2000 BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE change time

42n
Alarm system
*
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the lug-
gage compartment lid is opened
>Movements inside the vehicle
>To a change in the vehicle's tilt –
if someone attempts to steal the
wheels or tow the vehicle without
authorization, for example
>If there is an interruption of battery
voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds
>Activating the hazard warning
flashers for approx. five minutes
>Flashing the high beams on and off in
tandem with the hazard warning
flashers.
To activate and deactivate the
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
by using a key or the remote control,
the alarm system is also armed or dis-
armed at the same time.
The interior protection and tilt sensor
alarm systems are activated approx.
30 seconds after you have shut the last
door.
If the alarm system has been armed
correctly, the hazard warning flashers
flash once.
You can have one signal set as
acknowledgment when arming
and disarming.<
You can also open the luggage com-
partment lid when the system is armed
by pressing button 3 of the remote con-
trol (refer to page 37). When it is closed,
the lid is once again secured.
Indicator lamp displaysThe indicator lamp is located under the
inside rearview mirror.
>When the indicator lamp flashes con-
tinuously, the system is armed>The indicator lamp flashes when it
is armed. Doors, the hood or luggage
compartment lid are not closed
properly. Even if you do not close the
alerted area, the remaining areas are
deadlocked, and the indicator lamp
flashes continuously after 10 seconds.
However, the interior protection
system is not activated>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed, no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since the
system was armed46cus033

84n
Graphic display

The following alerts or status messages
are displayed with icons from ignition
key in position 2 and up until the defects
are corrected.
1 Check low beams and high beams,
as well as the parking lamps
2 Door open
3 Luggage compartment lid open
4 Check brake and tail lamps.
After a trip and when the driver's door
is opened, an acoustical signal is given
for "Lamps on" if the lamps have not
been switched off.462de272
If you wish to have a permanent time
display, you can make this adjustment
in the car radio
* display (refer to the
Radio Owner's Manual).
You can set the clock and the time
display in the car radio
* as follows:
Adjustments From ignition key position 1:
To set ahead: turn the button to the
right.
To set back: turn the button to the left.
The adjustment speed will increase the
longer you continue to hold the button.
To change the display mode: press the
button briefly. Every time you press the
button, the clock display alternates
between the 12-hour or 24-hour mode.
In ignition key position 0: the time is
displayed for a few seconds after you
press the left button (refer to "Odo-
meter" on page 82).46cus007
Check Control

Clock

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Onboard computer
*
Mode selectionFrom ignition key position 1 and up, you
can call up information from the on-
board computer shown in the display of
the instrument cluster using the button
in the turn signal lever. By pressing the
button briefly in the direction of the
steering column, you can call up a new
function for display.
The displays appear in the following
order:
Time, outside temperature, average fuel
consumption, cruising range, average
vehicle speed.
Starting with ignition key position 1, the
last active setting is displayed.46cde096
Outside temperature You can change the units of measure-
ment (6/7) for the outside tempera-
ture display by pressing the right-hand
reset button in the instrument cluster
when the temperature display is active. 46cus008
Ice warning If the outside temperature drops to
approx. 37.5 7 (+3 6), the onboard
computer automatically switches to the
outside temperature display. In addi-
tion, a signal sounds as a warning and
the display flashes for a brief period.
The warning is repeated whenever the
temperature climbs to at least 43 7
(+6 6) following the last warning and
then drops back to 37.5 7 (+3 6).
The ice warning does not alter the
fact that surface ice can form at
temperatures above +37.5 7 (+3 6),
on bridges or shaded road surfaces, for
instance.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which winter tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<
Tire condition, tire pressureOnce the tire wears to a tread depth
below 0.16 in (4 mm), winter tires dis-
play a perceptible decrease in their
ability to cope with winter driving condi-
tions, and should be replaced in the
interest of safety.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures – and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter
road conditions. Although all-season
tires with the M+S identification provide
better winter traction than summer tires
with H, V, W Y and ZR speed ratings,
they generally fail to provide the same
levels of performance as standard
winter tires.
In the interests of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer having
the same tread configuration on all four
wheels.
Mount only winter tires which have
been approved by BMW. Any BMW
center will be glad to provide you with
information on the best winter tires for
your particular driving conditions.
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel.Snow chains
*
The use of narrow-link BMW snow
chains on summer or winter tires is
approved only in pairs and only on the
rear wheels. Comply with all manufac-
turer's safety precautions when mount-
ing the chains.

136n
Coolant Brake fluidAdding coolant Wait until the engine cools before re-
moving the cap from the expansion
tank. The coolant gauge needle in the
instrument cluster must be located in
the blue zone. If it is not, there is a
danger of scalding.
1 Turn the cap slightly counterclock-
wise in order to allow accumulated
pressure to escape. Then open
the cap
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached – do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the pre-
scribed all-season 50:50 mixture ratio
for year-round protection against inter-
nal corrosion. No other additives are
required.
Replace the coolant every four years.If the warning lamp for the brake sys-
tem comes on and the parking brake
has been released:
Check the brake fluid level. Fill it to the
top mark ("MAX") if necessary.
For adding brake fluid or for determin-
ing and correcting the cause of brake
fluid loss, consult your BMW center.
Your BMW center is familiar with the
specifications for factory-approved
brake fluids (DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss can result in extended
pedal travel. Comply with the informa-
tion provided on page 117.
460de128
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years by
a BMW center. Refer also to the Service
and Warranty Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion inaccessible to children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the "MAX"
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of brake fluid.<

