2000 BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE ECU

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Seat and mirror memory
*
You can store and recall three different
driver's seat and outside mirror posi-
tions. The illustration shows the buttons
on the driver's seat, for making these
position adjustments.
The setting for the head restraint
is stored in memory, but the set-
ting for the lumbar support is not. 1 or 2
2 Set the desired positions for the seat,
head restraint and outside mirror
3 Press the
M
EMORY button: the indi-
cator lamp in the button lights up
4 Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as
desired. Indicator lamp goes out.
46cde014
To select a stored setting Convenience function:
1 Open the driver's door after unlock-
ing or set the ignition key in posi-
tion 1
2 Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,
as desired.
The adjustment cycle is canceled im-
mediately if you press a seat adjust-
ment switch or one of the memory
buttons.
Security function:
1 With the driver's door closed and the
ignition key either removed or in posi-
tion 0 or 2
2 Maintain pressure on the desired
memory button (1, 2 or 3) until the
adjustment process is completed.
If you press the
M
EMORY button acci-
dentally: press the button again; the
indicator lamp goes out.
Do not select a memory position
while the vehicle is moving. If you
do so, there is a risk of accident from
unexpected seat movement.<
Your BMW center can adjust your
vehicle's systems in such a man-
ner that your personalized settings are
automatically set for the seat, head
restraint and outside mirror positions
when you unlock the vehicle with your
personal remote control.<
If you make use of this method of
adjustment, be sure that the foot-
well behind the driver's seat is unob-
structed before unlocking the vehicle.
If you fail to do so, any persons or ob-
jects behind the seat could be injured
or damaged by a rearward movement
of the seat.<

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Child restraints
*
Commercially-available child restraint
systems are designed to be secured
with a lap belt or with the lap belt por-
tion of a combination lap/shoulder belt.
Improperly or inadequately installed
restraint systems can increase the risk
of injury to children. Always read and
follow the instructions that come with
the system.
If you use a child restraint system with
a tether strap, two additional tether an-
chorage points (refer to the arrows in
the illustration) have been provided.
Depending on the location selected for
seating in the rear passenger area, at-
tach the tether strap to the correspond-
ing anchorage point to secure the child
restraint system.46cus001
If the respective seating position is fit-
ted with a headrest lift the headrest and
pass the tether strap between the
headrest and the seat back.
Adjust the tether strap according to the
child restraint manufacturer's instruc-
tions.
Before installing any child restraint
device or child seat, please read
the following:
Never install a rear-facing child restraint
system in the front passenger seat of
this vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag
supplemental restraint system for the
front passenger. Because the backrest
on any rear-facing child restraint sys-
tem (of the kind designed for infants
under 1 year and 20 Ibs./9 kg) would be
within the airbag's deployment range,
you should never mount such a device
in the front passenger seat, since the
impact of the airbag against the child
restraint's backrest could lead to seri-
ous or fatal injuries.
If it is necessary for a child (not an in-
fant) to ride in the front seat, certain
precautions should be taken. First,
move the passenger seat as far away
from the dashboard as possible. This
important precaution is intended to
maximize the distance between the
airbag and the child. Older children
should be tightly secured with a safety
belt. Younger children should be se-
cured in an appropriate forward-facing
child restraint system that has first been
properly secured with a safety belt.
Never install a rear-facing child restraint
system in the front passenger seat.
We strongly urge you to carefully read
and comply with the instructions for in-
stallation and use provided by the child
restraint's manufacturer whenever you
use such a device.
Be sure that all occupants (of all ages)
remain properly and securely restrained
at all times.<
All rear seating positions in your vehicle
meet the recommendations of SAE
J1819, an industry-recommended prac-
tice for securing child restraint systems
in motor vehicles.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Installing a child restraint systemAll of the rear belt retractors and the
front passenger's safety belt can be
locked for mounting and securing child
restraint systems.
Information regarding this is located
near the buckle latch of each safety
belt.46cus027
Lock the safety beltExtract the entire length of the belt from
the inertia reel mechanism. Allow the
reel to retract the belt somewhat and
engage the buckle, then tighten the belt
against the child restraint system. The
retraction mechanism is now locked.
The belt cannot be extracted farther.
Always comply with the installation
instructions provided by the manufac-
turer of the child restraint system.
To release the beltRelease the buckle, remove the child-
restraint device and allow the belt
retractor to reel the belt completely in.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
D Drive (automatic shift program)This position is designed for driving un-
der all normal operating conditions. All
forward gears are available."Kickdown" In the "Kickdown" mode, you achieve
maximum performance and the top
speed in position "D".
To activate this mode, depress the ac-
celerator pedal beyond the full-throttle
position, going beyond the point of re-
sistance.
M/S Manual mode and Sport
ProgramShifting from D into M/S activates the
Sport Program. This is indicated by
"SD" in the gear selection display. This
position is recommended for a perfor-
mance-oriented driving style.
With the first brief touch, the automatic
transmission shifts from the Sport Pro-
gram to the manual mode.
When you move the selector lever for-
ward in the "+" direction, the transmis-
sion shifts up. When the lever is moved
back in the "–" direction, the transmis-
sion shifts down. M1 to M5 appear in
the gear indicator.46cde054
Upshifts or downshifts will only be car-
ried out by the ATC at appropriate en-
gine speeds and road speeds. If the en-
gine speed is too high, for instance, a
downshift will not be executed. The
gear selected will appear briefly in the
instrument cluster followed by the cur-
rent gear.
To accelerate quickly in the man-
ual mode (to pass another vehi-
cle), shift down manually or employ the
"Kickdown" mode.<
Shifting from M/S to the selector lever
positions P, R and N is possible only by
going through D.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Ski bag
*
The ski bag allows the safe and clean
transport of up to three pairs of skis or
two snowboards.
The length of the ski bag and the addi-
tional space provided in the luggage
compartment make it possible to carry
skis with a length of up to 6.8 feet
(2.1 0 meters). Because of the tapered
shape of the bag, the ski bag can only
accommodate two pairs of skis that are
6.8 feet long (2.1 0 meters).
Loading1 Release the safety belts from their
holders
2 Press down on the button (arrow) and
remove the fill piece by pulling it for-
ward
3 Extend the ski bag between the front
seats. The zipper provides conve-
nient access to stored items. It may
be opened to allow the ski bag to dry46cde066
To re-attach the fill piece, guide
the tabs into the strip of molding
and snap the fill piece back into place.
The safety belts can then be re-secured
into their holders.<
46cde067

