2000 BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE child lock

64n
AirbagsSitting correctly with airbags
For your safety, comply with the
following instructions for the air-
bags. If you do not, the airbags may not
be able to provide their maximum pro-
tection. All passengers in the vehicle
should be aware of and comply with
this information:
The airbags are supplemental restraint
devices designed to provide extra pro-
tection; they are not a substitute for
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all
times. The airbags will not be triggered
in the event of a minor accident, a vehi-
cle roll-over, or collisions from the rear.
In these instances, the safety belt pro-
vides optimal protection.
Airbags are located under cover panels
in the steering wheel, in the dashboard
and in the side trim panels in the front.
Adjust your seat to a position that pro-
vides maximum distance between you
and the steering wheel, the instrument
panel and the door while still allowing
comfortable and safe access to all
vehicle controls.
To avoid sustaining hand and arm inju-
ries, always grasp the steering wheel
on the rim with the hands at the 9 and
3 o'clock positions. Do not place your
hands on the center pad.
Never allow any objects to obstruct the
area between the airbag and an occu-
pant.
Do not use the cover panel above the
passenger-side airbag as a storage
area.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them
or modify them in any other way.
Do not install a rear-facing child re-
straint system in the front passenger
seat of this car.
Children under 13 years of age and
children less than 5 feet (150 cm) tall
should ride only in the rear seat.
Infants or small children should never
be held on the lap of a passenger.
If your car is equipped with side airbags
in the rear passenger area, be sure that
child restraints are mounted correctly
and provided with the greatest-possible
distance between the airbags in the
side trim panels. Do not allow children
to lean out of the child's seat in the di-
rection of the side trim panels. If they
do so, serious injuries can occur if the
airbag is triggered. upright and be properly restrained
(infants and small children in appropri-
ate child restraint systems; larger chil-
dren and adults using the safety belts).
Never let an occupant's head rest near
or on a side airbag because the inflating
airbag could cause a serious or fatal in-
jury. Please note that the word "Airbag"
imprinted on the door trim panel indi-
cates the airbag's location.
Accident research shows that the saf-
est place for children in an automobile
is in the rear seat. However, a child sit-
ting in the rear seat and not properly re-
strained may place his or her head on
or near the airbag, if so equipped. For
example, a child — even though belted
— may fall asleep with his or her head
against the side airbag. It may be diffi-
cult for a driver to ensure that children
in the rear seat will remain properly po-
sitioned at all times and not place their
heads on or near the side airbag.
Therefore, we recommend that the rear
seat side airbags, if so equipped, be
deactivated if children will travel in the
rear seat.
The rear seat side airbags may already
have been deactivated, either at the
time of manufacture or by a BMW
center. Labels in the rear door opening

67n
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.

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.<

163n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
BatteryBattery careThe battery is absolutely maintenance-
free, that is, the original acid will nor-
mally last for the service life of the
battery under temperate climatic
conditions.
For all questions regarding the
battery, please consult your BMW
center. Since the battery is absolutely
maintenance-free, the following infor-
mation is for your use only.<
SymbolsYou will find the following symbols on
your vehicle battery. For your safety,
please be cautious whenever you work
with or near the battery.
Before handling the battery,
please read the following infor-
mation.
Wear eye protection. Do not al-
low particles containing battery
acid or lead to come into con-
tact with your eyes, your skin, or your
clothing.
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and
protective gloves. Do not tip the
battery. Battery acid can leak from the
ventilation openings.
Do not allow children to have
access to batteries and battery
acid.
Never allow sparks or open
flame near the battery. Do not
smoke in the vicinity of the bat-
tery. Avoid sparks from electrical cables
or electrical equipment. Turn the key to
position 0 in the steering lock when dis-
connecting or connecting the battery.
Do not short-circuit the battery termi-
nals. This creates a risk of injury from
high-energy sparks.
A highly explosive gas is
generated when the battery is
charged.
If you happen to get acid in
your eyes, rinse thoroughly for
15 minutes with clear water.
Consult a physician immediately. If you
get acid spray on your skin or clothing,
rinse with plenty of water. If acid is ac-
cidentally ingested, consult a physician
immediately.
In order to protect the battery
case from ultraviolet radiation,
do not place it in direct sunlight.
A drained battery can freeze. Store the
battery in areas where temperature
remains above freezing.

Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake
System)22, 114
Accessories6
Activated charcoal filter98
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)74, 172
Adding engine oil133
Adding washer
fluid132, 185
Adjust seats53
Adjust the temperature96
Adjusting the steering
wheel58
Air distribution96
Air outlets94
Air pressure123
Air supply97
Airbags21, 63, 146, 173
sitting properly with64
Alarm system42
Antenna120
Antenna, Diversity174
Antifreeze135
Antifreeze, radiator118
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)22, 114
Anti-theft alarm system42
Aquaplaning113, 123
Armrest102
Ashtray
front103
rear104Assisted rear entry56
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)74, 172
Attaching vehicle vacuum
cleaner104
AUC (Automatic recirculated
air control)97
Automatic car washes139
Automatic climate
control94
remove window
condensation97
Automatic cruise control80
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror59
Automatic recirculated air
control (AUC)97
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic22, 74
Automatic windshield
washer78
Average consumption86
Average speed86
Avoiding unwanted
alarm43
Axle loads184
BBackrest
release56
Backup lamps73
bulb replacement155Battery162, 186
capacity186
charge164
charge current20
drained168
removal and
installation164
Belts61
Blower97
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils134
BMW Sports Seat55
BMW Universal
Transmitter100
Bore182
Brake fluid136
Brake hydraulic system20
Brake lamps
bulb replacement155
Brake pads22
Brakes116
malfunctions117
Break-in procedure112
Breaking in the vehicle112
Bulb replacement152
CCapacities185
Car Memory60
Car radio120
refer also to the separate
Owner's ManualCar radio
reception120, 174
Car wash139
Care
convertible top144
exterior140
interior141
Care of upholstery142
Cargo loading106
Caring for the vehicle
finish140
Caring for wool velour142
Cassette operation, refer to
the Radio Owner's Manual
Catalytic converter113
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)21, 115
CD operation, refer to the
Radio Owner's Manual
Cellular phone103, 120
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Center armrest102
Center brake lamp157
Central locking system34
key38
Changing tires159
Check Control84
Child restraint
systems61, 66, 67
installation67
Child's seat61, 66
Everything from A to Z

Everything from A to ZFuel consumption
display83
Fuel reserve indicator
lamp83
Fuel tank capacity185
Fuel tank gauge83
Fully automatic convertible
top
actuation49
emergency closure166
one-touch operation34
Functional status178
Fuses165GGarage-door opener100
Gasoline27
Gasoline gauge83
Glove compartment99
Glove compartment lamp
bulb replacement158
Grills94
Gross vehicle weight184HHandbrake72
Hands-free system103
Hanging the luggage
compartment floor up by
the hook40
Hardtop121
Hazard warning flashers25Hazard warning triangle25
Head restraints54
Headlamp covers,
care139, 153
Headlamp flasher92
Headlamp washer
system79, 132, 185
Heated seats99
Heater and ventilation94
Heavy loads106
Height183
High beams23, 77, 92
bulb replacement153
Hood release129
Horn17
Hub cap160
IIce warning85
Identification, tires126
Ignition key32
Ignition lock70
Increasing the space in the
luggage compartment41
Indicator lamps20
Inflated pressure27, 123
Inflation pressure
monitoring89, 177
INSPECTION83
Instrument cluster18
Instrument lighting91Interaxle tire rotation125
Interface socket for On-
Board Diagnostics149
Interference
cellular phones120
Interior lamps37, 92
bulb replacement157
remote control37
Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature59, 175
Interlock70
Intermittent wipe77
ISOFIX Attachment of the
child seat62
JJack159
Jets94
Jump starting168KKey32
Key Memory60
Key with remote control32L"Lamps on" warning91
Lashing eyes107
Leather care143
Length183License plate lamp
bulb replacement157
Light switch91
Light-alloy wheels128
Lighter104
Load-securing devices107
Low beams91
bulb replacement153
Lug bolts160
Luggage compartment39
capacity184
emergency release39
floor panel41
remote control37
Luggage compartment
lamps
bulb replacement158
Luggage compartment
lid39
emergency release39
Luggage compartment
lighting39
Luggage rack108
Lumbar support56
MM+S tires127
Maintenance83, 138
Malfunction displays84
Manual convertible top
operation in the event of an
electrical malfunction166

Everything from A to ZService and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models)138
Service Interval
Display83, 138
Shiftlock74
Side airbags63
Side lamps91
bulb replacement154
Sitting properly53
using airbags64
Ski bag105
Skid control119
Slippery roads118
Snow chains118, 128
Socket104
Space-saver spare tire159
Spare key32
Spare tire159
Spark plugs186
Speaker103
Speedometer18
Starting70
Starting problems113, 168
Steel wheels128
Steering120
Steering wheel lock70
Steptronic74
Stopping the vehicle71
Storage compartments102
Storing your vehicle147
Stroke182
Summer tires126Switching off the engine71
Symbols4, 163
Synthetic oils134
TTachometer82
Tail lamps155
bulb replacement155
Tank capacity185
Tank cover
unlock in case of electrical
fault165
Technical data182
Technical
modifications6, 148
Telephone
refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Telephone hookup103
Temperature display
outside temperature85
Temperature gauge
engine coolant83
Temperature layering98
Tether anchorage for child
retsraint66
Third brake lamp157
Tilt alarm37
remote control37
Tilt sensor alarm system43
Tire codes126
Tire damages123Tire inflation
pressure27, 123
Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)89, 177
Tire pressure
monitoring89, 177
Tire pressure, checking27
Tire replacement124, 125
Tire specifications128
Tire tread123
Tools152
Torque182
Tow fittings169
Towing169
Track183
Traction Control System
refer to DSC88
Transmission73
Tread depth, tires123
Trip odometer82
Trunk39
locking separately39
Trunk lid, refer to luggage
compartment lid39
Turn signal indicator23, 77
Turn signals
bulb replacement154
Turning radius183
Two-way radios120
UUniform Tire Quality
Grading124Universal Transmitter100
Used batteries164
VVehicle
battery162, 186
identification137
immobilizer33
painting140
starting70
storage147
weight184
Vehicle care
exterior140
interior141
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)137
Ventilation94
draft-free98
Vinyl upholstery, care142
Visors59WWarning lamp "Please fasten
safety belts"21
Warning lamps20
Warning messages84
Warranty and Service Guide
(Canadian models)138
Washer reservoir, filling132
Washing your car139
Water on roadways
deep water113