138n
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means for
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost effectively as
possible for you. Once again, with re-
spect to the previous version, mainte-
nance costs were able to be reduced
due to technical innovations.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays
a significant role in maintaining its
resale value.
Service Interval DisplayAdvanced technology is employed to
calculate the optimal maintenance in-
tervals. These are then indicated in the 46cus018
Service Interval Display. While conven-
tional systems rely on distance traveled
alone to determine when service is due,
the BMW Maintenance System has for
years considered the actual conditions
under which the vehicle operates, be-
cause miles can be traveled in many
different ways:
From a maintenance point of view,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) of short-dis-
tance urban driving are not the same as
62,000 miles (100,000 km) of long-dis-
tance highway driving.
In response to this fact, the BMW Main-
tenance System monitors operating
conditions as the basis for determining
the optimum service intervals for your
individual vehicle. The BMW Mainte-
nance System includes the Engine Oil
Service and Inspections I and II.
Determining maintenance intervals ac-
cording to the actual use of the vehicle
covers every kind of operating situation.
Even those who drive very little – signif-
icantly less than 6,000 miles (10,000 km)
annually – should still have the engine oil
changed at least every 2 years because
engine oil deteriorates over time, re-
gardless of the amount of wear and tear
to which it has been subjected.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty and
Service Guide (Canadian models)For additional information on mainte-
nance intervals and procedures, please
refer to the Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US models) or to the
Warranty and Service Guide (Canadian
models).
As a precaution against rust, it is advis-
able to have the body checked for dam-
age from rocks or gravel at the same
time, depending upon operating condi-
tions.
Have your BMW center perform
maintenance and repair.
Your BMW center is always up-to-date
on the latest maintenance work and re-
pair techniques and equipped with the
required special tools. In addition,
checking parts known from experience
to be subject to wear is a permanent
part of the maintenance specifications.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or the
Warranty and Service Guide (Canadian
models). These entries will constitute
your proof that the vehicle has received
regular maintenance. They are also
required for warranty claims.<
The BMW Maintenance System

140n
Caring for your vehicleExterior finish To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
with special body-cavity protectants,
by applying specially developed and
extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to
the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied. Regular maintenance makes
an important contribution to maintaining
the safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on vehi-
cle finishes have led paint and vehicle
manufacturers to initiate programs de-
signed to further improve the durability
of their finishes. Despite this, environ-
mental factors that occur locally or re-
gionally can have negative effects on
the finish of your vehicle. Use the fac-
tors to determine the frequency and
extent of your efforts to maintain the
vehicle finish.
Depending upon material and type of
impact (perforation of paint layer), phys-
ical stresses from sand, road salt, gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to
start extending beneath the finish, start-
ing at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects, ani-
mal droppings (strong alkali effect) and
tree excretions (resins and pollen) all
contain substances capable of causing
damage when allowed to remain on the
finish of your vehicle for any extended
period of time. This includes spots,
etching, flaking, and separations in the
top coat.
In industrial areas, flue dust deposits,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other envi-
ronmental pollutants will damage the
vehicle's finish unless adequate care is
provided – even though this is generally
limited to the outside horizontal sur-
faces.
In coastal regions, high levels of atmo-
spheric salt and humidity promote
corrosion.
In tropical zones, temperatures of over
105 7 (+40 6) in the shade prevail, in
addition to heavy ultraviolet radiation
and high humidity. Under these condi-
tions, light paints can reach tempera-
tures up to 175 7 (+80 6) and dark
paints up to 250 7 (+120 6).
Caring for the vehicle finish Regular washing is a preventive mea-
sure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the vehi-
cle's finish, especially if you drive your
vehicle in areas with high levels of air
pollution or aggressive natural sub-
stances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive sub-
stances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled
during refueling, oil, grease and brake
fluid should always be cleaned away
immediately, as should bird droppings.
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use clean-
ing fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth or
cotton pad to remove. Remove tar
spots with tar remover. After cleaning,
the affected areas should be waxed to
ensure continued protection.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<

147n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Vehicle storage
If you intend to store the vehicle
for more than three months, have
the maintenance operations described
on this page performed.<
Preparations for storageHave your BMW center perform the fol-
lowing procedures:
1 Clean and apply a rustproofing agent
or other treatment to the engine,
engine compartment, undercarriage,
axles and major components in ac-
cordance with approved repair pro-
cedures. Washing the vehicle, any in-
terior cleaning and subsequent paint-
and chrome care, and cleaning any
rubber seals for the hood and doors,
should be carried out in compliance
with approved procedures as well
2 Change engine oil and oil filter at op-
erating temperature. As an additional
corrosion protection measure, an an-
ticorrosive agent can be added to the
engine when refueling in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions
3 Check the coolant level and concen-
tration and top off if necessary
4 Fill the fuel tank completely to pre-
vent the formation of condensation
5 Increase the tire inflation pressure to
51 psi (350 kPa).
Before parking the vehicle1 Dry the parking brake and footbrakes
completely to keep the brake discs
and drums from corroding
2 Park the vehicle in a covered, dry,
and well-ventilated space. Place the
transmission in first gear or set the
selector lever to the "P" position.
Chock the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from rolling if necessary. Do not
apply the parking brake
3 Remove the battery, charge it com-
pletely and store it in a cool (but
frost-free) room
4 Remove the hardtop
* and store it
separately. Refer to page 121
5 Close the convertible top.
During storageRecharge the battery every six months.
If it is not recharged, it will not be ser-
viceable. Every time the battery drains,
especially over extended periods, its
service life is reduced.
Removing the vehicle from
storageRecharge the battery if the "Magic
Eye"
* turns black. Refer to page 162.
Then have Inspection I performed by
your BMW center, including a brake
fluid replacement if necessary. Refer to
the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide (Canadian models).