2000 BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE sensor

77n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp flasher Washer/Wiper system 1 High beam
(blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher
(blue indicator lamp)
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator
lamp accompanied by periodic click-
ing sound from the relay).
If the indicator lamp and the clicking
from the relay are both faster than nor-
mal, one of the turn signal indicators
has failed.46cde094
To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond
the detent. It then returns to the center
position when released.
0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent wipe or rain sensor
*
2 Normal wipe
3 Fast wipe
4 Brief wipe
5 Automatic windshield washer
6 Rotary dial for control of the wipe
interval or the sensitivity of the rain
sensor
*
46cde095

78n
Washer/Wiper system1 Intermittent wipe or rain
sensor
*
Intermittent wipe:
You can use rotary dial 6 to select from
four wipe intervals.
In addition, the wipe interval automati-
cally adapts to variations in road speed.
Rain sensor:
The rain sensor is located on the wind-
shield, directly in front of the interior
rearview mirror. When the rain sensor is
activated, the windshield wiper is con-
trolled automatically, depending on the
degree of wetness of the windshield (in
both snow and rain). You do not have to
be concerned with switching the wind-
shield wiper on or off or adjusting the
wipe interval between intermittent and
full wipe. Instead, you can concentrate 46cde095
fully on the traffic conditions. This is
especially important under adverse
weather conditions.
To activate the rain sensor:
From ignition key position 1 and up,
move the lever to position 1. The wipers
travel once across the windshield, re-
gardless of the weather.
You can leave the lever permanently in
position 1. It is then only necessary to
activate the rain sensor from ignition
key position 1 and up. To do this,
>turn rotary dial 6 briefly or
>use the automatic windshield
washer 5.
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain
sensor:
Turn rotary dial 6.
Turn the rain sensor off when
passing through an automatic car
wash. Failure to do so could result in
damage caused by undesired wiper
activation.<
2 Normal wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
wipers switch automatically to inter-
mittent wipe (not on vehicles with rain
sensor).3 Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
wipers operate at normal speed (not
on vehicles with rain sensor).5 Automatic windshield washer The system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period.
If you only pull the lever briefly, the sys-
tem sprays washer fluid onto the wind-
shield without activating the wipers.

87n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The PDC assists you when you are park-
ing. A signal warns you of the real dis-
tance to an obstacle. To do this, four
ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper
measure the distance to the nearest ob-
ject. The range for the sensors at the two
rear corners ends approx. 2 feet (60 cm)
from the bumper. The range for the
two center sensors is approx. 4.9 feet
(1.50 meters) wide.
The system starts to operate automati-
cally about one second after you select
"Reverse" with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2. PDC is deactivated when you shift
back out of reverse.
Acoustical signalsThe distance to the nearest object is in-
dicated by a tone sounding at various
intervals. As the distance between vehi-
cle and object decreases, the intervals
between the tones become shorter.
A continuous tone indicates the pres-
ence of an object less than approx.
1 foot (30 cm) away.
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. three seconds if the distance
to the obstacle remains constant during
this time (if you are moving parallel to
a wall, for instance).
System malfunctions are indicated by a
continuous high-pitched tone when the
system is activated the first time.
Please refer the problem to your BMW
center.The PDC does not remove the
driver's personal responsibility for
evaluating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstacles. Even when
sensors are involved, there is a blind
spot in which objects cannot be de-
tected. This applies especially in those
cases where the system approaches
the physical limits of ultrasonic mea-
surement, as occurs with tow bars and
trailer couplings, and in the vicinity of
thin and painted objects.
Certain sources of sound, such as a
loud radio, could drown out the PDC
signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free of
ice or snow in order to ensure that
they continue to operate effectively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Maintain a distance of more than
4 inches (10 cm).<
Park Distance Control (PDC)
*

95n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic climate control 1 Air onto the windshield and the side
windows
2 Air flow toward the upper body
The side rotary dials provide infi-
nitely variable regulation of the air
supply, while the levers change the
air flow direction. The center rotary
dial controls the temperature of the
air as it flows out, refer to page 98
3 Front footwell ventilation
There are corresponding air vents in
the rear footwell as well
4 Recirculated air mode/Automatic
recirculated air control (AUC)97
5 Air supply97
6 Temperature96
7 Automatic air distribution96
8 Individual air distribution96
9 Air grill for interior temperature
sensor – please keep clear and
unobstructed
10 Display for temperature and air
supply96
11 Defrost the windshield and side
windows97
12 Air conditioner97
13 Rear window defroster79, 98

