2004 BMW 325CI page 97

47
Opening and closing1To close
2To open
To avoid placing unnecessary
loads on the battery, you should
avoid operating the top when the
engine is switched off.
Before closing the top, always ensure
that the windshield frame is clear of any
obstructions that could prevent the top
from closing correctly.<
With the ignition key in position 1 or
higher, and with the vehicle stationary
1. Read and comply with the preceding
safety precautions
2. Ensure that the convertible top com-
partment panel in the luggage com-
partment is folded down, see
page 37; otherwise, it will not be
possible to open the convertible top
3. Ensure that the luggage compart-
ment lid is closed
4. Maintain pressure on the corre-
sponding button for the convertible
top operation.
The luggage compartment lid can-
not be opened while the convert-
ible top is in motion.<
While the convertible top is in
motion, the rear window will move
toward the passenger compartment. To
avoid possible pinching, the area
around the closing convertible top
should be clear.<
After having been stored for an
extended period of time in the
convertible top compartment, e.g. dur-
ing the winter months because the
hardtop was being used, you may have
to support the convertible top by hand
when closing it for the first time.
If the convertible top should halt just
before the closing phase is completed,
press against the front section of the
convertible top frame from the outside
to help the closing process along. Con-
tinue pressing the switch while doing
so until the top starts up again on its
own.<
Indicator lamps>The red indicator lamp is lit whenever
the convertible top mechanism is in
motion. It goes out as soon as the
opening or closing operation has
been completed
>If the red indicator lamp flashes after
the control button is released, the
convertible top has not yet been
opened or closed completely. You
can resume operation in the desired
direction by pressing the button
again
>If the yellow indicator lamp lights up
continuously with the button pressed,
the convertible top compartment
Fully-automatic convertible top*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

48
panel has been raised and the top
cannot be moved.
The side windows move down slightly
whenever the button for operating the
convertible top is pressed.
They will go back up if you keep holding
the button down for more than
2 seconds after the opening or closing
process has been completed and the
indicator lamp has gone out.InterruptionThe convertible top stops moving
immediately when the button is
released. You can resume operation in
the desired direction by pressing the
button again
Do not close the side windows
using the power window switches
if the convertible top has not been
closed completely. Otherwise, the side
windows may not seal properly with the
rubber seals of the convertible top.<
If the opening or closing operation is
interrupted by releasing the buttons,
the convertible top remains in the
respective position for 15 minutes
before it slowly moves into a stable
position. The operation can be contin-
ued by pressing the buttons.
Do not repeatedly interrupt and
resume the closing procedure, as
otherwise the fully-automatic convert-
ible top mechanism could be dam-
aged.<
In certain cases, the luggage compart-
ment lid cannot be opened if the open-
ing or closing operation has been inter-
rupted.
Operate the convertible top manu-
ally in emergency situations only
to avoid causing damage due to incor-
rect operation. remote control and driver's door
lockRefer to pages 32 and 33.
Manual closing in the event of an
electrical malfunction1Emergency operation
2Allen wrench
3Recess
Only operate the convertible top
manually when closing it. Never
open it manually since the convertible
top compartment lid cannot be locked,
and would open while you are driving.<
Manual closing is best carried out
by two persons from outside with
the driver's door open and the driver's
seat folded forward. No one is to be in
the rear seat while you are doing this.<
Fully-automatic convertible top*

49
1. Remove the insert between the rear
seats. Take the trim off of the guide
rod and flip it forward
2. Press down hard on the emergency
lock 1 – see previous illustration.
After a brief pause, the mechanism
for the convertible top compartment
lid will be released
If the mechanism for the convert-
ible top compartment lid does not
unlock, then insert the Allen wrench 2
into the recess 3 and turn clockwise to
release it.<
3. If the luggage compartment lid is
closed, open the convertible top
compartment lid up as far as the stop
will allow
4. Grasp the convertible top by the lat-
eral guide section – see arrow 1 –
and the front convertible top frame –
see arrow 2. Lift out the top and
swing it forward until you encounter
a perceptible resistance – until it
stops. Position the rear convertible
top frame vertically and close the
convertible top compartment lid.
Fold down the rear convertible top
frame
To avoid damaging the side trim,
always fold the convertible top
forward before folding the rear frame
brace up into its vertical position.<
5. Use a screwdriver to lift out the cover
panel that is in the center of the front
convertible top frame
6. Insert the Allen wrench 2 – refer to
page 48 – into the recess – see arrow
7. Pull down on the front convertible
top frame as far as possible. Com-
plete the closing process by continu-
ing to turn the wrench in a clockwise
direction. Turn until the front convert-
ible top frame has locked onto the
windshield frame. The system auto-
matically presses the top's rear
frame against the convertible top
compartment lid, pretensioning it to
ensure that it seals tightly.
Always make sure the closing pro-
cedure is completed to prevent
vehicle damage or personal injury.<
Fully-automatic convertible top*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