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Ski bag
*
Cargo loading
4 Press the button in the luggage com-
partment (arrow)
5 Use the magnetic retainer to fasten
the cover panel to the back wall.Securing the load
Secure the skis or other objects in
the bag by tightening down the re-
taining strap at the buckle.<
Please ensure that the skis are clean
before loading them into the bag. Take
care to avoid damage from sharp
edges.
46cde065
Stowing cargo If you are transporting a load in your
BMW:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible – directly behind the back-
rests or the luggage compartment
partition – and as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners.46cde063
To enlarge the luggage compart-
ment when the convertible top is
closed, refer to page 41.
We recommend that you always fold
the convertible top compartment panel
down as soon as you have unloaded
the luggage compartment. That way
you will always be sure of being able to
operate the convertible top at any time.
Reverse the process by flipping the
convertible top compartment panel up
before stowing any cargo in the lug-
gage compartment, which will (also)
prevent any damage to the convertible
top compartment or the cargo.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cargo loadingSecuring the load >For small, light items, use the rubber-
lined non-skid side of the floor mat or
secure with a luggage compartment
net
* or elastic straps (refer to
page 40)
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing de-
vices*. Lashing eyes (arrow) are pro-
vided at the corners of the luggage
compartment for attaching these
load-securing devices
>Comply with the information enclosed
with the load-securing devices.
46cde008
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the permissible gross
vehicle weight and the permissible axle
loads (refer to page 184). If you do, safe
operation of the vehicle is no longer
ensured, and you are in violation of the
law.
Do not carry hard or heavy objects un-
secured in the passenger compartment.
If you do so, they may be projected
through the air during braking and eva-
sive maneuvers, thus endangering vehi-
cle occupants.<

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Luggage rack for the hardtop
*
Mounting pointsAccess to the mounting points:
To open the covers (arrow), please
use the tool included with the luggage
rack system.
A special roof-rack system is available
for your BMW as an optional extra.
Please observe the precautions in-
cluded with the installation instructions.
Because roof racks raise the center of
gravity of the vehicle when loaded, they
exercise a major effect on its handling
and steering response.
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof weight,
the approved gross vehicle weight or
the axle weights when loading the rack.
You will find the specifications under
"Technical Data" on page 184.46cde097
Make sure that the load is not too heavy,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on
the bottom). Make sure nothing projects
into the luggage compartment lid's
opening and closing path.
Secure the roof luggage correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or
being lost during driving (danger to fol-
lowing traffic).
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden ac-
celeration or braking. Do not corner at
high speeds.
The roof load increases aerodynamic
resistance, resulting in increased fuel
consumption and additional stresses on
the vehicle body.