2004 BMW 330I SEDAN brake

6

Notes

Maintenance and repair

Advanced technology, e.g. the
use of modern materials and high-
performance electronics, requires spe-
cially adapted maintenance and repair
methods. Therefore, only have corre-
sponding work on your BMW carried
out by a BMW center or a workshop
that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly
trained personnel. If work is carried out
improperly there is a danger of conse-
quential damage and the related safety
risks.

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Parts and accessories

Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine
parts and accessories approved by
BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-
mum performance when installed on
your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product on the
market to determine whether it can be
used on a BMW safely and without risk
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its
occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,

wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones – including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna – or trans-
ceiver equipment such as a CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar, may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle, com-
promise its safety, interfere with the
vehicle's electrical system or affect the
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty.
See your BMW center for additional
information.
Do not use key or remote control to
lock doors or luggage compartment
with anyone inside the vehicle. Refer to
the Owner's Manual for more details.

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Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.

<

Symbol on vehicle parts

Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.

Contents

9

Driving:

Ignition lock65
Starting the engine65
Switching off the engine67
Parking brake67
Manual transmission68
Sequential manual gearbox
SMG*69
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*73
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher76
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*77
Cruise control*78

Everything under control:

Odometer80
Tachometer80
Energy control80
Fuel gauge81
Engine coolant temperature
gauge81
Service interval display82
Check Control82
Clock83
Computer*84

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)*86
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)87
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) –
325xi, 330xi89
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*91
Flat Tire Monitor*92
Brake force display93

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams94
Instrument lighting95
High beams/Standing lamps95
Fog lamps*96
Interior lamps96

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Air conditioning98
Automatic climate control*102
Roller sun blind*106

Interior conveniences:

Premium sound system*107
Glove compartment107
Storage compartments108
Cellular phone*110
Ashtray, front*110
Ashtray, rear*111

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading system*112
Ski bag*113
Cargo loading114
Roof-mounted luggage
rack*117

Controls and features

Contents

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures120
General driving notes121
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)121
Brake system122

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure124
Tire condition124
Tire replacement125
Wheel and tire
combinations127
Winter tires127

In the engine compartment:

Hood129
Engine compartment
essentials130
Washer fluids132
Engine oil132
Coolant134
Brake fluid134

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System136

Laws and regulations:

California Proposition 65
warning138
OBD interface socket138
Owner service procedures
Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit142
Windshield wiper blades142
Lamps and bulbs143
Changing a wheel147
Run Flat tires*150
Battery151
Fuses151

Giving and receiving
assistance: Receiving assistance152
Jump-starting153
Towing the vehicle154
Technical data

Engine data160
Dimensions161
Weights162
Capacities163

18

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

●

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

●

The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defective
alternator drive belt or a problem with
the alternator's charge circuit. please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

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Engine oil pressure

●

Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level; top off as
required. If the oil level is correct:
please contact the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the
instructions on pages 122 and 134.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Flat Tire Monitor

●

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: there is a flat tire.
Reduce speed and carefully come to a
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information: refer to
page 92

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The brake warning lamp comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS

●

and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and
ADB-X/DBC control system has
failed. Continue driving cau-
tiously and defensively. Avoid
hard brake applications. Please have
the system checked by your BMW cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on
page 86
CBC, ABS, DSC and ADB-X/
DBC indicator and warning
lamps for Canadian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information: refer to
page 67

19
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts

●

Comes on together with an
acoustic signal until the safety
belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 51
Airbags

●

Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 57

Orange: consult the nearest BMW
center

Automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox
The respective transmission has
responded to a malfunction by reverting
to operation in its emergency default
program. Please consult the nearest
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 69, 73

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Engine oil level
If the lamp comes on during
normal vehicle operation: the
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible.
Do not drive more than approx.
30 miles/50 km before refilling.
For additional information: refer to
page 132
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at your earliest opportunity, such as
when you next stop to refuel.
For additional information: refer to
page 132
Brake pads