50
Please consult your BMW center
to have the defect corrected.<
Position for cleaningTo be able to access the convertible
top compartment, lean the rear frame of
the convertible top against the cover of
the convertible top compartment.
First, use the button for activating
the convertible top to unlock the
locks of the convertible top compart-
ment. Refer to page 47.<
For additional information on vehi-
cle care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure.<
Wind deflector*With the convertible top open, the wind
deflector keeps air movement in the
passenger compartment to a minimum,
thus providing you with a pleasant
drive, even at higher speeds. The wind
deflector comes in a protective sleeve,
and because of its slim dimensions, can
be easily stored in the luggage com-
partment.Installation1. Remove wind deflector from the pro-
tective sleeve
Fully-automatic convertible top*

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

52To adjust
Safe seating positionFor driving that is relaxed and less likely
to cause fatigue, you should select a
sitting position that reflects your per-
sonal requirements. In combination
with the safety belts and airbags, the
correct seating position also plays an
important role in enhancing occupant
safety in the event of an accident. To
ensure that the vehicle's safety systems
provide you with optimal protection, we
request that you direct your careful
attention to the following section.
For supplementary information on
transporting children, refer to page 64.Sitting safely with airbags
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and the
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel
by the rim to keep any chance of injury
to hands or arms to an absolute mini-
mum should the airbag be deployed.
Never allow any objects, individuals or
animals to obstruct the areas between
passengers and airbags. Never use the
front airbag's cover as a storage tray or
support for objects of any kind. Never
allow front passengers to rest their feet
or legs on the airbag cover.<
For airbag locations and additional
information on airbags, refer to
page 61.Sitting safely with safety beltsYour vehicle is equipped with four
seats, each of which is provided with a
safety belt.Never allow more than one person
to wear a single safety belt. Never
allow infants or small children to ride in
a passenger's lap. Avoid twisting the
belt while routing it firmly across the
hips and shoulder, wear it as snugly
against your body as possible. Do not
allow the belt to rest against hard or
fragile objects. Do not route the belt
across your neck, or run it across sharp
edges. Be sure that the belt does not
become caught or jammed. Avoid
wearing bulky clothing and pull on the
lap belt periodically to retension it over
your shoulders. In the event of a frontal
impact, a loose lap belt could slide over
your hips, leading to abdominal injury.
In addition, the safety belt's restraint
effectiveness is reduced if it is worn
loosely. Expectant mothers should
always wear their safety belts, taking
care to position the lap belt against the
lower hips, where it will not exert pres-
sure against the abdominal area.<
For information on using the safety
belts, refer to page 56.

53
SeatsWhen adjusting your seat, always
observe the following precautions
Never try to adjust your seat while
operating the vehicle. The seat
could respond with unexpected move-
ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle
control could lead to an accident. Never
ride with the backrest reclined to an
extreme angle. This is especially impor-
tant for the front passenger to remem-
ber. If you do so, there is a risk that you
will slide under the safety belt in an
accident, thus reducing the protection
provided by the safety belt.
With the wind deflector in place:
Do not push the front seats all the way
back, otherwise the wind deflector will
be damaged.<
Seat adjustment>Power seat adjustment, refer to
page 53
>Head restraint, refer to page 54
>Entering the rear, refer to page 55.
Adjusting electric power seatsSeat adjustment1Tilt angle
2Backward/forward adjustment
3Height
4Backrest angle
Please refer to the adjustment
instructions on page 53 to reduce
the risk of personal injury.<
With the BMW sports seat* you can
also adjust the thigh support. To do so,
pull the lever and adjust the position of
the cushion for thigh support as
desired.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

56
You can lock a backrest that has
been tilted forward. This makes
sense when, for instance, someone is
climbing into the rear on an incline. To
do this, press against the backrest until
you hear it click into place. To move it
back into place, you do not need to first
unlock it by moving the lever 1.<
Lock both backrests while driving,
otherwise there is a danger of an
unexpected movement causing an
accident.<
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when the
backrest is not locked, refer to
page 18.
Safety beltsAlways wear your safety beltAlways fasten your safety belt before
starting off. As supplemental restraint
devices, the airbags are designed to
enhance the effectiveness of the safety
belts, and not to replace them.
Always detach the rear safety
belts from their retainers before
wearing.<
To avoid undesired movement at
high speeds, always store the rear
safety belts in their retainers when they
are not in use. the belt buckle.
To release1. Press the red button in the belt
buckle
2. Hold the belt
3. Guide the belt back into its reel.Safety belt height The front belt system automatically
adapts to your body size when the
height of the head restraint is adjusted.
Refer to page 54.
If the safety belt system has been
subjected to the stresses involved
in an accident or otherwise damaged:
have the entire safety belt mechanism
replaced by your BMW center, includ-
ing the safety belt tensioner. In addi-
tion, have your BMW center inspect the
safety belt anchors. If a child-restraint
system was in the vehicle during an
accident, consult the manufacturer's
instructions regarding replacement.<
Entering the rear