113n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear, and possibly
to brake failure.
Aquaplaning:
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce vehicle speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water may form between the
tires and the road surface. This phe-
nomenon is referred to as aquaplaning
or hydroplaning. It is characterized by a
partial or complete loss of contact be-
tween the tires and the road surface.
The ultimate results are loss of steering
and braking control.
Driving through water:
Do not drive through water over the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft (30 cm), and
then only at walking speed, otherwise
the engine, electrical system and trans-
mission could be damaged.
Clothes hooks (when hardtop
* is
mounted):
When suspending clothing from the
hooks, ensure that they will not obstruct
the driver's vision. Do not hang heavy
objects on the hooks. If you do, they
could cause personal injury during
braking or evasive maneuvers.<
The catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions. It is designed for
use with unleaded fuel only.
Even minute quantities of lead would be
enough to permanently damage both
the catalytic converter and the system
oxygen sensor.To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and to avoid potential damage:>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty
>Tow-start only when the engine is
cold. If you attempt to tow-start with
a warm engine, unburned residual
fuel in the catalytic converter could
ignite and cause damage. It is better
to jump-start the vehicle with outside
assistance
>Avoid other situations in which the
fuel is not burned, or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start (stopping and
restarting an engine which is running
properly does not present a problem).
Never allow the engine to run with
any of the spark plug cables
disconnected.Be sure to observe the instruc-
tions above to prevent unburned
fuel from reaching the catalytic con-
verter, otherwise, the catalytic con-
verter could overheat and be damaged.
High temperatures occur in every vehi-
cle equipped with a catalytic converter.
Heat shields are installed adjacent to
some sections of the exhaust system.
Never remove these shields; do not
apply undercoating to their surfaces.
When driving, standing at idle, and
parking the vehicle, take extra care to
avoid contact between the exhaust sys-
tem and flammable materials (grass,
hay, leaves, etc.). Such contact could
lead to a fire, resulting in serious per-
sonal injury and property damage.<
Driving notes Catalytic converter

139n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Washing your vehicle You can wash your BMW at an auto-
matic car wash, even when it is new.
Brushless systems are preferable (refer
to page 144 as well).
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the vehicle.
In order to avoid spots, do not wash the
vehicle when the hood is warm, or dur-
ing or immediately after exposure to
strong sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle
>No damage will occur to vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the
car wash operator if necessary
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor
*:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects
can cause the rain sensor* to malfunc-
tion.
Turn the rain sensor* off (refer to
page 78) when passing through an
automatic car wash. Failure to do so
could result in damage caused by unin-
tended wiper activation.<
Parts of the vehicle that are inaccessi-
ble to the automatic washer – such as
door sills, door and hood edges, etc. –
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially im-
portant to ensure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also damage the
vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face. Inadequate distance and exces-
sive pressure can damage or weaken
the finish, making it more susceptible to
subsequent attack. In addition, mois-
ture could penetrate to vehicle compo-
nents, leading to long-term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
Do not clean by wiping with a dry cloth
(scratches). Never use abrasives or
strong solvents to clean the covers.
Remove dirt and contamination (such
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty
of water. Always use a deicer spray to
remove accumulated ice and snow –
never use a scraper.<
After washing the vehicle, apply
the brakes briefly to dry them.
Braking efficiency might otherwise be
reduced by the moisture and the brake
rotors could also corrode.<
Caring for your vehicle

142n
Caring for your vehiclePlastic components, vinyl upholstery,
the headliner (with the hardtop
*), lamp
lenses, the clear cover for the instru-
ment cluster and dull black surfaces can
be cleaned with either water and possi-
bly a cleaner designed to be used on
plastic. Do not soak the seats or the
headliner (this applies to the hardtop
*).
Never use solvents such as lacquer thin-
ner, heavy-duty grease remover, fuels,
or similar substances.
Rubber components should be cleaned
with water only; a rubber treatment or
silicone spray may also be applied.
Clean the wiper blades with soapy wa-
ter. The wiper blades should be re-
placed twice a year – before and after
winter. This is especially important for
vehicles with a rain sensor
*.
Use only wiper blades approved
by BMW.<
Do not remove safety belts to clean
them. Clean them with mild soapy wa-
ter only. Do not use chemicals or dry
cleaners to clean safety belts, since this
could damage the belt fabric.
After cleaning, never allow the inertia
reel to retract the belts until they are
completely dry. Dirty safety belts pre-
vent the inertia reel mechanism from
retracting the strap properly, and thus
constitute a safety hazard.
Heavily soiled floor carpets and mats
*
can be cleaned with an interior cleaner.
The floor mats can be removed from
the vehicle for cleaning.
Use only a damp cloth to clean trim
panels made of real wood
* and other
parts constructed of real wood
*. Follow
up by drying with a soft cloth.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<
Care of upholstery materials Depressions in the upholstery that re-
sult from everyday use can be brushed
smooth by brushing against the nap
with a lightly dampened brush.
The tendency of the pile to lie in a par-
ticular direction on velour upholstery is
not a quality defect, and, just as on
home textiles or clothing, cannot be
avoided.
Lint on upholstery materials, textile or
leather remnants that have been worn
into the upholstery may be removed
with a lint brush or a Velcro brush. A
cleaning glove is available for especially
"stubborn" lint. Stains and fairly large
areas of dirt should be cleaned off with-
out delay, using lukewarm water and an
interior cleaner, stain remover or appro-
priate cleaning fluid. Brush the fabric
afterwards to restore its appearance.
If the vehicle is to be stored for an
extended period, or if it is exposed to
intense sunlight, cover all the seats or
the windows to prevent fading.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
171n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC)172
Airbags173
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)173
Radio reception174
Safety belt tensioner174
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimmer175
Rain sensor176
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)177
Self-diagnostics178
Rollover protection system179
Xenon lamps179
Technology