2004 BMW 330CI COUPE width

113
General driving notesHot exhaust system
High temperatures occur with
every vehicle equipped with a cat-
alytic converter. Heat shields are
installed adjacent to some sections of
the exhaust system. Never remove
these shields; do not apply undercoat-
ing to their surfaces. When driving,
standing at idle and parking the vehicle,
take care to avoid contact between the
hot exhaust system and flammable
materials, e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc.
Such contact could lead to a fire,
resulting in serious personal injury and
property damage.<
Parking the vehicleCondensation forms in the air condi-
tioner system during operation, which
then exits under the vehicle. Traces of
condensed water on the ground under-
neath the vehicle are thus normal.Before driving through a car washFold in the exterior mirrors manually
because they could otherwise be dam-
aged due to the width of the vehicle.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy
roads, reduce your speed. If you
do not, a wedge of water may form
between tire and road surface. This
phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or com-
plete loss of traction, vehicle control
and braking effectiveness.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as
the tread depth of the tires decreases,
refer also to Tire tread on page 120.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm,
and then only at walking speed. Other-
wise, the vehicle's engine, the electrical
systems and the transmission may be
damaged.<
Braking safelyYour BMW is equipped with ABS as a
standard feature. If you are in a situa-
tion which requires full braking, it is
best to brake using maximum brake
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.
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Otherwise,
even light but consistent pedal pres-
sure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake
failure.<
Wet roads:
if the roads are wet or if there is heavy
rain, it is advisable to gently press the
brakes for a brief moment every few
miles/kilometers. Monitor traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The
heat generated in this process helps
dry the pads and rotors. Immediate
braking force is then available if neces-
sary.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

118
Tire codeKnowing the tire code on the tire side-
wall makes it easier to correctly choose
and identify your tires.Tire sizeE.g. 205/60 R 15 91 W
205 = Nominal width in mm
60 = Cross-sectional ratio in %
R = Radial belt construction
15 = Rim diameter in inches
91 = Load index, not on ZR tires
W = Speed rating, in front of the R on
ZR tiresSpeed ratingQ = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V = up to 150 mph (240 km/h)
W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y = up to 186 mph (300 km/h)Tire Identification NumberTires with DOT codes comply with the
guidelines of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.DOT code:
E.g. DOT xxxx xxx 1004
xxxx = Manufacturer's code for tire
brand
xxx = Tire size and tire version
1004 = Tire age
Tire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT … 1004 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 10 of the year
2004.
BMW recommends the replacement of
all tires when they are no more than
6 years old, even if a tire life of 10 years
is possible.Uniform Tire Quality GradingQuality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature ADOT quality gradesTread wearTraction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must con-
form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades.<
Tread wearThe tread wear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half – 1
1/2 – times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.
TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.

Everything from A to Z
169
Tail lamps
bulb replacement 139
Tail lamps, refer to Rear
lamps 139
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel
tank capacity 157
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel
gauge 75
Technical data 154
Technical modifications 5
Technical modifications,
refer to For your own
safety 5
Telephone hookup 101
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Television, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Temperature
air conditioning 92
automatic climate
control 96
Temperature adjustment
92, 96
Temperature display
engine coolant 75
ice warning 78
outside temperature 78
setting units 78
Temperature layering 93, 97Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control 72
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 43
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center high-mount brake
lamp 140
Threaded socket for towing
eyelet 149
Three-point safety belt 46
Through-loading system 104
Tilt alarm
deactivate 37
Tilt alarm sensor 37
Tilting passenger-side exte-
rior mirror 48
Time 77
Tire change 141
Tire inflation pressure 116
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire
Monitor 82
Tire replacement 141Tires
age 118
breaking in 112
changing 141
condition 119
damage 119
flat 141
inflation pressure 116
storing 122
tread 119, 120
tread wear indicators,
refer to Tire tread 120
winter tires 121, 122
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit 136
Torque
engine 154
lug bolts 142
Tow bar 149
Tow rope 149
Towing 149
Towing eyelet 149
Towing the vehicle 149
Tow-starting 149
Track width, refer to Dimen-
sions 155
Transmission
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 67
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 63Transmission lock, refer to P
Park 67
Transmission malfunction
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 69
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 65
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing
cargo 108
Transporting children
safely 54
Trap protection
electric power windows 38
glass sunroof 40
Tread depth, refer to Tire
tread 120
Tread wear indicators in
the tires, refer to Tire
tread 120
Tread wear, tires 120
Trigger alarm – Panic
mode 30
Trip distance recorder, refer
to Trip odometer 74
Trip meter, refer to Trip
odometer 74
Trip odometer 74
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid 33
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZTrunk lighting, refer to Lug-
gage compartment light-
ing 33
Turn signal indicator
bulb replacement 139
indicator lamp 20
Turn signal indicator, side
bulb replacement 139
Turn signal indicators 70
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions 155
TV function, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
U
Underbody protection, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Units
average fuel
consumption 79
temperature 78
Unlocking
from inside 32
from outside 29, 31
V
Valve
screw caps 142Vehicle
battery 145
break-in procedures 112
dimensions 155
leaving the vehicle 61
loading 106
starting 59
washing, refer to the Car-
ing for your vehicle bro-
chure 71
weight 156
Vehicle Memory 58
Vehicle storage, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Vehicle weight 156
Ventilation 90, 94
draft-free 93, 97
Viscosity 127
Voice Input System 21, 101
Voice recognition, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Volume
luggage compartment 156
W
Warning and indicator
lamps 18
Warning lamp
Please fasten safety
belts 18
Warning messages 76Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet 130
Warranty, refer also to sepa-
rate booklet 6
Washer fluid
adding 126, 157
Washer fluid reservoir 126
volume 126
Washer jets, refer to Wind-
shield washer jets 72
Washer/wiper system 71, 72
washer fluid 126
Waste tray, refer to
Ashtray 102
Weights 156
Wheelbase, refer to Dimen-
sions 155
Wheels and tires 116
Wheelslip control DSC 81
Width, refer to
Dimensions 155
Window condensation
removing 93, 96
Windows
convenience operation
30, 31
power 38
remote control 29, 30
Windshield washer
nozzles 72Windshield washer reservoir
volume, see
Capacities 157
Windshield wipers, refer to
Washer/wiper system 71
Winter tires 121, 122
storing 122
Wiper blades
replacing 136
Work in the engine compart-
ment 123
Wrench, refer to Onboard
tool kit 136
X
Xenon lamps
bulb replacement 138