Automatic climate control*106

Interior conveniences:

Glove compartment111
Integrated universal remote
control*112
Storage compartments114
Cellular phone*115
Ashtray, front*115
Ashtray, rear*116

Loading and transporting:

Ski bag*117
Cargo loading118
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
the hardtop*121

Controls and features

33
Opening and closing – via the door lockOne turn of the key in the driver's door
lock unlocks the driver's door, the fuel
filler door and the glove compartment.
Turning the key a second time unlocks
the passenger-side door and the lug-
gage compartment lid.
You can have a signal set to con-
firm that the vehicle's locks have
engaged securely. dows and the fully-automatic convert-
ible top via the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed, hold
the key in the Unlock position
>To close: with the door closed, hold
the key in the Lock position.
Whenever closing the windows or
sliding/tilt sunroof you should
always monitor their path and progress
to ensure that no one is injured. Releas-
ing the key stops the operation.<
Manual operationIn the event of electrical malfunction
Turn the key all the way to the left or
right to unlock or lock the driver's door.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

41
After the ignition has been
switched offYou can still use the electric power win-
dows for up to 15 minutes, as long as
no one opens any of the doors.Safety featureIf the closing force of a front window
exceeds a certain value as the window
is being closed, the closing procedure
is immediately interrupted and the win-
dow opens again slightly.
Despite this protective function,
you must still make sure that there
are no obstacles within the closing
range of the windows. Otherwise, it
cannot be guaranteed that the closing
procedure will be interrupted in certain
cases, e.g. when very thin objects are
in the closing range.
This protective function is deactivated
when the switch is pulled past the
resistance point and held there. nected, the protective function must be
reinitialized. Please refer the problem to
your BMW center.
Manual convertible topThe fabric top offers the perfect protec-
tion against weather and one person
can open and close it easily and simply.
To gain maximum satisfaction from your
convertible, please observe the follow-
ing: we strongly recommend that you
close the convertible top before leaving
the vehicle parked. When closed, the
top not only guards the passenger
compartment from unforeseeable dam-
age from the weather, but also affords a
degree of protection against theft.
However, even when the top is closed
valuables should always be stored in
the locked luggage compartment.
Never attempt to mount any kind of roof
rack or luggage carrier on the convert-
ible top.
Closing the electric power win-
dows: to help ensure that the win-
dows seal securely, you should either
close the rear windows first or close all
four windows at the same time.<
Electric power windows
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

46
Fully-automatic convertible top*The fully-automatic convertible top
combines the benefits of effective pro-
tection against the elements with sim-
ple and convenient operation.
To gain maximum satisfaction from your
convertible, please observe the follow-
ing:
>We strongly recommend that you
close the convertible top before leav-
ing the vehicle parked. When closed,
the top not only guards the passen-
ger compartment from unforesee-
able damage from the weather, but
also affords a degree of protection
against theft. In addition, keep valu-
ables only in the locked luggage
compartment, even when the con-
vertible top is closed
>Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top
>To avoid damaging the convertible
top, do not activate it at temperatures
below 147/ –106.
Never store the convertible top in
its compartment for more than
one day while it is wet to avoid perma-
nent damage from moisture.<
Do not lay objects on the convert-
ible top, as they could fall off
when it moves, causing vehicle damage
or personal injury.<
Driving when the opening or clos-
ing process has not been com-
pleted can cause vehicle damage or
personal injury.
Always keep your hands and fingers
well away from the top's mechanism
while it is opening and closing. Ensure
that children remain at a safe distance
from the top's travel range while it is in
motion.<
Try to make sure that the vehicle
is completely stationary before
using the fully-automatic convertible
top. Otherwise the opening or closing
procedure could be interrupted.
If you set the convertible top in motion
while the vehicle is stationary and then
have to start suddenly – for instance, at
a traffic light – you can still complete
the procedure by driving as slowly as
possible and again holding the corre-
sponding button pressed.<
When closing the electric power
windows while underway, always
remember to either start by closing the
rear windows or to close all of them at
once. Failure to adhere to this
sequence can prevent the windows
from sealing tightly at high speeds.<
At higher speeds, the ensuing
vacuum in the passenger com-
partment can cause the convertible top
to begin fluttering. Increase the air sup-
ply via the ventilation controls so that a
vacuum does not occur in the vehicle.<

51
2. Flip out both sides and lock into
place. It is essential for the two com-
ponents marked in the illustration to
mesh at this point
3. Hold the wind deflector so that the
smaller half points toward the front
and guide the mounting pin for the
side piece into the proper opening
4. Pull back on the mounting pin for the
other side piece by using a slide, so
that the mounting pin can be guided
into the opening provided
5. Unlock the convertible top compart-
ment lid via the convertible top con-
trol button, refer to page 47, and
open the convertible top compart-
ment lid
6. Flip the back half of the wind deflec-
tor backward, so that the mounts are
lying on the vehicle
7. Close the convertible top compart-
ment lid via the convertible top con-
trol button. The wind deflector is now
attached so that it is theft-proof.
Operate the convertible top com-
partment lid from above only in
order to avoid any pinching.
With the wind deflector in place: to
avoid damaging the wind deflector
never push the front seats all the way
back.<
RemovalFollow the same procedure as when
installing, just reverse the steps.
Wind deflector*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

61 Passenger safety systems
Airbags1Front airbags on the driver and pas-
senger sides
2Side 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 side airbags
provide protection in the event of a col-
lision from the side. They help support
the respective seat occupant's upper
body.
For information on the correct sitting
posture, refer to page 52.
The side airbags in the rear pas-
senger area* of your vehicle may
already have been deactivated by a
BMW center. You may have them acti-
vated if you desire to do so. Please
contact your BMW center for additional
information.<
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, repair 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, instrument panel, side
trim panels of the doors and front roof
pillars and on the sides of the headliner.
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.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

121
Roof-mounted luggage rack for the hardtop*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 covers, 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
exercise 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 maximum axle loads
when loading the rack. These weights
are listed under Technical data on
page 168.
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. Make sure
that no objects will be in the way when
the luggage compartment lid is opening
or closing.
Secure the roof-mounted luggage cor-
rectly and securely to prevent it from
shifting or being lost during driving.
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration or braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.
The roof-mounted luggage rack and the
roof load increase the aerodynamic
resistance: increased fuel consumption
and additional stress on the vehicle's
body are the result.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

127
Hardtop*It is not necessary to remove the fabric
top even in the winter, when the hard-
top is generally in constant use. But you
can also remove it easily at any time.
Before the fabric top is stored in the
convertible top compartment, it must
be absolutely dry in order to avoid
water spots and mildew from forming.
The hardtop offers reading lamps and
clothes hooks that can be used just by
pressing. It is also possible to mount a
luggage rack on the roof. Please con-
sult your BMW center.
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.<
Two people are required for installation
or removal. Work with extreme caution
in order to avoid paint damage and
damage to the body or hardtop.
To facilitate hardtop installation or
removal, you can obtain a specially
designed hardtop lift* or hardtop rack*
at your BMW center.
Storage
Storing the hardtop on the floor:
slide the styrofoam block that
came with the hardtop onto its center.
The arrow on top of the styrofoam block
has to be pointing upward when you
are doing this.<
Installation1. Lower the side windows com-
pletely and flip the sun blinds
down. If necessary, remove the
antenna rod to avoid any damage
2. On vehicles with manual convert-
ible top operation, first release the
convertible top compartment lid,
and, if necessary, open it some-
what. On vehicles with fully-auto-
matic convertible top operation,
open the convertible top compart-
ment lid slightly by pressing the
button for the operation of the con-
vertible top
3. Remove the trim pieces on both
sides by pulling them off toward
the back and reclose the convert-
ible top compartment lid
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex