2000 BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE ESP

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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

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic climate controlAir supply

By pressing the left or right half
of the button, you can vary the
air supply. By doing this, you switch off
the automatic control for the air supply.
Nevertheless, the automatic air distri-
bution remains unchanged.
When you set the lowest blower speed
by pressing the left half of the button,
all of the displays are canceled: the
blower, heater and air conditioner are
switched off, and the air supply stops.
You can reactivate the system by
pressing any button of the automatic
climate control.
Defrost the windshield and side
windows
This program quickly removes
ice and condensation from the
windshield and side windows.
Air conditioner
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the tem-
perature setting – rewarmed when the
air conditioner system is switched on.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started.
Use the button to switch the air condi-
tioner off when outside air temperatures
are below approx. 41 7 (+5 6). This
will help to prevent the windows from
fogging over.
If the windows fog over after switching
the air conditioner off, switch it back on.
Condensation forms in the air
conditioner system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Automatic recirculated air
control (AUC)
If there are unpleasant odors or
pollutants in the outside air, you
can temporarily block the air flow from
the outside. The system then recircu-
lates the air already within the vehicle.
By repeated actuation of the button,
you can select three different operating
modes.
>Indicator lamps off: fresh air flows
into the vehicle
>Left-hand indicator lamp on – AUC
mode: the system detects pollutants
in the outside air and responds by
deactivating the outside air flow as
required. The system then recircu-
lates the air already within the vehicle.
Depending on air quality require-
ments, the system automatically
switches between outside air supply
and recirculation of the air already
within the vehicle
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the
flow of outside air is permanently
blocked. The system recirculates the
air already within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the
recirculated air mode, switch this
mode off and increase the air supply
as required.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
BMW Universal Transmitter
*
Programming 1 Channel keys
2 Indicator lamp
Read and comply with the safety
precautions on the previous
page.<
1 Turn the ignition key to position 2
2 To initialize: press and hold both out-
side keys 1 until the indicator lamp 2
flashes, and then release them. The
three channel keys are cleared46cus023
3 Hold the original hand-held transmit-
ter to the receiver embedded in the
mirror, e. g. right near the buttons, no
further than 2 inches away (5 cm)
4 Press the transmission key of the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter (arrow 2)
and the desired channel key of the
Integrated Universal Remote Control
(arrow 1) simultaneously. Release
both keys as soon as the indicator
lamp flashes rapidly
5 To program other original hand-held
transmitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.
The corresponding channel key is now
programmed using the signal from the
original hand-held transmitter. 46cus024
Programming a hand-held
transmitter with conversion code
Read and comply with the safety
precautions on previous page.<
When programming the BMW Universal
Transmitter, consult the instructions for
the specific device. For using the BMW
Universal Transmitter with a conver-
sion-code system, note the following
supplemental programming instruc-
tions:
A second person facilitates pro-
gramming of the BMW Universal
Transmitter.<
1 Program the BMW Universal Trans-
mitter as described previously under
"Programming"
2 Press and hold the programming key
on the receiver of the device for ap-
proximately two seconds until the
programming lamp on the device
comes on
3 Press the desired channel key of the
BMW Universal Transmitter three
times.
If you have additional questions,
please consult your BMW center.<

108n
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.

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Antilock Brake System (ABS)The concept ABS enhances active driving safety
by helping to prevent the wheels from
locking while braking. This is because
locked wheels are dangerous. When
the front wheels slide, the driver loses
steering control over the vehicle.
Traction loss at the rear wheels can
cause the rear end to break into an
uncontrolled skid.
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
>To help provide vehicle stability
>To help maintain steering control and
maneuverability – on all types of road
surfaces (asphalt, concrete, mud, wet
road surfaces, snow, ice).
The system can achieve the shortest
braking distances possible under most
conditions (on straight aways and in
curves, on asphalt, ice, wet road sur-
faces, etc.).
Braking with ABSThe system is operative once the vehi-
cle exceeds a speed of approx. 6 mph
(10 km/h). It is deactivated once again
below approx. 4 mph (6 km/h). This
means that the wheels can lock in the
final phase of a panic stop – a factor of
no significance in actual use.
If you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply maxi-
mum brake pressure ("panic stop").
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can nevertheless
avoid possible obstacles with a mini-
mum of steering effort.
The ABS closed-loop control circuit
cycles in fractions of a second. A pulsa-
tion at the brake pedal, together with
the sounds associated with the hydrau-
lic controls, tells you that the brake sys-
tem is within its maximum limit range,
and reminds you that you should adapt
road speed to the road conditions.
On road surfaces that have a loose
surface layer on a firm base with good
traction (on gravel or snow, for exam-
ple), or when snow chains are mounted,
braking distances may be longer than
with locked wheels. However, ABS continues to provide
enhanced vehicle stability and steering
response under these conditions.
Information for your safetyNot even ABS can suspend the laws of
physics. ABS cannot prevent the conse-
quences of brake applications with inad-
equate clearances for safety between
vehicles, when exceeding the speed
limit in curves, or the risks involved
when aquaplaning occurs. Responsibil-
ity for these types of situations remains
in the hands (and at the feet) of the
driver. You should never allow the
added safety of ABS to lull you into a
false sense of security, or mislead you
into taking increased risks that could
affect your own safety and that of others.
Do not make any modifications to
the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be
performed by authorized technicians
only.<

116n
Disc brakesDisc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, and in
operating conditions where brake appli-
cations are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion of the
rotors and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs
because the minimal pressure that
must be exerted by the pads to clean
the rotors by brake applications is
not reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has ap-
proved for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-ap-
proved brake pads to determine if they
are suited for use, and therefore cannot
ensure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle if they are installed.<
Driving notesWhen driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is advisable to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles or kilometers. Watch traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other drivers. The heat
which is generated by the brake appli-
cations helps to dry the brake pads and
rotors.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels continue to rotate, but
rather when they are still barely turning
immediately prior to locking. ABS main-
tains this state automatically. If the ABS
fails, you should revert to the staggered
braking technique described on
page 119.
Extended or steep mountain descents
do not necessarily lead to reduced
braking efficiency if you drive downhill
with the transmission in a gear that
allows minimal brake applications (or,
with automatic transmission
*, in an
appropriate lower gear).
You can further increase the engine's
braking effect by selecting a lower gear,
downshifting as far as first gear or plac-
ing the selector lever in position 1.If engine braking should prove to be
inadequate, you should still avoid ex-
tended, continuous braking. Instead of
maintaining low to moderate pressure
over an extended period of time, you
should decelerate by applying more
substantial pressure to the brake pedal
(watch for following traffic), releasing
the pedal, and then repeating the appli-
cation (staggered braking). The cooling
phases between active braking inter-
vals prevent the brakes from overheat-
ing, thus ensuring that full braking
capacity remains available at all times.
Do not coast with the clutch de-
pressed or with the shift lever or
selector lever in "Neutral". Do not drive
with the engine shut off. The engine
provides no braking effect when the
clutch is depressed or the transmission
is in "Neutral", and there is no power
assist for braking or steering when the
engine is not running.
Do not allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the brake pedal, the clutch or
the accelerator, which could obstruct
their freedom of movement.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Winter operationBrakesWinter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface.
Keep this in mind, because the braking
distance increases substantially.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response.
If the ABS does not respond in a critical
braking situation and the wheels lock,
reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
until the wheels just start to roll again
while still maintaining enough force to
continue braking. Then increase the
pressure, reduce the pressure when the
wheels lock, reapply pressure, etc.
This staggered braking procedure will
reduce stopping distances while help-
ing you maintain steering control.
You can then attempt to steer around
hazards after you have reduced pres-
sure on the brake pedal.Do not shift down on slick road
surfaces. Doing so could cause
the rear wheels to lose traction and
skid, which could result in the loss of
vehicle control.<
Depress the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces that pro-
vide only poor or uneven traction.<
Skid control Depress the clutch and release the ac-
celerator pedal, or place the selector
lever of the automatic transmission into
the "Neutral" position. Countersteer
carefully and attempt to regain control
of the vehicle.
ParkingEngage first or reverse gear. If your
vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, place the selector lever in
Park. On vehicles with manual trans-
mission, also apply the parking brake
when parking on inclined surfaces. In
order to prevent the parking brake pads
from locking due to frost or corrosion,
dry them by gently applying the parking
brake as the vehicle is coming to a
stop. Make sure that following traffic
is not endangered.
The brake lamps do not come
on when the parking brake
is applied.<

120n
Power steering Cellular phone* Radio reception Changes in steering response, e.g. high
steering effort:
Consult a BMW center to have the sys-
tem checked.
If the power steering fails, in-
creased effort will be required to
steer the vehicle.<
Only mobile communications systems
(cellular phone, two-way radios, etc.)
with an output up to 10 watts are per-
mitted. Mobile communications devices
not specifically designed for use in your
vehicle may trigger malfunctions while
operating your vehicle. BMW can nei-
ther test nor assume responsibility for
every individual product being offered
on the market. We recommend that you
consult your BMW center before pur-
chasing any device of this kind.
To ensure that your BMW continues to
provide reliable and trouble-free opera-
tion, do not use a cellular phone or
other radio device with an antenna
located inside the passenger compart-
ment. The antenna should always be
mounted on the outside of the vehicle.
Before loading the vehicle on
a car-carrier train or driving it
through a car-wash, remove the
antenna.<
The reception and sound quality
obtained from mobile radios varies
according to a variety of factors, includ-
ing the broadcast range of the transmit-
ter and the directional orientation of the
antenna. Interference factors such as
high-tension power lines, structural or
natural obstructions can all lead to un-
avoidable reception interference, re-
gardless of how well the vehicle sound
system is operating.
Climatic factors such as intense solar
radiation, fog, rain and snow can also
interfere with reception.
Car telephones or cellular phones not
approved by BMW can also cause in-
terference in the radio during a tele-
phone call. This phenomenon assumes
the form of a low-pitched hum emanat-
ing from the speaker system.
Please refer to the supplementary
Owner's Manual provided with your car
radio
* for detailed information on its
use.