●

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 122
Flat Tire Monitor

●

The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. Please
have the system inspected by your
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 92

Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

●

Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off with the
button; DTC is operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center
in case of a malfunction.
Additional information beginning on
page 86
325xi, 330xi:
DSC has been switched off manually or
there is a system malfunction.
ADB-X is operational in its standby
mode. If the indidator lamp fails to go
out when you press the DSC button
again, this indicates a system malfunc-
tion affecting both DSC and ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
For additional information: refer to
page 89

Indicator and warning lamps

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

20
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
and brake warning lamp

●

The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC/DTC have been switched
off with the button or are faulty.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
Additional information beginning on
page 86
325xi, 330xi:
DSC and ADB-X system malfunction.
There is no provision for deactivating
ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
For additional information: refer to
page 89
DSC indicator and brake warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

●

Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired at your BMW
center as soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to
page 121

Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid level is too low.
Top off the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 132
CHECK GAS CAP*

●

This indicator lamp comes on
when the fuel filler cap is loose
or missing.
Close the gas cap tightly: refer to
page 24
SERVICE ENGINE SOON

●

If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 138
Service Engine Soon indicator
lamp for Canadian models.

Engine electronics

●

There is a fault in the electronic
engine-management system.
You can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system inspected by your
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to
page 134

Green: for your information

Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signals
are on.
Rapid flashing indicates a system mal-
function.
For additional information: refer to
page 76
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated: ready for oper-
ation via the buttons in the steering
wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 78

Indicator and warning lamps

66
If the engine does not start on the first
attempt – if it is very hot or cold, for
instance:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at extremely low tempera-
tures below approx. +57/–156 and at
altitudes over 3,300 ft/1,000 m:
>On the first start attempt, it may be
necessary to engage the starter for a
longer period, but no longer than
20 seconds
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can damage the catalytic
converter.<
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at start-up are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharg-
ing, always deactivate electrical
devices that are not in use. Switch the
ignition off when the vehicle is not
being driven.Manual transmission1. Engage the parking brake
2. Gearshift lever in idling position
3. Start the engine.Automatic transmission1. Depress footbrake
2. Place the selector lever in position P
or N
3. Start the engine.
To prevent the vehicle from start-
ing off on its own, always move
the selector lever to position P and
engage the parking brake before leav-
ing your vehicle with the engine run-
ning.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a safety hazard. 2. Place the selector lever in neutral
position N
3. Start the engine.
If the engine does not start, reen-
gage the gear last selected, refer
to the gear indicator in the display, and
move the selector lever into neutral
position N again.
The gearbox is automatically taken out
of gear if the driver's door is opened
while the engine is running and the
driver does not actuate the pedals, the
shift paddles or the selector lever. This
is accompanied by a warning tone and
the flashing gear indicator. The gear
display N appears in the instrument-
cluster.<
Before exiting the vehicle with the
engine running, move the selector
lever into position N and apply the park-
ing brake.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a safety hazard.<
Starting the engine

67
Switching off the engine
You should never remove the igni-
tion key when the vehicle is in
motion, as the steering lock could
engage.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on downhill roads. Engaging a
gear may not sufficiently secure the
vehicle against rolling.<
Manual transmissionTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.Automatic transmissionMove the selector lever into position P,
and turn the ignition key to position 1 or
0.SMG gearboxIf you turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0 with the selector lever in position
R, or in sequential mode, a gear auto-
matically remains engaged.
If you turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0 with the selector lever in neutral
position N, a warning tone and the
flashing gear indicator in the display
remind you that no gear is engaged to
secure the vehicle against rolling.
The warning stops after approx.
9 seconds.
Parking brakeThe parking brake is designed primarily
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when
it is parked. It operates against the rear
wheels.To engageThe detent engages automatically, and
the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on when the ignition key
is in position 2, refer to page 18.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex