BMW 328Ci Coupe (2000 year). Instruction - part 6
68nAutomatic transmission with Steptronic*
The Steptronic will "think" for you in the
Electronic transmission control
following situations:
module
> In order to keep the engine from
If the indicator lamp comes on,
overrevving, it will automatically shift
there is a malfunction in the
into the next higher gear shortly be-
transmission system.
fore the governed speed.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
> If you do not do anything to interfere,
mission position "P", set the parking
it will automatically downshift at
brake and turn the engine off (ignition
lower speeds.
key to position 0).
> In kickdown, it will downshift into the
Wait a few seconds, then start the engine.
lowest gear possible, depending on
If the indicator lamp goes out after a few
the engine speed.
seconds, normal transmission perfor-
Available displays
mance has been restored. Drive off
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
normally.
If the indicator lamp does not go out, all
selector lever positions can still be se-
lected; however in the forward positions
the vehicle has limited performance as
it drives only in 3rd and 4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest authorized
BMW center.
Do not carry out any work on the
car in the engine compartment
without first making sure that the selector
lever is in position P or N, and that
the parking brake has been set.<
For towing, tow-starting or jump-start-
ing the vehicle, refer to the information
beginning on page 156.
Turn signal/Headlamp flasher
Wiper/washer system
69n
To signal briefly
Press the lever up to but not beyond
the detent. It then returns to the center
position when released.
1 High beam (blue indicator)
0 Wipers retracted
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator)
1 Intermittent wipe or rain sensor*
3 Turn signal (green indicator accom-
2 Normal wipe
panied by periodic clicking sound
3 Fast wipe
from the relay).
4 Brief wipe
If the turn indicator lamp blinks and the
5 Automatic windshield washer
blinker relay clicks faster than normal,
then one of the turning indicators has
6 Rotary dial for control of the interval
burned out.
time or the sensitivity of the rain sen-
sor
70nWiper/washer system
To activate the rain sensor:
2 Normal wiper speed
In ignition key positions 1 or 2, move
When the vehicle is stationary, the wip-
the lever to position 1. The wipers travel
ers switch automatically to intermittent
once across the windshield under all
wipe (not on vehicles with rain sensor).
circumstances.
You can leave the lever permanently in
3 Fast wiper speed
position 1, and then activate the rain
When the vehicle is stationary, the wip-
sensor in ignition key positions 1 or 2.
ers operate at normal speed (not on
To do this,
vehicles with rain sensor).
> turn rotary dial 6 briefly or
> use the automatic windshield
5 Automatic windshield washer
washer 5.
The system sprays washer fluid against
1 Intermittent wipe or rain
To modify the sensitivity of the rain
the windshield and activates the wipers
sensor*
sensor:
for a brief period.
Intermittent wipe:
Turn rotary dial 6.
If you only pull the lever briefly, the sys-
You can use rotary dial 6 to select from
tem sprays washer fluid onto the wind-
four wipe intervals. In addition, the wipe
Switch the rain sensor off when
shield without activating the wipers.
interval automatically adapts to varia-
the vehicle passes through the car
tions in road speed.
wash. Failure to do so could result in
damage caused by undesired wiper
Rain sensor:
activation.<
When the rain sensor is activated, the
windshield wiper is controlled automati-
cally, depending on the degree of wet-
ness of the windshield (in both snow
and rain). You do not have to be con-
cerned with switching the windshield
wiper on or off or adjusting the wipe
interval between intermittent and full
wipe. Instead, you can concentrate fully
on the traffic conditions. This is espe-
cially important under adverse weather
conditions.
Wiper/washer system
Rear window defroster
71n
Headlamp washers*
To deactivate
When the vehicle's lighting system is
Press the button if the indicator lamp is
switched on, the headlamps will also be
on.
cleaned every fifth time the automatic
windshield washer is activated.
Do not use the washers if there is
any danger that the fluid will freeze
on the windshield, otherwise vision
could be obscured. Use an antifreeze
agent. Refer to page 122.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty, otherwise damage to the
To activate
washer pump could result.<
Press the button: As long as the indica-
tor lamp remains on, the rear window
Windshield washer jets
defroster continues at high-output
The windshield washer jets are heated
(rapid thaw).
automatically when the ignition key is in
After the indicator lamp goes out, the
position 2*.
defroster continues operating at re-
duced power for a limited period before
deactivating automatically.
72nCruise control
To store and maintain speed/
To decelerate
to accelerate
Press button 2 briefly:
Press button 3 briefly:
When the cruise control is active, vehicle
The system records and maintains the
speed is reduced by approx. 0.6 mph
current vehicle speed. The speed will
(approx. 1 km/h) every time you briefly
now be increased by approx. 0.6 mph
press the button.
(approx. 1 km/h) every time you briefly
Press and hold button 2:
press the button.
With the cruise control active, the sys-
Press and hold button 3:
tem automatically reduces the throttle
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
opening to slow the vehicle. When you
sure on the accelerator pedal. When
release the button, the system records
you release the button, the system
and maintains the current speed.
You can store and automatically main-
records and maintains the current
tain any desired vehicle speed above
speed.
To cancel the cruise control
approx. 20 mph (30 km/h).
When the system is activated, press
If, on a downhill gradient, the
button 1. The indicator lamp stays on.
To activate the system
engine braking effect is not suffi-
You can use the cruise control again as
In ignition key positions 1 or 2.
cient, the controlled speed may be
required.
Press button 1. The indicator lamp in
exceeded. Speed may drop on uphill
the instrument cluster comes on. You
grades if the engine output is insuffi-
can now use the cruise control.
cient.<
Cruise control
73n
In addition, cruise control is canceled
To resume the stored setting
Do not use cruise control on twist-
automatically:
ing roads, when high traffic density
Press button 4:
prevents driving at a constant speed,
> if the brakes are applied
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
when the road surface is slick (snow,
> if the clutch is depressed or the auto-
tains the last speed stored. When you
rain, ice), or when the road surface is
matic transmission selector lever is
turn the ignition key to position 0, the
loose (rocks, sand).<
moved from "Drive" to "Neutral"
stored speed is deleted from the sys-
> if the cruise speed is either exceeded
tem's memory and the system is deacti-
or not met for an extended length of
vated.
time, e.g., when you step on the
accelerator pedal.
To deactivate the system
When the cruise control has been can-
celed, press button 1 again. The indica-
tor lamp goes out and the stored speed
is deleted.
74n
Odometer
Tachometer
Energy control
1 Odometer
Avoid engine speeds in the red warning
Indicates the current fuel consumption in
zone of the gauge.
mpg (on Canadian models in l/100 km).
You can activate the displays shown in
This instrument clearly shows whether
the illustration with the ignition key in
To protect the engine, the engine man-
your current driving style is conducive to
position 0 by pressing the button in the
agement system automatically inter-
economy and minimum exhaust emis-
instrument cluster (arrow).
rupts the fuel supply in this range; the
sions.
resulting effect resembles that associ-
2 Trip odometer
ated with a sudden loss of power.
The needle goes back to zero when the
car is stationary.
To reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the button (arrow) with the igni-
tion key in position 1 or 2.
Fuel gauge
Temperature gauge
75n
Between the blue and red zones
Normal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to rise as far as the
edge of the red zone in response to high
outside temperatures or severe operat-
ing conditions.
Checking coolant level: page 126.
When you switch on the ignition, the
Blue
indicator lamp comes on briefly to con-
The engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
firm that the system is operational.
ate engine and vehicle speeds.
Once the indicator lamp begins to light
up continuously, there are still approx.
Red
2.1 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel
When you switch on the ignition, the
tank.
indicator lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
Tank capacity: page 173.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, e.g.,
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle, the engine is overheated.
when you are driving in mountainous
areas, this may cause the needle to
Switch the engine off immediately and
allow it to cool down.
fluctuate slightly.
Please refuel early, as driving to
the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.<
76nService Interval Display
Remaining distance for service
The displays shown in the diagram
appear for a few seconds with the
ignition key in position 1 and 2 or for
a few seconds after starting the engine.
The next service due appears with the
message OILSERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the remaining distance
before scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the rate of
fuel consumption in the period immedi-
ately preceding your data request.
A flashing message and a "-" in front of
the number mean that the service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the
distance shown on the display. Please
contact your authorized BMW center for
an appointment.
Check Control
Onboard computer
77n
Graphic display
Mode selection
Set the clock
The following information and/or condi-
In ignition key positions 1 and 2, you
In ignition key position 1 and 2
tions are indicated using symbols, start-
can call up information from the on-
To set ahead: Turn the button to the
ing with the ignition key position 2, until
board computer using the button in the
right.
the interference has been fixed:
turn signal lever. By pressing the button
To set back: Turn the button to the left.
1 Inspect the low-beam and high-beam
briefly in the direction of the steering
The adjustment speed will increase the
headlamps, as well as the side
column, you can call up a new function
longer you continue to hold the button.
marker lamps
for display.
To change the display mode: Press the
2 Door open
The displays appear in the following
knob briefly.
order:
3 Luggage compartment lid open
Every time you press the knob, the
Time, outside temperature, average fuel
clock display alternates between the
4 Check brake and taillamps.
consumption, cruising range, average
12-hour or 24-hour mode.
After the completion of a trip and when
vehicle speed.
In ignition key position 0
the driver's door is opened, an acousti-
The function that was last selected will
cal signal is given for "Lamps on" if the
The time is displayed for a few seconds
be indicated when the ignition is
lamps have not been switched off.
after you press the left button (refer to
switched on.
"odometer", page 74).
78nOnboard computer
Ice warning
If the outside temperature sinks to
approx. 37.5 7 (+ 36), a warning sig-
nal sounds and the display flashes
briefly.
The warning is repeated whenever the
temperature goes to at least 43 7
(+ 66) and then drops again to 37.5 7
(+ 36).
The ice warning does not alter the
fact that surface ice can form at
Outside temperature
temperatures above 37.5 7 (+ 36),
Average fuel consumption
You can change the units of measure
e.g. on bridges or shaded road sur-
If you continue to hold the button on the
(6/7) for the outside temperature dis-
faces.<
turn signal lever, the average fuel con-
play by pressing the right-hand reset
sumption last displayed is recalculated
button in the instrument cluster when
from that point in time.
the temperature display is active.
Onboard computer
79n
Range
Average speed
The computer bases its calculations
If you continue to hold the button, the
of the cruising range on the rate of fuel
average speed last displayed is recal-
consumption in the period immediately
culated from that point in time.
preceding your data request.
Any time spent when the vehicle is sta-
tionary and the engine is shut off is
ignored for the calculation.
80n
Park Distance Control (PDC)*
The PDC assists you when you back
Acoustical signals
The PDC does not remove the
into a parking space. A signal warns
driver's personal responsibility for
The distance to the nearest object is in-
you of the distance to an obstacle. To
evaluating the distance between the
dicated by a tone sounding at various
do this, four ultrasonic sensors in the
vehicle and any obstacles. Even when
intervals. As the distance between vehi-
rear bumper measure the distance to
sensors are involved, there is a blind
cle and object decreases, the intervals
the nearest object. The monitoring
spot in which objects cannot be de-
between the tones become shorter. A
range of the two corner sensors ex-
tected. This applies especially in those
continuous warning tone sounds if the
tends to approx. 2 feet (60 cm) behind
cases where the system approaches
distance to a recognized object is less
the bumper. The two center sensors
the physical limits of ultrasonic mea-
than 1 foot (30 cm).
cover a distance of approx. 4.9 feet
surement, as occurs with tow bars and
The warning signal is canceled after
(1.50 meters).
trailer couplings, and in the vicinity of
approx. three seconds if the distance to
thin and painted objects.
The system starts to operate automati-
the obstacle remains constant during
Certain sources of sound, such as a
cally about one second after you se-
this time (if you are moving parallel to
loud radio, could drown out the PDC
lect reverse with the ignition key in po-
a wall, for instance).
signal tone.<
sition 2. PDC is deactivated when you
System malfunctions will be indicated
shift back out of reverse.
by a continuous high-pitched tone
Keep the sensors clean and free
when the system is activated the first
of ice or snow in order to ensure
time. Please have your BMW center
that they continue to operate effec-
resolve the problem.
tively.
Do not apply high-pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Maintain an adequate distance of more
than approx. 4 inches (10 cm).<
DSC
81n
Indicator lamp
When the DSC is deactivated, you are
operating with conventional torque
The indicator lamp in the instru-
transfer.
ment cluster goes out shortly
after you switch on the ignition.
In exceptional instances, it is effective
Refer to pages 21 and 22.
to deactivate the system:
Indicator lamp flashes:
> when rocking the vehicle or starting
The system is actively regulating drive
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
torque in response to monitored vehicle
> or when driving with snow chains.
operating conditions.
Refer also to page 110.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or comes on dur-
To reactivate the system
ing the course of normal vehicle opera-
Press the button again; the indicator
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
tion:
lamp goes out.
This system provides enhanced driving
If the system has not been deactivated,
stability, especially when you are just
there is a system malfunction. The vehi-
The laws of physics cannot be re-
starting off or accelerating, and provide
cle remains operational, but without
pealed, even with DSC. Any con-
increased traction on curves.
DSC.
sequences arising from traction loss
In addition to optimizing road traction
Please consult your authorized BMW
due to excessive vehicle speed remain
and vehicle stability when the vehicle is
center for repairs.
the responsibility of the driver. We
accelerating or starting, the system also
therefore urge you to avoid using the
provides enhanced stability when cor-
To deactivate the system
additional safety margin of the system
nering within physically feasible limits.
as an excuse for taking risks.<
Press the button. The indicator lamp
The system starts up automatically
will come on.
For additional details concerning DSC,
each time you start the engine.
The illustration depicts the arrangement
please refer to the chapter "Advanced
of the buttons if the vehicle is fully
technology" on page 161.
equipped. This may vary, depending on
the equipment actually installed.